History of Zion National Park in Timeline

Zion National Park, situated in southwestern Utah, showcases a remarkable convergence of diverse ecosystems, including the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert. Spanning 229 square miles, the park's elevation ranges from 3,666 feet to 8,726 feet, encompassing a variety of geological formations such as canyons, mesas, and monoliths. The park's notable Zion Canyon, carved by the North Fork of the Virgin River, is a testament to the power of erosion on the Navajo Sandstone. Zion National Park supports a rich biodiversity, harboring numerous plant species, 289 bird species, 75 mammal species, and 32 reptile species across its four distinct life zones. In 2023, the park welcomed 5 million visitors drawn to its natural splendor.

1900: Improvement of Echo Canyon Trail

John Winder, a local rancher, took the initiative to improve the Native American footpath up Echo Canyon in 1896, a trail that would later become the East Rim Trail.

1904: Paintings Exhibited at Saint Louis World's Fair

Frederick S. Dellenbaugh's paintings of the canyon were showcased at the Saint Louis World's Fair in 1904, captivating audiences and generating interest in the area's beauty.

1906: Lumber Transportation via Cableworks

By 1906, over 200,000 board feet of lumber had been transported into Zion Canyon from Cable Mountain, facilitated by the cableworks system established by David Flanigan in 1900.

July 31, 1909: Mukuntuweap National Monument Established

President William Howard Taft, influenced by the captivating landscape depicted through various artistic mediums, officially declared the area as Mukuntuweap National Monument on July 31, 1909.

1909: Mukuntuweap National Monument Established

In 1909, President William Howard Taft declared the area as Mukuntuweap National Monument, taking the first step towards its protection.

1909: End of Farming in Zion Canyon

With the establishment of the Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909, farming in Zion Canyon came to an end, marking a shift towards preservation and conservation.

1910: Upgrading Wagon Roads for Automobiles

Recognizing the growing popularity of automobiles, the park began upgrading old wagon roads into suitable automobile roads around 1910, improving accessibility for visitors.

1917: Wylie Camp Established

Catering to the influx of visitors, Wylie Camp, the first visitor lodging in Zion Canyon, was established in 1917, offering a basic but welcome accommodation option in the form of a tent camp.

1917: Road Construction into Zion Canyon

In 1917, a significant step towards improving accessibility was taken with the construction of a road into Zion Canyon, reaching the Grotto and paving the way for future extensions.

1917: Proposal to Rename Mukuntuweap to Zion

In 1917, seeking a more appealing name for the park, a proposal was put forth to change the name from Mukuntuweap to Zion, aligning it with the term used by the local Mormon community.

1918: Proposal to Change Park Name

Horace Albright, acting director of the newly established National Park Service, proposed changing the park's name to Zion National Monument, favoring a term used by the local Mormon community.

November 19, 1919: Establishment of Zion National Park

On November 19, 1919, Congress officially designated the area as Zion National Park, a move signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson. This followed a period of being known as Mukuntuweap National Monument, a name considered less appealing to visitors.

1923: Utah Parks Company Acquires Wylie Camp

In 1923, Wylie Camp came under the ownership of the Utah Parks Company, a subsidiary of the Union Pacific Railroad, signaling a move towards more organized tourism in the area.

1924: The Deadwood Coach Filmed in Zion

The scenic beauty of Zion National Park served as a backdrop for the film "The Deadwood Coach" in 1924, marking one of its early appearances in cinema.

1925: Zion Lodge Construction

The Zion Lodge complex, a landmark structure in the park, was built in 1925 at the former site of Wylie Camp, providing visitors with a more comfortable and permanent lodging option.

1926: Angel's Landing Trail Construction and Bridge Building

The construction of Angel's Landing Trail in 1926, along with the addition of two suspension bridges spanning the Virgin River, greatly expanded hiking opportunities and access to breathtaking views.

