Zion Canyon begins at Springdale, a crowded little town with rather an excess of visitor facilities. There is a cheap RV site on the banks of the Virgin River, and a small selection of hotels. The usual approach is from the west, from St. George along UT 9 - this scenic road passes colorful cliffs of increasing height and follows close to the river for most of the way.
Scenic Drive: Shortly after Springdale, UT 9 passes the main park visitor center and more campgrounds, and then reaches the junction with the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the main destination for visitors to Zion National Park. The Drive winds northwards along the east side the river for 8 miles beneath the massive rocks until the canyon narrows; beyond this, the paved and very popular Riverside Walk (formerly Gateway to the Narrows Trail) extends a further one mile north, ending at the point where the river covers all of the canyon floor. To progress further upstream requires hiking in the river itself, via the famous Narrows Trail
Viewpoints: Many of the most spectacular features of the canyon can be seen either from the road or by walking on short paths to overlooks (or underlooks!), but the experience is often spoilt a little by the sheer number of visitors. Most of the viewpoints are of huge cliffs with religious-sounding names such as The Pulpit and The Great White Throne, but there are also short paths leading to waterfalls, pools and the river. The major features were named by a Methodist minister, Frederick Vining Fisher, around the turn of the century. Points of interest include Weeping Rock, seeping waterfall with curtains of hanging vegetation, reached by a trail which continues to Hidden Canyon and Echo Canyon, two of the narrow
side-branches of the main canyon.
Trails: One of the most popular trails is to the Emerald Pools - two picturesque ponds along a tributary stream a short distance along a canyon west of the river. Rather more strenuous is the 1,700 foot ascent to Angels Landing, probably the best high viewpoint of the canyon. A variety of longer trails lead up the cliffs or along narrow canyons to remote, hidden places that allow for a more private and tranquil appreciation of the beauty of the park.
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