Closest Airports To Zion National Park: 4 Best Options

Are you in search of the nearest airports to Zion National Park? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the top four airport options for domestic and international travelers looking to explore the breathtaking park in Southwest Utah.

Choosing the Best Airport near Zion National Park: Factors to Consider

Selecting the optimal airport near Zion National Park depends on several factors, including your point of origin and overall travel itinerary. Are you solely visiting Zion or planning to explore other destinations in Utah or Arizona? In this article, we will delve into the reasons why St. George, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Phoenix are the four best airport options near Zion National Park. Let’s get ready to soar towards Zion!

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What Is the Closest Airport to Zion National Park?

In a rush and simply want to know the regional and international airports closest to Zion? While St. George Regional Airport is the closest regional airport, located just 55 minutes southwest of Springdale and Zion, the closest major international airport is Las Vegas McCarran, approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes southwest of Zion.

In this guide, we will provide detailed information about all four of the best and closest airports for Zion National Park. This includes a list of airlines and cities that offer non-stop flights to each airport.

A little winter snow rarely closes roads in Zion National Park, so you need not worry about weather conditions or road closures when deciding on your airport.

Your Zion National Park Travel Itinerary

Before we dive into the list of the best and closest airports to use for visiting Zion National Park, it is crucial to establish your overall travel plans for this trip. Consider the following questions:

• Are you exclusively visiting Zion National Park?
• Do you plan to road trip Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks or include a visit to the Grand Canyon South Rim?
• How about exploring Sedona, Kanab, or Page for more adventure?
• Are you an international traveler flying to the US for a 2-3 week visit?
• Will you spend a few days in Las Vegas before or after Zion?

Most visitors to Zion National Park choose to fly into and/or out of Las Vegas McCarran International. It is the most convenient major airport in the region. However, we highly recommend searching for flights to each of the four closest airports near Zion to compare prices and flight times.

Consider Using Different Inbound and Outbound Airports

Taking your itinerary into account, it might be more efficient and time-saving to fly into one airport and fly out of another. For instance, you could fly into Las Vegas, rent a car, visit Zion for two days, drive to Bryce Canyon for an additional day, explore Kanab, and then head to the Grand Canyon South Rim before flying out of Phoenix.

Using different airports for inbound and outbound flights has its pros and cons. On one hand, you can visit more places without having to return to your starting point, maximizing your vacation time. On the other hand, this convenience may come at an added cost.

Consider the Cost of Flights

In general, return flights tend to be cheaper than purchasing two separate one-way tickets. However, this is not always the case, and we recommend testing various flight options to find the most cost-effective solution. Compare the prices of return tickets versus two separate one-way tickets for each airport. It’s worth noting that international travelers may find it more challenging to secure cheaper one-way tickets as long-haul flights often offer significant savings when booked as a round trip.

Ultimately, you must weigh the added cost against the time saved and convenience of flying from different airports near Zion National Park.

Consider the Cost of Rental Cars

Another significant expense to consider is rental cars. Rental costs vary depending on the vehicle type, duration of hire, and pick-up/drop-off locations. Renting a car from different locations may sometimes result in higher costs, depending on the specific pick-up and drop-off points.

For longer visits, international travelers will likely rent a car for an extended period, making a round-trip to the origin airport more feasible. Conversely, if you have a shorter itinerary (around 4 to 8 days) exploring the US Southwest, you may not want to waste time driving back to the initial airport. In such cases, dropping off the rental car at a major destination like Phoenix would be a more convenient option.

Booking Flights and Rental Cars for Zion National Park

1. Flights

When searching for flights from your origin to the four closest airports to Zion (as listed below), we recommend using multiple platforms and search engines. Personally, we find Skyscanner to be an excellent option for booking flights. It offers a user-friendly interface, a wide range of flight options, and often offers competitive prices.

2. Rental Cars

Comparison shopping is crucial for finding the best prices on rental cars. Whether you plan to use different airports near Zion National Park or opt for a round-trip, be sure to search for both options to find the most affordable choice. We recommend Rental Cars, as it provides an easy-to-use platform and exceptional service. While a 4×4 off-road vehicle is unnecessary for Zion, it might come in handy if you plan to visit Death Valley, Kanab, or Sedona during your trip.

If you need assistance organizing your Zion visit, our comprehensive 40+ page Zion National Park Guidebook can help you plan every aspect of your trip.

The Four Airports Near Zion National Park: From Closest to Furthest

Now, let’s delve into the four closest airports to Zion National Park. We will present them in order of proximity, starting with the nearest and moving towards the furthest airport from Springdale and the Zion visitor center.

The four airports we will discuss are:

1. St. George Regional Airport, Utah
2. Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, Nevada
3. Salt Lake City International Airport, Utah
4. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona

Discover which airport near Zion is the best option for your flight into and out of the US Southwest.

1. St. George Regional Airport (SGU), Utah – 46 Miles from Zion

St. George Regional Airport is the closest airport to Zion National Park, located within an hour’s drive from Springdale. However, it offers limited non-stop flight options within the US. While international travelers cannot fly directly to St. George, they can land at Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Phoenix, or Salt Lake City and then take a connecting flight to St. George.

Although St. George is the closest airport to Zion National Park, it may not be the best option for many visitors due to the lack of non-stop flights and potentially higher costs. However, if you reside in Dallas/Fort Worth or Denver, St. George is a convenient airport near Zion.

