Utah’s Zion National Park offers visitors an incredible breadth of beauty and adventure, from the slender slot canyons through which you squeeze, to the giant canyons of the Virgin River. The brown, red, and grey rock is colorful and mighty, and streams, waterfalls, and other waterways show how erosion has long played a role here. Find your humility in staring at the 2,000 foot cliffs of Zion Canyon, hike the incredible maze of trails and pathways that wind through the park, and enjoy the diversity of wildlife. This landscape is one best enjoyed over several days.
Our family found our way to Zion National Park on our Summer 2019 Road Trip, as our third major destination. After some quick overnights in Las Vegas and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, we all found it refreshing to have a longer stay in one place. Our home in Zion was at the Watchman Campground, located right inside the park, just a five minute walk to the Visitor Center, park shuttles, and the town of Springdale. The location of the Watchman Campground made getting around really easy in terms of logistics, and we loved not having to move the RV during our stay, and being able to utilize the park shuttles as our only mode of transportation. We would all HIGHLY recommend this campground for anyone visiting Zion.
Highlights of our three night stay in Zion National Park
Visit to the Zion Museum for a 20 minute video about the park.
Bike ride with the kids, with a stop in the town of Springdale for ice cream. Quinn’s wheelie bike made biking with a little one so much easier.
Getting up at 5:15am to hike Angel’s Landing. I didn’t sleep well the night before, as I was so nervous, and not sure I wanted to go through with it, knowing how high and treacherous it was. However, it was my 39th Birthday, and I knew it would be a great way to start my year. The hike was the hardest and scariest thing I had ever done (aside from having my first baby!), and included scampering up the side of a 1500 foot rock and holding on (for dear life!) to some chains. My heart was literally beating out of my chest during several points of the ascent, but I reached the top (after almost turning around upon seeing the summit climb ahead), and soaked in the view. It was an incredible spot to reflect on the past year, and think about some intentions for the year ahead. I’m so glad I did it, even though my legs were still aching a few days later.
Birthday dinner in Springdale at the Bit and Spur Restaurant and Saloon. Great mexican food, and I even blew out a candle on my ice cream! Highly recommend the food there.
Early Departure for Bryce Canyon on the Scenic Highway, which included traveling through a multi-mile tunnel through the rock. Stop at Checkerboard Mesa – Gorgeous!
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