Zion National Park’s New Discovery Center Opening in 2026

Above, Zion's Great White Throne. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I have been to Zion National Park several times. The most recent was in 2015. We entered the park from the east entrance (Zion-Mt. Carmel road).

Next year, a new Discovery Center will open in 2026 near the east entrance.

According to RV Travel:

If you’re planning a trip to Zion National Park in 2026 (or beyond), there’s a new reason to consider the park’s less-visited east side. That’s because if work stays on schedule, the new Zion National Park Discovery Center should open in late 2026.

Why build a Discovery Center?

Zion Canyon’s main South Entrance gets most of the traffic during peak seasons. This often means overcrowding on trailheads, shuttles, and parking. The new Discovery Center was planned to give visitors a place to slow down, learn, and launch adventures from the quieter east side.

The National Park Service (NPS) aims for the new building to balance visitor traffic and ease pressure on the canyon. Running educational programs at the crowded rim is difficult, so the NPS hopes the Discovery Center will attract visitors and reduce congestion.

The Discovery Center project also includes plans for a transit hub and EV-shuttle connections so visitors can start their Zion day from the east rather than funneling into Springdale.

To read more, go here.