Zion National Park
Orderville, Utah
Terrain // Stone | Found On // Boondockers Welcome | Our Stay // February 29 – March 5, 2024
Our Favorite National Park So Far!
There’s nothing like driving into a new, mountainous landscape for the first time. Zion was everything it was hyped up to be, and there’s a reason it’s the third most-visited national park in 2023. The park is renowned for its breathtaking and diverse scenery, characterized by towering sandstone cliffs, deep, narrow canyons, lush vegetation, and the meandering Virgin River. Michael and I couldn’t get over the gorgeous scenery on each drive through the park and the hiking trails we trekked.
There is a 1.1-mile tunnel that runs right through a mountain and was completed in 1930. That’s wild! At the time that the tunnel was dedicated, it was the longest tunnel of its type in the United States. The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel (and the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway) provides direct access for travel between Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Zion National Parks.
Another unique feature of the park is the striking red color of some of the roads. Rather than intentional design, the roads are constructed using locally sourced materials, including sand and gravel, which contain iron oxide minerals that give them their distinctive red hue.
Things to Consider
Season + Weather // Zion experiences diverse weather conditions throughout the year, from hot summers to cold winters. Consider the time of year you plan to visit and check the weather forecast accordingly. Spring and fall are popular due to milder temperatures and fewer crowds, but be prepared for occasional rain showers. Summer can be hot, so carrying plenty of water and protecting yourself from the sun is essential. Winter brings cooler temperatures and occasional snowfall, affecting road and trail conditions.
Transportation // There aren’t that many roads that go through the park, and parking was starting to get congested during our visit. The park offers a complimentary shuttle system that takes you to various stops. We could drive our vehicle through Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, as the shuttle system didn’t start until the next day! Check the Zion Canyon Shuttle Schedule here.
Trail Conditions and Difficulty // Zion offers a wide range of hiking trails suitable for all skill levels, from leisurely strolls to strenuous treks. Before embarking on a hike, research trail conditions, length, elevation gain, and difficulty level to ensure it aligns with your abilities and interests. Remember to stay on designated trails to protect fragile desert ecosystems and avoid disturbing wildlife.
Permits and Regulations // Some activities in Zion, such as backcountry camping, canyoneering, and climbing, may require permits or reservations. Familiarize yourself with park regulations and obtain any necessary permits well before your visit to ensure compliance and availability.
Visit the NPS Website for more information about Zion National Park
Where We Stayed
We did things a little differently while visiting Zion. Since the weather was going to get below freezing in Zion during our visit, we opted to leave our camper in southern Nevada, where it was warmer, and stay for two nights in a cabin outside the National Park.
Moapa Rest Stop // Mike and Michelle were our Boondockers Welcome Hosts. We got to chat with Michelle, who was very accommodating and a great conversationalist. It was a good location with parking on either side of their building down the hill from their house. We had peace of mind knowing our camper was in a safe spot with the option for electric hookup and water.
Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort // The ranch is roughly 20 minutes outside the east entrance of Zion National Park. They market themselves as a luxury resort with nine types of lodging options. We visited in the off-season, so it was pretty dead. It was also very windy, and our cabin was so drafty that we had to cuddle up with blankets because we could feel the air running through the cabin. We stayed two nights here, which made for a nice home base to explore the park. This place would be great to stay in the summer months to try out their pool and other outdoor activities.
For our next visit, we’d love to stay on some of the BLM land outside the park.
Food & Drink
Ponderosa Eats // The resort had complimentary breakfast coupons for their on-site restaurant that were included for each night’s stay. We ended up getting their breakfast burritos each morning, which were huge. We also tried their sandwiches one night for convenience's sake. They were good, but mostly in the realm of cafeteria food.
Oscar’s Café // We stopped here the day we were leaving, and it was one of our favorite restaurants we visited our whole winter trip. We tried a burrito and chicken sandwich and were blown away by the portions. And for being just outside a national park, the prices were very fair. This is a must-visit stop if you like excellent food.
Hiking
Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail is a 3.6-mile out-and-back trail. It’s a paved trail that leads up to Scout Lookout and can be very steep and difficult in some sections. After crossing the Virgin River on a bridge, the trail turns right and goes along the river for a bit. You'll then start climbing on a paved trail. Get ready for 1,115 feet of elevation gain! The views of the canyon start to become incredible. There are some great photo opportunities along the way. You'll then reach some very tight, steep switchbacks known as Walters Wiggles. After that, you'll be at Scout Lookout. From there, you can continue on to Angels Landing with a permit. We opted to keep going further along the trail to some different overlooks. However, it was incredibly windy, and we didn’t want to get caught in a storm, so we made our way back down.
Canyon Overlook Trail offers some of the most breathtaking views of Zion Canyon. It’s a quick and easy 0.9-mile out-and-back trail, which makes it very popular and quickly floods with people. Located in the Upper East Canyon portion of the park, the trail is actually one of the few official trails in the area. Unfortunately, the shuttle does not stop at this trailhead. To do this hike, you must enter the park in a private vehicle. After going through the tunnel, the trailhead parking area is on your right. Parking is extremely limited here, so you’ll want to get there early.
You can see the expanse of Zion Canyon from the overlook, with its monumental formations visible on either side. You can see the road as it switches below the west end of the Mount Carmel Tunnel. The West Temple, Towers of the Virgins, Streaked Wall, and Beehives all makeup part of this tremendous view. The East Temple rises directly above the overlook, towering more than 2,200 ft above the canyon floor. The Great Arch lies recessed into the cliff face below the overlook.
We didn’t stick around long as the sheer amount of people was starting to get on my nerves.
The Watchman Trail ended up being my favorite hike during our visit. This 3.1-mile out-and-back trail wasn’t nearly as populated as the other two trails, so it felt like we had most of the hike to ourselves. Plus, it’s only 636 feet of elevation gain. It overlooks the entire Springdale area and is ideal for beginner hikers. The trail starts as a steady incline up moderate switchbacks, leading to great views of the area at the outlook plateau. The hike is mostly not shaded, but you are surrounded by green shrubbery and desert flora. The Watchman Tower and Bridge Mountain are visible throughout the hike.
Resources
National Park Pass
It’s roughly $30 / vehicle to enter most national parks. If you plan on entering any national park at least three times in a calendar year, we highly suggest getting an Annual Park Pass. It’s $80 for a whole year (cheaper for seniors), and the pass covers entrance or day-use fees to all National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands for one personal vehicle, including rentals and RVs/motorhomes, plus entry to 2,000 Federal Recreation Sites.
BOONDOCKERS WELCOME Membership
Boondockers Welcome is a subscription service where locals invite RVers to park on their property, share their stories, and get a good night’s rest for free! It’s a perfect way to break up long drives without paying campground fees. Some hosts offer electric hookups and other amenities for a small donation.
What Did We Miss?
What is your favorite thing about Zion or Utah in general? Let us know in the comments below!
One thing we were super bummed about missing was Observation Point via East Mesa Trail, as the road to the trailhead was flooded and muddy. We also skipped Angel’s Landing as we didn’t sign up for a permit. Guess that means we’ll have to visit again!