Zion National Park, Utah

© Simon Dannhauer/Getty Image

National Park Week begins. First day of National Park Week

Get your hiking boots on—it's National Park Week! This nine-day-long event encourages people to explore and appreciate the natural beauty and cultural heritage of our national parks. It's an excellent time to learn about these protected areas, participate in preservation efforts, and enjoy their scenic views.

Zion National Park—seen in today's image—is a great place to start. Located in southwestern Utah, the park's 232 square miles are adorned with stunning sandstone cliffs and narrow slot canyons. Zion's plant and animal life are diverse and include nearly 300 bird species and 19 species of bats.