National Park Zion is located in the western part of the United States, in the state of Utah. Its area is 593 km², from north to south the Zion Canyon stretches for 24 km, and the elevation difference on its territory is 800 m. These places were chosen by people already 5,000 years ago; Indian tribes lived in the park, later displaced by Europeans. The name of Zion National Park means Zion in English. This biblical name was invented specifically to attract visitors, since the area superficially resembled the landscapes of Israel. There are many other symbolic names in the park.
Country style sign at the entrance to Zion National Park.
Despite the fact that the national park is located in an arid and desert area, its landscapes are diverse, and animal and vegetable world rich. The park is located at the intersection of the Colorado Plateau and the Mojave Desert. The most low point The national park is located at an altitude of 1117 m above sea level, and the highest is already at 2660 m. The landscapes of Zion National Park are dominated by mountains - they are visible here from everywhere, mountain ranges are separated by relatively wide valleys (several km wide) or very narrow canyons. The rocks are sandstones, which are easily washed away by water, so karst formations are not uncommon in the mountains of Zion: caves, gullies, tunnels in the rocks. The rocks themselves are often red or bright yellow. Some mountains have layered structures or sharp peaks.
Natural "Subway" tunnel in the rocks of Zion.
The Virginia River, which flows through the park, has the steepest flow gradient in the United States (15-24 m for every mile of channel). Waterfalls are not uncommon in the national park; they are not particularly powerful, but have a significant height. In spring, meltwater fills the rivers and makes them turbulent; during this period, landslides in the mountains are possible.
Waterfalls Emerald pools.
Significant elevation differences create different climatic conditions on the territory of the park. Drought-resistant oaks, pines, and junipers grow on the slopes and in wide, dry valleys; here you can also see typical desert plants - yucca, prickly pear cacti, and wormwood. In narrow, shady canyons and on river banks, the vegetation is similar to temperate forests, with willows, aspens, and maples growing here. Thus, in Zion National Park you can find dense forests, woodlands, and deserts. A riot of colors covers the canyon in the spring, when many plants bloom, in the fall the forests are painted gold, and in the winter snow falls here.
Cacti under the snow - is it possible? In Zion National Park, yes. The continental climate causes hot, dry summers and cold winters.
It is home to 7 species of fish, 6 species of amphibians, 28 species of reptiles, 78 species of mammals and 289 species of birds. It is clear that the diversity of animals associated with water (fish, amphibians) is small, but the species of dry areas feel great here. Reptiles are rarely seen, but maybe that's for the best, because Zion is home to poisonous rattlers.
View of Mount Angel's Descent.
Birds and mammals are at first glance inaccessible to observation. In fact, woodlands and deserts do not allow animals to hide from prying eyes, so they are careful and try to behave unnoticed. But if you are patient and keep silence, Zion will reveal its secrets to an inquisitive observer. One by one, local inhabitants will begin to appear and it will turn out that these places are full of life. There are many birds of prey here: red-tailed buzzards, golden eagles, peregrine falcons patrol the area in search of small birds, animals and reptiles. Another large, but quite peaceful species is the wild turkey. Zion's rarest bird is the California condor.
Twilight reigns in the narrow canyons of Zion.
Among mammals there are many bats, as many as 19 species! But these nocturnal animals live secretly in caves, and on the surface you can find gray foxes, coyotes, squirrels, rabbits, and noses. The most interesting things to watch are the largest animals - pumas and bighorn mountain sheep. There are many of these animals here, but seeing them against the backdrop of the rocks is not so easy.
A pair of bighorn sheep against the background of a rock.
Zion National Park is open to tourists all year round, but not all roads are equally accessible. There are narrow highways in the park, the passage of buses and SUVs is regulated. Runs in the park from April to October public bus. The park covers seven excursion trails, the duration of excursions ranges from half an hour to 4-8 hours. The most interesting places these are the natural Metro Tunnel, Chess Mountains, Angel's Descent and the Great White Throne. Zion National Park is a favorite destination for rock climbers. Tourists also have access to lodges, campsites and hotels in the vicinity of the park, but it is better to book places in them in advance, as there is a large influx of visitors in the summer.
Maintained highways connect different parts of Zion National Park.
Having started planning a trip to Zion and Bryce National Parks, which are located in Utah, back in February in order to have time to book hotels and campsites, we finally got here in August for 4 days. The trip program looked like this:
- Wednesday – leaving home (Southern California), stop in Las Vegas;
- Thursday – in the morning, check-in at the campsite and in the afternoon, conquering the Angels Landing trail;
- Friday - The Narrows trail;
- Saturday – trip to Bryce National Park;
- Sunday - a little extreme on The Subway route and the way home.
