Information: (435) 772-2356
Entrance Fee: $20.00 per private vehicle

The new Zion National Park Visitors Center offers a state of the art visitor experience. Most notable is the outstanding outdoor interpretative center.

While many enjoy the top-down view of nearby Grand Canyon, Zion is most easily experienced from the bottom up. In sheer magnitude and color, Zion is very likely one of the most awe-inspiring National Parks in the world with the annual number of visitors ranging over 2.5 million. Throughout the park iron oxide has colored the sandstone a myriad shades of red, while more natural white or ochre hues have remained in various sections and layers. Water flow from rain, and river has etched through the rock and created deep chasms of twisted and convoluted mass. During storms, large boulders and trees crash down these canyons more rapidly eroding the deepening gorges. Collecting rains on Zion's massive plateaus rage to central gathering points and gush over precipices descending hundreds and sometimes one-thousand feet in awe-inspiring waterfalls, disappearing within minutes of the conclusion of a storm. Elevations in the Park range from 4,000 feet in the valley floors to nearly 9,000 feet at the highest points. Rock climbers and hiking enthusiast from around the world come here to experience the vertical climbs and zig-zagging trails which ascend to pinnacles, domes, arches and spires. The upper layers of porous sandstone allow water to seep thousands of feet through the rock, but the more dense lower layers force the water to exit and pour down the faces of sheer walls. Where the water leaves the rock, hanging gardens and natural stains line the walls, creating a tropical paradise in the midst of the otherwise arid desert surroundings.

MAIN CANYON
This is the main and most popular section of the park. The visitor center and lodge are found in this part of the park. Popular trail-heads for Weeping Rock, Emerald Pools, Angels Landing, The Narrows, etc. are all found in this area.

WILDLIFE AND BIOLOGY
Skunks, ring-tailed cats, kangaroo rats, deer and big-horned sheep are just some 75 species of mammals visible with the park. Peregrine falcons, eagles, wild turkeys, owls and quail are found in the canyons along with 265 other types of birds. You'll also find a large variety of reptiles on land, along with 8 different fish in the waters of Zion. The great variations of elevations, and formations create very diverse environments and with nearly 800 native species of plants, Zion has the greatest botanical diversity in all of Utah.

PARK INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
Each day park rangers present a series of special talks, guided walks, and evening programs at Zion Lodge and the South Campground Amphitheater. Copies of schedules are posted at visitor centers and on bulletin boards throughout the parkand all programs are free.

PARK JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM
For children age 6-12, this program is held twice each day at the Zion Nature Center. Each session lasts two-and-a-half hours with a $2 per child registration fee. The morning program begins at 9 a.m.; the afternoon at 1:30 p.m. The programs are fun explorations of the secrets of Zion's plants and animals, its geology (why are the rocks red?) and its human history.

DAY AND OVERNIGHT HIKES
Zion Canyon features some of the most dramatic and challenging hikes and scenery in the world. Among the classic trails of Zion are Angels Landing (West Rim), East Rim, Weeping Rock, Pa'rus, Watchman, Emerald Pools, Hidden Canyon, Observation Point, and the grand-daddy of them all, The Narrows. Rangers urge prospective hikers to be mentally and physically prepared and have the right equipment; but most of all, hikers need to have current trail information and know what their personal limitations are. Permits are required for The Narrows and other back country hikes. Call (435) 772-0170 for information on back country hikes.


ZION NARROWS
Perhaps the most famous and one of the most challenging areas of the park is an area referred to as the "Narrows". The Virgin River gathers its waters from several northerly tributaries all of which continue to carve deep gorges in the sandstone. Intrepid hikers may follow the river's path, but plan on walking through water most of the day. The full length of the main "Narrows" canyon is a 12.5 mile trek.

For a good look at the narrows, without the major commitment, drive to the Temple of Sinewava at the top of the main canyon, park your car, and walk the 1-mile path to what is essentially the kick-off point for going up the narrows. Group sizes are limited in the Narrows and other specific areas of the park.

STORMS, FLASH FLOODS, TEMPERATURES
The above three categories may each be a deterrent to your ability to experience Zion's back-country areas. Stay away from narrow or slot canyons on bad weather days to avoid the dangers of high water levels and even flash floods. Water temperatures are generally fine during the summer months but shadowed canyons are less likely to keep you warm as you spend significant amounts of time in the water. Special preparations are required to enter the narrows in the colder months of the year. Check with the National Park to obtain details.

