Zion National Park lies in southwestern Utah. It has many colorful canyons, some of which are extremely narrow and have steep, plunging walls. Rock formations range in color from dark red and orange to light purple and pink. These colors change continuously as the light changes. Wild plants and such animals as mule deer and bats flourish there. Zion Canyon is the main feature of the park. It is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) long and from 1/2 mile (0.8 kilometer) to less than 50 feet (15 meters) wide. Its walls tower as high as 3,000 feet (910 meters), in some places almost straight up and down. The canyon contains many unusual rock formations.
The park was set aside in 1909 as Mukuntuweap National Monument. In 1918, the park was enlarged and in 1919 it became Zion National Park. Zion National Monument, a vast area of rugged land adjoining the park, was added in 1956. For the park’s area, see National Park System (table: National parks) .
