12 Jul Everything You Need to Know About Your Slingshot Rental
Thinking about adding a Slingshot rental to your next Zion vacation? Already have one booked? Before you set off on your adrenaline-inducing adventure, there are a few things you need to know. Keep reading to learn what to pack, the traffic laws you’ll need to follow, and a few extra tips for staying safe on the road.
What You Need to Bring
When you rent a Slingshot, we’ll set you up with all of the equipment and gear you’ll need. But there are a few items you should pack to ensure a safe and fun trip.
Driver’s License
A Slingshot is a vehicle, after all. So if you want to be able to rent one, you’ll need to bring along a driver’s license for anyone in your party who plans to climb behind the wheel. Don’t worry though, kids or non-driving adults are still welcome to ride along as passengers and enjoy their share of the fun!
Sunglasses
Sunny Utah skies make for excellent backdrops for jaw-dropping photographs. But those red rock canyons set against brilliant blue skies can be tough to see with the glare of the sun in your eyes. Enjoy the view and ensure that you can drive safely by bringing a pair of sunglasses with you during your rental period.
Hat and Sunscreen or Protective Clothing
The sun won’t just blind you as you race down the road. You may not notice your skin heating up as the air whipping past you in your top-less Slingshot cools you down. But you will notice it later on. Wearing UV protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen can help you prevent a painful sunburn.
Utah Driving Laws
Whether you’re visiting Zion from a foreign country or a neighboring state, it’s important to brush up on Utah’s driving laws before setting off on your Slingshot adventure.
Speed Limits
When you climb behind the wheel of a Slingshot for the first time, there’s no doubt you’ll feel the urge to put the pedal to the floor. But unless you want your trip to come to a quick and expensive end with a speeding ticket, you need to check the speed limits of the roads you’re headed out on.
On most Utah highways, the speed limit is 65 or 70 miles per hour, depending on the location. Some interstates have posted speed limits as high as 75 or 80 miles per hour, though this is only in legally posted zones. As highways pass through towns or normally congested areas, those speed limits often decrease.
If you’re looking to enjoy a fast-paced trip, you’ll need to stay out of the local parks. Zion has a maximum speed limit of just 35 miles per hour and enforces this limit by radar. Most other state and national parks in the area have similar limits in place.
Right on Red
Like many other states across the country, Utah practices legal “right on red” turns. Once you come to a complete stop at a red light, you can make a right turn on red as long as the coast is clear. Watch out for signs that specify that a right turn on a red light is illegal in an intersection.
Come to a Full Stop
Unlike the last law, this one is far more common across the country. When you see a stop sign, you need to come to a full and complete stop. No rolling stops or slow downs before continuing on through an open intersection. If you do this, you’ll likely end up with a ticket for an incomplete or rolling stop.
During Your Trip
Now that you know what to pack and the traffic laws you’ll need to follow, there’s just a few more tips you should know when driving in and around Zion.
Keep Your Eyes Open for Pedestrians
Zion is the 4th most visited national park in the nation, bringing in millions of visitors a year. The park service has implemented a shuttle and shut down the Zion Scenic Drive Loop during part of the year to public traffic to help thin the crowds. But the areas that you can still drive will be crowded, with pedestrians walking on or near the roads. Keep your eyes open and always obey traffic laws, especially in pedestrian-heavy areas.
Prepare for Traffic
Those millions of visitors have to get to the park somehow. And most arrive in their own personal cars or rentals. That means lots of traffic, both in the park, at the entrance gates, and around Springdale. If you choose to stay close to Zion during your rental period, prepare for some traffic and lines to get around.
Watch for Wildlife
Mule deer, rock squirrels, and plenty of other small critters are known to dart across Zion’s roadways. Sometimes avoiding them will be impossible. But obeying the speed limit and watching the side of the road for signs of animals can help you prevent an accident.
