Our Active Day in Mesmerizing Zion

Utah

April 2021

Zion, The Heart of the Grand Staircase

While we were staying in Kanab, we made sure to explore Zion National Park again. Zion is part of the Grand Staircase, a huge series of stone steps that run from the Grand Canyon to Bryce Canyon. Each step is a different layer of rock, and Zion National Park is right in the center.

A Century of Conservation and Change

Zion National Park began as Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909 to protect its canyons. It was renamed Zion National Monument in 1918 and redesignated as Zion National Park by Congress in 1919. Why were all these changes made? All were strategic decisions motivated by a mix of promoting both tourism and conservation. The Southern Paiute name Mukuntuweap, meaning “straight canyon” or “straight river,” was considered too difficult for Americans to pronounce or remember. The name Zion was chosen because it was familiar to the local Mormon community and sounded more majestic, making the park more appealing to the rest of the country. By designating it a National Park, the federal government could officially remove the cattle and focus on preserving the geology and the Virgin River ecosystem for the public. It also meant federal funding was guaranteed for essential tourist infrastructure to accommodate large numbers of visitors, such as hotels and roads. We still enjoyed these facilities today, more than 100 years after they were built

Trading Shuttles for Pedals

The evening before our planned day, we discovered we hadn’t made reservations for the shuttle lines, so we rented bikes to ride through the canyon instead. After picking them up, we started on the Pa’rus Trail, which connects to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The Pa’rus Trail allows no cars, and the Scenic Drive only allows buses and a few other vehicles. Many people passed me on e-bikes, but I liked using my own strength and treated the ride as a workout. The uphill parts were tough, so I sometimes walked my bike. When a bus came by, I had to stop because the bus drivers couldn’t pass unless I had put one foot down.

The Sculpting Virgin River

We ate our homemade lunch near the Zion Lodge, then rode to the end of the road where the Virgin River leaves the canyon. We walked to the start of The Narrows, but it was crowded, so we skipped wading into the river this time. We had done that in 2017. The river may look calm, but it is actually powerful. Each year, it moves about a million tons of rock and dirt, further deepening the canyon. The ride back was easy and fun. I hardly had to pedal since we dropped about 500 feet over 8 miles. My husband loves cycling and enjoyed going fast, but I kept using my brakes so I wouldn’t go too quickly. We both made it down safely.

Zion’s Lasting Impression

We really enjoyed our active day in the park and loved the amazing scenery. After a day among the tall red rocks and along the Virgin River, it’s easy to see why this park is always ranked among the best in the country. It truly is a special place, and we were so glad we got to visit again.