Healing in the Heart of Zion: Gold Star Families Find Connection in Nature
This April, National Park Trust, National Park Service, and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) partnered to bring 30 gold star family members to Zion National Park for a weekend of camping, hiking, volunteering, and connection in nature. National Park Trust and TAPS have formed a meaningful partnership over the past 4 years, working to create healing outdoor experiences for individuals and families who have lost a loved one to military service. These experiences offer participants a chance to revitalize their outlook, connect with their local communities, and immerse themselves in the public parks, lands, and waters their loved ones protected through their service.
From April 8th through April 12th, participants camped out at Watchman Campground, located inside Zion National Park, and shared their experiences of grieving and healing with fellow community members, developing fast friendships and connections that will last a lifetime.
On Thursday, April 9th, the group participated in an outdoor service project, picking up trash and removing graffiti along the Emerald Pools, Grotto, and River Walk trails across the park. The gratitude expressed by both NPS and fellow hikers along the trails was overwhelming, and after weighing out over 20 pounds of trash, the group felt a sense of accomplishment and engagement that few experiences in Zion can match. Participants engaged with NPS Rangers who had previously served in the military and connected more deeply with the park through the experience.
On Friday, April 10th, the group traveled to the Kolob Canyons section of the park, a less-explored section with towering cliff faces and green spaces. A guided hike led by park rangers was contemplative and emotional, with participants honoring their loved ones and being thanked for their sacrifice by multiple fellow hikers. Each participant also received the Gold Star America the Beautiful Pass, granting lifetime access to all 433 NPS sites across the country, as well as to many other public parks, lands, and waters.
At the end of their three-day experience in Zion, the group gathered around the campfire to honor and share their lost loved ones with one another, and spend reflective time along the Virgin River, determining what they would take away from the experience, and what they would like to leave behind in the park. It was an incredibly impactful experience, and the Park Trust and TAPS are grateful to the wonderful NPS Rangers at Zion National Park who helped make it so meaningful for staff and participants.
This event at Zion National Park is the second of four events at national park sites taking place in 2026 in partnership with TAPS, serving gold star families. The three other event locations are Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, the National Mall and Memorial Parks, and New River Gorge National Park.
