Take A Virtual Hike Of One Of Zion National Park's Most Popular Trails Without Leaving Home

virtual field trip to zion national park

Catherine Armstrong

Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.

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Zion National Park is THE national park to visit in Utah, and is also the state’s most visited park, with nearly 4.5 million visitors in 2019. It’s easy to see what draws people to Zion – its jaw-dropping beauty is unparalleled. Locals know that the best time to visit is during spring and fall months when the weather isn’t as hot and the crowds aren’t quite as heavy, but if you can’t make it there now, no worries! Zion has posted virtual hikes of several of its most popular trails.

Looking to feed your wanderlust?   Click here to sign up for our Newsletter  to keep up to date on the best destinations throughout the country to inspire your next adventures.

virtual field trip to zion national park

virtual field trip to zion national park

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virtual field trip to zion national park

Have you hiked the Canyon Overlook Trail? We’d love to read about your adventure and see your photos in the comments!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Best hiking trails in Utah

With some of the best national and state parks in the country, it is only natural that Utah also has some of the best hiking trails in the country. Here are some of our favorite hiking trails in the state.

Angels Landing Trail

Located in Zion National Park, Angels Landing Trail is surely one of the United State’s classic hikes. While the hike is under 5 miles long, it is not for the faint of heart. On your journey to Angels Landing, you will hike up steep switchbacks and up a narrow path with steep drops on either side. Be sure to use the chains for balance! Once you get to the top you will be rewarded with views of the valley unlike any that you have ever seen making this hike well worth it.  

Delicate Arch Trail

Delicate Arch Trail is found in Arches National Park and is likely the most iconic hike in the park. This 3.2 mile trail will take you to see the famed Delicate Arch which you have probably seen in plenty of pictures, movies, and on the Utah license plate! There are over 2,000 other arches in Arches National Park, but Delicate Arch is the largest free-standing arch in the park, and you definitely do not want to miss it.

Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail

Heading over to Bryce Canyon National Park, the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail is a must-see. Just under 3 miles long, this trail will take you to Sunset Point, then lead you down into the canyon below where you will wander through these incredible rock formations and tunnels. On the other side, you will have a steep ascent back to Sunrise Point, and from there, it’s a flat walk back to the starting point.

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The Best National Park Virtual Field Trips to Take Right Now

One of the arches in Arches National Park

Thanks to technology, you can see the beauty of the United States park system by taking some national park virtual field trips .

If your family has always wanted to tour the national parks, but you’re not able to visit in person, tour them from the comfort of home. They’re some of the most exquisite virtual field trips for middle school .

There’s a reason why these parks have been family favorites for generations. They’re gorgeous and filled with natural wonders.

These virtual tours are perfect for tweens who love the outdoors and nature. You can use these helpful tools during your science or geography lessons. They make wonderful additions to studies in nature and ecology, as well as the earth and its landforms.

One of the arches in Arches National Park

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Table of Contents

National Park Virtual Field Trips

While it would be great to visit these locations in person, if you can’t travel, don’t let it stop you from visiting these amazing locations. Use these tours as a learning tool in your homeschool or just for some family fun.

National Parks at Home

To begin your journey, visit the National Parks At Home site for all kinds of fun activities your family can do at home to explore the national park system.

You’ll find webcams, ideas for enjoying nature from your backyard, and educational activities. Kids can learn how to become a junior park ranger online and even listen to some park inspired music. 

Arches National Park

The Arches National Park has over 2000 arches, the highest density of natural arches found in the world. These geologic formations are ever-changing and formed by water.

During the tour, tweens will discover that even though the terrain looks rough, it is actually quite delicate, which is why climbing is strictly regulated.

Everyone will be amazed by the beauty of the sandstone creations and the vibrant colors when the sun shines off of them. It’s definitely a field trip not to miss.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its bizarre landforms. Surprisingly, its namesake, Bryce Canyon, is not even technically a canyon because it wasn’t formed through erosion from a central stream. Instead, the powerful force of rainwater and an erosional force called frost-wedging, combined to form limestone.

These rocks took the shape of windows, fins, slot canyons, and spires called hoodoos .

As you move around this park on your virtual tour, you’ll be in awe at the array of colors found within the rock formations.

As they visit the park, they’ll see thousands of Joshua trees, along with a multitude of cacti.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park contains over 119 caves, but only 3 are open for public tours. The most visited cave is Carlsbad Cavern. Kids will learn that this cave was not formed by water erosion, but forged by sulfuric acid.

This park is also rich in the history of the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived in the Guadalupe mountains many years ago.

During the field trip , take time to learn about both the interesting history and fascinating cave formations.    

Death Valley National Park

Tweens will be happy that they’re visiting this national park on a virtual field trip instead of in person because Death Valley National Park has the driest climate in North America and is known as the hottest place on earth.

One thing that makes this park interesting is that aside from the heat and desert, you can also experience snow-covered mountain peaks.

Enjoy a tour of this national park without needing extra water or a jacket. 

Denali National Park

Named after the tallest mountain in North America, Denali, the Denali National Park is a mix of landscapes including forest and glaciers at the extreme, located in Alaska.

While on this virtual field trip, aside from seeing the natural beauty, middle schoolers can learn about the science and research going on in the park, particularly with mosses and lichens and the important role these tiny plants have in this massive wilderness.

Listen to the sound scapes and watch Denali National Park live in actual time through their webcams.  

Denali snow covered mountain at Denali National Park

Everglades National Park

The Everglades National Park is a famous wildlife area in South Florida. Most people think the Everglades are a swamp, but they are actually a slow-moving river. There is no other ecosystem like it on earth.

This complex system of ecosystems are home to several endangered species, including the American Crocodile. They are also the home of several plants and animals not found anywhere else on earth.

During your virtual field trip, plan to spend some time exploring the plethora of resources provided and when you’re ready, you can take a different trip with Google Earth .  

Gates of the Arctic National Park

Gates of the Arctic National Park is a unique national park because there are no roads or trails through it. Instead, visitors experience wild, untouched land.

Lucky for you, you won’t need any special survival skills or a guide to take this virtual field trip. Tweens will enjoy the rare glimpse into an untouched part of the United States.

They’ll also love learning about the fascinating archaeological work being done here. Scientists are in the process of uncovering a Paleo-Eskimo camp. It’s amazing!

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is located in Montana, along the United States and Canadian border. Many refer to it as the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem , mainly because it is considered a pristine ecosystem.

On this website, you can take a virtual drive on Going-To-The-Sun Road , look for wildlife, go for a virtual hike, and much more. You won’t want to miss this beautiful site.   

Grand Canyon National Park

Located in Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park is a breathtaking national park that is also one of the deepest gorges on Earth. Each year, it’s one of the most visited national parks. Now, you can see it for yourself without having to travel.

Do your tweens know about the Mystery of Blacktail Canyon? Find out all about it during this captivating virtual field trip.

They can also search for some of the over 500 species of animals, including the endangered California Condor. If your older kids are more adventurous, use the links on the site to further explore the Grand Canyon by taking a virtual hike or a raft trip. 

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island

Visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park , located on the Big Island, and see the awesome wonders of two active volcanoes up close. One of them, Kilauea, is the world’s most active volcano. It erupted back in 2018. The other one, Mauna Loa, is the world’s most massive shield volcano.

This national park and its volcanoes have much historical significance for Hawaiians, which you’ll learn about during your online visit. You’ll also see dramatic landscapes and unique flora and fauna. 

Grand canyon with sun reflecting on the canyon

Joshua Tree National Park

As your tweens start their virtual tour of the Joshua Tree National Park , they might ask, what is a Joshua tree and why does it have its own national park ?

This is a great place to learn all about these unique plants found in the Southwest United States. Kids will be shocked to find discover they aren’t trees at all. They’re yucca plants that grow in a tree formation.

Mesa Verde National Park

Located in Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is rich in cultural history and protects thousands of archeological sites, including cliff dwellings.

Through this virtual field trip, tweens can learn about the Ancestral Pueblo who made their home here for over 700 years.

After taking a fascinating visual tour of a cliff dwelling, they can visit this site to learn more about this park and the fascinating history from first-hand experiences .

Mount Rainier National Park

Located in Washington state, Mount Rainier is the most elevated point in the Cascade Mountains. The Mount Rainier National Park includes a volcano surrounded by glaciers, forests, and waterfalls, mostly preserved as wilderness.

On this site, you’ll find some amazing resources to help your older kids explore one of the oldest and most visited national parks.   

Rocky Mountain National Park

Also located in Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park is known for its beautiful panoramic views. These majestic mountains are home to 67 mammal species including Bighorn Sheep, Black Bears, and Yellow-Bellied Marmot.

The rugged terrain also provides unlimited hiking and sight-seeing opportunities. On this virtual field trip, teens can experience it all from the comfort of home.

Kids can watch webcams to see the park in real time and use the resources available to learn about all the wildlife found at this national park .

Virgin Islands National Park

Are you ready for the beach? Set in the Caribbean, the Virgin Islands National Park is known for its beautiful beaches and coral reefs. Its rich history dates back to 840 BC.

Take a virtual tour of the island and learn about the people who have visited and lived on these islands over the centuries, including pirates. 

Joshua tree at Joshua Tree National Park

White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park is in Utah and is the world’s largest gypsum dune field. Sand made of gypsum is rare. It’s water-soluble, so it will dissolve in water like sugar.

The sand appears white because the scratches in the gypsum reflect the sun’s rays, but it’s actually clear.

During this virtual field trip, kids will not only get to see the beauty of the park up close but also learn all about the unique gypsum sand.

Wind Cave National Park

The Wind Cave National Park is surrounded by the Black Hills in South Dakota. This cave is one of the longest in the world and holds 95 percent of the earth’s boxwork formations.

On your field trip, you can inspect these unique formations and explore the inside of the cave. You can also virtually walk the trails and see a variety of wildlife, including the Wind Cave bison herd, one of the last remaining free-roaming herds in North American, located on public land.   

Yellowstone National Park

Designated as the first national park in 1872, Yellowstone National Park has it all. Nowhere in the world will you find the variety of geothermal features that you find in this park, including the popular Old Faithful geyser.

Plan to spend some time exploring all the different biomes in this massive park during your virtual field trip. They also have some webcams set up so you can see different areas of the park live.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is a major tourist attraction in California, with over 3.5 million people visiting each year.

On this virtual tour, your family can explore Yosemite, including the iconic rock formations, El Capitan and Half Dome . Don’t miss Glacier Point, which has been described as one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Another unique feature of this park are the giant sequoias, the biggest trees on the planet.

There are a bunch of resources you can use to learn more about the people and nature at the park. 

Zion National Park

The definition of Zion is heavenly city, and after you visit Zion National Park , you’ll understand how it got its name. The stunning red rock landscape is so picture-perfect it looks surreal.

Tweens can take a virtual tour of the park and go on several virtual hikes, including one of the most famous, along the Angel Landing trail .  

Chromatic pool in Yellowstone National Park

As you can see, it’s quite easy to take in the beauty of our national park system from home when you can’t visit in person. Hopefully, you’ve found a resource or two to add to your science and geography lesson plans.

Resources to Learn More About the National Parks

  • Play Trekking the National Parks to learn even more about these special places.
  • Use this National Geographic Atlas of the National Parks as a resource in your homeschool.
  • Piece together this national park puzzle that highlights many of the locations you’re visiting virtually.
  • See the incredible beauty of these parks in Treasured Lands: A Photographic Odyssey Through America’s National Parks .
  • Spend some time playing the National Parks Monopoly .

Trekking The National Parks: The Award-Winning Family Board Game (Second Edition)

Additional Virtual Tours for Teens

  • Make American history come alive for your older kids by virtually visiting Washington D.C. .
  • For even more natural beauty, take some tours of Alaska as part of your geography studies.
  • Here’s a bunch of educational virtual field trips you can take. They include a variety of subjects, including art, history, animals, and nature.
  • Visit New York City from the comfort of your home.

Which national park virtual field trip are you going to take first?

