Zion National Park, Utah

Zion National Park - less than a hour's drive away from the Hampton Inn - is one of the most popular sites in the National Park system since it annually attracts three million visitors. These tourists come for many reasons. One of them is coming to a place of peace and serenity; in fact, "Zion" is an ancient Hebrew word that means a place of sanctuary. An early Mormon pioneer named the main canyon Zion since it conjured feelings of reverence for him. In keeping with this religious theme, many of the landmarks have names like West Temple, Angles Landing, and the Three Patriarchs. No matter the nature of your religious or spiritual leanings, you'll find Zion National Park a place that will promote peace in you soul.

There are two main areas of the national park - Zion and Kolob canyons. Zion Canyon is mainly accessed from the town of Springdale on the southern end of the park. Zion Canyon was created by the Virgin River which carved the canyon out of the Colorado Plateau. This canyon is highlighted by many beautiful desert trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Some of the highlights of the canyon are the Emerald Pools. The trail to these pools includes three sections with the shortest to Lower Emerald Pools covering just over a mile and is paved. The Lower Emerald Pools are created by a small waterfall that is surrounded by beautiful hanging gardens of wildflowers. Another highlight of Zion Canyon is the section known as the Narrows. These are slender slot canyons that usually have river beds as their floor. People hike in these canyons to see the how nature eroded this area and to escape the midday heat. This activity requires good, sturdy shoes that can get wet, and caution is advised because flash floods occur when there is rain - even several miles away. Please note that private cars are not allowed up Zion Canyon between March and October due to congestion concerns, but a free park shuttle is provided.

To complement the beauty of Zion Canyon, Kolob Canyon is a drier area on the park's western side. Here the red cliffs are more exposed since there is less vegetation, but this canyon is just as scenic. Kolob's claim to fame are its mysterious shaped rock hoodoos that further illustrate how nature's artistry during the erosion process. Both canyons are worth visiting.

Beyond Zion and Kolob canyons, Zion National Park also has a great scenic byway on its eastern side. The Zion-Mt. Carmel Scenic Drive is a great activity for the family. Along this byway is Checkerboard Mesa which is a sandstone surface that nature etched a checkerboard-like pattern in over the years. While nature is the main source of the beauty of the byway, man also worked great wonders here as well. One of the two tunnels along the road is over a mile long and was considered nearly impossible during its construction in the 1930s. A visit to Zion National Park is incomplete without seeing this byway.

Springdale is a great base for your visit to Zion National Park. Here there are numerous restaurants, gift shops, and recreational equipment rental shops. Also of note in the town, the Zion Canyon Giant Screen Theatre - the largest screen in Utah - shows Zion Canyon: Treasure of the Gods, a film that highlights the history and beauty of the park. Make sure to check out Springdale - especially since it is at the mouth of Zion Canyon.