Zion-Mt. Carmel Scenic Highway 9

Utah 9 connects I-15 with Springdale and the southern portion of Zion National Park.  The town of Springdale is very touristy.  On the east Utah 9 takes off from Highway 89 at Mount Carmel Junction.  The 1.1 mile Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel is located in Zion National Park on the Highway 89 side of the property.

Zion National Park Points of Interest

Riverside Walk - Zion National Park

The Zion National Park Nature Center was formerly Zion Inn. It was the office for rental cabins that were at the building site.  Today it has a taxidermy mountain lion on display.  It has various items for youngsters to enjoy.  It has a picnic area that has a rare feature in the park, shade.  The cottonwood trees provide a refreshing place for weary walkers.

The Zion National Park Visitors Center has the desk that issues back country permits and the bookstore.  The bookstore has later hours than the Visitors Center main area.  The bookstore has Zion National Park items and and a good selection of Southern Utah items.  The shuttle that goes through Zion Canyon begins at the Visitors Center.

The Zion National Park Human History Museum has the exhibits on the Zion National Park background.  In typical National Parks these exhibits would be in the Visitors Center. But Zion National Park is different. 

Sol Foods Supermarket

Sol Foods is in Springdale, Utah.  Springdale is the tourist town for Zion National Park.  The store offers made to order sandwiches.  There is also a large Subway restaurant close to the Zion National Park entrance.  Sol Foods has many colorful displays of non food items. 

Zion National Park

Deer gingerly feeding - Zion National Park

Zion National Park has the immense bluffs that one would want to see in Arizona or perhaps Utah.   Zion National Park is surprisingly green.  One will have little trouble finding bushes and trees and  wild animals such as the one shown in this photograph. 

The Utah Wilderness

Highlands Zion NP, Utah

The scenic experience of  the Virgin River and the surrounding peaks draws one to this place.   Zion National Park is a place of beauty.   It has rocks and cliffs to be appreciated.  A peak called "The Watchman" is consided a special sacred place.   To see Zion National is to take back something worth remembering.