So Much to See, So Much to do!

Zion National Park Vacation Homes – Lodging for multiple nights.

East Zion National Park, Utah is strategically the most central point from which to base, as you explore the world-class scenery found in southern Utah and northern Arizona. To view a detailed area map – click here. When you stay at Zion Canyon Vacation Homes you are in the geographic center of Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Lake Powell (Glen Canyon), Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and the Grand Canyon North Rim. You’ll also be close to other attractions such as Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Duck Creek, Navajo Lake, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Panguitch Lake, Red Canyon, Kodachrome Basin State Park and the list goes on. There just isn’t a better place to stay! Many people come to this area and stay for one or more weeks just to see and experience this region. A hotel just is not sufficient when you can have the comforts of our beautiful cabins or our Family Suites.

The Zion Vacation Homes are just a minute
away from the East entrance of Zion National Park.
For suggested Itineraries for Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Grand Staircase

Zion is an ancient Hebrew word that means place of peace and refuge. As you visit the silent grandeur of Zion’s beautifully sculptured canyons, soaring cliffs and breathtaking landscapes you will agree that Zion National Park certainly lives up to its name. The Parks earliest inhabitants were the Anasazi who lived in the area about 2000 years ago. Around 800 years ago the Paiutes began to inhabit Zion, then in the 1860′s the first group of Mormon Pioneers arrived to settle the area. In 1909 the park was established as Mukutuweap National Monument and was later expanded to its present day size of 229 square miles and renamed Zion National Park. Zion, with its endless opportunities for enjoying and exploring nature, receives around three million visitors each year.

Zion is best known for its stunning rock formations and is home to Kolob Arch, which spans 310 ft. and is the world’s largest arch. Zion is also famous for its incredible slot canyons such as The Narrows, which attracts hikers form all around the world. Zion National Park’s elevation ranges between 3,666 ft. at Coal Pits Wash in the southwest corner to 8,726 ft. at Horse Ranch Mountain in the Kolob Canyons. The Park is located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and Mojave Desert. This unique geography creates a variety of life zones within the Park and provides Zion with an unusual diversity of plant and animal life. Zion boasts the richest diversity of plants in all of Utah, with over 800 native species.

Zion National Park is also close to these other destinations: Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Grand Staircase.

Zion National Park Entrance Fees
All passes can be obtained at the entrance stations:

• Entrance $20 per vehicle, good for 7 days at Zion National Park only.
• Individual $10 per person, not to exceed $20 per family, good for 7 days at Zion National Park only.
• Annual Pass $40 good for one year at Zion National Park only.
• National Parks Pass $50, good for entrance for one year to all units of the National Park System.
• Golden Eagle $65, good for entrance for one year in all federal fee areas.
• Golden Age $10 lifetieme pass for US citizens 62 or older.
• Golden Access Free lifetime pass for US citizens who are permanently disabled.

Commercial Tour Vehicle Fees
There is a fee for comercial tours. Operators should contact the park at (435) 772-3256 for specific information on rates. Commercial tour operator’s fee is based on bus capacity and ranges from $35 to $190.

Tunnel
The Zion – Mt. Carmel tunnel runs between the East Entrance to the park and Zion Canyon. Vehicles 7’10″ (2.4m) wide or 11’4″ (3.4m) high, or larger, are required to have an escort through the tunnel. (Mostl RV’s, buses, trailers, 5th wheels, boats, as well as some camper shells will require an escort.) The escort fee is $10 per vehicle. You will not actually follow an escort, rather, the oncoming traffic will be stopped, allowing you to drive through the middle of the tunnel. Vehicles over 13’1″ tall, semitrucks, vehicles weighting more than 50,000 lbs or measuring over 40 ft., bicycles and pedestrians are prohibited in the tunnel.

Shuttle
Because more than 2 million people visit Zion Canyon each year, the shuttle system was established to help eliminate traffic and to restore tranquility to the park. Riding the shuttle is a free and fun way of visiting the sights of Zion Canyon. Shuttles operate from late March through October, during this time private cars are not allowed to drive through Zion Canyon (other roads of the park remain open to private vehicles). Shuttles operate daily from 6:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. A complete round trip along Zion Canyon will take a minimum of 90 minutes, but you can get on and off as often as you like, to take pictures and enjoy the views. For a day trip on the shuttle, take with you water, snacks, sunscreen and/or sunglasses, wear good walking shoes, and don’t forget your camera!

