The arch of the Milky Way near the entrance to Zion Valley in Zion National Park. It's like a night rainbow. Very much worth staying up for. The National Parks of Utah are all very beautiful and should be on your bucket list if you haven't visited them already.
The iconic Watchman with the Galactic Center of the Milky Way seeming to point to the famous rock formation. The side of the Watchman is lighted up by light pollution from Springdale which is only 2 or 3 miles away. The people of Springdale should be applauded for their efforts to reduce light pollution.
The northern section of Zion National Park is Kolob Canyons. This tree stands guard over the middle fork of the Taylor Creek Trail. There are many easily navigated trails in this section of Zion.
The arch of the Milky Way stretches from the iconic Watchman in Zion National Park. The full arch of the Milky Way is best viewed from March to May on nights around the New Moon. Moon light is like light pollution: it washes out the stars in the sky. Check the Lunar Calendar, find the days around the New Moon (no moon visible), go to a place with little or no light pollution and get photos like this.
Along the Kolob Terrace Road near Springdale, Utah and very close to Zion National Park. There are wonderful trails off the Kolob Terrace Road. Many are an easy stroll. A few are for experts only, like the trail to the Subway where you need a permit just to enter. If you visit Zion make sure you take this road up to the reservoir.
Clouds and stars dance over the Watchman. Light pollution from nearby Springdale, Utah near the entrance to Zion National Park lights up the clouds and the Watchman.
From the valley floor you climb a steep path to the West Rim Trail which splits off from the Angels Landing Trail. The views into the valley from so high above are spectacular. Take your camera and lots of water!
There is a small bridge that crosses the Virgin River which flows through the Subway and Zion Valley. It is one of the best places from which to get nice photos of the Watchman. Day or night it does not matter, the scene is magic.
Zion Valley from the trail up to Angels Landing. The trail is steep and windy. Take your time and bring lots of water, there is little or no shade. Stop along the trail and watch the changing view as you get higher and higher. The trail is clearly visible as is the Virgin River.
About 3:30 in the morning the Galactic Center of the Milky Way shows its full splendor. Light cloud cover which is lighted by the nearby city of Springdale, Utah adds a golden color to the scene.
Colorful rock formations abound in Zion National Park. Desert scrub adds an interesting foreground. High, full clouds are often seen during the day, but usually give way to clear skies at night.
Rockville, Utah is on the road to Zion National Park. Very close by is the place where the bicycle scene in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was filmed. Who wouldn't want to live surrounded by such beauty.
Bighorn sheep stroll up a rock formation in eastern Zion National Park.
The view from Canyon Overlook in eastern Zion National Park. The beautiful valley floor is many hundreds of feet below. There are also many interesting slot canyons in this part of Zion. Be careful not to go in the slot canyons if there is rain in the area. The slot canyons are prone to flash floods when it rains, even many miles from Zion.
One of many beautiful scenes that can be easily reached from Rt. 9 in the eastern part of Zion National Park. Make sure to wear tennis shoes or hiking boots when you venture out on the rocks, as they can be steep and slippery.
Take your time , sit and soak in the surrounding beauty. Make sure you leave it as you found it. Leave no detritus and if you see any, carry it out with you. Our National Parks are there for our enjoyment. We should treat them with reverence.
I particularly like night time photography. It is so fulfilling when I can get a good photo of the Milky Way. But how could I pass up a scene like this? It is the quintessential Zion: desert scrub, wispy clouds, colorful ground and the iconic Watchman. It does not get much better. Go there. You will not be disappointed.
The Virgin River flows down the Subway and through Zion Valley. It can range from a slow flowing stream to a flash flood monster. The Valley floor can be easily walked and has many interesting and wondrous rock formations. You can't drive through the Valley most of the year. The National Park has regular tram service throughout the Valley.
Zion National Park and its iconic Watchman at the Golden Hour. The mountain sides explode in color at this time of day.