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7 Virtual National Parks For Your Next Virtual Science Adventure

Frontier West , STEM

7 Virtual National Parks For Your Next Virtual Science Adventure

Teach valuable geology and ecology lesson without leaving the classroom with these virtual national park experiences.

Home to some of the world’s most vital connections to the natural world, the national parks of the Mountain West offer a spectrum of hands-on and virtual learning experiences for STEM students.

Zion National Park

Accessible for any grade level, Zion National Park offers virtual classroom visits in real time by a uniformed ranger. Through this experience, students learn about the National Park Service and Zion National Park through presentations and props used by the ranger. The classroom will explore a range of topics from ecology, wildlife and the history of Zion National Park. Students can also ask questions and interact with the park ranger. The virtual experience comes with a post-program activity to make it as immersive as possible.

Death Valley National Park

Explore the terrain of the largest U.S. National Park outside of Alaska—Death Valley National Park—from the classroom. This virtual tour allows access to the entirety of the park, from the 11,000-foot-high snow-covered mountains a few miles from the salt pan to volcanic craters and mammoth sand dunes. While avoiding the scorching heat of Death Valley National Park, students can explore the immense landscape that spans over three million acres from their own computer. This virtual tour makes traversing through the park a fun and interactive experience, incorporating fun facts and a specially composed soundtrack of natural sounds to accompany the tour.

Credit Tour de Force 360VR

Credit Tour de Force 360VR

STEM Program

Connect your students to authentic STEM experiences in national parks through the Greening STEM Initiative . The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) partners with the National Park Service to create Greening STEM, a program that connects schools with public land agencies for the purpose of encouraging STEM learning. Through Greening STEM, students are put into place-based investigations of the natural environment, dealing with real-world challenges. This after-school program offers students the opportunity to have genuine STEM experiences in the national park, making environmental issues more easily accessible to students and teachers both.

Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park offers a fascinating virtual field trip through engaging video sessions and video conferencing right from the classroom. Encouraging your students’ passion for science and geology is highlighted in this national park’s virtual program. Classrooms can explore the ancient ecosystems of the Badlands, discovering how rocks can tell us more about history than we think. Students can also learn about the ancient animals of the Badlands in comparison to modern day animals, developing insight into how to predict the environment in which animals once lived. A third program analyzes how critical the bison were to the Lakota Sioux by examining how every part of the bison was used for their survival.

Virtual Colorado

With the versatility of this program , your classroom can explore any Colorado national park from their own computer screen. With excellent technology right at your fingertips, the need for permission slips is gone. Students can traverse the protected forests and alpine tundra of Rocky Mountain National Park, the steep gorge that carves the Precambrian rock called the Black Canyon in Gunnison National Park, well-conserved residences of Ancestral Puebloan in the Mesa Verde National Park and beaches at the base of the dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park. The versatility of Colorado’s geology is at full accessibility to your classroom without a single bus ride.

Credit Google Earth

Credit Google Earth

Grand Teton National Park

Immersing budding STEM students into the environment of national parks is what this distance learning program is all about. Park rangers broadcast live to your classroom from a desk made of snow located at the base of the Teton Range to host an interactive talk show with the students. With three different programs available, this distance learning can be tailored to the age group of your classroom with categories such as “Surviving Winter” (recommended for grades K-3), “Every Snowflake Counts” (recommended for grades 3-5), and “Why Winter Matters” (recommended for grades 6-8). Students have a fun and exciting experience as they learn how the wildlife of Grand Teton National Park adapt to weather and extreme climate, the importance of the water cycle to the animal and plant life in the park and the differences between climate and weather.

Distance Learning Wyoming

Distant classrooms can now connect with a Yellowstone National Park ranger to learn about the geology and ecology of the park. Students can learn about careers in the National Park Service by interviewing a park ranger or solving a geography challenge to determine where the park ranger works through a “mystery” Skype call. The park collaborates with teachers to develop a 20-40 minute program individualized for the classroom. Alongside the virtual Skype calls to the classroom, this program offers nine different worksheet activities for the classroom on subjects spanning from animal senses and bison to water quality and geysers.

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Utah Field Trips

Field trips are a great way to reboot a bad homeschooling week, get out of the house when everyone has cabin fever, and learn about your local area. Before heading out, check out Jeanne's tips for improving homeschool field trips .

Utah Homeschool Field Trips

Our listing of Utah field trips for homeschoolers is ordered alphabetically by city. If you would like to submit a Utah field trip destination, you may do so using the red button above.

An asterisk * after the title indicates that a virtual field trip is also available.

More than 250,000 gold-seekers & farmers crossed into to the gold fields & rich farmlands of California during the 1840's and 1850's. 1,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen to remind us of early American travelers and settlers.

California National Historic Trail website

Pony Express National Historic Trail website

Timpanogos Cave National Monument sits high in the Wasatch Mountains. The cave system consists of three spectacularly decorated caverns. Helictites and anthodites are just a few of the many dazzling formations to be found in the many chambers. As visitors climb to the cave entrance, on a hike gaining over 1,000 ft in elevation, they are offered incredible views of American Fork Canyon

Timpanogos Cave National Monument website

This quiet getaway is a great destination for ATV riders, boaters, and birders. Access three ATV trails, including Paiute, directly from the park. Lure a record catch from Otter Creek Reservoir, a prime fishery. Go birding during spring and fall as many bird species through the park on their journey along the Pacific Migratory Bird Flyway.

Otter Creek State Park website

Resting on cliffs of the Sevier Plateau, Piute Reservoir attracts anglers who enjoy trophy fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout. This primitive park is a quiet getaway and a well-kept secret.

Piute State Park website

View the largest collection of Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) pottery on display in the Four Corners Region and explore an authentic Puebloan village behind the museum. In addition to permanent collections, Edge of the Cedars offers special exhibits, festivals, and events throughout the year. Dynamic exhibits at Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum feature outstanding photography, fine art, current topics in archeology, and contemporary Native American crafts. Festivals, programs and special events promote traditional values through storytelling, craft workshops, and an Indian art exhibit.

Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum website

Gaze at the results of 300 million years of time, where the San Juan River winds and carves its way through the desert 1,000 feet below. This primitive park offers a spectacular view of this amazing and rare geologic formation, known as an entrenched meander. Goosenecks State Park offers picnic areas, primitive camping, vault toilets, and an observation shelter. No drinking water is available.

Goosenecks State Park website

This ancient village in the heart of Utah's canyon country was one of the largest Ancestral Puebloan communities west of the Colorado River. Now called the Coombs Site, it is believed to have been occupied from AD 1160 to 1235 and may have housed as many as 200 people. Archeological excavations at the site have revealed more than 100 structures and have produced thousands of artifacts, some of which are on display in the museum. In addition to museum collections, visitors may also explore the Coombs Site, located directly behind the museum. Anasazi State Park Museum offers a museum store, auditorium, and outdoor picnic areas.

Anasazi State Park Museum website

Golden Spike National Historic Site commemorates the completion of the first transcontinental railroad.

Golden Spike National Historic Site website

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and providing (affordable) fine arts opportunities for youth and families in the community. We offer after school and evening classes in art, youth choir, theater, drawing, puppetry, and photography. We also offer a variety of community activities including: theater productions, puppet story time for preschoolers, periodic concerts and comedy nights, a Puppet Museum with special family activity times, recital space, and a monthly Open Mike night.

The Brigham City Fine Arts Center website

Geologists believe Kodachrome Basin State Park was once similar to Yellowstone National Park with hot springs and geysers, which eventually filled up with sediment and solidified. Through time, the Entrada sandstone surrounding the solidified geysers eroded, leaving large sand pipes. Sixty-seven sand pipes ranging from two to 52 meters have been identified in the park. Massive sandstone chimneys, change from gray and white to shades of red depending on the day's mood. Numerous rocks and coves offer solitude, quiet and unique desert beauty.

Kodachrome State Park website

Frontier Homestead State Park Museum tells the story of development in Iron County when in the 1850s, Brigham Young sent Mormon missionaries here to mine and process iron. Museum displays include horse-drawn vehicles used from 1850 to 1920 and a collection of pioneer artifacts. An iron industry exhibit features the only known remaining artifact from the original foundry - the town bell. In addition to the permanent collections, changing special exhibits highlight artists from the local region, as well as rarely seen artifacts from the museum's collections. Other items of interest include several historic cabins, a large collection of horse-drawn farm equipment, and a replicated pioneer household.

Frontier Homestead State Park Museum website

Resting on top of the Colorado plateau, at over 10,000 feet in elevation, this breathtaking view awaits. Millions of years of sedimentation, uplift, and erosion are carving out this giant amphitheater, that spans some three miles, and is more than 2000 feet deep.

Cedar Breaks National Monument website

Escape from the modern day and reminisce with Summit County's early ancestors.

Summit County Historical Museum website

Hovenweep National Monument protects six prehistoric, Puebloan-era villages spread over a twenty-mile expanse of mesa tops and canyons along the Utah-Colorado border. Multi-storied towers perched on canyon rims and balanced on boulders lead visitors to marvel at the skill and motivation of their builders. Hovenweep is noted for its solitude and undeveloped, natural character.

Hovenweep National Monument website

As you explore the craggy hills, discover fragments of a long ago world where the largest land creatures of all time once roamed and died. While the main exhibit wall of dinosaur fossils is closed, some fossils can be seen by hiking 1/2 mile from the Temporary Visitor Center. You can also view rock art and captivating scenery, explore homestead sites, and go whitewater rafting.

Dinosaur National Monument website

The sprawling waters of Starvation Reservoir offer great fishing and boating. Find a secluded campsite at one of four primitive campgrounds and one developed campground. Bring your off-highway vehicle and ride on nearby trails.

Starvation State Park website

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is located in beautiful southern Utah, just 44 miles east of Bryce Canyon National Park. Hike along park nature trails through a petrified forest, camp along the shores of Wide Hollow Reservoir, or rent a canoe and paddle on its clear waters. View fossils, petrified wood, fossilized dinosaur bones, and artifacts left by ancient Fremont Indians who inhabited this area nearly 1,000 years ago.

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park website

Camp Floyd / Stagecoach Inn State Park Museum is Utah's link with the Civil War. The quiet streets of Fairfield hold the secrets of 3,500 troops, nearly one-third of the entire U.S. Army at that time, which were brought to Camp Floyd to suppress the rumored rebellion in Utah. With no rebellion taking place, the troops were recalled in 1861 with the outbreak of the Civil War. The historic Fairfield District Schoolhouse is available for school groups to enjoy an authentic one-room schoolhouse experience. Other groups may rent the historic building for meetings and other gatherings. Fairfield School was constructed in 1898 with federal funds received when Utah became a state in 1896.

Camp Floyd/Stagecoach Inn State Park website

Territorial Statehouse in Fillmore is Utah's oldest existing governmental building. In anticipation of Utah's statehood, early pioneer Brigham Young directed construction of the building as the state's capitol. Only the south wing was ever completed. The existing portion was finished in time for the December 1855 meeting of the Territorial Legislature, which was the only full session held in the old statehouse. In December 1858, the seat of government was returned to Salt Lake City. Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum offers a museum store, and auditorium. Also, an All-American Rose Society Garden and picnic area adjoin the museum. Two restored pioneer cabins and an 1867 stone schoolhouse are also located on the grounds.

Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum website

The mission of the Fort Douglas Museum is to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of Fort Douglas and its impact on the history of Utah and the adjacent Western states.

Fort Douglas Military Museum website

Bear Lake State Park is nestled high in the Rocky Mountains on the Utah-Idaho border. The cool, Caribbean-blue waters of Bear Lake are ideal for waterskiing, swimming, scuba diving, and sailing. Anglers enjoy year-round fishing for cutthroat, mackinaw, cisco, and whitefish. Bear Lake State Park offers three recreation areas: Rendezvous Beach, Bear Lake Marina, and East Beach. The park also hosts many annual events, such as a Mountain Man Rendezvous and Bear Lake Raspberry Days.

Bear Lake State Park website

The Mission of the St. George Art Museum is to educate all visitors through quality exhibitions from all periods, cultures, and media, as well as to collect, conserve, inventory, exhibit, and interpret art and artifacts from Utah and the West.

