Protect the Southwest Utah Desert

Planning a visit to Southwestern Utah and Zion National Park should include an understanding of the need to protect the natural foliage and wildlife of the area. Great care is being taken to keep the park as pristine and pure as nature has intended. Recognizing vehicle restrictions and the expected treatment of both plants and animals will protect this desert spectacle for those who also wish to enjoy its offerings.

The natural beauty of Southwestern Utah and the Zion Park with its sandstone cliffs and unique rock formations would be so much less spectacular without the wild life and desert vegetation that completes the environment of this pristine, vast, desert landscape. Off road vehicle travel is restricted to established trails and roads as much damage can be done to the plants covering this sandy terrain. Needless to say, the animals inside the park boundaries are protected these include the mule deer population, some elk, mountain lions and smaller wild cats, rabbits and other smaller rodents.

Many plants indigenous to the area have been placed on the endangered list. Boasting 800 native species, Zion Park's vegetation includes Juniper, Pine, Boxelder and sagebrush. The visitor center just inside the eastern park entry gate provides an excellent insight into the wealth of animal and plant life on display at Zion Park as well as guidelines to help protect the park's beauty. Protecting the environment inside the park can be easily done by treading carefully on established hiking paths, restricting motorized travel to designated trails and roadways, and using consideration and common sense while enjoying the animal life whenever it is encountered. Enjoy the parade of nature's great display and preserve it for those who will also wish to enjoy nature's presentation of beauty in Southwestern Utah.