Zion National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Location	Utah, USA
Nearest city	Springdale, Utah
Coordinates	37°18′0″N 113°3′0″W / 37.3, -113.05
Area	146,598 acres   (143,035.07 federal) (230 mi² or 593.26 km²)
Established	July 31, 1909
Total visitation	2,567,350 (in 2006)
Governing body	National Park Service

Zion Canyon as seen from the top of Angels Landing at sunset

Zion National Park is a United States National Park located in the Southwestern United States, near Springdale, Utah. A prominent feature of the 229-square-mile (593 km²) park is Zion Canyon, 15 miles (24 km) long and up to half a mile (800 m) deep, cut through the reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone by the North Fork of the Virgin River. Located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert regions, this unique geography and variety of life zones allow for unusual plant and animal diversity. A total of 289 bird species, 75 mammals (including 19 species of bat), 32 reptiles and numerous plant species inhabit the park's four life zones: desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous forest. Notable megafauna include Mountain Lions, Mule Deer and Golden Eagles, along with reintroduced California Condors and Bighorn Sheep. Common plant species include Cottonwood, Cactus, Datura, Juniper, Pine, Boxelder, Sagebrush and various willows. The World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. ... Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada A national park is a reserve of land, usually, but not always (see National Parks of England and Wales), declared and owned by a national government, protected from most human development and pollution. ... Image File history File links Red_pog. ... Image File history File links US_Locator_Blank. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Springdale is a town located in Washington County, Utah. ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1000x1025, 218 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Zion National Park Graduated filter Talk:Graduated filter ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1000x1025, 218 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Zion National Park Graduated filter Talk:Graduated filter ... The parks of the United States National Park system are one type of protected area in the United States and are operated by the U.S. National Park Service. ... Regional definitions vary from source to source. ... Springdale is a town located in Washington County, Utah. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... To help compare different orders of magnitude and geographical regions, we list here areas between 100 km² and 1000 km². See also areas of other orders of magnitude. ... This article belongs in one or more categories. ... The Virgin River, a tributary of the Colorado, is shown highlighted on a map of the southwestern United States The Virgin River is a tributary of the Colorado River, 200 mi (322 km) long, in the southwestern United States. ... Drainage map showing the Great Basin in orange Various Definitions of the Great Basin (NPS) The Great Basin is a large, arid region of the western United States. ... For the indigenous American tribe, see Mohave. ... The Life Zone concept was developed by C. Hart Merriam in 1889 as a means of describing areas with similar plant and animal communities. ... For other uses, see Plant (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Bird (disambiguation). ... Subclasses & Infraclasses Subclass †Allotheria* Subclass Prototheria Subclass Theria Infraclass †Trituberculata Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria Mammals (class Mammalia) are warm-blooded, vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of sweat glands, including those that produce milk, and by the presence of: hair, three middle ear bones used in hearing, and a neocortex... “Chiroptera” redirects here. ... Reptilia redirects here. ... This article is about arid terrain. ... A riparian zone schematic from the Everglades. ... Limber Pine woodland, Toiyabe Range, central Nevada Biologically, a woodland is a treed area differentiated from a forest. ... Temperate coniferous forests are a terrestrial biome found in temperate regions of the world with warm summers and cool winters and adequate rainfall to sustain a forest. ... For other uses, see Cougar (disambiguation). ... Binomial name (Rafinesque, 1817) The mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a deer whose habitat is in the western half of North America. ... For other uses, see Golden Eagle (disambiguation). ... Binomial name (Shaw, 1797) Synonyms Genus-level: Antillovultur Arredondo, 1976 Pseudogryphus Species-level: Vultur californianus Shaw, 1797 Gymnogyps amplus L. H. Miller, 1911 For other uses, see condor (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Shaw, 1804 Synonyms Desmarest Cuvier[1] Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis)[2] is one of three species of mountain sheep in North America and Siberia; the other two species being Ovis dalli, that includes Dall Sheep and Stones Sheep, and the Siberian Snow sheep Ovis nivicola. ... Species Populus deltoides L. Populus fremontii [[]] Populus nigra L. This article is about the poplar species. ... Subfamilies Cactoideae Maihuenioideae Opuntioideae Pereskioideae See also taxonomy of the Cactaceae A cactus (plural cacti, cactuses or cactus) is any member of the succulent plant family Cactaceae, native to the Americas. ... Species See text below Datura is a genus of 12-15 species of vespertine flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae. ... Species Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. ... For other uses, see Pine (disambiguation). ... Boxelder is a band out of Jupiter, FL known for its reggae influences and positive lyrics. ... Binomial name Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ... Species About 350, including: Salix acutifolia - Violet Willow Salix alaxensis - Alaska Willow Salix alba - White Willow Salix alpina - Alpine Willow Salix amygdaloides - Peachleaf Willow Salix arbuscula - Mountain Willow Salix arbusculoides - Littletree Willow Salix arctica - Arctic Willow Salix atrocinerea Salix aurita - Eared Willow Salix babylonica - Peking Willow Salix bakko Salix barrattiana...

Human habitation of the area started about 8,000 years ago with small family groups of Native Americans; the semi-nomadic Basketmaker Anasazi (300 CE) stem from one of these groups. In turn, the Virgin Anasazi culture (500 CE) developed as the Basketmakers settled in permanent communities. A different group, the Parowan Fremont, lived in the area as well. Both groups moved away by 1300 and were replaced by the Parrusits and several other Southern Paiute subtribes. The canyon was discovered by Mormons in 1858 and was settled by that same group in the early 1860s. Mukuntuweap National Monument was established in 1909 to protect the canyon, and by 1919 the monument was expanded to become Zion National Park (Zion is an ancient Hebrew word meaning a place of refuge or sanctuary). The Kolob section was proclaimed a separate Zion National Monument in 1937, but was incorporated into the park in 1956. This article is about the people indigenous to the United States. ... Ancient Pueblo People, or Ancestral Puebloans is the preferred term for the group of peoples often known as Anasazi who are the ancestors of the modern Pueblo peoples. ... The Virgin Anasazi were one of the westernmost Ancestral Puebloan groups in the American Southwest. ... Categories: Native American tribes | Stub ... “Piute” redirects here. ... This article is about the history and use of the word Mormon. For information about the religious beliefs and culture of Mormons, see Mormonism. ... Zion (Hebrew: צִיּוֹן, tziyyon; Tiberian vocalization: tsiyyôn; transliterated Zion or Sion) is a term that most often designates the Land of Israel and its capital Jerusalem. ... “Hebrew” redirects here. ...

The geology of the Zion and Kolob canyons area includes nine formations that together represent 150 million years of mostly Mesozoic-aged sedimentation. At various periods in that time, warm, shallow seas, streams, ponds and lakes, vast deserts and dry near-shore environments covered the area. Uplift associated with the creation of the Colorado Plateaus lifted the region 10,000 feet (3000 m) starting 13 million years ago. Kolob Canyons from the end of Kolob Canyons Road. ... Interstate road cut through limestone and shale strata in eastern Tennessee In geology and related fields, a stratum (plural: strata) is a layer of rock or soil with internally consistent characteristics that distinguishes it from contiguous layers. ... The Mesozoic Era is one of three geologic eras of the Phanerozoic eon. ... Sedimentation describes the motion of particles in solutions or suspensions in response to an external force such as gravity, centrifugal force or electric force. ... The Colorado Plateau, also called the Colorado Plateaus Province, is a physiographic region of the Intermontane Plateaus, roughly centered on the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. ...

