Best Time to Visit Zion National Park for Tubing

• Best Time to Visit Zion for Tubing the Virgin River 

• Best Time to Visit Zion for Other Zion River Adventures 

• Tips for Planning Your River Float near Zion

• Float the Virgin River with Zion Tubing

Zion National Park is a must-visit destination and stands out as one of the most beautiful places in Southern Utah. Nestled in the desert surrounded by towering red cliffs, Zion National Park has rivers flowing through the canyon floors. This provides an oasis in the Utah desert making it a perfect place for swimming, canyoneering and tubing on the Virgin River. This river supports the ecosystem at the floor of Zion and carves the smooth canyons, creating a beautiful backdrop for river adventures in Southern Utah. The best time to visit Zion National Park for tubing the Virgin River is during late spring and summer when the river is high and the sun is hot.

Best Time to Visit Zion National Park for Tubing the Virgin River

The best season for a Utah tubing adventure in Zion is from late spring to the end of the summer. The benefits of tubing in the river in the spring are that the water levels are slightly higher and the temperature is cooler. From late June through August, the days are longer and the water is warmer. It is optimal to go tubing in Zion in the middle of the summer to escape the heat. Tubing the Virgin River gets hot in the summer, so come early to stay cool since the hottest part of the day starts around noon. The midday summer heat in Utah is no joke!

At Zion Tubing, we kick off our next season on May 17, 2025. Mark your calendars and get ready for another season of cooling off in this pristine and calm section of the river. 

Best Time to Visit Zion for Other Zion River Adventures

Similar to the season for river floating in Zion, the best season for other water activities is late spring through early fall, typically from late May to September. Some other popular river adventures people like to partake in are visiting the waterfalls at Emerald Pools and hiking and canyoneering in the Narrows.

Pro Tip: Only enjoy water activities in Zion when the weather is sunny. For anyone cooling off or hiking near the Virgin River in Zion, pay attention to the weather. Rainfall and storms in southern Utah can bring sudden flash floods with no warning to slot canyons, creating dangerous torrents of water. 

Tips for Planning Your River Float near Zion

Earlier is Better: Avoid the Crowds

Crowds at Zion Tubing can get busy during the peak summer months. The best way to avoid the crowds is by tubing from late May to mid June and towards the end of summer and the beginning of fall. We also recommend coming earlier rather than later, since most people arrive to float during the heat of the day. If you come early, you can escape the hottest part of the day and also avoid the rush of crowds around lunch. 

Buy a Season Float Pass

If you are a local and live in St. George, Virgin or Hurricane, consider purchasing a season float pass. This pass will give you access to unlimited floats throughout the season and can help you make it through the summer heat in Zion. We offer season float passes for individuals, couples and families. If you want to save some money and plan to float a handful of times, it’s worth it to purchase a season float pass. 

Safety Precautions for River Floats in Southern Utah

We always like to remind our customers of some quick safety tips for embarking on a river float in Utah. Bring water to drink to stay hydrated, since you will be on the river for around an hour and a half. We also suggest covering up with sunscreen or light sun protective clothing so you don’t get burned. Last of all, make sure you double check the weather to avoid storms or flash floods. The staff at Zion Tubing will be well informed of this precaution as well, but we try to encourage our customers to look into this on their own and to plan ahead!

Float the Virgin River with Zion Tubing

Come join us this coming season and enjoy a scenic part of the river with our included inner tubes and shuttles rides back to your car. Here at Zion Tubing, we provide a relaxing and enjoyable experience, making it easy to navigate. Book a reservation online or drop in for a spur-of-the-moment river float during our operating hours. Our season runs from mid May to early September and is the best time to visit Zion National Park for tubing and cooling off in the summer.