Zion National Park

Utah, United States

Zion National Park in southwestern Utah is a dramatic landscape of towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and lush river valleys that has captivated visitors for generations. Established in 1919, it was Utah’s first national park and remains one of the most visited in the U.S., drawing over 4.6 million people in 2023.

At the heart of the park is Zion Canyon, a 15-mile-long gorge carved by the North Fork of the Virgin River, with walls that rise up to 2,640 feet. The park’s diverse ecosystems—ranging from desert lowlands to high-altitude forests—support hundreds of plant and animal species, making it a haven for nature lovers.

Zion is famed for its iconic hikes:

• Angels Landing, a thrilling climb with steep drop-offs and chain-assisted sections, offers panoramic views from 1,500 feet above the canyon floor (permits required).
• The Narrows, a hike through the Virgin River itself, winds through a stunning slot canyon where towering walls close in just feet apart.
• Emerald Pools and Canyon Overlook Trail provide more accessible but equally scenic adventures.

The park is also rich in cultural history, with evidence of human habitation dating back 8,000 years—from Ancestral Puebloans to Southern Paiute tribes and Mormon settlers.