High On Zion National Park

Utah’s Grand Circle Tour allows visitors a chance to see five U.S. National Parks (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef) all within easy driving distance from each other.  Stunning scenery, hiking/recreational opportunities, and memorable moments made this unique area of Utah the perfect destination for our two-week vacation in late October.

Located in southwestern Utah (USA), this 146,597 acre park was Utah’s first National Park (established on November 19, 1919).  

According to Wikipedia, “The Park’s unique geology includes mountains, canyons, buttes, mesas, monoliths, rivers, slot canyons, and natural arches.  A prominent feature of the 229-square-mile park is Zion Canyon, which is 15 miles long and up to half a mile deep, cut through the reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone by the North Fork of the Virgin River.”

The Visitor Center should be one of the first places you go.  If you don’t have a park pass, you can purchase one at the Visitor Center. While you are here, Park Rangers can provide current information on road/trail closures, weather forecasts/flash flood warnings, and other important details for planning your visit.  For your own safety, always be prepared and alert to your surroundings.  

We enter Zion National Park through the east entrance via UT-9 (aka Mount Carmel Highway).  The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway took three years (1927-1930) to complete and includes two tunnels built through solid rock.  This year-round road connects the east side of the park to the south side of the Park and provides access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.  The Zion–Mount Carmel Highway was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. 

UT-9 (aka Mount Carmel Highway)

East Entrance Sign

At the entrance station, ask for a park newspaper.  It is a valuable source of information about hiking, camping, backcountry recreation, large vehicle restrictions, and includes several maps.  Caution … stunning scenery ahead!