It may come as surprise to some that Utah's Zion National Park is rated as one of the top national park attractions in America. Trip Advisor, the online travel guide, has rated Zion as number one. This majestic park is 15 miles wide and about 30 miles in length. It has become more popular because most views are first seen from the bottom of the canyon where dramatic sandstone cliffs rise thousands of feet above the valley floor. The iron that has oxidized or rusted within the rock has stained rock formations in Zion and created a wide range of reddish and yellowish hues. Entrance to the main part of the park is found at two points on Scenic Highway 9; one is near Springdale, Utah on the southwest part of the park and the other is found at the park's eastern edge. One western section of the park called the Fingers of Kolob is accessible from Interstate 15, and the Kolob Terrace section of the park is accessed through Virgin, Utah on Scenic Highway 9.
In the main canyon of the park you may enjoy visiting locations such as the Riverside Walk and the Temple of Sinewava, or other locations such as Weeping Rock, Emerald Pools and the scenic tunnel. The Zion tunnel was completed during the 1930's and passes one mile through the side of a sheer rock cliff. Design engineers have created windows in the sides of the tunnel to allow visitors to view the vast expanse of the section of Zion.
There are several large animals and birds that make their homes within the park including bighorn sheep, mule deer, mountain lions, bobcats, eagles, turkey vultures, and condors. The California condor was re-introduced to the Vermillion Cliffs just south of Zion and these large birds now roam northward into the park on a regular basis.
Native Americans were, at one time, quite fearful of going into the park, since it was considered to be the home of their gods. Deep, dark slot canyons within the park are absolutely spectacular for exploration but should only be entered on good weather days. Area guides can lead you visitors into area slot canyon or you may gain a permit to explore slot canyons within the park on your own.
Zion Park is open year-round as is Scenic Highway 9, which passes through the park. Highway 9 is accessible from Interstate 15 on the west and from Highway 89 on the east side. The park is 2.5 hours from Las Vegas, Nevada and four hours from Salt Lake City, Utah. As a visitor to Zion you may also wish to visit Bryce Canyon which is 1.5 hours to the north, the Grand Canyon North Rim - two hours south, and Lake Powell which is 1.6 hours east. Bear in mind that some destinations are less accessible during winter months depending on weather.
In the main canyon of the park you may enjoy visiting locations such as the Riverside Walk and the Temple of Sinewava, or other locations such as Weeping Rock, Emerald Pools and the scenic tunnel. The Zion tunnel was completed during the 1930's and passes one mile through the side of a sheer rock cliff. Design engineers have created windows in the sides of the tunnel to allow visitors to view the vast expanse of the section of Zion.
There are several large animals and birds that make their homes within the park including bighorn sheep, mule deer, mountain lions, bobcats, eagles, turkey vultures, and condors. The California condor was re-introduced to the Vermillion Cliffs just south of Zion and these large birds now roam northward into the park on a regular basis.
Native Americans were, at one time, quite fearful of going into the park, since it was considered to be the home of their gods. Deep, dark slot canyons within the park are absolutely spectacular for exploration but should only be entered on good weather days. Area guides can lead you visitors into area slot canyon or you may gain a permit to explore slot canyons within the park on your own.
Zion Park is open year-round as is Scenic Highway 9, which passes through the park. Highway 9 is accessible from Interstate 15 on the west and from Highway 89 on the east side. The park is 2.5 hours from Las Vegas, Nevada and four hours from Salt Lake City, Utah. As a visitor to Zion you may also wish to visit Bryce Canyon which is 1.5 hours to the north, the Grand Canyon North Rim - two hours south, and Lake Powell which is 1.6 hours east. Bear in mind that some destinations are less accessible during winter months depending on weather.
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