Geography and climate

Spectacular Zion scenery as seen from the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

The park is located in southwestern Utah in Washington, Iron, and Kane counties. Geomorphically, it is located on the Markagunt and Kolob plateaus, at the intersection of three North American geographic provinces: The Colorado Plateaus, the Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert. The northern part of the park is known as the Kolob Canyons section and is accessible from Interstate 15, exit 40. ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1500x1000, 448 KB) Summary A view of the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway with spectacular scenery in all directions. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1500x1000, 448 KB) Summary A view of the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway with spectacular scenery in all directions. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Iron County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Kane County is a county located in the state of Utah. ... The Markagunt Plateau is an 800 square mile plateau located in the southwest corner of Utah between I15 and UT 89, it encompasses Cedar Breaks National Monument and part of Zion National Park. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... The Colorado Plateau, also called the Colorado Plateaus Province, is a physiographic region of the Intermontane Plateaus, roughly centered on the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. ... Drainage map showing the Great Basin in orange Various Definitions of the Great Basin (NPS) The Great Basin is a large, arid region of the western United States. ... For the indigenous American tribe, see Mohave. ... Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Interstate 15 “I-15” redirects here. ...

The 8,726 foot (2660 m) summit of Horse Ranch Mountain ( photo) is the highest point in the park; the lowest point is the 3,666 foot (1117 m) elevation of Coal Pits Wash, creating a relief of about 5,100 feet (1500 m). Download high resolution version (1200x734, 155 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ...

Streams in the area follow rectangular paths because they follow jointing planes in the rocks. The headwaters of the Virgin River are at about 9,000 feet (2700 m) and the river empties into Lake Mead 200 miles (320 km) southeast after flowing 8,000 feet (2400 m) downward. This gives the Virgin a stream gradient that ranges from 50 to 80 feet per mile (0.9–1.5%)—one of the steepest stream gradients in North America. Lake Mead is the largest man-made lake and reservoir in the United States. ... “Miles” redirects here. ... “km” redirects here. ... Stream gradient is the ratio of drop in a stream per unit distance, usually expressed as feet per mile or meters per kilometer. ...

Temple of Sinawava Waterfall

The road into Zion Canyon is 6 miles long, ending at the Temple of Sinawava ("Sinawava" refers to the Coyote God of the Paiute Indians^[1][2]). At the Temple, the canyon narrows and a foot-trail continues to the mouth of the Zion Narrows, a spectacular gorge with walls 40–100 feet (12–30 meters) wide and 1000 feet (300 m) tall. The Zion Canyon road is served by a free shuttle bus from early April to late October and by private vehicles the other months of the year. Other roads in Zion are open to private vehicles year-round. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (480 × 640 pixel, file size: 73 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Zion National Park... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (480 × 640 pixel, file size: 73 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Zion National Park... Categories: Stub ...

View from Museum

Other areas of the park also offer outstanding scenery. The east side of the park is served by the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway which passes through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and ends at Mt. Carmel Junction. On the east side of the park notable park features include Checkerboard Mesa and the East Temple and one of the more popular hikes, the Canyon Overlook Trail. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2592 × 1944 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2592 × 1944 pixel, file size: 1. ... Scenic Highway 9 on the east side of Zion National Park. ... Download high resolution version (1000x664, 117 KB)Photograph of the Checkerboard Mesa in Zion National Park, taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ...

West of Zion Canyon, the Kolob Terrace area features The Subway, a famous slot canyon hike, and Lava Point, with a spectacular view of the entire area. The Kolob Canyons section, further west near Cedar City, features one of the world's longest arches, Kolob Arch. Cedar City is a city located in Iron County, Utah, 250 miles South of Salt Lake City on Interstate 15. ... Categories: Stub | Natural arches ...

Map of Zion National Park showing the Zion and Kolob canyon sections.

Spring weather is unpredictable, with stormy, wet days being common, mixed with occasional warm, sunny weather. Precipitation is heaviest in March. Spring wildflowers bloom from April through June, peaking in May. Fall days are usually clear and mild; nights are often cool. Summer days are hot (95 °F to 110 °F; 35 °C to 43 °C), but overnight lows are usually comfortable (65 °F to 70 °F; 18 °C to 21 °C). Afternoon thunderstorms are common from mid-July through mid-September. Storms may produce waterfalls as well as flash floods. Autumn tree-color displays begin in September in the high country; inside Zion Canyon, autumn colors usually peak in late October. Winter in Zion Canyon is fairly mild. Winter storms bring rain or light snow to Zion Canyon and heavier snow to the higher elevations. Clear days may become quite warm, reaching 60 °F (16 °C); nights are often 20 °F to 40 °F (−7 °C to 4 °C). Winter storms can last several days and make roads icy. Zion roads are plowed, except the Kolob Terrace Road and the Kolob Canyons Road, which are closed when covered with snow. Winter driving conditions persist from November through March. USGS image from [1] This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... USGS image from [1] This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... For the geological process, see Weathering or Erosion. ... For other uses, see Wildflower (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fahrenheit (disambiguation). ... Celsius is, or relates to, the Celsius temperature scale (previously known as the centigrade scale). ... A thunderstorm, also called an electrical storm or lightning storm, is a form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its attendant thunder produced from a cumulonimbus cloud. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Lower Antelope Canyon was carved out of sandstone by flash floods A Flash Flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas (washes), rivers and streams, caused by the intense rainfall associated with a thunderstorm, or multiple training thunderstorms. ... This article is about precipitation. ... Snow is a type of precipitation in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. ...

Notable geographical features of the park

• National Park Service Map (shows feature locations)
• Virgin River Narrows
• Emerald Pools ( photo) ( photo)
• Hidden Canyon ( photo) ( photo) ( photo) ( photo)
• Angels Landing ( photo) ( photo) ( photo) ( photo)
• The Great White Throne ( photo)
• Checkerboard Mesa ( photo)
• The Three Patriarchs ( photo)
• Kolob Arch, a remote cliff wall arch

The Virgin River Narrows The Virgin River Narrows in Zion National Park, located near Springdale, Utah is a 16-mile long slot canyon enclosing part of the Virgin River. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2397x1596, 1945 KB)Lower Emerald Pool, Zion National Park. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2276x1567, 2786 KB) Summary Emerald Pools trail in winter. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1944 × 2592 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1944 × 2592 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2592 × 1944 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2592 × 1944 pixel, file size: 1. ... Angels Landing is a rock formation measuring 5785 feet tall in Zion National Park in southern Utah. ... Zion Canyon, looking down onto Angels Landing. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Angels_Landing. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2816x2112, 3331 KB) Summary View of the ridge of Angels Landing from Scout Lookout, Zion National Park. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1944 × 2592 pixel, file size: 1. ... The Great White Throne The Great White Throne is a large tall mountain of white Navajo Sandstone situated in Zion National Park of southwestern Utah. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 429 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1144 × 1600 pixel, file size: 759 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The Great White Throne in Zion National Park. ... Download high resolution version (1000x664, 117 KB)Photograph of the Checkerboard Mesa in Zion National Park, taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Download high resolution version (2000x759, 247 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Categories: Stub | Natural arches ...

Human history

Archaeologists have divided the long span of Zion's human history into three cultural periods, each characterized by distinctive technological and social adaptations.