Local Activities

Entertainment

Other National Parks

Day One: Zion National Park: We are located just a couple of miles from the East gate of Zion National Park so your adventure easily begins here. Drive the winding scenic roads of the park and enjoy taking photos or shooting video at many of the pullouts. You are near the top of Zion National Park and this upper end has a very different terrain than the lower areas. Stop at such view areas as Checkerboard Mesa and then park near the entrance of the Zion Tunnel and take a leisurely walk to the Blind Arch overlook. The mile-long tunnel in Zion goes right through the side of the mountain. You’ll enjoy driving slowly through the tunnel because there are windows in several intervals that look out onto Zion National Park. Once you exit the tunnel you will follow a very scenic drive down into the valley of Zion National Park where your elevation will be approximately 4,000 feet. From April to October a shuttle runs from the town of Springdale and takes you into the main canyon. This shuttle is your only access into the canyon during these months, so park your car in Springdale and jump on the shuttle. This will take you to any number of scenic stops. You may wish to take walks to Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock and the “Narrows” via the trail that begins at the Temple of Sinewava. Also stop at the turnout to shoot photos of the park’s most famous formation “The Great White Throne.” For more adventurous hikers we can tell you more about “Angel’s Landing” and other backcountry adventures. We can pack lunches and drinks for your day in Zion National Park. If you’d like to make a loop out of your trip, you can venture off the road at the town of Rockville and venture to the old Ghost Town of Grafton. Here you’ll see an old school house and other buildings from the early settlers of this community. It is also the location of a famous movie scene from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. From here you’ll follow the well-graded dirt road up the hill and around toward the community of Apple Valley. You’ll pass the Smith’s Mesa and circle onto highway 59 and drive through Hildale on to Pipe Spring National Monument, a fort constructed for protection from the Indians along the Arizona Strip. You’ll circle through Kanab and back to us near the end of a great day. Return to us in the afternoon or evening for a relaxing tub or Jacuzzi and dinner at the Buffalo Grill.

Day Two: Grand Canyon North Rim: We are a great jumping off point for many of the regions National Parks. The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is just two hours drive to the south. The drive is spectacular as you pass by Coral Pink Sand Dunes, the western town of Kanab and then make your way up onto the Kaibab Plateau and through the dense forest of Ponderosa Pines. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way. Coral Pink Sand Dunes is just a short drive off Highway 89 (7 miles) and offers beautiful views of reddish colored sand dunes. The north rim of the Grand Canyon is higher than the south rim and it is said that the views are more spectacular. This is different than Zion National Park where you are looking up at formations, at Grand you are on top looking down at it all. Have lunch at the cabins or we’ll be happy to provide you with a lunch for the day. There are many trails that you can venture on across the rim or even down into the canyon. Just remember that wherever you go down, you’ll need to hike back up. Take a water bottle in any case. You’ll need your camera and plenty of film or disk space on your new digital camera. The drive back from the north Rim is spectacular, as you’ll be treated to views of the Grand Staircase. Vermilion Cliffs, White Cliffs and Pink Cliffs will be visible in the distance, each one stair-stepping up and above the other. Click here for an Arizona Map

Day Three: Bryce Canyon National Park: Bryce is just an hour to the North. At the gate you will be given a map of the park. Just past the main gate you can stop at the visitor center and view the various displays on the geology and other information about the park. Drive to some of the overlooks. The main road in Bryce Canyon goes from the Gate on the North for 20 miles to the South end of the park. There are many places to stop and take photos in Bryce Canyon National Park. If you enjoy walking then there are many trails that lead from the top of the park down in and among the formations. Use the map given you at the gate. As you stop at the overlooks you will be looking to the East into the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and across the Bryce Valley toward Powell Point which rises to over 10,000 feet. Depending on the season you can enjoy many activities near the park – such as rodeos, chuck wagon rides and entertainment, horseback riding, helicopter rides, etc. If you have time you can go further venture past Bryce Canyon to Kodachrome Basin State Park for the afternoon. This is a magical place with unique formations. There are also opportunities to see wildlife at the Bryce Canyon Animal Safari ( www.brycecanyonanimalsafari.com ) Call ahead for reservations.

Day Four: Panguitch Lake / Cedar Breaks National Monument / Duck Creek Circle north again to the quaint town of Panguitch (just 40 minutes away) and then go south and climb the mountain on a beautifully paved road to Panguitch Lake (the word Panguitch means – “Big Fish”). Here you can rent boats and gear for fishing or bring your own. There are stores and restaurants for lunch or dinner and supplies. When you’re finished viewing this sparkling large lake in the mountains, continue south and West to Cedar Breaks National Monument. You’ll be close to Brian Head Resort if you want to drop down into the town. Here you can rent Mountain Bikes and ride a large network of trails. In summer you can even put your bike on a ski lift to the top of a mountain and ride downhill through the forest. At Cedar Breaks you can view the formations of the Markagaunt Plateau. It is much like Bryce Canyon. From here you can circle south and then east on highway 14 to see overlooks toward Zion National Park. You’ll pass Navajo Lake, which sits like a jewel in a mountain valley. You can take an easy walk to Cascade Falls and see where water seeps from the side of the mountain and literally cascades into the upper Virgin River. The Virgin is the river that has carved Zion National Park. Venture further East on highway 14 and stop at Duck Creek Village. From here circle back to us just 40 minutes for a relaxing evening.

