We flew into Vegas Thursday night, the closest airport to Zion, but still 3 hours away. After renting a car, we started the drive. We didn't get to Springdale, the town outside of Zion, until about midnight. We stayed at the Best Western, a very nice standard hotel in town. There are also a lot of more charming options in the town, but they are hard to find online.
There is a restaurant in town that serves brambleberry pancakes. It is adjacent to the local theater (stage not film). I'm fairly certain it is called the brambleberry. DO eat here, and DO try the brambleberry pancakes but DON'T ask what a brambleberry is, because a brambleberry is a brambleberry.
For the campers, there is a camp ground just inside the park. I'll get back to you on how this is after we camp there in a few weeks.
The geologic story of Zion is one as spectacular as the park is now. To sum it up in a sentence from The Encyclopedia of National Parks: “These layers reveal that successive occurrences of vast inland seas, flat lands, tremendous earth upheavals, and the constant forces of erosion have all played a part in forming this region”. Zion started as a great sea. Later, as the area uplifted and died, the region became a vast desert of pink sand dunes, nearly the size of California and 3,000 feet deep! This sand later solitified into the pink Najavo sandstone so prominent in the South West.
But in Zion the region was cut down sharply by the Virgin River. This shaped and created Zion's main Valley and it's nearly 3,000 foot high cliffs. The river is still downcutting, geologists believe that the valley may be cut another 1,000 feet down.
Once inside the park, DO take the bus tour to get your barings. There are a lot of things to see here, and many amazing hikes. My recommendations are as followed:
I debated with making this suggestion, but I did it and it was fine, so I will let you know. Your first day, DO hike The Narrows. But DO check with the backcountry desk to make sure the trail is open and safe before you go. There are occasionally flash floods which can be deadly. But don't let that scare you, it's very rare. Thousands enter every day without problem.
You have two options for The Narrows. If you are a serious hiker, you can do the two day trip entering from the top and walking down. But if you are a serious hiker you know of this already and don't need my help. For the passive hiker, the day trip hiking up river is very enjoyable.
If you decide to do this DO bring proper gear! Have good ankle protection and a walking stick, this will be helpful. DO bring lunch, as this will take all day. And DO put it in a plastic bag, it may get wet.
I suggest this hike on the first day because it has a very low gradient. The lack of elevation change makes it a good way to acclumate to the very high elevation (3,600-8,700 ft), and it is also a very beautiful and memberable hike. Go as far as you'd like and turn around at any time.
If you do this DO bring two pairs of shoes, it will take a while for this pair to dry out.
On the second day, I suggest you take a number of light, short hikes to rest your legs from The Narrows. You can do this while doing the bus tour. Spend some time at the visitor section to learn figure out what you want to see, then get off at the appropriate stops. We did Weeping Rock, the short walk to the vantage point for the Court of the Patriarchs, and all three Emerald Pools. Even with all of these hikes you will STILL have time for others this day. Or, you can just relax in the Virgin River, or take a nice drive through the park to the East or North side.
Court of the Patriarchs
Lower Emerald Pools
View from Weeping Rock
With all three of these done, we still had time to drive out to Bryce to see that. DON'T do this. Zion is far superior to Bryce. We spent about 10 minutes in the park, turned around, and went back to Zion. If you want to see Bryce, go there before you go to Zion so it is not spoiled. However, the drive on the East side of the park is amazing. If you have some extra time, and don't want to see Kolob Canyon, this is another option for you.
Day three, I suggest you do another long hike, such as Angel's Landing. We planned to do this, but instead tried to see Grand Canyon. DON'T try to do this, it is too far to see and get back to Springdale. It is possible to do if you leave early the day you return to the airport, however.
If it is day time on your way to Vagas, DO pull off about 45 minutes before the city to see Valley of Fire. The exit for this is North Moapa Valley Rd. You will see a large firework stand off the freeway. Follow the road to the park.
Valley of Fire is a little known, but amazing little park that is easy to drive around, and also has a lot of hikes. If you are here in summer, like we were, it will be hot, it isn't named Valley of Fire for no reason. Still go, just remember to bring plenty of water.
Valley of Fire is made out of the same Navajo sandstone as Zion and Bryce, however it has weathered very differently due to the lack of water.
Your author in one of the bee hives
Petrogylphs at the park
After this, head back to Vegas, and start your trip back home. I hope you enjoyed your weekend!
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