Both Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks offer unique experiences with accessible features and stunning natural beauty. Grand Canyon provides more lodging options and is more dog-friendly, while Zion has a Junior Ranger program and specific trails for different hiking levels. Choosing between the two depends on individual priorities, such as pet preferences, family activities, and lodging preferences.
| Attribute | Grand Canyon National Park | Zion National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility for visitors with disabilities | Grand Canyon National Park provides many accessible areas for visitors with disabilities, including wheelchair-accessible bathrooms. All areas have accessible gift shops, service stations, and lodging options. Wheelchairs can be rented at Bright Angel Bicycles on the South Rim and are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the North Rim Visitor Center. The park's shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible, but larger wheelchairs might not fit. The South Rim is considered the most accessible part of the park. A Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit allows visitors with mobility issues to access areas usually closed to public traffic. Many ranger programs and special events are wheelchair accessible. | Zion National Park offers several accessible features. The Visitor Center is fully accessible, with accessible parking, restrooms, a lowered information desk, tactile exhibits, and captioned audiovisual materials. The Pa'rus Trail and Riverside Walk are accessible trails. Shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible, accommodating chairs under 45 inches long and 25 inches wide. Guests with medical concerns can request a 'Yellow Permit' to drive a personal vehicle up the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The Zion Human History Museum patio is ADA accessible. Wheelchairs and some power-driven mobility devices are allowed in Wilderness areas. |
| Availability of lodging inside the park | Lodging options inside the park include hotels and cabins on the South Rim, such as El Tovar Hotel, Bright Angel Lodge, Kachina Lodge, Thunderbird Lodge, Maswik Lodge, and Yavapai Lodge. Phantom Ranch provides lodging at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. On the North Rim, the Grand Canyon Lodge is available. Reservations can be made up to 13 months in advance. | Zion Lodge is the only lodging available inside Zion National Park. Zion Lodge has hotel rooms, suites, and historic cabins. Zion Lodge is open year-round, but facilities are more limited in the winter. Reservations can be made 13 months in advance, starting on the first of the month. It is best to make reservations as soon as the window for your desired dates opens. |
| Camping site availability and quality | Mather Campground and Desert View Campground are located on the South Rim. The North Rim Campground offers tent and RV camping. Mather and North Rim campgrounds have wheelchair-accessible sites. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance. Campsites include a campfire ring with a cooking grate, a picnic table, and parking space. | Zion has two main campgrounds: Watchman and South Campground. South Campground is currently closed for rehabilitation but should reopen in 2024. There is also the Lava Point Campground, which is a primitive campground with limited sites. Several campsites are reserved for people with accessibility needs. Watchman Campground has accessible restrooms and a paved path to the visitor center. Campsites 103, 114, and 115 at South Campground are designated for campers with access needs. |
| Crowd levels during peak season | The South Rim is generally the most crowded part of the park. Reservations for lodging and camping are recommended, especially during spring break, summer months, and fall weekends. | Zion is a popular national park and can get crowded. During peak times, the Pa'rus Trail can be crowded. Alternative trails to Angels Landing include the Canyon Overlook Trail and Observation Point Trail. The Chinle Trail is a less-traveled trail that offers expansive views. |
| Hiking trail difficulty and variety | The terrain is rugged, with narrow, rocky trails and steep cliffs. The park offers a range of trails for both beginners and experienced hikers. | Zion offers a variety of hiking trails ranging from easy to hard. Easy trails include Pa'rus Trail, Riverside Walk, Timber Creek Overlook, and Canyon Overlook Trail. Moderate trails include Emerald Pools Trail and Watchman Trail. Difficult trails include Angels Landing, The Subway, and Observation Point via East Mesa Trail. Popular trails like Angels Landing and The Narrows are more technical. Lower-intensity trails with stunning views are available. |
| Junior Ranger program quality | Not available | The Junior Ranger Station at the Kolob Canyon Visitor Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except during the winter. |
| Pet-friendliness and restrictions | The Grand Canyon is relatively dog-friendly, particularly on the South Rim. Leashed pets are allowed on trails above the rim on the South Rim, in developed areas, and in campgrounds. Pets are not allowed on trails below the rim or on shuttle buses. Yavapai Lodge is the only in-park lodge that has pet-friendly rooms. A kennel is available on the South Rim. | Dogs are allowed on paved park roads, parking lots, scenic overlooks, picnic areas, and the Pa'rus Trail. The Pa'rus Trail is the only dog-friendly trail in Zion National Park. Pets are not allowed on other trails, wilderness areas, shuttle buses, or in public buildings. Pets must be leashed (6 feet or shorter) and waste must be removed. |
| Ranger-led program availability and quality | Many interpretive ranger programs are wheelchair accessible. The park offers free ranger-led night sky events. Check the National Park Service schedule for specific events. | The South Campground Amphitheater often hosts ranger-led stargazing programs. Zion National Park offers a two-hour ranger-led tour on the shuttle. Ranger-led stargazing programs offer a guided exploration of the night sky. Rangers at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center are available to help plan trips. |
| Shuttle service efficiency | All park shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible. However, wheelchairs larger than 30 inches wide by 48 inches long cannot be accommodated. The South Rim offers a free, accessible shuttle bus service. | Access into Zion Canyon is by shuttle bus only from mid-February through late November. Shuttles are wheelchair accessible. Shuttle buses provide access to Zion Lodge. The shuttle picks up visitors right outside the visitor center. |
| Stargazing opportunities | The Grand Canyon is an International Dark Sky Park, offering excellent stargazing opportunities. Stargazing is best at least 1.5 hours after sunset and 1.5 hours before sunrise. Recommended spots include Yavapai Point, Desert View Watchtower, Mather Point, Moran Point, and Lipan Point. Ranger-led night sky events are offered. | Zion is designated as an International Dark Sky Park. Best spots for stargazing include Kolob Canyons, Canyon Junction Bridge, The Watchman Trail, and Lava Point Overlook. The darkest skies are on the east side of the park and along Kolob Terrace Road. The South Campground Amphitheater hosts ranger-led stargazing programs. |
| Visitor center exhibits and information | The Grand Canyon Visitor Center on the South Rim offers trip planning and hiking information through exhibits and sidewalk signs. The Yavapai Geology Museum provides exhibits about the canyon's geology. | The Zion Canyon Visitor Center offers maps, books, outdoor exhibits, and rangers to answer questions. Exhibits explain the natural and cultural history of the area. The Zion Human History Museum features permanent and temporary displays. The visitor center has maps, brochures, and books. Exhibits explain the geology of the area. |
| Water availability and refill stations | Free water filling stations are available throughout the park. South Rim filling stations are located at Hermits Rest, Bright Angel Trailhead, South Kaibab Trailhead, Canyon Village Marketplace, Desert View Marketplace, Desert View Visitor Center, Yavapai Geology Museum, Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Verkamp's Visitor Center, and Maswik Lodge. | Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park. Water bottle filling stations are available at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, Human History Museum, Zion Lodge, The Grotto, and Temple of Sinawava. |