Zion National Park

Located in the state of Utah, Zion National Park is beautiful and full of wonders. Whether you want to take a calming hike or walk through a rocky river, Zion has got it all! In this article I will go over the many attractions and hikes as well as the ways of transportation in Zion National Park. 

Junior Ranger Program

To get your junior ranger badge at Zion National Park, you must get the Junior Ranger Booklet located at the visitor center. The booklet contains activities you follow and fill out around the park. Once you show it to a ranger at the front desk, you get your very own badge to show off! Many of the programs are targeted to ages five to fourteen but all ages are welcome!

Transportation Around the Park

There are two ways to get around the park. The most popular is taking the shuttle that travels to a total of eight stops going into the park and nine going back to the entrance. At each stop there is an attraction like the museum or Temple of Sinawava (That we will get to later) You can see in the picture beside the text different types of stops and what attractions they provide. Although riding the shuttle is a popular option, you are always free to drive yourself but only during the months January, February, and December since the other months are reserved for the shuttle, walking, and biking only. 

The Narrows

The Narrows is a long, strenuous hike that is around 16 miles long, not including the mile hike you need to do to get to the start. To get to this stop, get off at stop nine, Temple of Sinawava. This may seem like a lot but many people turn around at the five or six mile mark since the hike is not a loop. If you want to go all the way to the top of the Narrows, you need a permit since you repel down the rock at the top. To get a permit you can go on Recreation.gov to enter a lottery for the permit. If you do get the permit, it will allow you to start at the top and make your way down towards the water. But, if you want to go from the bottom to the top, which is the way most people go, you can take the shuttle to stop 9, the Temple of Sinwava to start the trail to the Narrows. Remember to rent or bring your gear at either Zion Guru or Zion Outfitters during the winter or else you'll be freezing! But in the summer you are encouraged to wear shorts instead. The whole hike will take about hours from top to bottom, but if you are free to choose whenever you turn around during the hike!

The Weeping Rock

This hike is considered moderate because it is steep yet short. To get to this hike, get on the shuttle and get off at stop seven. Once you’ve hiked to the top, there is a  rock that would seem like it’s “crying” because of the water dripping off of it. This is due to the rainwater and snow soaking into the porous Navajo Sandstone and flowing through it until the water hits a part of the rock that is impermeable, like the Kayenta layer which is made of a mixture of mudstone, siltstone, and sandstone. This forces the water to come out horizontally, making the rock look like it’s crying. The weeping rock is even dripping during the hottest time of year, which surprises many people. The water you see coming from the rock is not from recent rain or snow. It can take hundreds or even thousands of years to travel through the rock. This trail also has an amazing view at the top that you can also see while you’re there.

The Zion Lodge (Emerald Pools)

At stop five off the shuttle, you can go to the Zion lodge to get to the entrance of the hike towards the Emerald Pools. At the Zion Lodge there is a gift shop as well as a few places to eat. These restaurants tend to get pretty busy during lunch so I recommend coming a little early. Past the restaurants you can cross a bride to find the start of the Emerald Pools Hike. There are three pools you can choose to go on with each a different difficulty. The Lower Pool is labeled as easy (paved and accessible), the Middle Pool is moderate (unpaved and rocky), and the Upper Pool is moderate to strenuous (steep and sandy). When going on the trail, make sure to watch your step because water often drips onto the trail, making it incredibly muddy and slippery. I recommend starting early, especially in summer, since it is a popular trail and bring hiking shoes. 

Zion Human History Museum

At the second stop going into the park, you can visit Zion’s amazing museum that is  completely free! The Zion Human History Museum shows artifacts and ancient materials from the natural creation of the park to recent times. The exhibits include topics like the kinds of animals, plants, and geology. These exhibits showcase the amazing human history of Zion National Park and teaches the visitors the effect that water had on the environment as well as us humans. Unfortunately, the Zion Human History Museum is not always open. It’s typically open during mid-March to October and closed during November and early March. The hours also vary, generally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m; but it can be open later hours during the summer.

The Grotto

You can find this location at shuttle stop number six to see the scenic view, picnic areas, restrooms, and even trailheads for the Kayenta Trail which connects with the Emerald Pools trail and West Rim Trail which leads to the Strenuous trail called Angels Landing. The view allows you to take beautiful photos of the Virgin River, large cottonwood trees, and it’s a great place to have a mini picnic as well soak in the beauty of Zion. The Angels Landing trail is known world-wide for its steep inclines, narrow spaces, and slippery conditions. You must get a permit however which you can get using a lottery system. The “Spine” is the most iconic part of the trail known as a knife-like ridge with chains bolted into the rock to hold with a steep drop on either side. It’s a long trail that is about 5.4 miles long round trip from The Grotto trailhead.

Big Bend

If you get off at stop eight of the Zion Shuttle Bus, you can see a large bend in the Virgin River with panoramic views. It's a great stop for birdwatching, hiking, and photography. The two most common birds to see are the peregrine falcons and California condors. Some trails that you can hike on are the East Rim Trail, Angels Landing, and The Narrows. Big Bend is known for its iconic Great White Throne rock formation that is visible from the bend.

Written By Kairi Tang

Edited By Kaylee Ecarma

Photography By Kairi Tang