5 Fun Facts About Zion National Park

Are you ready to learn some interesting facts about Zion National Park? In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, John is taking the reins and sharing some Zion fun facts!

This is a very popular national park that sees millions of visitors every year, so we are excited to dive into the history of the park and everything that makes it such a magical place to visit.

Join us as we cover:

A fascinating fact about the rock layers in Zion and the Grand Staircase
Where the Navajo Sandstone came from
The amazing history behind all of the rock layers and the rivers in the area
The destructive, creative, and life-giving force behind the Virgin River
The wildlife inside this park, despite the overall lack of water in the area
The surprisingly large amount of ferns you can find at Zion
What happened in 1776 that put this area on the map
The interesting human history in Zion

We hope you loved this episode and learning about Zion National Park! It is truly a magical refuge, and we hope you get to get out there and visit the park soon.

If you are ready to plan your trip and want some help, head over to Dirt In My Shoes to get our Zion Itinerary!

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

Zion Overview

In this episode of our podcast, we’re bubbling with excitement as we’re sharing a treasure trove of fascinating Zion Fun Facts.

We used to live just a few minutes from Zion, which has given us an intimate knowledge of the area, but we are genuinely thrilled to keep learning new things about the area!

Zion Fun Facts

1: The bottom rock layers at Bryce Canyon National Park are the top rock layers at Zion National Park.

Zion National Park is part of the Grand Staircase, where rock layers step down from Bryce Canyon in the north to Zion in the middle and the Grand Canyon in the south. This means that the bottom layers at Bryce Canyon match the top layers at Zion, and the bottom layers of Zion are the same as the top layers of the Grand Canyon!

This arrangement allows you to traverse millions of years of Earth’s history as you explore these national parks.

2: The Navajo Sandstone in Zion is the result of the largest known sand desert in the history of our planet.

Stretching across vast distances in all directions, this massive formation boasts cliff faces towering up to 2,000 feet. The unique beauty of the Navajo sandstone lies in its mosaic of colors, including white, oranges, yellows, and deep reds.

Cross-bedding patterns in the sandstone reveal the direction of ancient winds, preserving a record of Earth’s past. Over millions of years, chemical processes have transformed the top layer, giving rise to the name “White Cliffs.” The formation of Zion Canyon itself began about 20 to 30 million years ago, when geological forces, including faulting and tilting, started shaping the region.

The land gradually rose and tilted, leading to erosion and the formation of the iconic canyon. The Virgin River, while seemingly unremarkable in size today, played a crucial role in carving Zion Canyon over millions of years, making it a geological masterpiece and a testament to the power of natural forces.

3: The Virgin River drops an average of 71 feet every mile.

In comparison to the Mississippi River, which drops only one inch every mile, the Virgin River is dropping like crazy!

Over the past million years, the Virgin River has sculpted Zion Canyon, deepening it by 13,000 feet. The river descends an astonishing 71 feet per mile, a dramatic contrast to the Mississippi’s one-inch drop. Flash floods amplify its power, reshaping the landscape. Despite its destructive potential, the Virgin River sustains life in this arid desert, supporting diverse ecosystems and species like bighorn sheep and beavers.

Zion also boasts hanging gardens, where water emerges from rock cracks, nurturing lush plant life on cliffs and walls. These gardens provide a stunning contrast to the desert surroundings, highlighting nature’s resilience in unexpected places.

4: Zion is home to 20 species of ferns.

Zion’s unique water sources allow the presence of typically water-thirsty plants, including 20 species of ferns. These ferns, though adapted to the desert, are more commonly found in wetter climates like the Pacific Northwest. You can witness this lush greenery at places like Weeping Rock, where life thrives in this desert oasis.

5: The Zion area was a challenging place to settle

Zion National Park, originally known as Makuntuweap by the Paiutes, has a rich human history dating back over 12,000 years. Native American tribes, including the ancestral Puebloans and modern-day Paiutes, created settlements, irrigation systems, and more in the area. In 1776, Spanish friars Dominguez and Escalante explored the region.

However, the challenging environment and flash floods made it difficult for early European settlers, including Mormon pioneers. The park was established as a national monument in 1909 and a national park in 1919. It became more accessible with the construction of the Mount Carmel tunnel and scenic drive, connecting it to other national parks in the region.

Today, Zion continues to attract visitors from diverse backgrounds, offering a rejuvenating experience and connecting generations of park enthusiasts.

Grab your copy of our Zion National Park itinerary to start planning your dream trip. We hope you get to visit soon!

Links mentioned in this episode:

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