Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors

Zion National Park Forever Project Opens East Zion Bike Trail

By
windy road going through the mountainous Zion National Park.
Zion National Park. Wolfgang Staudt from Saarbruecken, Germany

Utah’s first national park (established in 1919) is still growing after over one hundred years.

A part of the East Zion Initiative, the first 10 miles of the East Zion Bike mountain bike trail are now open for public use, thanks to donors and supporters. Formerly slated for commercial developments, the land on the east side of Zion National Park is now accessible for trail riders of all skill levels. This development was possible through the collaborative efforts of landowners, conservationists, the National Park Service, and the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation. The end-of-October opening ceremony also kicked off fundraising efforts for a new Zion Visitor Center and another 24.5 miles of trails, which organizers hope to complete throughout the 2022-2023 seasons. 

Recommended Videos

This freshly-carved mountain biking trail provides new views into the sprawling park. The trailhead is a quarter-mile down North Fork Country Road, the last road before heading into Zion’s east entrance on state Route 9. Even though the trail cuts through private land, it’s now publicly accessible because of land easements.

Related

The primary partner donors in this project are the McLaws family, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. The family has owned this land just outside of Zion National Park for 23 years. Normally this land, valued at $1.3 million, would be reserved as a ranch and rich family inheritance. Instead, the McLaws are giving 20 acres of it away.

Related Guides

“I understand from talking to people, in moments around the campfire, that people need this,” Kevin McLaws said to the Tribune.

With approximately 4.5 million annual visitors coming from across the globe to view and hike its iconic red canyon, Zion is one of the most popular national parks. Most outdoor enthusiasts come to Zion for hikes like Angels Landing that rises above the park, and the Narrows that cuts through its 3,000-foot cliffs. This initiative is about leading people to abundant recreation beyond the cliffs.

“Creating meaningful access to Utah’s amazing landscape and doing it through a partnership with so many amazing stakeholders is a fulfillment of our purpose,” Pitt Grewe, executive director for the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation, said at the Oct. 27 ceremony. “We can’t wait to see the progress continue and seek new ways we can continue to work together.”

The next step in the project, the proposed East Zion Visitor Center, will replace the last unprotected gateway to a national park in the lower 48 states. After its construction, the 7,000-square-foot building will serve to save more than 6,000 acres from future development and ensure that the east entrance to Zion remains open and accessible. Plans for the visitor center also include a fleet of electric and advanced-fueled vehicles to transport visitors from the park’s east side to other regional destinations.

As part of the Zion National Park Forever Project, the East Zion Initiative also works for the local economy and the future of the region. In March 2021, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s report on the economic impact of these Zion National Park developments found that the park’s east entrance could generate 545 jobs and $36.9 million per year from 2020 to 2030 in southwest Utah. The nonprofit aims to create long-term stewardship by engaging these gateway communities, and guests to create connections to the Greater Zion Landscape.

“I think it’s been inspired by our local community. And I think that when we think about pioneer spirit, this is sort of a next-gen version of that,” Mark Preiss, director for the Zion Forever Project, said just before riding his bike on the new trail.

To learn more about the plans for Zion’s new Visitor Center and the conservation lead approach, visit Zion National Park.

Read More: When to Book Your National Park Campsite

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Matthew Denis
Matthew Denis
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matt Denis is an on-the-go remote multimedia reporter, exploring arts, culture, and the existential in the Pacific Northwest…
Environmentalists are suing because national parks are… planting trees? Here’s what’s going on
Yes, you read that right.
A grove of sequoia trees seen through a thick fog.

Not surprisingly, the National Park Service does a pretty good job of well servicing our country’s National Parks. That includes everything from general maintenance to ensuring visitor safety to looking after the health of the flora and fauna in every park. So, when the NPS announced a plan to replant sequoia groves in two of our best National Parks—Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park—we were a little surprised to hear that several environmental groups were suing to stop them. Here’s what we know.

The National Park Service is looking to bolster the sequoia groves after wildfires heavily damaged both parks in 2020 and again in 2021. In October of this year, it announced the seedling-planting project to “re-establish tree seedlings in severely burned giant sequoia groves and [an] adjacent fisher habitat in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.” Many environmental scientists and the NPS itself have long agreed that it’s best to let nature regrow naturally. But, in this case, the NPS is “concerned that natural regeneration may not be sufficient to support self-sustaining groves into the future, particularly as the fires killed an unprecedented number of reproductive sequoia trees in the groves themselves.” (PSA: Make Smokey Bear proud, and always enjoy and extinguish your campfires responsibly)

Read more
National parks in Washington state: 7 hidden treasures you should know about
National parks in Washington state we love
Snow capped mountains with clouds above at Mount Olympic National Park

Washington state is in the heart of the Pacific Northwest and is known for its diverse ecosystems and breathtaking landscapes. From a tranquil ferry ride out to the iconic San Juan Islands to a vigorous hike to the peaks of the Cascade Range, locals and travelers alike have plenty of outdoor activities to choose from.
So, let's expand your sights beyond Seattle with the best hidden treasures that exemplify the beauty and diversity of Washington State. From popular must-see spots to lesser-known U.S. national parks, there's plenty of wilderness to explore.

1. Olympic National Park: A land of diversity
Olympic National Park spans nearly one million acres and is home to a trove of ancient forests rising from scenic lakes. Visitors often head to this park to visit Mount Olympus, a snow-capped peak that rises 7,980 feet into the sky.
But those looking for a more immersive experience can head to the Hoh Rain Forest to catch unparalleled views along the Hurricane Ridge. Lake Crescent is another popular spot in the park and is perfect for picnicking or enjoying water activities in the warmer months.

Read more
Yellowstone National Park tip: Don’t dangle your baby near an elk like the guy in this video
It's not a tip we thought we'd have to say out loud
Elk at Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is one of our most beautiful national treasures, and for good reason. The park sees about three million visitors every year, every one of them aching to see the breathtaking sights. But what happens when visitors make alarming choices that put themselves and wildlife at risk? Recently, visitors witnessed yet another alarming incident that shed light on the disregard some visitors have for park safety guidelines. This man's reckless act of dangling his baby in front of an elk for a photo op has sparked outrage and concern among park enthusiasts and conservationists alike.
Stay at least 25 yards away from elk
The incident unfolded when a visitor, oblivious to the inherent dangers and proper etiquette around wildlife, approached a grazing elk. Disregarding the National Park Service's recommended safety distance of 25 yards, the individual turned his back to the elk and extended his baby towards the animal, presumably for a snapshot. The heart-stopping moment was captured by another park visitor. The content was then reposted via Instagram on the account TouronsOfYellowstone—a platform dedicated to highlighting irresponsible behavior within US National Parks. See the video below.

While the man in the video calls this animal a moose, it's an elk. While typically docile, elk are wild animals with unpredictable behavior. Encroaching upon their space can provoke defensive responses, potentially leading to attacks and severe injuries. The National Park Service has emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe distance from wildlife to ensure both human safety and the well-being of the animals themselves.

Read more