Zion National Park has a few good things going for it. It was formed by millions of years of sedimentation efforts from seas, lakes, streams and rivers; the layers are clearly visible throughout the park. Zion Canyon itself was carved by the Virgin River and the surrounding slot canyons are the result of regular seasonal flows.

What you get from all of that geology is a view of the land that has inspired the spirituality and religiosity built into its name. Just driving through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel you get the occasional glimpse of the enormity outside.

Hikes throughout the park are world-famous and the scenery so iconic that many more people have seen Zion National Park without knowing it. National Geographic rated The Narrows as one of the top 10 adventures in the country. You hike through the slot canyon in the river itself, sometimes up to your waist if you press through to the other side.

Other hikes in the park, such as Angels Landing or Kolob Arch, expose breath-taking views from above and range in time from 30 minutes to 8 hours and in difficulty from casual to those-without-any-fear-of-heights. The final stretch of Angels Landing in particular is steep and only a few feet from very tall, very sheer cliffs. The thrill is difficult to match.

The town of Springdale at the mouth of the southern entrance to the park has a special character that has the feel of both a small rural town and an upscale destination. There are enough coffee shops, hotel rooms and restaurants to keep you anchored to civilization. But once destined for the park, though only a 5 - 10 minute journey, the experience is such a striking transition that you forget the town exists.