Zion National Park is pulling the plug on campfires just as Memorial Day weekend ramps up, slapping Stage 2 fire restrictions across most of the park as of May 22. Wood and charcoal fires are now off-limits in major campgrounds and Zion Canyon picnic areas, with officials warning the rules will stay in place until the superintendent formally lifts them.
What the Stage 2 order means
Under the Stage 2 rules outlined by the National Park Service, the park has moved to “prohibit open fires of any kind” across all lands within Zion. That specifically includes a ban on campfires and charcoal fires at Watchman Campground, South Campground, and in picnic areas in Zion Canyon.
Not all heat sources are off the table, though. Cook stoves that run on petroleum or liquid propane are still allowed, and at the more remote Lava Point Campground, visitors can continue to use fires, but only in established fire rings.
Officials' message
In the park's news release, Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh spelled out why the timing is so tight, saying, “Dry conditions are increasing across the region, and these restrictions are intended to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires in Zion.” The National Park Service also stressed that fire rules can differ between nearby agencies and jurisdictions, so visitors should not assume one size fits all when they head out onto surrounding lands.
Why officials raised the alert
The clampdown follows a dry spring and low snowpack that have driven fire danger up across southwest Utah. Zion's new rules line up with interagency Stage 2 orders that are already in effect on other nearby federal lands.
According to KSL, the park logged nearly 5 million visits in 2025 and was already seeing heavy Memorial Day weekend traffic this year, a combination that raises the odds of human-caused ignitions at exactly the wrong time.
What visitors should do
Anyone who was counting on a classic campfire needs a backup plan. Visitors should bring a propane or liquid-fuel camp stove and leave the firewood at home, since wood and charcoal are off-limits in Zion Canyon campgrounds while the Stage 2 restrictions are in place.
For maps, agency-specific fire notices, and prevention tips before heading out, the park is steering people to Utah Fire Info or UtahFireSense.
Penalties and enforcement
These rules are not just friendly suggestions. Violators can face fines of up to $5,000 and/or up to six months in jail, and park rangers will be enforcing the order on park lands, according to reporting by KSL. Local agencies are coordinating as part of a larger regional fire prevention push, so visitors are being urged to plan alternate cooking options instead of risking a costly citation.
For questions about the restrictions, visitors can call the park's information line at 435-772-7842 or check the Zion National Park website, per FOX5 Las Vegas. With holiday crowds pouring in, officials are reminding people to pack smart, come prepared with their own legal heat source and not count on a campfire for cooking or warmth during their trip.
