Zion National Park- anyone gone?

[Matt400]

Looking at going to Zion, taking our 32' 5th wheel and have some questions for anyone who's been there or knows the area.

Once set up we plan to stay for 4-5 days so would like a campground that offers a little breathing room. . not like condo camping with at least electric.

During our stay besides the Park we want to see Brice Canyon, North Rim Grand Canyon and any other sites recommended.



Being centralized would of course be ideal and thought about staying in the park at the "Watchman Campground" but if there are better places we would like to hear from others.



So. . 32' friendly, electric, dog friendly with some room. I have seen sites so tight you can't hardly put out an awning!

Leaving from Nothern CA and will stay 1-2 nights along the way & same going back so am looking for campgrounds on that route too.

Any suggestions?

 

[AMink]

We stayed at the campground behind the Quality Inn in Springdale. It is just outside the park. You can take the shuttle into the park, then hop the park shuttle. We had a group of 5 RV's in a great spot right next to the Virgin River. Most of the campground is not as spread out as we were, but it's not bad. We had full hookups, including limited cable. Marie Osmond was on each morning! You can drive your tow vehicle through the park to the east side, then up to Bryce, I think. We were there in April and it was kind of cool and rainy, but still quite pleasant. We left Reno, went on 50 to Ely and spent the night in a big empty lot next to the McDonald's, then to Zion the next day. There is a nice KOA campground just south of Ely if you need to hook up.

 

[Regcabguy]

Zion

We stayed in the Watchman Campground in late April,just missing the cold weather. Rates were $18. 00/night w/electricity but no sewage. The spaces are not cramped in my opinion and everyone was quiet and respectful. There is a dump station. Spaces along the Virgin river were especially nice. The place is absolutely stunning and the shuttle system helps to retain the serentity. We also visited Kolob Rocks and Bryce. We stayed in Ruby's campground which had a laundry and great,clean showers. I woundn't go to Ruby's restaurant next time as it was expensive and mediocre. Thoroughly enjoyed Utah. Diesel is everywhere too!

 

[tmacc]

Matt,

We camped at Zion, Bryce, North Rim of the GC a couple of years ago. The North Rim NP camp ground was very nice. When at Bryce, we camped at Pine Lake CG a basic (no hook-ups) CG north of Bryce that we like better than the Ruby's Inn CG. It's about 10 miles north of the 12-22 intersection off of 22. BTW get a Utah Roads and Recreation Map from Benchmark Maps Home for one of the best maps you can get. Very detailed w/ every road and goat track in the state. We have one for most of the western states and they are hard to beat. If you were so inclined, after NR of GC, Zion, Bryce, head east on 12 to Escalante and then on to Capitol Reefs. Escalante is an under rated area that most folks don't know about IMO. Rt 12 is called "Journey Through Time Scenic Byway" and it is one of the most stunning drives we driven in the state. Summits at 9400'. From Capitol Reef, you could head to Goblin Valley for look at the Hoodoos and then on to Arches National Park, Canyonlands NP, Dead Horse Point SP, and Moab.

Zion, though an interesting park is a little over rated IMO. Definitely check it out, but don't plan on spending a lot of time there. There are far more interesting places to see in Utah. Enjoy your visit.

 

[BarryG]

I have to agree with the last poster on everything he said except that "Zion is overated". Though I really guess it depends on what you like. If you are just going to do the shuttle thing from one viewpoint to the next you will only need a day or so. If you are going to get out of the vehicle and do some hiking, canyoneering etc you may find a week not near long enough.



The Watchman campground I thought was fine but you best reserve a spot, riverside is best.

In Bryce the campgrounds mentioned previously are good even the ones in the park are not bad though I dont think they have any services. About 20 miles down the road from Bryce is Kodachrome Basin Park. Nice place cant remember for sure if there is elec or not Kodachrome Basin State Park | Utah.com



Even if you dont end up taking all of the last posters advice do take Hwy 12 at least to Boulder, as he said it is one incredible road. If you do go out and back on it, on the return take the Mail Trail route it is signed just a loop off hwy 12. If you are into hiking at all Escalante has some good stuff from easy nontechnical to hardcore technical slot canyons down off hole in the rock road.

