Susan B. Barnes

Special for USA TODAY

In Southern Utah, Zion National Park and its 229 square miles of towering cliff walls, narrow canyons and absolutely stunning scenery lie about 300 miles from Salt Lake City and 160 miles from Las Vegas. Once Mukuntuweap National Monument, established in 1909, the area’s name was changed and Zion National Park was established in 1919; the Zion National Monument of the Kolob Canyons area was proclaimed in 1937 and added to the park’s boundaries in 1956. A man-made feature that draws attention is the 1.1-mile-long Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, which was carved through a sandstone cliff as part of the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway project constructed between 1927 and 1930 to ease travel between Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon national parks, a route known as the “Grand Circle Tour.” When Zion National Park was still Mukuntuweap National Monument, 1,000 people visited in 1915; over the past 10 years, visitation has grown by more than 1 million and in 2016, almost 4.3 million people visited the park.

Here, we take a look at tips for making the most of your visit, including some spots to get away from the crowds:

1. Get wet in The Narrows: If you’re feeling adventurous, and don’t mind getting your feet wet, hike into The Narrows, the narrowest section of Zion Canyon where the Virgin River is sometimes just 20 to 30 feet wide, and rock walls tower thousands of feet above. Got for a short walk, or spend hours making your way upstream. The water’s cold and the rocks are slippery, but it all makes fun an exhilarating experience.

2. Discover the Emerald Pools: Three trails of varying lengths and levels of difficulty lead hikers to three Emerald Pools within Zion National Park – Upper, Middle and Lower. The paths to the Lower (1.2 mile round trip) and Middle Pools (2 miles round trip) are wide sidewalks, while the path to the Upper Pool (2.5 miles round trip, includes all three pools) is made of uneven rock surfaces and sand. Choose to visit one of the pools or all three, but remember – look but don’t touch: the National Park Service has worked hard to restore the pools to their natural beauty.

3. Climb a rock: The 2,000-foot sandstone cliffs found within Zion National Park are known around the world for their terrific big wall climbs and are quite popular with experienced climbers (if you’re inexperienced, you may want to opt out). Bouldering is popular within the park, too, and there are two areas within the main canyon that are accessible from the park’s south entrance. Because of the summer heat, the best times to climb are March through May and September through early-November. Also, avoid climbing after rain, when the sandstone may be weaker. Check with park rangers or the website for cliff closures to make the most of your climbing adventure.

4. Go on a canyoneering adventure: Rappelling, swimming, hiking and problem solving combined make up the fun sport of canyoneering, and Zion National Park is a terrific place to do all of it. Whether it’s your first time or you’re experienced, the park has myriad places to explore and play in the slot canyons.

5. Get on a bike and ride: One fantastic way to see the park is from the saddle of a bicycle. Bicycling is permitted within Zion National Park, but only on the roadways and the Pa’rus Trail; otherwise, bikes are not permitted on park trails, off-trail, or in the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Aside from the 1.75-mile-long Pa’rus Trail, another recommended place to ride is the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Be sure to follow the park’s riding regulations when bicycling in Zion, and check out the FAQ webpage.

6. See Angels: If you’re not afraid of heights and are up for a challenging hike, make plans to go to Angels Landing. The four-hour hike climbs more than 1,400 feet in over five miles, and features long drop-offs and a steep, narrow ridge at the summit. But the views from the top are more than worth it. Want to see what you’re getting into before beginning? Check out the eHike for a sampling.

7. Join a ranger: Zion National Park Rangers offer a variety of programs to help you make the most of your time in the park from April through November. One highlight is the daily two-hour shuttle tour that will take you through the park with narration by a park ranger. If you’d like to take the shuttle tour, be sure and plan ahead – seats are limited and reservations are free but must be made in-person (up to three days in advance) at the information desk in the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.

8. Ride in an open-air tram: Another way to see the park is to take a narrated tram tour along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which is closed to private vehicles during the park’s busy season (April through October). The 60- to 75-minute drive in an open-air tram meanders next to the Virgin River with canyon walls soaring overhead, and the personal headsets ensure you won’t miss a word of narration.

9. Visit Kolob Canyons: For a quieter Zion National Park experience, visit Kolob Canyons in the northwest section of the park. A five-mile scenic drive provides opportunities to see some of the park’s spectacular vistas, including Navajo sandstone peaks soaring 2,000 feet into the air, waterfalls and more. Stop at the scenic viewpoints for photo opps, or park the car and access any of the 20-plus miles of hiking trails into the canyons. One spot to see is Kolob Arch, one of the world’s largest freestanding natural arches.

10. The birds are calling: With its desert-like landscape, it may be surprising to learn that nearly 300 bird species are found on the park’s bird list, and that many birds visit Zion National Park as part of their migration routes. Of the species that may be spotted within the park, the Mexican spotted owl, Peregrine falcon, California condor and delicate hummingbirds can be found. Even bald eagles find their ways to Zion for the winter.

For more on Zion National Park and to help with trip planning, download the free Chimani app to your smart phone to easily navigate your way around the park, with our without cell phone service.