Archaeologists have discovered traces of human life in Zion National Park dating back several thousand years, with various tribes and Native American peoples living in the area over time. Followers of the Mormon faith came upon the area in 1858 and quickly began to settle, with the area standing out for its supreme natural beauty and astonishing rock formations. In 1909, the President of the United States at the time, William Howard Taft, made the area a National Monument named Mukuntuweap in order to preserve it. The Mormons in the area had always referred to the location as Zion, and the name was changed to the Zion National Park in 1919.
Four different life zones can be observed in Zion National Park: desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous forest, with each area housing different plants and animals and having different conditions. The park is visited by several million people per year, many of whom choose to enjoy the various scenic hiking trails that take in some of the area's most famous sites and natural monuments. Other popular activities at Zion National Park include horseback riding, rock climbing, and camping.