Slot canyons are the epitome of the American Southwest whose rustic grandeur wouldn’t be the same without these intimate excursions into the arteries of the earth. Some are just narrow slivers of space between adjacent canyon walls or seemingly randomly flung boulders, but others are sleek sculptures polished by wind and water to a jewel-like sheen with soft curves that glow with vivid beauty when a sunray pierces the shadows. Slot canyons can be found in Capitol Reef, Escalante, the Grand Canyon, the San Rafael Swell, Lake Powell, the Paria River and Page, but Zion possesses one of the areas richest treasure troves for intrepid canyoneer.

The Four Corners region and southern Utah are one of the continent’s richest areas in indigenous history. Although Zion doesn’t have any major archeological sites within the park boundaries, the Zion Human History Museum does show how humans have interacted with the local geography, flora and fauna, water resources and ecosystems. Outside the park, however, the area is an archeological treasure trove. There are tens of thousands of ruins, artifacts, petroglyphs and pictographs throughout the region. One of the most fun things you can do is find an ancient artifact on your own. Here are some of favorite places to look.

Standing on the desert floor, looking up at the sheer magnitude of these natural stone bridges, one can’t help but think, I see sky where there should be rock. It seems impossible, absurd even, that something so large, so heavy, and so brittle should be practically floating hundreds of feet in the air. Horizontal pillars in the sky, they evoke an almost primal instinct that the world is very large, and we are very small. These geological phenomena are formed through a deceivingly simple process of erosion. Water percolates through the cracks in the rock, and in the winter it freezes and expands, cracking and carving bits and pieces of the rock into natural arches.

The 6-mile road into Zion winds through the hidden valley and dead ends within the park at the Temple of Sinawava. Along the way the drive meanders past campgrounds, the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, the Zion Human History Museum the Zion Lodge, following the North Fork of the Virgin River. In winter, the sun barely hits the canyon floor, so driving and walking should be done with caution. The Court of the Patriarchs can be seen to the East. The three stunning mountains are called Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Mount Moroni’s red peak stands guard over the trio. You don’t have to drive to take a scenic drive. From late March through October visitors must take the shuttle, leaving their private vehicles at the visitors center (usually full by 10 a.m.) or in the town of Springdale. Campers and lodgers can get a special permit to drive to their destination.

The Narrows are easily accessed by everyone, including those who are wheelchair bound. The hike begins at Temple of Sinawava, where the shuttle will let you off, then winds along the paved pathway of Riverside Walk to the beginning of the area where the canyon walls narrow. Adventurous souls can wade into the shallow, rocky water (wear sturdy hiking shoes to keep your balance and your feet from being cut or smashed). The mountain water is cold, but bearable in the summer and early fall. From this area, you can see the canyon walls begin to close in. Many people see others in the water and head on up into the mouth of the Narrows with small children. We don’t recommend it. The rocks can be slippery, you can encounter unexpected holes in the river where it may be deeper than it appears, and hypothermia is a very real danger because of the frosty water. The narrower the canyon gets, the faster and stronger the current, which adds another level of danger.

Utah has some amazing animal populations including three kinds of big cats; elk, buffalo, deer and antelope; bighorn sheep and goats; coyotes and fox; hundreds of bird species; bunnies, bears and bats. With a little persistence you can catch a glimpse of many of Utah’s native residents. One of the most fun to watch is the bat. Look to the sky at dusk and those small birds you see may actually be bats. You can distinguish bats from birds by their flight patterns. Bats tend to have smaller wings that flutter quickly. They also fly in short scooping patterns, instead of swooping arcs. You also won’t see them simply soar on their wings, as birds do. If you are lucky enough to see bats in flight, give thanks.

Whether approaching from the west through Springdale or from the east, you should hit the ten-mile stretch from the Zion entrance to Mt. Carmel, where it hooks up with Federal Hwy. 89. With switchbacks, slickrock and sweeping views with seasonal waterfalls, the approach has numerous spots where you can pull off the road for a better view or to take a short hike, encapsulating many of the highlights seen elsewhere in this most scenic of areas. Domes of slickrock shimmer with icy snow during the winter and visitors can easily distinguish the frozen north side of cliffs from the dry southern exposures. Hoodoos along the way look like giant mud people. Look for Checkerboard Mesa on the south side of the road at the eastern boundary of the park along Hwy. 9.

Utah is know for its striking scenery, but Zion stands above the rest. With breathtaking waterfalls, towering cliffs, narrow canyons and numerous water features, it is hard to image a place more beautiful. Because Emerald Pools are so easy to get to, they are often overlooked as one of Zion’s best features. But, frankly, they are hard to beat. They get their name from the emerald green algae that colors the water. The three pools, Upper, Middle, and Lower begin with a 110-foot Emerald Pool waterfall filling the lowest pool. It only goes up from there.

Sometimes a little museum is more fun to visit than a large one. The Southwest is dotted with small museums set up by an individual or a small group who really wanted to tell people about something. These mini-gems of museums are worth the time and money. You may not learn a little about a lot, but you will probably come away with a deeper understanding of one particular thing. And that’s a heap of learning. Iron Mission State Park and Museum features clothing, weapons, hunting tools and food preparation tools from the natives within the region as well as a collection of horse-drawn vehicles from the time before the car. 585 North Main, (435) 586-9290.