Category Archives: Zion National Park

MPNHA Photo Contest – $25 Prize

We know that you have some amazing photos, and now it’s time to share them! The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area is hosting a photo contest. It’s time to dust off the camera, phone, whichever you use to capture special moments and share some great pictures. You probably have some on your hard drive somewhere too!

To enter, users must upload their images to the MPNHA Facebook Page and submit a form (below) for each image that they enter into the contest.

Rules:

  • All photos must be be property of the entrant and an original work. If you are submitting for someone else, permission must be obtained before uploading the image.
  • All photos must be taken inside the boundaries of the MPNHA.
  • Photo enhancements are allowed.
  • The entry can be used on the MPNHA’s social media channels, website, etc. and will be credited to the entrant.
  • If people are included in the image, a release is required for entry.
  • All entrants must submit a short entry form in addition to uploading the image onto the MPNHA Facebook page.
  • The final date to enter is July 21, 2017 at midnight, mountain time.
  • The winner of the contest and $25 gift card to a retailer of their choice will be selected by the number of likes on their image. Ask your friends to vote for your image! In the event of a tie, the images with the same number of likes (loves, etc.) will be assigned a random number and then picked at random. The winner will be chosen and contacted on July 31, 2017.
  • There is no age limit to participants (under 13 years of age must have parental permission) or limit to the number of images that are allowed, as long as every image has been submitted into the form below.
  • Voting starts when you upload your image, so enter earlier for your best chance.
  • Those who work for the MPNHA are not eligible to enter/win.
  • Have fun.

Happy 100th Birthday National Park Service

National Park Service
National Park Service

On 25 August 2016 the National Park Service celebrates its 100th year serving the United States, her citizens, and the countless visitors to our great nation!

As a way to help citizens and visitors join in the celebration the National Parks will host free days for park goers.  The beginning of the second century stewardship, the National Park Service, will begin with engaging communities in recreation, teaching conservation, and educating others concerning historic preservation programs.

The National Park Service invites all to find your park to discover the programs in your very own back yard, or venture to the many National Parks outside your backyard.

The state of Utah has five National Parks, the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area boasts three of those National Parks:  Zion National ParkBryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park.

Check with the National Park of your choosing to find your park’s free admission day as part of the Centennial Celebration.

Find your park, explore the great outdoors, take park tours to learn all there is to know about these great American historic places!  Go to National Park Service, to plan your visit.

Make sure and check out the National Park Service website to make the most of the centennial celebration!  Find Your Park, find some fun, find quality time to spend with your family, neighbors, friends, and spare an adventure during the Centennial Celebration of the National Park Service as a way to connect with other.

ANNOUNCING EVERY KID IN A PARK

every kid in a park

The Federal Land Management agencies, National Parks, National Park Service, Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the White House have joined together in a partnership to initiate the EVERY KID IN A PARK incentive.  This program is designed to give every fourth grader and their families to visit all our country’s natural treasures.  The history of our great country can engage each student to enjoy the beauty, culture, and enjoy the federal lands and waters free of charge.

This initiative began 01 September 2015 and ends on August 31, 2016.  The free pass allows free access to the national forests, national parks, and national wildlife refuges, and so much more.

nps_arrowhead_300The National Park Foundation which is the nation’s official charity for the National Parks has been raising funds to work with connecting the fourth graders of our nation to have free access to all of  public land and waters in America.  A division of the Foundation’s Open Outdoors for Kids program, is designed to remove stumbling blocks for our fourth graders admission into the wonderlands of our natural parks and water ways.   The Every Kid in a Park initiative has been designed for students in under served and urban communities.  Due to the schools wide cutbacks in funding for grants for fields trips, the strategic funding will hopefully provide a learning experience for all fourth graders and their families.

Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park

The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area is the only Federally recognized Heritage Area with three National Parks.

These are: Bryce Canyon National Park: Boulder Loop District

Sunset from the Sunset Point area at Capitol Reef Ray Mathis/NPS
Sunset from the Sunset Point area at Capitol Reef
Ray Mathis/NPS

Capitol Reef National Park in the Boulder Loop District

double rainbow

Zion National Park: Under the Rim District.

Zion National Park
Zion National Park

Here’s The Ultimate Terrifying Southern Utah Road Trip And It’ll Haunt Your Dreams

Here’s The Ultimate Terrifying Southern Utah Road Trip

And It’ll Haunt Your Dreams

from www.onlyinyourstate.com by Katherine Rees on February 25, 2016.

Although not all of the locations listed are in the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area, many have connections with the heritage area.  Of the nine featured by Only In My State. Rees identified Salina, Sevier County, Marysvale, Piute County, Kanab, Kane County, and Grafton, Washington County in the Under The Rim Heritage Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area in Southern Utah that are reportedly haunted.  To check out the additional featured location visit www.onlyinyourstate.com.