Archaic period

The first human use in the region dates to 8,000 years ago when family groups camped where they could hunt or collect plants and seeds. About 2,000 years ago, some groups began growing maize and other crops, leading to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Later groups in this period built permanent villages (called pueblos). Archaeologists call this the Archaic period and it lasted until about 500 CE. Baskets, cordage nets, and yucca fiber sandals have been found and dated to this period. The Archaic toolkits included flaked stone knives, drills, and stemmed dart points. The dart points were hafted to wooden shafts and propelled by throwing devices called atlatls. (7th millennium BC Р6th millennium BC Р5th millennium BC Рother millennia) Events c. ... This article is about the hunting of prey by human society. ... A ripe red jalape̱o cut open to show the seeds For other uses, see Seed (disambiguation). ... This article is about the maize plant. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Pueblo Indians . ... Species many, see text Yucca filamentosa in New Zealand Yucca decipiens in Zacatecas, Mexico Joshua Trees growing in the Mojave Desert. ... An atlatl (from Nahuatl ahtlatl ; in English pronounced [1] or [2]) or spear-thrower is a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in spear-throwing, and includes a bearing surface which allows the user to temporarily store energy during the throw. ...

By 300 CE some of the archaic groups developed into an early branch of seminomadic Anasazi, the Basketmakers. Basketmaker sites have grass- or stone-lined storage cists and shallow, partially underground dwellings called pithouses. They were hunters and gatherers who supplemented their diet with limited agriculture. Locally collected pine nuts were important for food and trade. Ancient Pueblo People, or Ancestral Puebloans is the preferred term for the group of peoples often known as Anasazi who are the ancestors of the modern Pueblo peoples. ... Pine nuts are the edible seeds of pine trees (family Pinaceae, genus Pinus). ...

Protohistoric period

The Parrusits and several other Southern Paiute subtribes lived in the Virgin River Valley south of Zion Canyon for hundreds of years following the departure of the Anasazi and Fremont Indians around 1300 CE. Tradition and archaeological evidence holds that they are a Numic-speaking cousin of the Virgin Anasazi. Parrusits seasonally migrated up and down the valley in search of wild seeds and nuts in what is called the Neo-Archaic period. Some farming and hunting supplemented their diet. “Piute” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Nut (disambiguation). ...

Evidence suggests the Parrusits had great reverence for the large monoliths and turbulent waters in Zion Canyon. They believed the monoliths were responsible for the streams and springs they depended upon by communicating with the rocks, animals, water, and plants that make their home there. Modern bands of Southern Paiute still visit sites within the park to perform rituals and collect plants. A monolith is a geological or technological feature such as a mountain, consisting of a single massive stone or rock. ... “Rock” redirects here. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ...

Kaun huts were used by bands of Southern Paiute who lived in the area.

Download high resolution version (1360x2048, 318 KB)NPS image. ... Download high resolution version (1360x2048, 318 KB)NPS image. ...

Historic period

Early exploration

The Historic period begins in the late 18th century, with the exploration and settlement of southern Utah by Euro-Americans. Padres Silvestre Vélez de Escalante and Francisco Atanasio Domínguez passed near what is now the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center on October 13, 1776, becoming the first white men known to visit the area. In 1826, trapper and trader Jedediah Smith led 16 men to explore the area in a quest to find a route to California. These and other explorations by traders from New Mexico blazed the Old Spanish Trail, which followed the Virgin River for a portion of its length. Captain John C. Fremont wrote about his 1844 journeys in the region. 2000 density of European Americans A European American, or more commonly a Euro-American, is an American of European descent, usually referring to white people or Caucasians. ... Silvestre Velez de Escalante was a Franciscan missionary and explorer of the Southwest United States in 1776. ... Francisco Atanasio Domínguez was a Franciscan missionary and explorer of the Southwest United States in 1776. ... is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1776 (MDCCLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... // Bold textItalic textLink title Jedediah Smith Jedediah Strong Smith (born January 6, 1799 - presumed date of death May 27, 1831) was a hunter, trapper, fur trader and explorer of the Rocky Mountains, the American West Coast and the Southwest during the nineteenth century. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Capital Santa Fe Largest city Albuquerque Largest metro area Albuquerque metropolitan area Area  Ranked 5th  - Total 121,665 sq mi (315,194 km²)  - Width 342 miles (550 km)  - Length 370 miles (595 km)  - % water 0. ... The Old Spanish Trail is a historic trade route which connected the northern New Mexican settlement of Santa Fé with that of Los Ángeles in California. ... John C. Frémont John Charles Frémont (January 21, 1813-July 13, 1890), birth name John Charles Fremon [Harvey, p. ...

Mormon pioneers and the Powell expedition

In the 1850s, Mormon farmers from the Salt Lake area became the first white people to settle the Virgin River region. In 1851, the Parowan and Cedar City, Utah areas were settled by Mormons who used the Kolob Canyons area for timber, and for grazing cattle, sheep, and horses. They prospected for mineral deposits, and diverted Kolob water to irrigate crops in the valley below. Mormon settlers named the area Kolob - in Mormon scripture, the star nearest the residence of God. This article is about the history and use of the word Mormon. For information about the religious beliefs and culture of Mormons, see Mormonism. ... Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. ... The Virgin River, a tributary of the Colorado, is shown highlighted on a map of the southwestern United States The Virgin River is a tributary of the Colorado River, 200 mi (322 km) long, in the southwestern United States. ... Cedar City is a city located in Iron County, Utah, 250 miles South of Salt Lake City on Interstate 15. ... For general information about the genus, including other species of cattle, see Bos. ... Species See text. ... Binomial name Equus caballus Linnaeus, 1758 The horse (Equus caballus, sometimes seen as a subspecies of the Wild Horse, Equus ferus caballus) is a large odd-toed ungulate mammal, one of ten modern species of the genus Equus. ... For other uses, see Mineral (disambiguation). ... Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil usually for assisting in growing crops. ... In Mormonism, Kolob is a star or planet mentioned in the Book of Abraham as being nearest to the throne of God. ... This article is about the astronomical object. ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ...

In 1858, they had expanded 30 miles south to the lower Virgin River. That year, a Southern Paiute guide led young Mormon missionary and interpreter Nephi Johnson into the upper Virgin River area and Zion Canyon. Johnson wrote a favorable report about the agricultural potential of the upper Virgin River basin, and returned later that year to found the town of Virgin. More settlers arrived in 1860 and 1861 and settled the towns of Rockville and Springdale. Catastrophic flooding by the river (especially in the Great Flood of 1861–1862), little arable land, and poor soils made agriculture in the upper Virgin River a risky venture. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Loess field in Germany Surface-water-gley developed in glacial till, Northern Ireland Technically, soil forms the pedosphere: the interface between the lithosphere (rocky part of the planet) and the biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. ...

In 1861 or 1862, Joseph Black made the arduous journey to Zion Canyon and was very impressed by its beauty. His stories about the Canyon were at first seen as exaggerated, prompting his neighbors to call the Canyon "Joseph's Glory". The floor of Zion Canyon was settled in 1863 by Isaac Behunin, who farmed corn, tobacco, and fruit trees. The Behunin family lived in Zion canyon near the site of today's Zion Lodge during the summer, and wintered in Springdale. Isaac Behunin is credited with naming Zion, a reference to a place of peace mentioned in the Bible. Shredded tobacco leaf for pipe smoking Tobacco can also be pressed into plugs and sliced into flakes Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the fresh leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. ... A plum tree Flowering almond tree A fruit tree is a tree bearing fruit — the structures formed by the ripened ovary of a flower containing one or more seeds. ... Zion Lodge is a lodge located nearby Zion National Park Category: ... This Gutenberg Bible is displayed by the United States Library. ...

Two more families settled Zion canyon in the next couple of years, bringing with them cattle and other domesticated animals. The canyon floor was farmed until Zion became a Monument in 1909. This is a list of animals that have been domesticated by humans. ...

The Crawford ranch was located near the mouth of Zion Canyon, in Springdale.

