After lots of uncertain research and unsuccessfully being able to book a car rental, we have decided to get up super early, drive to Zion National Park and hope that we are early enough to get a parking site for our motorhome.
And up early we were, all packed up and on the road by 6.25. A quick stop just out of town to refuel and then onto the Zion National Park.
We passed the small towns of Virgin, cute little Rockville and Springdale, before we arrived at the National Park. Not too much of a queue at the Rangers Station, and then on to the Visitors Centre carpark.
Success, a motorhome park available just for us. Lucky, they were filling fast.
After we arrived we allowed the boy’s breakfast and time to change out of their pyjamas…
Now, ready for our day of trekking the trails. We arrived at the Visitors Centre and we arrived at the biggest queue I have ever seen.
If we were unaware of how beautiful the park was and…world famous, we would have just turned back to the motorhome and got the heck out of there. This time we were committed tourists and trekkers.
We walked the half mile or so to the end of the line and started waiting.
Luckily, the line moved quickly and we met a lovely, friendly couple who guided us on appropriate trails to walk with the boys. Plus, they were full of other helpful U.S. information.
Forty-five minutes later we were at the front of the queue and ready to board the shuttle up the mountain and onto the trails.
The first shuttle stop we took was stop number 5, Lower Emerald Pool Trail. We hiked to the Lower Pool and then up to the Middle and Upper Pools and waterfalls. The scenery was gorgeous and it was not as hot as I thought it would be. Lots of water stops in the shade.
Instead of taking the same return trail back to shuttle stop 5 we took the Grotto Trail connection and walked along the canyon’s edge to shuttle stop 6.
Next, back on the shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava, stop 9, last stop. We got off, took photos of the stunning landscape and refilled out water bottles.
Back on the shuttle and off again at stop 7, Weeping Rock Trail. A short steep trail that ends at a rock alcove with dripping springs.
By this time we were all a bit hot, tired and hungry. Back on the shuttle to the motorhome and a sandwich in the van.
A few points on taking a motorhome to Zion National Park, just in case anybody is interested.
Yes, you can take your motorhome up to the Visitors Centre and there is motorhome parking, however, the parking is very limited. We were there by 7.30am and the carpark was already 2/3 full. Suggestion, get there super early! From the Visitors Centre, you can take the shuttle bus up to all of the hiking trails.
Yes, you can take your motorhome through the 1.1-mile long Zion-Mt Carmel tunnel in two way traffic (vehicles cannot be taller than 13’1″ or longer than 50′) however, you must purchase a Tunnel Permit at the Ranger Station upon entry ($15) and Rangers will provide traffic control at the tunnel. The drive is breathtaking.
It was time to start our drive through the Zion National Park on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (HWY 9) towards Bryce Canyon. A stop at the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel Ranger’s Station, to wait for the tunnel to clear and then back on the beautiful scenic drive.
Onto the North 89 Scenic Bypass, pass the small canyon towns of Mt Carmel, Orderville Glendale and Hatch, past farms, ranches and green meadows and climbing altitude as we go.
Right onto Utah 12 East, cross the Sevier River, onto Scenic Byway 12, into the Dixie National Forest out of the Dixie National Forest, past the Red Canyon, got the photos…
As we were able to take our motorhome to Zion National Park we have decided to continue driving and stay closer to the Bryce Canyon, rather than going back to last nights campsite. Shame, the laundry facilities were fantastic…
Our campsite tonight, Ruby’s Inn RV Park & Campground, Bryce Canyon City Utah.
Set up camp, relax, and then a lovely walk down the main street (Main Street) to dinner at Ruby’s Inn Cowboys’s Buffet & Steak Room.
Our next stop after Bryce Canyon will be Las Vegas. Looks like we are moving, moving, moving. Pete has advised me we can stay in Vegas for three nights. I will just wait and see…
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