Quote: Zion Lodge is not the most impressive of national park lodges we’ve visited (that would have to be the Ahwahnee in Yosemite). Architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood designed both the Ahwahnee and Zion Lodges, among other famous national park lodges. Unfortunately, the original Zion Lodge, built in 1927, burned down almost 40 years ago (1966). A work crew using blowtorches to remove old vinyl flooring started the fire. Although the lodge was hurriedly rebuilt in rustic wood and stone, it lacks the beauty of the original. A 1992 remodeling project attempted to restore some of the more attractive features of the original lodge. Some historic rustic cabins were spared from the fire.

Zion Canyon’s first white settler, Isaac Behunin, built his cabin across the river from here in 1862. By 1916, a cluster of tourist tents and dining pavilion was operating in the fledgling national monument at this site.

Today, Xanterra concessionaire operates Zion Lodge. Hotel rooms, cabins and suites accommodate tourists at Zion Lodge, with rates running from $80 for a hotel room in winter to $149 for a suite in peak season (March-November). Xanterra’s Ecologix environmental management system strives to logically integrate ecology and business in its approach. Environmental sustainability is a priority. At Zion Lodge, they’ve installed solar panels on their buildings, and purchase some of their energy from windmills.

Outdoor Castledome Café was buzzing during Halloween weekend, but appeared closed afterwards. Not so Red Rock Grill upstairs at the lodge. We enjoyed soup and salad bar one evening for $9.25 apiece. It seemed a bit steep at that price, for the limited selections. Two kinds of soup were offered: a hearty vegetable-beef and too-thick, bland vegetarian lentil. Warm crusty bread was brought to our table in a basket. Fresh lettuce, Spring blend, and spinach leaves provided a good base for a green salad, with basic veggies to add to it, but only one other type of salad, a three-bean. Dinner entrees range from $13.50 for a vegetarian pasta to $20.95 for New York steak and prime rib. A Zion-themed children’s menu (age 12 and under) has a good choice of selections at reasonable prices (most around $5) for both lunch and dinner.

Phone: 435-772-3213
Website: http://www.zionlodge.com

From journals Mukuntuweap – Splendors of Zion