The Powell Geographic Expedition entered the area in 1869 after their first trip through the Grand Canyon. Powell returned in September 1872 and descended the East Fork of the Virgin River (Parunaweap Canyon) to the town of Shunesberg. He may have made the climb up to Zion Canyon, and named it Mukuntuweap under the impression that that was the Paiute name. In the same year, Geologist Grove Karl Gilbert, working with the Wheeler Survey, descended the North Fork of the Virgin River from Navajo Lake to Zion Canyon, making the first recorded descent of "The Zion Narrows". It is likely that he named this remarkable section of canyon in the process. Download high resolution version (800x708, 70 KB) This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Download high resolution version (800x708, 70 KB) This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... First camp of the John Wesley Powell expedition, in the willows, Green River, Wyoming, 1871 The Powell Geographic Expedition was a groundbreaking 19th century U.S. exploratory expedition of the American West, led by John Wesley Powell in 1869, that provided the first-ever thorough investigation of the Green and... This article is about the canyon in the southwestern United States. ... John Wesley Powell, second Director of the USGS. Served from 1881-1894. ... Grove, Karl, Gilbert (May 6, 1843 – May 1, 1918), known by the abbreviated name in academic literature, was an American geologist. ... The Wheeler Survey was a survey of a portion of the United States lying west of the 100th meridian. ... Categories: Stub ...

Powell Survey photographers, Jack Hillers and James Fennemore, first visited the Zion Canyon and Kolob Plateau region in the spring of 1872. Hillers returned in April of 1873 to add more photographs to the "Virgin River Series" of photographs and stereographs. Hillers described wading the canyon for 4 days and nearly freezing to death to take his photographs. Geologist Clarence Dutton later mapped the region and artist William H. Holmes documented the scenery. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Stereoscopy, stereoscopic imaging or 3-D (three-dimensional) imaging is a technique to create the illusion of depth in a photograph, movie, or other two-dimensional image, by presenting a slightly different image to each eye. ... Clarence Edward Dutton (May 15, 1841, Wallingford, CT – January 4, 1912, Englewood, NJ) was an American geologist and one of the founders of seismology, in which his chief contribution was the notion of isostasy: that the equilibrium in the crust of the earth is governed by the flow or yielding... Cartography or mapmaking (in Greek chartis = map and graphein = write) is the study and practice of making maps or globes. ...

Protection and tourism

From April through October, the scenic drive in Zion Canyon is closed to private vehicles, and visitors ride the frequent shuttle buses

Paintings of the canyon by Frederick S. Dellenbaugh were exhibited at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904, followed by a glowing article in Scribner's Magazine the next year. That, along with previously created photographs, paintings, and reports, led to U.S. President William Howard Taft's proclamation creating Mukuntuweap National Monument on July 31, 1909. In 1917, the acting director of the newly created National Park Service visited the canyon and proposed changing its name Zion from the locally unpopular Mukuntuweap. That occurred the following year. The United States Congress added more land and established Zion National Park on November 19, 1919. A separate Zion National Monument, the Kolob Canyons area, was proclaimed on January 22, 1937, and was incorporated into the park on July 11, 1956. Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Entrance to Creation Exhibit on the Pike Map of the St. ... Scribners Magazine is a magazine. ... For other persons named William Howard Taft, see William Howard Taft (disambiguation). ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ... Type Bicameral Houses Senate House of Representatives President of the Senate President pro tempore Dick Cheney, (R) since January 20, 2001 Robert C. Byrd, (D) since January 4, 2007 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Members 535 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political... is the 323rd day of the year (324th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 192nd day of the year (193rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Travel to the area before it was a national park was rare due to its remote location, lack of accommodations, and the absence of real roads in southern Utah. Old wagon roads were upgraded to the first automobile roads starting about 1910, and the road into Zion Canyon was built in 1917, to as far as The Grotto.

By the summer of 1917, touring cars could reach Zion Canyon, and the Wylie Camp was established - a tent camp providing the first visitor lodging in Zion Canyon. The Utah Parks Company, a subsidiary of the Union Pacific Railroad, acquired the Wylie Camp in 1923, and offered ten-day rail/bus tours to Zion, Bryce, Kaibab, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The Zion Lodge complex was built in 1925 at the site of the Wylie tent camp. Architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood designed Zion Lodge in the "Rustic Style" and the Utah Parks Company funded the construction. In 1968, the main lodge building was destroyed by fire but was quickly rebuilt. The detached Western Cabins ( photo) survived and were added to the National Register of Historic Places. Utah Parks Company is a company located in Utah. ... Bryce Canyon National Park Bryce Canyon National Park is a national park located in southwestern Utah in the United States. ... Gilbert Stanley Underwood (1890-1960) was an American architect best known for his National Park lodges. ... Download high resolution version (1000x373, 66 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... A typical plaque showing entry on the National Register of Historic Places. ...

Tour buses at Zion Lodge in 1929. Tourism greatly increased after paved all-weather highways were built to Zion.

Work on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway started in 1927 to provide reliable access between Springdale and the east side of the park. The road opened in 1930 and park visitation and travel in the area greatly increased. The most famous feature of the highway is the 1.1-mile (1.8-km) Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, which has six large windows cut through the massive sandstone cliff. On the south side of the tunnel, switchbacks take motorists from the tunnel to the floor of Zion Canyon. On the east side the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway terminates at Mt. Carmel Junction and Highway 89, allowing visitors to travel by car to other national parks, including Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. NPS image. ... NPS image. ... Scenic Highway 9 on the east side of Zion National Park. ... A disused railway tunnel now converted to pedestrian and bicycle use, near Houyet, Belgium A tunnel is an underground passage. ... Red sandstone interior of Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona, worn smooth due to erosion by flash flooding over millions of years Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-size mineral or rock grains. ...

In 1896, local rancher John Winder improved the Native American footpath up Echo Canyon so he could travel on horseback up to the East Rim, and hence to Long Valley. This trail was improved again about 1925 and became the East Rim Trail. Other trails were built in 1925 including the West Rim Trail and the Lady Mountain Trail. The auto road was extended to the Temple of Sinawava, and a trail built from there one mile to the start of the Narrows. The next year saw construction of the Angels Landing Trail, and two suspension bridges were built over the Virgin River. The Hidden Canyon trail was built in 1928. The West Rim and East Rim Trail were built for horse-back riding visitors, and were blasted out of the sandstone in many places.

East portal of Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel in early 1930s. When it was built, the tunnel was the longest of its type in the world.

The original ranger cabin was built at The Grotto in the 1920s. A real visitor center was first built in the 1950s, facing the Temples and Towers of the Virgin. Park facilities were redesigned in 2000, with the visitor center converted to a human-history museum ( photo) and visitor center functions moved to a new solar powered facility adjacent to the south entrance. National Park Service photo from the Zion map and guide. ... National Park Service photo from the Zion map and guide. ... The Louvre Museum in Paris, one of the largest and most famous museums in the world. ... Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Solar power describes a number of methods of harnessing energy from the light of the sun. ...

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive provides access to Zion Canyon. Traffic congestion in the narrow canyon was recognized as a major problem in the 1990s and a public transportation system using propane-powered shuttle buses was instituted in the year 2000. From April through October, the scenic drive in Zion Canyon is closed to private vehicles, and visitors ride the frequent shuttle buses. The new plan restored natural quiet to the canyon.

On April 12, 1995, heavy rains triggered a landslide that blocked the Virgin River in Zion Canyon. Over a period of two hours, the river carved away 590 feet (190 m) of the only exit road from the canyon, trapping 450 guests and employees in the Zion Lodge. A one-lane temporary road was constructed within 24 hours to allow evacuation of the Lodge. A more stable, albeit temporary, road was completed on May 25, 1995 to allow summer visitors to access the park. This road was replaced with a permanent road during the first half of 1996. is the 102nd day of the year (103rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 145th day of the year (146th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ...

