Zion National Park 
Hotels
Area: 230sq.mi/596sq.km
Established: 1919
Season
The National Park is open throughout the year, but from December to March there are no bus services to the park and no accommodation for visitors. Between May and October temperatures frequently rise above 99°F/37°C, and there are often short, violent thunderstorms during the afternoon in July and August. The best times for a visit to the National Park, therefore, are spring and autumn.
Situation and topography
Zion National Park takes in the imposing canyons of the often tumultuous Virgin River, a tributary of the Colorado River, and its tributaries, which in the course of millions of years have carved their way through the horizontally bedded sandstones, limestones and slates of the Markagunt plateau, an offshoot of the Colorado Plateau, creating a magnificent landscape of sheer-walled gorges up to 3000ft/900m deep, mesas (isolated tablelands), rock domes and battlements, in a play of colors ranging from whitish-gray by way of orange and red to deep purple. The predominant coloring of the park is red, in many shades and tones: even the roads are rust-red. A number of Indian cultures (Basketmaker, Anasazi, Paiute) have left their traces in Zion Canyon. When the Mormons came here in 1858 they gave the valley and its most striking features the names they now bear, many of them Biblical.
Flora and fauna
Ashes, poplars, Douglas firs, spruces, golden aquilegias and maidenhair ferns are only a few of the many species of plants to be found in the National Park. The commonest animals are mule deer, and bighorn sheep are occasionally seen. Small bats flit about in the twilight. Frequent visitors to campgrounds and picnic sites are the comical ground squirrels.
Established: 1919
Season
The National Park is open throughout the year, but from December to March there are no bus services to the park and no accommodation for visitors. Between May and October temperatures frequently rise above 99°F/37°C, and there are often short, violent thunderstorms during the afternoon in July and August. The best times for a visit to the National Park, therefore, are spring and autumn.
Situation and topography
Zion National Park takes in the imposing canyons of the often tumultuous Virgin River, a tributary of the Colorado River, and its tributaries, which in the course of millions of years have carved their way through the horizontally bedded sandstones, limestones and slates of the Markagunt plateau, an offshoot of the Colorado Plateau, creating a magnificent landscape of sheer-walled gorges up to 3000ft/900m deep, mesas (isolated tablelands), rock domes and battlements, in a play of colors ranging from whitish-gray by way of orange and red to deep purple. The predominant coloring of the park is red, in many shades and tones: even the roads are rust-red. A number of Indian cultures (Basketmaker, Anasazi, Paiute) have left their traces in Zion Canyon. When the Mormons came here in 1858 they gave the valley and its most striking features the names they now bear, many of them Biblical.
Flora and fauna
Ashes, poplars, Douglas firs, spruces, golden aquilegias and maidenhair ferns are only a few of the many species of plants to be found in the National Park. The commonest animals are mule deer, and bighorn sheep are occasionally seen. Small bats flit about in the twilight. Frequent visitors to campgrounds and picnic sites are the comical ground squirrels.
Hobbies & Activities category: National park; Scenic site or route
Zion National Park Highlights
Great White Throne
The Great White Throne is located beyond the Zion Lodge in Zion National Park. This towering monolith rises 2,400ft/732m and changes from white at the top to red near the bottom.Kolob Canyons Section
The park area is divided into the southeastern Zion Canyon section, in which are the main sights, and the northwestern Kolob Canyons section, still relatively unprovided with roads and services,
... More >
Kolob Arch Trail
In this part of the park is the strenuous Kolob Arch Trail (14mi/23km), which leads to a free-standing rock arch 310ft/95m high. An overnight halt is necessary on this route.
The Kolob Arch is one
The Kolob Arch is one
... More >
Kolob Canyons Visitor Center
From Highway I 15 the Kolob Canyons Road runs past the Visitor Center in the northwest of the park (closed in winter).The visitor center is near the site where the first white men known to visit the area passed on October 13, 1776.
Taylor Creek
Taylor Creek is the most popular day hike in the Kolob Canyons section of the Zion National Park. The 5.4mi/8.7km roundtrip path follows the middle fork of Taylor Creek past historic cabins and waterfalls.Timber Creek Overlook
The 1mi/1.6km round trip to the Timber Creek Overlook provides is a short hike with excellent views of the Kolob Canyons area at an elevation of 6,369ft/1,941m.Zion Canyon Section
The park area is divided into the southeastern Zion Canyon section, in which are the main sights, and the northwestern Kolob Canyons section, still relatively unprovided with roads and services,
... More >
Angels Landing Trail
The Angels Landing Trail (5mi/8km) is an extremely strenuous route. The steep final section up to Angels Landing calls for a good head for heights; but even without climbing up all the way it is a
... More >
Canyon Overlook Trail
The short Canyon Overlook Trail (1.25mi/2km) offers a magnificent prospect of Pine Creek Canyon and the Towers of the Virgin on the west rim of Zion Canyon.East Rim Trail
The strenuous 10m/16km East Rim Trail in Zion National Park climbs 2,148ft/655m to a viewpoint of Zion Canyon. This scenic trail is one of the best in the park.Emerald Pools Trail
The Emerald Pools Trail (2mi/3.2km) leads to the Emerald Pools, which are fed by waterfalls.The trail is a popular day-hike of 3mi/4.8km. It features stunning scenery and is popular with children.
