Just 1.5 miles from the entrance to Zion National Park is an important resource for backpackers, hikers, families, or anyone else planning to visit the park.
The Springdale Visitor Center offers a wealth of important park information, essential outdoor gear, and many other tools that can help enhance your Zion visit, keep you safe, and otherwise prep you for the rest of your trip.
Keep reading to learn 10 reasons to stop at Springdale Visitor Center before you continue on to Zion National Park.
1. Get Hiking and Sightseeing Suggestions
Whether you already have an idea of the trails you want to hike during your visit to Zion or not, it’s always a good idea to ask the locals for advice.
At Springdale Visitor Center, the staff is full of experts on Zion. They can help you choose the right trails for your abilities or time limits. Don’t plan to spend all of your time hiking? Don’t worry, they can help you find plenty of other activities to enjoy as well.
2. Find Out About Closures and Delays
Our staff is good for more than just recommending trails and activities. They can also help you find out about trail closures, road construction, weather, or anything else that might affect your visit to the park. While the national park’s visitor center is in charge of putting out information about trails, overlooks, and facility closures, you can catch the same info before you ever get into the park, helping you adjust your plans for the day.
Finding out about potential wet or severe weather before you pay to enter the park is very important; there are plenty of things to do in Springdale to occupy a rainy day! During busy attendance days, you can also ask about additional parking options or tips on avoiding traffic.
3. Fill Up Your Reusable Water Bottle
Since you’ve stopped at the Visitor Center and found out about closures or trail recommendations, you’ll be able to head straight into the park and right to your chosen hike. Or at least head to the Zion Shuttle where you can then ride to the trailhead. But before you do, be sure to fill your water bottles at our refill station. That’s one less stop you’ll have to make when you get into Zion.
4. Grab Any Outdoor Gear You Forgot
Hiking and other outdoor activities are a wonderful way to disconnect and get back to nature. But they do require some important gear if you want to stay safe and comfortable. Springdale, while charming and full of restaurants, gift shops, and lodging, doesn’t exactly offer an endless supply of stores with outdoor gear. Luckily, you’ll find everything you need in the Springdale Visitor Center.
Maybe you forgot your jacket or first aid kit, or are wishing you brought extra socks. Perhaps you realized that you really should have replaced your old hiking boots before your trip. Whatever it is, we can help. You can even buy water shoes in case you decide to hike The Narrows at the last minute. Or hydration packs for when you realize just how many water bottles you’d need to stay hydrated during a full day of hiking in Zion in the heat of the summer.
5. Pick up a Souvenir
It’s not just hiking gear that you can pick up during your visit. You’ll also find a variety of unique souvenirs to choose from. Whether you’re looking for special keepsakes to forever remember your trip, or hats and t-shirts to show-off how you spent your vacation once you get back home, we have it all. You can even buy items emblazoned with original logos and artwork you won’t find anywhere else.
6. Grab Souvenirs for Everyone Back Home
While you’re shopping for a souvenir to celebrate your trip with, don’t forget all of your friends and family back home. From the parents you left behind, to the friends who wish they could have come along, to the neighbor who’s dogsitting for you, be sure to pick them up a special gift they’ll love.
7. Make a Restroom Stop
Zion National Park has plenty of restrooms spread throughout the park. But many of the ones at trailheads or away from the lodge and park visitor center are what are called “pit toilets.” If you aren’t an avid outdoorsman, or even if you are, you’ll quickly learn that these aren’t exactly first-class restrooms.
While you’re at Springdale Visitor Center, make sure you take advantage of our clean and luxurious public restrooms!
8. Check Out Your Lodging and Dining Options
If you’re in Springdale already, you likely have a hotel, rental, or campground booked for your trip. However, if your visit was spontaneous, or you decide to turn a day trip into an overnight, don’t waste time driving from one hotel to the next. Instead, let our staff help you learn about your options so that you can head straight to the right one for you.
Our staff can also help you find out about the many dining options in and around Springdale. With many delicious places to choose from, you’re going to appreciate the help!
9. Rent a Slingshot
Want to add a little excitement to your visit? You’re in luck because on-site you’ll find a Polaris Slingshot rental hub. Learn about renting a Slingshot, or go ahead and take the plunge and spend the rest of your day cruising through Zion Canyon with the wind in your hair.
10. Start Planning Your Next Visit
Once you’ve spent some time in Zion National Park, it’s inevitable that you’re going to want to come back in the future. We can help with that too. Learn about your lodging options, seasonal attractions, festivals, and more. That way you can go ahead and start looking forward to your next visit before this one is even over.
Always Plan a Stop at Springdale Visitor Center
Whether you need to pick up forgotten gear, are looking for trail suggestions, or need a souvenir, you should always plan a stop at the Springdale Visitor Center before you head to the park.
To learn other ways to make the most of your visit to Zion, check out these tips next.
