Visiting Zion today is a bit like visiting Disneyland – be prepared to ride crowded trams. Cars are not allowed!
The transportation system works well, but is overcrowded most of the day. Parking is a problem even outside of the park. We arrived early and parked just outside the entrance. A short walk took us through the pedestrian gate and to the Zion Shuttle. Later arrivals parked a few miles from the entrance and took a town bus (free) to the park.
Zion National Park is all about the interface of rock and water. Water continues to erode the rock, creating sand and soil. That allows plants to grow – the third element of the park. These three combine for gorgeous views every way you turn. We took three different hikes to experience the canyon.
Zion is also about people – lots of them. (Click to enlarge)
A surprising find was the abundance of flowers. The water creates mini-environments where you can find everything from cactus to marsh reeds. Here are some of my favorite flowers.
We stopped for lunch in this quiet spot beside the river.
After lunch Jean did a little sketch.
We took time for selfie with the cliffs.
At the end of the day we rested under the trees by Zion Lodge with several hundred other people.
Then we rode the shuttle back to the entrance, cooled off our very hot car ( it was 96 degrees today), and drove back to our cool condo in St. George.
Paul
Travels With Picasso 
I am enjoying your travels, vicariously. I had better luck getting into the Grand Canyon but I went in March with my mother! It had snowed earlier that day, and all the ledges of the canyon were highlighted with snow that melted by the next day. We didn’t have time to explore other canyons and parks as you have done, so I appreciate your words and images.
Are you sure you tell us all of the truth. When I look at your magnificent selves resting on the grass under temperatures in the 90s, I see no sweat stain on Paul’s shirt. How does he do it? I would sweat like a pig, but Paul must be a pure spirit, impervious to the climactic conditions in which he evolves.
Too many people on the trail may not have been great, but the rock formation and the vegetation look so beautiful in your pictures.
Do continue to enjoy.
Ah Monsieur! You obviously have never heard of dry heat. Yes, it is hot. Yes, one perspires. However, the air is so dry that the perspiration evaporates as it leaves your skin. It never has time to create those unsightly stains to which you refer!