Zion National Park - Park Profile

Overview
Located in Washington , Iron and Kane Counties in Southwestern Utah , Zion National Park encompasses some of the most scenic canyon country in the United States . The park is characterized by high plateaus, a maze of narrow, deep, sandstone canyons and striking rock towers and mesas. Zion Canyon is the largest and most visited canyon in the park. The North Fork of the Virgin River has carved a spectacular gorge here, with canyon walls in most places rising 2000-3000 feet above the canyon floor. The southern part of the park is a lower desert area, with colorful mesas bordered by rocky canyons and washes. The northern sections of the park are higher plateaus covered by forests.

Mission Statement
The Zion National Park mission is to preserve the dynamic natural process of canyon formation as an extraordinary example of canyon erosion and to protect and preserve the valuable cultural, geologic, vegetation and wildlife resources while providing safe, sustainable and cost-efficient access for visitors experience and enjoyment. In addition, the park aims to educate both visitors and the general public about this exceptional environment.

Establishment
Established as Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909; name changed to Zion National Monument in 1918; expanded and established as a National Park in 1919; Kolob Canyons section established as a National Monument in 1937 and added to Zion National Park in 1956.

Name
Zion , a Hebrew word referring to a place of safety or refuge, was given to the canyon by Mormon pioneers in the 1860"s.

Human History
Evidence of 6,000 years of human occupation by Archaic, Ancestral Puebloans, (known by archeologists as the Virgin Branch of the Kayenta Anasazi and Parowan Fremont) Southern Paiutes and Mormon settlers who arrived in the 1860"s.

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Natural Resources

Geographic Features

Size: 146,597 acres (229 square miles) 90% recommended wilderness
99 miles of perimeter boundary

Rivers and Streams: 160 miles

Elevation: highest 8,726 ft (2660 m) Horse Ranch Mountain
lowest 3,666 ft (1128 m) Coalpits Wash

North Fork of the Virgin River
River length in park: 18 miles (Primary tributary length in park: 39 miles)
Gradient: 50-70 feet per mile
Sediment transfer: One million tons per year (average)

The Narrows:
A two mile section of the North Fork of the Virgin River above the Temple of Sinawava that in places is only 20-30 feet across with 2000+ foot canyon walls on each side

Zion Canyon:
A 6.5 mile section of the North Fork of the Virgin River that has carved out a major canyon from the Temple of Sinawava to Springdale .
Depth: 2000-2500 feet
Width: Up to .25 mile

Climate and Weather:
Annual Precipitation: 15 inches ( Zion Canyon) Temperature extremes: Highest: 115 F ( July 13, 2002 ; Zion Canyon Lowest: –2 F (January 1, 1989; Zion Canyon)

Flora:
Approximately 900+ species (richest diversity of plants in Utah )
Exotics: Approximately 100, of which 15 are of major concern
Threatened Species
Shivwits Milkvetch

Fauna:
78 species mammals
290 species birds
44 species reptiles and amphibians
8 species fish

Threatened or endangered species:
Mexican Spotted Owl
Southwest Willow Flycatcher
Desert Tortoise

Species of special concern/Rare species:
Zion Snail (endemic)
Virgin Spinedace
Peregrine Falcon

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Cultural Resources

Archeological: 430 sites (13% of park surveyed to date)

List of classified structures (Historic/prehistoric): 94

National Register of Historic Places and Properties
Districts: 4
Trails: 7
Buildings/Structures: 12
Transportation Structures: 2
Irrigation Ditches: 3

Cataloged Museum Objects: 219,000

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Administration
Number of employees in fiscal year 2004
Permanent 130
Seasonal 84

Volunteers in Parks – 315 volunteers contributed 27,673 hours of service

Student Conservation Association – 9 SCAs contributed 4,160 hours of service

Operating Budget: 2004
$5,860,700 Base Appropriation
Park Management $346,300
Concessions $70,100
Administration $747,900
Interpretation $737,800
Visitor Protection/Backcountry $1,061,100
Maintenance $1,826,900
Kolob District $229,200
Resource Management/Research $841,400

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Visitor Services and Protection

Visitation: 2,699,241 (2004) Record Year
Average of 2.5 million over the last ten years (11,000 visitors per day during peak season months of July and August). Between mid-1980and 2000, annual visitation nearly doubled from 1.5 million visitors to over 2.5 million.

Frontcountry Camping (limited to 14 days)
Watchman Campground: 168 sites (hookups, reservations April-Oct.)
South Campground: 126 sites (no reservations)
Lava Point Campground: 6 sites (primitive, no reservations)

Picnic Areas: 4 (Grotto, Kolob Canyons , Nature Center , Zion Canyon VC)

Backcountry Use (2004)
Backcountry Camp Sites : 41
Total Permits issued: 7292
Overnight Backpacking Permits: 2896
Technical Canyoneering (Day Use): 4142
Climbing Bivouacs: 241

Hiking trails: 120 miles

Concessionaires
Parks Transportation, Inc. (Shuttle System)
Beginning in May 2000, Zion instituted a mandatory shuttle bus system for visitors during April – October for the six miles of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive . There are 30 propane-powered buses (with 21 accompanying trailers) that make 15 stops (six in Springdale and nine in the park)
2,628,443 passengers in 2004 (up 8.7% from 2003)

Xanterra Parks and Resorts (Open all year)
Zion Lodge (motel units, cabins, restaurant, snack bar, gift shop)

Canyon Trail Rides: Guided horse trips in Zion Canyon (March-October)

Visitor Protection (2004)
Search and Rescue: 36 incidents
Law Enforcement Incidents: 2,240
Emergency Medical Services: 199

Fire Management (2004)
Wildland Fires (includes fire use fires): 24 (21 acres total)
Prescribed Fires: 1 Clear Trap (4,400 acres total)
Mechanical Fuels Reduction: 349 acres

Interpretation and Education
Programs presented: 2004 (numbers do not include visitor center contacts)
Talks, hikes, evening programs, shuttle tours: 36,993 visitors
Information Mail outs: 4,191
Information Phone Calls: 10,701
Information e-mails: 2,884
Educational Outreach : 4,695 students
Human History Museum Visitation: 155,997

Zion Natural History Association: A non-profit organization that supports education, research and other programs for the benefit of Zion . Financial aid is provided to the park through the sales of interpretive products. Outlets for these products are located in the two park visitor centers and the Zion Human History Museum .

Zion Canyon Field Institute: A non-profit organization that provides year-round field education classes dealing with the Zion Ecosystem.

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Development
Roads: 57 miles (Paved and gravel)

Zion/Mt. Carmel Tunnel
Constructed: 1927 – 1930
Cost: $1,896,000.
Length: 5613 feet (1.06 miles)
Width: 22 feet
Height: 16 feet

Structures/buildings: 92 administrative/public use (19 historic)|
35 housing structures (13 historic)
2 Visitor Centers
1 Environmental Education Center
1 Human History Museum