Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tips from a Park Ranger
“One of the most spectacular places on earth,” is how Ron Terry, Zion National
Park's former chief of interpretation, describes the park. “Its beauty and grandeur
are overpowering. You cannot visit Zion without being inspired and awestruck by
the immensity of the towering sandstone cliffs and deep, narrow canyons.”
However, even though Zion is the most visited national park in Utah, Terry says
it is still possible to find solitude in its numerous out-of-the-way places.
“One of Zion's lesser-known but stunningly beautiful areas is Kolob Canyons,”
Terry says. “The Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive includes numerous pullouts, provid-
ing a chance to get out of the car and drink in the beauty of the red sandstone cliffs
and hanging valleys of the Finger Canyons of the Kolob.”
“The hike up the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek to Double Arch Alcove is well
worth the trip, as is the more strenuous hike to Kolob Arch,” Terry says. He advises
that visitors should be sure to stop first at the Kolob Canyon Visitor Center for cur-
rent hiking information.
“If you visit Zion in March, April, October, or November you will be sharing the
park with fewer people and still have access to most of the park's trails,” Terry says.
“October and November are particularly beautiful,” he adds. “The yellow and gold
leaves of the trees along the Virgin River and in its side canyons contrast wonder-
fully with the reddish colored sandstone of the canyon walls.”
According to Terry, your first stop in the park should be at a visitor center to get
current weather and flash-flood-potential information, purchase any needed back-
country permits, and get advice from rangers on which trails and attractions are
best for you.
Attending one of the park's ranger naturalist programs will also enhance your
park experience, according to Terry, who adds, “The time spent attending one
of these programs is time well spent.” During warmer months there are nightly
programs in the campgrounds and at Zion Lodge; plus there are daily talks and
ranger-guided shuttle tours.
Terry also suggests a visit to the Zion Human History Museum, which opened in
2002 and features exhibits on how humans have interacted with the geology, water,
plants, and animals of the park. An informative orientation film is shown in the
museum auditorium.
Although the vast majority of Zion's visitors have a thoroughly enjoyable exper-
ience with no serious problems, the park does have some very serious potential
dangers.
