Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
brought from Cedar City, is near the confluence of the North and Middle forks. Ar-
thur Fife, a teacher at Branch Agricultural College (now Southern Utah University),
also built a homesteadcabin of white fir logs in 1930. This cabin is perched above
the north bank of the creek. (See “Middle Fork of Taylor Creek” in chapter 3.)
Also from that period is the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, which you'll drive
through if you're entering or leaving the park on the east side. Dedicated on July
4, 1930, the 1-mile tunnel cost over $500,000 and took longer than 3 years to build.
At the time it opened, it was the longest tunnel in the United States. Another his-
toric structure, the handsome ZionLodge, was built in 1925 by the Union Pacific
Railroad, but was destroyed by fire in 1966. It was rebuilt the following year and
restored to its historic appearance in 1991. Several 1920s-era restored touristcabins
are located near the lodge.
The park's ZionHumanHistoryMuseum, 1 mile inside the south entrance, has
exhibits on human interaction with the geology, water, plants, and animals of the
park. An informative orientation film is shown in the museum auditorium. The
museum is open daily in summer from 9am to 7pm, with shorter hours at other
times.
Ranger & Educational Programs
Zion National Park has some of the best ranger programs ★★ we have en-
countered, and even better, they're all free. Eveningprograms, which last about 45
minutes, take place at the Watchman Campground Amphitheater and at the Zion
Lodge Auditorium. They usually include a slide show, take place most evenings
from April through September, and include topics such as the animals or plants
of the park, geology, the night sky, mankind's role in the park, or some unique as-
pect of Zion, such as slot canyons. Rangers also give shorttalks during the day at
various locations, including the Zion Lodge Auditorium and the Zion Human His-
tory Museum. Ranger-guided hikesandwalks, which may require reservations,
might take you to little-visited areas of the park, on a trek to see wildflowers, or for
a night hike under a full moon. These range from easy to very difficult. When the
shuttle is operating, the 2-hour RidewithaRanger trip offers an opportunity to
see the scenic drive, and learn about Zion Canyon, from a park ranger's perspect-
ive. Reservations can be made up to one day in advance at the visitor center.
Schedules of the various programs and activities are posted on bulletin boards
at the visitor centers and campgrounds.
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