Zion Canyon

Zion Canyon is a deep gorge in Washington County carved by the North Fork of the Virgin River through red and tan Navajo Sandstone. The canyon walls tower above and form a narrow valley with steep rock faces rising on both sides.

The area was protected as Mukuntuweap National Monument by President William Howard Taft in 1909 and gained national park status a decade later in 1919. This change reflected growing recognition of the canyon's importance as a protected natural area.

The canyon exhibits evidence of three distinct cultural periods: Archaic, Protohistoric, and Historic, representing different indigenous communities across millennia.

A shuttle service runs from spring through fall, connecting various trailheads and viewpoints throughout the area. The best time to visit is in spring or autumn when temperatures are mild and crowds are smaller.

The area sits where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert meet, creating four distinct vegetation zones. This rare overlap of ecosystems attracts nearly 300 bird species that visitors might spot throughout their stay.

Location: Washington County

Elevation above the sea: 1,147 m

GPS coordinates: 37.16500,-113.01200

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:06