Day Five: East Side of Zion – Walks / Hikes / Rappelling: The East side of Zion National Park offers some excellent short walks, ½ day or full day hikes and several excellent technical hikes that include rappelling in slot canyon areas. Walks to the Blind Arch Overlook and around Checkerboard Mesa are easily accessible and there are many pull-outs throughout Zion National Park where you can easily venture off for a short walk in a side canyon. In all areas use good judgment and caution about where you walk or hike. The Blind Arch Overlook walk begins on the east side of the road at the top of the main tunnel. This walk offers views into the Pine Creek area which is adjacent to the tunnel and then takes you out to an overlook into the main Zion basin. The view is spectacular and the walk will take between 1 and 1.5 hours depending on how much time you spend shooting photos, viewing foliage and enjoying the scenic overlook. The Checkerboard walk goes around to the back of the mesa and begins and ends at the parking lot just to the North of the mesa. This walk is slightly strenuous and will take approximately 1 ½ hours depending on your ability. Technical Hikes with Rappels: This includes hikes to places such as the Zion Narrows, Orderville Canyon, Englestead Canyon, Mystery Canyon, Spry Canyon, Keyhole Canyon, Pine Creek and Fat Man’s Misery. These are all spectacular but should be attempted only with the right equipment and experience.

Day Six: Grand Staircase National Monument: The Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is one of the most recently created national monuments in the United States. If you are one of those who likes to go to out-of-the-way places and see things that few others have ever seen, then this may be the day trip you’ve been looking for. Today the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is an area for exploration by car, horse, bike, ATV and on foot. It encompasses an area that is the last explored portion of the United States and is a maze of canyons, rivers and drainage’s that was once the hide-out of many a western outlaw. Butch Cassidy and his wild bunch once roamed the area and used the secretive canyon systems as a way to avoid the law. Many a lawman became lost trying to find those he pursued. Trails are constantly being created or designated for various uses. From our location the easiest access points into the monument are from nearby Glendale or Kanab. Johnson Canyon/Skutumpah Road: Running for 46 miles between Johnson Canyon and Kodachrome Basin, this paved and graded/dirt surface road traverses some remarkable territory cut by streams and canyons. The upper 22-mile section can become impassable when wet. The route provides access to Bull Valley Gorge and some steps and terraces of the Grand Staircase. This road can be accessed from Glendale. Click on this link to see a very good map of the monument and its road systems. Grand Staircase Map • Sectional map of Utah Remember to take food and water with you as there are no services inside the monument. Roads are dirt but are generally well graded and passable as long as they are not wet. Rare rain or snowy weather can make roads impassable so use good judgment.

Day Seven: Lake Powell National Recreation Area: For many people there is no better place in the world than Lake Powell. You just can’t find an area that is more breathtaking or awe-inspiring. Lake Powell is approximately 1.5 hours from our resort. There are several ways to experience the lake. If you want a very basic experience in late spring, summer or early fall, then take your swimsuit and go swimming. Be sure to visit the Glen Canyon Dam and take a tour. Nearby Page, Arizona offers restaurants and some shopping. If you have the time there are several ways to experience the lake. Rent a boat, small watercraft or take a cruise up the river in the day, or an evening cruise. The day cruise can take you to Rainbow Bridge – the largest natural rock-bridge in the world. Anytime of year (weather permitting) you may rent your own boat and cruise the many side canyons of Lake Powell. There are over 2,000 miles of coastline so one day on the lake will allow you to see a small portion. This is a great day tour – just ask us for more details on how best to experience this area during the season you are staying with us. Click here for more details on lake activities: http://www.lakepowell.com/

We are now open with our brand new Cabin Suites. The Zion Canyon Vacation Homes are located on Scenic Highway 9, which leads directly to the east entrance of Zion National Park. Our first phase cabins are located on the north side of the road at the base of a hill and the views are toward the White Cliffs of the Grand Staircase on the east and toward the Grand Canyon and on the south. You may wake up frequently with deer outside your window and views of our rolling hills of wild-grass.

Our cabin suites are built into a Juniper Tree covered hillside and are part of our Buffalo habitat area. That means that Buffalo are free to roam and you may wake up to find them grazing by your balcony or out your window. These suites offer various amenities including Jacuzzi tubs, elegant bathrooms, dining areas, excellent beds and great balconies for watching the sun set, viewing wildlife such as buffalo, deer, rabbits, coyotes, wild turkeys and many other birds.