Visitors to Zion National Park now have a new, budget-friendly travel option. SunTran has launched a 42-mile route connecting St. George to Zion on Nov. 1. The route includes stops in Washington, Hurricane, La Verkin, Virgin and Springdale. The new service aims to reduce traffic congestion and cut down gas and parking costs.
With daily operating hours from 5:40 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., the service makes it easy for locals and tourists to hop on a bus and make the trip to Zion stress free. Instead of navigating the busy roads or dealing with Zion’s limited parking, visitors can enjoy a relaxing journey straight to the park.
Megan Willie, public relations and communications intern with the city of St. George, said: “The city of St. George saw this route as a way to support both locals and the millions of visitors coming to Zion every year. The main goals are to reduce traffic congestion, make travel more sustainable and ensure that Zion is accessible to more residents, especially those who don’t have personal transportation.”
The route is also set to reduce the number of cars on the road in Springdale, easing traffic congestion in this gateway town. Fewer cars mean fewer traffic jams and a more pleasant experience for visitors and residents. The town of Springdale also has a significant amount of employees who live in St. George and Washington and can now take advantage of the new transit option for their commute.
Barbara Bruno, Springdale’s Mayor, said: “Our average age is pretty advanced. And so a lot of people don’t drive anymore or don’t want to drive. So it’s really going to have a positive impact. I know at least one elderly woman who has been using it since it started, and she said she’s a lot more relaxed, and she’s just thrilled about it.”
Springdale residents have expressed frustration over rising traffic and limited open space. This steady influx of tourists contributes to congestion and noise, highlighting the town’s struggle to balance its charm with the quality of life for locals.
The town’s 2022 General Plan said: “Despite the Town’s efforts to create a comprehensive transportation system, the Town experiences periods of traffic and parking congestion during peak visitation to Zion National Park. In 2018, the Town instituted a paid on-street parking program. This has helped manage and organize visitor parking and has reduced many of the negative impacts of visitor parking congestion. However, during peak periods parking demand exceeds capacity and parking congestion problems continue in the community.”
By introducing this route, SunTran has taken a significant step toward sustainable tourism at Zion National Park. With fewer cars on the road and more visitors choosing public transit, SunTran’s new route helps to preserve Zion’s natural landscape while providing a wallet friendly option for reaching the park. Fewer cars on the road mean reduced emissions, supporting Zion National Park’s mission to protect its natural environment.
The route is funded to operate for the next 10 years. To gauge its effectiveness, the city plans to monitor several key factors. Rider usage will be closely tracked to understand overall demand and how the demand changes during different times of the year. The city will also analyze which stops are successful. This could lead to certain stops being eliminated and stops being added where needed.
David Cordero, communications and marketing director for the city of St. George, said: “The greatest success would be full buses and a public clamor for more times. I think being realistic, we want people to use it, and our hope is that it’ll slowly increase over time as people find out about it and see how easy it is.”
With SunTran’s new route in place, going to Zion National Park is now simpler, more affordable and eco-friendly for everyone. Whether it’s residents commuting to work or tourists exploring Zion, the new service marks an important shift toward convenient and responsible tourism in southern Utah.
