Zion National Park

I have written several posts about my hikes during the three months I spent in Zion National Park, so I am using this post as a collection point for those posts and as an overview of the park.

The upper east canyon

Zion is located is southwest Utah and has incredible topographic variation, ranging from less than 3,700 feet to over 8,700 feet.  The red rock canyons of Zion are in many places cliffs that rise as much as 3,800 feet straight up from the valley floor.

The Subway

Most people who visit the park see the it from Zion Canyon, where the town of Springdale, the visitor center, park headquarters, lodge, campgrounds, and most popular trails are located.  Spring and fall are the most pleasant times to visit the park, but April through October visitation is so high and parking so limited in the canyon that personal vehicles are not permitted on the park road.  Two free shuttle routes operate in the canyon. One goes from the visitor center up the canyon to several stops within the park.  The second operates in the town of Springdale, and with limited parking in the park it is strongly recommended that you take the shuttle from in town to the visitor center and then board the second shuttle.  The shuttle system has greatly relieved congestion in the park.

Zion Canyon

Zion is a leader among the national parks in sustainability, through its environmentally friendly architecture at the visitor center and other facilities, recycling efforts, shuttle system, photovoltaic solar panels, and sustainable landscaping, among many others.

The Watchman and Pa'rus trail in Zion Canyon

The wildlife in Zion Canyon is nothing spectacular, and for most people consists of very docile mule deer, although many birds and reptiles can also be seen in the canyon.  Mountain lions, elk, black bears, and California condors are rare sights in the park.

Court of the Patriarchs

My posts about Zion include:






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