Zion Beta (camhooks?)

I am going to zion in a couple of days and am looking for beta on the shuttle system, good guidebooks, gear stores, and good free camping spots. im driving out there from atlanta and hoping to do some solo walling, but it sounds like early starts are a no-go with the shuttles. any info is appreciated

oh, and the "camhooks?" was just to get people who would kill me if i used them in zion to look at the post because those people know the area....sneaky huh?

WE'RE GONNA DIE!!!!

With the closure of Mesquito cove the closest spot is the bridge rd mesa just south of Rockville. Shuttle system hours vary depending on the time of year so just check in once you get there, and the best guidebook is 'Zion Free and Clean'. You can start early on projects if you have a bike!

Here is the shuttle shcedule. The earliest shuttle leaves at 7.

nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/…

gooseberry mesa is probably the closest free camping. The road can be pretty rough for FWD.

You used to be able to get a permit to drive into the canyon early if you were doing a long route requiring an early start. Do they not do this any more?

If you have someone who could drop you off, you can do that too.

As far as I could tell you can just drive before the shuttle starts. There are parking areas at the major stops for climbing (Big Bend).

Camhooks are a big no-no!! Please preserve that soft sandstone!

Free camping... as mentioned, mesquito has been closed, the bridge is pretty close...

Mike Anderson wrote:You used to be able to get a permit to drive into the canyon early if you were doing a long route requiring an early start. Do they not do this any more?

last year, if you were starting earlier than the shuttle, you could drive in. I don't think you needed a permit. Not sure about this year.

I think if you are in the main tourist season you have to use the busses. if its off season you can drive in and park. the gearshop (forget its name) on the left side as you drive in has showers for 5$ and has really good beta on all the routes you might want to do.

Early starts require a permit if you are going to drive in. You just tell them what route you are doing and where you will be parked and they will give you a paper to put on your dash. They will check if you don't have the permit and since you will probably be one of the only cars up there you will stand out. I believe permits are only given out to those doing the longer bigwall routes.

Your camhooks hook was pretty funny. Nicely done.