Nineteenth century Mormon settlers were overwhelmed with the sight of western Utah's massive canyons and splendid red rock beauty in today's Zion National Park. They called the area Zion, the natural temples of God. While the Mormon pioneers were some of the first Anglo settlers to live in the canyon, it was The Rev. Frederick Vining Fisher, an Ogden Methodist minister, who is credited with giving several Zion landmarks the heavenly names that visitors will experience.
   Today the trip into the park is much easier, thanks to a 1920s engineering effort that was applied to an almost impossible task of a park highway and entrance tunnels. This overlook scene wows visitors with its awe inspiring scenery just as it did when the settlers first arrived. Barely seen is this canyon view is Zion National Park's serpentine Mount Carmel entrance route as seen from the Canyon Overlook. Here the deep red colored road competes for visitor's attention with the surrounding high plateau scenery. Two narrow tunnels were built to access Lower Zion Canyon. These tight tunnels, completed in 1930, will test the driving skills of large recreational vehicle owners. A fee is levied on all vehicles requiring an escort and for those vehicles that reduce two way traffic to a single lane.
    Just before the eastern side of the Mount Carmel Tunnel lies the Canyon Overlook trailhead. This easy half mile hike leads to this remarkable canyon view. Although the parking is limited here near the east entrance and the overlook trail is uneven with steep drop-offs, this is a popular stop for Zion visitors who want to take in this canyon for the first time.

     Area Map
     NPS Park Map