A couple of years ago in the winter we were already passing through Zion, now, having explored this park also in the summer, walking along its paths, looking into the very heart of Zion National Park, I have largely changed my opinion about this place for the better, now this park is included in my top best places USA.
About Zion National Park
Zion National Park(Zion National Park) is a US park in Utah with an area of 593 km². The main attraction is Zion Canyon, 24 km long and up to 800 m deep, carved out by the North Fork of the Virginia River in the tawny and bronze Navajo sandstones. The canyon was discovered by Mormons in 1858 and was settled by them in the early 1860s.
The US Congress legalized the status of the national park on November 19, 1919. Before the creation of the national park, tourism in this area was poorly developed due to remoteness and lack of services. Since 1910, old railways began to be converted into highways, and in 1917 a road was built to Zion Canyon. About 3 million tourists from all over the world visit this place every year. Sometimes, walking through the park, I caught myself thinking that I practically couldn’t hear in English, here, as in Babylon, all the languages of the world are mixed: German, French, Spanish, Russian, Asian languages and others.
The geology of Zion Park includes 9 different formations that were formed over 150 million years. Looking at the canyon walls from below, you can see these formations of different colors and structures.
The culprit of all the beauty of Zion Park is the Virgin River, which annually carries about 3 million tons of rock from the canyon. It is noteworthy that the tributaries of the river do not have time to form the canyon at the same speed, resulting in waterfalls.
At 2,660 m, Horse Ranch Mountain is the highest point in Zion Park. The lowest point, 1120m, is on the 1500m Coal Pits Wash climb.
Entrance to Zion Park
There are 2 entrances to Zion Park - from routes 15 and 9. The central entrance with shops, parking, bus stops, and camping is located on the side of Route 15 near the city of Springdale (South Entrance).
Entering the park from the east side (Route 9) from Mount Carmel, you will need to drive through a long tunnel through the rock. The tunnel is quite narrow, so non-standard size vehicles must inform the entrance in advance that they require an escort (costs an additional $15). The escort takes place in this way: cars on both sides of the highway stop, allowing larger vehicles to pass. This is done so that cars do not get stuck inside the tunnel and can move apart.
There are several windows inside the tunnel.
The Mt Carmel hwy road itself (Route 9) is very beautiful, you don’t even want to blink so as not to miss anything of this beauty.
The cost of entering the park by personal car is $30 (data for 2015), to enter on foot you need to pay $15, the ticket is valid for 7 days.
If you are planning a trip to Bryce Canyon or some other national parks at the same time, then it is profitable to buy an annual pass for $80, which also applies to Yosemite and Sequoia parks in California.
Getting around Zion Park
From April to November, the best way to get around the park is on the free public buses, which depart every few minutes from the main visitor center (where there is ample parking for cars) and stop near all the main tourist points (museum, trailheads, cafe at the lodge) .
If you choose to travel in summer season If you are traveling through the park by car, you need to be prepared for limited parking; in addition, to enter the road (Zion Canyon on the map below) leading to The Narrows trail, you need to obtain a special permit (red card).
Camping in Zion Park
Zion National Park has 2 campgrounds located near the visitor center, South and Watchman Campgrounds. South Campsite is located along the road, so it is somewhat noisy and crowded. But the Watchman campsite, where we actually stayed, occupies a more advantageous location - behind the visitor center, where the peace, quiet and silent rocks of the park accompany tourists on their journey. In the morning and evening, looking at the tall rocks that surround the campsite, you can watch the rays of the sun glide over the tops of the mountains, coloring them fiery red. Amazing beauty!
Reservations for the Watchman Campground can be made at recreation.gov/camping.
All sites at the Watchman campsite are shaded by trees, so you don’t need to take tents with you. Despite the fact that during the day in summer in Zion the temperature even reaches 110 degrees Fahrenheit (about 43 Celsius), at night the temperature drops to a pleasant 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit (20-25 Celsius), making sleeping in a tent not at all possible hot.
Throughout the Zion park, including in the campsites, there are very good clean toilets with water, mirrors, soap, there are special cabins for the disabled, there are also taps with drinking water, places where you can wash dishes. I would say that this is one of the most comfortable campsites we have visited.
The Virgin River runs through the campsite and is ideal for swimming on a hot day. And you can take a full shower in the city of Springdale for $5 5 minutes. In addition, the campsite (our site in Camping E2 as well) is permeating a large number of small streams, in which it is so pleasant to dip your feet after a hot hike.
There are countless deer, sheep, goats and other animals in Zion. The animals are so accustomed to people that they even calmly walk around the campsite or go out to chew grass on a busy highway.
In addition to campsites, you can also stay in a hotel in Zion, of which there are quite a few in the city of Springdale.
Shopping and Food in Zion
In the city of Springdale, immediately near the entrance to the park there is a supermarket with food, although the prices there are somewhat inflated. There are also a huge number of different cafes and restaurants here, so you definitely won’t go hungry here.
Zion National Park in winter
In winter there is a completely different atmosphere here: there are no tourists, the roads are empty, everything around is white and cold. Yes, in winter Zion greets you with scorching frost (at least for me, after California, it’s insanely cold here). But how beautiful!!! The silent red rocks are dressed in elegant white coats, as if they are preparing for some kind of holiday. Looking at them, your mood rises, you want to laugh, enjoy life and thank yourself for the decision to come here in winter.
Unfortunately, we were unprepared, so we didn't take crampons to climb the snowy trail to Angels Landing, but there was still more to come. However, the snow does not particularly hinder walking on other trails.
There are many places on our planet with fantastic views. About some there is very little information, and more or less good large-scale photographs. Moreover, there is not enough detailed information about the origin of these species.
Zion National Park is a US national park in Utah, near the city of Springdale, Utah. The area of the park is 593 km². The main attraction is [Zion Canyon], 24 km long and up to 800 m deep, supposedly eroded by the North Branch of the Virginia River into the Navajo Sandstones.
Based on a tip from the reader, I suggest you look at the simply fantastic views of the remains in the canyon of this park.
The park is located in southwestern Utah on the Markagunt and Kolob plateaus, at the intersection of three North American geographical areas: Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and Mojave Desert. Link on the map
As you can see, the territory is eaten away not just by erosion, which worked along the river bed, but by straight lines directed from northwest to south.
An ancient surface area. Everything to the south and west has been washed away, the soil has disappeared in thickness - hundreds of meters on hundreds, and maybe even thousands of square kilometers.
There are only these table mountains left (with flat ancient surfaces on top).
This could only be done by the rapid melting of the glacier (if the previous geographic pole was previously located in North America), when once again it moved to its current position (read the works rodline ). Or the waters of the flood that overflowed the mainland. And, of course, I don’t leave the option that this is all an ancient giant mine unknown civilization space shift workers.
So, here are these fantastic views from these places:
If you look closely, you can see flat surfaces of supposedly eroded sandstone layers. How could supposedly millions of years of these weathering processes have left flat surfaces?
Here the impression is that it was poured from above and there were mounds left in those places where something poured from.
Canyon view
As you can see, first the lower layers were formed, and then the layers that make up this remnant
The layers on top are covered with some kind of crust, as if they were doused with something else
Remnant on top of the platform. The layers show that he is in no way connected to her. The erosion is very reminiscent of the remains in Siberia - the same shells in the rock.
Note the flat surfaces that are tanned with age. Those. this fact suggests that the remains were not continuous, but initially with a large number of elements with flat surfaces.
View of a large hill. It’s strange, because everything else is eaten away by erosion. But erosion spared him.
Breed in close proximity.
Somewhere near this place
Agree, strange sandstone remains. The erosion should look like this.
general information
Zion National Park is a stunning collection of rock formations carved primarily from the main local rock, Navajo Sandstone. Makes a stunning impression high cliffs, gloomy blocks and deep abysses of the park, shimmering with all the colors, from flaming red to soft pink, they resemble fairytale castles. The sun and seasons play with colors in Zion Park, constantly changing them.
Zion; www.nps.gov/zion; Highway 9;
7-day vehicle pass $25;
tourist center: 8.00-19.00 May-September, 8.00-18.00 April and October, 8.00-17.00 November-March
When planning to visit the canyon, keep in mind that along the scenic road (sightseeing road) You can travel by your own car in late autumn and winter. The most picturesque path to the park runs through the Eastern entrance. You can park your car at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center or before entering the town of Springdale. During the rest of the year, only sightseeing buses National Park. Accordingly, the inspection will take much longer, about 2 hours. IN bus route includes two pedestrian promenades to the Weeping Rock (Weeping rock) and along the Emerald Path (Emerald pools trail).
