Zion is an ancient Hebrew word meaning a place of refuge or sanctuary, and it is particularly apt for this spectacular 229sq miles of national park filled with dramatic cliffs, rushing waterfalls and unexpected lush vegetation.
In a nutshell
Don't miss the visitors' centre, which has information about the different trails and their difficulty levels. Short, easy walks include Lower Emerald Pool - an easy walk to a pretty waterfall, and Weeping Rock - which takes you to a natural spring and surrounding 'hanging garden'. If you don't fancy walking, there's a scenic 3½-mile bike trail up the canyon along our favourite, the Virgin River! Or take a trek on horseback to experience the park's beauty.
Every day, park rangers present a series of FREE talks and guided walks so you can make the most of your time here. There are special programmes for children (6-12 years) for a minimal fee, which explore the secrets of Zion's plants and animals, its geology and human history. The park is home to around 271 species of bird and other wildlife to look out for.
Getting there
Zion National Park is 3 hours from Las Vegas.