The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway can be traveled year-round. Access for over-sized vehicles requires a special permit, and is limited to daytime hours, as traffic through the tunnel must be one way to accommodate large vehicles. Scenic Highway 9 on the east side of Zion National Park. ...

The 5 mile (8 km) Kolob Canyons Road was built in the mid-1960s to provide a scenic drive and access to the Kolob Canyons section of the park. This road often closes in the winter.

Geology

Main article: Geology of the Zion and Kolob canyons area

The Three Patriarchs in Zion Canyon are made of Navajo Sandstone.

The nine known exposed formations visible in Zion National Park are part of a super-sequence of rock units called the Grand Staircase; they represent about 150 million years of mostly Mesozoic-aged sedimentation in that part of North America. The formations exposed in the Zion area were deposited as sediment in very different environments: Kolob Canyons from the end of Kolob Canyons Road. ... Download high resolution version (2000x759, 247 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Download high resolution version (2000x759, 247 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... The Grand Staircase is an immense sequence of sedimentary rock layers that stretch south from Bryce Canyon National Park through Zion National Park and into the Grand Canyon. ... The Mesozoic Era is one of three geologic eras of the Phanerozoic eon. ... Sedimentation describes the motion of particles in solutions or suspensions in response to an external force such as gravity, centrifugal force or electric force. ... Interstate road cut through limestone and shale strata in eastern Tennessee In geology and related fields, a stratum (plural: strata) is a layer of rock or soil with internally consistent characteristics that distinguishes it from contiguous layers. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ...

• The warm, shallow (sometimes advancing or retreating) sea of the Kaibab and Moenkopi formations;
• Streams, ponds, and lakes of the Chinle, Moenave, and Kayenta formations;
• The vast desert of the Navajo and Temple Cap formations; and
• The dry near-shore environment of the Carmel Formation.

Uplift affected the entire region, known as the Colorado Plateaus, by slowly raising these formations more than 10,000 feet (3,000 m) higher than where they were deposited. This steepened the stream gradient of the ancestral Virgin and other rivers on the plateau. This article is about the body of water. ... Butchers Creek, Omeo, Victoria A stream, brook, beck, burn or creek, is a body of water with a detectable current, confined within a bed and banks. ... Two people reflected in a fish pond A pond is typically a man made body of water smaller than a lake. ... For other uses, see Lake (disambiguation). ... This article is about arid terrain. ... The Colorado Plateau, also called the Colorado Plateaus Province, is a physiographic region of the Intermontane Plateaus, roughly centered on the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. ... Stream gradient is the ratio of drop in a stream per unit distance, usually expressed as feet per mile or meters per kilometer. ...

Kolob Canyons are a set of finger canyons cut into the Kolob Plateau.

The fast-moving streams took advantage of uplift-created joints in the rocks to remove all Cenozoic-aged formations and cut gorges into the plateaus. Zion Canyon was cut by the North Fork of the Virgin River in this way. During the later part of this process, lava flows and cinder cones covered parts of the area. Download high resolution version (1600x569, 142 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Download high resolution version (1600x569, 142 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Look up lava, Aa, pahoehoe in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Cinder Cone is a cinder cone volcano in Lassen Volcanic National Park. ...

High water volume in wet seasons does most of the downcutting in the main canyon and carries much of the 3 million tons of rock and sediment that the Virgin River transports yearly. The Virgin cuts away its canyon faster than its tributaries can cut away their own streambeds, so tributaries end in waterfalls from hanging valleys where they meet the Virgin. The valley between the peaks of the Twin Brothers is a notable example of a hanging valley in the canyon. Erosional downcutting by the San Juan River in Utah. ... The short ton is a unit of mass equal to 907. ... “Rock” redirects here. ... Look up tributary in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Bridal Veil Falls in Yosemite National Park flowing from a hanging valley. ...

Download high resolution version (800x1156, 145 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Download high resolution version (1000x655, 176 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Download high resolution version (1000x592, 164 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Download high resolution version (1000x444, 91 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Download high resolution version (1000x392, 99 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ...

Biology

Taylor Creek with Horse Ranch Mountain in background. Desert, riparian, woodland and coniferous forest habitat can be seen in this photo.

The Great Basin, Mojave Desert, and Colorado Plateau converge at Zion and the Kolob canyons. This, along with the varied topography of canyon-mesa country, differing soil types, and uneven water availability, provides diverse habitat for the equally diverse mix of plants and animals that live in the area. In 1999, biologists counted 289 bird species in the park. Seventy-five mammal and 32 reptile and amphibian species are also found. These organisms make their home in one or more of four life zones found in the Park: Download high resolution version (1000x664, 177 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Download high resolution version (1000x664, 177 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Drainage map showing the Great Basin in orange Various Definitions of the Great Basin (NPS) The Great Basin is a large, arid region of the western United States. ... For the indigenous American tribe, see Mohave. ... The Colorado Plateau, also called the Colorado Plateaus Province, is a physiographic region of the Intermontane Plateaus, roughly centered on the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. ... For discussion of land surfaces themselves, see Terrain. ... Grand Canyon, Arizona Noravank Monastery complex and canyon in Armenia. ... Mathematics Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) is a current program that is building in schools around the United States. ... Loess field in Germany Surface-water-gley developed in glacial till, Northern Ireland Technically, soil forms the pedosphere: the interface between the lithosphere (rocky part of the planet) and the biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. ... Habitat (which is Latin for it inhabits) is the place where a particular species live and grow. ... For other uses, see Bird (disambiguation). ... Subclasses & Infraclasses Subclass †Allotheria* Subclass Prototheria Subclass Theria Infraclass †Trituberculata Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria Mammals (class Mammalia) are warm-blooded, vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of sweat glands, including those that produce milk, and by the presence of: hair, three middle ear bones used in hearing, and a neocortex... Reptilia redirects here. ... For other uses, see Amphibian (disambiguation). ... The Life Zone concept was developed by C. Hart Merriam in 1889 as a means of describing areas with similar plant and animal communities. ...

• Desert
• Riparian
• Woodland
• Coniferous forest

Sacred Datura grows on the canyon floor and blooms at night.

