Recreation
Zion |
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Zion Details
- Hours of operation: During summer months, the visitor centers are open daily, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Spring, fall and winter hours are shorter. Some visitor centers are closed on federal holidays. Call for information.
- Cost: $20 per vehicle, or $10 for pedestrian/bike passes (passes good for seven days). Annual passes are available for $40. National Parks passes, good for one year at all national parks, are available for $50.
- Payment options: Cash.
- Location / Distance from Las Vegas: Located approximately 157 miles northeast of Las Vegas. The Visitor Center at the Kolob Canyons entrance is accessible from Interstate 15, exit 40. I-15 passes west of the park and connects with Utah state Route 9 and Route 17 to the park.
- Travel options: Bus, private vehicle.
- On the way: Along the way, you'll pass Mesquite, Nevada, and travel through the scenic and rugged Virgin River Gorge. There are plenty opportunities to purchase food and gas outside Zion in St. George, Utah and surrounding towns. Near the park, there are wide vistas filled with red rock deserts and forested mountains.
- Amenities: Food, lodging, groceries and shopping are all available.
- What you'll need: Fill up your gas tank before driving to Zions National Park. Carry plenty of water and wear sunscreen. Warm clothing is often needed in the evening, even in summer. Wear sturdy shoes and a hat.
- Annual visitors/busy season: Over 2.5 million people a year visit stunning Zion National Park. The most popular seasons are summer and fall.
Zion Review
Zion National Park, located about two and a half hours from Las Vegas in Utah, is known for its unique geological features and an unusual variety of plants and animals.
Sharp sandstone cliffs in the park soar 2,000 feet above a labyrinth of narrow canyons cut through the soft sandstone by the Virgin River.
The narrow and deep Zion Canyon is the centerpiece of the park. Venture onto the floor of the canyon for an awe-inspiring scene as you stand beneath its 2,000- to 3,000-foot-high walls.
Zion offers visitors several other wonders, including The Great White Throne, a huge grayish white slab that towers over Zion Canyon; the 6,555-foot-high Watchman at the south entrance to the park; the Checkerboard Mesa, an immense cone etched by horizontal bedding planes and vertical cracks; and the Temple of Sinawawa near the entrance to the Zion Narrows. The Temple of Sinawawa has an air of mystery about it -- indigenous Paiute Indians refused to draw near it after nightfall.
If you want to beat the crowds, head for Kolob Canyons, a series of spectacular sandstone canyons located in the northwestern section of the park. The towering vertical cliffs, carved into the red Navajo sandstone, give Kolob a striking presence. Some of Zion's best trails start here and feature cliff-side panoramas and walks through highland forest. Kolob Arch, at 310 feet, is the world's largest natural span and is the major hiking destination in the area. Hikers also can see small waterfalls and clear backcountry pools.
The plant life at Zion is the most diverse in Utah with almost 800 native species. Differences in elevation, sunlight, water and temperature create environments including hanging gardens, forested side canyons and isolated mesas. During the spring and summer, visitors will find a variety of beautiful wildflowers. In the fall, Zion is paradise to those looking for colorful autumn foliage.
Animal life also is abundant at Zion. Visitors can see mule deer, rock squirrels, lizards and many species of birds. Rare or endangered species include peregrine falcons, Mexican spotted owls, spinedace (a fish) and some species, such as the Zion snails, which are found nowhere else on earth.
