SPRINGDALE, UT – In a bold move to combine adventure tourism with financial pragmatism, officials at Zion National Park have announced plans to install a series of high-speed ziplines from the iconic Angel’s Landing and other key vantage points. The initiative, dubbed "Zion Airway Express," aims to offer visitors breathtaking aerial views while simultaneously refilling the park’s coffers.
“After much deliberation, we realized that simply preserving nature and providing scenic hikes wasn’t going to cut it anymore,” said park spokesperson Karen Ridgeway. “Visitors want more thrill, more Instagrammable moments, and let’s be honest—hiking is slow. With our new ziplines, you can experience the majesty of Zion at speeds up to 60 miles per hour. That’s progress.”
The proposed ziplines will connect Angel’s Landing to the canyon floor, offering a one-way, 2,000-foot descent that will take just under a minute. Other planned routes will launch from Observation Point and the Watchman, providing options for park-goers who prefer their scenery to be a blur of red rock and screaming tourists.
To ensure safety, all zipline riders will be required to wear a commemorative “I Survived Zion Airway Express” helmet, which will be available for purchase at the gift shop. Pricing for the experience will be tiered, with premium packages including a GoPro rental, a mid-zip snack break, and an emergency parachute for those who “chicken out” halfway through.
Not everyone is thrilled about the plan. Longtime Zion visitor and hiker Dale Jefferson expressed skepticism. “This place is supposed to be about nature, peace, and challenging hikes, not launching people off cliffs like some national park version of Disneyland.”
Despite concerns, park officials remain optimistic. “If we’ve learned anything from the Grand Canyon’s mule-riding VR experience and Yellowstone’s ‘Bison Selfie Adventure’ kiosks, it’s that people will pay top dollar for gimmicky thrills,” Ridgeway explained. “This is the future of national parks.”
The park plans to begin construction in early 2026, pending approval from the National Park Service and any lingering lawsuits. Early bird ticket sales are already live, with VIP passes offering the chance to be among the first to plummet gracefully into the canyon.
Would you take the leap?
Comments