Desert conditions persist on canyon bottoms and rocky ledges away from perennial streams. Sagebrush, Prickly pear Cactus, and Rabbitbrush, along with Sacred Datura and Indian Paintbrush are common. Utah Penstemon and Golden Aster can also be found. Milkvetch and Prince's Plume are found in pockets of selenium-rich soils. Common daytime animals include Rock Squirrels, Pinyon Jays and Whiptail and Collared lizards. ( photo) Desert Cottontails, Jackrabbits, and Merriam's Kangaroo Rats come out at night. This article is about arid terrain. ... A riparian zone schematic from the Everglades. ... Limber Pine woodland, Toiyabe Range, central Nevada Biologically, a woodland is a treed area differentiated from a forest. ... Orders & Families Cordaitales † Pinales   Pinaceae - Pine family   Araucariaceae - Araucaria family   Podocarpaceae - Yellow-wood family   Sciadopityaceae - Umbrella-pine family   Cupressaceae - Cypress family   Cephalotaxaceae - Plum-yew family   Taxaceae - Yew family Vojnovskyales † Voltziales † The conifers, division Pinophyta, are one of 13 or 14 division level taxa within the Kingdom Plantae. ... This article is about a community of trees. ... Sacred Datura, probably D. wrightii Taken by Elf | Talk, Sept 9, 1990, Zion National Park File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Sacred Datura, probably D. wrightii Taken by Elf | Talk, Sept 9, 1990, Zion National Park File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Binomial name Datura wrightii Datura wrightii is the name of a poisonous weed, sometimes used as a hallucinogen, commonly called Sacred Datura. ... Binomial name Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ... Species Many, see text Opuntia is a genus in the cactus family Cactaceae. ... Species see text Chrysothamnus, common name Rabbitbrush, is a member of the Asteraceae family. ... Binomial name Datura wrightii Datura wrightii is the name of a poisonous weed, sometimes used as a hallucinogen, commonly called Sacred Datura. ... Species About 200 species, including: Castilleja chromosa Castilleja coccinea Castilleja miniata Castilleja mutis Castilleja pallida Castilleja is a genus of about 200 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants in the family Scrophulariaceae, native to the west of the Americas from Alaska south to the Andes, and also northeast Asia. ... For other uses, see Selenium (disambiguation). ... This article is about the animal. ... Binomial name Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus Wied, 1841 The Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) is a jay between the North American Blue Jay and the Eurasian Jay in size. ... Genera Ameiva Callopistes Cnemidophorus Crocodilurus Dicrodon Dracaena Kentropyx Teius Tupinambis Teiidae is a family of lizards that includes the Whiptail lizards and the Tegus. ... Binomial name Crotaphytus collaris (Say, 1823) The Eastern Collared Lizard or Common Collared Lizard, Crotaphytus collaris, is a North American lizard that can be up to a foot (30 cm) long, with a large head and powerful jaws. ... National Park Service photo from the Zion map and guide. ... Binomial name Sylvilagus audubonii (Baird, 1858) The Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) is a New World cottontail rabbit, a member of the family Leporidae. ... Jack rabbit and Jackrabbit redirect here. ...

Chipmunks can be found roaming Zion Canyon.

Cougars, Coyotes, Gray Foxes, and Ringtails are the top predators. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 467 pixel Image in higher resolution (2670 × 1560 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 467 pixel Image in higher resolution (2670 × 1560 pixel, file size: 2. ... Species 25 species Chipmunk is the common name for any small squirrel-like rodent species of the genus Tamias in the family Sciuridae. ... For other uses, see Cougar (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Coyote (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Gray Fox (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Bassariscus astutus (Lichtenstein, 1830) The Ringtail, (Bassariscus astutus) is a mammal belonging to the raccoon family, native to the Americas. ... Predator and Prey redirect here. ...

Cooler conditions persist at mid-elevation slopes, between 3900 to 5500 feet (1190 to 1680 m). Stunted forests of pinyon pine and Juniper coexist here with manzanita shrubs, cliffrose, serviceberry, Scrub Oak, and yucca. Species Section Cembroides     Pinus cembroides     Pinus orizabensis     Pinus johannis     Pinus culminicola     Pinus remota     Pinus edulis     Pinus monophylla     Pinus quadrifolia Section Rzedowskiae     Pinus rzedowskii     Pinus pinceana     Pinus maximartinezii Section Nelsoniae     Pinus nelsonii The pinyon pines (or piñon pines), are a group of pines, which grow in the southwestern United States... Species Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. ... Species See text See Manzanita (album) for the Mia Doi Todd album. ... Species See text Purshia (bitterbrush or cliff-rose) is a small genus of 5-8 species of flowering plants in the family Rosaceae, native to western North America, where they grow in dry climates from southeast British Columbia in Canada south throughout the western United States to northern Mexico. ... Species About 25; see text The Serviceberry (Amelanchier), also known as shadbush, sarvisberry, juneberry, saskatoon, shadblow, shadwood, sugarplum, wild-plum, and amélanchier, is a genus of about 20 species of small deciduous trees and large shrubs in Rosaceae (the rose family). ... // Genus Quercus Subgenus Quercus Typical oaks. ... Species many, see text Yucca filamentosa in New Zealand Yucca decipiens in Zacatecas, Mexico Joshua Trees growing in the Mojave Desert. ...

Stands of Ponderosa Pine, Gambel Oak, manzanita and aspen populate the mesas and cliffs above 6000 feet (1830 m). Binomial name Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex C. Lawson Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) is a widespread and very variable pine native to western North America. ... Binomial name Quercus gambelii Nutt. ... For other uses, see Aspen (disambiguation). ... Mathematics Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) is a current program that is building in schools around the United States. ...

Mule Deer graze throughout the area and are the most-often seen megafauna.

Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, and White-throated Swifts can be seen in the area. California Condors and Bighorn Sheep were introduced in the 1990s. Nineteen species of bat also live in the area. Download high resolution version (1000x501, 89 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Download high resolution version (1000x501, 89 KB)Photo taken by Daniel Mayer in August 2004. ... Binomial name (Rafinesque, 1817) The mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a deer whose habitat is in the western half of North America. ... For other uses, see Golden Eagle (disambiguation). ... Binomial name (Gmelin, 1788) The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a medium-sized bird of prey, one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the chickenhawk. ... Binomial name Tunstall, 1771 Global range (shaded green, dark dots on islands) The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), occasionally known in North America as the Duck Hawk, is a medium-sized falcon about the size of a large crow: 380–530 millimetres (15–21 in) long. ... Binomial name Aeronautes saxatalis (Woodhouse, 1853) The White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) is a swift of the family Apodidae native to western North America, south to Honduras. ... Binomial name (Shaw, 1797) Synonyms Genus-level: Antillovultur Arredondo, 1976 Pseudogryphus Species-level: Vultur californianus Shaw, 1797 Gymnogyps amplus L. H. Miller, 1911 For other uses, see condor (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Shaw, 1804 Synonyms Desmarest Cuvier[1] Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis)[2] is one of three species of mountain sheep in North America and Siberia; the other two species being Ovis dalli, that includes Dall Sheep and Stones Sheep, and the Siberian Snow sheep Ovis nivicola. ... “Chiroptera” redirects here. ...

Boxelder, Fremont Cottonwood, maple, and willow dominate riparian plant communities. Animals such as the Bank Beaver, Flannel-mouth Suckers, Gnatcatchers, Dippers, Canyon Wrens, the Virgin Spinedace, and Water Striders all make their homes in the riparian zones. Mule Deer browse on vegetation throughout the park. Boxelder is a band out of Jupiter, FL known for its reggae influences and positive lyrics. ... For other uses, see Maple (disambiguation). ... Species About 350, including: Salix acutifolia - Violet Willow Salix alaxensis - Alaska Willow Salix alba - White Willow Salix alpina - Alpine Willow Salix amygdaloides - Peachleaf Willow Salix arbuscula - Mountain Willow Salix arbusculoides - Littletree Willow Salix arctica - Arctic Willow Salix atrocinerea Salix aurita - Eared Willow Salix babylonica - Peking Willow Salix bakko Salix barrattiana... Genus Microbates Ramphocaenus Polioptila The 15 species of small passerine birds in the gnatcatcher family occur in North and South America. ... For the article on the constellations, see Big Dipper and Little Dipper Species Cinclus cinclus Cinclus leucocephalus Cinclus mexicanus Cinclus pallasii Cinclus schulzi Dippers are members of the genus Cinclus in the family Cinclidae. ... Binomial name Catherpes mexicanus Swainson, 1829 The Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) is a small North American wren, and is about 5. ... Genera Aquarius Gerris Halobates Limnogonus Limnoporus Metrobates Neogerris Rheumatobates Trepobates The water strider, also known as the Magic bug, pond skater, skater, skimmer, water scooter, water skater, water skeeter, water skimmer, water skipper, or water spider, is any of a number of predatory insects in the family Gerridae (Leach, 1815... Binomial name (Rafinesque, 1817) The mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a deer whose habitat is in the western half of North America. ...

Zion Canyon

Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2560 × 1920 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2560 × 1920 pixel, file size: 2. ...

