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[[File:Ansel Adams - National Archives 79-AA-V01.jpg|thumb|[[Court of the Patriarchs]], by [[Ansel Adams]] (1933)]]
Other notable geographic features of Zion Canyon include [[Angels Landing]], [[Great White Throne (mountain)|The Great White Throne]], the [[Court of the Patriarchs]], [[The Sentinel (Zion)|The Sentinel]], [[The West Temple]], Towers of the Virgin, the [[Altar of Sacrifice]], [[The Watchman (Utah)|The Watchman]], Weeping Rock, and the Emerald Pools.<ref>
Spring weather is unpredictable, with stormy, wet days being common, mixed with occasional warm, sunny weather. [[Precipitation]] is normally heaviest in March.<ref name=NPSweather>[[#NPSwebsite|NPS website]], Weather and Climate</ref> Spring [[wildflower]]s bloom from April through June, peaking in May. Fall days are usually clear and mild; nights are often cool. Summer days are hot ({{convert|95|to|110|F|C|disp=x|; }}), but overnight lows are usually comfortable ({{convert|65|to|70|F|C|disp=x|; }}).<ref name=NPSweather/> Afternoon thunderstorms are common from mid-July through mid-September.<ref name=NPSweather/> Storms may produce waterfalls as well as [[flash flood]]s. Autumn tree-color displays begin in September in the high country; in Zion Canyon, autumn colors usually peak in late October. Winter in Zion Canyon is fairly mild. Winter storms bring rain or light snow to Zion Canyon and heavier snow to the higher elevations. Clear days may become quite warm, reaching {{convert|60|F}}; nights are often {{convert|20|to|40|F}}.<ref name=NPSweather/> Winter storms can last several days and make roads icy. Zion roads are plowed, except the Kolob Terrace Road which is closed when covered with snow.<ref name=NPSweather/> Winter driving conditions last from November through March.<ref name=NPSweather/>
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[[File:Bighorn_Sheep_at_Zion_National_Park.jpg|thumb|[[Desert bighorn sheep]] are often visible near the roadway in the park.]]
[[Golden eagle]]s, [[red-tailed hawk]]s, [[peregrine falcon]]s, and [[white-throated swift]]s can be seen in the area.<ref>[[#NPSwebsite|NPS website]], Bird list</ref> [[Desert bighorn sheep]] were reintroduced in the park in 1973.<ref>Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Department of Natural Resource: [https://wildlife.utah.gov/hunting/biggame/pdf/bighorn-plan.pdf - Utah Bighorn Sheep Statewide Management Plan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309122926/http://wildlife.utah.gov/hunting/biggame/pdf/bighorn-plan.pdf |date=March 9, 2016 }},</ref> [[California condor]]s were reintroduced in the [[Arizona Strip]] and in 2014 the first successful breeding of condors in the park was confirmed.<ref>
[[Boxelder]], Fremont cottonwood, [[maple]], and [[willow]] dominate riparian plant communities.<ref name="Leach2007p39"/> Animals such as bank beavers, flannel-mouth suckers, [[gnatcatcher]]s, [[dipper]]s, [[canyon wren]]s, the virgin spinedace, and [[water strider]]s all make their homes in the riparian zones.<ref name="Leach2007p40">{{harvnb|Leach|2007|p=40}}</ref>
==Activities==
Rangers at the visitor centers in Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyons can help visitors plan their stay. Guided [[horseback riding]] trips, nature walks, and evening programs are available from late March to early November.<ref>[[#NPSwebsite|NPS website]], Outdoor Activities</ref> The Junior Ranger Program for children ages 4 and up is active year-round at the Nature Center, Human History Museum, and the visitor centers.<ref>
;Trails
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;Camping and lodging
[[File:Zion Lodge, Building B.JPG|thumb|[[Zion Lodge]] accommodations]]
Lodging in the park is available at [[Zion Lodge]], located halfway through Zion Canyon. Just outside the park more lodging is available in Springdale.<ref>
Zion has three [[camping|campgrounds]]: South and Watchman at the far southern side of the park, and a primitive site at Lava Point in the middle of the park off Kolob Terrace Road.<ref name="NPScamp">[[#NPSwebsite|NPS website]], Campgrounds</ref> Overnight camping in the backcountry requires permits.<ref>[[#NPSwebsite|NPS website]], Backpacking</ref>
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