Zion National Park
Lying at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert is one of the most unique parks in America. The staggering red hued Navajo Sandstone walls of the nearly 2,700 ft deep canyon make Zion National Park a mesmerizing and fascinating landscape for all who visit this natural wonder along Utah’s Virgin River.
The Virgin River cutting through the heart of Zion National Park
Established in 1919 and protecting nearly 147,000 acres of land in southern Utah, Zion National Park is the most visited of Utah’s Mighty Five with nearly 5 million visitors annually. While many who come to Zion National Park congregate within the Zion Canyon region, Zion National Park is actually comprised of five distinct regions: Kolob Canyon, Kolob Terrace, Zion Canyon, The East Rim, and the Southwest Desert.
The Great Arch at Zion National Park
Zion National Park is open 24 hours a day and requires an entrance fee of $35. One of the more unique aspects of accessing this park is the shuttle system which takes visitors along the Zion Scenic Drive. The shuttle system, which has a Springdale Line running through the town of Springdale, and the Zion Park Line which begins at the Zion Canyon Visitors Center, provide free and convenient transportation through Zion Canyon as personal vehicles are prohibited from driving Zion Scenic drive during the shuttle season. The shuttles typically arrive every 15 minutes to the various stops along the Line’s, and although hours change throughout the year, run from 7 am - 7 pm.
The Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel allows personal vehicles as you head to the East Rim of Zion National Park
The Zion Scenic Drive is accessible to personal vehicles up to Stop 3, which is where the road splits and allows visitors to take the engineering marvel Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel to the East Rim district of the park. The tunnel is free to drive through, but oversized vehicles need to apply for a permit to travel this route.
Checkerboard Mesa in East Zion at Zion National Park
While the towering red walls of Zion Canyon garner most of the attention within this fantastic Park, the hanging gardens, nearly 300 species of birds (including the endangered California Condor), and the diverse array of mammals and reptiles provide a subtle beauty within Zion National Park.
The lush hanging gardens of Zion National Park
Zion National Parks offers a wide array of activities for visitors of all kinds. From paved trails winding along the banks of the Virgin River to the vertical rock climbing routes scaling the towering walls of Zion Canyon, there is truly something for everyone at Zion National Park. The famed water-wading hike of The Narrows at Zion National Park allows visitors a chance to work their way upriver into the narrow slot canyon at the back of Zion Canyon. The Narrows hike does not require a permit when beginning at the Temple of Sinawava, but access is highly dependent on weather forecasts and water conditions. Be sure to check with Park Rangers on current conditions of The Narrows prior to getting your feet wet!
Snowmelt and summer storms can make the Virgin River a wild, rushing body of water running through Zion National Park
Alongside The Narrows, the famed Angel’s Landing hike (accessed from Stop 5 on the shuttle) provides an exhilarating experience along a knife-like ridge line traversed using fixed chains to provide exceptional views of Zion Canyon. While the steep, exposed, and strenuous hike up to the chains of Angel’s Landing is free for all visitors, the last 0.5 mile chain-traversed section requires a permit. Be sure to secure your Angel’s Landing permit at Recreation.gov prior to beginning your hike.
The steep, exposed climb leading up to Angel’s Landing at Zion National park
Just across the Virgin River from the Angel’s Landing trailhead is the incredible Zion Lodge. This historic lodge sitting in the heart of the park provides the only lodging option within the gates, as well as the only places to eat at the Red Rock Grill and Castle Dome Cafe. Reservations are often needed a year in advance due to the popularity of Zion National Park.
The Temple of Sinawava at Zion National Park
For those looking to stay outside the park, the small but bustling town of Springdale, UT sits just outside the gates of Zion National Park and offers multiple lodging and eating options. Parking is often times difficult within this crowded town, but the Springdale Shuttle Line provides an excellent means of transportation for getting from place to place.
An early summer storm coming through the canyon at Zion National Park
The staggering red cliffs, the lush hanging gardens, the scenic Virgin River, and the incredible wildlife come together in perfect harmony at the jaw-dropping Zion National Park. Do not let the crowds deter you away from this iconic landscape as a visit to Zion National Park is truly one to remember for all who walk through this awe-inspiring canyon.
