Along the Southern Utah front lies 229 square miles of pure, unscathed nature. Ever since I was little, I dreamed of going to Zion National Park, and I was given the amazing opportunity to visit during spring break.

The natural beauty of Zion National Park is unlike anything I have ever seen before. The incredible sandstone cliffs shaped in large points filled the blue sky, contrasting with the Virgin River that flows through the park. Along the park are numerous trailheads that branch out to all four corners, and they are perfect for all types of adventurous individuals to hike, mountain bike and camp.

One of the most popular trails is Angels Landing. This five-mile-hike consists of narrow sandstone ridges that are anchored by support chains that lead the way to the towering monolith. In fact, that towering monolith is said to be one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Southwest.

Another popular trail at Zion is the emerald pools, which is a less strenuous hike that consists of a mostly paved road that first leads to the lower pools. The lower pool is a waterfall that drops down an amazing rock arch overhead. Prepare to get a little wet as you cross underneath. The rainbow-reflected water gushes down into a pond below. The middle and upper pools are deeper within the trail, which turns into more of a rock climbing adventure than a hike.

Throughout the park, visitors can witness a variety of animals that call Zion their home. Numerous packs of wild turkeys and deer roam freely. Though I was only able to enjoy Zion’s beauty for a day, this park will surely see more out of me in the future.

An interesting development at Zion is a 3-D map of the entire park that will be constructed and placed on the website this coming year. For more information about the map, or other things happening around the park visit Zion National Park’s website.