I was able to catch this beautiful sunset which was illuminating the red rocks
The tiny community of Springdale, Utah sits just outside of Zion National Park in southwestern Utah. In the 2010 census, Springdale only reported 529 people. The town was originally settled as a farming community by Mormons who evacuated the flooding in nearby Northrop (~1862).
Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to have made it out to Zion National Park. The first day I drove in and stayed in Springdale, just outside the park boundary. I was able to catch this beautiful sunset which was illuminating the red rocks. Just below this was ~20 mule deer grazing in a grassy field.
Zion National Park is a sprawling 146,597 acres. The park is at elevation, and ranges from 4,000 feet above sea level to 8,726 feet above sea level. This high point is Horse Ranch Mountain peak. How did it get its name? Mormon pioneers in the 1860’s referred to the area as “Zion” which is a place of peace and refuge. It remains this to today.
Although this is a popular National Park, I was able to avoid the crowds. I went in the spring and avoided the busy summertime crowds. I was able to do some solo hiking and take in the quiet beauty of the park. Through the coming months I will be featuring more photography from my time in Zion. Stay tuned!
Through the coming months I will be featuring more photography from my time in Zion
If you go to Zion National Park, you will want to make time for “The Narrows
It was President William Howard Taft that designated the area for protection in 1909. However, at that time Zion National Park was known as Mukuntuweap National Monument. Zion officially because a National Park on November 19, 1919. The first peoples credited with setting the area are the Anasazi, who settled the Zion Canyon ~ 1,500 B.C. Evidence of this settlement remains today. There is rock art, sandstone settlements, and road networks contributed to them.
If you go to Zion National Park, you will want to make time for “The Narrows”. On this hike, you walk in and along the Virgin River in the narrowest section of the Zion Canyon. Shear rock walls go up a thousand feet on each side of you. Because the water levels fluctuate throughout the year, this is typically a summer and fall undertaking.
Back in 2022, Wild Boyz Photography partnered with Tree Utah. Check out their excellent organization here!
Did you know?
- Zion National Park supports a variety of species, including over 289 species of birds!
- Millions of people visit Zion National Park yearly!
- Zion National Park has California Condors!
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