Zion National Park

canyons · utah · desert ecosystems · geology

Three deserts collide. Zion National Park sits right where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert regions come together. This unique location creates four completely different habitats in one park, from hot deserts to cool forests.

Carved by a river. The famous Zion Canyon was cut deep into the earth by the North Fork of the Virgin River over millions of years. The canyon walls are made of colorful reddish and tan Navajo Sandstone that stretches 15 miles long and reaches up to 2,640 feet tall, like a massive stone skyscraper.

Wildlife paradise. Zion is home to an incredible variety of animals, including 289 different bird species, 75 mammals, and 32 reptiles. This diversity exists because the park has so many different habitats, from desert floors to high mountain forests.

Dramatic rock formations. Beyond canyons, Zion features mountains, buttes, mesas, monoliths, slot canyons, and natural arches carved by wind and water. The park's lowest point is 3,666 feet above sea level, while its highest peak, Horse Ranch Mountain, reaches 8,726 feet.

Millions visit yearly. Nearly 5 million people visited Zion National Park in 2025, making it one of the most popular parks in the United States. Visitors come from around the world to hike, photograph, and explore this geological wonder.