Zion National Park

Zion Fast Facts

How big is Zion National Park?

Zion covers a total area of 146,592 acres or 229 square miles.

How many people visit Zion National Park?

5,039,835 people visited Zion in 2021. A table showing all years can be found at Zion Visitation Stats.

When was Zion National Park created?

Zion was made a national park on November 19, 1919.

What are the highest and lowest elevations in Zion National Park?

Zion’s lowest point is 3,666 feet at Coalpits Wash. The highest point in Zion is 8,726 feet at Horse Ranch Mountain.

What time zone is Zion National Park located in?

Zion is in the Mountain Time Zone.

How much does it cost to enter Zion National Park?

$35 per private vehicle per week.

Five Random Facts About Zion

one The word “Zion” is Hebrew. It means “a place of peace and relaxation.” It was given to the area by the Mormons, along with most other place names in the park.

two The water that drips from Weeping Rock in Zion Canyon fell as rain over 1,000 years ago.

three The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, part of the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway in Zion, was the longest tunnel of its type when it was dedicated in 1930.

four The canyon walls of the famous Zion Narrows on the Virgin River are as little as 20 feet apart.

five Zion National Park’s wide variety of elevations and moisture levels gives it probably the most diverse plant life in southern Utah, with over 900 species identified.

Where is Zion National Park?

Zion National Park is the westernmost of the five national parks in southern Utah, and the closest to major cities, though they are still fairly distant. People often visit several national parks in the area. It takes about 90 minutes to drive to Bryce Canyon, to the east. A drive of about 2 hours south will take you into Arizona, and to the north rim of Grand Canyon. Note that road access to the north rim of the Grand Canyon is typically closed from mid October to mid May due to heavy winter snow. Further directions and maps can be found at Getting to Zion.