Zion National Park is especially beautiful after a heavy rain, when waterfalls from the cliffs carry their moisture into the Emerald Pools or along the paved mile-long Coastal Path. This is the final destination of the Zion Canyon Trail. (Zion Narrows Trail)- difficult tourist route 26 km long. River routes Zion Canyon, running along dripping spring water and green hanging gardens in the form of mosses, ferns and lipsticks, provide life-giving coolness, saving you from the heat. Climb the steep 4km trail to Angels Haven, a ledge above a canyon so narrow it takes your breath away.
Zion is rightfully proud of many amazing natural attractions. Checkerboard Mesa (Checkerbord Mesa)- this is a grandiose block of sandstone towering above the road, whose surface seems to be divided into squares by wind and water, and in the Verkin canyon (Canyon Verkin) a natural arch connects two rocks. The park's highest point is West Temple Mountain. (West Temple), rises to a height of 1158 m. Tower of the Virgin, Virgin Tower (Towers-of-the-Virgin) is a group of sharp rocks stretching along the western wall of the canyon, and the natural amphitheater of the Temple of Sinawawa (Temple-of-Sinavava) offers magnificent views of the surrounding cliffs and hills.
Another well-known attraction of Zion National Park is Veeping Rock. (Weeping Rock): Water from a spring located high on the slope flows down the rock and drips like tears from its ledges. A similar phenomenon exists in Hunding Gardens (Handing-Gardens), but there the water does not drain, but is absorbed by plants clinging to the slopes of the rock. Fast waters washed out caves in the stone, in which many birds, small mammals and insects settled. In some of the larger caves, archaeologists have discovered artifacts from ancient Pueblo Indian settlements.
In total, the park has more than 160 km of hiking trails (you can go hiking in the middle of nowhere) and camping.
If you don't have much time, the scenic route is your best option. (Scenic Drive) 9.6 km long, penetrating into the heart of Zion National Park. From April to October you will need to board free bus (6.45-22.00) at the visitor center, but you can get off at any stop along the way and walk along the trail. The famous Angels' Refuge trail (Angels Landing Trail) 8.6 km long is simply stunning: a real dizziness inducer (elevation 1400 feet, sheer drops), but the view of Zion Canyon is phenomenal. Allow four hours for the journey there and back. To hike through the Narrows (Narrows) (June to September only; trail length 25.6 km), board the backpacker bus after obtaining a backcountry permit in tourist center (orders must be placed in advance via the website). Alternatively, take a walk along the trail from the Riverside Walk (Riverside Walk) 8 km to Big Springs (Big Springs), where the canyon narrows, marking the end of the road. Remember that no matter which direction you go, most of the time you are moving along the bed of the Virgin River (Virgin River).
A site at Watchman Campground, shaded by cottonwoods, on the banks of a canyon river. (Tel: 800-365-2267; http://reservations.nps.gov; Hwy (Highway) 9; tent sites $16, RV sites with amenities $18-30) reserve well in advance. At the nearby South Campground (tent and RV sites $16) Places are taken on the day of arrival. Both campsites have a total of almost 300 sites.
"Rustic" Motel Zion Lodge (Tel: 435-772-7700; www.zionlodge.com; rooms and cabins $160-180), which is located in the middle of the scenic drive, offers 81 well-appointed rooms and 40 cabins with gas fireplaces. Each house has an attached porch with a wonderful view of the red cliffs, but there are no TVs in the rooms. From the hotel's full-service restaurant, Red Rock Grill (breakfast $10-15, lunch $8-20, lunch $15-30; 7.00-22.00, opening hours vary in December-March), also offers an amazing view. In the town of Springdale, near the park's border, you'll find many more restaurants.
Please note: You must pay an entrance fee to drive through the park on Highway 9, even if you are just passing by. If you are with a campervan on a trailer, you will also have to pay an additional amount (escort fee)$15 when traveling through the 1.8 km Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel at the east entrance.
Zion Park - impressive canyons, waterfalls, extreme trails, beautiful nature, wild animals in the neighborhood. Sounds good, right? If you are planning to go to this park, you will need not only knowledge of what to see, but also how to get there, where to live, how much it costs to visit, opening hours, weather and other practical information. A map with attractions wouldn't hurt either.
general information
Park name: Zion National Park, also called Zion, Zion or Zion.
State: Utah, USA.
