Zion National Park

Zion National Park draws over 5 million visitors annually due to its diverse topography, soaring sandstone cliffs, mystical slot canyons, cascading waterfalls, colorful hanging gardens, lonesome desert plateaus, and clear-flowing rivers.

It is no mistake that Zion means sanctuary or refuge in ancient Hebrew, with its many natural wonders encompassing nearly 150,000 acres.

Up to 3,000 acres of this awe-inspiring landscape are private lands (also known as “inholdings”). Private lands threaten the wild character and wilderness experience for millions of annual visitors and impact trail access, wildfire management, views, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

Trust for Public Land has worked since 2000 to ensure that recreational access in and around Zion National Park remains uncompromised. In 2019—Zion’s centennial year—TPL preserved an 880-acre property on the park boundary, including the last unprotected mile of the Zion Narrows Trail. The deal ensures access to this wilderness experience in perpetuity.

Additionally, TPL secured the park’s stunning backcountry in places like Tabernacle Dome (protected in 2012), Firepit Knoll (protected in 2018), Orderville Gulch (protected in 2020).

Zion is known for hiking, biking, camping, and more. But it’s more than a recreational paradise.

Safeguarding Wildlife:
More than 1,000 plant species, nearly 80 mammals, 37 species of amphibians/reptiles, 8 species of fish, and 291 species of birds—including the largest flying bird in North America, the California Condor—call Zion home.

Rich in History:
The Virgin River carved the Zion Canyon over millions of years and is approximately 2,000 feet deep. Paths where native peoples and pioneers walked are present today.

Extraordinary Engineering:
In 1930, engineers completed Zion Mt. Carmel Highway and Tunnel—a 1.1-mile-long tunnel that cuts through sandstone cliffs without disrupting the serene surrounding landscape. Construction included a 25-mile road connecting Zion to the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon.

Archeologist Archive:
Evidence of human existence in Zion dates back to 6,000 BC. Zion is an archeologist’s dream, featuring remnants including ancient tools, housing, and granaries.

“Visiting a national park like Zion is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many people. That experience should be about majesty and wonder and dramatic and unspoiled landscapes. By working with our partners to acquire and protect private lands within the boundaries of Zion National Park, future generations will have the opportunity to experience grand views of the Park’s Wilderness unmarred by incompatible development.” — commented Jim Petterson, Southwest and Colorado Director for TPL.