Zion National Park

Zion National Park Developing Soundscape Management Plan

Shhhhhh! What would you hear in Zion National Park if there were no mechanical sounds? That should be an interesting question to discuss as park officials develop a soundscape management plan to protect natural sound in the park.

Return of the Peregrine Prompts Viewing Opportunities and Seasonal Closures in Several Parks

Peregrine falcons have long fascinated humans with their beauty, speed and dramatic dives, but the birds had all but disappeared from much of North America only a few years ago. They're making a dramatic comeback, and seasonal closures of key nesting areas in several parks are both helping in that recovery and offering opportunities to see the birds.

Zion National Park Commemorative Coin Out of This World

An astronaut aboard the space shuttle Endeavour is carrying with him a Zion National Park commemorative coin, an expression, perhaps, that the park's red-rock landscape is other worldly.

A Look Back at Last Year's Predictions for 2009 Park Travel. How Did the Forecasters Fare?

A number of NPS areas reported increases in visitation during 2009, but what was the outlook going into last year? Now that the actual results are coming in, let's see how the crystal balls fared.

Zion National Park Looking For Some Hardy Souls for Work in the Wilderness

Planning a mid-February visit to Zion National Park? The rangers are looking for some hardy souls to help them delineate the park's wilderness boundaries east of Springdale, Utah.

Going to Zion National Park This Summer? Be Aware of Work on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

If you're planning to visit Zion National Park this summer, the route you choose will make a big difference in your trip. Visitors entering via the park's South entrance won't be affected, but travelers using the East Entrance and the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway will find some delays and closures.

In Zion National Park, Wildflower Seed Theft is a Nearly Invisible Crime

The recent conviction of two undocumented aliens for illegally harvesting hundreds of pounds of wildflower seeds in Zion National Park sheds light on a little-publicized criminal activity in our national parks.

National Park Movies: Some More We Like for 1950-1979

Our Traveler’s Top Ten national park movies post was well-received, but we only scratched the surface. We’re digging deeper now. Here are some more we like for 1950 to 1979.

Woman Dies in Fall From Angels Landing At Zion National Park

A woman hiking up Angels Landing in Zion National Park apparently tripped and fell about 1,000 feet to her death, according to park officials.

Visiting Zion National Park in November? Here’s the Fall Schedule for the Free Park Shuttle

Fall can be a wonderful time to see Zion National Park, and the free shuttle service in Zion Canyon allows you to concentrate on the scenery instead of a search for a parking place. The shuttle will continue to run during November, but on a reduced schedule. Here's what you need to know for a visit.

Winter Lodging Deals at Mammoth Cave, Zion, Grand Canyon, and Death Valley National Parks

Comparatively few people think of visiting national parks during the winter months, and that's unfortunate for a variety of reasons. Not only does this season present an entirely different view of the parks than the one you normally experience during spring and summer, but lodging typically is less expensive, as the following offers demonstrate.

Wilderness Designations And National Parks Don't Cross Paths Often Enough

Yellowstone. Canyonlands. Voyageurs. Grand Canyon. Great Smoky Mountains. Glacier. Surprising as it is, none of those parks has so much as a single acre of officially designated wilderness.

Rockslide Repairs Completed, Weeping Rock Trail Reopens at Zion National Park

Fans of the Weeping Rock Trail in Zion National Park can rejoice. The trail, closed by a rockslide on September 2, is now open again for visitor use.

To Help Celebrate Zion National Park's 100th Birthday, A Break On Lodging Rates at Zion Lodge

A trip to Zion National Park later this fall is becoming a bit more affordable, courtesy of a special rate at Zion Lodge in honor of the park's centennial anniversary this year.

Aerial Reseeding Operations to Temporarily Close Some Zion National Park Trails

Work to reseed areas of Zion National Park that were burned in June 2006 will lead to the temporary closure of some backcountry trails in the park.

On Canyoneering, Politics, and Teens Studying Climate Change in the National Parks

Slipping from the top of the arch into the abyss below was a difficult move that rattled my psyche. Even though the sandstone band I was perched on was not much more than 4 feet wide, it was stable. Putting my faith into the rope cinched to my climbing harness and dropping into the 100-foot void went completely against my desire for self-preservation.

Rock Slide Expected to Keep Zion National Park's Weeping Rock Trail Closed At Least Through Labor Day

Folks planning to head to Zion National Park this Labor Day holiday weekend will have to forgo a walk to the Weeping Rock, as a rockslide has closed the trail for the immediate future.

Illegal Guiding Service Busted in Zion National Park

Despite being warned about running an illegal guiding service in Zion National Park, a Utah man continued to do just that. Last month he paid the price when he was convicted for doing so.

Angels Landing Trail at Zion National Park to be Closed Briefly on September 1st

There's been a lot of comment on the Traveler this year about the safety of the Angels Landing Trail in Zion National Park, so don't jump to conclusions if you visit the park on September 1 and find the trail has been closed. It's only temporary, and it's not for a reason most of us might expect.

Upon Further Review: "But My GPS Unit Said Go Thataway..."

GPS units can be a useful aid if you're traveling in unfamiliar territory, but they're often better suited for the city than the boondocks. Three hikers at Zion National Park who depended upon their GPS for directions in the backcountry found themselves in Heaps of trouble.

Reader Participation Day, Fine Arts Division: Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt, or Maynard Dixon?

If cost were no object, whose national park painting would you hang on your wall? Would it be a Thomas Moran, an Albert Bierstadt, or a Maynard Dixon?

Fatal Fall from Angels Landing in Zion National Park

A California woman died in a fall Sunday morning from the popular site in Zion National Park known as Angels Landing.

"Cliff Fire" at Zion National Park Contained, Kolob Canyons Area Reopened to the Public

Four days after a lightning strike ignited a wildfire in the backcountry of Zion National Park, the fire has been contained and park officials have reopened the Kolob Canyons area to visitors.

Wildfire Closes Kolob Canyons Section of Zion National Park

A wildfire has forced Zion National Park officials to block public access to the Kolob Canyons area of the park. The so-called Cliff Fire was touched off by a lightning strike Tuesday night.

Zion National Park to Mark 100th Birthday This Friday

If you've already made plans to be in Zion National Park this coming Friday you'll be able to join in celebrating the park's 100th birthday. And if you haven't made plans, think about altering your schedule.

Zion National Park's "Recycled" SAR Vehicle Saved Money and Can Help Save Lives

It's already seen service as an ambulance in three other locations around the West. Now this mechanical workhorse has been "recycled" once again, and it will provide a much-needed primary response vehicle for search and rescue missions in Zion National Park.

New Electronic Applications Aim to Enhance Your National Park Visit

Where once we had guidebooks, topographic maps, and campfire talks to help us appreciate and understand the national parks, there's now a growing number of electronic applications for your iPhones, iPod Touches, and other cellphones and media devices to overwhelm the senses.

Late-Summer Lodging Deal Offered At Zion National Park

If you like it hot in canyon country, then there's a hot deal on the table for a room at Zion National Park during the high heat of summer.

National Park System Quiz 63: Pools

The theme of this week’s quiz is a term that has at least 13 different meanings. We’ll pretty much stick with the standard connotation, but not entirely. Answers are at the end. If we catch you peeking, we’ll make you clean the Traveler wishing well and count all the pennies.

Wildfire at Zion National Park Prompts Closure of a Section of West Rim Trail

If you're headed to Zion National Park in the next few days, you may notice a bit of smoke in the canyon at night, and a section of the West Rim Trail has been closed temporarily. Both are the result of a small wildfire in the northern portion of the park.