Follow my road trip on Google Maps, and feel free to add a few extra spots, if you’d like.

The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area Makes KSL Great Outdoors List

The KSL Five Panoramas You’ll Only Find In Utah by KSL.com Contributor Mike Godfrey, was posted on Nov 25th, 2015 .  The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area Makes KSL Great Outdoors List with two of their heritage areas.  The Goblin Valley State Park and Zion National Park.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS — Utah is a land of diverse and breathtaking vistas filled with mind-boggling stone formations and capped with snow-covered peaks. Each day Utah’s varied landscapes put on a stunning display.

For the willing explorer and homebody alike, Utah has so much to offer. Here’s just a handful of interesting tidbits and panoramas highlighting some of Utah’s incredible outdoor treasures, beginning with a landscape that has helped make Utah an outdoor traveler’s paradise.

Sunset at Goblin Valley State Park in March. (Photo: Mike Godfrey, At Home in Wild Spaces)
Sunset at Goblin Valley State Park in March. (Photo: Mike Godfrey, At Home in Wild Spaces)

Goblin Valley is named for a unique collection of geological formations called hoodoos, which have been nicknamed “goblins.” Near the southern end of the San Raphael Swell, Goblin Valley’s delicate wonders have been featured in films, international news and countless family memories. It’s an otherworldly landscape as unique as any, and found only in Utah.

View of Zion Canyon from Scout's Look Out in Zion National Park. (Photo: Mike Godfrey, At Home in Wild Spaces )
View of Zion Canyon from Scout’s Look Out in Zion National Park. (Photo: Mike Godfrey, At Home in Wild Spaces )

Along with a human history of more than 12,000 years and a dramatic world-renowned landscape of mesmerizing verticality, Zion National Park can also claim the distinction of being Utah’s very first national park.

Named Zion (which means the City of God/sanctuary) by early European-American pioneers, this one-of-a-kind Utah landscape is home to some of the world’s tallest sandstone cliffs, which dwarf even the continent’s tallest man-made structures. This red rock wonderland located in southwestern Utah is also home to an incredible number of world-renowned hikes including the Zion Narrows, Angel’s Landing and the Subway.

For these and many more reasons, Zion National Park is nearly always listed as one of North America’s most visited national parks.

When visiting these beautiful, unique landscapes, remember to always tread lightly, leave no trace and have fun. A landscape as beautiful, rugged and diverse as Utah, merits equal-parts adventure, appreciation respect and preservation.

 

Mike Godfrey is a graduate of BYU, and along with his wife Michelle, the owner/manager of At Home in Wild Spaces: an outdoor recreation website, blog and community dedicated to sharing national parks, wilderness areas, hiking/biking trails, and more.

There’s Something Incredible About These 8 Rivers in the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area

For a desert state, Utah has a surprisingly large number of rivers! This is by no means a comprehensive list; I’ve tried to include a sampling of rivers from all parts of the state.

Did I miss your favorite Utah river?

“ONE OF THE NATURAL WONDERS OF THE WORLD” ZION NATIONAL PARK

Natural Wonders of the World: America’s top five National Parks

Zion National Park Photo Courtesy of the National Park Service
Zion National Park Photo Courtesy of the National Park Service

There is never a better time to begin your Zion National Park Adventure.  As one of the Natural Wonders of the World: America’s top five National Parks; it is on many lists of must see places, including National Geographic Top Ten National Park Landmarks.  There are numerous reasons to visit this world wonder and all of them will fascinate the imagination and leave you breathless at the magnificent views and experience in the park.

Zion National Park Visitors Center Photo Courtesy of National Park Service
Zion National Park Visitors Center Photo Courtesy of National Park Service

Zion Canyon Visitor Center:

Here you will get maps and permits you will need for your exploration of the canyon. Rangers are available to assist you and answer any questions  you may have. There are two  main campgrounds,  gift shops, restaurants, and other attractions.  Here you will find The Watchman trail head.  The towering Watchman, stands some 2500ft/1995m above the canyon floor to keep watch over and protect the canyon.

Zion Museum:

You will certainly want to visit the Zion Museum to learn the creation of Zion Canyon.  Millions of years of erosion left these magnificent Navajo sandstone towers and cliffs. Zion Canyon is but one of the steps in the Grand Staircase that begins at the Grand Canyon and ends at Bryce Canyon.

Court of the Patriarchs Zion National Park
Court of the Patriarchs Zion National Park

Court of the Patriarchs:

With just a short hike, you will come to the base of three sandstone monoliths.  These are named after the ancient old testament patriarchs: Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. From here you can access the Sand Bench Trail, which will take you along the Virgin River to the Zion Lodge.

