Exploring Zion National Park

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Overview

Zion National Park Photo - Springdale, Utah

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We discovered Zion National Park in 2002, and it’s one of the few places we’ve visited that we would love to see again. A mere 3 hours from Las Vegas, this magnificent natural park was a welcome reprieve from the lights and noise of Sin City. We rented a car in Vegas and set out northeast to St. George, Utah, and from that point, we knew we were in mountains. The road winds through steep ascents and descents, but it is well maintained and easy to navigate. Rolling into Springdale around 8pm in early March, the town was almost deserted. We found our hotel, Flanigan’s Inn, and settled into a very comfortable suite. We awoke to a truly spectacular view with mountains flanking our hotel. March is a...Read More

We discovered Zion National Park in 2002, and it’s one of the few places we’ve visited that we would love to see again. A mere 3 hours from Las Vegas, this magnificent natural park was a welcome reprieve from the lights and noise of Sin City. We rented a car in Vegas and set out northeast to St. George, Utah, and from that point, we knew we were in mountains. The road winds through steep ascents and descents, but it is well maintained and easy to navigate. Rolling into Springdale around 8pm in early March, the town was almost deserted. We found our hotel, Flanigan’s Inn, and settled into a very comfortable suite. We awoke to a truly spectacular view with mountains flanking our hotel. March is an uncertain time to visit Zion, as it can be cold, but we were lucky to have 72-degree F weather for the 3 days we were there. We put on our hiking boots and headed for a delicious, if pricey, breakfast at the Spotted Dog Café located in our hotel. We then climbed in the car and headed into the park to hit the trails. Since I am terrified of heights, we stuck to the easy-to-moderate trails, which were perfect for us. We had heard about hiking the Narrows, a trail along a river through canyon walls that rise on either side of you, and made plans to hike that the second day we were in town. This is a more strenuous hike, particularly in the spring, when the snows are melting and the river runs cold, fast, and high. We rented gear for this hike and were very glad that we did. The company also provided invaluable tips and advice about the current conditions (as the area can flood.) This is only for those in good shape, but if you can hack it, you won't be sorry. It is easily the most memorable day of our trip, and one of the best hikes I have ever taken.
Zion

If you only have a few days to spend, be sure to go hiking and check out the wonderful restaurants and art galleries. And, if you can go early or late in the peak summer season, you may be rewarded by having one of the nation’s greatest national parks virtually to yourself.

Quick Tips:

You should absolutely rent gear from the Zion Adventure Company, 36 Lion Blvd., in Springdale for hiking the narrows.

Biking and horseback riding are available near the canyon.

For a break from the natural beauty, check out the Zion Canyon Great Screen Theater (435/772-2400).

The open-air theater has musical concerts during summer. Go to the OC Tanner Amphitheater near park entrance.

Best Way To Get Around:

During the summer, you park at the entrance and ride the shuttle through the canyon. We were there in March and were able to drive our car to the bottom of many of our planned hikes.

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Flanigan's Inn

Hotel

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Flanigan’s Inn turned up early in our searchers for a place to stay near Zion National Park. We were drawn in by the colors on the hotel website. Since we were visiting in the low season (March), the prices were a little lower and more reasonable, and the rooms were terrific. The hotel was about half full, and the service was leisurely but very good. Just don’t expect things to move along real fast. We loved our stay here, it was the perfect retreat after a hard day of hiking. We didn’t really utilize the pool as it was still a little cool (in the 60s at night), but we loved the outdoor hot tub and looking up at the stars while we s...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 27, 2005

Flanigan's Inn
428 Zion Park Blvd.
Zion National Park, Utah
800/765-7787

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Emerald Pools Trails System

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Attraction | "Emerald Pools"

Emerald Pools Trail Photo - Emerald Pools Trails System, Zion National Park, Utah

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Our first stop during our trip to Zion was this easy trail called Emerald Pools Trail. We drove to the base of the trail, parked and started up. We were surprised at how empty the trail was, we only saw a handful of people the whole time. Despite the relative ease of the hike, the trail winds through some truly beautiful scenery, both in front of you as the canyon walls loom ahead and behind you, if you turn to look out over the canyon valley. The first part of the trail climbs to the Lower Pool, from their you climb to the Middle Pool, and from the Middle Pool, you can take a steep...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 27, 2005

Emerald Pools Trails System
Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park, Utah

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Riverside Walk / The Narrows

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Attraction | "The Narrows/Riverside Walk"

The beginning of the Narrows Photo - Riverside Walk / The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah

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Our guidebook suggested the Narrows as one of the best hikes in all of Zion. Although we didn’t do every hike in the canyon, this was certainly the best hike we’ve ever taken, anywhere! We started our journey at Zion Adventure Company in Springdale, where we rented gear for a day trip into Upper Zion Canyon. We rented the special river hiking boots that let water in and squishes it out, the dry suits and walking stick. This was $35 per person well spent as it allowed us to hike the trail in relative comfort. All we had to do was focus on staying upright! ...Read More

