Discover Zion National Park: 15 Amazing Fun Facts You Won't Believe!

1. Jurassic Park Meets Polar Express

Next stop on the Canyoneering Express: Jurassic Park meets the Polar Express! Zion National Park's "The Subway" is a thrilling, exclusive, and partially submerged ride, sans the cozy train and dinosaurs: This challenging 9-mile round-trip adventure at the Left Fork of North Creek demands route finding, hiking in ankle to knee deep water, and boulder scrambling, all while requiring a Wilderness permit and highly recommended guidance. This splashy quest is worth the "ticket" if you're into natural wonders over high-speed locomotives or prehistoric reptiles.
Source => nps.gov

2. Willy Wonka's Canyon Adventure

From canyons that could rival Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory to valleys that have Jack and the Beanstalk green with envy, Zion National Park sings the siren song of merriment for the wanderlusting adventurer: Within its 124,400 acres of designated wilderness, you'll discover trails catering to every hiker's whim, from a jaunt to the spellbinding Emerald Pool and cascading waterfalls, to an intense conquest of the West Rim Trail which rewards you with a heart-stopping elevation change of 3,400 feet, or even a chance encounter with the colossal Kolob Arch, the globe's largest free-standing arch.
Source => nationalparks.org

Did you know that Bryce Canyon National Park has one of the darkest skies in North America, making it perfect for stargazing? 🌌 Discover more about this celestial wonderland and its annual Astronomy Festival!

=> Fun Facts about Bryce-Canyon

3. Angelic Bridge Builder Strike

Behold, the architectural marvel of Nature's masons, possibly constructed in the wake of an angelic bridge-builder strike: Zion National Park's Kolob Arch stands proudly as the sixth-longest natural arch on Earth, boasting an impressive span of 287.4 ± 2 feet (87.6 m) and enchanting visitors with accessible hiking trails and canyoneering routes to gaze upon its curvaceous structure.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Animal Kingdom's Fabulous Vacation

When the animal kingdom packed for a fabulous vacation, Zion National Park must have been their top choice: boasting over 400 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, it's a star-studded destination with VIP attendees like the threatened Mexican spotted owl, southwest willow flycatcher, bald eagle, and the exclusive Virgin spinedace fish.
Source => home.nps.gov

5. Canyoneering Holy Grail

In a twist straight out of an Indiana Jones movie, thrill-seekers have found their holy grail in Zion National Park: canyoneering is now the fastest-growing recreational activity in the park and Southwest Utah! Adventurers flock to iconic slot canyons like The Subway and Orderville Canyon, transforming into real-life action heroes as they tackle hiking, navigating, swimming, and rappelling all in the quest for the ultimate adrenaline rush.
Source => zionnationalpark.com

6. Desert Oasis Memo

Whoever said you can't find an oasis in the desert must have missed the memo on Zion National Park: home to the intriguing hanging gardens, found along the canyons and fed by an underground aquifer, housing a surprisingly diverse ecosystem of plants and animals, making it a verdant oasis-worthy hotspot that has to be seen to be believed!
Source => nps.gov

7. Condor Dating Profiles

From condor dating profiles touting an Angel's Landing rendezvous to bird nerds flocking for a glimpse: Zion National Park saw the successful fledging of the second wild-hatched California condor in Utah in 2021, signifying the progress of the California Condor Recovery program. Condor 1111 hatched near Angels Landing in April and took flight in August, despite the species facing a 50% mortality rate from lead poisoning caused by ammunition—addressed by Utah's Department of Natural Resources providing hunters with non-lead alternatives.
Source => sacbee.com

8. Virgin River's Stylish Sculpting

If you find yourself lost in Zion National Park, don't fret: just follow the Virgin River – it's been sculpting the area's stylish landscape for eons! The serious reveal: The persistent erosion by the Virgin River over thousands of years has transformed sandstone into the mesmerizing rock formations, canyons, cliffs, and steep walls that awe visitors today, showcasing nature's own creative flair and spontaneous design skills.
Source => lensjoy.com

9. Angels Landing's Heavenly Naming

In a heavenly twist of fate, an astonished Methodist minister looked upon Zion Canyon's pinnacle and exclaimed that only celestial beings could land there: Angels Landing received its name in 1916 from Frederick Vining Fisher, whose awe-inspiring words now echo through the strenuous hike required to reach the summit, complete with a daring chain-assisted ascent and a permit granted by the park's divine intervention (aka, their pilot permit program).
Source => nps.gov

10. Botanical Magic Carpet Rides

At the risk of "botanical" you down with plant puns, Zion National Park is a whole new world for flora fanatics, complete with 1,000 species of vegetative magic carpet rides: This eclectic green haven ranges from the Virgin River's lush cottonwood trees, through arid grasslands and desert shrubs, to pinyon-juniper forests and mixed conifer-aspen communities at higher elevations, allowing visitors to partake in a plant phenology study and help scientists unravel the mysteries of Mother Nature's green-thumb timing.
Source => nps.gov

11. 270 Million-Year-Old Party

Once upon a 270 million years ago, Zion National Park was partying at sea level near the equator where the sedimentary rocks told tales of ancient life and vibrant energy: The grand reveal shows that these rocks have since been uplifted and eroded, culminating in the breathtaking landscape that stands today, showcasing the remnants of the geological rave that occurred aeons ago.
Source => nps.gov

12. Sandstone Wall Light Show

When the sun throws a party in Zion and the sandstone walls RSVP "yes", brace yourself for a truly glowing affair: The Virgin Narrows in Zion National Park boasts an iridescent light show as the sunlight bounces off its majestic canyon walls, creating a visual feast for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Source => firefallphotography.com

13. Bear Grylls Meets Michael Phelps

If you've ever thought of yourself as a mix between Bear Grylls and Michael Phelps, we've got just the adventure for you: The Virgin River Narrows in Zion National Park is a 16-mile hike where at least 80% of the journey is spent wading, swimming, and walking through the river, all the while with no maintained trail, and with flash flooding and hypothermia waiting to crash your wilderness party – proper planning, equipment, and judgment are vital for a safe yet thrilling experience.
Source => nps.gov

14. Star-Studded Night Skies

When the sun goes down in Zion National Park, it's lights out – but utterly lit: Stargazing is one of the park's main attractions, offering visitors minimal light pollution and maximum awe-inspiring views, making it one of the best national parks for celestial show-stopping experiences.
Source => spacetourismguide.com

15. Eco-Friendly Propane-Powered Buses

With a prowess to rival the Pony Express and an eco-friendly mindset that would make Al Gore blush: Zion National Park's shuttle system recorded an astounding 5.2 million boardings in 2022, utilizing 35 propane-powered buses, including 21 with attached trailers that serve nine stops within the park and 10 stops in the neighboring town of Springdale.
Source => nps.gov