Your First Time in Zion National Park
Description:
Words barely describe Zion Canyon National Park. Breathtaking. Sublime grandeur. Stunning natural architecture. Immense, towering walls. Whatever your reaction when you glimpse Zion for the first time, rest assured that you'll likely be rendered speechless by its truly magnificent beauty!
Perfectly located nearby Las Vegas and Salt Lake City airports, Zion is a place to savored rather than rushed through. It's a bit unique for a national park in that the lively little town of Springdale is literally right at its southern entrance. This means that not only can you get your back-to-nature fill, you can also dress up and stroll through a town full of citylike attractions, including excellent dining, shopping, and even a gigantic screen movie theater. Ahead of the game, Zion years ago installed a clean fuel shuttle system which runs to all major points in the Park as well as six stops in Springdale. (Note that during the busy season, you will be required to use the shuttle rather than your car.)
Zion offers everything outdoorsy from simple, mostly flat walks to hardcore multi-day adventure treks. Local outfitting companies can help you gear up as well as guide trips. From kids to senior citizens and everyone in between, there's an exciting activity awaiting you in Zion.
Perfectly located nearby Las Vegas and Salt Lake City airports, Zion is a place to savored rather than rushed through. It's a bit unique for a national park in that the lively little town of Springdale is literally right at its southern entrance. This means that not only can you get your back-to-nature fill, you can also dress up and stroll through a town full of citylike attractions, including excellent dining, shopping, and even a gigantic screen movie theater. Ahead of the game, Zion years ago installed a clean fuel shuttle system which runs to all major points in the Park as well as six stops in Springdale. (Note that during the busy season, you will be required to use the shuttle rather than your car.)
Zion offers everything outdoorsy from simple, mostly flat walks to hardcore multi-day adventure treks. Local outfitting companies can help you gear up as well as guide trips. From kids to senior citizens and everyone in between, there's an exciting activity awaiting you in Zion.
Author: Julie Trevelyan
Day 1 - Zion National Park, Springdale
THINGS TO DO
You came here to hike, right? Angels Landing and Zion Narrows are two of Zion's most famous hikes. Only attempt them if you're prepared, though! They aren't for the fainthearted, but wow, are they worth the effort if you take them on. For easier jaunts, check out the Pa'rus Trail or the Riverside Walk. Observation Point hands-down boasts the sweetest camera views, while Weeping Rock is the place to see wildflowers in the spring. To take in the whole of Zion without exerting yourself too much, drive the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Don't forget to honk in the tunnel. Seriously, that's the best fun!
1
The Narrows
Location:
view in google mapsZion National Park
Zion National Park, UT 84767
2
Angels Landing
Location:
view in google mapsZion National Park
Zion National Park, UT 84767
2
Zion Adventures
Location:
view in google maps36 Lion Blvd.
At the corner of Lion and Zion Park Blvd. (SR9)
Springdale, UT 84767
Phone:
435-772-10012
Zion Rock & Mountain Guides
Location:
view in google maps1458 Zion Park Blvd.
PO Box 623
Springdale, UT 84767
Phone:
(435) 772-33033
Emerald Pools-Kayenta Loop
Location:
view in google mapsZion National Park
Zion National Park, UT 84767
4
Riverside Walk
Location:
view in google mapsZion National Park
Zion National Park, UT 84767
Phone:
(435) 772-32565
Weeping Rock
Location:
view in google mapsZion National Park
Zion National Park, UT 84767
Phone:
(435) 772-32566
Pa'rus Trail
Location:
view in google mapsZion National Park
Zion National Park, UT 84767
7
Observation Point
Location:
view in google mapsZion National Park
Zion National Park, UT 84767
Phone:
(435) 772-32568
Canyon Overlook Trail
Location:
view in google mapsZion National Park
Zion National Park, UT 84767
Phone:
(435) 772-32569
Zion Shuttle
Location:
view in google mapsZion National Park
Zion National Park, UT 84767
Phone:
(435) 772-325610
Zion Canyon Scenic Byway
Location:
view in google mapsZion National Park
Zion National Park, UT 84767
Day 2 - Zion National Park
RESTAURANTS
Mm, food. National Parks aren't usually known for their epicurean delights, but prepare for a pleasant shock at Zion. Because of neighboring Springdale, you have a plethora of dining choices, ranging from grab-and-go delis to full-on get dressed up, multi-course meals prepared by chefs who trained in France (no, really). Try these five on for size; they display the variety to be found in Zion as well as the flavor of the local ambiance. Bottoms up!
