Zion NP...aka the reason I now live in a van...with your parents!

Where do I stay?

Where do they stay?

What hikes can we do together?

Where do we eat amazing food in our hiking clothes?

---

ZION!!! I've been patiently forcing myself to wait to write this blog since I had the thought of creating a blog when I put my house on the market July 2021. Favorite NP, favorite hikes, favorite views, favorite dispersed camping thus far. I stayed at a place that had trees, privacy regardless of the amount of rigs & tents, a river running through it, and no service. Solitude at it's pinnacle and beauty, and only 20 minutes from the gates of Zion NP (main entry in Springdale). I don't have a name for it, but coordinates are 37.21966d N, 113.16160d W. That was my exact spot, and I think it was one of the best. Easy place to turn around, park ready to exit immediately if need be (single female vanlifer mentality), access to the river (more of a creek), and silence. Don't expect cell service here, you wont get it. But you will get amazing views, great short walks for your dog, the ability to sleep in before having to get to and battle other vehicles for the coveted parking spot in Zion NP, and a creek right outside of your door. It is a great little spot.

There are a variety of Airbnb's, hotels, motels, and small B&B/Inns for non-vanlifers to stay. My parent's stayed at the place entitled "B&B Entire Guest Suite - King Bed - 2 miles to Zion National Park" on Airbnb, and the host could not have been more amazing. I was allowed to stay on the premises (which had a beautiful view and access to the Virgin River), was allowed to plug the van every night, and we had access to the Springdale shuttle not even a quarter mile from the spot.

Hiking is so subjective, and my mom has recently gone through some knee surgery, so we needed to find hikes that weren't too elevation-gain heavy or rock-scrambly. Good thing Zion is vast, and Kanab/surrounding is also hike-friendly. Their first day in (landed in Las Vegas and drove 4 hours to Springdale, we all started the ascent to Angel's Landing. Being that you gain over 1600 ft throughout the hike, my mom bowed out right before refrigerator canyon and opted to go to the Zion Lodge/snack bar area to enjoy the view and have a beer while reading her book and waiting for my dad and I to finish the hike. My dad has always been very adventurous, so he thoroughly enjoyed the Angle's Landing portion of the hike (most often referred to as the "chain section"), though he said it felt more like climbing or rock-scrambling than hiking..which I agree with. This was my third (out of four total thus far) times to hike it, and it never disappoints. The views are always phenomenal, the hike is challenging in the best way, and your determination gets tested, which I like. However, if heights is something that scares you, if you don't enjoy challenges that give you butterflies and make you question your decisions, please stay off of it. Although it is now a permitted hike, they have no limits on who is allowed to receive a permit. Please know your limits and respect the hike to it's fullest.

But what can I hike other than Angel's Landing, you ask? Well, anything in the park is an amazing hike. Upper and Lower (Middle is included if you do both) Emerald Pools is a gorgeous hike. Views, minor elevation gain, multiple waterfalls, and their 'hanging gardens' for your viewing pleasure. Moderate hike because of the length (2-3 miles) and the stairs involved in the hike, but it is a relatively lowkey hike. The Pa'rus Trail is a beautiful, fully paved, 3.5 mile out and back hike that takes you from the Visitor's Center to the Pa'rus trail shuttle stop (closed as a shuttle stop, thus the hike being out-and-back. Beautiful views that follow the Virgin River, and, my favorite part, dog friendly!!

Of course, the iconic Narrows trail is always available for you at any time of the year, outside of days where a flash-flood is imminent. I personally would hike it in the summer months, because the water is very cold and I don't like being cold, wet, and in a few layers. When I hiked this in August, it was cold in the canyon where the sunlight did not reach, especially if you went to the right of the first fork, where there were areas that you had to swim through to get to the best parts. I personally wore shorts, a tank top, and Chacos (Teva-adjacent). I also wore legging shorts and a larger sports bra as my first layer in the case that I did have to swim, I could take layers off to dry in the sunny areas while I stopped for a snack. I also packed a microfiber towel to use to dry off, and it definitely came in handy. Make sure to pack in a waterproof bag as well. Thank goodness my Osprey Daylite hiking backpack is waterproof (not an add, I just love my hiking pack).

Also, don't forget to drive through the tunnel! Tons of hiking and rock-scrambling on that side of the park, and the views...I can't describe. A MUST DO while in Zion!

Outside of Zion, you ask? Kanab, UT is about 1-1.5 hours away, so the possibilities are truly endless. We hit up Coral Pink Sand Dunes state park and the Belly of the Dragon hike (not even a half mile, please add this as an 'along the way' hike, not a destination hike). Coral pink, like most sand dune state and national parks, is 100% dog friendly, choose you're own adventure, and an excellent way to have fun at your own pace. Keep in mind, hiking in sand is utterly exhausting, and you will need a lot of water because you will tire out quicker than anticipated. Worth the journey? Without a doubt.

So, where do you eat? Depends on how much you want to spend. For my birthday dinner, my parents took me to Switchback Grill, and I fell in love with the coconut risotto and pineapple mango salsa topped macadamia nut crusted halibut. Yes, it is as amazing as it sounds, trust. Not to be missed is the much more reasonably priced Whiptail. Anything ordered off that menu will be phenomenal, and well priced. Breakfast at Oscars is not to be missed. Everything from omelets to granola to waffles was fantastic, and it's not even a mile from Zion so you can park at the NP and walk to the restaurant. Consider it a warm-up hike!

I hope you enjoy Zion NP even a quarter as much as I do. It is my favorite hike (Angel's Landing), favorite park, and favorite memories. Truly a spiritual place that will always hold a part of my heart.