Test Explore the Sandstone Cliffs of Zion National Park - Driving Tour

Welcome to Zion National Park! Just up ahead on our right will be the Zion National Park Visitor Center, and the gateway to one of the most iconic national parks in the United States. The visitor center is staffed with knowledgeable rangers who can provide detailed information on park facilities, hiking trails, current conditions, and upcoming events. They will be happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have.
There are also interactive exhibits and displays inside the center that provide insight into the geology, ecology, and cultural history of Zion National Park. As well as a bookstore where you can of course purchase books, maps, field guides, and souvenirs all related to the park and the surrounding region. This is also your chance to head to the bathroom if you need one! The visitor center is equipped with restrooms, drinking water fountains, and picnic areas.
Stopping at the park’s visitor center is always a good way to get grounded, get some water, and get any more answers to anything that you may need. If you’re also thinking about taking a few hikes they can help you out with renting gear too!
Either go ahead and turn right into the parking lot, or we can continue on our drive! I promise either way you will learn all you need to know about Zion National Park, and I know for one I am so excited you joined me today!

To the left of us is the Zion Human History Museum. The museum features a variety of exhibits that highlight the rich cultural heritage of Zion National Park and the people who have called this area home throughout history.
At the beginning are the exhibits that teach us about the Native American history of the area. You will get the chance to learn about the indigenous peoples who have inhabited the Zion region for thousands of years, including the Southern Paiute and Ancestral Puebloans. Around 2,000 years ago the Ancestral Puebloans began to settle in the Zion area and established communities along the Virgin River and its tributaries. These ancient farmers cultivated maize, beans, and squash in small, terraced fields, built elaborate stone structures, and crafted pottery and other goods. Their cliff dwellings, rock art, and ceremonial sites are scattered throughout the park and offer a glimpse into their complex social, religious, and artistic traditions. Later on as they disappeared from the area, the Southern Paiute people had continued to maintain a presence in the area. The Southern Paiute are a Numic-speaking tribe whose traditional homeland encompasses much of present-day southern Utah, northern Arizona, and southeastern Nevada. They relied on hunting, gathering, and seasonal migrations to sustain themselves, and they have a deep spiritual connection to the land. You’ll discover more about their traditional lifeways, spiritual beliefs, and cultural practices through artifacts, photographs, and interpretive panels as you walk through the museum.
Then you will make your way to the history of Euro-American settlement in the Zion area, from the arrival of Mormon pioneers in the mid-19th century to the development of tourism and recreation in the early 20th century. In 1858, Mormon scouts led by Nephi Kohnson explored the Zion area and also saw its potential. The following year, Mormon leader Brigham Young sent a group of settlers led by Isaac Behunin to establish a permanent settlement in what is now Springdale, Utah, near the mouth of Zion Canyon where we began our drive. You’ll gain insight into the challenges and triumphs of early settlers as they carved out a living in this rugged landscape.
And in addition to its focus on human history, the museum also delves into the natural history of Zion National Park, showcasing the park’s unique geology, flora, and fauna. Learn about the forces that shaped the landscape over millions of years and the ecological significance of this protracted wilderness area. We will get to talk more about the landscape during our drive, it’s always nice to be able to see exactly what we’re talking about!
The museum celebrates the cultural diversity of Zion National Park and its surrounding communities, highlighting the contributions of diversity to the region's identity and heritage.

We’re going to hang a right over here and take a quick detour from the Zion Scenic Canyon Drive, but for the most amazing reason! In just a bit after some curvy roads, we will find ourselves face to face with the Zion Mount Carmel Tunnel!
A remarkable engineering feat, the tunnel passes through the massive sandstone cliffs of the Zion-Mount carmel Highway, connecting the Zion Canyon area, the area we will be traveling through today, with the east side of the park and the town of Mount Carmel Junction. The tunnel was constructed between 1927 and 1930 as part of the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway project, which aimed to improve access to Zion National Park and create a scenic route through a quite aggressive part of the park. It was carved through solid sandstone rock using hand drills, dynamite, and other relatively primitive tools, making it a remarkable achievement for its time. It’s approximately 1.1 miles, or 1.8 kilometers, long and at its highest point reaches an elevation of 5,613 feet, or 1,711 meters, above sea level.
You’ll also notice a few unique features of the tunnel that have surely added to its desire from visitors. For one, there are windows carved into the rock to provide ventilation and natural light. It’s quite amazing to get peeks of the beautiful scenery outside. Then, about halfway through the tunnel, there is a wider section known as the “gallery,” where vehicles can even pull over to allow oncoming traffic to pass. So if there’s room to do so, I would highly recommend pulling over at the gallery and really get to admire the views from the windows, and simply take in the tunnel. Lastly, you may notice, especially if you stop at the gallery, historical artifacts such as inscriptions, signatures, and carvings left behind by the workers who constructed the tunnel! There’s something so fascinating about getting to see things like that up close.
So, please enjoy the drive and be amazed with the Zion Mount Carmel Tunnel! It’s quite extraordinary and the views that you receive upon leaving are also incredible.

