Zion National Park Guide: Canyons, Trails & Wildlife
“Towering sandstone walls, narrow slot canyons, and diverse desert-to-forest life await in Utah’s first national park.”
Park Overview
Zion National Park, located in southwestern Utah, is a dramatic desert landscape shaped by millions of years of uplift and erosion. The park’s centerpiece, Zion Canyon, stretches for 15 miles and plunges up to 2,640 feet deep, carved by the Virgin River through Navajo sandstone. Zion became Utah’s first national park in 1919 and now welcomes nearly 5 million visitors each year.
Its geography is a crossroads of ecosystems—from low desert basins to high forested plateaus. This diversity makes Zion one of the most unique parks in the U.S. for hiking, geology, and wildlife.
Fast Facts
| Location | Southwestern Utah |
| Established | November 19, 1919 |
| Area | ~147,000 acres |
| Elevation Range | 3,666 to 8,726 feet |
| Main Canyon Depth | Up to ~2,640 feet |
| Annual Visitors | ~5 million |
| Designated Wilderness | ~85% of park area |
What to See & Do
- Angels Landing – A thrilling hike with chains and cliffside views; permit required.
- The Narrows – A river hike through towering slot canyons with walls over 1,000 feet high.
- Emerald Pools – A system of lush waterfalls and shaded oases, great for families and moderate hikers.
- Kolob Canyons – A quieter section of the park with towering cliffs and scenic trails.
- Zion-Mount Carmel Highway – A stunning drive featuring switchbacks and a historic 1.1-mile tunnel.
Geology & Landscape
Zion sits on the Colorado Plateau and showcases 275 million years of geologic history. The dominant Navajo sandstone formations were once part of an ancient desert. Over time, uplift and the persistent flow of the Virgin River carved Zion Canyon into the landscape we see today. This process created steep cliffs, arches, and natural bridges throughout the park.
Wildlife & Ecosystems
With a wide range of elevations and habitats, Zion supports over 78 species of mammals, nearly 300 types of birds, and dozens of reptiles and amphibians. Visitors may spot mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, rock squirrels, and even the rare California condor. Plant life ranges from desert scrub and cacti to cottonwoods, ponderosa pines, and hanging gardens along canyon walls.
Human History & Culture
People have lived in what is now Zion for thousands of years. Early Indigenous cultures included the Ancestral Puebloans and Southern Paiute people. The area became Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909, was renamed Zion in 1918, and officially became a national park in 1919. The name “Zion” comes from a biblical term meaning “place of refuge,” given by early Mormon settlers.