St. George Art Museum website

The vast landscape of sandstone goblins may have visitors wondering if they're in Mars or Utah. The movie, Galaxy Quest, was filmed at Goblin Valley State Park because of its unearthly scenery. Scores of intricately eroded creatures greet visitors to Goblin Valley. Hike among intricately eroded rock formations in haunting coves. Adjacent to the park, off-highway vehicle enthusiasts will find hundreds of miles of dirt roads to explore.

Goblin Valley State Park website

Rest under a canopy of cottonwood trees or accept the challenge of a nine-hole golf course on the banks of the Green River. The park is a starting point for boaters adventuring through Labyrinth and Stillwater canyons. Annual events include the 184-mile Friendship Cruise and Melon Days.

Green River State Park website

This museum takes visitors back to the formation of the Green River and the days of the Wild West. Southern Utah was one of the wildest areas in the United States. The museum gives a glimpse into one of the last unexplored areas of the West.

John Wesley Powell River History Museum website

Jordanelle State Park is located in a picturesque mountain setting near Heber City. The park offers an array of recreation opportunities near the Wasatch Front. Camping, boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking are some of the activities to do at this very popular park. The park offers two recreation areas, Hailstone and Rock Cliff.

Jordanelle State Park website

As a field museum of the United States Air Force Museum System, the mission of Hill Aerospace Museum is to portray the history of Hill Air Force Base, its tenant organizations, and the assignments of the Ogden Air Logistics Center.

Hill Aerospace Museum website

Cinnamon-colored buttes provide a backdrop for this quiet desert oasis. Popular with locals, this warm-water reservoir is ideal for waterskiing, fishing, and crawdad catching. Huntington is a great weekend destination or a perfect picnic spot.

Huntington State Park website

Camp in the quiet campground, and boat and fish on the blue waters of Millsite Reservoir. Play 18 holes on a nearby golf course or bring off-highway vehicles and mountain bikes to enjoy miles of trails in nearby Ferron Canyon.

Millsite State Park website

Camp, boat, and fish at this summer and winter recreation destination situated high in the Manti-LaSal Mountains. During winter, ice fish, snowmobile, and cross-country ski in a spectacular mountain setting. Three separate areas offer amenities for day and overnight use.

Scofield State Park website

In scenic red rock country, lies Gunlock Reservoir where year-round boating, water sports and quality fishing for bass and catfish attract visitors. The reservoir is rimmed with ponderosa pine and trails leading to alpine meadows and pine forests. A mild winter climate makes Gunlock State Park a year-round destination.

Gunlock State Park Gunlock State Park website

Boasting some of the warmest waters in the state and a mild winter climate, Quail Creek Reservoir lures boaters and anglers year-round. Spend a day on the water or visit a nearby state or national park, then retire to a campsite in a spectacular red rock desert setting.

Quail Creek State Park website

With its warm, blue waters and red sandstone landscape, Utah's newest state park is also one of its most popular. Boat and fish on Sand Hollow Reservoir, explore and ride the dunes of Sand Mountain on an off-highway vehicle, then RV or tent camp in the new campground.

Sand Hollow State Park website

Tucked away in Cache County, Hyrum State Park offers many recreation opportunities including fishing, boating, and camping. Surrounded by tall, shady trees, Hyrum provides an excellent place for an afternoon picnic, or spend the whole weekend trolling on the lake catching yellow perch, rainbow trout, bluegill, and largemouth bass.

Hyrum Lake State Park website

Contrary to its name, winter visitors will rarely find any "white stuff" at this 7,400-acre desert park. Named after Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, early Utah leaders, Snow Canyon offers 16 miles of hiking trails, technical rock climbing, horseback riding, year-round camping, nature studies, wildlife viewing, and photographic opportunities galore. All of this is set against a stunning backdrop of towering sandstone cliffs in red and white, and peaks and valleys of jumbled black lava rock interspersed with serpentine sandy washes.

Snow Canyon State Park website

Rippling arcs of rust-colored sand welcome you as you enter Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Contrasted by blue skies, juniper and pinion pines, and steep red cliffs, the park is a wonderful place for camping, photography, off-highway vehicle riding, and playing in the sand. As the only major sand dune field on the Colorado Plateau, this park is a unique geologic feature that should not be missed.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park website

This 1895 Queen-Anne-Style Victorian house demonstrates the prosperous lifestyle of Kanab's early Mormon residents. A guide will show you around the house and explain all is architectural details, giving you an idea of what life was like in early Kanab through photos, furnishings, and artifacts. Since there were no stores in town when the house was built, the complex has its own vegetable and fruit trees and gardens. A glimpse of pioneer-era life in the heart of Utah's Dixie

Kanab's Heritage House website

Natural Bridges preserves some of the finest examples of natural stone architecture in the southwest. On a tree-covered mesa next to deep sandstone canyons, three natural bridges formed when meandering streams slowly cut through the canyon walls. In honor of the Native Americans that made this area their home, the bridges are named "Kachina," "Owachomo" and "Sipapu."

Natural Bridges National Monument website

Make learning fun and engaging at SeaQuest as students interact with animals from all over the planet and learn about behind-the-scenes operations at an aquarium. SeaQuest Field trips are guided group tours led by a team of marine and environmental educators. SeaQuest provides enhanced, age-specific Field Trip adventures for learners of all ages. Experience fun, hands-on learning when you feed and touch saltwater stingrays, hold reptiles and take a walk through the bird aviary. Homeschool field trip groups receive special pricing on Mondays!

SeaQuest Utah website

Utah State Parks and Recreation and the Utah Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (UHGPGA) are partnering to preserve this unique recreation area that is an excellent site for teaching and gathering experience for flyers of all levels. It is known worldwide as one of the best training sites for both paragliding and hang gliding. Flight Park State Recreation Area is being jointly managed by Utah State Parks and Recreation and the Utah Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. Please visit the UHGPGA website for more information about flying safety and requirements: www.uhgpga.org.

Flight Park State Recreation Area website

The sprawling waters of Yuba State Park provide a variety of recreation opportunities for visitors. Warm water and sandy beaches, along with nearby off-highway vehicle riding areas, lure visitors during summer months. One of the few state parks with boat-in camping, Yuba is very popular with water recreationists.

Yuba State Park website

Zootah at Willow Park Zoo focuses on education, conservation, scientific study, and offers recreation through its services to all patrons. The Zoo maintains a very popular story time program, conservation-oriented on-site and outreach education programs that involve over 10,000 students each year. The 9-acre zoo displays a variety of animals native to North America as well as some exotic species from around the world.

Zootah at Willow Park website

Stokes Nature Center (SNC) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for students of all ages to explore, learn about, and develop appreciation and stewardship for our natural world.

Stokes Nature Center website

Did you know we have a hometown astronaut? Have you ever had to do your laundry in a bucket? Have you seen the SandLot? Part of that movie was filmed in Midvale! We have a lot of items from early pioneer life, and historic mining. We have a museum in Midvale, located in Midvale City Park. It is free to attend, kid friendly. Our usual hours at 12-4 Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. There is no fee for this field trip opportunity. (we are volunteer run, and accept donation.) For special arrangements outside of these hours, you may email [email protected] or call 801-567-7285.

Midvale Museum website

Deer Creek State Park lies in the southwest corner of beautiful Heber Valley and consistently provides some of Utah's finest year-round fishing. Beautiful Deer Creek reservoir is extremely popular for boating, wind surfing, sunbathing, swimming, and sailboating.

Deer Creek State Park website

Year-round adventure awaits - golf, hike, bike, camp, horseback ride, snowmobile, cross-country ski, and snowshoe at Wasatch Mountain. During warmer months, reserve a tee time at the popular Lake and Mountain golf courses. In winter, ski or snowmobile through the alpine terrain.

Wasatch Mountain State Park website

Located in Wasatch Mountain State Park, Huber Grove is one of the area's best examples of early pioneer life. Huber Grove history is rich with culture, architecture and natural beauty. Huber Grove is a beautiful and peaceful gathering place. Plan your trip to coincide with guided tours or attend the annual apple harvest of the 100-year-old orchard. Take a video tour of Huber Grove and learn about Johannes Huber, for whom this area is named. Located in the northwest corner of the town of Midway, off US 40.

Stroll along the Rim Walk, towering 2,000 feet directly above the Colorado River. The mesa that is Dead Horse Point provides breathtaking views of the canyon country of southeastern Utah and the pinnacles and buttes of Canyonlands National Park. The Legend of Dead Horse Point: Cowboys corralled wild mustangs on the Point, then chose the horses they wanted. One time, for some unknown reason, horses were left corralled on the waterless point where they died of thirst.

Dead Horse Point State Park website

Arches National Park preserves over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, like the world-famous Delicate Arch, as well as many other unusual rock formations. In some areas, the forces of nature have exposed millions of years of geologic history. The extraordinary features of the park create a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures that is unlike any other in the world.

Arches National Park website

Canyonlands preserves a colorful landscape eroded into countless canyons, mesas and buttes by the Colorado River and its tributaries. The rivers divide the park into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze and the rivers themselves. While these areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character and offers different opportunities for exploration.

Canyonlands National Park website

The museum is housed in the original Trading Post and home of Harry and 'Mike" Goulding. Mr. and Mrs. Goulding were lifelong friends of the Navajo people. Harry brought movie director John Ford to Monument Valley to see the landscapes and the rest is movie making history. Visit a movie set from "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" or walk back in time with this wonderful collection of movie making memorabilia and Indian artifacts. Monument Valley is still used for movie and commercial filming today.

Goulding's Lodge website

East Canyon State Park is a 680-acre boating and year-round fishing delight nestled in the mountains northeast of Salt Lake City. Although popular with water recreationists, East Canyon is also an attraction for history buffs. Nearby trails mark the steps of the Donner Party and the first Mormon settlers.

East Canyon State Park website

70,000 Mormons, led by Brigham Young, traveled from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Salt Lake City, Utah between 1846 to 1869 in order to escape religious persecution.

Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail website

The purpose of the museum is to educate and bring awareness to the community of the rich heritage we share, to collect, perserve and display items of historical significance for the people of North Ogden, and to find permanent housing for these items.

North Ogden Historical Museum website

Treehouse Museum is a nonprofit educational organization whose mission is to be the magical place where children and families "Step Into a Story."

Treehouse Museum website

Ogden's Union Station is a monument to Ogden City's railroading history. It is a symbol of the cultural and economic changes brought to the West by the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Though it is no longer a train depot, the Station continues to attract people from all over the world. Most come to see the John M. Browning Firearms Museum and the Utah State Railroad Museum/Eccles Rail Center with its display of two of the largest locomotives ever manufactured anywhere. They stay to see the Natural History Museum and the Browning Kimball Car Museum, to visit Gallery at the Station, to shop at Gifts at the Station or Zephyr Station (model railroad shop), to have lunch at Union Grill and to enjoy the beauty of this old railroad town.

Ogden's Union Station website

The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts at Utah Valley University provides a wonderful opportunity to expose students to world-class arts events. With all student tickets only $10, the Noorda is a wonderful and economical way to expose students to the arts and deepen their love. Many events are specifically targeting younger audiences.

The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts at UVU website

The museum is an impressive 30,000-piece collection that tells the unique history of the city of Orem through artifacts.

Orem Heritage Museum website

Rainbow Bridge is the world's largest known natural bridge. The span has undoubtedly inspired people throughout time--from the neighboring American Indian tribes who consider Rainbow Bridge sacred, to the 300,000 people from around the world who visit it each year.

Rainbow Bridge National Monument website

The Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail is a 28-mile non-motorized trail. The trail begins or ends in Park City and follows Interstate 80 through Wanship and Coalville to Echo Reservoir. Activities include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, jogging, Nordic skiing and wildlife watching. The Rail Trail is managed by the Mountain Trails Foundation.

Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park website

Find first-rate, year-round recreation at this northern Utah destination. During summer, fish, boat, and waterski on Rockport Reservoir. Tent or RV camp in one of five developed and primitive campgrounds. During winter, ice fish and access nearby snowmobile trails.

Rockport State Park website

Utah's largest freshwater lake provides fishing access for channel catfish, walleye, white bass, black bass, and several species of panfish. Spend an evening RV or tent camping, then powerboat, canoe, or sail the day away on Utah Lake.

Utah Lake State Park website

Great Salt Lake State Marina offers spectacular views of sunsets over the Great Salt Lake, a search and rescue operations center, and provides marina access for sailors, sculling enthusiasts, other boaters, and bird watchers. A remnant of ancient Lake Bonneville, the Great Salt Lake covers more than 2,000 square miles and is two to seven times saltier than the ocean. The lake attracts more than 257 species of birds, depending on the season, and is a major stop for millions of migratory birds.

Great Salt Lake State Marina website

Four separate tracks, with tabletops and banked turns, are open from approximately early April to approximately mid-October. Off-Highway motorcycle riders will enjoy two motocross tracks. The novice and grand-prix tracks are open to both OHMs and ATVs.

Jordan River OHV Park and Modelport website

Journey back in time at Old Deseret Village, a collection of more than 40 historic homes and buildings brought to life by historical interpreters. Visit This Is The Place Monument, which marks the end of the 1,300-mile Mormon trail. This Is The Place Foundation, a nonprofit organization, manages the park. For more information and for current events, please visit www.thisistheplace.org.

This is the Place Heritage Park website

Discovery Gateway STEAM-Guided field trips encourage students to discover, explore and create with interactive, hands-on exhibits with the assistance of a Museum Imagination Facilitator. Each exhibit features age-appropriate elements that tie into Utah's Core Curriculum Standards.

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum website

The Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts is the only museum in the country dedicated to displaying a state-owned collection of contemporary folk art. It features objects made by living Utah artists from the state's American Indian, rural, occupational and ethnic communities offering a snapshot of Utah's contemporary culture and heritage. The Chase Home, built more than 150 years ago in a traditional hall-and-parlor style from adobe bricks, is a fine example of 19th century folk art.

Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Art website

UMFA programs and tours will spark curiosity and creativity for visitors of all ages. Enjoy roaming the galleries on your own, hands-on art projects for the whole family, lectures, films, or informative docent-led tours.

Utah Museum of Fine Arts website

The Utah Museum of Natural History offers a range of programs that foster an understanding of the natural world and earth science.

Utah Museum of Natural History website

Discover artifacts, petroglyphs, and pictographs left behind by the Fremont Indians. During construction of Interstate 70, the largest known Fremont Indian village was uncovered. This museum preserves treasures from the site, including pottery, baskets, and arrowheads. Spend a day at the museum, and then camp at nearby Castle Rock Campground.

Fremont Indian State Park and Museum website

Old Spanish National Historic Trail website

Utah's First National Park - Massive canyon walls ascend toward a brilliant blue sky. To experience Zion, you need to walk among the towering cliffs, or challenge your courage in a small narrow canyon. These unique sandstone cliffs range in color from cream, to pink, to red. They could be described as sand castles crowning desert canyons.

Zion National Park website

The Springville Museum of Art is a historic museum with work from local Utah artists, as well as nationally and internationally renowned artists. There are no admission fees, but donations are encouraged. All ages are welcome, and large groups can make reservations for guided tours. They also now offer free virtual field trips using an interactive virtual tour! It's the next best thing to physically being inside the galleries.

Springville Museum of Art website

Grand Canyon Parashant's natural splendor provides a sense of solitude to those who venture into its isolated domain. Located on the edge of one of the most beautiful places on earth, the Grand Canyon, the Monument's expansive landscape encompasses a chronicle of natural and cultural history.

Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument website

Play 18-holes of golf, paddle or troll on Palisade Reservoir, then set up the perfect campsite. This park offers something for everyone, from its desert canyon golf course, RV and tent camping, to access for off-highway vehicle riding in nearby Six-Mile Canyon.

Palisade State Park website

Antelope Island State Park, the largest island in the Great Salt Lake, is home to a roaming herd of 500 bison. Pronghorn and bighorn sheep also share the rangelands that overlook the desert lake. Opportunities to view wildlife are available on backcountry trails, which are open to horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking and cross-country skiing. A visitor center offers information on the island's unique biology, geology and history.

Antelope Island State Park website

The Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth's crust known as a monocline, extends from nearby Thousand Lakes Mountain to the Colorado River (now Lake Powell). Capitol Reef National Park was established to protect this grand and colorful geologic feature, as well as the unique natural and cultural history found in the area.

Capitol Reef National Park website

Hike to 200-million-year-old dinosaur tracks, boat and fish on Red Fleet Reservoir, and camp or picnic in a campground overlooking a sandstone and desert landscape. In the heart of Dinosaurland, Red Fleet is a destination in itself and great location for discovery of the area.

Red Fleet State Park website

Fish for rainbow trout and largemouth bass, and enjoy sandy beaches, swim, boat, and waterski at Steinaker Reservoir. Select a secluded campsite overlooking the water and under the skies of Dinosaurland.

Steinaker State Park website

So much time is revealed here, even more geologic time than in the Grand Canyon. Within an 80-mile radius of Vernal, evidence of the entire Earth's history is visible. At its center is the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum. The new museum is located two blocks east of the old Field House, a 22,000-square foot structure to preserve and reveal the wealth of prehistory found within the Uinta Basin. Outside the museum, and providing the greatest appeal to passing visitors, is the Dinosaur Garden, a prehistoric zoo of full-size replicas ranging in age from Pennsylvanian through Pleistocene. The garden includes a 20-foot Tyrannosaurus with six-inch, knife-like teeth, a horned Triceratops, six-ton Stegosaurus, winged Pteranodon and other full-size prehistoric animal replicas.

Utah Field House of Natural History website

The Conservation Garden Park showcases beautiful, waterwise landscapes ideal for northern Utah. Learn about newly finished exhibits that teach homeowners how to design, build, or retrofit their landscapes to be more water-efficient.

Conservation Garden Park website

Boat, swim, waterski, and fish on the warm waters of Willard Bay. Camp under tall cottonwood trees that frame the night sky. During winter months, Willard Bay is a wildlife watching area for nesting eagles. Two areas, North and South Marinas, offer all the amenities for a weekend at the Bay.

Willard Bay State Park website

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Zion National Park: The Complete Guide

virtual field trip to zion national park

Martin Klima / EyeEm / Getty Images

Things to Do

  • The Best Hikes & Trails

Where to Camp

Where to stay nearby, getting there, accessibility, tips for your visit, zion national park.

Situated in the southwest corner of Utah, Zion National Park is one of the most unique and breathtaking settings on the planet. At the heart of the park lies Zion Canyon, a 15-mile long, 2,600-foot deep gorge that is awe-inspiring both for its size and beauty. But the colorful sandstone walls sit at the nexus of desert, forest, and river biospheres which are rarely found in such close proximity. This makes the park a truly magical environment that never ceases to amaze and delight.

While it was officially declared a national park by Woodrow Wilson in 1919, Zion's history stretches back much further than that. Native Americans inhabited the region for at least 8,000 years, with various tribes calling the area home over the centuries. Europeans arrived in the 1850s and '60s, ultimately displacing the Native Americans living there. Many of those early Europeans were members of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, which derives a great deal of meaning from the park's name.

Today, Zion is known for its excellent hiking, spectacular landscapes, and diversity of wildlife.

As is typical with any national park, there is plenty to see and do in Zion. For example, visitors simply looking for a scenic drive should point their car towards the Kolob Canyons where they'll find an epic 5-mile route that has to be seen to be believed. Birdwatchers will find a lot to love here as well, with more than 280 avian species to spot throughout the park. That includes the rare—but increasing in numbers—California Condor, which has appeared more frequently in recent years. If you linger in Zion after dark, you'll be treated to a celestial light show unlike any other, with the night sky aglow with a billion stars overhead.

Travelers looking for an adrenaline rush can take to the Virgin River, which has carved out Zion's unique landscape over the years. The water can run fast and furious at times, presenting challenging rapids meant for expert paddlers. The sandstone walls of the canyon make for excellent climbing and canyoneering—particularly in the famous Zion Narrows —is also a popular way to explore the area.

If you get hungry, options for finding food inside Zion National Park are somewhat limited. The visitor center does offer a limited number of drinks and snacks, while both the Castle Dome Café and Red Rock Grill at Zion Lodge offer a full menu for any time of the day.

Matteo Colombo / Getty Images

The Best Hikes & Trails

Zion features numerous hiking trails throughout its 146,000 acres. Many of those trails are remote and rugged, so plan accordingly before setting out. That includes wearing appropriate footwear and bringing plenty of drinking water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient in the backcountry, particularly if you wander into the Zion Wilderness. Backpackers planning to spend the night are also required to have a permit before venturing out. It is also important to note that the National Park Service limits the size of groups traveling together to 12 people. Zion's top trails are legendary amongst hikers , many of which come simply to knock a few off their adventure bucket list.

The Narrows is a challenging walk that takes trekkers 9.4 miles into the canyon, following the Virgin River along the way. Meanwhile, the moderately difficult Watchman Trail runs just 3.3 miles, along rocky cliff faces, rewarding visitors with some of the best views in the park along the way. The Overlook Trail is just 1 mile in length, but ends at a lookout point that is also breathtaking in its scope.

The park's signature hike, without a doubt, is Angels Landing —a demanding 5.5-mile walk that features over 1,500 feet of elevation gain along the way. This trek is not for the faint of heart or inexperienced, as there are certain sections where chains have been installed to provide handholds while crossing through the more difficult portions. Those who do complete the journey are treated to a truly spectacular view at the end that provides an amazing sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Those looking for easier, more accessible routes should give the Lower Emerald Pool Trail a go. This paved path runs for 1.2 miles and takes visitors to a beautiful waterfall and its namesake body of water, where hikers can even take a dip. Other options include the 1-mile-long Grotto Trail, which often provides opportunities to spot wildlife, and the paved Riverside Walk, which offers a 2.2-mile mini-Narrows experience.

Lee Cohen / Getty Images

Of course, visitors to the park can also elect to camp inside its borders during their stay. There are three campgrounds found within Zion itself, each with differing amenities. Lava Point Campground is the most remote and is usually only open between May and September. It is located at 7,890 feet along the Kolob Terrace, where weather conditions can fluctuate rapidly. The South Campground and Watchman Campground are a little more accessible and have a few modern features, including RV hookups and dump stations. Campsites start at $20 per night and reservations should be made through Recreation.gov .

As with most national parks and forests, backcountry camping is permitted in Zion, although backpackers are urged to take caution when pitching their tent. Hikers should make camp a safe distance from water sources and out of the way of potential rockfalls. Backcountry camping is free, but a permit is required at all times .

Travelers looking to spend a few days in and around Zion have several options when it comes to where they want to stay for the night. The famous Zion Lodge allows visitors to spend the night inside the park's boundaries, while still offering a comfortable setting. The Lodge offers standard rooms, cabins, and suites at varying price points and is open year-round.

Additionally, other overnight options can be found in the small towns that border the national park, with Springdale and Rockville being the closest and most convenient. Those towns also offer a variety of restaurants for grabbing both a quick and easy meal, as well as a more upscale sit-down experience.

Jordan Siemens /Getty

While Zion National Park is located in a remote area of southwest Utah, there are multiple ways of getting there. Those who are flying in will most likely pass through McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas , which is located approximately 170 miles from the park. Others may choose to fly into Salt Lake City International , but it is more than 300 miles away, making the journey by car a longer one. Additionally, there are regional airports located in nearby Saint George and Cedar City, although they may not be cost-effective options.

When driving to the park, head towards Springdale, Utah. Zion's main entrance can be found on State Route 9. When heading north from Las Vega, take Interstate 15 to Exit 16, then head east on SR 9. If you're traveling from Salt Lake City, stay on Interstate 15 South to Exit 27, then head east on State Route 17 until it intersects with SR 9. From there, continue heading east until you arrive at the park.

Of particular note, if you're traveling in a large vehicle—such as an RV or truck—you'll want to be aware of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel . The 1.1-mile-long tunnel is found on State Route 9 and is the longest of its kind in the U.S. Because it is quite narrow, vehicles that are taller than 11 feet, 4 inches in height or wider than 7 feet, 10 inches in width are required to have an escort, or traffic control when passing through. There is a $15 fee for this service, which is good for two trips. Vehicles that are 13 feet tall are prohibited from passing through the tunnel, as are semi-trucks, vehicles longer than 40 feet, or those carrying hazardous materials.

In accordance with the American Disabilities Act, Zion's visitor center, museum, restrooms, parking lots, and picnic areas are all wheelchair accessible. Zion Lodge is also wheelchair friendly, as are the shuttle buses that carry visitors around the park. Service dogs are allowed throughout the park but must remain on a leash at all times.

Various trails—including Pa’rus Trail, Lower Emerald Pools Trail, and Riverside Walk—are paved, allowing visitors with accessibility challenges access to the Zion wilderness experience. Many of the other trails quickly become difficult and demanding, however, so proceed with caution when venturing off pavement.

  • Avoid the Crowds: More than 4 million visitors flock to Zion in a given year. Most of them come between February and November, with much smaller crowds in January and December. Those months may be colder and have less predictable weather, so bring appropriate gear to stay warm and dry. At all times of the year, Zion Canyon is the busiest area of the park, so head to Kolob Canyons or Kolob Terrace Road for more solitude.
  • Backcountry Permits: Backcountry permits can be obtained at the Zion Canyon Wilderness Desk from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Be prepared to wait an average of 20 minutes while completing that process.
  • Fees and Passes: The entrance fee for Zion National Park is $35 for a private vehicle, $30 for a motorcycle, and $20 per person on foot. These fees provided a pass that is good for seven days. A Zion annual pass can be obtained for $70 and a lifetime pass can be purchased by seniors over the age of 62 for $80. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass is a great value at $80, particularly if you plan on visiting any of Utah's other national parks, such as Bryce Canyon or Canyonlands .
  • Bring Binoculars: As mentioned, Zion is a virtual paradise for birdwatchers, but there are plenty of other creatures to see as well. The park is home to bighorn sheep, mule deer, bobcats, mountain lions, porcupines, foxes, and the elusive ringtail cat. Carrying a pair of binoculars will make it easier to spot these creatures throughout your stay.
  • Check Trail Closures: Before planning a specific hike in Zion, be sure to check the park's website or at the visitor center for closures. Rockslides and high water are common at times, both of which can temporarily close a trail down. Additionally, the Angel's Landing trail might also get closed down due to overcrowding, so come with alternative plans should this be the case.

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virtual field trip to zion national park

Concrete-to-Canyons

$59,798 needed.

Many students in underserved urban areas, like nearby Las Vegas, have never enjoyed transformative experiences in nature that others might take for granted. Many of these students have never seen a night sky without light pollution or marveled at the innumerable constellations or even seen the Milky Way. They’ve never pitched a tent and slept the night in it or enjoyed an evening around a campfire. They’ve never taken a hike in a wondrous landscape like Zion National Park. 

Concrete-to-Canyons is the park’s most ambitious and longest-running outreach program that grants underserved students across Nevada the opportunity to experience all these life-changing experiences and more. Through this award-winning program, Zion invites students from nearby Clark County, Nevada to enjoy a three-day, two-night hiking and camping experience in the park with rangers, learning about the park’s spectacular landscape, plants, animals, and history while becoming more comfortable and confident in the outdoors. The approximately 300 students who participate in the program come from Title 1 schools, where a majority of the student population are from underserved households. 

This year, Zion is working to expand the program to more than just Title 1 schools, and is hoping to invite students from rural and tribal lands to the park. To make this transformational trip a reality, with your donations the Zion Forever Project covers the costs of the students’ transportation to and from the park, camping supplies, and food. The initiative also provides the resources for two seasonal education rangers who curate and lead the experiences.

The camping trip in the park is only one highlight of the experience. Zion rangers meet with the classes in advance to help them pack and to teach them about park resources and safety. Rangers also lead a skill-building workshop for teachers, parents, and chaperones. For many chaperones, it is their first time in a national park as well. 

Participating students share their experiences with their families and community. Zion invites past participants of the program to a family camping day in the park and encourages them to bring family members with them to enjoy ranger-led activities. This after-the-trip component strives to instill a connection to national parks that will last a lifetime. Because of your continued support, the park kept the program going with virtual field trips in 2020 and one-day immersive experiences in 2021 and 2022. With your continued support, the park looks forward to once again offering the full three-day experience to better connect these youth to the outdoors thanks to Zion Forever Project funding.

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  • Mar 21, 2020

Take Your Students on a Virtual Field Trip to the National Parks

Take your students on a virtual field trip to the National Parks. This digital activity is set up in Google Slides and is low prep and great for upper elementary

Are you looking for blended or remote learning activities that are educational and will keep your students engaged? Take your students on a Virtual Road Trip to explore the top 5 most visited National Parks! Students will use Google Earth and multiple print and digital sources to quickly draw information to answer questions pertaining to the National Parks.

This virtual field trip includes both print and digital formats. A Google Slides edition is included so that students can complete the Park Pages digitally!

What is a virtual field trip?

Students begin by reading a short passage about a National Park to build background knowledge. Next they will use the super cool 360 degree navigation features on Google Earth to explore the parks, and answer the questions on their Park Pass. In addition, students will navigate to the National Parks website to learn more.

Which parks do students explore?

Students will explore the top 5 most visited National Parks. If you would like to view a free sample of the virtual field trip, check out the road trip to Yellowstone National Park here .

Students will explore the:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Grand Canyon National Park

Zion National Park

Yosemite National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Take your students to the National Parks with this Google Slides digital activity that is perfect for 5th grade, 6th grade, or middle school

How long does the field trip take?

This lesson can be conducted over the course of a week, with students spending time exploring one park per day. Students will fill out a road map throughout the trip to track their location. Usually, it will take students about one hour to explore each park. So this means the total road trip is about 5 hours.

Is this self-guided?

Yes, you can send this activity to your students in Google Classroom very easily as all of the instructions are included on the Park Pass. Depending on how tech-savy your students are, you could also conduct this teacher-led and explore the National Parks together.

What’s Included?

Teacher Set Up Instructions

Grading Rubric

Google Earth Keyboard Short Cuts Reference Sheet

National Parks Labels (label manila envelopes to stay organized, this is for in-class use & optional)

Reading Passages (5 parks included; Google Compatible)

Park Passes (5 parks included, all student instructions are included on the sheets; Google Compatible)

Road Map (students label their road trip locations on the map, optional)

Answer Keys (check student work before receiving the next Park Pass)

2 Extension Sheets (analyze the text; Google Compatible)

Assessment Sheet

A low prep or great sub plan for distance learning, this Google compatible virtual field trip to the National Parks is great for upper elementary

What Technology is Needed?

Students will need access to Google Earth, and the websites provided. Google Earth can be accessed using Chrome as the browser. Your students can also access Google Earth on a tablet or smart phone using the Google Earth App. All of the navigation features are accessible through the app as well.

Your students will also need access to Google Slides to complete the activity digitally. You could assign in Google Classroom. A print version is also included, if you would rather your students complete by hand.

You will want to ensure ahead of time that the websites are not blocked by your school’s server. Also, websites change from time to time. I have done my best to include questions that will make sense even if a website changes, however I will also do my best to ensure that this resource is up to date and reflects any major website changes.

Take your students on a virtual field trip to the National Parks with this Google Earth exploration tour perfect for tech infused learning

This resource in aligned with the following Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.7 Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7 Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.

This resource is also aligned to the new Washington State Social Studies Standards:

GEOGRAPHY 1: Understands the physical characteristics, cultural characteristics, and location of places, regions, and spatial patterns on the Earth’s surface.

Enduring Understanding: Knows that the use of tools (e.g., maps, globes, charts, graphs) is important to understanding the world around us.

G1.5.4 Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their environmental characteristics

Enduring Understanding: (US) The United States is a geographically diverse nation with distinct physical and cultural regions whose characteristics have impacted the nation.

G1.6-8.5 Explain and analyze physical and cultural characteristics of places and regions in the United States.

G1.6-8.6 Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their political, cultural, and economic dynamics.

GEOGRAPHY 2: Understands human interaction with the environment.

Enduring Understanding: Knows that the human-environment interactions are essential aspects of human life in all societies and they occur at local-to-regional scale. Human actions modify the physical environment and, in turn, the physical environment limits or promotes human activities

G2.5.3 Explain how the cultural and environmental characteristics of places change over time.

G2.6-8.6 Analyze how the environment has affected people and how people have affected the environment in the United States in the past or present.

Check out this free virtual field trip to Yellowstone National Park

virtual field trip to zion national park

  • Virtual Field Trips
  • U.S. History

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Kelly's Thoughts On Things

10 Things To Do In Zion National Park

Z ion National Park is a fantastical place filled with red rock formations, breathtaking hikes, and endless outdoor activities. It truly is a nature lover’s heaven.

When you arrive at the park, your first stop should be the Visitor’s Center to check out all of the information on the trails and activities in Zion National Park.

You can pick up a map here as well as talk to a ranger for any advice or questions you may have about your trip.

Enjoy the Virgin River

Located in the southwestern corner of Utah, Zion National Park is a favorite for nature lovers and outdoors enthusiasts.

The park is rich in scenery, hiking trails, campsites, and wildlife, and it can be accessed by road via the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (State Route 9), which connects the town of Springdale to the north with the town of Mt. Carmel Junction to the southeast.

One of the most popular things to do in Zion National Park is enjoy the Virgin River. Hikers who follow the river to its source will find that it originates at Kolob Creek, which is located within Zion National Park's northwest quadrant.

The creek flows northward along a route that parallels Interstate 15 before reaching its confluence with North Creek. At this point, it officially became known as the Virgin River proper.

The easiest way to experience Zion National Park's Virgin River is by taking a hike along a section of its banks.

There are several different trails that make use of the river, but for most hikers, the best choice is probably going to be Angel's Landing Trail.

This trail leads upward from Riverside Walk along the riverbank toward a natural feature known as Angel's Landing.

Hike Angels Landing

Hiking Angels Landing is one of the top Things To Do In Zion National Park. It is a very popular hike, so if you have the chance to do it on a weekday, that's the time! It's not an easy hike, but it is certainly worth it.

Angels Landing is considered a strenuous hike with 1,500 feet elevation gain in just 2.5 miles. There are 21 switchbacks along the way.

The last half mile is strenuous and narrow with steep drop-offs on both sides. If you're afraid of heights or don't have a good balance, I would recommend skipping this one. If you're up for an adventure, then give it a try!

The first part of the trail is very easy and shaded by trees, and can be a little crowded since there are several other trails nearby that all connect to the start of this one (the Grotto Trailhead).

You'll cross over Refrigerator Canyon via Walter's Wiggles (21 switchbacks), which take you up to Scouts Lookout.

From here you can see your final destination – Angels Landing. There's also a bathroom at Scouts Lookout if you need one before going further.

Hike Observation Point

The Observation Point Trail hike is a strenuous 8-mile round trip, with an elevation gain of 2,148 feet. The hike gains about 1,000 feet in the first 1.5 miles to Echo Canyon, then the trail follows along a plateau before gaining another 500 feet at the end of the trail.

The trail is marked well with signs along the way so you won’t get lost and there are several great places along the way where you can take some photos of Zion Canyon before reaching Observation Point.

See Weeping Rock

Weeping Rock is a large overhanging rock that has water continually dripping from it.  It's located on the east side of Zion Canyon and requires a half-mile hike from the parking lot along a paved trail.

The trail can be steep in spots, but it's not difficult for even small children to make it to Weeping Rock. The views are amazing as you hike up to it and as you approach Weeping Rock, you'll start hearing the water and you'll be able to see where it originates from.

Weeping Rock was created by rainwater running down the cliff face and dissolving through the rock.

The little bit of water coming out of Weeping Rock may not look like much, but when you consider how long this water has been seeping through the rocks, it's truly an amazing site!

