Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ations and the town of Springdale. That evening, try to take in the campground
amphitheater program.
Seeing the Park by Car & Shuttle
If you enter the park from the east, along the steep
Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway,
you'll travel 13 miles to the
Zion Canyon Visitor Center,
passing between the
White Cliffs and Checkerboard Mesa, a massive sandstone rock formation covered
with horizontal and vertical lines that make it look like a huge fishing net. Continu-
ing, you'll pass through a fairyland of fantastically shaped rocks of red, orange,
tan, and white, as well as the
GreatArchofZion,
carved by the forces of erosion
high in a stone cliff. At the east end of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel is the
trail
head parking
for the Canyon Overlook Trail, a relatively easy 1-mile walk to a
great viewpoint. After driving through the tunnel, you'll traverse a number of long
switchbacks as you descend to the canyon floor. (See “Regulations,” under “Essen-
tials,” earlier in this chapter, for information on getting through the tunnel.)
The park's shuttle bus system consists of two loops: One in the town of Spring-
dale and the other along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, with the loops connecting at
the transit/visitor center just inside the south park entrance. April through Octo-
ber, access to Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (above Utah 9) is limited to shuttle buses,
hikers, and bikers. The only exception will be overnight Zion Lodge guests and
tour buses connected with the lodge, which will have access to the road as far
as the lodge. Shuttle stops are located at all the major-use areas in the park, and
shuttles run frequently (about every 6 min. at peak times). In winter, when visit-
ation is lowest in the park, visitors are permitted to drive the full length of Zion
Canyon Scenic Drive in their own vehicles. Complete information about the shuttle
and all stops is available at the visitor center.
Wildlife Viewing
The earlier in the day you can get out on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the better chance you'll
have of seeing wildlife.
The ride through Zion Canyon is impressive by any standards, with massive
stone reaching straight up to the heavens, and the North Fork of the Virgin River
threading its way through the maze of rocks. In every direction, the views are awe-
