Zion National Park – Native American Cultural Center

General Information:

Zion National Park is a sacred place to the Native American and is located in southwest Utah . Zion National Park was designated as the state's first national park in the year 1919. The park is a thirty mile long series of deep canyons and dramatic cliffs that have been carved by the Virgin River and other tributaries. The park is nearly 230 square miles in overall size and is approximately 15 miles across, at its widest point. Zion National Park is certainly the most popular of Utah 's national parks, partially because of its convenient location in the southwestern part of the state, but also because of its magnificent grandeur. Ancestral Puebloan people inhabited the Canyon and in more recent times, a small band of the Paiute tribe called the canyon "Mukuntuweap". Mormon settlers (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) were inspired by this narrow maze of sandstone canyons and gave it the name Zion , meaning "the heavenly city of God " or "a place of refuge." Protected within the borders of Zion National Park are rough areas of breathtaking natural beauty.

Water / Snow Melt / Rain:

Continuous snow melt sends water through the Virgin River within Zion . This along with captured rain waters that seep into the canyon sandstone combine to make Zion a lush green oasis. Sheer, white sandstone cliffs and pristine gorges are accented and stained by enormous curtained waterfalls. During rain storms the water gathers on plateaus at the top of the park and this is funneled into narrow slot canyons before being jettisoned over precipices and into the majestic valley below. Zion , simply put, is one of the most beautiful places in the west. It would be hard to find a place in America that compares with the grandeur and beauty that Zion National Park possesses. Here in Southern Utah , where the sky is usually clear, and the landscape is breathtaking, lies an unsurpassed masterpiece of nature. The vertical topography of Zion National Park seems to reach to the heavens show-casing some of the worlds highest and most beautiful monoliths.

Tunnel:

There are size restrictions on vehicles (mostly large RV's or trailers) traveling through the 1.1-mile (1.7 km) tunnel on the Zion National Park - Mt. Carmel Highway (SR9). The tunnel height at its east entrance is 11 feet 4 inches (3.5 m). A $10 fee may be required for escort service for large vehicles through the narrow tunnel. Parking of large vehicles is regulated in various locations throughout the Park during the summer.

Geology:

Zion is a series of layers of sediment that were deposited over time and each layer brings something different to the canyon. Scientists claim that the tan to orange-red sandstone of the Navajo Formation is 170 million years old. The oldest rock layer in Zion National Park is the Triassic Moenkopi formation. Zion is known for its majestic towering rock mountains which rise thousands of feet above the valley floor.

Zion is home to a variety of animals with 60 different mammals found within the park, including mice, rabbits, coyotes, foxes, porcupines, skunks, ringtail cats, mountain lions, bobcats, and bighorn sheep. Elk and black bears are occasionally seen on the upper reaches of the park. Visitors commonly see mule deer, squirrels, and a variety of bats. About 271 varieties of birds are found in the park, ranging from hummingbirds to eagles. Canyon Wrens, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Common Flickers are easily found in Zion Canyon . During summer, almost every visitor will see lizards; there are about 13 types in the park. Snakes are shyer and much harder to see. Of the 12 species, only the Western Rattlesnake is poisonous.

The Park is accessible from the west and east with western access through the town of Springdale and the community of Zion Mountain on the east side.

Stay in a traditional TiPi Our TiPi's, were created by the same company (Nomadic TiPi makers) who made the TiPi's for the popular movie "Dances with Wolves'. Much thought and care has been given to the authenticity of structure and art work. Although UTC is one of the most exciting places you could say they still offer enough accommodations for one to have a peaceful, relaxing, and enjoyable time.

An experience of a lifetime Take a walking tour at the Indian Village Cultural Center and see life-size, picturesque Indian Villages... Come experience how the Indians lived and conducted their lives before the white man came.