PARK VISITOR CENTER
Be sure to stop by the visitor center at the south entrance to the park. There's an orientation film, a small museum, bookstore, and rangers on hand to answer questions.

BIKING
One of the most popular ways to experience Zion Canyon is by bicycle. The Pa'rus trail is a 3.5 mile paved trail that allows bikes. It's a beautifully scenic ride up the canyon along the Virgin River.

HORSEBACK RIDING
Trail rides in Zion Canyon are a perennial favorite. One-hour and half-day rides can be arranged at the Zion Lodge in the park.


CAMPGROUNDS
Restrooms, water, picnic tables and fire grates are all available in the Watchman and South Campgrounds. These are fee areas and available on a first-come first-served basis. Campers should plan to arrive as early in the day as possible to secure a site. Both park campgrounds tend to fill by mid-afternoon. Reservations are available for educational or youth groups of 9 to 40 people.

TRANSPORTATION
To reduce traffic and to improve the park experience, a new bus transportation system started operation on May 26, 2000. It l runs during the busy season, March through October, and peak periods. One loop includes stops in Zion Canyon, and a second includes stops in the town of Springdale. Parking is available throughout Springdale and inside the south park entrance.

It is possible to leave your vehicle in town and ride the shuttle to the new Zion Canyon Visitor Center or park right at the visitor center. The visitor center is the start of the Zion Canyon loop into the park. Shuttles depart each location often throughout the day. You may get on and off the shuttle as many times as you wish. Riding the shuttle on both loops is included in the park entrance fee. All visitors, except those staying at Zion Lodge, use the shuttle buses to access Zion Canyon. You also have the option of biking or hiking along the canyon's scenic drive. The Pa'rus Trail connects Zion Canyon to the new visitor center and both campgrounds.

The east side of the park will remain accessible by private vehicle. Currently motorcoaches, R.V.'s , cars and trucks may pass through the park on highway 9 but will be unable to drive up the main canyon to major points of interest, unless you are staying overnight at the lodge.

ZION TUNNEL
A fee is charged for large vehicles equal to or exceeding 7'10" in width or 11'4" in height for a ranger escort through the Zion Tunnel. Located on SR 9 between the main canyon and the East entrance of the park, the tunnel, completed in 1930, is 1.1 miles in length and part of a nearly impossible engineering task. As you pass through the tunnel several windows give views through the side canyon wall into the main canyon.

KOLOB SECTION
Two separate roads enter the northwest section of the park. One road from I-15 between St. George and Cedar City takes you into the Kolob Fingers area. A short drive of 5.5 miles to an area which looks like a persons hand with multi-thousand foot canyons between each finger. The second road goes North from the town of Virgin and enters the Kolob Terrace and allows visitors access to the Lava Point and to various back-country canyons. The upper section of this road is closed in the winter due to snow depths.

WEATHER
The park is open all year and each season is distinctively beautiful. Spring brings waterfalls cascading into the Virgin River - the force that carved Zion Canyon. Summer is the favorite season with deep redcliffs rising above the lush green canyon. In autumn, brilliant red and gold foliage accents the colors in the stone cliffs. And winter offers moderate temperatures with crisp mornings and warm afternoons. A skiff of snow may appear on the silhouettes of the peaks on the west entrance while the east entrance of the park will experience heavy winter snowfall. Daytime summer temperatures range from 70- to-105 degrees F, while night temperatures are usually between 45-and-75 degrees F.

FORMATIONS

ZION SHUTTLE

The shuttle operates daily beginning at 6:30 a.m. every 30 minutes, increasing to every 15 minutes and then, during the busy part of the day, every 6 to 8 minutes. Toward evening shuttle times will scale back to 15 minutes, then to 30 minutes. The last bus will leave the Zion Canyon Visitor Center at 9:30 p.m. The schedule is subject to change. A complete round trip will take a minimum of 90 minutes. ONLY THE SCENIC DRIVE IS CLOSED TO PRIVATE VEHICLES - ALL OTHER ROADS IN THE PARK REMAIN OPEN TO PRIVATE VEHICLES.