How well do you know Zion National Park?
Towering red cliffs, slot canyons and one of America's most famous hikes: Zion is Utah's most visited national park. Six questions, from easy to hard, with explanations.
Did you know?
- The Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel, completed in 1930, is about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) long. Its windows, carved through the cliff, offer glimpses of the canyon, and large vehicles need special escorts to pass through.
- Kolob Arch, in a remote section of the park, spans about 287 feet (87 m), making it one of the longest natural arches in the world. Reaching it requires a long day hike or an overnight trip.
- Zion's Kolob Canyons section, in the park's northwest corner, is much quieter than the main canyon. Its finger canyons of red Navajo Sandstone can be seen from a scenic drive with few crowds.
Canyons carved by water
Zion National Park protects a spectacular landscape of sandstone cliffs, narrow canyons and hanging gardens in southwestern Utah. Although it lies in a desert, water shaped almost everything visitors see: the Virgin River cut the main canyon, and rain and snowmelt continue to sculpt the rock today. More than four million people visit in a typical year.
Layers of an ancient desert
Zion's cliffs reveal layers of rock formed in ancient seas, rivers and deserts. The massive Navajo Sandstone walls preserve the patterns of wind-blown dunes, visible as slanted lines in the rock. Iron minerals give many cliffs their red, orange and cream colors, which glow at sunrise and sunset.
The shuttle system
For most of the year, private cars are not allowed on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Instead, a free shuttle carries visitors to trailheads. The system, introduced in 2000, reduced traffic jams, noise and parking problems, and it is often cited as a model for managing crowded national parks.
Flash floods
Slot canyons like The Narrows can flood suddenly after storms miles away, even under a blue sky. Water levels can rise several feet in minutes. Rangers post daily flash flood forecasts, and hikers are advised to check conditions before entering narrow canyons.
Hanging gardens and wildlife
Where water seeps from the rock, lush 'hanging gardens' of ferns and wildflowers grow on cliff faces. Zion is also home to mule deer, bighorn sheep and more than 200 bird species. Its range of elevations creates habitats from desert to forest within a short distance.
Utah's Mighty Five
Zion is one of five national parks in Utah, often called the 'Mighty Five', along with Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands. Many travelers visit several on a single road trip, and together they showcase some of the most remarkable desert landscapes on Earth.
Planning a visit
Zion is busiest from spring to fall. Using the shuttle, starting hikes early and checking permits and flash flood forecasts are key to a good visit. Summer temperatures in the canyon can exceed 100°F (38°C), so many hikers prefer spring and autumn, when conditions are cooler and waterfalls or fall colors add to the scenery.