Close

Want to learn more about ?

Join the National Parks Conservation Association community for free email updates about and other parks. You'll get great information about enjoying and preserving our parks each month. Plus, you'll learn about steps you can take to help protect our parks!

Yes, please sign me up for NPCA's newsletter and other emails about protecting our parks!
 
National Parks Conservation Association
 
 
Who We AreWhat We DoWhere We WorkExplore the ParksTake ActionNews and Publications
zion

FIND A PARK

BY NAME:

BY LOCATION:

BY CATEGORY:

BY THEME:

BROWSE ALPHABETICALLY:

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Zion National Park

, Utah

Acreage: 146,597.6
Category: National Park
Date Established: 07/31/1909

Standing at the bottom of Zion Canyon, it is easy to mistake the massive canyon walls for towering mountains! The unique and colorful sandstone of the region color the canyon another worldly cream, pink and red. Striking rock towers and mesas, steep canyons and flowing water create a wide variety of habitat at Zion National Park.

Visitors have an opportunity to explore the dramatic scenery and abundant life found here, as well as learn about the long history of human occupation, from Native Americans to explorations of John Wesley Powell, from the Mormon settlers to the early tourists and the push to protect and preserve this spectacular place.

—By Ann Froschauer

NPCA Recommends

A hike in one of the "less traveled" areas of the park is a truly unique experience. We recently hiked the Right Fork trail, on the western edge of the park. Hiking through an area that had recently burned and seeing the new growth coming up, spectacular vistas and finding a mountain lion track were really awe-inspiring.

Did You Know

Visitors to Zion have the opportunity to “take it all in” without worrying about driving and parking! A free shuttle from the gateway of Springdale offers boundless opportunities to explore the park while minimizing their impact to this beautiful place! 

Threats

According to a Center for the State of the Parks assessment (PDF) published in 2005, the park's operational budget is $3.5 million short of what is needed to adequately care for resources and provide visitor services. As a result of this shortfall, important resource protection projects go unfunded, and the park cannot afford to hire critical staff positions to support basic resource management functions.

Visitor Feedback


Powered by Rating-System.com

Share your park story today. Post your park experiences, recommendations, or tips here.*

Comments

We drove through it on our way out from being at Best Friends Animal Society. The drive is beautiful and gorgeous views in any direction. We are not hikers, but there is plenty of space for everyone who likes to do that. Visit it soon. You won't be disappointed!
Submitted by Virginia at: October 8, 2009
You'll know why our Native Americans treated this place as exceptionally spiritual if you get out and about to experience it. The grandeur, the colors, the constantly changing shadows, the awesome heights up the canyon walls, the silence; it's very moving to this persons soul. Clearly the most spiritual experience of my life -- walking down the Virgin River thru canyons so deep that we could (almost) touch both walls but when looking straight up, couldn't see the sky (the canyon "leans" a bit) a thousand feet up above us to the rim. It personifies the southwest and will get you in touch with a part of you that you didn't know existed -- at least, it did for us. A suggestion: Allow 2 days to hike down (and IN) the river -- there is so much to take in that stopping constantly in awe is the high reward for taking the time to soak it up. I shudder to think that I might have never known about Zion. My life would have been a good bit poorer for missing it. Don't let this happen to you!
Submitted by Dirk at: September 27, 2009
I have been visiting this wondrous place since '79 and proposed to my lovely wife there, under a full moon at Court of the Patriarchs in '90. I have a serious ambulatory disability and yet I find this park to be a very intimate, almost religous place, even though I have been able to hike few of the trails.I see different things each visit,no matter what the weather or season. Also, the neighboring town of Springdale offers a friendly, quaint,experience . It is blessed at having changed little in the 30 years I have been visiting. Go, enjoy, feel the seasons, but leave it as it is: the most spritual place I have ever experienced. Peace.
Submitted by ZGuyAZ at: September 12, 2009
Zion National Park has something for eveyone. Its hiking trails are varied and are superb. We have been there five times and have been to many other parks and hiking areas, and it remains one of our very favorites. The shuttles make exploring the park incredibly simple. and the town outside the park - Springdale - is quaint, fun, and accessible.
Submitted by Anonymous at: August 23, 2009
Zion is our #1 park in the Grand Circle and in our visits to at least 20 other national parks. We have visited Zion 4 times and are heading there again in October. We never tire of taking the shuttle up canyon, hiking the narrows, the Emerald Pools and Canyon Overlook. The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway drive through the tunnels is magnificient scenery.
Submitted by merlong at: June 16, 2009
To be honest, Zion park wasn't that great.
Submitted by Durp Doan at: May 15, 2009
This is a very rocky place, but it's perfect for hiking! Even snow comes there sometimes.
Submitted by Anonymous at: April 29, 2009
Zion Park was absolutely breathtaking. I've traveled around the world and this park rates numbero uno #1. The slot canyons, sandstone cliffs, and river offers a variety of diverse landscape. Truely a magical place.
Submitted by Miss-Miami at: March 17, 2009
Zion National Park is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen. I fell in love with the land when I took a trip out there this past summer. For a great hike, try Angel's Landing. The hike is a bit more difficult but the views from the top are amazing!
Submitted by Mis-Pittsburgh at: September 10, 2008

Post a Comment

Nickname
Comment
Email
 
Enter this word:
CAPTCHA image
Change image Visually impaired? Click here to have an audio challenge played. You will then need to enter the code that is spelled out.

*NPCA staff do not regularly respond to postings. We reserve the right to remove comments that include profanity, personal attacks, or are off-topic. Opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the position(s) of NPCA.

Printer Friendly

 

 
Text Size:
 Default Size Medium Text Large text
PARK HIGHLIGHTS

Park Report

Zion National Park

National Parks Articles

A Higher Calling
Take Action to Protect the Parks

Help NPCA Secure a Huge Victory for Joshua Tree!

Tell the EPA to Protect the Everglades from Mining

TRIPS

National Parks of the West

Visit the untamed wilderness of the American West. Seven of our nation’s most majestic national parks on one great tour--Glen Canyon, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore. (By Motorcoach)

MORE >