Zion National Park Hiking And Trail Adventures

The vast, old-growth forests and deep valleys of Zion National Park make for some of the most spectacular outdoor scenery anywhere in the country. In fact, it’s one of the best natural habitats left in the world for a variety of wildlife species, including deer, coyote, and bear. Most visitors to the park do not see these magnificent creatures, but if you plan to go on a wilderness hiking trip, you should know what to look for. This article mainly applies to tourists and visitors who spend time in Zion National Park in the summer months, when the bulk of wild animals are out looking for food, or mating season. When hiking in Zion, keep in mind that Southern Utah in the hot, summer months is still very warm, occasionally topping 100 F.

One of the main characteristics of wilderness hiking trips in the national park is to find the “boulder.” These are large, round indentations in the ground that were created by ancient glaciers millions of years ago. It is possible to search for them on a map, but many experienced canyoneering enthusiasts like to search for them in the wilderness. When approaching Zion National Park from the North Fork Floodway, you’ll probably want to hike along a pair of these boulders, which are easier to spot due to their shape.

Another characteristic of good wilderness hiking is an observation point. An observation point is where you can look out over the landscape without having to actually be in the middle of it. The trail to the east of Zion National Park has an observation point at milepost number nine. Just east of this trailhead, another overlook point can be reached at the same trailhead, but to the north at mileposts 12 and 13.

Hiking into the west side of the park can be done by using either a cement road or a trail. A trail starts by turning left just past the yellow dotted boundary signs about three miles from the parking lot. A boardwalk leads to a sign for the Observation Point Trail which crosses the east side of the park. From here, the trail starts to make its way toward the flood plain. As the trail makes its way toward the west rim of the canyon, the white bluffs become covered with thick vegetation and start to give way to grasslands and brushlands.

At several points along the way, the trail will ascend into the canyons. The most popular hikes around these canyons end as you reach the west rim of the Zion National Park. At this point, the terrain starts to become more difficult due to its higher altitude and more frequent changes in elevation. Hikers should be prepared for more climbing and walking as they traverse these high altitude bluffs. Fortunately, these hikes generally only last two to three hours.

Backpacking trips in Zion National Park are a great way to get the exercise needed to fight off the weight that comes with being overweight. By taking short, easy hikes through the park, an individual can get the most out of the scenery without having to spend weeks on an extended outdoor adventure. To get the best opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, be sure to pack plenty of water, food and emergency equipment. There is a lot to do in Zion National Park, New York, but it doesn’t get any better than this!