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The Ultimate Southwest Vacation includes Zion National Park, Utah!

Stay in Mount Carmel Junction, the heart of the parks, and visit the treasures of the Southwest.

Zion Park 12 miles
Grand Staircase 9 miles
Sand Dunes 11 miles
Dixie Forest 22 miles
Cedar Breaks 45 miles
Red Canyon 47 miles
Coyote Butte 57 miles
Bryce Canyon 60 miles
North Rim 85 miles
Toroweap 90 miles

In these pages you will find insiders information on Zion National Park lodging, adventures and hikes. This detailed guide includes road maps, park maps, pictures, trail beta, backpacking, history, fees, geology, flora, fauna, campgrounds, things for kids to do and even information on Zion's hidden treasures.

Making summer memories in the Utah National Parks and National Monuments.

Utah!

Zion National Park Map

Directions to Zion National Park
From Salt Lake City: Travel I-15 south, past Beaver. Exit on Hwy 20. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take U-9 to Zion's east entrance.
From Arizona: Travel 89A through Fredonia, Arizona and Kanab Utah. Follow US-89 to to Mount Carmel Junction. Take U-9 to the east park entrance.
From Las Vegas: Travel I-15 north. Take exit 16 and travel through Hurricane. Make a right on U-9 at the second traffic light in LaVerkin. Continue on U-9 to the south entrance of the park. U-9 through Zion National Park is always open and is also called the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.

Oversized Vehicle Information
Zion Canyon Shuttle Information

Zion Photo: Zion's lofty Great White Throne is perhaps the most famous of all the landmarks in Zion National Park. While moving around Zion Canyon, the omniscient monolith seems to peek its pearly head above all others.

Look for the Peregrine Falcons to return to the Patriarchs to nest after March each year. There are at least 15 pairs of Peregrine Falcons in the park. The Peregrine Falcon was on the verge of extinction in 1970, and now through the work of caring people, the magnificent falcon lives and nests in the park today.

Virgin River

The Virgin River is one of the last, mostly free-flowing rivers in the Colorado River system. This mild looking river claims responsibility for carving much of Zion Canyon. When the river floods the usual calm flow surges to maddening levels wreaking damage and taking stone and debris with it as it flows through the park, relentlessly cutting through Zion Canyon. Named "La Virgen" by Spanish Catholics.

Kolob Arch

With a span of 290', the Kolob Arch in Zion National Park has the longest span of any arch in the world. The arch is a cliff wall arch set in an alcove. The name Kolob comes from Mormon theology meaning a heavenly place close to God or the star closest to God's residence.

Zion National Park Landmarks

Landmarks rise sharply from the steppe within the boundaries of Utah's most visited park, Zion National Park. Extraordinary columns of vertical rock, formed millions of years ago, provide today's brilliant display of sandstone.

Naming Zion's famous Landmarks

Early pioneers gave biblical names to many of Zion's landmarks. The names Angels Landing, Great White Throne, Three Patriarchs, Cathedral Mountain, West Temple, East Temple, Altar of Sacrifice and the Temple of Sinawava are all reminders of Zion's early beginnings. The name of the park itself was given by the Mormons, who convinced President Wilson in 1918 to change the existing name of Mukuntuweap National Monument to Zion National Monument. A year later the monument was proclaimed a national park.

Angels Landing is an island in the sky often surrounded by low lying clouds. The actual trail is a half mile of narrow rock that protrudes out of Cathedral Mountain. Angels Landing is a rival for the best known landmark in Zion National Park, the Great White Throne. Climbers scale the big wall, hikers walk the steep path leading to the narrow and arduous fin and sightseers stand in awe at its stunning nobility. A group of four (F. Fisher, V Fischer, E. Bingham, C. Hirshi) were exploring Zion in 1916 when upon looking up at the great monolith, Frederick Fisher exclaimed, "only an angel could land on it," and the name Angels Landing stuck. Another name considered for Angels Landing was "El Gobernador," a Spanish term to honor William Spry. Later, Spry Canyon was named in his honor instead. Elevation: 5785'

The Great White Throne is impressive, rising more than 2400' above the canyon floor. The Zion Canyon Shuttle stops at a view point for the Great White Throne and the nearby Organ. There are no trails to the top of the Great White Throne, but it is a magnificent white topped monolith and perhaps the most famous of all Zion National Park landmarks. W. H. W. Evans was the first to climb the Great White Throne. The attempt was made on June 27, 1927, but he fell on the climb down. The rescue team found him barely alive. Hidden Canyon was discovered during the rescue and the East Rim Trail leading to Hidden Canyon was built in 1928. The name, Great White Throne, was given by the same Methodist minister, Frederick Fisher, that named Angels Landing and the Three Patriarchs. Fisher felt that the monolith was magnificent enough to symbolize the throne of God. The white flat mountain he saw to be the back of the throne and Angels Landing and the Organ symbolize the two arm rests. Elevation: 6744'

The Zion Canyon shuttle ride through Zion Canyon reveals some of Zion's best known landmarks such as Cathedral Mountain which is located immediately west of Angels Landing. In 1931, a successful climb up Cathedral Mountain was recorded by another climber. Cathedral Mountain was named by Stephen Johnson in 1922. Elevation: 6900'

Spry Canyon leads to a wonderful view of the West Temple and the horse head on its face. The horse head is also seen from the south side of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, but the West Temple itself can be seen peeking high throughout most of the park as well as from many view points outside of Zion Park. In 1933 the West Temple was climbed for the first time. John Wesley Powell named the West Temple. Elevation: 7810'

The East Temple is a huge mesa towering 2000'/610m from the road. This enormous mountain is seen from many different perspectives around the park. Perhaps the best view is from the east side of the park along the spiraling Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. The East Temple was named by John Wesley Powell. Elevation: 7110'

Checkerboard Mesa is a mass of slickrock with crossbedding etched into the north face of the rock. The imperfect vertical and horizontal fissures are a result of jointing and crossbedding. The checkerboard design has been created by weathering and erosion in the upper portion of the Navajo Formation. Checkerboard Mesa was named by one of Zion's superintendents, Preston Patraw about 1938. Prior to that time it was known as Rock Candy Mountain. Elevation: 6670'

One of the first shuttle stops is to a short, uphill path leading to a view point to see a trio of similar shaped cliffs. The Three Patriarchs are named: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. From the view point many Zion National Park landmarks are seen including Mount Moroni, the Spearhead, Mountain of the Sun and the Twin Brothers. Reverend Fisher along with naming the Great White Throne and Angels Landing named the Three Patriarches: Abraham (6990'), Isaac (6825') and Jacob (6831').

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Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like falling leaves. -- John Muir Photo: Pine Creek Waterfall © Photography by Tanya

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