Distances from Zion Park (Visitor Center):
- Las Vegas - 162 miles/259 km (2 hours 40 minutes)
- Valley of Fire - 134 miles/215 km (2 hours 30 minutes)
- St. George - 42 miles/67 km (1 hour)
- Bryce Canyon - 86 miles/137 km (2 hours) - to Visitor Center
- Grand Canyon ( South Rim) - 238 miles/380 km (4 hours 15 minutes) - via Kanab
- Glen Canyon (Wahweap) - 113 miles/180 km (2 hours 10 minutes)
- Capitol Reef - 193 miles/309 km (4 hours) - to Visitor Center
- Canyonlands - 356 miles/572 km (5 hours 15 minutes) - to Island in the Sky Visitor Center
1 mile ≈ 1.6 km
Short description: Zion Park is famous for its large canyons, famous not only throughout the country, but also among numerous foreign tourists, as evidenced by their incessant flow. High plateaus, narrow labyrinths, impressive panoramic views, deep canyons - this is an incomplete list of what Zion National Park is ready to please its visitors.
Schedule: The park receives visitors every day, 24 hours a day. Some services and amenities may be closed or have reduced hours during the winter season.
Zion Canyon Visitor Center Hours:
- October 12-April 19 - from 8:00 to 17:00 (closed 12/25)
- April 20-May 23 - from 8:00 to 18:00
- May 24-September 1 - from 8:00 to 19:30
- September 2-October 11 - from 8:00 to 18:00
Kolob Canyon Visitor Center opening hours:
- October 12-April 19 - from 8:00 to 16:30 (closed 11/27 and 12/25)
- April 20-May 23 - from 8:00 to 17:00
- May 24-September 1 - from 8:00 to 18:00
- September 2-October 11 - from 8:00 to 17:00
Cost of visiting the park:
- car ticket and all passengers - 25 dollars. The ticket is valid for 7 days including the day of purchase.
- motorcycle ticket and his driver - $12. All passengers pay an individual fee, but in total no more than the car fee, that is, $25.
- individual ticket(for those who arrived by bicycle or walked) - 12 dollars per person. Children under 15 years old are admitted free of charge. The ticket is valid for 7 days.
- Zion Pass(Zion Annual Pass) - $50 (valid for 12 months from date of purchase). The pass applies to the holder and all passengers of a non-commercial vehicle (14 people or less).
- total annual pass/Annual Pass - $80 (valid for a year and applies to all parks within the National Park System). Valid for the cardholder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle (where the fee is per vehicle) or for the cardholder + 3 adults (where the fee is per person).
*Tickets are valid for both canyons - Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyon.
Park size: Zion Park is quite large. It is divided into several parts, some of which are located at a considerable distance from each other. In each part of the park, tourists will find walking paths of varying lengths (from several to tens of kilometers).
Conventionally, the following parts can be distinguished in Zion:
- Zion Canyon (aka Main Canyon)
The most organized, convenient to visit and, accordingly, crowded area of the park. There is a free shuttle bus system, two campgrounds, a hotel, museums and many scenic paths leading to waterfalls, canyons or peaks with beautiful views of the canyon. Many tourists limit visiting this particular part of the park.- Upper East Canyon
All travelers traveling to Zion from Bryce Canyon pass through this part of the park. Here is the western entrance to the park, a tunnel that arouses a lot of interest among tourists, and a small trail with an observation deck.- The Desert Lowlands
A completely unstructured area of the park that offers a couple of fairly long trails through open desert. It is very hot here in summer.- Narrow Canyon (Zion Narrows)
Quite a popular route among tourists who prefer something unusual. It lies in the upper reaches of the Zion Canyon, where its width reaches only a few meters. The trail runs along the river and you have to walk in water most of the way.- The Kolob Terrace
Those who want to look at the park from a different point of view can go to this part of the park. From the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to the start of the Kolob Terrace trails, you will have to travel about 60 km.- Kolob Canyon
The farthest part of the park relative to the tourist Zion Canyon. Kolob Canyon was once a separate attraction, and then it was added to national park. The visitor center here is about 65 km away from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. It has its own canyon and several picturesque paths.What to do in the park:
- Take a ride around the park by car
- Go on a hike
- Ride a bike
- Walk the trails
- Organize a horseback ride
- Conquer the canyon
- Go rock climbing
- Listen to a ranger or go on a hike with him
- Go on a river tour
In all articles devoted to Zion National Park, the emphasis will be on its most popular part - Zion Canyon, as well as on the features of visiting in the summer season, since we were in the park at the end of August.
Thank you for the useful information
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