Glamping and Exploring in and Around Zion National Park
If you’re itching for a change of scenery, a road trip to Zion National Park is a relatively quick and easy (approximately 4 hours from Park City) getaway with major payoffs: adventure, serenity, and jaw-dropping beauty.
Zion became Utah’s first national park when it was established in 1919. More than 100 years later, it still wows travelers from all over the world with its natural wonders. In 1919, Zion had about 1,800 visitors; last year, the park drew nearly 5 million. Summer is the peak season to visit, but Zion is at its best in the fall and spring when temperatures are cooler and crowds are smaller.
STAY
Bunk up for the weekend at AutoCamp Zion, a mid-century-inspired boutique hotel located in Virgin, Utah, about a 20-minute drive from the park entrance. The sprawling property features renovated Airstream suites, tiny home-style cabins, and BaseCamp Suites, which combine an Airstream with a large canvas tent.
Image: courtesy of autocamp zion
All accommodations offer Wi-Fi and modern amenities, including a Tempur-Pedic mattress, a fully stocked kitchenette, a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower, flatscreen TV, heating and air conditioning, and a private outdoor space with a dining area and firepit—perfect for roasting marshmallows from AutoCamp’s gourmet s’mores kits.
Further amenities include an outdoor heated pool, complimentary bicycles, lawn and board games, live music and movies on weekends, and regular yoga and Pilates classes. Free coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water, sparkling water (on tap!), and tasty granola are available daily in the Clubhouse, which is also home to a lounge area, general store, and on-site kitchen and bar with a decent selection of beer and wine.
The on-site kitchen is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The menu features simple, straightforward fare like bagels, smoothies, pizza, and tater tots.
EAT
Fuel up for a day of adventure at the Park House Cafe. This funky eatery serves fresh breakfast and lunch dishes including Eggs Benedict, the Tomavo (like Eggs Benny but with tomato and avocado instead of eggs), the Park House Parfait, a vegan plate, tacos, salads, and more. The space is small, with just a few tables inside and a large patio, so expect a short wait. But you can keep restless kids (or adults) entertained with sidewalk chalk and bubbles. Open Thursday–Monday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For delicious grab-and-go breakfast and lunch items, stop by Bonrue Bakery, which serves an array of pastries, croissants, doughnuts, tarts, quiches, cookies, baguettes, sandwiches, and hearty loaves of fresh-baked sourdough and cheese bread. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
After a day of hiking, relax and refuel with a cold beer and hearty homemade Mexican food at Oscar’s Cafe. This local favorite serves up sizzling plates of enchiladas and signature pork chili verde tamales, as well as breakfast items, salads, sandwiches, burgers, ribs, and more. Portions are huge, so you can easily share a dish, depending on your appetite. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
PLAY
There’s no shortage of scenic hikes in Zion National Park, but even just driving through the park is a stunning experience. All vehicles must pay a $35 entry fee. During the busy season, you can only enter the park via shuttles, which run throughout the day.
To hike Zion’s popular (and perilous) Angels Landing, you must request a permit the day before you plan to go. If you want to get your feet wet hiking The Narrows, another popular Zion attraction in the Virgin River through the narrowest section of Zion Canyon, you won’t need a permit, but high water and flash floods may be an obstacle. Be sure to check the park’s current conditions and weather forecast before you go.
If hiking isn’t your thing or you’re looking for additional adventures, there are plenty of ways to get an adrenaline rush: Take a scenic horseback ride with Zion Ponderosa Ranch, book a breathtaking tour with Zion Helicopters (zionhelicopters.com), or soar high above the red rocks with Skydive Zion.