Zion Lodge Photo Courtesy of the Zion Lodge
Zion Lodge Photo Courtesy of the Zion Lodge

Zion Lodge:

The Zion Lodge lies in the heart of Zion Canyon.  Here you will find gift shops and food service. 

Upper Emerald Pools NPhoto Courtesy of National Park Servide
Upper Emerald Pools Photo Courtesy of National Park Service

Emerald Pools Trailhead:

The trail head to the three Emerald Pools begins at the Zion Lodge.  You can see the reflection of the surrounding cliffs as you look across these crystal clear pools.

 

Angels Landing Photo Courtesy of National Park Servide
Angels Landing Photo Courtesy of National Park Service

The Grotto- Angels Landing & West Rim Trailhead:

One of the most spectacular hikes in Zion,  begins here.  This hike up to Angels Landing is an experience that stops those faint hearted and with a fear of heights.  The 2,000 foot shear cliffs that drop off from both sides of the narrow trail, require a good deal of steal in the bravery department, as you approach the top.  Although this is a psychological and physical test, the view of the canyon floor from the heights above  is certainly well worth the hike.

Weeping Rock Photo Courtesy of National Park Servide
Weeping Rock Photo Courtesy of National Park Service

Weeping Rock- Observation Point Trailhead:

An amazing sight is that of the porous Navajo sandstone monoliths.  Water pervades down through the sandstone and as it reaches impermeable layers that allow the water to flow horizontal until it seeps to the face of the cliffs.  Thus is the case of the Weeping Rock.

Big Bend Photo Courtesy of National Park Servide
Big Bend Photo Courtesy of National Park Service

Big Bend – The Organ:

Big Bend will  have you standing at the base of a 2,000ft/6,010m shear cliff on the north side of Angels Landing.   A 1,100ft Monolith “Organ” (resembling a pipe organ) stands here at the edge of the Virgin River.

Temple of Sinawava Photo Courtesy of National Park Servide
Temple of Sinawava Photo Courtesy of National Park Service

Temple of Sinawava- Riverside Walk-

Is the end of the canyon road, and the beginning of the Riverside trail.  It winds along the banks of the Virgin River which  ends at “The Narrows.”

The Narrows Photo Courtesy of the National Park Service
The Narrows Photo Courtesy of the National Park Service

The Narrows

Is a one way 16 mile hike through the narrow canyons of the Virgin River.  The towering steep cliffs over 1,000 feet high surround you.

The Great White Throne Photo Courtesy of National Park Servide
The Great White Throne Photo Courtesy of National Park Service

The Riverside Trail

will allow you to go as far as you wish.  The many famous Zion Park photographs are taken in Zion Canyon.  These include the Patriarchs, the Great White Throne, and scenes along the Virgin River.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Activities include:

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Canyoneer
  • Climbing
  • Golf
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Off Road / ATV
  • Ski
  • Snowboarding

Share your favorite story and photos, upload your photos on your social media #findyourpark #findyourstory.

National Park Week

Bryce Canyon in the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage AreaApril 18, 2015 is the kick off of National Park Week.  The National Park Service announces that it has again partnered with the National Park Foundation for National Park Week.  This Presidentally acclaimed celebration of the United States’ national heritage offers free admission to all National Parks on opening weekend, the 18th and 19th of April, 2015.

In the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area there are three National Parks; Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Zion’s National Park.  The National Park Service in conjunction with the state of Utah, and the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area invite you to visit one of these spectacular sites.

Kreig Rasmussen Photography http://www.kreigrasmussenphoto.com/bryce-canyon-2/
Kreig Rasmussen Photography http://www.kreigrasmussenphoto.com/bryce-canyon-2/

Your amazing first view of Bryce Canyon National Park offers the wonder of the numerous rows of the majestic pine trees that will obscure the vibrant colors and the splendor of  the canyon.  Once visitors reach the rim, a magnificent array of colors spring forth, giving a spectacular view particularly during daybreak and sunset.  Take a 37 mile round trip to the top 15 most visited viewpoints of Bryce Canyon.

Photo Courtesy of National Park Service
Photo Courtesy of National Park Service

Capitol Reef National Park, in the Boulder Loop District of the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area is all that one would expect from a National Park.  The magnificent scenery of the sandstone spires and monoliths, the twisting, winding canyons, and the enormous domes have been fascinating visitors since its designation as a national park in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Photo Courtesy of National Park Service
Photo Courtesy of National Park Service

Utah’s first designated National Park  was Zion National Park.  Here you will discover incredible views, renowned hiking trails such as Angels Landing, The Narrows, and Subway, will give countless experiences.  The park itself has a sense of reverence which many visitors recognize much like the Native Americans who regarded Zion as sacred.

Visit one of the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area Parks and remember to share your experience, favorite story and photos on your social media with #findyourpark #findyourstory.

 

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