1927: Zion Mount Carmel Highway Construction Begins

To create a more reliable route between Springdale and the east side of the park, construction began on the Zion Mount Carmel Highway in 1927.

1927: Zion Featured in "Arizona Bound" and "Nevada"

Zion's captivating landscape continued to attract filmmakers in 1927, with the park being featured in two films released that year: "Arizona Bound" and "Nevada."

1930: Zion Mount Carmel Highway Opens

The opening of the Zion Mount Carmel Highway in 1930 significantly enhanced connectivity within the park and led to a surge in both visitation and travel throughout the region.

January 22, 1937: Kolob Canyons Designated as National Monument

The striking landscape of the Kolob Canyons gained recognition as a separate entity within the park system with its designation as the Kolob Canyons National Monument on January 22, 1937.

1937: Kolob Section Designated as National Monument

The Kolob section, known for its distinct features, was declared a separate Zion National Monument in 1937.

1947: Ramrod Filmed in Zion

In 1947, Zion National Park was chosen as a filming location for the Western film "Ramrod," further cementing its status as a captivating setting for cinematic productions.

July 11, 1956: Integration of Kolob Canyons into Zion National Park

On July 11, 1956, the Kolob Canyons National Monument was incorporated into Zion National Park, unifying these remarkable natural areas under a single protected status.

1956: Incorporation of Kolob Monument

In 1956, the Kolob National Monument was integrated into Zion National Park, expanding its boundaries and encompassing the unique landscapes of the Kolob Canyons.

1969: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Filmed in Zion

The iconic Western film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," released in 1969, featured scenes shot in Zion National Park, showcasing its dramatic landscapes to a wider audience.

1973: Desert Bighorn Sheep Reintroduction

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

April 12, 1995: Landslide Blocks Virgin River

On April 12, 1995, heavy rainfall caused a landslide that blocked the Virgin River, leading to a challenging situation where 450 people were trapped at the Zion Lodge after the river eroded part of the only exit road.

May 25, 1995: Temporary Road to Access Canyon Completed

After the landslide, a more stable temporary road was completed on May 25, 1995, allowing summer visitors to access the canyon while a permanent solution was being developed.

1996: Permanent Road Replaces Temporary Road

In the first half of 1996, a permanent road was constructed, replacing the temporary road that had been in use following the 1995 landslide and ensuring long-term access for visitors.

2000: Implementation of Shuttle Bus System

In response to growing concerns about traffic congestion within the park, a propane-powered shuttle bus system was implemented in 2000, aiming to reduce congestion and protect the natural environment.

March 2009: Zion Wilderness Designated

President Barack Obama signed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 into law in March of that year, which formally designated 124,406 acres of Zion National Park as the Zion Wilderness, providing additional protections for this vast area.

2009: Designation of Wilderness Area

Recognizing its pristine condition, Congress designated a significant portion of Zion National Park, approximately 85%, as a wilderness area in 2009, ensuring its protection for future generations.

2011: Zion National Park Featured in Fallout: New Vegas

Zion National Park's distinctive landscapes were featured in the "Honest Hearts" downloadable content pack for the video game Fallout: New Vegas, released in 2011, introducing the park's unique environment to a new audience of gamers.

2014: California Condor Breeding Success

The year 2014 marked the first confirmed successful breeding of California condors within Zion National Park, following their reintroduction to the Arizona Strip.

September 2015: Flash Flood in Keyhole Canyon

Tragedy struck in September 2015 when a flash flood swept through Keyhole Canyon, resulting in the deaths of all seven members of a canyoneering group.

2017: Extinct TV Series Filmed in Zion

The television series "Extinct" utilized the striking scenery of Zion National Park as a backdrop for some of its scenes in 2017, showcasing the park's beauty to viewers.

March 25, 2020: Campground Closures Due to COVID-19

As a precautionary measure to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, campgrounds within Zion National Park were closed on March 25, 2020, reflecting nationwide efforts to prioritize public health and safety.