Zion National Park
The eye-catching Zion National Park in Utah lives up to its name. Zion means 'sanctuary' in Hebrew. The park received this name from Mormon pioneers who settled in this area in 1860. Zion National Park consists of huge orange rock formations that are cleaved by deep canyons. The most beautiful, Zion Canyon, is 24 kilometres long and 800 metres deep.
The Virgin River runs through the canyon and this makes the valley green and fertile. The green vegetation that rises from the water contrasts beautifully with the warm glow of the orange sandstone formations. The park offers many hiking possibilities from short family-friendly walks to long strenuous hikes to remote viewpoints.
The good news is that the easy trails lead to fantastic views. Visit the Emerald Pools with their waterfalls and hanging gardens. You can also explore different driving routes, such as the Kolob Canyons Road or the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway.