Yosemite vs Zion (National Parks) (better, compared, place, America)

[Oistrakh12]

These two are among the top two visited national parks in the US. Which park do you prefer and why? (Primarily for people who have visited both parks)

[sprez33]

Two way tie for first place!

[ccm123]

Yosemite.

[18Montclair]

Both are sacred temples, this is like picking between a Van Gogh and a Picasso. It's like God went to town on the natural elements of the Western half of North America. We are a blessed country.

[SnobbishDude]

I have only been to Yosemite and not Zion National Park.

I think Yosemite is alright. It is beautiful and helpful to visit once but I’m not sure if I will do it again for a 4hr drive from SF or LA(plus the road getting into the park especially if you are coming from the SF direction is pretty scary in a way like the Yellow Stone National Park). I much prefer the Muir Woods National Monument in Marin County if you are in the SF Bay Area.

I would say if you visit Yosemite, it is better to spend at least two nights there.

[TheTimidBlueBars]

I voted Zion, and I haven't been to Yosemite. But I have been to areas not far from it in California (Mono and Alpine Counties) and the photos I'm seeing don't look dramatically different from what it was like down there and some of what we have here in Washington. I visited Zion years ago and I'd love to see that type of scenery again.

Plus, California wins on any other criterion, I'm fine giving "national parks" to Utah.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by TheTimidBlueBars

I voted Zion, and I haven't been to Yosemite. But I have been to areas not far from it in California (Mono and Alpine Counties) and the photos I'm seeing don't look dramatically different from what it was like down there and some of what we have here in Washington. I visited Zion years ago and I'd love to see that type of scenery again.

Plus, California wins on any other criterion, I'm fine giving "national parks" to Utah.

There's nothing else in CA like Yosemite Valley. Except maybe Hetch Hetchy but it's filled with water.

[alaskaflyer]

Zion is beautiful but even if you can equate Zion Canyon with Yosemite Valley - a stretch - that leaves aside all of the brilliant Yosemite high backcountry which - yes - far too many people are never able to see. Yosemite holds my interest much more.

[ABQConvict]

I chose Zion.

In terms of geology and general topography it is far more unique than Yosemite even given the superlative granite cliff faces of Yosemite Valley. Zion is brilliantly colored in every direction, the juxtaposition of striated red rock with the vibrant green riparian vegetation in the canyon bottom. Unique rock structures, desert riparian habitat, and the wide variety of experiences offered by the trail system from gentle valley treks to slot canyons to mesa tops and knife-edge ridges are unmatched in really any of the western NPs.

Also, I just don't find the forest around Yosemite particularly interesting compared to other northern California forests, and beyond the famous rockfaces, Yosemite is just generic Sierra high country, grey granite, dusky chapparal, dull monoculture stands of pines and firs. Lifeless seeming, even compared to the Zion desert.

If I were to make an admittedly silly analogy, Zion is a foreign film with a twist ending, kind of hard to follow, but mesmerizing, while Yosemite is a Michael Bay film with incredible explosions and spectacle, but not very deep.

My disparagement of Yosemite should be taken with a grain of salt, though. It is mightily spectacular. I only sound like I am coming down on it to illustrate my preference for Zion.

For the High Sierra region, I prefer King's Canyon, Sequoia, and the Inyo NF. Just my personal preference.

[Ian_Lee]

Yosemite offers some breathtaking views but Zion does not. In fact, I favor Zion's neighbor, Bryce Canyon.