The cover of this 1938 brochure illustrates Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon in colors that in one sense are unrealistic yet in another sense are perfectly accurate for such a varied country. As page two of the brochure says, Bryce, Grand Canyon, and Zion parks are “rich in glowing colors” and a “varied display of magnificent beauty.”

Click image to download a 3.0-MB PDF of this brochure.

The brochure notes that, “in the June 27th issue of Life Magazine, natural color photographs of the Southern Utah-Arizona National Parks were placed before the eyes of over two million people.” In fact, the magazine in question (in an article beginning on page 24 and continued on page 41) looks at national parks and scenic areas throughout the United States. But I’ve seen many of those scenic areas and would agree with Union Pacific that — with the possible exception of Yellowstone — anyone would be hard pressed to find so much fascinating scenery in such a small area anywhere in the U.S. as can be found in southern Utah/northern Arizona.

Unfortunately, the brochure didn’t have room for photos of Cedar Breaks, but a five-day tour mentioned in the brochure would have visited that monument as well as the three parks. The tour cost $58.75 starting in Cedar City, which is more than $1,250 in today’s money.