If you are living in Los Angeles, San Diego, or somewhere in between, and up for a memorable road trip adventure over a free weekend, then Zion National Park is the place to go! Zion is one of those stunning places, a natural gem, that people rarely seem to talk about. This trip will be one to remember and certainly won’t break the bank. So, pack your bags, phone a friend, and cruise out to an amazing place called Zion!
GETTING THERE AND BACK
Save the address for your navigation system and Google Maps:
Address: Hurricane, Utah, 84737 (Zion Canyon Visitor Center)
- This is quite the road trip expedition, but what epic trip was ever short? Departing from Los Angeles you are looking at a 6 hour and 30 minute drive. From San Diego you are looking at one hour being added on. Get a pass for you car before you arrive for $30 to save you the hassle. You can purchase your pass here: http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm
- Eat on the road to insure you are ready to get outside the moment you arrive.
- Once you’re there, spend a short amount of time at the Zion Visitors Center for final preparations and then embark outdoors to begin your journey.
TO DO’S WHILE YOU’RE VISITING
- There are so many amazing places to go and see in Zion National Park. If you embark on this trip with no plans at all, you will still see everything and more. Here are snapshot highlights of what you may want to visit while you are in Utah.
- The Narrows: This is the epitome of an outdoor adventure. As the Canyon towers above you, the cooling temperatures drop allowing you to take an amazingly beautiful stroll through creek beds. Make sure the shoes worn can get wet. Bring an appropriate backpack with water and other goods. The Narrows are a remarkable site to see. A note on safety: no great adventure comes without a little bit of danger so a heads up; this is an area that flash floods during wet seasons. Make sure you check to see what the weather is looking like in Zion before you arrive. Click here for a quick peak at the weather: http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/l/Zion+National+Park+UTNPZION:13:US
- Observation Point – Angel’s Landing: Hiking to Observation Point for the non- hiker may be difficult, but the view at the end, is more than worth the exercise. Looking down at Angel’s Landing is nothing other than breathtaking. Make sure you wear proper hiking boots or have shoes that are good for gripping.
- Wandering: Going in without a plan is just as enjoyable and relaxing. The park has over 250 species of bird, 75 mammals (including 19 species of bat), and 32 reptiles that inhabit the parks four life zones. Having a car handy will allow you to quickly get to and from these vastly different areas of the park. There are life zones that range from desert, riparian, woodland. and coniferous forest. Whether it’s hiking through the shaded canyons, trekking up rock covered mountains, crossing shallow rivers, or investigating natural arches and little caves; this trip will undoubtedly remind you of your youth.
WHERE TO STAY
- Zion Lodge: Real adventures are hardly glamorous, but the Zion Lodge gets the job done. For room reservations click here: http://www.zionlodge.com/lodging/reservations/
- Camping: If you want an even more outdoorsy experience, than camp underneath the florescent stars at the Zion Watchman Campground. For specific information of the various camp sites click here: http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/watchman-campground.htm
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