Zion National Park is one of the most impressive locations in the United States, by far. Gigantic sweeping mountains of red and white sandstone tower high above the lush Virgin River valley. The park will humble you and make you feel small. Within its boundaries also offer some of the most unique, hard to find experiences in any park, maybe the world. Here are a couple of tips and tricks to get you started in Zion.
Be Prepared For The Park To Be Busy
Zion National Park sees more than 4.4 million visitors per year. That’s a lot of people. The secret of Zion is out, and there are always hoards of people trying to see the canyon. Not only does this mean that your new seasonal job will be busy, but it also means that the main trails such as Angel’s Landing and the Narrows see heavy traffic. While the experiences within the main canyon are extraordinary, don’t be expecting a wilderness experience. Be prepared to arrive very early at the visitor center to find parking and catch the shuttle. Also, try to make your days off fall on weekdays to beat the crowds.
Come Equipped To Deal With Heat
The peak season for seasonal workers starts in April and ends in November. As you can imagine, Utah is HOT in the summer. Like really hot. Temperatures easily soar into the 100s during the day and can even be in the 70s at night. Sun protection such as a sun hoody, sunscreen, sun hat, and shorts are vital for protecting against the relentless Utah sun. Be prepared to drink a lot of water during the day. Even if you aren’t necessarily outside or hiking every day, it’s still the desert. Drink often, and before you’re thirsty. Heatstroke and heat exhaustion have happened to seasonal workers. Come prepared!
Venture Off The Beaten Path
The Zion area has so much more to see than just the park. For instance, it’s the world mecca for exploring canyons wide and narrow. You’ll find hidden nooks and crannies all over the park and surrounding area. Take advantage of finding these opportunities because they only really exist in this part of the world. There are also so many little weekend trips to take around the area. Check out the Virgin River Gorge, Lake Powell, Grand Staircase Escalante, and Bryce Canyon while you’re at it! Or head to the local watering hole at Kolob Reservoir to beat the heat.
Learn A New Sport
Canyoneering is the sport of rappelling into slot canyons, and there’s nowhere else in the world with a bigger canyoneering community than Zion. A great tip to get into the sport is to try to work for one of the guide services in Springdale or Hurricane. They likely have some of the most experienced canyoneers out there, and networking with them will do well in starting. The sport is also very beginner-friendly and inexpensive. To start, all you’ll really need is a harness, a couple of locking carabiners, and an eight device. You will not want to miss out on the unique experiences in your backyard!
Make An Effort To Meet The Community
In seasonal life, people really make the place. The nature of Zion lends itself to the adventurous spirit, and that’s exactly the kind of person you’ll find here. So be friendly, and try to connect with all of the adventurous souls you come across. After all, you’re one of them! The Zion area’s nature is quite secretive, and it can be hard to find where the hidden gems are. The best experience to be found in this red rock country is through local knowledge. Meet new friends and see where they take you!
