Photos of the Zion Plateau. The Zion Plateau is in the southeast section of the park and covers the area from the east entrance to the tunnel. The plateau is formed from pink sandstone and presents an extremely harsh environment with little shade and only sparse vegetation. The sandstone has been eroded and patterned by wind and water into many unique and unusual shapes. You can see various stone tumuli, striated rock surfaces, and of course Checkerboard Mesa.