Human History Museum Collections

During the summer months, the Human History Museum is a fantastic place to learn about Zion National Park.

NPS Photo

The Zion Human History Museum displays artifacts and archival materials from the permanent collections of Zion National Park. These exhibits showcase the rich human history of the place now known as Zion National Park and illustrate the effects water has had upon both the peoples and the place.

Both a creator and a destroyer, water has created the scenery and sanctuary which have driven people to travel through and settle in Zion Canyon for thousands of years. Exhibits include topics such as geology, plants, animals, survival, and community.

When the museum is open, you can ask a ranger questions about the park, shop from the Zion Forever Project bookstore, or enjoy exhibits and a park film. Our park film is also available online for free.

 

The museum features a variety of exhibits, as well as a park film.

NPS Photo

Hours of Operation

The Human History Museum is open seasonally from spring to fall. Check our hours of operation before visiting.

Directions

The Human History Museum is located roughly 1 mile from the park's South Entrance. This building can be reached by driving or by walking on the Pa'rus Trail.

To reach the museum by car, drive along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. About 1 mile north of the South Entrance, there is a turn with a sign for the Human History Museum.

To reach the museum by foot, walk along the Pa'rus Trail. About 3/4 of a mile from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, there will be a small shelter followed by a turn for the museum.

Accessibility

This visitor center is located 1 mile from the park's South Entrance. Accessible parking spaces are available with a ramp leading to the building. Accessible restrooms are available on the south end of the parking lot, near the shuttle stop. Learn more about accessiblity on our accessibility page.

 

On June 17, 1960, the new Visitor Center and Administration building opened, replacing the Visitor Center at Canyon Junction.

NPS Photo / Museum Catalog Number ZION 12163

History of the Museum

The first museum at Zion National Park opened in 1924 in the historic Grotto building. It was filled with various objects collected in the field by ranger naturalists, including plant specimens, insects, and archeological artifacts. These exhibits took up one room of the building, which also housed the park bookstore, public information office, and ranger offices. Exhibits in these early days primarily served to support ranger programs. For example, in 1928, rangers gave regular reptile-themed programs using a live reptile cage exhibit. The live props included both rattlesnakes and gopher snakes.

During the Great Depression, workers in the Civilian Conservation Corps, a public work relief program funded through the New Deal, made exhibit cases, dioramas, and other objects for the museum. In 1936, they converted the old park headquarters at Canyon Junction to the Museum and Visitor Information Station. This building served as the park’s primary public contact station for twenty-five years.

In the 1960s, a ten-year building initiative known as Mission 66 enabled the improvement and construction of infrastructure in national parks across the country. Under this program, Zion National Park built a new visitor center complete with professional museum exhibits, offices, and an auditorium. In 2002, after the Zion Canyon Visitor Center opened, the Mission 66 building reopened as the Zion Human History Museum.