Climb Checkerboa r d Mesa

One of the Things To Do In Zion National Park is Climb Checkerboard Mesa . The hike to Checkerboard Mesa, a sandstone butte in Zion National Park with a checkered summit, is not to be taken lightly.

It's a strenuous 10-mile round trip, with 1,600 feet of elevation gain. But it's worth it for the views: you'll see Checkerboard Mesa, the Virgin River, and the East Rim.

The trailhead for Checkerboard Mesa is located at the south end of Zion Canyon on Highway 9. Park your car at the Riverside Walk trailhead and head east on the Pa'rus Trail.

Stay on this route until you reach a trail junction behind Observation Point and turn right onto the Northgate Peaks Trail. 

This trail will lead you to an overlook that offers sweeping views of Zion Canyon and Checkerboard Mesa itself.

From here, you can either head back down or continue along the Northgate Peaks Trail to the base of Checkerboard Mesa.

Once you're at its base, follow cairns up to Phoenix-Mesa before following another set of cairns toward Cable Mountain and into Echo Canyon before turning back toward Checkerboard Mesa and climbing up it from there.

Hike The Narrows

When looking up things to do in Zion National Park, the first thing that comes up is the Narrows . The Narrows is the most popular hike in Zion National Park. It's also on many bucket lists of hikes around the world.

It's a 16-mile round-trip hike through the Virgin River. The narrows are so named because in some areas you are walking between sheer sandstone walls that are only 20 feet apart!

The narrows are for people who enjoy hiking and who don't mind getting wet.

The Narrows is actually a canyon-like part of the Virgin River that twists, turns, and has walls that are in some places more than 1,000 feet tall.

The only way to hike it is to walk through the river, which can be anywhere from ankle to waist deep.

You need a permit to hike The Narrows as well as proper gear such as water shoes or hiking boots, clothing that dries quickly, and a walking stick which you can rent at one of several locations within Zion National Park (the one closest to the trailhead is Zion Adventure Company).

Buy some fudge or ice cream at Zion Lodge (or just take a selfie with the bear)

 If you're going to take a selfie with a bear statue outside the Zion Lodge, make sure you're looking for something to eat at the same time. The Zion Lodge has some of the best strawberry ice cream on the planet, and that's saying a lot.

It's a great place to grab a sandwich or salad for lunch, too—and it doesn't hurt that you can walk around and take pictures of the gorgeous Canyon while you wait for your food to be ready.

Drive the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

One of the things to do in Zion National Park is drive the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. This is a scenic drive through the park, and it's the only way to access The Narrows, another must-do on our list.

The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel was built in 1930, and it's a cool engineering feat that's worth checking out in person. It's 1.1 miles long and 11 feet wide, with beautiful canyon views from either end.

While you're driving through Zion, take some time to admire the scenery and check out some of the roadside attractions.

Some that we really enjoyed were Checkerboard Mesa (look for it on your left as you travel east), Weeping Rock (a large alcove with water dripping down the rock face), and Big Bend (the point where the road turns).

Visit the Kolob Canyons

One of the best things to do in Zion National Park is visit the Kolob Canyons . These majestic canyons offer great opportunities for hiking , backpacking, and camping.

Just like with all other parts of the park, there are several trails that you can choose from depending on your preference and how much time you have available.

If you are planning to hike any of these trails, make sure you have comfortable shoes, as well as plenty of water and snacks to keep you hydrated and energized.

The Kolob Canyons are located about two hours away from Zion's main entrance which makes them very accessible for visitors who may only be spending a few days at the park.

The Canyon Overlook Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the area, offering breathtaking views of some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Zion National Park.

Other activities include kayaking through Kolob Reservoir or visiting one of many lodges and resorts located along the way.

Many visitors choose to stay overnight at one of these lodges and enjoy an evening dinner before continuing on their travels through Zion National Park.

 Visit The Gift Shop

Another thing to do in Zion National Park is to shop at the gift shop inside the lodge . You'll find all kinds of souvenirs, including books about local wildlife and birding guides, as well as t-shirts and hats emblazoned with the Zion National Park logo or bear insignia.

Zion Lodge is located right at the entrance to Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which is one of only two paved roads in all of Zion National Park.

It's also where you'll find many hiking trails, such as Angels Landing (one of my favorites) and West Rim Trail (another favorite).

So, whether you're planning a trip to Zion National Park or just want to learn a few things to do in case you do visit, hopefully, these ten things will inspire you to include this fabulous place on your bucket list.

The post 10 Things To Do In Zion National Park appeared first on Kellys Thoughts On Things .

Zion National Park is a fantastical place filled with red rock formations, breathtaking hikes, and endless outdoor activities. It truly is a nature lover’s heaven. …

SoCal Field Trips

101 Virtual Field Trips To Take With Your Kids

Virtual field trips bring text books to life!  Instead of reading about The Leaning Tower of Pisa, you can take a 360 degree panoramic tour of it. Climb Mount Everest - virtually! Watch adorable sea lions play at the aquarium on a webcam. The opportunities for virtual learning are endless!

Are your kids spending more time inside these days?  Thanks to the miracles of technology, kids can be educated at home by doing a few academic activities and going on a virtual field trip or two.  

What is a Virtual Field Trip?

“What is a virtual field trip”, you ask?  Good question!  On a virtual field trip students can visit museums , zoos , aquariums , historical sites, national monuments and other places of importance around the world from the comfort of their own home or regular classroom.   A virtual field trip can also involve attending an artistic performance or connecting with a leader in a certain field of study.

Virtual field trips bring text books to life!  Instead of reading about The Leaning Tower of Pisa, take a 360 degree panoramic tour of it!  Climb Mount Everest – virtually!  Watch adorable sea lions play at the aquarium on a webcam!  The opportunities for virtual learning are endless!

101 Virtual Fields Trips For Homeschoolers

101 Virtual Field Trips For Kids

Virtual fields trips are also great for all ages.  Students can choose from a number of topics including zoology, sports, science, STEM, tech and manufacturing, agriculture, literacy and more.  Even though families may be stuck at home for an extended period of time, with this list of 101 virtual field trips for kids you still can travel the world and learn together!

Jellyfish at an aquarium

Aquarium Virtual Tours

Check in on sea life with live webcams placed inside Aquarium’s exhibits.  The public can watch otters, sharks and jelly fish happily play all day long!

  • Aquarium of the Pacific  – They offer a variety of webcams and online programming so that the public can engage with their exhibits and animals and learn about the ocean.
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium  – Learn about the ocean from anywhere.  Choose a live cam and be mesmerized by moon jellies or see how many seven gill sharks you can spot.  You can also watch their daily live feedings.
  • Georgia Aquarium  –  They have 8 webcams for visitors to watch Jellyfish, Beluga Whales, California Sea Lions and more.
  • National Aquarium – Watch their live 365 degree webcam of various animals including seas turtles, alligators, and fish.
  • Waikiki Aquarium – Watch Hōʻailona, the monk seal, live his best life on the Island.
  • California Academy of Sciences  – Watch stingrays, coral reef, and penguin colony in HD, or take a trip to the Farallon Islands via webcam.

Zoo Virtual Tours

Zoo WebCams & More

Zoo webcams allow visitors to drop in on the habitats of some of the zoo’s favorite animal exhibits.  Catch a lion taking a nap, watch penguins slip and slide on the ice or gaze at the beauty of an American Bald Eagle.

  • Explore  – The world’s largest live nature cam network and is nicknamed “Pearls of the Planet”.  They have hundreds of live webcams of animals and prey from all over the world.
  • Ouwehand Park Polar Bear Cubs  – Watch the zoo’s tundra exhibit in the Netherlands, where two polar bear cubs play under the watchful eye of their mother and grandmother.
  • Simithsonian’s National Zoo – They have multiple webcams available streaming live from various exhibits.
  • The National Parks Service  – Their live cams allow you to get up close to wildlife without disturbing them.  Watch the famous brown bears of Brooks River, go on a live dive in Channel Islands, or take a peek in a Bald Eagle’s Nest.  They have an library of videos on YouTube .
  • Cincinnati Zoo – While the Cincinnati Zoo is currently closed, they’ll be live-streaming from the zoo each weekday at 3 pm EDT. Each stream will highlight one of the zoo’s amazing animals, and include an activity that can be done from home.
  • San Diego Zoo Webcam  – Live webcams of various animals including penguins, pandas, polar bears, elephants, koalas and more.
  • Zoo Atlanta Panda Cam  –  Take peek inside what’s it like to be a panda!
  • Houston Zoo AnimalCam  – See a heard of Asian elephants roam around, watch as giraffes nibble lettuce fed to them by guests at the feeding platform, see the rhinos roll in a mud puddle and more.
  • Reid Park Zoo – Enjoy watching a life webcast of the elephants, giraffes, bears, lemurs and lions.
  • National Geographic Safari Live  – Watch an impala face a crocodile, a hyena clan resists a lion pride, baby elephants play and more.
  • WildlifeEarth.TV  – Take a virtual safari!  Experience one of the most beautiful places on earth and interact with animal experts in real time. 
  • Sharks 4 Kids  – Watch a variety of videos about sharks.
  • The Science of Sled Dogs  – Denali National Park and Preserve hosts the US government’s only dog-sled team.  The education staff at Denali can visit your classroom for free via the internet. Using Zoom videoconferencing connections, their staff will spend an hour teaching your class about Denali’s amazing natural resources using interactive lessons and activities
  • FarmFood 360  – Offers 11 virtual tours of farm animals of minks, sheep, pigs, cows and more.
  • Minnesota Zoo  – Offers three live virtual field trips with Zoo staff that you book for your students including Engineering for Animals: Exhibit Design & Beyond, Engineering by Animals: Inventive Nature and Zoo Food for Thought.
  • The Turtle Hospital – They offer virtual field trips for students to learn about a variety of turtle topics, including basic sea turtle anatomy, conservation, rehab, surgery and more.

National Parks Virtual Field Trips

Need to get outside?  These National Parks offer virtual tours you can take from the comfort of home.  Just don’t forget water!

  • Yellowstone National Park  – Learn about Mud Volcano, Mammoth Hot Springs and more.
  • Yosemite National Park – Take a 360 degree of this national treasure.
  • Haleakalā Crater – Get the latest viewing conditions of Haleakalā Crater at Haleakalā National Park
  • Nahuku Lave Tube  – Learn about lava tubes in Hawaii with this educational field trip.
  • Agate Fossil Beds National Monument  – Rangers will remotely (using Zoom technology) introduce students to Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.  Students will learn about fossilization and the geology of the area.
  • Denali National Park  – Denali National Park and Preserve hosts the tallest mountain in North America.  It can be hard to get there, but you can bring Denali into your classroom instead!  Learn about this tall peak and why exactly Denali is so tall in this program specifically designed for 4th-6th grade.  The education staff at Denali can visit your classroom for free via the internet.
  • Chat With A Ranger  – In this program, students learn about Zion National Park, the park service, and the ranger themselves as they interact in live time with a uniformed ranger. 
  • Channel Islands Live Dive  – Students explore the kelp forest with a park ranger-diver through an interactive distance learning program. The role of kelp as a producer and, therefore, its ability to produce oxygen through photosynthesis are emphasized. Affects of human activities on kelp forests are also explored.

Woman standing in front of art at an art museum

Art Museums Online Tours

When a class field trip is out of the question, journey to a virtual museum!  From Paris to New York to Amsterdam, kids can see priceless works of art from the world’s most famous artists.

  • Google Arts and Cultur e  – Take a virtual field trip to one of 500 museums and galleries around the world.  You can take a look at internationally-renowned sites like the British Museum in London, England, or the Ufizzi Gallery in Florence, Italy.
  • National Archaeological Museum of Naples  – Take a virtual tour of the art and artifacts from Pompeii, Herculaneum, and more
  • Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam – Take an online tour of The Van Gogh Museum which houses the largest collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) in the world.
  • The Louvre in Paris  – Travel to Paris to see amazing works of art on this virtual field trip.
  • National Museum of Nature and Science in Japan – Take a virtual tour of each floor of the National Museum of Nature and Science.  Learn about dinosaurs, the ecosystem, mining in the Edo period and more.
  • National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C . – Enjoy a tour of National Gallery of Art preserves, collects, exhibits, and fosters an understanding of works of art.
  • Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy – Take a tour of The Uffizi which was designed by Giorgio Vasari in 1560 for Cosimo I de’Medici to house the Granducal Magistratures of Tuscany.

