There is a news article today about a new development near the mouth of Parunuweap Canyon. Previously, this land was part of Trees Ranch between the southern edge of Zion NP and the northern edge of the Canaan Mountain Wilderness. Per the news article, the planned development would include a resort for up to 350 nightly guests, up to 25 private homes, a swimming pool, a spa, and a horse center. As many as 1960.67 acres could be developed when all is said and done. From a conservation standpoint, I can't say that I'm happy about this.
I also wonder what this means for the closure of lower Parunuweap Canyon, which is designated as a Research Natural Area into which entry is forbidden without special permission from the NPS. In the past, Trees Ranch served as a buffer zone that precluded access to the mouth of Parunuweap Canyon, but it's easy to see how resort guests would wander into the canyon as a reprieve from the crowds of Zion Canyon; the NPS doesn't really publicize the existence of its RNAs or make it easy to figure out their exact boundaries.
I also wonder what this means for the closure of lower Parunuweap Canyon, which is designated as a Research Natural Area into which entry is forbidden without special permission from the NPS. In the past, Trees Ranch served as a buffer zone that precluded access to the mouth of Parunuweap Canyon, but it's easy to see how resort guests would wander into the canyon as a reprieve from the crowds of Zion Canyon; the NPS doesn't really publicize the existence of its RNAs or make it easy to figure out their exact boundaries.
