The national park in Utah protects the area around the Zion Canyonthrough which the Virgin River flows. If you hike upstream, the valley narrows into a spectacular gorge. In places the path no longer runs alongside, but in the water. The nice thing about it: on the way back you can let the water drift you downstream, back to the parking lot.
background
The oldest lower rock layers in Zion National Park were created 225 million years ago. Volcanoes spewed out their ashes. One can find dinosaur footprints and fossils. 150 million years ago a huge desert with sand dunes covered the area. The sand provided the raw material for the Navajo sandstone and the 600 m high cliffs in the national park. Calcium carbonate from the groundwater stuck the sand together. After that, a sea covered the landscape and deposited sediments. When the Colorado Plateau slowly rose 4 million years ago, the landscape was completely changed. The Virgin River dug its orbit and created the canyon. Water could erode the sandstone more easily because it consists of many small quartz grains that the water loosened and carried away. The nearly vertical monoliths and steep canyon canyons show that Zion National Park is geologically young. In principle, it was created in the last few million years. The erosion continues and slowly changes the appearance of the park.
People lived here as early as 7000 years before Christ. The ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi) lived in Zion until AD 1200. Then they left the area for reasons that are not exactly known. Perhaps there was a long drought that made agriculture impossible. Then came the Paiutes. They were still present when the first white settlers (Mormons) came here from Salt Lake City between 1850 and 1860. They planted cotton that could no longer be imported from the south because of the civil war. The Mormons established localities such as Springdale, Rockville, and Grafton. In 1858, Nephi Johnson explored the canyon. His work continued in 1861 Isaac Behuin, who used the canyon for agriculture and planted tobacco, fruits and vegetables, and raised sheep and cattle. The Zion National Monument was established in 1909 and the Zion National Park in 1919.
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landscape
Zion National Park is a mountainous landscape consisting of steep, colorful mountains and canyons.
Flora and fauna
Pumas live in the park, mountain lions that make up the population of the Mule Deer (Deer) limit and kill old and sick animals. Gray foxes and raccoons, rabbits and wild cats, beavers and coyotes, as well as that Bighorn Sheep live in the park. There are over 250 species of birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Countless wildflowers such as the Prickley Pear Cactus or the red blooming Scalet Gilia grow here.
climate
getting there
- From St. George you drive on Highway 9 via Hurricane and Springdale into Zion National Park (approx. 110 km).
- From Bryce Canyon, travel south on US-89 to Mt. Carmel Junction and continue on Highway 9 to Springdale and St. George. The road runs through Zion National Park and is therefore chargeable. It leads through the 1.5 km long Mt. Carmel Tunnel, which was built in 1930. At that time there was little traffic and the cars were smaller and lower. Trucks are not allowed to drive through today. It can only be used in one-way traffic. There are often long waiting times. After the tunnel it goes down in serpentines into the valley (approx. 220 km).
Fees / permits
The National Park Pass is valid. Admission for a car is $ 30.00 and $ 15 for pedestrians, motorcyclists or cyclists for 7 days.
mobility
In the park, free shuttles run from the Visitors Center through the Virgin River canyon to Temple of Sinawava. The bus stops at several points where hiking trails start or end and at Zion Lodge.
Tourist Attractions
- Checker Board Mesa is a table mountain behind the east park entrance (from the direction of Mt. Carmel Jct). This is a fine example of natural stone art. The horizontal indentations testify to the earlier layers of the sand dunes and the vertical ones were created by water flowing down. The checkerboard pattern is impressive.
- The Watchman (The security guard) stands imposing almost 800 m high at the western park entrance above the Virgin River.
- West Temple to the west of Springdale is the highest mountain in the south of Zion National Park. It rises 1150 m above its base.
- The Great White Throne is 8 km above the visitor center in the direction of the tunnel. It is made of Navajo sandstone and rises 730 m above the valley. The sandstone at its top has less iron content than at the base and is therefore white while the base is reddish.
- Riverside Walk is a footpath in the area of Temple of Sinawava. It starts at the end of the shuttle bus tour and leads deeper into the canyon. The path is level and about 1.6 km long. On both sides, the walls of the canyon tower 600 m high into the blue sky. You can even wade through the river at the end of the path and venture further into the narrowing canyon.
