Zion plans east entrance visitor center to ease congestion at south gate

Artist renderings for Zion National Park Discovery Center. Photo:

ZION NATIONAL PARK, Utah — A new project at Zion National Park is aimed at easing congestion by encouraging visitors to enter through the park’s lesser-used east entrance.

Zion’s south entrance, adjacent to Springdale, sees more than double the traffic of the east entrance, which currently operates with only a fee gate and limited visitor services.

Park officials say a new visitor center, known as the Zion Discovery Center, is intended to help rebalance that traffic. If construction stays on schedule, the center is expected to open in late 2026. With Zion drawing more than five million visitors annually, officials hope the facility will offer an alternative place for visitors to orient themselves before entering the park.

Plans for the Discovery Center include serving as a hub for more than 35 miles of new mountain biking trails and 20 miles of hiking trails. The site would also feature interactive agricultural exhibits highlighting the area’s farming history, along with patio space for ranger-led programs.

A study by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute estimates that development on Zion’s east side could generate 451 jobs in Kane County and approximately $4.4 million in state and local tax revenue.

Looking ahead, the broader East Zion area is also expected to include a new lodge and additional housing for staff.