 |
Zion National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States.
It isn't just the views that are so spectacular in Zion National Park, but the ambience and the great hiking trails never cease to keep your imagination busy. We have taken a couple trips to Zion National Park and spent at least 7 days camping there both times. It is our opinion, that to truly enjoy this park, you must be willing to camp here for several days. Yeah, this may cut in to the family vacation a little, but we truly believe that your family will never regret it. First, let's get the issue of where to stay out of the way. 
Over the last 10 years, Zion National Park has had the town of Springdale grow up outside it. This town used to be nothing, but due to the intense attraction for the park, tourism has driven Springdale to literally spring up into a little town that has a lot to offer in the way of lodging and food. There are a number of hotels and places to stay in Springdale (the town is just a couple miles outside the west entrance of Zion). The place that we highly recommend is the Quality Inn at Zion Park. This place has 42 rooms with high speed internet, a pool and a little grocery store. But the main reason that we recommend this place is because they have a big RV and tent camping lot along with showers and restrooms. For the family that is camping or RVing, this place makes a great place to stay, because it is literally right outside the Zion Park entrance and on the banks of the Virgin river.
If you haven't gotten a Golden Eagle pass already, now would be a good time to go the entrance of Zion Park and inquire about purchasing a Golden Eagle Pass or you can buy one here. They cost $65 for the upgrade which not only gets you into all national parks for a year, it also gets you into all federal fee areas as well. You can also just get the National park pass for $50 if you want to just visit parks. Any way you cut it, it is better than paying the admission fee, because you will have to pay $20 for a 7 day pass into Zion alone, but if you go on to visit Bryce National Park or the Grand Canyons, you will have to pay for them as well. Besides, your money goes towards maintaining these beautiful parks and it is well worth knowing you are doing your part to help out. Once you get in to Zion National Park, you should go to the Visitor Center and get yourself oriented to where you are and what is available to you as far as guided tours are concerned. At the Visitor center you can inquire about the Junior Ranger program where kids between ages 6-12 (and accompanied by an adult) can receive a guided tour with a ranger in the morning and afternoon. This is a great activity for kids and they will learn a lot about the wildlife, habitat and history of Zion National Park. If you want a morning tour, you must register at 8:30 and start at 9 a.m. The afternoon program takes registration at 1 p.m. and starts at 1:30. The Junior Ranger Program is only during the summer months from the end of May through the first weekend of September. At the Visitor Center you can also ask a Ranger about the various hikes they recommend, including The Narrows if you are feeling brave. We don't recommend this hike if you have small children. Some of the most common hikes to do in Zion Park are the Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock, and Angels Landing. You will find that Zion National Park will inspire you and your children will have a blast, whether playing in the river, going on hikes, becoming a Junior Ranger, or learning to mountain climb. Take this opportunity to have one of the best family vacations ever!
|