Our guidebook suggested the Narrows as one of the best hikes in all of Zion. Although we didn’t do every hike in the canyon, this was certainly the best hike we’ve ever taken, anywhere! We started our journey at Zion Adventure Company in Springdale, where we rented gear for a day trip into Upper Zion Canyon. We rented the special river hiking boots that let water in and squishes it out, the dry suits and walking stick. This was $35 per person well spent as it allowed us to hike the trail in relative comfort. All we had to do was focus on staying upright!
Narrows in Utah

We drove to the end of Zion National Park (the Gateway to the Narrows), and parked our car. Soon we were wading in the Virgin River, concentrating very hard so that we wouldn’t fall. In our 6 hour hike we saw only 2 other couples. The National Park Service describes hiking in the Narrows like walking on "wet bowling balls" and, I would add, that you can’t see. It takes some dexterity and balance. The first 30 minutes were painstaking, but we soon found ourselves in a rhythm and were able to go faster. We hiked upstream for about four hours, pausing for a snack after 2 hours, and for lunch before we turned around and headed back downstream. From time to time we would pause to catch our breath and just to appreciate the awesome canyon walls on either side of us. At places, the canyon walls loom more than 2000 feet above the river bottom, while at the same time the canyon is so narrow that you can literally reach your hands across and touch either side of the canyon. At places along the "trail" water pours over the side of the canyon, hundreds of feet above you in breathtaking waterfalls. It seemed like every time we turned a corner, we had a new reason to gasp with awe at the formations before us. Even the seasoned hiker will be moved by the beautiful, orange, brown and red hues of these canyon walls, glistening with water, sunlight and shadows. One little tip: be sure to pack your gear in a waterproof bag. Depending on when you go, you’ll be wading in water that is a least knee deep and could be as deep as your waist. The National Park Service has a website with more information http://www.nps.gov/zion/ZionNarrows.htm. This is a journey well worth taking. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on August 27, 2005

Riverside Walk / The Narrows
Zion National Park
Zion National Park, Utah 84767
(435) 772-3256

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Bryce Canyon National Park

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Attraction | "A hop, skip, and a jump to Bryce Canyon"

Hoodoos Photo - Bryce Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon, Utah

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After spending two amazing days at Zion, we decided to take an afternoon drive to Bryce Canyon. We soon noticed that Bryce Canyon was higher and colder than Zion, since it still had snow on the ground in places in early March. The canyon walls were strikingly different than Zion. First of all, roads to Bryce lead you to the rim of the canyon where you can look down, down, down, whereas in Zion, the roads follow a path through the valley inside the canyon, and the walls rise above you on either side. Secondly, part of Bryce Canyon features rock formations that rise from the canyon bottom. These "hoodoos" as they are called are several hundreds of feet tall, and you can see how the color changes in th...Read More

After spending two amazing days at Zion, we decided to take an afternoon drive to Bryce Canyon. We soon noticed that Bryce Canyon was higher and colder than Zion, since it still had snow on the ground in places in early March. The canyon walls were strikingly different than Zion. First of all, roads to Bryce lead you to the rim of the canyon where you can look down, down, down, whereas in Zion, the roads follow a path through the valley inside the canyon, and the walls rise above you on either side. Secondly, part of Bryce Canyon features rock formations that rise from the canyon bottom. These "hoodoos" as they are called are several hundreds of feet tall, and you can see how the color changes in the rock striations which must have occurred over the millennia. Just as with other canyons, water is responsible for carving Bryce Canyon, and it is interesting to see how differently it affected the rocks of Bryce as compared with Zion. This is a younger canyon by geological reckoning. Nearly 60 million years ago, all this was under an enormous lake, Lake Flagstaff. At the bottom of the lake sediment such as silt and calcium carbonate settled, forming the Claron Formation of limestone mixed with shale and sandstone. The hoodoos formed as water flowed through this area, flowing into joints in the rock, then freezing and cracking the rocks apart. We only spent a couple hours at Bryce since we had neglected to bring our heavy coats, but we did make it to Inspiration Point along the Rim Trail at Sunset Point. From here we could see the "Silent City" or hundreds of hoodoos rising from the canyon floor. There is a Visitors Center and several hikes down into the canyon. I would recommend devoting one or more days to this beautiful area.

After watching the sunset, we drove back the narrow road to Zion, reaching the park when it was completely dark. Luckily for us we were driving slowly on the winding roads, because as we reentered Zion Park we encountered more than 100 deer, quietly feeding along the canyon road. We carefully made our way through the herds and returned to our hotel for some quality hot tub time... a relaxing day in the canyons. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on August 27, 2005

Bryce Canyon National Park
Southwestern Utah
Bryce, UT 84717
(435) 834-5322

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