Zion Canyon National Park is located in Utah near Springdale, and is 229 square miles of pristine and beautiful unspoiled natural formations. The highlight of the park is Zion Canyon, which stretches 15 miles and is roughly 1/2 mile deep. It was carved over thousands of years by the Virgin River through Navajo sandstone, and the resulting canyon is a true wonder to behold. The history of the area is that it was first populated by human beings around 8,000 years ago and has been the home to several settlements, each of which displaced the others. It was finally declared a national park on November 19, 1919 and was protected from development by the Antiquities Act Roosevelt established in order to provide federal protection to areas of the United States which offer outstanding beauty or interest. Federal protection prohibits development of these areas by private industry, and provides a buffer zone around the specific area as well that cannot be developed. This prevents the spoiling of the area, and keeps it intact for visitors to enjoy without the encroachment of development.
Recent discussions in congress have threatened areas like Zion Canyon by bringing the Antiquities Act under scrutiny. Discussion has been brought up to cut federal funding to the areas and turn them over to state control, which would place the burden of upkeep on states that are already running in the red as far as budgets. This would allow states to sell off portions of the areas for private development, essentially destroying them forever. In an attempt to legitimize the federal funding for upkeep by increasing tourism to the areas, an advertising campaign run over the course of the last few years has dramatically increased the amount of visitors that tour the parks every year, this number being especially increased at Zion. This is probably because of the close proximity of Zion to Las Vegas, and the ease with which a tourist to Las Vegas can take a one-day road trip to see the wonders of a national park. Zion is located a short 2.5 hour drive from the city, making it a perfect destination for those on vacation in Las Vegas to get away for the city and enjoy the natural beauty of a national park.
Bindlestiff Tours offers a one-day Zion Canyon tour that allows our guests to create their own experience, and do the things that they prefer. This tour is considered a private tour in that the entire van will be guests from your group, and will agree on the activities that will be included in the tour. Because there is a lot to do in Zion and only a short time, we need to allow the private group to pick and choose the aspects of the tour that they are preferring, which personalizes it and allows you to assure your group that they will have a good time. Because Zion is close, we will be able to transport you to and from your hotel and to the park in only a short timeframe, leaving us the rest of the day to hike, explore, take pictures or whatever you prefer to do. Our guide will give you options of things we suggest, and you let us know the experience in Zion that you want to have!