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Explore Canyonlands National Park.  Examine the ruins of ancient structures at Hovenweep National Monument.  Hike to three of the world’s largest natural stone bridges at Natural Bridges National Monument.  Wonder at the size of the world’s largest natural stone bridge at Rainbow Bridge National Monument.  Play in the sparkling blue water of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.  Learn of the Navajo culture at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.  Examine ancient culture at Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum.

San Juan County is virtually an outdoor museum of ancient ruins and rock art as well as one of the last surviving locales where cowboys and girls work cattle from horseback.  Our outdoor museum is a place to discover, to excite, to enjoy, to imagine; a place to explore, stimulate, and inspire!

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Moab, the gateway Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, will surround you with the warmth and hospitality of a small resort town at the center of some of the most stunning red rock landscapes on Earth.  The town’s unique combination of beautiful red rock scenery, two national parks, and the cool waters of the Colorado River has made it one of the most sought after destinations in the American Southwest. Let Moab be your base camp for world famous mountain biking, hiking, canyoneering, four wheel driving, or river trips of any length and experience level.  For a more relaxing visit grab your camera and enjoy the scenery along Moab’s three Scenic Byways and in the nearby national and state parks.

Yes. The US Congress has designated Zion National Park as a US Fee Area. During the months of April through October travel through Zion can take up to 1-2 hours, so driving around Zion can often be quicker. Fee Exemptions are made for locals in surrounding communities who must meet certain criteria.

Why do I have to pay a tunnel escort fee?
Zion National Park charges $15 for oversized vehicles to be escorted through the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway Tunnel on Highway-9. The purpose of the fee is to offset the cost of ensuring safe passage for oversized vehicles. The Zion Tunnel has been the site of several minor and some serious and fatal vehicle accidents through the years. With the tunnel escort system in place, safety for all vehicles has improved greatly.

How many times can I go through the tunnel in my oversized vehicle for the $15 fee?
The fee is good for two trips through the tunnel with the same vehicle in a seven day period.
Do I get a discount on the tunnel fee if I have a Golden-Age/Access Passport?
No. There is no discount for Golden Age or Golden Eagle Passport holders.

What are the size limits for an oversized vehicle?
Any vehicle that is 11 feet 4 inches high or higher and 7 feet 10 inches wide or wider needs an escort. Any vehicle 13 feet high or higher cannot pass through the tunnel.
Length restrictions are 40 feet for a single vehicle and 50 feet for any vehicle combination.
This information is also listed on the back page of the 2009 Zion Summer Map and Guide. Visitors must pay for the escort at the entrance stations – not at the tunnel.

Will I be following an “escort vehicle” through the tunnel
No. Park rangers are stationed at both ends of the tunnel and will convert traffic flow to a one way direction. When it is safe for you to drive your oversize vehicles down the middle of the tunnel, rangers will allow you to proceed.
How long is the tunnel?
1.1-miles. It was completed in 1930 by the Nevada Construction Co. The project took 3-years to complete and cost $1,896,000.

What is the elevation gain up to the tunnel and how far is it from the visitor center?
The elevation gain is 800 ft. and approximately 6-miles from the visitor center.

Why are the trails paved?
To prevent erosion.

Who built the trails in the park? Was it the CCC?
The Watchman Trail and Canyon Overlook Trail were the only trails constructed by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). The Watchman was completed in 1934, and Canyon Overlook in the early 1930s. Most other trails in the park were started by early settlers of the area and improved by the NPS or were built by the NPS in the 1920s.

How did they get the concrete on the trails?
The East and West Rim Trails were constructed by the NPS in the early 1920s. The trails were paved with gallons of oil (East Rim = 760 gal., West Rim = 1240 gal.) mixed with natural sand and rock chips available along the trail. The oil, tools, other materials and equipment were hauled onto the various sites by packhorse.

In 1985 extensive repair was done on the West Rim Trail from 4900 ft. through Refrigerator Canyon to the top of Angel’s Landing. The concrete for this job was hauled in by maintenance and mules from the Grotto. Walters Wiggles was resurfaced with 88 cubic yards of concrete, and the concrete for this job was hauled onto the site by helicopter. This took 258 flights. WHEW!

-7,000 years ago, referred to as the Sentinal Slide, a slide occurred forming a lake at least 350 feet deep and perhaps three miles in length.

-A rock fall occurred at Red Arch Mountain (above the present-day Grotto Picnic Area) around 1880, causing the enlargement of the arch and covering a spring.

-60,000 tons of rock that fell in 1958 over one of the windows of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.

-5,000 tons of rock at the end of the Narrows Trail on August 1, 1968.

-A large slide from Bridge Mountain occurred in December 1990, across from the Human History Museum.

-The 1995 landslide: At approximately 2:00 am, April 12, 1995, a naturally occurring landslide blocked the Virgin River in Zion Canyon about 1/2 mile north of the main park road. The slide, over 500 ft long, consisted of over 100,000 cubic yards of rock and soil that slid down the steep, west embankment of the Virgin River, completely damming it. As a result, a lake began forming behind the slide. Following the path of least resistance, the river carved a new course through the roadbed, washing away 200 yards of the upper canyon road. About 430 people were trapped at Zion Lodge, upstream from the landslide, until an emergency detour road was carved from the east wall of the canyon adjacent to the new course of the river. This took 22-hours to complete.

No visitor has ever been killed by a rock fall in the history of Zion National Park.

