Zion National Park » Zion National Park attracted 2.7 million visitors in 2008, making it one of Utah's most popular tourist destinations.

The park is celebrating its centennial this year, marking that milestone with special events and interpretive activities.

"This year we will be providing an interpretive program that focuses a little more on the park's history," said Ron Terry, Zion's chief of interpretation. "We will be having special programs dealing with the past 100 years of the park's existence. I would like for people who visit the park this year to leave with the concept that setting aside this area as a national park was the right thing to do and that the canyon and surrounding area have qualities that are worthy of being preserved for future generations."

A trip to Zion can be enjoyed in a few hours, a few days or over a lifetime. Here is everything you need to know to plan a centennial visit.

Getting there » There are three park entrances. The Kolob Canyons can be reached by driving south from Cedar City and taking exit 40 off Interstate 15. To reach the South Entrance when driving south from Salt Lake City, take Exit 27 and drive Utah Highway 17 to Utah Highway 9. When driving north from St. George or Las Vegas, take Exit 16 and stay on Utah Highway 9. For the East Entrance, take Utah Highway 9 off U.S./ 89, 17 miles north of Kanab.

Where to stay » There is lodging inside the park in the Zion Lodge as well as two park service campgrounds. The town of Springdale features private campgrounds and numerous motels, lodges and bed and breakfasts. There are also motels at Mt. Carmel Junction near the east entrance to the park. The biggest nearby cities are St. George, Cedar City, Hurricane and Kanab, all of which offer multiple lodging choices.

Visitor centers » Zion National Park has two visitor centers and a human history museum.

The main Zion Canyon Visitor Center at the south entrance is open during the summer from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The backcountry desk there is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. This visitor center features exhibits and a three-dimensional model of Zion Canyon. An animated computer simulation demonstrates the geologic processes that created Zion. A store offers gifts, books and maps, and restrooms.

The Kolob Canyon Visitor Center located off I-15 17 miles south of Cedar City is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during summer months. Exhibits explain geology, plants and animals. There is a small book, gift and map store.

The Zion Human History Museum, one-half mile north of the south entrance, features exhibits about how humans influenced or have been influenced by Zion. A 22-minute orientation film highlights features of the park. There is an information desk and small book store. It is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer.

Weather » Temperatures vary with elevation and day and night temperatures can differ by as much as 30 degrees. Spring tends to be stormy and wet mixed with warm, sunny weather. Summer days are hot, usually in the 95 to 110 degree range during the day, but pleasant (65 to 70 degrees) at night. Afternoon thunderstorms are common from mid-July through mid-September, often producing flash floods and waterfalls. In the fall, days are usually clear and mild and nights can be cool. Autumn leaf colors peak in late October. Winters tend to be mild, with light snow possible and heavier snow in upper elevations. Clear days can reach highs of 60 degrees while nights often drop to 30.

Park drives » Zion Canyon is closed to automobile traffic from April through November unless you are staying at the Zion Lodge. But three drives in the park remain open during the summer. The most popular runs 10 miles on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway between the south and east entrances and includes a steep drive up switchbacks and through the historic tunnels to Checkerboard Mesa. Another road runs 14 miles from Virgin to Lava Point, ending at Kolob Reservoir and leading to some popular backcountry trailheads. Last is the five-mile Kolob Canyons road accessed off exit 40 south of Cedar City on Interstate 15. It leads to the Kolob Canyons Viewpoint.

Shuttle system » From April through November, the only way to access Zion Canyon and its trails is to use the shuttle system unless you are staying at Zion Lodge. There are two shuttle loops. One stops at six locations in Springdale and drops visitors at the Zion Visitor Center. The other shuttle loop starts at the Zion Visitor Center and makes eight stops in the canyon. Shuttles run often and are free.

Information resources

Web site » www.nps.gov/zion

E-mail » ZION_park_information@nps.gov

Park headquarters » 435-772-3256

Camping reservations » 877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov

Zion Lodge » 888-297-2757, 435-772-7700 or www.Xantera.com

Zion Lodge dining room » 435-772-7760

Horseback riding information/reservations » 435-679-8665

Emergencies » 911 or 435-772-3322

Zion Canyon Medical Clinic » 435-772-3226

Major trails

Trail Name Round Trip Length Elevation Gain Rating

Pa'Rus 3.5 miles, 11/2 hours 50 feet Easy, wheelchair accessible

Weeping Rock .5 miles, 30 minutes 98 feet Short but steep

Archeology Trail .4 miles, 30 minutes 80 feet Short but steep

Riverside Walk 2 miles, 11/2 hours 57 feet Easy, wheelchair accessible

Lower Emerald Pool 1.2 miles, 1 hour 69 feet Easy

Middle Emerald Pool 3.4 miles 150 feet Moderate

Upper Emerald Pool 4.4 miles 200 feet Moderate

Kayenta Trail 2 miles 150 feet Moderate

Grotto Trail 1 mile level Easy

Watchman 2.7 miles, 2 hours 368 feet Moderate

Canyon Overlook 1 mile, 1 hour 163 feet Moderate

Hidden Canyon 2 miles, 3 hours 850 feet Strenuous

Angels Landing 5 miles, 4 hours 1,488 feet Strenuous

Observation Point 8 miles, 5 hours 2,148 feet Strenuous

Sand Bench 3.6 miles, 3 hours 500 feet Moderate

Timber Creek Overlook 1 mile, ½ hour 100 feet Moderate

Taylor Creek 5 miles, 4 hours 450 feet Moderate

Kolob Arch 14 miles, 8 hours 699 feet Strenuous

Safety tips

» Plan your trip. Choose trails that are within your ability

» Falls cause most injuries and deaths at Zion. Be careful and watch your children when hiking near ledges.

» Carry and drink one gallon of water per person per day.

» Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

» Avoid or get off high places when lightning threatens.

» Know the weather before you go. Distant storms can cause flash floods. When in doubt, stay out.

» Cell phones don't work in most areas and don't make you invincible.

Fees

Entrance fees » Private vehicle or recreation vehicle, $25 for seven days; bicyclist or motorcyclist, $12 for seven days (not to exceed $25 for a family). Commercial fees: $35 for one to six passenger vehicle plus $12 per person; $70 for 16 to 25 passenger vehicle; $190 for 26-plus passenger vehicle. Non-commercial organized groups: $25 per vehicle (14 capacity or less) or $12 per person for vehicles with a capacity of 15 or greater, not to exceed commercial fee.

Large RV tunnel escort fee » $15 in addition to entrance fee.

Campground fees » South Campground, $16 per night; Watchman Campground, $16 for tent sites, $18 and $20 for sites with electric hookups; Lava Point, free.

Campground reservation fee » $10 by phone, $9 online.

Backcountry overnight permits » 1-2 people, $10; 3-7 people, $15; 8-12 people, $20. The lottery fee for Subway and Mystery Canyon permits is $5.

Source » Zion National Park