Zion is among the most visited parks in the USA and is particularly crowded because many of its most popular sites sit in a narrow six-mile canyon. Last year, about 4.3 million people visited it, up to 60 percent from a decade ago. So this year, park managers announced they were considering a first for any national park: requiring reservations for entry.

The National Park Service was created in 1916 to protect the country’s growing system of parks and monuments. Its aim is to conserve scenery and wildlife while also protecting visitor enjoyment for generations to come. For years, the lack of a reservation system for park entry associated with the spirit of adventure: Anyone could come, pretty much anytime.

But lately, both visitors and nature are suffering. Mr. Burns, who is on a team that is considering a reservation system, said some people showed up for a vacation they had planned for months, spent a day in the traffic jam and turned around. Mr. Burns said he favored a reservation policy. He recalled the days when he would jump in a car and pull up to parks across the West with no plans.

When he first came to the park in the 1980s, he wrote a letter home. “I’m living in a no-man’s-land,” he told his parents. He could hike for hours, even days, without seeing a soul, and he remembered the constantly changing light on the canyons, the brilliant green of the trees, the blue water of the Virgin River. Today, he said, when he wants to find solitude (清静), it is usually accompanied by the distant rumble of the shuttle bus.

“There is only one Zion National Park,” he said to those struggling to see a need for limiting access. “And it’s sacred. Its beauty is sacred.”

By the time she was 85 years old, Joy Ryan had never seen the ocean or mountains. Now, she’s 94 years old and has seen every comer of the US after visiting all 63 US national parks. Joy went on the epic journey with her grandson, Brad Ryan, who was first inspired to travel with his grandmother in 2015. “When I learned she had never seen the great wildernesses of America-deserts, mountains, oceans, you name it, I thought that was something that I would regret if I didn’t get myself involved in some way,” Brad said. Although they initially planned just to visit the Great Smoky Mountains, they had such a great time that they felt inspired to continue their journey by hitting up all the national parks in the US. “I think we’re two peas in a pod when it comes to our desire for travel and adventure,” Brad said.

The 63rd and final stop on their tour was the National Park of American Samoa. There was a reason why they left this park until the very end. “It’s the only US national park that’s south of the equator. We can enjoy the beautiful tropical paradise,” Brad said, “But as we’ve come to learn from the rangers who work there. American Samoa is an island community that is firmly rooted in family.”

The fact that a grandmother in her 90s completed such a long journey may inspire others, but Brad has always known his grandmother as an inspiration who lives up to her name. “She has already lived from a place of gratitude and joy,” he said. “That’s a power… and a choice that we all have. And I think that’s been my greatest lesson.”

Every day, we work to open doors for our future leaders, innovators, and adventurers to explore, create and learn on their own terms. And our museum is even more fun with friends!

When

School-year field trips are 2 hours in length and can be scheduled between 9:30 am—2:30 pm, Tuesday—Friday.

Summer field trips can be scheduled at either 10 am—12:30 pm or 12:30 pm—3 pm, Tuesday—Friday.

The museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Cost

$8 per child, at least 10 children to qualify（合格）for group rates.

Group visit rates do not apply during schools' fall break, winter break or spring break, when the price is $14 per child.

Chaperons（监护人）

One chaperon for every five children is required, and all chaperons are free! Parents, teachers or adult caregivers over 18 years old qualify as chaperons.

Lunch

We do not have inside equipment for lunch, even in case of unpleasant weather. Outside benches and grassy areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parking

Free parking for guests and members when visiting the Children's Museum. Event Day parking prices may be different. Parking for nearby attractions for a small charge.

Guidelines

Children and adults must stay together, No adults are allowed in the museum without a child, and no children without an adult.

Adults are responsible for the safety of children at all times.

No food or drinks inside the museum.

Shoes are required in the museum（except for the Center for the Young Child）.