St. George Regional Airport to Zion National Park

At just 46 miles and less than one hour’s drive from St. George Airport to Zion National Park, St. George is the most convenient airport option. The most common route takes you southwest through Hurricane and La Verkin on your way to Springdale. If you arrive early, you can even drive directly to Kolob Canyon area and enjoy a half-day hike before heading to Springdale.

Airlines Flying into St. George Regional Airport

The following airlines offer non-stop flights to St. George airport:

• American Airlines
• United Airlines
• Delta

Origin Cities with Non-Stop Flights to St. George Airport

St. George airport offers non-stop flights to and from the following cities:

• Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas (fewer than 10 flights per month)
• Phoenix, Arizona (approximately 30 flights per month)
• Denver, Colorado (over 50 flights per month)
• Salt Lake City, Utah (over 100 flights per month)

2. Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS), Nevada – 170 Miles from Zion

Regardless of whether you plan to explore Las Vegas, McCarran International Airport is the most suitable airport near Zion National Park for several reasons:

• It is the closest major international airport to Zion.
• Las Vegas offers entertainment and attractions for a short stay before or after your Zion visit.
• Budget airlines frequently provide affordable domestic flights.
• International travelers have a better chance of finding reasonably priced non-stop flights.

Notably, there are numerous incredible attractions near Las Vegas, including Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Grand Canyon, and Kanab. By flying through Las Vegas, you can conveniently explore these additional destinations.

Las Vegas McCarran Airport to Zion National Park

Las Vegas McCarran is approximately 170 miles or a 2-hour 45-minute drive from Zion National Park, making it only slightly further than St. George. The route from Vegas to Springdale passes directly by St. George. To reach Zion, drive northeast on I-15 until you exit onto UT-9, which will take you all the way to Springdale. Consider stopping at Valley of Fire along the way.

Las Vegas is a popular starting point for day trips to Zion National Park.

Airlines Flying Directly into Las Vegas Airport

Some of the airlines offering non-stop flights to Las Vegas McCarran include:

• Allegiant Air
• Air Canada
• WestJet
• JetBlue
• Frontier Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• American Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• United
• Delta
• British Airways
• Air France
• EL AL
• Korean Air
• Qatar Airways

Origin Cities with Non-Stop Flights to Las Vegas McCarran Airport

Las Vegas McCarran Airport provides non-stop flights to and from major cities within the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

3. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), Utah – 311 Miles from Zion

Salt Lake City International Airport serves as a viable alternative to Las Vegas, particularly for visitors interested in the Utah Mighty 5 National Parks or starting a broader Utah and Arizona road trip. Many travelers choose to fly into Salt Lake City and drive north to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, or embark on the Utah Mighty 5 road trip by beginning at Capitol Reef from SLC.

Salt Lake City offers affordable flights with budget airlines and serves as an origin airport for many domestic and international travelers.

Salt Lake City Airport to Zion National Park

Salt Lake City International Airport is approximately 311 miles or 4 hours and 30 minutes driving time from Zion National Park. While not in close proximity to Zion, it is an ideal starting point for exploring the US Southwest. Drive south on I-15 until you reach UT-9, which will lead you into Springdale.

Before heading to the national parks, take advantage of the incredible hiking trails near Salt Lake City.

Airlines Flying Directly into Salt Lake City Airport

These airlines offer non-stop flights to Salt Lake City:

• Delta
• Southwest Airlines
• American Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• United Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• JetBlue
• SkyWest Airlines
• KLM
• Aeromexico

Origin Cities with Non-Stop Flights to Salt Lake City Airport

Salt Lake City International Airport offers non-stop flights to and from major cities within the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom.

4. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Arizona – 395 Miles from Zion

Phoenix Sky Harbor might initially seem like an unconventional airport option near Zion National Park due to its considerable distance. However, it becomes a perfect choice if you plan to include Sedona or the Grand Canyon South Rim in your Southwest travel itinerary. In this case, flying into Phoenix and using a different airport for departure works seamlessly.

Phoenix offers affordable flights through budget airlines, and there are numerous domestic and international origin airports with flights to this desert city.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Zion National Park

Located at just under 400 miles or a 6-hour and 30-minute drive from Zion National Park, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is not necessarily close to Zion. However, it can be an excellent starting point if combined with other destinations in the US Southwest. Travel north on I-17, passing through Sedona (worth a few days’ visit) and Grand Canyon South Rim. Once you reach Page, take US-89 to Kanab and continue on UT-9 to Springdale, Zion’s gateway.

Airlines Flying Non-Stop into Phoenix Airport

These airlines offer non-stop flights to Phoenix:

• Southwest Airlines
• JetBlue
• WestJet
• Frontier Airlines
• American Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• SkyWest Airlines
• Mesa Airlines
• United
• Delta
• British Airways
• Qatar Airways

Origin Cities with Non-Stop Flights to Phoenix Airport

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport provides non-stop flights to and from major cities within the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

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Need More Utah Content?

Head over to our Utah Travel Guides to explore the Mighty Five National Parks and beyond.

We hope this guide to the closest airports near Zion National Park helps plan your visit to the US Southwest! If you have any questions about airports near Zion, please let us know in the comments below.

Happy travels,

Mark and Kristen

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