Space Virtual Field Trips

See what the universe looks like from the far reaches of space!  Take a walk on Mars, join the first man on the Moon or ride shuttle into space.  Just don’t forget your suit!

  • Mars  – With virtual tours, even the sky isn’t your limit.  Thanks to NASA’s Curiosity rover, you and your students can explore the surface of Mars in a 360-degree view while learning about space exploration.
  • NASA Space Cam  – The NASA Space cam comes to us from the International Space Station as it careens around the Earth at an average of 17,000 mph, experiencing sunrises and sunsets about every 45 minutes.  Catch stunning views of vast blue oceans, clouds, and the city lights below during “nights”. Get an inside look at the global crew of astronauts as they perform scientific experiments in weightless conditions and communicate with Mission Control.
  • Aerospace Virtual Tour With Boeing – Join Boeing on a virtual field trip to historic Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. 
  • U.S. Space and Rocket Museum – See the Saturn 5 Rocket and more on this tour with a cute father/son duo.

History Virtual Field Trips

Historical Virtual Field Trips

Virtual field trips can awaken a love for history and provide a way to explore places that may normally be inaccessible.

  • Great Wall of China  – This virtual tour of the Great Wall of China is beautiful and makes history come to life.
  • Ellis Island – Take a virtual field trip to Ellis Island with Scholastic.com
  • Tour England – Enjoy a beautiful tour of England in this 360 degree video.
  • Machu Picchu, CuzcoUnesco National Heritage Site 360 World Tour
  • The White House – Get an up close tour of this magnificent building with a 360-degree view of more than a dozen rooms.
  • MetKids – This site from New York City’s Museum of Metropolitan Art lets kids explore the famous museum with an interactive map.
  • The Liberty Bell – Look at photos and learn facts about the Liberty Bell from all angles.
  • Museum of American Revolution – You can experience the Museum of the American Revolution from everywhere!  They have placed all of their digital resources right on the landing page of their website for the time-being.
  • The Leaning Tower of Pisa – This magnificent work of art took around 200 years to build.  Access to the Leaning Tower of Pisa normally only holds 45 people at a time, but not any more with this virtual tour!
  • The Egyptian Pyramids – Take a tour of one of the top wonders of the world with PBS.
  • Buckingham Palace – From the grand staircase to the art room, this virtual tour of Buckingham Place in England will give you a great perspective of the grandeur of the majestic residence.
  • The Grand Canyon – View one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and tour 277 miles around the rim. 
  • Mount Rushmore – Take a panoramic tour of Mount Rushmore and discovers the wonder of this National Monument.
  • Empire State Building – Climb this enormous New York skyscraper — virtually! 
  • Mount Everest – Climb Mount Everest from home! View the Mount Everest webcam to learn about the world’s highest mountain.
  • The Durham Museum – The Durham Museum’s digital learning program offers unique opportunities for learners of all ages. Taught by educators, these engaging and interactive classes follow National and State Social Studies Standards and are filled with primary sources featuring artifacts, videos and photographs.
  • American Signs & Symbols – Artists use familiar icons such as the Statue of Liberty, the bald eagle, and the American flag to communicate their ideas about American culture and encourage examination of our society.
  • A House Divided: Civil War  – The Civil War tested and consumed the country for more than four years. Explore how this great conflict and subsequent Reconstruction period are depicted through the traditional mediums of painting and sculpture, as well as the then new medium of photography.
  • George Washington and The French and Indian War  – Talk with one of Fort Necessity National Battlefield’s park rangers via video conferencing equipment about young George Washington and the French and Indian War.  Using George Washington’s actions and writings students will see how his ambition, hard work and experiences helped him mature into the famous man we all know today.
  • Plimoth Plantation  – Plimoth Plantation’s Education Department can visit your classroom on a virtual field trip!  During the visit the Museum teacher will provide a one-hour program per classroom with either a  Colonial  or  Wampanoag  (Native) focus.
  • Chumash Indians on the Channel Islands  – Students participate in a live, interactive visit with a park ranger on Anacapa Island will learn about the American Indian culture and how humans use the natural resources around them to provide their basic needs. 
  • National Archives  – Visit the National Archives without leaving your classroom!  Their free, interactive programs for K-12th graders feature primary sources from their holdings.
  • A School Day in 1872 – In this virtual lesson a Park Ranger will talk about how the Homestead Act of 1862 populated the west and the needs of those settling. This included the need for schools. This programs discusses the differences between school today and in 1872.
  • A Day in the Life of a Homesteader – In this virtual lesson a Park Ranger will examine what types of homes homesteaders built on the prairie, what the inside of their homes looked like and what their daily chores would have been.
  • Follow The Buffalo – In this virtual visit a Park Ranger utilizes real parts of a buffalo to discover American Indian uses. They will also discuss the importance of the Homestead Act of 1862 and its role in the American Indians life.
  • The Homestead Act of 1862 – In this virtual lesson a Park Ranger will talk about how the Homestead Act of 1862 populated the west and the needs of those settling. Discussion includes how the United States acquired the land given away and the specific requirements to claim one’s free land.
  • Country Music Hall of Fame – Experience the unique educational programs of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum without leaving your classroom.  All programs include interaction with a Museum educator and a member of Nashville’s vibrant musical community.

Science Virtual Field Trips For Kids

Science Virtual Field Trips

Your child may not find studying rocks very exciting, but a virtual field trip takes earth science to an entirely new level!  

  • Skype A Scientist –  This gives students the opportunity to get to know a “real scientist”.  Parents can choose the type of scientist that fits their child’s needs and interest.
  • Field Museum  –  Their on demand learning resources bring the Field’s collections, cutting-edge science, and world cultures knowledge to you.  Discover how ecosystems change over time, watch as an archaeologist explores history through objects, learn how to investigate specimens like a scientist and more.
  • How 3D Printers Work – Learn how a 3D printer works with this video from Energy.gov.
  • Technology in Agriculture – Go on a “bark to bite” journey to explore the careers that bring a new dog food from idea to dog bowl.  Meet the team at Tractor Supply Company to learn how product development, marketing, distribution and merchandising are important careers to delivering the products you use everyday.
  • Where in the World is Petrified Forest  – Students learn the basic concepts of plate tectonics and how scientists determined that land masses on earth have changed position over time by correlating the existence of identical fossils and geology on different land masses.
  • “The Secrets of Easter Island” Tour – What were the people who made the moai head megaliths like, why did they create them, and where did this lost civilization go? Uncover the answer to these and many more exciting questions through the virtual tour of Easter Island.
  • Farm Academy TV  – A safe place for students, teachers, and parents to find videos about science and agriculture.
  • Scientists in Action  – Grant your students direct access to real scientists in the field at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, virtually!  Tap into Museum field sites or research labs during live, interactive 45-minute broadcasts, where you can engage in a real-time Q&A with scientists and researchers.
  • Glacier Detectives  – A park ranger via video conferencing will share the incredible beauty and impressive glacial features of Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska with the students, and inspire a sense of wonder and stewardship for the ice that continues to shape our planet.
  • Listening to the Ice  – A National Park Ranger using video conferencing will use Kenai Fjords National Park as a looking glass through which to observe our planet’s health. The ranger will engage students with questioning, video content and other techniques in order to broaden their local and global understanding of climate change and leave them with a hopeful attitude about the future of our natural environment.
  • Ask an Alaskan – Living and Working in Denali  – Educators have a wealth of knowledge about Denali National Park and Preserve and great stories about living in Alaska.  Tap into this engaging information through an informal question and answer session that is available to K-12th grades and university level students.  Topics can cover the flora, fauna, glaciers, geology, biology, and cultural history of Denali, as well as life in rural Alaska, careers in the National Park Service, and more.
  • A Plant’s Life  – Explore the life cycle of a plant from seed to flower with Longwood Gardens. Tour behind-the-scenes at Longwood and discover how our horticulturalists prepare our spectacular displays. Interact with an Educator and explore a plant’s life through video, images, and hands-on activities during this curriculum-based lesson.
  • Archeological Sites  – Students will discuss and explore the archeological research that occurs after archeologists have left the field through a live virtual field trip.  Participants will discover the importance of lab work, artifact analysis, and curation. Presented by Midwest Archeological Center Distance Learning Program.
  • Excavation and Tools  – Students will review a working excavation, and see some of the methods that archeologists employ at active dig sites.  The discussions are built around the ethics of stewardship and can expand to topics on the environment, sustainability, and responsibility.  Presented by Midwest Archeological Center Distance Learning Program.
  • Denali’s Dinosaurs  – Ever wonder what Denali looked like 70 million years ago? Learn about our Cretaceous past during this distance learning program specifically design for K -3rd grade. Using Zoom videoconferencing connections, the staff will spend an hour teaching your class about Denali’s prehistoric past using interactive lessons and activities.

Sports Virtual Field Trips

Love sports?  If you can’t make the trip to visit a sports museum, take a virtual tour instead.

  • Pro Football Hall of Fame  – 11 different virtual field trips about the history of football.
  • National Baseball Hall of Fame  – Learn about the history of baseball.

Multiple Subjects Virtual Field trips

  • Discovery Education  – No permission slips required!  These virtual events let you go to amazing places without ever leaving your home!
  • Boston Children’s Museum  – Walk through the Boston Children’s Museum thanks to Google Maps!  This virtual tour allows kids to explore 3 floors of fun!
  • Farm Academy TV  – Interactive videoconference programs that connect students with scientists, doctors, and educators for a live interactive two-way experience.
  • Skype An Author Network  – Provides K-12 teachers and librarians with a way to connect authors, books, and young readers through virtual visits.
  • Nepris  – Nepris connects educators and learners with a network of industry professionals, virtually, bringing real-world relevance and career exposure to all students.
  • Learn Around The World  –  They provide virtual field trips, guest speakers, and collaborations to supplement your curriculum.  They strive to make our programs interactive, unique, and an experience that will get your students excited about global education.
  • Exploring By The Seat  – They offer guest speakers and virtual field trips with leading experts from around the world.
  • Field Trip Zoom  – They facilitate unique live and interactive educational experiences between educational content providers and K-12 educators, students and homeschoolers.

If you know of any virtual field trips that should be added to this list, please let me know by leaving a comment in the comment section below.  Collaboration is greatly appreciated!

Happy Virtual Field Tripping!

Tuesday 26th of January 2021

We are so tired of being cooped up! Thank you for this brilliant idea - and I love that there are SO MANY options. We may just sit down and choose one a day, and watch for 10 minutes or so. It's gonna broaden their little bitty horizons so much! I appreciate the work you did on this post.

You are welcome.

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Wednesday 12th of August 2020

[…] kids learn every subject, from math and science to art and physical education.  There are even virtual field trips and space exploration tours […]

101 Free Virtual Field Trips - Geekway Tech

Saturday 9th of May 2020

[…] VER MAIS […]

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Wednesday 6th of May 2020

[…] answers on the internet and we will read them together, while other times I will take my kids on a virtual field trip or visit our local space museum to explore […]

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Saturday 18th of April 2020

[…] addition to offering virtual field trips, the museums have 360-degree tours, live streams, image databases and lecture archives spread […]

Virtual Field Trips

National Parks - Wyoming & Utah

Preview video by clicking the “play” arrow

Introduce your students to the magnificent landforms throughout the National Parks in Wyoming and Utah. In Wyoming, we’ll gaze in wonder at the drama of the Grand Teton Mountain Range, as we also find out about fault-block mountains.  We’ll contrast that experience with the ever-moving, always-changing landscapes of Yellowstone N.P. including the “Old Faithful” geyser. Moving on to Utah, we’ll compare and contrast 3 National Parks – Bryce, Zion, and Arches National Parks.  We’ll see how erosion and ancient salt beds have created these wondrous sites.

