Zion National Park, Utah
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2022-07-27 14:33:27
Zion National Park, Utah
Less than 100 miles north of Grand Canyon National Park is Zion National Park, one of the best-kept wild secrets in the country. This compact reserve has stunning rock formations, beautiful views, and abundant hiking and camping assets, sports fitness .
While its depths don't come close to its more popular southern cousins, Zion has many bizarre canyons, valleys, and outcrops. For geology lovers and frugal wilderness lovers, Zion is hard to beat. Just remember to bring your camera.
Admission: $30 for a 7-day vehicle pass, $15 for a 7-day non-motorized pass.
Best Time to Visit: Zion is nestled in a high-altitude desert, so temperatures vary by day, night and season. Daytime temperatures often exceed 100 degrees, and summers can be brutal. However, it's also the cheapest season to travel, with great lodging and super affordable flight deals to Las Vegas. Spring tends to be mild and dry, while September and early October can be wet with thunderstorms. Winters range from cool to cold, with occasional severe weather, more common valley floor rain, and high altitude snow or mixed precipitation.
How to get there: Zion National Park is about two and a half hours from Las Vegas and more than four hours from Salt Lake City. Airports in both cities have nonstop flights to dozens of U.S. destinations, with flights to Las Vegas sometimes costing less than $100 round-trip.
Where to Stay: The main road to Zion's southern entrance is lined with hotels and motels, such as the Zion Pioneer Inn and the Quality Inn. During peak season, rooms are surprisingly expensive—expect to pay more than $100 per night for even basic two- and three-star accommodations. Watchman and South, the two main campgrounds in the park, are more affordable. Tent-only sites start at $20 per night, with riverside attractions pricier. For a change of scenery, head to Lava Point Campground about an hour outside the entrance. At nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, it's set in a cool, tree-lined alpine forest with great views -- but no running water. If you're going on a multi-day hike, you can book scattered primitive backcountry campsites (no more than five campsites each) for a similar price.
What to do: The best way to see Zion is on foot. The Zion Canyon area has the highest density of trails, with everything from all-day climbs to short, gentle walks. Canyoning and rock climbing are great options if you're adventurous and have the right equipment. The Narrows and The Subway are two of the easiest and most popular routes through Zion's narrow, twisting waterways.
Special Events and Attractions: During the warmer months, the town of Springdale has an impressive farmers market on Saturdays and Sundays. The free Zion Canyon Music Festival ($10 per person) in late September is an eclectic, family-friendly event.
The last sentence
These destinations are beautiful and suitable for any type of trip: a two-week retreat, a fitness vacation, a multi-destination road trip, or just a quick weekend getaway. With a little planning and the right equipment, you can design a frugal vacation that doesn't require you to make compromises or miss the highlights of your destination.
