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Pa'rus - A Living Canyon
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Utah
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Pa'rus - A Living Canyon
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<h2>A Living Canyon</h2> <h3>Learn</h3> <p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{00b4822e-e9f3-4c1b-833a-97eab8aad75b}{58}" paraid="1020860196" xml:lang="EN-US">Zion's diverse topography leads to a diversity of habitats and species. Along the Virgin River, the riparian area is home to plants and animals that require an abundant supply of water. <br /> Fremont cottonwood trees (<em>Populus fremontii</em>) require a constant source of water and thrive along the Virgin River. When Fremont cottonwoods have access to reliable water, they can grow between 10–20 feet per year. These trees can also be helpful for streambank protection and are able to withstand low levels of flooding.<br /> The riparian area is also the perfect habitat for the American beaver. You may not immediately think of the American beaver when in the Southwest, but the Virgin River provides a welcome habitat for this river specialist. Sightings are rare, but evidence of the beaver's activity can be seen on many of the park's Fremont cottonwood trees. They do most of their tree-chewing during the night when the cover of darkness helps them to avoid predators. </p> <h3 paraeid="{73fbe6d5-2801-4581-af4e-14af52ccfaa6}{16}" paraid="833899767">Look</h3> <p>Have you seen any evidence of wildlife along the trail? The tall shrubs and plants along the trail like Utah Juniper and Rabbitbrush provide food and shelter for a variety of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Along the trail keep an eye out for wildlife like mule deer, road runner, and western scrub jays. </p> <h3>Connect </h3> Zion Canyon would be inhospitable for plants and wildlife without water. How would our experience as visitors change if there were no water present in Zion Canyon?
Pa'rus - Footprints in Time
~0 min drive
<h2>Footprints in Time</h2> <h3>Learn</h3> <p>The Museum Collections and Archives at Zion National Park include archival documents, artifacts, photos, and ethnographic objects that help us understand how humans survived and adapted in the Zion area. Natural history specimens s…
Pa'rus - Creation from Destruction
~1 min drive
<h2>Creation From Destruction</h2> <h3>Learn </h3> <p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{75f09f85-8dff-40ae-830d-60e08ccbd3ad}{3}" paraid="593015807" xml:lang="EN-US">The Virgin River is the primary agent of erosion that continues to carve and shape Zion. The North Fork of the Virgin Rive…
Zion Human History Museum
~1 min drive
<h2><b>Zion Human History Museum </b></h2> <p>Once the park’s main visitor center, the museum houses indoor exhibits focused on the human history of Zion. Step out to the back patio for a dramatic view of the West Temple and the Towers of the Virgin. In front of the building e…
Pa'rus - Changing Landscapes
~1 min drive
<h2>Changing Landscapes</h2> <h3>Learn </h3> <p>Rock layers of Zion Canyon are arranged in a way that allows water to travel through them. The desert sand dunes that formed the Navajo Sandstone layer contain wind-blown sand particles that have space in-between them. The ancien…
Pa'rus - Virgin River Wayside
~1 min drive
<h2>Virgin River</h2> <h3>Learn</h3> <p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{2ef88670-689d-4415-9072-eeec5cfc3bb6}{147}" paraid="852227924" xml:lang="EN-US">In July of 2020, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Quality (DWQ) and the National Park Service (N…
Pa'rus - Diversion Dam
~1 min drive
<h2>Diversion Dam</h2> <h3>Learn</h3> <p paraeid="{054fc00e-a6b4-4eb9-b20c-8d81f1c7f960}{75}" paraid="1507013341">On March 30, 2009, the upper section of the Virgin River and its tributaries were designated as <a href="https://www.nps.gov/zion/learn/nature/wildandscenicriver.h…
Pa'rus - The Master Sculptor
~1 min drive
<h2>The Master Sculptor</h2> <h3>Learn </h3> <p>The power of wind, water, and gravity have shaped Zion Canyon over time. Erosion and weathering also play a role forming natural arches in the park. A natural arch is formed when deep cracks penetrate into a layer of sandstone. E…
Court of the Patriarchs
~4 min drive
<h2><b>Court of the Patriarchs </b></h2> <p>Enjoy spectacular views of the three patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The three peaks were named in 1916 by a Methodist Minister, Dr. Frederick Vining Fischer, and two local boys from Southern Utah. They were so inspired and st…
The Zion Grotto
~7 min drive
<h2>The Grotto</h2> <p>In the early 1920s this area marked the end of the road into Zion Canyon. At that time there was a campground, named Grotto, built by the young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in this location. The CCC was developed by President Franklin D.…
Watchman Trail
~1 min drive
Short, scenic climb with expansive Zion Canyon views.
Also worth it near here
