ZION NATIONAL PARK, Utah — There has been a recent uptick of graffiti and other types of vandalism in Zion National Park.
According to a post on the park’s Facebook page, nearly every day, staff members find words and shapes carved, drawn, painted (with mud, dirt, pigment, paint), or scratched on rocks and more recently even carved within moss.
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Over four million people visit Zion every year, the post states, and it asks that all park visitors have the opportunity for discovery by leaving rocks, plants, archaeological artifacts, and other objects as you found them. The goal of “Leave No Trace,” championed by scouting groups, is to leave spaces that you visit in the same or better condition than how you found them.
Not only is graffiti unsightly and damaging to the surface defaced, but removing it takes time, money, and staff to do so. Often, a damaged site can never be fully restored to its original condition.
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If you have information that could help identify those responsible for damaging park resources or facilities, you’re asked to make a report to the Tip Line: 888-653-0009. This information could help investigators. Callers don’t have to identify who they are but are asked to share what they know so rangers can prevent this damage from happening in the future.
You can help protect the park during your visit to Zion by taking the Zion Pledge, a personal promise you can make to help become a steward of this special place. You can take the pledge here.