- Emerald Pool Trail leads from Zion Lodge to the Emerald Pools (Emerald pond / lake). There are three ways to get there. The easier one leads to the lower pond on a paved path. It's only about 1 km long. From the shuttle stop, cross the pedestrian bridge and continue to the right. The middle pond can be reached if you continue on this path for 300 m or choose the second path from the beginning. After the footbridge, turn left and then right. It's almost 3 km there and back. A third way begins at the Grotto Picnic Area. Cross the pedestrian bridge and continue to the left. The path splits and leads to the lower pond on the left and the middle pond on the right. From the middle pond you can now walk 700 m steeply uphill to get to the upper pond. The lake has white sand, towering cliffs, and green water. The trails are popular. A lot of people want that in the summer magic spot see. You should take 1-3 hours.
- Angel's Landing is a particularly difficult hike. After a beautiful path, you walk the last hundred meters on a path about 30 cm wide, left and right of the path are rock walls falling vertically downwards.
- The Horse Ranch Mountain are 2,650 m high
activities
- You can be wonderful in the park hike and marvel at nature.
- With the Mountain bike you can do tours to the Temple of Sinawava, because apart from the shuttle buses there is no traffic.
- Rockclimbing, because Zion National Park is the most popular mountaineering area after Yosemite National Park. There are two books on mountaineering in the park in the Visitors Center (see below)
- horse riding. Tours can be booked at Zion Lodge. A one-hour riding tour to the Court of the Patriarchs costs $ 30.
- The Zion Canyon Giant Screen Theater located at 145 Zion Park Boulevard in Springdale. The film tells about the history and legends of Zion National Park, about the Anasazis, the Spanish conquerors and the hardships and hardships of the Mormon pioneers. Screening begins every full hour from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM and costs $ 8.00 for adults and $ 5.50 for children under 12 years of age.
- O. C. Tanner Amphitheater offers open-air concerts on Saturday evenings in summer. The theater is just outside the park.
shop
There is relatively little shopping in the park, with the exception of a few souvenirs.
kitchen
- Thunderbird Restaurant, at Mt. Carmel Junction (intersection). The restaurant is located in Best Western Mt. Carmel Hotel and is good. From the table you can watch hummingbirds fly to the hanging feeding places in front of the windows.
- Zion Lodge Restaurant. The restaurant offers western and Mexican cuisine. Reservation for dinner is recommended.
accommodation
Hotels and hostels
- Zion Lodge. Zion Lodge is on the road to which is closed to private traffic Temple of Sinawava.Price: The double rooms cost $ 151.00 tax, Cabins (Cabins) are $ 10.00 more expensive. Reservations up to 13 months in advance are recommended.
There are a few hotels in Springdale:
- Flanigan's Inn, 428 Zion Park Boulevard. A quiet and pleasant hotel. The restaurant is said to be very good.Price: Double rooms cost $ 109 and tax.
- Desert Pearl Inn, 707 Zion Park Boulevard. Probably the most elegant hotel in Springdale. The rooms are large and very nicely furnished in a modern style.Price: Double rooms start at $ 145.00 taxes.
- Best Western Zion Park Inn, 1215 Zion Park Boulevard. Price: Double rooms start at $ 115 tax.
- Terrace Brook Lodge, 990 Zion Park Boulevard. Price: Double rooms start at $ 60.00 taxes.
- El Rio Lodge, 995 Zion Park Boulevard. The cheapest hotel.Price: Double rooms start at $ 52.00 taxes.
camping
Both campsites are at the south entrance.
- The South Campground
- Watchman Campgrounds
security
trips
The Kolob Canyons are part of the park, but are about 80 km from Zion Canyon and have their own motorway exit (Exit 40) from Interstate I-15.
Las Vegas is approximately 150 miles away via Interstate 15. You should plan three hours for the trip.
Bryce Canyon National Park is approx. 80 miles northeast, driving time approx. 2 hours.
literature
- Desert rock by Eric Björnstad - Mountaineering in Zion National Park
- Rock climbing by Stewart M. Green - Mountaineering in Zion National Park
Web links
Opening times and current changes e.g. B. due to construction work or the weather do not have to be here, as there are permanently reliable external sources - therefore leave there: http://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm
