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 look 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.
GRAND CANYON NORTH RIM -
(day two)
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.
Kanab is a historic town and one where over 100 western movies were
filmed in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Stop by the Frontier
Movie Town to see old movie sets used by John Wayne and other famous
men of the movie west. 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 lodge
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.
BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK -
(day three)
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. Call ahead for reservations.
PANGUITCH LAKE / CEDAR BREAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT
/ DUCK CREEK -
(day four)
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.
EAST SIDE OF ZION - WALKS / HIKES
/ RAPPELLING -
(day five)