The best day to be in Zion National Park

Here's a heads-up for all you Zion art enthusiasts. Mark your calendars now.

A group of enthusiasts watch as Roland Lee paints in the Quick Draw event of the 2011 Plein Air Invitational at Zion National Park. 

If you can spend only one day in Zion National Park this year, make it Saturday, November 10, when 25 of the nation’s best landscape artists will begin painting at 1:00 p.m. on the lawn in front of the Zion Lodge and will each create a masterpiece by 2:30.  It’s perhaps the most intriguing part of the annual week-long “In the Footsteps of Thomas Moran” Plein Air Art Event in Zion.  Early November is a magical time in the park.  There are relatively few people in the canyon, the colors are magnificent, and the opportunity to see great artists at work is priceless. Schedule of events.