Zion National Park, an image of paradise on Earth

Published on July 17, 2024 at 4:00 pm

When the Mormon pioneers discovered Zion, they thought they had found paradise on earth (hence the origin of its name). Even today, it feels like a Garden of Eden. As Utah's first national park, Zion holds an important place in the state's history and culture. It was once home to ancestral peoples. Zion National Park has carved out a dreamlike image for itself with its ash and poplar trees. The canyon has been shaped over the years by the Virgin River, the power of water and wind, giving rise to cliffs of cream, pink and red sandstone. It is considered a sanctuary, a desert oasis, and unlike other canyons, it can be visited from below. At dawn or dusk, the canyon is at its best, with numerous viewpoints, a wealth of flora and fauna, picturesque paths and natural arches.

Summary

History of the park
Zion Canyon
Practical information

History of the park

Like many parts of the state of Utah, the area we know today as Zion National Park was first explored by Mormon pioneers, missionaries and explorers. In the 1800s, this region was wilder and barely explored. It was inhabited by Southern Paiute Indians.

View from Angels Landing

These early settlers explored the southern desert region near the Virgin River and Zion Canyon. Above all, they were so amazed by the beauty of the place, with its towering cliffs, majestic canyons and beautiful nature... that they nicknamed it Zion, literally heaven on earth.

Zion Canyon

The most spectacular part of Zion National Park is Zion Canyon. The canyon is accessible along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, an entrance and exit road that hugs the canyon floor, with towering cliff walls on both sides.

The colorful landscape of zion national park in utah

This route offers views of some of the park's most famous sites, including a view as far as Angels Landing. The route ends at the start of one of the park's distinctive features, the Narrows. The majority of the park's main attractions can be found along the route.

One of the main sites along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is Weeping Rock. This landscape offers a view of the hanging gardens that cling to the cliff face.

The majestic Narrows of Zion National Park

Depending on the season, the amount of water coming out of the rock changes, from a few drops to a stream to a beautiful waterfall. Weeping Rock is stop number 6 on the Zion shuttle bus through the canyon.

Also by car, the drive across Zion Mount Carmel is equally scenic, offering a radically different perspective as it winds over the valley for spectacular views from one side of the valley to the other.

The road hugs the cliff wall as it climbs the mountainside. After a steady climb, the road passes through a narrow tunnel. Immediately after exiting the tunnel on the east side is the parking area for the Canyon Overlook Trail, a one kilometre round trip hike to an incredible viewpoint above the valley. Beyond this point, the landscape changes to rolling mountains of orange and cream.

The beautiful Sion National Park on a sunny day.

Zion National Park has an incredible mix of trails for both beginners and experts. Its terrain is perfect for an adventure trip. Two hikes head its long list of trails: Angel's Landing and The Narrows. These two trails lead through narrow slot canyons, but also along the edges of the canyons to take in the epic green desert views.

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Another trail well worth exploring is the Riverside Walk. A looped walk that follows the Virgin River past the hanging gardens, the spurs at the water's edge. On the opposite side of the valley from the river, huge waterfalls can spill over the cliff face, particularly in spring. This is also a good place to spot birds and other wildlife.

Aboard a cliff during a lively sunset

Practical information

💰 Admission fee:

35 dollars per car, valid for 7 days.

⏰ When is the best time to visit Zion Park?

The park is open all year round. Zion Canyon sees the most visitors from May to September. However, some roads close during the winter, but the park remains accessible. Cars are not permitted during this period, but a shuttle bus takes over.

Although it's cold in winter, it's still possible to enjoy an incredible trip to Zion. The high altitude areas will be dusted with snow, but Zion Canyon is easily accessible. Best of all, the park won't be crowded.

🚌 Getting to Zion National Park:

Zion National Park is located in southwestern Utah. Most visitors fly into Las Vegas and rent a car for the 3-hour drive to Springdale.

👉 All about the Zion shuttle:

For most of the year (February to November), the Zion shuttle is in operation. During this time, private vehicles are not permitted to drive on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. From mid-February to mid-March, the shuttle operates on weekends and private vehicles are permitted on Zion Canyon Road during the week. The shuttle operates 7 days a week from mid-March. For full timetable and opening times, visit the website.

The shuttle starts at the Visitor Centre and runs along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and ends at the Sinawava Temple. From mid-morning onwards, queues to board the Zion shuttle can be very long, lasting over an hour.

by Editorial Team

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