Altitude
Zion National Park is situated in a high altitude desert. Its elevations range from approximately 3,700 feet to 8,700 feet. Zion’s higher elevations mean the air is dry and thinner. (There is less oxygen in the air.) Visitors who are coming from lower elevations will notice this, particularly when exerting themselves on a hike or other outdoor activity. Some may experience discomfort from altitude-related ailments. Symptoms include headache, nausea, insomnia, irritability, shortness of breath and/or general fatigue. The best way to prevent these unwelcome symptoms is to gradually acclimatize yourself to the area’s higher elevations during your first one or two days in the area.

Heat
Despite its tall mountains and meadows, Zion National Park can be a hot place in the summer. And, the heat can ruin your Zion vacation experience if you don’t take precautions. If you have asthma, diabetes, a heart condition, knee or back problems, or any other health or medical issue, limit both your exertion and your exposure to the heat. The altitude, strenuous climbing, dehydration, and intense inner canyon heat will combine to make any medical problem worse. Stay within your physical limitations, and abilities. Read more on Preventing Heat Illnesses and Tips for staying cool on boiler days.

Food & Water
The heaviest items in your pack should be food and water. The heat, as well as the steep trails this area offers, will sap your energy, and you need to stay well hydrated and well fed. Salty snacks and water or sports drinks should be consumed on any hike lasting longer than 30 minutes. (Remember this mantra: No food = No fuel = No fun.)

Exposed, rugged, dangerous trails
Wear good footwear. Many of the trails in the Rocky Mountain region are steep, loose and exposed. There is little, or no, margin for error on many of the available hiking trails. As a result, wear sturdy footwear that has good support and provides exceptional traction.

Lightning
If you’re exploring when you see lightning, go to low-lying areas away from cliff edges, lone trees, poles, or metal objects. Make sure the area is not subject to flash floods. Do not seek shelter in caves or alcoves.Become a smaller target by squatting low on the ground. Place hands on knees or back of neck with head between knees. Do not lie down or touch the ground with your hands. Minimize contact with the ground and nearby rocks to minimize ground current effects caused by a nearby strike.

Wildlife
Wild animals are just that – wild. Although some wild animals appear to be docile and tame, they are wild and unpredictable.

Keep your distance from animals, even if they approach you. One way to help prevent/avoid a surprise encounter with wild animals is to dispose of trash in animal-proof trash cans or dumpsters. This is especially important in bear country.

Black bears inhabit the Rocky Mountain region and human food scents, poor storage, etc., can serve as an attractant. Encounters serve to threaten your safety, and also does harm to the bear. If a bear, or other wild animal becomes attracted to a non-natural food source, it will become habituated and frequent areas popular with people.

Please see this page for more information and links about proper food storage during your trip to Rocky Mountain.

In Rocky Mountain National Park, failure to obey regulations may result in a fine and/or impoundment of your property.

Wear broken-in and sturdy shoes that have good traction.
(A note of caution: Because many of the Rocky Mountain’s hikes have steep ascents and descents, often your heels and toes will get particularly pressed. Make sure your shoes fit properly and that you bring along some blister care and other first aid while hiking.)

Pay attention to your breathing when hiking in Zion National Park.
When you huff and puff your body is not getting enough oxygen. Walking at a pace that allows you to be able to walk and talk means that your legs and your body are getting the oxygen needed to function efficiently. (IF YOU CAN TALK WHILE YOU ARE WALKING, YOU ARE WALKING THE PERFECT SPEED.) When your body generates fewer metabolic waste products, you enjoy your hike more and you feel better at the end. At times it may seem like you are walking too slow, but at an aerobic pace (sometimes even baby-sized steps when the trail is steep) your energy reserves will last longer. You will also feel much better that night and the next day.

Take a break at least every hour.
A break of ten minutes helps remove the metabolic waste products that build up in your legs while hiking. Take a break at least every hour. Sit down and prop your legs up. Eat some food, drink some fluids, and take this time to enjoy and appreciate the view. These efficient breaks can recharge your batteries. In the long run, breaks will not slow you down.

What goes up must come down.
Many visitors and outdoors enthusiasts can’t wait to explore Rocky Mountain’s high country, including Half Dome and other tall rock walls and mountains. Just remember the summit, or the turnaround point, is only the halfway mark. You still need to get yourself down, and back to the trailhead safely. Only embark on hikes that are commensurate with your physical condition and fitness level.

If You Get Lost — Navigate Off-Trail
Step 1: Adjust for declination
Declination is simply the difference between magnetic north (where the compass needle points) and true north (the North Pole, and the direction maps are oriented). To navigate accurately, just check the margin of your map for the declination (12 degrees east, for instance) and adjust your compass accordingly (most have a simple dial). No dial? No problem. If the declination is east, subtract the degrees from the magnetic north bearing to get the true bearing; if it’s west, add the degrees (easy mnemonic device: East is least, west is best).

Orient your map
Lay the straight edge of your compass on the map so that its true north bearing is parallel to the map’s true north grid lines. Rotate the map and compass together until the compass points due north. Video: How to Align Your Compass with Your Map

Step 3: Take a bearing
Let’s say your destination is a spectacular lakeside campsite two miles off the beaten path. You can see it on your map–but not from the trail. To get there, lay the straight edge of your compass base plate on the map so it connects your present location with the lake. Turn the compass housing until its meridian lines match the north-south lines on the map (make sure the arrow is pointing to the top of the map, or you’ll be 180 degrees off). The direction indicated at the compass’s direction of travel arrow is the route you need to take to reach the lake.

Step 4: Navigate around obstacles
In the real world, obstacles like canyons and cliffs can get in the way of your straight line bearing. Here’s how to go around without getting off track: With your compass in hand, sight an object–like a tree or boulder–that is beyond the obstacle and lies on the straight line to your destination. Hike to that object by the easiest route, then resume traveling along your original bearing.