Gateway to the Narrows
The Gateway To The Narrows in Zion National Park is an easy hike that follows the Virgin River for 2mi/3km from the Temple of Sinawava to the beginning of the Narrows.Hidden Canyon Trail
The Hidden Canyon Trail at Zion National Park climbs 850ft/260m over a distance of 2mi/3.2km and leads to a narrow side canyon.Pa'rus Trail
The Pa'rus Trail is a 2mi/3.2km paved route in lower Zion Canyon that follows the Virgin River from the Watchman campground to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. No cars are allowed on the path. Pa'rus is a Paiute word meaning "bubbling water".Sand Bench Trail
The 3.6mi/5.8km Sand Bench Trail in Zion National Park is moderately strenuous, climbing 500ft/152m to an excellent viewpoint of Zion Canyon.Watchman Trail
From the south entrance of the National Park at Springdale the park road runs past the Watchman (6546ft/1995m; on right) and the West Temple (7809ft/2380m; on left) and up the deeply indented
... More >
Weeping Rock Trail
On the Weeping Rock Trail an unusual natural phenomenon can be observed. A nature trail (1-1/4mi/2km) leads to the Weeping Rock, a rock overhang overgrown with plants known as the Hanging Gardens
... More >
West Rim Trail
On the West Rim Trail (27mi/43km) a tent should be taken for an overnight halt.The strenuous hike has an elevation gain of 3,593ft/1,095m.
West Temple
From the south entrance of the National Park at Springdale the park road runs past the Watchman (6,546ft/1,995m; on right) and the West Temple (7,809ft/2,380m; on left) and up the deeply indented valley of the Virgin River.Wildcat Canyon
The hike through Wildcat Canyon in Zion National Park is a 6mi/9.5km route with majestic views.Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
The 7.5mi/12km long Zion Canyon Scenic Drive begins after the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway goes off on the right. On the left are the Sentinel (7,156ft/2,181m) and the Three Patriarchs (6,890ft/2,100m)
... More >
Temple of Sinawava
This huge natural amphitheater is located at the end of the 6mi/10km Zion Canyon Drive. Two pillars in the center of the Temple are known as The Altar and The Pulpit. A trail leads to the spectacular Zion narrows, a scenic gorge.Riverside Walk
Riverside Walk is a 2mi/3km round trip on a paved trail along the Virgin River in Zion National park. It is a popular footpath in the park.Zion Canyon Visitor Center
Before the entrance gate to the Zion National Park is a visitor's center next to the IMAX Theater.
During high season (start of April to end of October), the 6mi/10km Zion Canyon scenic drive is
During high season (start of April to end of October), the 6mi/10km Zion Canyon scenic drive is
... More >
Zion Narrows
The most challenging hike in Zion National Park is the 12.5mi/20km Zion Narrows. The route follows the Virgin River through the narrowest points in the canyon - sometimes as little as 20ft/6m wide with walls up to 2,000ft/610m high.Zion-Mount Carmel Highway
The 11mi/18km long Zion-Mount Carmel Highway goes off on the right at the junction of Pine Creek with the Virgin River, heading for the east entrance to the National Park. It winds its way up the
... More >
Zion National Park
State Route 9
Springdale, UT 84767-1099
United States
Phone 1 (435) 772-3256
Fax 1 (435) 772-3426
State Route 9
Springdale, UT 84767-1099
United States
Phone 1 (435) 772-3256
Fax 1 (435) 772-3426
Attractions Near Zion National Park, Utah - Color Country
Hotels in Popular Utah Destinations
Print this page
Add to Favorites
Attractions Near
Zion National Park
Zion National Park
Please wait. Loading map...
Zion National Park Pictures
 |
 |
Zion National Park Maps
 |
 |
Best Utah Hotel Rates
|
Utah Hotels, Utah Tourist Attractions, Utah Maps
Home | Advertise | About | Contact | Legal & Privacy | Site Map ©Copyright 1995-2008 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved.
Unauthorized duplication in part or whole without prior written consent prohibited by international laws. |
 
|
