The Zion Discovery Center, a public learning facility located along the highway just before Zion National Park’s east entrance, is making steady progress in its construction. Developers estimate that the facility’s main buildings will be completed by July 2026, with the overall construction set to finish in summer 2026.
The design of the Zion Discovery Center intentionally places the courtyard and entry gazebos back and away from the highway to emphasize a natural approach. “We’re not looking for visitors to have a concrete and asphalt experience here,” said Kevin McLaws, a local rancher and one of the project’s organizers. “We see it as an outdoor classroom. The closest neighbors are the buffalo across the road, and the roadways are going to be buffalo pasture and agriculture. We want the center built with the canyon in mind.”
The Discovery Center will largely offer public access free of charge. It features an outdoor courtyard and class space, indoor classrooms and offices, and a theater for educational and Zion Park-focused introductory videos. McLaws explained that the center’s primary visitors are expected to be local school groups, science classes, and teachers, providing students with hands-on experience with local ecology. The team designing the interactive experiences has collaborated on similar programs worldwide.
In addition to educational programming, the center will provide several visitor amenities, including public restrooms, a small medical and emergency facility, and a cafeteria area supported predominantly by local agricultural projects. Visitors will have the opportunity to trace the path of their food from seed to soil to table, enhancing their understanding of local agriculture.
“Most of it is just public access, with no charge for the majority of activities,” McLaws added. “Workshops and classes might require small fees for materials, and we have a bookstore plus a few spaces that can be reserved for private classes and seminars to help cover basic operating costs.”
Funding for the project comes from grants and conservation sources, along with support from the National Park Service (NPS), which is expected to maintain a park ranger post on-site. The NPS estimates peak visitation of approximately 6,100 visitors during the high season, with attendance shifting toward local education during the school year. McLaws noted that fireplaces and indoor experiences are expected to make the center more attractive during shoulder seasons.
Beyond the main facility, the property extends up the canyon and includes trails designed for seasonal interactive programming. These routes will emphasize flora and fauna active at different times of the year, highlighting blooming plants, pollinators, and migratory species.
“One key idea is to get visitors here appreciating Kane County and our landscapes, rather than just bypassing us and cramming into the park,” McLaws said. Organizers are also coordinating with Kane County to provide parking for larger vehicles that can no longer enter Zion National Park, along with shuttle services.
“The goal is to finish the building, get open and test things in 2026, with 2027 being the first full year of operation,” McLaws concluded.
*Photos by Ty Gant.*
https://www.sunews.net/post/zion-discovery-center-in-east-zion-set-to-finish-primary-construction-in-july-2026
