A cairn found in Cohab Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park. Frank and Anne's Canyon Country Hiking and Camping Notebook.

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The main canyon in Zion National Park. Zion National Park
Springdale, Utah 84767
Phone: 435-772-3256
FAX: 435-772-3426
E-mail: ZION_park_information@nps.gov
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 Overview

Zion National Park contains eight geologic formations and four major vegetation zones. The highlight for most visitors is 2,400 foot deep Zion Canyon. A scenic drive winds through the bottom, along the North Fork of the Virgin River, past some of the most spectacular scenery in the park. Hiking trails branch off to lofty viewpoints and narrow side canyons. Adventurous souls can continue on foot past the road's end into the eerie depths of the Virgin River Narrows.

Zion's amazing spires, vivid colors and Alice-in-Wonderland scale-2,000 foot-high walls separated by 20 foot-wide corridors-set this national park apart. Sculpted by the Virgin River, which drops nine times as fast as the Colorado, sandstone is cut into a series of intricate galleries of steep cliffs and great rock temples. Wildflowers and wildlife abound as does an array of streams and waterfalls. Red-tinted paved roads provide easy access year-round.

See the Park's Newpaper, News, and News Releases for current information.

Area: 147,000 acres (229 square miles)
Elevation: From 3,666 feet in the lower Coalpits Wash to 8,726 feet atop Horse Ranch Mountain.
Fees: $20.00 per vehicle, or $10.00 per walk-in, bicyclist, or motorcyclist, with a $20.00 maximum per family. See the Park's Fees and Reservations page for more details.
Hours: Open daily. See the Park Operating Hours and Seasons for more details.
Visitor Center:
  • Zion Canyon Visitor Center—At the south entrance to the Park. This is also the main access point for the Zion Canyon Shuttle. Backcountry permits are issued here.
  • Kolob Canyons Visitor Center—Off of Interstate 15 at Exit 40, 45 miles north of Springdale and 17 miles south of Cedar City. Backcountry permits are issued here.
Facilities: Two visitor centers, nature center, free shuttles, trails, campgrounds, fire grates, picnic sites and tables, religious services, restrooms. Drinking water is available at Visitor Centers, campgrounds, and at Zion Lodge.
Directions:
  • The Kolob Visitor Center is at exit 40 off I-15.
  • The Zion Canyon Visitor Center is a short distance from Springdale, Utah. US 89 passes east of the park and connects with UT 9 to the East Entrance.
  • Get directions from Google Maps.
  • Get directions from MapQuest.
  • NPS Directions.
Coordinates: Map Coordinates (NAD83): 37 13.057N; 112 58.473W.
Weather:
 
Click for Springdale, Utah Forecast
Regulations:
Precautions:
  • Stay back from cliff edges. Loose sand or pebbles on stone are very slippery. Be careful near cliff edges when using cameras or binoculars.
  • All narrow canyons are potentially hazardous. Flash floods, often from storms miles away, present a real danger and can be life threatening. By entering a narrow canyon, you are assuming a risk.
  • See Backcountry Considerations.
  • See Backcountry Emergencies.
  • NPS News Updates.
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From Observation Point, Zion National Park, Utah.
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This page was last updated Monday, November 10, 2008
   
 
   
 
A Canyon Country cairn.