Activities

For many, the highlight of Zion is a trip up the main canyon to the Temple of Sinawava, via the park-run propane-powered free shuttle buses (operating April 1 to October 31) or driving in their own vehicles the rest of the year. Spectacular, colorful sandstone cliffs soar into the sky above a flat-bottomed, forested valley floor. is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Driving through the east side of Zion to U.S. Route 89 allows access north to Bryce Canyon National Park or south to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Due to the narrowness of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, RVs and buses must obtain a special pass and run through the tunnel during limited hours. U.S. Route 89 is a north-south United States highway with two sections. ... Bryce Canyon National Park Bryce Canyon National Park is a national park located in southwestern Utah in the United States. ... This article is about the canyon in the southwestern United States. ...

The more primitive sections of Zion include the Kolob Terrace and the Kolob Canyons. The Grotto in Zion Canyon and the viewpoint at the end of Kolob Canyons Road have the only designated picnic sites. Friends and family gather for a picnic in a public park in Columbus, Ohio, c. ...

More than 150 miles (240 km) of maintained trails provide access to the roadless interior. Seven popular trails with round-trip times of half an hour (Weeping Rock) to 4 hours (Angels Landing) are found in Zion Canyon. Two popular trails, Taylor Creek (4 hours round trip) and Kolob Arch (9 hours round trip) are in the Kolob Canyons section of the park (near Cedar City). Hiking up into The Narrows from the Temple of Sinawava is a popular summertime diversion. Orderville Canyon, a narrower slot canyon, is also a favorite. Heartier souls can backpack down The Narrows from the top in two days, or hike down in one long day (12 hours). Other popular backpack trips include the West Rim Trail and LaVerkin Creek/Kolob Arch.

Zion is a center for Rock climbing, with short walls like Touchstone, Moonlight Buttress, Spaceshot and Prodigal Son being very popular. There are many short free climbs, and a large number of hard, long aid climbs. Rockclimbing does not require a permit, though any anticipated bivy on a wall does. Certain areas are closed for raptor nesting in the spring. Climbers on Valkyrie at the Roaches. ...

Horseback riding in Zion

Zion is the USA's most concentrated center for canyoneering. Popular routes like Pine Creek and Mystery Canyon were first descended in the 1950s and 1960s, with the last of the big drainages (Heaps) descended in 1982. Zion has a concentration of about 50 technical canyons, characterized by downclimbing and rappels in beautiful sandstone canyons. The most difficult canyons have long sections of entrenched narrows, with keeper potholes that require technical gear and specialized techniques to escape. NPS image from http://www. ... NPS image from http://www. ... Canyoning (known in the U.S. as canyoneering) is a sport popular in several countries. ...

The final ascent at the Top of the Angels Landing Trail

Lodging in the park is available at Zion Lodge, located halfway through Zion Canyon. Zion Lodge is open year-round and has motel units, cabins, a restaurant, café, and gift shop but rooms fill up fast. Three campgrounds are available; South and Watchman at the far south side of the park, and a primitive site at Lava Point in the middle of the park off Kolob Terrace Road. Watchman is the only campground in the park that takes reservations and Lava Point has only primitive facilities and is usually open from May to October. Camping in the backcountry requires permits. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 399 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (402 × 604 pixel, file size: 69 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Picture taken on the Angels Landing Trail in Zion National Park. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 399 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (402 × 604 pixel, file size: 69 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Picture taken on the Angels Landing Trail in Zion National Park. ... Zion Lodge is a lodge located nearby Zion National Park Category: ... Holiday Inn Great Sign Exterior of a Howard Johnsons motor lodge. ... Car camping is camping in a tent, but nearby the car for easier access and for supply storage. ...

Guided horseback riding trips, nature walks, and evening programs are available from late March to early November. The Junior Ranger Program for ages 6 to 12 is active from Memorial Day to Labor Day at the Zion Nature Center. horse, see Horse (disambiguation). ... Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed this year on 2007-05-28). ... Labour Day (or Labor Day) is an annual holiday that resulted from efforts of the labour union movement, to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. ...

Rangers at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and the smaller Kolob Canyons Visitor Center can help visitors plan their stay. A bookstore attached to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, run by the Zion Natural History Association, offers books, maps, and souvenirs for sale, with proceeds benefiting the park. The Association also runs the Zion Human History Museum.

Zion Canyon IMAX in nearby Springdale, features many interesting documentaries about the natural history of Zion Canyon and the American Southwest

Adjacent to the park on the south, is the town of Springdale, Utah which offers services such as lodging, food, and entertainment. There is also lodging, food and entertainment offered on the east side of the park along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and in Mt Carmel Junction. Springdale is a town located in Washington County, Utah. ... Scenic Highway 9 on the east side of Zion National Park. ... Mount Carmel Junction is a Utah rural area located 12 miles east of Zion National Park and 17 miles north of Kanab. ...

View of Zion NP looking southwest from the road to Cedar Breaks National Monument

Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2592 × 1944 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2592 × 1944 pixel, file size: 1. ... Cedar Breaks National Monument is located Near Cedar City Utah, United States. ...

References

• Geology of National Parks: Fifth Edition, Ann G. Harris, Esther Tuttle, Sherwood D., Tuttle (Iowa, Kendall/Hunt Publishing; 1997) ISBN 0-7872-5353-7
• Secrets in The Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks: Third Edition, Lorraine Salem Tufts (North Palm Beach, Florida; National Photographic Collections; 1998) ISBN 0-9620255-3-4
• Zion National Park: Sanctuary in the Desert, Nicky Leach (Mariposa, California; Sierra Press; 2000)
• Kolob Canyons Road Guide, Stuart Schneider (Zion Natural History Association; 2001) ISBN 0-915630-28-1
• National Park Service: Zion National Park [1], [2], [3], [4], [5] (some adapted public domain text)
• The National Parks: Index 2001–2003. Washington: U.S. Department of the Interior.
• A History of Southern Utah and Its National Parks, Angus M. Woodbury (Utah State Historical Society, Vol XII Nos. 3–4, July-October 1944; revised and reprinted, 1950 (No ISBN, no further publishing information available)).

The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) is a Cabinet department of the United States government that manages and conserves most federally owned land. ...

Notes

1. ^ Charles P. Alexander, "Records and Descriptions of North American Crane-Flies (Diptera). Part VII. The Tipuloidea of Utah," American Midland Naturalist, Vol. 39, No. 1. (Jan., 1948), pp. 1-82
2. ^ A Short History of Nebagamon Lodge 312, Retrieved 4 January 2007

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Zion National Park

• National Park Service
• Zion Natural History Association
• East Zion Tourism Council
• The American Southwest - general guide
• The Fall colors leaf report (see Kolob Canyons)

• Zion National Park travel guide from Wikitravel

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Wikitravel is a project to create an open content, complete, up-to-date, and reliable world-wide travel guide. ...

