The Mighty Five – Zion National Park

Sorry we took a short break in this series….but we are back!

This park was a great way to kick off this portion of our trip. It has absolutely everything you might want to see: tall cliffs, ravines, waterfalls, rivers, an abundance of foliage, and plenty of trails ranging from easy to strenuous.

The Entrance

We entered the park on the East side and I highly recommend everyone doing the same, or at least driving it at some point. It is such a grand entrance into the park, truly feels other worldly. It’s a somewhat narrow, winding road, with a long tunnel, but when you come out the other side it is awe inspiring. You are able to see many great elements that the park has to offer all from the comfort of your car. We kept comparing the experience to entering Jurassic Park because it really feels like you have entered a portal to a different place and time.

The Camping Dilemma

I mentioned in an earlier blog that there was one park that we did not pre-plan camping accommodations for, and it was Zion. We were in a mad rush when we got to the park to find a place to camp. The first stop we made was to the visitor center, just to make sure there was nothing left in the park for camping, and to get recommendations. Of course there were zero sites in the park, but I had planned for this. I already had mapped out the closest campgrounds outside of the park and had the numbers ready. The first one I called informed us they had ONE site left and said it was first come-first serve, so we drove as fast as we legally could. Luckily, no one snagged it from us and we were able to get a site at a campground less than a mile from the south entrance in Springdale. We highly recommend staying here, it is the Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort. They have many spaces available, great restroom facilities, and right across the street is a convenience store and ice cream shop. Also amazing views!

The Hike

So funny story…Jake is afraid of heights. This tends to make certain hikes more difficult than others so that means we get to showcase two times the hikes on this blog. Our two friends did the highly popular and strenuous Angel’s Landing. If you are not familiar with this particular hike it is a strenuous and heart pounding, 5 mile out and back, that culminates in one of the best views in Zion. After an easier start that follows the West Rim Trail, you begin a series of switchbacks that quickly gain elevation up the side of the canyon. The last half mile follows the canyon ridge high above with steep drop-offs on both sides. Luckily, they have provided some chains that help hikers along the ridge. The payoff view at the top is worth the climb though!

Jake and I opted for a couple of hikes closer to the ground. Like I said, whatever you are looking for, you can find it at Zion. I wanted to explore some of the water features that the park offers. The first hike we did was the Emerald Pools Trail. This hike starts off easy and gets a little more strenuous towards the end but you get to see many great features. Plenty of waterfalls, pools, trees, and amazing rock formations. This hike is 3 miles if you go all the way to the end and takes around 4 hours.

We ended this hike crossing over Watchman Trail which provides another famous Zion view.

The next hike we did was the Narrows, which is highly recommended on a hot summer day. On this easier hike you can experience all the Virgin River has to offer, but bring your water shoes! To get to the beginning of the Narrows you take the easy and paved Riverside Walk that follows along the river until it’s time to start wading. From there you can travel in the river as far as you would like, up to around 16 miles. Jake’s shoes were not as waterproof as mine so I went a little further. It is recommended to wear close-toed shoes and bring a walking stick to help with balance on the slippery rocks. The water is cold but so refreshing in the summer heat!

The Next One

After our respective hikes, our two groups met back up to regroup and move on. We loaded up the van and made our way toward Bryce Canyon and Dixie National Forest for a few of the best nights of camping!

Details:

• If you are exploring any of these parks in the summer, start your hikes early! It gets hot in mid day and makes the hikes that much more strenuous. Also, summer is very crowded so it is best to avoid mid-day as much as possible.
• We’ve said it once, we will say it a thousand times: reserve your campsites early! We planned early and still had to go into this park without a campsite and it was stressful. Thankfully this was the only one and it worked out.
• If you do go with friends, don’t be afraid to split up and explore on your own. We really enjoyed our hikes and our friends enjoyed theirs. I only wish we had more time to hike.
• As much fun as it is to hike, one of the best ways to explore any park is to drive through or enjoy the park shuttle. Zion actually has a great shuttle with very informative drivers!
• Lastly, talk to the park rangers and workers! They know almost everything about the park and are great resources for the best hikes, how to avoid crowds, where to sleep, and how to make the most of your time.

Specifics:

• Places Visited
  • Zion National Park
  • Springdale, UT
• Camp
  • Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort
• Hikes
  • Angel’s Landing
    • Distance: 5.2 miles | Elevation Gain: 1500 Feet | Type: Out and Back | Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Emerald Pools – full length
    • Distance: 3 Miles | Elevation Gain: 350 feet|Type: Out and Back | Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
  • Riverside Walk Trail – The Narrows
    • Distance: 16 miles total | No trail – following the river | Difficulty: Easy-Strenuous | Need permits for certain hikes
    • This hike can be tailored to almost any ability so its really fun for all!