Video length: 22:41 minutes

Watch Full Video*

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National Standards for this video

State standards, learning resources with this video*.

Quizzes – PDF & Online

Weathering and Erosion Identification

Draw a Landscape – National Parks

National Parks WebQuest – Wyoming and Utah

Models of Majesty

National Parks – Junior Rangers

Comparing National Parks

Universal Resources

National Standards

*Links are active on Full Video page.

virtual field trip to zion national park

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Classroom Ideas 

National parks – wyoming & utah.

virtual field trip to zion national park

Pick a Park

Students will choose another National Park (not in the video), maybe the one they would most like to visit. Students will then research it, and present it to the class.  

virtual field trip to zion national park

Identify and make a list of the landforms in these National Parks.

Background Research

Ask students to find out how many National Parks there are in the United States and  mark them on a large map (or print one out) so students can see where they are.

virtual field trip to zion national park

Have students print out a map of the National Parks and identify where the sites in the video are located.  

virtual field trip to zion national park

Cloze Practice

A cloze piece has full sentences used in the virtual field trip with blanks where students can write in the information that is missing. This task requires close listening to the trip in order to complete it.

Example: Coral reefs are the _______ type of ecosystem in the world. They’ve been around for over _____ million years.

Answers:   oldest; 240

Alternatively, you could have students create 5-10 cloze statements and they could share those with the class.  

A third alternative is to distribute the cloze worksheets before watching the video.   Students can fill them in as they watch.

virtual field trip to zion national park

National Park Service

Ask students to look into the different classifications of the National Park Service.   For example, what is the difference between a National Park, a National Monument, a National Preserve, etc.

virtual field trip to zion national park

Pick a Favourite

Have each student choose an interesting site from the video, and make a replica of it as well as writing a paragraph to explain why that site was chosen.  

Tell students they are going to take a “trip” to 4 National Parks in the United States.  They have to write a traveling notebook of their “trip” and include sites that they  saw, things that they learned about each park, how each park was created. They will need to detail the cost of entrance fees, rules that they must abide by in each of those four parks, where they are going to sleep (i.e. tent, KOA, rent a camper, lodge), etc.

virtual field trip to zion national park

Which One is Closest?

Students will determine which National Park is closest to where they are located. Use mapping skills if needed. Students will then research it and write about it.  

A National Park is Born

Research how various national parks are created. Choose one of the National Parks in the video and discuss how it came into being.

virtual field trip to zion national park

Create Quizzes

Students create a quiz based on the information presented for their peers. This can be used as a review for a test, or class activity where students are responsible for teaching other students assigned topics.

virtual field trip to zion national park

Art and Social Studies

Draw a landscape from the video you just watched.

virtual field trip to zion national park

Explore Vocabulary

Identify key vocabulary terms while previewing each video. Prompt students to find the meaning of each word as they watch the video.

virtual field trip to zion national park

Junior Rangers

Ask students if they have ever heard of the Junior Rangers program through the  National Park Service.   If not, share the information and ask if any of them have  experienced it.

virtual field trip to zion national park

Compare/Contrast

Choose 2 National Parks to compare and contrast.

Research/compare landforms and biomes

Research/compare rocks and minerals found in the parks 

Research/compare weather patterns in parks 

virtual field trip to zion national park

Students will answer the question “Why are National Parks important?”

virtual field trip to zion national park

Make a List

Students choose their top five notable sites that they would like to visit in these parks. They will explain why they chose their list and older students can present their list with a PowerPoint presentation.

virtual field trip to zion national park

Have you ever visited a National Park? Write about your experience and share it with the class.

virtual field trip to zion national park

Classroom Ideas for ALL Videos

Here are dozens and dozens of ideas that you can use in your classroom along with our videos!

Topics Covered In This Video

What makes a National Park special?

Grand Teton N.P.

Yellowstone N.P.

Arches N.P.

Videos in this Series

virtual field trip to zion national park

National Parks - West: Nevada & California

virtual field trip to zion national park

National Parks - West: Alaska & Hawaii

virtual field trip to zion national park

National Parks - West: WA, OR, ID, MT, CO

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Last updated: January 5, 2024

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4545 Hwy 40 Dinosaur, CO 81610

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IMAGES

  1. The Ultimate 2 to 3 Days in Zion National Park Itinerary

    virtual field trip to zion national park

  2. Plan a Trip to Zion National Park

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  3. SnapChick Field Trip: Zion National Park, Utah

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  4. What to Pack for Zion National Park

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  5. Road Trip to Zion National Park in Utah

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  6. Tips for a Trip to Zion National Park

    virtual field trip to zion national park

VIDEO

  1. HIKING ZION NATIONAL PARK #travel #rvlife #rvliving

  2. Virtual Tour of South Campground Zion, UT

COMMENTS

  1. Virtual Tours

    Phone: 435-772-3256. If you have questions, please email [email protected]. Listen to recorded information by calling anytime 24 hours a day. Rangers answer phone calls from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. MT, but a ranger may not answer if they are already speaking with someone else.

  2. Virtual Hikes

    Phone: 435-772-3256. If you have questions, please email [email protected]. Listen to recorded information by calling anytime 24 hours a day. Rangers answer phone calls from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. MT, but a ranger may not answer if they are already speaking with someone else.

  3. Find Your "Virtual" Park

    You are also invited to find your virtual park and stay connected wherever you are in the world. National parks offer extraordinary experiences, but it's not always possible to get to a park in person. Fortunately we have ways to connect with national parks from a distance through digital opportunities and activities to do in your own home or ...

  4. Take A Virtual Tour of Zion: The National Park To Visit In Utah

    Canyon Overlook Trail is a must-do when you visit Zion, but if you're not able to get there right now, you can check out this virtual hike posted by Zion National Park on its YouTube channel. The trail is just one mile long, out and back. It's rated as easy, with a 440-foot elevation gain.

  5. The Best National Park Virtual Field Trips to Take Right Now

    Wind Cave National Park. The Wind Cave National Park is surrounded by the Black Hills in South Dakota. This cave is one of the longest in the world and holds 95 percent of the earth's boxwork formations. On your field trip, you can inspect these unique formations and explore the inside of the cave.

  6. Virtual Field Trips with Nearpod!

    To kick off the lesson, I used a picture from my backpacking trip to Zion National Park as the title slide with the learning objective for the lesson. ... Virtual Field Trips was a great way to kick off the year while letting each child have a moment to share a little bit about themselves, as we all know they are so eager to do! ...

  7. Zion National Park Itinerary: How to Spend 1 to 6 Days in Zion

    Canyon Overlook Trail: For one of the best views in Zion, put this short, fun trail on your list. It is only 1-mile round trip and starts near the Zion-Mount Carmel tunnel. 4. Watchman Trail: This short trail starts near the Visitor Center and offers nice views over the southern part of Zion National Park. 5.

  8. Virtual Vacations: A Hike Through Zion National Park

    Close your eyes, take a breath, and leave your bags unpacked - SmarterTravel Media's new podcast Virtual Vacations invites you to experience the world from y...

  9. 20 Zion National Park Tips for Planning the Perfect Trip

    But one of my best tips for visiting Zion National Park is to buy an America The Beautiful Pass before your trip. At $80, this pass buys you entrance to all US national parks for one year. It'll easily pay for itself if you plan to visit more than one park during a consecutive 12-month period.

  10. 7 Virtual National Parks For Your Next Virtual Science Adventure

    Badlands National Park. Badlands National Park offers a fascinating virtual field trip through engaging video sessions and video conferencing right from the classroom. Encouraging your students' passion for science and geology is highlighted in this national park's virtual program. Classrooms can explore the ancient ecosystems of the ...

  11. Utah Field Trips

    An asterisk * after the title indicates that a virtual field trip is also available. California National Historic Trail More than 250,000 gold-seekers & farmers crossed into to the gold fields & rich farmlands of California during the 1840's and 1850's. 1,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen to remind us of early American ...

  12. Zion National Park: The Complete Guide

    Zion National Park. Address. Utah, USA. Phone +1 435-772-3256. Web Visit website. Situated in the southwest corner of Utah, Zion National Park is one of the most unique and breathtaking settings on the planet. At the heart of the park lies Zion Canyon, a 15-mile long, 2,600-foot deep gorge that is awe-inspiring both for its size and beauty.

  13. Distance Learning Virtual Field Trip To The National Parks

    Teachers are busy, so this virtual field trip is LOW PREP and GOOGLE COMPATIBLE. Students use Google Earth and multiple print and digital sources to draw information to answer questions pertaining to the National Parks. This resource is aligned to the Common Core Standards, as well the Washington State Social Studies Standards for grades 5-8.

  14. Concrete-to-Canyons

    Because of your continued support, the park kept the program going with virtual field trips in 2020 and one-day immersive experiences in 2021 and 2022. With your continued support, the park looks forward to once again offering the full three-day experience to better connect these youth to the outdoors thanks to Zion Forever Project funding.

  15. Self-Guided Field Trips

    Phone: 435-772-3256. If you have questions, please email [email protected]. Listen to recorded information by calling anytime 24 hours a day. Rangers answer phone calls from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. MT, but a ranger may not answer if they are already speaking with someone else.

  16. Virtual Field Trip

    Take your students on a virtual field trip to Zion National Park in Utah! This resource includes an editable presentation file (both PowerPoint and Google Slides format) which has some very basic information about Zion, along with some interesting photo and video links.. ⭐Internet access is required to use this resource.. This resource includes:

  17. Results for virtual field trip zion national park

    Take your students on a virtual field trip to Zion National Park in Utah! This resource includes an editable presentation file (both PowerPoint and Google Slides format) which has some very basic information about Zion, along with some interesting photo and video links. ⭐Internet access is required to use this resource.This resource includes:A brief PowerPoint/Google Slides presentation (24 ...

  18. Take Your Students on a Virtual Field Trip to the National Parks

    Take your students on a Virtual Road Trip to explore the top 5 most visited National Parks! Students will use Google Earth and multiple print and digital sources to quickly draw information to answer questions pertaining to the National Parks. This virtual field trip includes both print and digital formats. A Google Slides edition is included ...

  19. 10 Things To Do In Zion National Park

    Hike Observation Point. The Observation Point Trail hike is a strenuous 8-mile round trip, with an elevation gain of 2,148 feet. The hike gains about 1,000 feet in the first 1.5 miles to Echo ...

  20. 101 Virtual Field Trips To Take With Your Kids

    Great Wall of China - This virtual tour of the Great Wall of China is beautiful and makes history come to life. Ellis Island - Take a virtual field trip to Ellis Island with Scholastic.com. Tour England - Enjoy a beautiful tour of England in this 360 degree video. Machu Picchu, CuzcoUnesco National Heritage Site 360 World Tour.

  21. Virtual Field Trip

    Take your students on a virtual field trip to Zion National Park in Utah! This resource includes an editable presentation file (both PowerPoint and Google Slides format) which has some very basic information about Zion, along with some interesting photo and video links. ⭐Internet access is required ...

  22. National Parks

    We'll contrast that experience with the ever-moving, always-changing landscapes of Yellowstone N.P. including the "Old Faithful" geyser. Moving on to Utah, we'll compare and contrast 3 National Parks - Bryce, Zion, and Arches National Parks. We'll see how erosion and ancient salt beds have created these wondrous sites. Video length ...

  23. Distance Learning

    Dinosaur National Monument's rangers offer Virtual Field Trips to students during the winter season when in-person visitation is slow. NPS. During our Virtual Field Trip Season (winter only), we provide free distance learning experiences for classrooms around the world to learn more about the monument! Park Rangers bring your class on a journey to the late Jurassic to learn about fossils ...

  24. Zion National Park Field Trip by Mrs Mac's Teaching Hacks

    Take your students on this engaging and FUN virtual field trip to Zion National Park! This resource has everything you could need when it comes to teaching your students about Zion National Park and it requires little to no prep at all. The presentation is editable in PowerPoint and includes pictures, videos, and great information! ...