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THINGS TO DO

Springdale, Utah
zion national park icon
One of the most frequent comments we receive is "I wish we had more time here!" So heads up: our spectacular playground has so many diverse, year-round activities, we encourage you to consider making Canyon Vista Suites your home-base for several days...even a week or two if time permits!

Some of the wonderful activities you can explore in Zion and nearby include diverse guided (or self-guided) tours and adventures, scenic drives and walks, photography, hiking, mountain biking, road biking, motor biking, horseback riding, canyoneering, rock climbing, rapelling, golf, day spas, tubing, rafting, kayaking, river running, water skiing, wakeboarding, swimming, various water sports, snow skiing, snow boarding, cross- country skiing, snow shoeing, ATV / 4x4 riding, jeep tours, cattle drives, ranch activities, ghost town, paintball, shopping, dining, museums, artisans, exhibits, workshops, theatre, movies, holiday and special occasion celebrations, aerial tours, spectacular views and star-gazing from our hot tub or river-front swing to name a few!
Zion National Park
Zion National Park
There is an abundance of things to do at zion national park, including hiking, scenery, learn about nature and so much more. Enjoy the day at the park.
Mild To Wild Rhino Tours
Mild To Wild Rhino Tours
Take an ATV tours and jeep tours of Zions national park. These tours are family-friendly and people can take in the hidden gems located along the park.

Sorella Gallery
Sorella Gallery
There is plenty to do at the Sorella Gallery go hiking, biking, swimming, eating and enjoying the big screen. Grab a pamphlet and explore the area.
Zion National Park Visitor's Center and Museum
Zion National Park Visitor's Center and Museum
As with Zion National Park, these centers are open year round providing educational information, exhibits, films, and bookstore.

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Activities In & Around Zion National Park

Greater Zion E-bike Rentals
Get 10% off your E-Bike rental through Greater Zion Ebikes when you make your lodging reservation with Canyon Vista Lodge.

Zion National Park Fees and Passes

Fee Free Day - In recognition of Public Lands Day, entrance fees are waived at various times each year. The following is a list of the free fee days for 2011: Jan. 15-17 - Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday, April 16-24 - National Park Week, June 21- the first day of summer, Sept. 24 - Public Lands Day, Nov. 11-13 - Veterans Day.

Private Vehicle $25 for 7 days
Zion Pass $50 annual
Pedestrian/Bike $12 for 7days
Oversized Vehicle Fee 2 x in 7days
Backcountry Permit $10

$80 Annual Pass to all National Parks
The America the Beautiful pass is good for entry to federal recreation
sites for one year from the date of purchase. If you are 62 or older or
receive disability benefits, you may be eligible for the Senior or Access
pass.

Zion National Park Visitor's Center and Museum: www.zionpark.org
As with Zion National Park, these centers are open year round providing educational information, exhibits, films, and bookstore.

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
Seven mile drive through main canyon in Zion National Park. Shuttle required April-October. Check with park for RV restrictions.

Zion's East Side and Mt. Carmel Junction
Scenic 13 mile drive through Zion tunnel to unique, but equally beautiful scenery, sandstone formations, and hiking on plateau. Check with park for RV restrictions.

Seminars and Workshops - Zion National Park: www.nps.gov/zion
Activities, news, visitor information, guided hikes, ranger talks, and junior ranger program offered.

Zion Canyon Field Institute: www.zionpark.org
Offering a wide variety of workshops and seminars.

Zion Canyon Visitors Bureau: www.zionpark.com
Events and activities year round including Butch Cassidy 10K Run, Jazz and Arts Festival, St. Patrick's Day, Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair, and Fourth of July celebrations.

Hiking
Zion and surrounding areas are well known for their wonderful, inspiring hikes. During every season, there are diverse hiking trails and routes in Zion which have spectacular scenery, whether you want an easy 10 minute walk, a two-day backpacking trip, or something in between. Since we get so many requests for hiking information, we have a separate hiking guide in this "Explore" Section.

Biking
Cycling enthusiasts from all over the world have enjoyed Zion's bike routes for decades, making places like Gooseberry Mesa, the Kolob Terrace Road, and the Zion Canyon Scenic Road famous amongst serious and casual riders alike. Zion Park's Scenic Drive is perfect for riding April- October because traffic is reduced to shuttles and individuals with lodging reservations. Cyclists may also ride the Pa'rus trail. Springdale, BLM land, and the surrounding area offers excellent road riding conditions. Great mountain biking in local mountains and at Brian Head Mountain. Guided tours and rentals are available through local companies. We are happy to provide details and referrals if desired.

Photography
Zion is beautiful to photograph in any season - spring flowers, summer thundershowers, fall colors, and winter snow dusting the sandstone peaks. A waterproof camera can be a big plus if you plan to walk up through the narrows, hike the subway, go tubing or enjoy other water activities, and in various areas where waterfalls are common so you don't worry about your camera getting wet.

Horseback Riding
Touring Zion National Park and nearby canyons on horseback can be great fun! For guided horseback riding in Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon, please call 435/772-3810 for additional information.

River Tubing: www.ziontubing.com
River Tubing: www.zionadventurecompany.com Rent tubes for a fun and refreshing float down the Virgin River. Rentals are usually available May-September, water/weather permitting.

Canyoneering, Rock Climbing & Rapelling
Enthusiasts consider Zion Canyon a premier location for canyoneering, rock climbing and rapelling. Local outfitters offer guided experiences as well as equipment rentals. We are happy to provide referrals if needed.

