Memorial Day Weekend

In 2024, Zion recorded over 92,000 visits during Memorial Day weekend. This is more than the annual total for over 150 National Park Service sites.

For 2025, the NPS anticipates:

• Long lines at entrance stations, trailheads, visitor centers, and restrooms
• Lengthy waits to board park shuttles in Springdale and Zion Canyon
• Intermittent, temporary closures at the park’s east and south vehicle entrance stations
• Heavy traffic in Springdale and throughout Zion Canyon

The Zion Nature Center opens Friday, May 23, just in time for the holiday weekend.

Located near the South Campground construction site and accessible via the Pa’rus Trail, the center features interactive exhibits and ranger-led activities ideal for kids and families. It will remain open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily through September 1.

— Zion National Park

Gov. Cox orders flags lowered to half-staff in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day

Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox has ordered the flags of the United States of America and the state of Utah to be flown at half-staff on all state facilities in recognition of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Flags will be lowered to the half-staff position beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025, and will return to full-staff at sunset the same day.

The governor invites all private citizens, businesses, and organizations to join in this recognition by lowering their flags as a sign of respect and gratitude.

— State of Utah, Office of the Governor

Sen. Curtis delivers maiden speech on Senate floor

Five months into his Senate term, U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT) today delivered his first address on the Senate floor–honoring the Senate’s tradition of new members waiting a “respectful amount of time” to listen and learn before offering their maiden speech.

The Senator approached the address by taking to heart advice given to him by his great-grandmother, “Listen first, speak when it matters, and let your actions carry the weight.” To “listen first,” Curtis prepared for the speech by visiting four sites of significance to Utah and American history: Ensign Peak, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Arlington National Cemetery, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

During the speech, the Senator illustrated the American values and principles enshrined in these locations. He then outlined his policy priorities of expanding domestic production of affordable, reliable, and clean energy; empowering local communities in Utah in the face of federal overreach; addressing the threat of China to our national and economic security; and lowering the national debt and reforming entitlement programs.

— Office of Sen. John Curtis

Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum partners with Clark Planetarium for 2025 summer camps

Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum is thrilled to announce its 2025 Summer Camps, offering for the first time ever camp options in partnership with the Clark Planetarium. This year’s lineup of camps offers a wide variety of dynamic hands on, STEAM-focused programs for children ages 5 to 10 years old, with the collaborative additions of Prehistoric Explorers, Dinosaur Detectives, Cosmic Contraptions, and Galactic Gearheads. These camps are designed to ignite curiosity, foster creativity, and provide educational fun throughout the summer months.

Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum has been hosting Summer Camps for over 10 years. This year camp options include full-day STEAM camps for children ages 8 to 10, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for $230 (members) and $250 (public), as well as Junior summer camps for ages 5 to 7 run Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., costing $130 (members) and $150 (public). These camps provide engaging activities and hands-on learning to keep kids excited all summer.

For more information on camp schedules, themes, and registration, please visit https://www.discoverygateway.org/summercamps.

— Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum