Zion National Park is located in southeastern Utah, near the town of Springdale. It sits at the intersection of three regions: The Colorado Plateau, Big Basin, and Mojave Desert. The most prominent feature of Zion National Park is Zion Canyon. Other notable features include: Angels Rest, Zion Narrows, Temple of Sinawava, and the Kolob Canyons.
Zion Canyon was cut from Navajo sandstone cliffs by the north fork of the Virgin River. Carved mostly by flash floods, the 15 mile long and falf mile deep canyon, stands as a monument to the power of water.
the highest point in the park is 8,726 feet, while the lowest is 3,666 feet. The parks unique geography includes four distnct life zones: coniferous forest, desert,
riparian, and woodland.
Summers are hot & crowded in the park. Spring weather is very unpredictable and often rainy, while fall is clear and warm. winters are mild.
Motorized vechiles are not allowed on the Zion Canyon road during the peak visitation months of the summer. The National Park service runs a shuttle, every 5-15 minutes, to take visitors into the canyan, and ultimately to roads end at the Temple of Sinawava.
The sandstone cliffs of Zion Canyon are extremely colorful and Photogenic. A wide or super wide angle lens is neccessary for serious photography.
The trail to Angels Rest is both very popular, and very strenuous. the last mile has cables to hold onto because it can be dangerous. there has been fatalities on this stretch of the trail.
The most well known feature of Bryce Canyon National Park is Bryce Canyon. Despite its name, Bryce is not a canyon at all but a series of amphitheaters. Bryce is distinctive because of a geological feature called a hoodoo. Formed by erosion and weathering, the red, orange and white colored rocks provide spectacular views for park visitors.
One of the best hikes in Bryce Canyon is the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail. This moderate 3.5 mile loop will take you down to the floor of the canyon where views of the multi-colored hoodoos are unsurpassed.