What an insane view right? Making your way through the tunnel is a bucket list item for sure. Please head into the parking lot up ahead on your left, you can either simply just use it to turn around and go through the tunnel once more to head back onto the scenic road, or you’re also more than welcome to park and take a look around before we head back on route. Up to you! Regardless I will see you on the other side in a few miles.

Alright, back on the main road! And to our left is the overlook for the Court of the Patriarchs.
One of the most iconic landmarks within Zion National Park, stands three massive sandstone cliffs that rise dramatically from the canyon floor. These cliffs are part of the Navajo sandstone formation, which was deposited around 180 million years ago during the Jurassic period, when much of the area was covered by a vast inland sea. The cliffs were formed over millions of years through a process of sedimentation, compaction, and erosion, and over time was uplifted and sculpted by the forces of erosion, resulting in the towering formations that we see today.
The three prominent peaks of the Court of the Patriarchs are named after biblical figures: the tallest of the three peaks is named after Abraham, the middle peak is Abraham’s son Isaac, and the peak closest to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, is named after Abraham’s grandson Jacob. This is because Frederick Vining Fisher, a Methodist minister and geologist who explored the area was struck by the resemblance of the rock formations to the three prominent biblical figures.
The Court of the Patriarchs serves as an iconic symbol of Zion National Park’s natural beauty and geological history. It’s continued to be a widely popular destination for avid park-goers, and represents its enduring legacy of the American West. Please feel free to wander and take as many pictures as you would like! Our next few stops we will just talk about them as we drive by.

On our left is the trailhead to Emerald Pool, although this isn’t an outstanding overlook like the last place, we of course still get the amazing rock formations surrounding us. Plus, I would be a fool not to mention Emeralds Pools as it’s a unique and extremely cool location! Even if you can’t see it right away. The name derives from the vivid green color of the water, which is caused by algae and other aquatic vegetation that thrive in the pools. The water in the Emerald pools comes from natural hot springs and seeps within the sandstone cliffs above. These springs emerge from the porous rock and flow down the canyon walls, creating a series of cascades and waterfalls that feed into the pools below.
The hike is a relatively easy hike, only about 2.2 miles (3.5 kilometers) round trip and is divided into three main sections: the Lower, Middle, and Upper Emerald Pools. The hike begins quite flat and soon leads into the lower emerald pool, surrounded by lush vegetation and is fed by a gentle waterfall cascading down the sandstone. As you head further along, you will notice a bit more of an incline until you reach the middle emerald pool. This is a great part of the hike to catch some views of the canyon landscape and of course you will get to see the pool and additional waterfalls and cascades. The final stretch of the hike takes you to the upper emerald pool; a tranquil oasis surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs, the most secluded and picturesque of the three pools.
If you have any extra time today, or are looking for an easy but rewarding hike on your travels through Zion, I highly recommend Emerald Pools Trail! A beautiful spot for relaxation.

On our right is not only a fantastic spot to have a picnic, but it's also the trailhead for one of the most iconic and exhilarating hikes in all of Zion National Park. The Grotto Picnic Area is a scenic spot that holds several picnic tables and benches nestled among the trees, providing shaded spots to relax and enjoy a meal or snack. The picnic area is surrounded by those gorgeous cliffs we have continued to see, creating a peaceful atmosphere to soak in the pure beauty of the park.Perhaps you bought some food at the visitor center, this could be the perfect chance to stretch your legs and have a bite to eat!
But, for one of the most popular trails in the park! The entrance to Angels Landing is here through Grotto and is an extremely challenging and strenuous hike that ascends nearly 1,500 feet (457 meters) in elevation over a distance of 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) to the summit! So, that means another 2.5 miles back down!
The trail begins with a gradual ascent through Refrigerator Canyon before ascending a series of steep switchbacks known as Walter’s Wiggles. Named after Walter Ruesch, who served as the superintendent of the park from 1919 to 1921. He was instrumental in the development and improvement of trails within the park, including the construction of Walter’s Wiggles. After climbing Walter’s Wiggles, hikers reach Scout Lookout, a scenic viewpoint offering breathtaking views of Zion Canyon. But, then the trail becomes even more challenging after Scout Lookout, as it traverses a narrow ridgeline with sheer drop-offs on both sides. Chains anchored into the rock provide handholds for hikers as they navigate the exposed sections of the trail. The final stretch to the summit involves scrambling over rocks, but ultimately leaves you to the absolutely insane view from the top of Angels Landing. So, this is a hike that I would only suggest to avid hikers, and extremely active individuals. But, if it’s something you can take on please do! It will be worth your while I promise.