Local Artists/Shopping
Local artists exhibit artwork, ceramics, jewelry, and photography at local shops, restaurants, and galleries. Rock and fossils shops, clothing, and antiques can also be found.

Concerts/Theatres
Tanner Amphitheater, www.dixie.edu/tanner - A 2000 seat outdoor amphitheater surrounded by the cliffs of Zion National Park.

Bumbleberry Playhouse
Springdale theatre with musical performances. 435/772-3611.

Tuacahn Outdoor Theatre
St. George, 800/SHOWUTAH.

Utah Shakespearean Festival
Cedar City, 800/752-9859
Tony award winning theatre with summer and fall seasons featuring the works of Shakespeare and other playwrights.

Hiking Zion

Weeping Rock. 0.5 mi/0.8 km.
Avg. time 1.2 hours with 98 ft ascent. Short, but steep with minor drop offs. Paved trail ends at a rock alcove with dripping springs. Trailside exhibits.

Pa'rus Trail. 3.5 mi/5.6 km.
Avg. time 1 ½ hour with 50 ft accent. Easy. Paved trail follows Virgin River from south campground to Canyon Junction.

Riverside Walk/Temple of Sinewava. 2.0 mi/3.3 km.
Average time 1 1/2 hours with 57 ft ascent. Easy with minor drop offs. Paved trail follows Virgin River along bottom of narrow canyon. Trailside exhibits.

The Narrows.
As a day hike, continue upstream beyond the end of the Riverside Walk at Temple of Sinewava. No permit required for hiking out and back. A permit and shuttle to Chamberlain?s Ranch is required for all-day hike and for backpacking.

The Three Patriarchs.
10 minute scenic walk to lookout with excellent view of The Three Patriarchs.

Lower Emerald Pool. 1.2 mi/1.9 km.
Avg. 1 hour with 69 ft. ascent. Easy. Minor drop offs. Paved trail to lower pool and waterfalls.

Middle Emerald Pools. 2.0 mi/3.3 km.
Avg. 2 hours with 150 ft ascent. Moderate with long drop offs. Loop trail to lower, middle, and upper pools.

Upper Emerald Pools. 0.3 mile from Middle Pool Trail.
Moderate, one-way with 200 ft ascent. A sandy rocky tail climbs to the base of the cliff and occasional waterfall.

The Grotto. 0.5 mile one-way.
Easy and level. Trail connects Zion Lodge to The Grotto Picnic Area. Can be linked with Emerald Pools and Kayenta trails for a 3- mile loop hike.

Kayenta. 1 mile, one-way.
Moderate with 150 ascent. Unpaved climb to a sandstone ledge. Trail connects The Grotto picnic area to Emerald Pools.

Canyon Overlook. 1.0 mi/1.6 km.
1 hour with 163 feet ascent. Moderate with long drop offs, mostly fenced. Rocky, uneven trail ends at spectacular viewpoint of lower Zion Canyon and Pine Creek Canyon.

Watchman. 2.0 mi/3.3 km.
2 hours with 368 ft. ascent. Moderate with minor drop offs. Ends at viewpoint of the Watchman, lower Zion Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, and town of Springdale.

Hidden Canyon. 2.0 mi/3.2 km.
3 hours with 850 ft. ascent. Strenuous with long drop offs. Not for anyone fearful of heights. Ends at mouth of narrow canyon behind the Great White Throne.

Angles Landing. 5.0 mi/8.6 km.
4 hours with 1488 ft. ascent. Strenuous with long drop offs and narrow trail. Not for anyone fearful of heights. Ends at summit high above Zion Canyon. Last 0.5 mi/0.8 km follows steep, narrow ridge where chains have been added.

Observation Point. 8.0 mi/12.0 km.
5 hours with 2148 ft. ascent. Strenuous. Climb through Echo Canyon to Observation Point. Excellent views of Zion Canyon. Trail gives access to other East Rim Plateau trails such as Cable Mountain and Deertrap Mountain.

Sand Bench Trail. 3.6 mi/5.8 km.
3 hours with 500 ft. ascent. Moderate, loop trail passes ancient landslide and Streaked Wall. Good views of lower Zion Canyon and the Three Patriarchs. Great winter hike. Trail used by horses in summer.

Kolob-Timber Creek Overlook. 1.0 mi/1.6 km.
½ hour with 100 ft. ascent. Moderate. Follow ridge top to small peak with views of Timber Creek, Kolob Terrace, and Pine Valley Mountains.

Kolob-Taylor Creek. 5.0 mi/8.6 km.
4 hours with 450 ft. ascent. Moderate. Follows Middle Fork of Taylor Creek past two homestead cabins to Double Arch Alcove.

Kolob Arch. 14 mi/22 km.
10 hours with 699 ft. descent. Strenuous. Follows Timber and LaVerkin Creeks and ends at Kolob Arch, possibly world's largest freestanding arch.

West Rim Trail-14 mi/22 km.
10 hours, 2400 ft descent (meets up with Angel's Landing trail at Scout lookout). Strenuous, but path is well maintained. Starts at Kolob's Lava point and ends at The Grotto in Zion Canyon. Could be a long day hike or a nice back pack trip. East Rim Trail-10 mi/19 km. 6 hours with 2150 ft. ascent. Trailhead starts at Zion's East entrance and ends at weeping rock in Zion Canyon. Said to be one of the most scenic hikes in Zion.