Zion National Park In Utah

Zion Nature and Wildlife

Located in Washington, Iron and Kane Counties in Southwestern Utah, Zion National Park encompasses some of the most scenic canyon country in the United States. Zion means a place of refuge and peace.

Zion National Park is characterized by high plateaus, a maze of narrow, deep sandstone canyons and striking rock towers and mesas.  Zion National Park is a showcase of geology. Geologic processes have played an important role in shaping Zion. The arid climate and sparse vegetation allow the exposure of large expanses of colorful bare rock and reveal the park's geologic history to every visitor.

Zion National Park History

Almost 12,000 years ago Zion National Park's first peoples, who are now almost invisible, tracked mammoth, giant sloth, and camel across southern Utah. Due to climate change and over hunting these animals died out about 8,000 years ago. Humans adapted by focusing on mid-sized animals and gathered foods.

As resources dwindled 2,600 years ago, people tuned lifestyles to the specifics of place. Such a culture, centered on Zion National Park, differentiated over the next 1,500 years into a farming tradition archeologists call Virgin Anasazi.  These people were the original residents of Zion National Park.

Zion National Park Lodging

Zion Lodge

The Zion Lodge is operated by park concessionaire, Xanterra Parks & Resorts, and is open year-round. Rustic cabins are available with two double beds, private baths and porch. Motel rooms are also available with queen and king beds. All rooms have air conditioning and phones. Reservations are recommended and can be made up to 13 months in advance.

Zion Mountain Ranch

If you are looking for a very unique experience when you visit Zion National Park, you should consider staying at the Zion Mountain Ranch. Located near the east gate to Zion, the ranch is a AAA rated ranch resorts. In addition to the western lodge and cabins, the ranch is home to a roaming herd of buffalo. Zion Mountain Ranch summer activities includes horseback riding, hiking, and jeep tours. Open during the winter you can experience cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling on the ranch.

Best Western Zion Park Inn
The Zion Park Inn is tucked in among the towering red rock cliffs of Zion National Park, Utah. This premier Zion National Park lodging choice offers spectacular scenery, along with excellent amenities and comfortable rooms. The Zion Park Inn is the largest facility in the area.  This hotel is only one and half miles from Zion National Park.

East Zion Cabins

The original Zion National Park cabins are restored in the style of an original historical cabin room and now sit along the East Fork of the Virgin River. These are not stand alone cabins. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, heating, queen bed, flat screen plasma TV, satellite, wireless internet, tub and shower.

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