Utah National Parks

 

General Info & Web sites

Zion National Park, located in southwestern Utah, stretches over 229 square miles and provides visitors many colorful canyons, some of which are extremely narrow and steep. Zion Canyon is the main feature of the park. It is about 10 miles long and offers visitors a wide variety of hiking opportunities. Zion National Park receives over 2.7 million visitors a year, making it Utah's most popular tourist destinations. During the summer of 2009 the park marked the official centennial of its designation as a national monument.

• U.S. National Park Service
• Utah.com
• History and Culture
• Nature and Science
• Curriculum Resources For Teachers
• Utah History Encyclopedia

 

Maps / Mileage Chart

• NPS Printable Maps
  Printable maps of the different areas of Zion.
• Google Map
  Browser based map of the park. Click and drag maps to view adjacent sections immediately. View satellite images of the park that you can zoom and pan.
  
• Utah.com
  Map and driving directions for Zion National park.
  

 

Photos

• Utah Collections
  A collection of pictures, videos and documents related to the park.
• Go-Utah.com
  Zion National Park, Utah Photo Gallery - Beautiful photos, pictures, images
• nps.gov
  US National Park Service photo gallery of Zion.
• OhRanger.com
  Photos of Zion National Park.

 

Sights to See

Average Temperatures
January	52°F	29°F
February	57°F	31°F
March	63°F	36°F
April	73°F	43°F
May	83°F	52°F
June	93°F	60°F
July	100°F	68°F
August	97°F	66°F
September	91°F	60°F
October	78°F	49°F
November	63°F	37°F
December	53°F	30°F

• Angels Landing - from atop this feature, Zion is all around you. Angels Landing is a destination for those of strong body and nerve—some might even say faith. To get there, you must hike a trail with steep drop-offs on both sides which is definitely not for those with a fear of heights. For your safety, use the chain handrail.
• Checkerboard Mesa - a prominent example of naturally sculpted rock art. Horizontal lines, the remnants of ancient sand beds, are etched into a checkerboard pattern by vertical fractures that have been enlarged over the years by runoff from rain and melting snow.
• The Great White Throne - rises more than 2,400 feet above the canyon floor.
• Kolob Arch - spans 310 feet making it one of the longest freestanding arches in the world. The arch can be reached by hiking seven miles from Lee Pass along the La Verkin Creek Trail. The 14-mile round-trip excursion is strenuous and is usually done as an overnight backpacking trip (permit required).
• Kolob Canyon - offers vast areas for backcountry exploration. The Finger Canyons of the Kolob were carved from Navajo Sandstone by the action of the north, middle and south forks of Taylor Creek.
• Observation Point - from this lofty perch, you can see the length of Zion Canyon and witness the erosional wonders achieved by the Virgin River.
• Riverside Walk - takes you deeper into the canyon beyond the end of the road. This is an easy, paved path with 2,000-foot-high canyon walls towering on both sides. When conditions are favorable, visitors may walk beyond the end of the trail toward the Zion Narrows.
• Weeping Rock - a grotto carved from stone and lavishly adorned with hanging gardens.
• West Temple - is the highest peak in the southern part of Zion. In layer upon layer of rock, it ascends more than 3,800 feet from its base, revealing much geologic history.
• Zion Narrows - soaring walls, sandstone grottos, natural springs, and hanging gardens. Hiking the Zion Narrows means hiking in the Virgin River. At least 60% of the hike is spent wading, walking, and sometimes swimming in the stream.

 

Park Activities