Nestled within the sacred lands of the Paiute Indians, Zion National Park, known to them as Mukuntaweap, has been a sanctuary filled with medicinal plants, breathtaking views, abundant game, and vital water sources. Preserved by the national park system, it remains a place for all to explore and enjoy.
In 1903, artist Frank Delinbauge captured the canyons in his paintings and writings, astonishing the world at the World Fair with scenes that seemed almost too incredible to exist. Fast forward to 2024, and Zion is predicted to welcome 5 million visitors!
At an elevation of 5,000 feet, Zion’s high desert climate brought the heat during our visit, reaching a scorching 106 degrees.
Exploring Zion is a breeze thanks to the efficient shuttle system, though it’s wise to account for some buffer time due to lines.
Camping at Zion National Park
Ideally located at the park’s entrance and within walking distance to the shuttle stop, visitor center, shops, restaurants, showers, and grocery stores, Watchman Campground is the perfect base for our Zion adventure.
Since Zion is an International Dark Sky Park, you can simply walk outside your camper at night and look up, and behold the entire Milky Way is at your beckon!
Bike Adventure
Dad and the boys embarked on a biking adventure, exploring the park by riding from Watchman to the visitor center, nature center, and museum.
Nature Center
When temperatures soared to 103 degrees, we sought refuge at the nature center, where the boys worked on their Jr. Ranger books and even tried on ranger outfits.
Human History Museum
Here, we enjoyed a short film and learned about Zion’s rich human history.
Epic Hikes at Zion National Park
Emerald Pools
This moderate 2.2-mile hike involves a bit of elevation change but rewards adventurers with stunning views of water cascading over a cliff into a series of emerald pools. Our descent took an unexpected twist when we had to ford the river due to a closed bridge!
Angels Landing
The strenuous 3-mile hike to Angels Landing features a 1,000-foot elevation change. With narrow passages and significant crowds, a permit is required to access the landing. The lottery system adds an element of luck, but the breathtaking views make it all worthwhile.
The Narrows
Starting at the last shuttle stop, this world-famous hike begins with a 1-mile stroll along the Virgin River before requiring you to wade through the water. At certain points, the water reaches chest height, providing a cool and challenging adventure as you witness the river carving through the canyon.
An unexpected twist—our author lost his phone after slipping on a rock, only to find it bobbing in an eddy a few minutes later!
Ranger Programs
Evening Programs
Each night at 9 pm, a short walk from our campsite led us to the amphitheater, where different rangers presented a variety of topics.
Bus Ride Ranger Talk
While Dad tackled Angels Landing solo, Cassy and the boys took a ranger-led bus tour. The 2-hour ride was a great way to see areas of the park inaccessible by shuttle, especially since Cassy was nursing an ankle sprain.
Jr. Ranger Programs
Zion offers special ranger programs for kids every Tuesday and Friday at the amphitheater near our campsite or the nature center.
Tunnel to Zion’s East Entrance
No trip to Zion is complete without mention of the amazing engineering completed by the park service in building the Zion Tunnel that connects Zion to Bryce via it’s East Entrance. Permits are required to enter the tunnel if you are a large vehicle, fortunately our micro minnie fit just underneath the height limit!
Zion National Park offered a mix of adventure, history, and natural beauty, making it a trip we will never forget!