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Topics	Cities | Counties | Flag | Flower | Governors | Portal | Song Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Utah. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. ... Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, site of first U.S. capital. ... Alpine Alta Altamont Alton Amalga American Fork Annabella Antimony Aurora Ballard Bear River City Beaver Bicknell Big Water Blanding Bluffdale Boulder Bountiful Brian Head Brigham City Cannonville Canyon Rim Castle Dale Castle Valley Cedar City Cedar Fort Cedar Hills Centerfield Centerville Charleston Circleville Clarkston Clawson Clearfield Cleveland Clinton Coalville Corinne... This is a list of counties in Utah. ... Flag of Utah The flag of Utah was adopted in 1913 and consists of the Utah state seal encircled in a golden circle on a background of navy blue. ... Binomial name Calochortus nuttallii Torr. ... List of Utah Governors Heber M. Wells Republican 1896-1905 John C. Cutler Republican 1905-1909 William Spry Republican 1909-1917 Simon Bamberger Democrat 1917-1921 Charles R. Mabey Republican 1921-1925 George H. Dern Democrat 1925-1933 Henry H. Blood Democrat 1933-1941 Herbert B. Maw Democrat 1941-1949... Utah, This is the Place is the state song of Utah. ...
Regions	Cache Valley | Colorado Plateau | Dixie | Great Basin | Great Salt Lake | Great Salt Lake Desert | Mojave Desert | Monument Valley | San Rafael Swell | Uinta Mountains | Wasatch Back | Wasatch Front | Wasatch Range This list of regions of the United States includes official (governmental) and non-official areas within the borders of the United States, not including U.S. states, the federal district of Washington, D.C. or standard subentities such as cities or counties. ... Cache Valley is a broad arid agricultural valley in northern Utah and southern Idaho in the United States. ... The Colorado Plateau, also called the Colorado Plateaus Province, is a physiographic region of the Intermontane Plateaus, roughly centered on the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. ... Dixie is the nickname for southwestern Utah. ... Drainage map showing the Great Basin in orange Various Definitions of the Great Basin (NPS) The Great Basin is a large, arid region of the western United States. ... Great Salt Lake, located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Utah, is the largest salt lake in the Western Hemisphere,[1] the fourth-largest terminal lake in the world,[2] and the 33rd largest lake on Earth. ... The Great Salt Lake Desert is a large playa in northern Utah, located west of the Great Salt Lake. ... For the indigenous American tribe, see Mohave. ... Monument Valley from the valley floor. ... The San Rafael Swell is a large geologic feature located in south-central Utah, USA about 30 miles (50 km) west of Green River, Utah. ... This view of Kings Peak and the Henrys Fork Basin shows the cliff bands and basins typical throughout the Uintas. ... The Wasatch Back is an area in the U.S. state of Utah located east of the Wasatch Front. ... The Wasatch Front is an urban area in the U.S. state of Utah. ... For the county, see Wasatch County, Utah. ...
Largest Cities	American Fork | Bountiful | Cedar City | Clearfield | Cottonwood Heights | Draper | Holladay | Kaysville | Layton | Lehi | Logan | Midvale | Murray | Ogden | Orem | Pleasant Grove | Provo | Riverton | Roy | St. George | Salt Lake City | Sandy | South Jordan | South Salt Lake | Spanish Fork | Springville | Taylorsville | Tooele | West Jordan | West Valley City American Fork is a city in Utah County, Utah, USA, at the foot of Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Range, north of Utah Lake. ... Looking toward Bountiful from the Wasatch Mountains that rise above it. ... Cedar City is a city located in Iron County, Utah, 250 miles South of Salt Lake City on Interstate 15. ... Clearfield is a city located in Davis County, Utah. ... Cottonwood Heights is a city located in Salt Lake County, Utah along the east bench of the Salt Lake Valley. ... Draper is a city in Salt Lake County and Utah County, Utah, United States, located about 20 miles south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. ... Holladay is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. ... Kaysville is a city in Davis County, Utah, USA. The Kaysville area was originally settled by Hector Haight shortly after Mormon pioneers arrived in 1847. ... Layton is a city in Davis County, Utah, United States. ... Lehi is a city in Utah County, Utah, in the United States. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Midvale is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. ... Murray is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. ... Ogden sign over Washington Boulevard at the Ogden River; toward downtown Ogden is the county seat of Weber County,GR6 Utah, United States. ... Orem is an incorporated city in the north-central part of the state of Utah in Utah County. ... Pleasant Grove is a city located in Utah County, Utah. ... Provo is a city in Utah and the county seat of Utah County, located about 35 miles south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Roy is a city in Weber County, Utah, United States. ... Nickname: Settled 1861 Incorporated 1862 Government  - Mayor Dan McArthur  - City Manager Gary Esplin Area  - City  64. ... Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. ... A view of the Wasatch Mountains from a Sandy neighborhood. ... South Jordan Towne Center South Jordan is a city in Salt Lake County in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Columbus Center, South Salt Lake City, Utah South Salt Lake is a city located in Salt Lake County, Utah. ... Spanish Fork is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States. ... Springville is a city located in Utah County, Utah. ... Taylorsville is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. ... Tooele (pronounced ) is a city in Tooele County in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Jordan Landing West Jordan is a city located in Salt Lake County, Utah and part of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. ... West Valley City seal West Valley City is a city in Salt Lake County in the state of Utah. ...
Counties	Beaver | Box Elder | Cache | Carbon | Daggett | Davis | Duchesne | Emery | Garfield | Grand | Iron | Juab | Kane | Millard | Morgan | Piute | Rich | Salt Lake | San Juan | Sanpete | Sevier | Summit | Tooele | Uintah | Utah | Wasatch | Washington | Wayne | Weber This is a list of the counties of Utah by population as of 2005, according to the 2004 Census estimates taken by the United States Census Bureau. ... Beaver County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Box Elder County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Cache County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah, comprising the Cache Valley, up to the Idaho border, and the surrounding mountains. ... Carbon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Daggett County is a county located in the state of Utah. ... Davis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Duchesne County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Emery County is a county located in the state of Utah. ... Garfield County is a county located in the state of Utah. ... Grand County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Iron County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Juab County is a county located in the state of Utah. ... Kane County is a county located in the state of Utah. ... Millard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Morgan County is a county located in the state of Utah. ... Piute County is a county located in the state of Utah. ... Rich County is a county located in the state of Utah. ... Salt Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... San Juan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Sanpete County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Sevier County is a county located in the state of Utah. ... Summit County is a county located in the state of Utah, occupying a rugged and mountainous area. ... Tooele County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Uintah County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Utah County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Wasatch County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... Wayne County is a county located in the state of Utah. ... Weber County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah, occupying a stretch of the Wasatch Front, part of the eastern shores of Great Salt Lake, and much of the rugged Wasatch Mountains. ...
Attractions	Arches National Park | Bonneville Salt Flats | Bryce Canyon National Park | Canyonlands National Park | Capitol Reef National Park | Great Salt Lake | Ski Areas | Sundance Film Festival | Temple Square | Utah Shakespearean Festival | Zion National Park A tourist boat travels the River Seine in Paris, France Tourism can be defined as the act of travel for the purpose of recreation, and the provision of services for this act. ... Arches National Park preserves over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch, in addition to a variety of unique geological resources and formations. ... Bonneville Salt Flats The Bonneville Salt Flats are a 121 km² (47 mi²) salt flat in northwestern Utah. ... Bryce Canyon National Park Bryce Canyon National Park is a national park located in southwestern Utah in the United States. ... Canyonlands National Park, located near Moab, Utah and the Arches National Park, was designated as a National Park on September 12, 1964. ... Capitol Reef National Park is a United States National Park, in south-central Utah. ... Great Salt Lake, located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Utah, is the largest salt lake in the Western Hemisphere,[1] the fourth-largest terminal lake in the world,[2] and the 33rd largest lake on Earth. ... // Main article: List of ski areas and resorts This is a list of ski areas and resorts in the United States. ... The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival in the United States, and ranks alongside the Cannes, France, Venice, Italy, Berlin, Germany, and Toronto, Canada festivals as one of the most prestigious in the world. ... This photo of Temple Square, circa 1897, shows that the plot housed the tallest buildings in Salt Lake City at the time, namely the Salt Lake Temple, Tabernacle and Assembly Hall. ... The Utah Shakespearean Festival is a festival of repertory productions of the works of William Shakespeare and other dramatists. ...