The heart of Zion Canyon National Park is Zion Canyon itself, which follows the North Fork of the Virgin River for 6½ mi beneath cliffs that approach 2,000 feet in elevation. The Kolob area is considered by some to be superior in beauty, and you aren't likely to run into any crowds here. Both sections hint at the extensive backcountry beyond, open for those with the stamina, time, and the experience to go off the beaten paths of the park.