 

[mattk50]

We did that trip a couple years ago and stayed at Panguich lake. It was fairly centrally located between Zion and Bryce if I remember correctly. Within about 30-40 minutes to each park. The campground had water,electric,and sewer. We stayed in Mesquite Nv on the way there and Tehachipe on the way back. The campground was fairly nice, right on

the lake. I didn't feel like I was "condo camping" at all. Hope this helps.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Would go again anytime for as long as life would let me.

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[Crash&Burn]

I would also consider seeing Cedar Breaks also...

 

[EForbes]

Wow guys, that all looks awesome, makes me wanna go to the grand canyon next year, i will start planning.

 

[Matt400]

Wow, all great stuff everyone and the pics are awesome!

Thanks for the links and heads up on over night stays in getting there.

We are going to take Dad with us he's 83 and is really looking forward to this. I think CG showers might be more easy on him than the RV shower.



About Hwy 12, sounds like a must do and was wondering if we travel from Panguitch to Boulder (about 95 mi) if we will get the best scenic drive in that section or need to travel further to Capitol Reef NP?

For that drive we will leave the RV in Panguitch for a scenic day drive.



Cedar Breaks looks good too, will have to see about fitting that in on one of the day outings. Thanks again everyone!!

 

[Regcabguy]

Wow, all great stuff everyone and the pics are awesome!

Thanks for the links and heads up on over night stays in getting there.

We are going to take Dad with us he's 83 and is really looking forward to this. I think CG showers might be more easy on him than the RV shower.



About Hwy 12, sounds like a must do and was wondering if we travel from Panguitch to Boulder (about 95 mi) if we will get the best scenic drive in that section or need to travel further to Capitol Reef NP?

For that drive we will leave the RV in Panguitch for a scenic day drive.



Cedar Breaks looks good too, will have to see about fitting that in on one of the day outings. Thanks again everyone!!

Looking at our pics of the Utah trip reminded me of the deep blue skies and good air quality. It was impossible to take a bad photo. We're looking forward to returning. Have fun Matt!

 

[BarryG]

Matt:



HWY 12 from Bryce to Escalante is nice, from Escalante to Boulder is incredible. From Boulder to Capital Reef you get into the Mountains and go up and over. Going up is not bad but really just nice mountain scenery. Once you get up on top and start going down you get some incredible views at some of the pullots. You can literaly see 100 miles down into the surrounding desert below.



By the way nice Anasazi/Fremont indian muesem in Boulder.



A nice loop and you will want to check this on the map for distance as I cant remember how far it is take hwy 12 to capitol reef then on the east side of the park is the Notom Road (parallels the waterpocket fold) that heads south to Lake Powell take that down to the Burr Trail and head west. It will put you back in Boulder and Hwy 12. Do not pull the trailer on that route the dugway up the Burr trail has a few very tight switchbacks (no 4x4 needed just tight switchbacks). The Notom road is partially paved and may be all paved by now unsure of that if unpaved know that it is a 30-35mph road. The Burr trail is not paved at the begining until you get up on top then it is paved. Capitol Reef - Waterpocket District

not my stuff but some good info/pictures of Burr trail, hells backbone. Hells backbone may be an option on the way back of your loop it starts and ends on hwy12 10 miles or so down the road.

Scenic Byway 12



Another area I like (more for the awesome slot canyon hiking) is the hole in the rock road just outside of escalante. You can follow it all the way to the end to "the hole in the rock" an old Mormon wagon trail. The story is quite incredible of what they did. If you by chance go down there they took wagons down that and obviously the lake wasnt there at that time. They say that was one of the easier parts of the trail you will be dumbfounded. However the farther you go down this road the worse it gets no need for 4x4 but it gets to be slow going and it is about 50 -60 miles to the very end.



If you want to do any slot canyon hiking (I doubt dad would be up for it) let me know and I can tell you a couple spots that are close to Bryce or another couple on Hole in the rock road that dont require equipment and are essentially just walk in slots.

 

[Matt400]

I would also consider seeing Cedar Breaks also...

Good call, the drive up the grade was a nice road winding through fall colors to over 10,000 feet and was 43 degrees up there. View was spectacular.

Really glad we fit this in. . thanks!