A short but memorable hike begins to our right, Weeping Rock trailhead. Only 0.4 miles (0.6 kilometers) round trip that leads to a natural alcove known as Weeping Rock. It’s a stunning natural feature where water seeps out of the sandstone cliffs above, creating a dripping, cascading effect reminiscent of tears. The water that emerges from the rock is similar to that of the emerald pools, but it’s groundwater instead of natural hot spring water. It has percolated through the sandstone layers above, eventually reaching the impermeable layer of rock known as shale and emerging at the surface and springs.
In addition to the tears of Weeping Rock, the area is also known for its lush hanging gardens, which cling to the cliffs surrounding the alcove. These hanging gardens are made up of a variety of plant species, including ferns, mosses, and wildflowers, which thrive in the moist, shaded environment created by the dripping water. The combination of water, nutrients, and sunlight makes Weeping Rock a verdant oasis in the desert landscape of Zion National Park.

Go ahead and park your car if you’d like, and we can step out and see the lovely views of Big Bend. With sweeping views of the Virgin River as it winds its way through the canyon floor, the viewpoint offers a unique perspective of the canyon’s massive sandstone cliffs, which rise hundreds of feet above the river below. The contrast between the rock formations and the lush vegetation along the riverbanks creates a striking visual that is characteristic of Zion’s amazing nature.
The Virgin River its tributaries carve through Zion Canyon, creating lush riparian zones full of water-loving vegetation and diverse wildlife. Cottonwood trees, willows, and other riparian plants thrive along the riverbanks, providing habitat and food for a variety of bird species, including herons, kingfishers, and canyon wrens. There are also amphibians such as the canyon tree frog and the northern leopard frog, as well as other animals such as beavers and river otters! So cute!
Take in the amazing landscape before you, listen to the birds chirp and the wind cycle through the trees. You are in one of the most beautiful places in all of the United States! Whether you use this time to reflect or snap some pictures to remember your trip, just make sure you enjoy all the views of Big Bend. I will talk to you at our last place of the tour in just a little bit.

Our final stop on the tour! Welcome to the Temple of Sinawava! A natural amphitheater and iconic landmark of Zion National Park. With the towering sandstone cliffs we now all love and adore that rise dramatically on either side of the canyon, forming that natural amphitheater. Striking red and orange hues of the Navajo Sandstone formation glimmer in the sunshine during the day, and reflect the moon throughout the evening. The sheer size and grandeur creates that childlike wonder within, it really makes you take a step back and appreciate your surroundings.
The name “Sinawava” is derived from Native American lore and refers to a figure from Paiute mythology. Sinawava is said to be a female deity or spirit associated with the canyon and its natural features. According to Paiute legend, Sinawava was a guardian of the land who watched over the canyon and its inhabitants, offering protection and guidance to those who respected and honored the natural world.
The Temple of Sinawava is also the trailhead for the iconic Zion Narrows hike, which begins at the end of the Riverside Walk. The Zion Narrows is a famous slot canyon hike that follows the Virgin River upstream, into the heart of Zion Canyon. Hiking the narrows involves wading through the shallow waters of the rover and navigating narrow, winding passages carved into the sandstone walls of the canyon.
As our journey through Zion National Park comes to a close, I want to take a minute to thank you for joining me today. Zion is a remarkable place with breathtaking landscapes, and deep history. From the towering sandstone cliffs that seem to follow us wherever we go, to the tranquil beauty of the Emerald Pools, and the important human history of the Zion Human History Museum.
As you leave Zion behind, may the memories of its majestic canyons, verdant riverside oases, and soaring rock formations linger in your mind, inspiring a deeper appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the natural world; Sinawava thanks you.