A few years ago I took a trip to Arizona and travelled up to see Antelope Canyon and the Grand Canyon. I fell in love and since I have been planning to one day visit the lower region of Utah. From the glowing red canyon walls to majestic sunsets, the southwest is one of my favorite travel destinations in the US and I’ll take any excuse to make a trip back.
From Vegas we rented a SUV and 2.5 hours to Springdale, Utah. You could visit Zion for a day and return to Vegas but we has some other Utah adventures planned.
ZION NATIONAL PARK/SPRINGDALE, UT – 3 Nights
Springdale is a cute and quaint town. It’s one main road in and out. The road is lined with hotels, shops, local restaurants, and a (free!) hop-on-hop-off shuttle running all day long into Zion. The shuttle does stop running in January and picks up again in Feb/Mar.
Where We Stayed: SpringHill Suites by Marriott
Located off the main road, and in from of a majestic canyon, The Marriot is where you want to stay. Every day started and ended with sun shining onto the canyon, making it glow orange and red. Masks are required at all times when leaving your room and room service is unavailable due to COVID. The room smelled like bleach which made us feel comfortable knowing it had been thoroughly cleaned. But just incase, we gave the room and thorough wipe down with Clorox Wipes.
Good Eats: Jacks Sports Grill, Thai Sapa, Sol Foods Supermarket, and One Balcony
One Balcony is my personal favorite. I ordered two ceviche tostadas and a jalapeño margarita.. BOMB!
Our Favorite: Zion Scenic Drives
Zion has some of the most popular and breath taking hikes in the world. For you adrenaline junkies, you would love Angels Landing. The last half mile crosses a narrow ridge with 1000-foot drop-offs on both sides, guided by a stability chain. I am a chicken when it comes to ledges, so this did not make my list. We played it safe and did two scenic drives. As you enter the park, drive slow and be prepared to come to a stop every so few miles. We drove from start to finish and stopped along the way to walk around, take in the view and take some pictures.
the scariest tunnel!
TIPS & TRICKS
- Go during the slow months for less crowds and cheaper deals.
- Pack good hiking boots, my Dr. Martens worked just fine.
- If you plan on going in January, pack warm layers and easy on-the-go jackets. I took my Uniqlo light-down jacket that comes with a little back to pack it in when not using.
- The entry fee into Zion is $35 dollars and is good for 7 days. Make sure to keep the receipt somewhere safe.
- Be sure to pack sunblock, snacks and plenty of water.
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Zion was everything I hoped for and more and I would go back in a heartbeat to explore more. If you plan on visiting Utah check out future posts coming soon! Have you been to Zion? What was your favorite part?
[…] includes where we stayed, where to eat and just some great tips. You can find all the details, here. We ended our day with drinks by the fire place, dinner at Jack’s Sports Bar and tried to go […]