Temple of Sinawava
Here the river canyon narrows abruptly. The
cliffs' colors and textures are clues that two
different rock layers intersect at the riverbed
and affect how the canyon is carved.
Confined within the hard Navajo sandstone
upstream, the Virgin River is forced to slice
straight down, with almost no side-cutting—
creating a tight, perpendicular gorge.
Downstream the river undercuts the softer,
easily eroded Kayenta Formation. Rock
slabs topple, cliffs landslide, and the canyon
widens from here to Springdale. The scenery
of Zion Canyon evolves daily as tons of rock
particles tumble downstream.
This geologic crossroads is the final stop on the
shuttle route. The Riverside Walk parallels the
river and explores the unusual streamside habitat.
Please stay on established paths and walkways.
