Both Arches and Zion National Parks offer unique natural landscapes and recreational opportunities, but they also share challenges such as high crowd levels and limited pet-friendly areas. Zion stands out with its shuttle service, while Arches is distinguished by its numerous natural arches. The choice between the two depends on individual preferences for geological features and available activities.
| Attribute | Arches National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility for visitors with disabilities | The Arches National Park Visitor Center is fully accessible, offering accessible parking, restrooms with grab bars and accessible stalls, a lowered information desk, tactile exhibits, and audiovisual materials with captions. All toilets in the park are wheelchair accessible. Two campsites at Devils Garden Campground are accessible for people with disabilities or limited physical mobility. Accessible picnic tables are available near the Visitor Center. Some trails have paved sections or are considered barrier-free, but may contain obstacles. The Windows Trail is accessible for about the first 100 feet. Panorama Point has paved surfaces. | Zion Canyon Shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible. Pa'rus Trail is paved and accessible. Zion Human History Museum patio is ADA accessible. Stargazing locations have little to no slope/elevation change and are mostly paved. Lava Point Overlook is accessible from the parking area. |
| Availability of lodging (hotels, campgrounds) inside the park | There are no hotels or other lodging options inside Arches National Park. Devils Garden Campground is the only campground inside the park, with 51 sites. It is located 18 miles from the park entrance and is open year-round. Reservations can be made in advance. | Zion Lodge is the only lodging option inside the park. There are three campgrounds: Watchman, South, and Lava Point. Watchman is open (reservations required). South Campground is closed for rehabilitation. Lava Point is closed for the season. |
| Crowd levels and peak seasons | Visitation is highest from March through October. The busiest times are during the weeks surrounding Easter, Memorial Day weekend, and Labor Day weekend. To avoid crowds, visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon. From April to October, a timed entry reservation is required to enter the park between 7 AM and 4 PM. | Zion Canyon gets very crowded during the shuttle season (February to November and the holiday season in December). |
| Hiking trail difficulty and variety | Arches National Park offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Many trails use cairns (stacks of rocks) for markers and cross broad rock surfaces. Popular trails include Delicate Arch Trail (moderate), Devils Garden Trail (easy to difficult), and Landscape Arch Trail (easy). | Zion offers trails ranging from easy to strenuous. Ranger-led hikes include the Watchman Trail (moderate) and Pa'rus Trail (easy). |
| Permit requirements for specific activities (e.g., hiking, camping) | A permit is required for backcountry backpacking and overnight hiking. These permits can only be obtained in person at the Backcountry Permit Office. Reservations will not be required for those with Arches camping permits, backcountry permits, or Fiery Furnace permits. A permit is required to camp at any of the four designated backpacking campsites in Arches. | Backcountry permits are required for all overnight trips in the Zion Wilderness. Permits are needed for hiking the Virgin River Narrows from the top down. Permits are required for canyoneering trips to the Left Fork (Subway). A permit is required to attempt Angels Landing. |
| Pet-friendly policies and designated areas | Pets are allowed on leashes (6 feet or shorter) along established roads, in parking areas, in picnic areas, and in established campgrounds. Pets are not allowed on hiking trails, at overlooks, or in the visitor center or any building. Pets may be left unattended at a paid-for campsite in Devils Garden Campground if they do not cause a disturbance. | Pets are allowed on the Pa'rus Trail (leashed). Pets are permitted on public roads, parking areas, developed campgrounds, picnic areas, and the grounds of Zion Lodge (leashed). Pets are not allowed on other trails, wilderness areas, shuttle buses, or in public buildings. |
| Ranger-led programs and guided tours | Ranger-led programs are offered daily from spring through fall. The Fiery Furnace is a popular guided hike that requires reservations. | Ranger-led talks are offered at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Evening programs are held at Watchman Campground amphitheater and Zion Lodge. Ranger-led hikes are available, such as on the Watchman Trail or Pa'rus Trail. "Ride with a Ranger" shuttle tours are offered. |
| Shuttle service availability and routes | I am sorry, but I could not find information about shuttle service availability and routes. | The Zion Canyon Shuttle System operates from March through November and during the holiday period at the end of December. Two shuttle lines: Zion Canyon Line (Visitor Center to Temple of Sinawava) and Springdale Line (various stops in Springdale to Zion Canyon Village). Personal vehicles are not allowed on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during shuttle season. |
| Stargazing opportunities and night sky visibility | Arches National Park is an International Dark Sky Park, offering excellent stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. The darkest skies are visible during a new moon or when the moon is below the horizon. Good stargazing locations include Balanced Rock Picnic Area, The Windows Section, Garden of Eden Viewpoint, and Panorama Point. | Zion is an International Dark Sky Park, offering excellent stargazing opportunities. The darkest skies are on the east side of the park and along Kolob Terrace Road. Recommended spots: Checkerboard Mesa Pullout, Lava Point Overlook, Timber Creek Parking Lot, Kolob Canyons, Canyon Junction Bridge. |
| Unique geological features and landmarks | Arches National Park contains over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, the highest density in the world. Notable features include Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Double Arch, Balanced Rock, Courthouse Towers, and Fiery Furnace. | Zion is known for its sheer red-rock cliffs, canyons, and the Virgin River. |
| Visitor center exhibits and information quality | The Arches National Park Visitor Center is fully accessible. Visitor center exhibits include audio recordings and tactile models and maps. Large-print and braille versions of the official Arches Unigrid are available. | The Zion Canyon Visitor Center provides trip planning assistance, permits, maps, and brochures. Exhibits cover Zion's geology, plants, animals, and human history. |
| Water activities (e.g., canyoneering, river rafting) availability | I am sorry, but I could not find information about water activities availability. | Canyoneering is available (permit required for certain routes). Hiking in the Narrows is a popular water activity (permit required for top-down hikes). River trips are possible. |
| Price | Not available | Not available |
| Ratings | Not available | Not available |