2
Red Rock Grill
Location:
view in google maps1640 W Redstone Center Dr
Zion Lodge
Zion National Park, UT 84098
Phone:
(435) 772-7760Day 3 - Springdale
NIGHTLIFE
Again, you can choose between nightlife au naturel, such as skewering hot dogs and quaffing local brews around your campfire, or putting on the ritz in Springdale. Heck, you can even take in a humongous-screen movie pre- or post-dinner. Yes, Utah's drinking laws have been labeled draconian for excellent reason, but they have been loosening a gasp at a time over recent years (thank you, 2000 Salt Lake City Olympics for spearheading that change). You can drink adult beverages without fear that frowning moralists will drag you away. Zion Pizza & Noodle, in fact, has a hopping beer garden. And don't forget the best nighttime show of all: that purely stunning blanket of stars in the dark skies above, framed by the ancient canyon walls.
1
Zion Pizza & Noodle
Location:
view in google maps868 Zion Park Blvd
Springdale, UT 84737
Phone:
(435) 772-38152
Majestic View Steakhouse and Saloon
Location:
view in google maps2400 Zion Park Blvd
Springdale, UT 84767
Phone:
(435) 772-06653
Bit & Spur Restaurant & Saloon
Location:
view in google maps1212 Zion Park Blvd,
Springdale, UT 84737
Phone:
(435) 772-34984
Zion Canyon Giant Screen Theatre
Location:
view in google maps145 Zion Park Blvd.
Springdale, UT 84767
Phone:
888-256-34565
Dixie State College - O.C. Tanner Amphitheater
Location:
view in google mapsDixie State College
O.C. Tanner Amphitheater
Springdale, UT 84767
Phone:
(435) 652-7994Day 4 - Zion National Park, Ivins, Springdale
LOCAL RECOMMENDATIONS: EXPLORING ST. GEORGE
St. George is a small city (or a large town, if you prefer) outside of Zion. On your way in or out—perhaps on a breather day in between outdoor adventure if that strikes your fancy—take some time to hang out in this lovely urban area. Explore the shops or farmers' market of Ancestor Square, eat a truly fabulous meal at one of the many restaurants, even take in a show. The Shakespearean Festival produces Tony-winning plays, while the über-popular Tuacahan Ampitheatre has major talents belting out their finest tunes under the open sky. If you're curious about the polygamist lifestyle, which is still practiced south of Zion, head away from the Park to the Merry Wives Café, where the women who run it will answer your (respectful, please) questions about their very modern and often misunderstood lives.
1
Shakespearean Festival
Location:
view in google maps351 West Center Street
Zion National Park, UT 84720
Phone:
435-586-78785
Cosmopolitan Restaurant
Location:
view in google maps1915 Wells Fargo Rd.
Zion National Park, UT 84746
Phone:
(435) 879-68626
Tuacahn Amphitheatre
Location:
view in google maps1100 Tuacahn Drive
Ivins, UT 84738
Phone:
435-652-32007
Dixie State College - O.C. Tanner Amphitheater
Location:
view in google mapsDixie State College
Springdale, UT 84767
Phone:
(435) 652-79948
Merry Wives Café
Location:
view in google maps625 State St
Zion National Park, UT 84784
Phone:
(435) 874-1425