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DIRECTIONS: From the 15 Freeway at St.George, UT, exit Utah 9 and continue east for approximately 46 miles to the south entrance at Springdale, UT. The Kolobs Canyon area is north of St. George on the 15 Freeway. Exit off the 15 at Kolob's Canyon Rd. (Exit 40). Driving from the east (from say, Lake Powell or Bryce Canyon), at Utah 89 you would take the scenic Zion-Mt.Carmel Highway (Utah 9) for approximately 24 miles. This section drops about 2,500 ft., through the mile-long Zion-Mt.Carmel Tunnel. Try not to get too distracted at the view of the canyon below as you wind down the six steep switchbacks. At the bottom of the canyon, Utah 9 intersects with the only road traveling farther into Zion Canyon. Depending on the season, you may have to turn left to the visitor center and hop on the mandatory shuttle. Don't be put off by this though, as the average wait for a shuttles will be about seven minutes (just enough time to get off and snap some photos at points like Court of The Patriarchs).

DESCRIPTION: Zion National Park is part of the Grand Staircase of the Colorado Plateau in the American southwest. Encompassing an area of 150,000 square miles, the Colorado Plateau is roughly centered at the Four Corners region of Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. Unlike other desert locations, such as the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park, visitors to Zion will be at the bottom looking up at the multicolored walls of sandstone and be within throwing distance of it's creator; the Virgin River. First time visitors may have a hard time deciding what facet of Zion to experience. If a quick, but steep, route to the top is what you are after, try Angel's Landing or the longer; but even more dramatic, Observation Point hiking trails. If immersing yourself into the heart of the canyon is what you crave, then the answer is obvious... starting at the shuttle drop off point of Temple of Sinawava, hike one trail mile (paved) to the end where the Virgin River becomes the trail. You are now in The Narrows, part of a sixteen mile slot canyon trail beginning on the private property of Chamberlain's Ranch. The Zion Lodge offers the only accomodations inside of the park, but Springdale, UT offers everything from no frills at the El Rio Lodge to luxurious at the Majestic View Lodge. With many attractions such as The Great White Thrown, Angel's Landing, Court of the Patriarchs, Temple of Sinawava and the Zion Narrows, the dramatic scenery of Zion National Park is a destination in and of itself.