Utah’s Zion National Park is rich in history, a land once dominated by dinosaurs and inhabited by ancient natives and pioneers. The peaks and valleys themselves were carved by glaciers, leaving behind fascinating arches and rock formations, which means Zion National Park can offer hikers and mountain bikers adventures that are every bit as challenging as the are scenic. The 2014 Pure Adventures tours in Utah tackle some of the best trails in the park, covering more than 20 miles throughout Zion’s breathtaking canyons. But Zion is famous for more than just their trails – here’s 6 amazing things about Pure Adventures’ newest destination.
1. Nearly 1,000 plant species
There are more than 900 species of plants in Zion National Park. Changing elevations, temperature ranges, and varying amounts of sun and water create diverse habitats within the park.
2. Super-adaptive mammals
There are 68 different species of mammals in Zion National Park, ranging from tiny nocturnal rodents to the massive bighorn sheep. The diversity in wildlife is all due to the wide range in habitats, with the elevation and micro-climates impacting how each animal has adapted to the environment.
3. Kolab is cool
At nearly 288 feet long, the Kolob Arch located within in Zion National Park’s back-country is one of the world’s longest.
4. Observation Point
It’s a difficult 8 mile hike to Observation Point, the highest elevation in Zion National Park. At 6,521 feet, Observation Point offers stunning views of the canyon below. It’s a must-see for fit hikers visiting Utah.
5. Dinosaur delights
Zion’s fascinating history began millions of years ago, as evident in the fossils and dinosaur bones found throughout the park. Zion National Park’s museum collection boast Grallator tracks, bones, teeth, petrified wood and fossils. The most fascinating exhibit is called the Mystery Tooth, which paleontologists recently discovered belonged to a human – until that point they thought belonged to a plant-eating dinosaur.
6. Picture Perfect Scenery
Zion National Park has served as a backdrop for dozens of films and TV shows, most notably Romancing the Stone starring Michael Douglas, The Eiger Sanction starring Clint Eastwood and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford.
Have you hiked Zion National Park? What would you add to our list?