History of Zion National Park in Timeline

Zion National Park, situated in southwestern Utah near Springdale, lies at the convergence of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert, resulting in diverse ecosystems. This unique geography supports a wide array of flora and fauna, including 289 bird species, 75 mammals, and 32 reptiles, distributed across four life zones. The park encompasses a varied landscape of mountains, canyons, mesas, rivers, and natural arches. Zion Canyon, a major feature, stretches 15 miles long and reaches depths of up to 2,640 feet, carved by the Virgin River into reddish Navajo Sandstone. In 2023, the park attracted 5 million visitors.

1900: Cableworks Built on East Rim Trail

In 1900, David Flanigan built cableworks on the improved Native American footpath up Echo Canyon (later the East Rim Trail) to lower lumber into Zion Canyon.

1904: Paintings Exhibited at Saint Louis World's Fair

In 1904, Frederick S. Dellenbaugh's paintings of the canyon were exhibited at the Saint Louis World's Fair.

1906: Lumber Lowered by Cableworks

By 1906, more than 200,000 board feet of lumber had been lowered by the cableworks into Zion Canyon.

July 31, 1909: Mukuntuweap National Monument Created

On July 31, 1909, President William Howard Taft created Mukuntuweap National Monument.

1909: Mukuntuweap National Monument Established

In 1909, President William Howard Taft named the area Mukuntuweap National Monument to protect the canyon.

1909: Farming Ends as Zion Becomes a Monument

In 1909, the canyon floor was farmed until Zion became a Monument.

1910: Road Upgrades Begin

Around 1910, old wagon roads began to be upgraded to the first automobile roads in southern Utah.

1917: Touring Cars Reach Zion Canyon

By the summer of 1917, touring cars could reach Zion Canyon, and the first visitor lodging, Wylie Camp, was established as a tent camp.

1917: Name Change Proposed

In 1917, the acting director of the National Park Service proposed changing the name from Mukuntuweap to Zion.

1917: Road to Zion Canyon Built

In 1917, the road into Zion Canyon was built leading to the Grotto.

1918: Proposal to Change Name to Zion National Monument

In 1918, Horace Albright, acting director of the National Park Service, proposed enlarging the monument and changing its name to Zion National Monument.

November 19, 1919: Zion National Park Established

On November 19, 1919, Congress redesignated the monument as Zion National Park, and President Woodrow Wilson signed the act.

1923: Utah Parks Company Acquires Wylie Camp

In 1923, the Utah Parks Company, a subsidiary of the Union Pacific Railroad, acquired Wylie Camp and offered tours to Zion, Bryce Canyon, the Kaibab Plateau, and the Grand Canyon.

1924: The Deadwood Coach Film

In 1924, Zion National Park was featured in the film The Deadwood Coach.

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1925: Zion Lodge Built

In 1925, the Zion Lodge complex was built at the site of the Wylie tent camp, designed by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood and funded by the Utah Parks Company.

1926: Angel's Landing Trail Constructed

In 1926, Angel's Landing Trail was constructed, and two suspension bridges were built over the Virgin River.

1927: Arizona Bound and Nevada Films

In 1927, Zion National Park was featured in the films Arizona Bound and Nevada.

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1927: Zion - Mount Carmel Highway Construction Starts

In 1927, work started on the Zion – Mount Carmel Highway to improve access between Springdale and the east side of the park.

1930: Zion - Mount Carmel Highway Opens

In 1930, the Zion – Mount Carmel Highway opened, increasing park visits and travel in the area.

January 22, 1937: Kolob Canyons Proclaimed Zion National Monument

On January 22, 1937, the Kolob Canyons area was proclaimed as a separate Zion National Monument.

1937: Kolob Section Proclaimed a Separate Zion National Monument

In 1937, the Kolob section was proclaimed a separate Zion National Monument.

1947: Ramrod Film

In 1947, Zion National Park was featured in the film Ramrod.

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July 11, 1956: Kolob Canyons Incorporated into Zion National Park

On July 11, 1956, the Kolob Canyons area was incorporated into Zion National Park.

1956: Kolob Section Incorporated into Zion National Park

In 1956, the Kolob section was incorporated into Zion National Park.

1969: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Film

In 1969, Zion National Park was featured in the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

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1973: Desert Bighorn Sheep Reintroduced

In 1973, desert bighorn sheep were reintroduced in Zion National Park.

April 12, 1995: Landslide Blocks Virgin River

On April 12, 1995, heavy rains triggered a landslide that blocked the Virgin River in Zion Canyon, trapping guests and employees at the Zion Lodge.

May 25, 1995: Temporary Road Constructed

On May 25, 1995, a more stable temporary road was completed to allow summer visitors to access Zion Canyon after the landslide.

1996: Permanent Road Replaces Temporary Road

In 1996, the temporary road was replaced with a permanent road in Zion Canyon.

2000: Public Transportation System Instituted

In the year 2000, a public transportation system using propane-powered shuttle buses was instituted in Zion Canyon due to traffic congestion.

2007: Start of Recorded Death Toll

Since 2007, there have been 60 recorded deaths in Zion National Park, mainly due to falls, heat-related illnesses, and flash floods.

March 2009: Omnibus Public Land Management Act Signed

In March 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, designating approximately 85% of Zion National Park as the Zion Wilderness.