Nearly 145 acres of private land near the east entrance of Zion National Park will be permanently protected from development under a conservation easement announced by the Zion Forever Project. The property will remain privately owned, but a perpetual easement held and monitored by Zion Forever will protect wildlife habitat, watershed resources, open space and views along State Route 9 approaching the park.
Zion Forever said the project was made possible through private charitable support and cooperation among landowners and business interests. The organization has not publicly identified the landowner or disclosed the financial terms of the agreement.
The protected property connects with surrounding public lands and existing and planned trails. It could accommodate nonmotorized access, outdoor education and future visitor programming. Zion Forever President and CEO Natalie Britt said that safeguarding the gateway preserves critical wildlife habitats and watersheds while ensuring scenic views and the natural character of the eastern entrance remain intact.
The easement comes amid significant development and conservation planning around Zion’s eastern gateway. Kane County records show that in February 2025, Kevin McLaws sought commercial zoning for three properties totaling nearly 290 acres near the North Fork Road roundabout and new visitor center. McLaws told the Kane County Planning Commission the request was in preparation for the valuation of conservation easements.
The properties included land owned by Chamberlain Ranch Holdings LLC, Zion Mountain Development Inc. and East Zion Properties LLC. Zion Forever has not identified whether any of these are included in the newly announced easement. The protected land is also near the developing Zion National Park Discovery Center, which was scheduled to open in 2027 with visitor orientation, interpretive programs and connections to East Zion trails and recreation.
