Big change for Zion National Park’s slot canyon permits

Zion National Park is making a big change in how it allots last-minute wilderness permits to visit slot canyons. The park now will let visitors compete online for last-minute day use permits. "This new system will eliminate the need for visitors to wait in line at the visitor center for permit," ...

READ MORE

Wild Land: Exploring the scenic views of Utah

Where was the tent? Only a few hours before we'd left it atop a southern Utah plateau covered in fantastic sandstone fins with views stretching all the way to the Sierra La Sal. Now all we saw were just a few scattered, lonely tent stakes. An English couple informed ...

READ MORE

Visit the Grand Circle on a Budget

Fall is the perfect time to explore the Grand Circle on a budget Labor Day marks the end of summer and the beginning of one of the most desirable times to travel. With the peak travel season coming to an end, the crowds at our national parks begin to thin, ...

READ MORE

Explore National Parks by Taking the Shuttle

Vacations are meant to be relaxing, not spent in traffic. If you are planning to visit a national park during peak season, consider taking a shuttle. Not only do you avoid the hassle of driving, but you’re helping reduce emissions and noise in the park.   Acadia National Park From late June ...

READ MORE

Zion National Park: A place of Refuge and Sanctuary

by James Rattigan Zion National Park in Utah offers a serene landscape of sculpted canyons and soaring cliffs. Zion is an ancient Hebrew word meaning a place of refuge or sanctuary. Massive canyon walls ascend toward a brilliant blue sky. Walk among the towering cliffs, or challenge your courage in ...

READ MORE

Winter Travel Deals at our National Parks

Most budget conscious (and flexible) travelers know that some of the best travel deals are often available during the next several weeks between the peak Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years travel period. The lucky ones, those who can make their own schedules, have extra day off in the bank, or ...

READ MORE

Utah: The Ultimate Playground

With five of the most iconic national parks, Utah is America's national parks’ capital and the perfect place to take your next family vacation. Home to Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park, Utah also claims the North Rim of Grand Canyon National ...

READ MORE

Zion treasures its sounds, silences

“The desert breathed and then went silent at the first mention of nightfall, a kind of quiet that comes only at the edge of the Earth.” — Craig Childs, The Secret Knowledge of Water The acoustical coolness of a canyon breeze. The roll of thunder dissolving into the falling rain it’s ...

READ MORE

Fall Deals at National Park Lodges

With shorter days signaling the end of summer, fewer daylight hours present an opportunity to visit many of our national parks without the crowds that are the hallmark of summer vacation. The national park shoulder season offer a quieter and slower-paced atmosphere but you wont have to sacrifice the ...

READ MORE

Things We Like: A hi-def Journey through America's Canyons

We loved watching this stunning time-lapse video of America's great canyons, including the Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion! Thanks to Atlas Obscura for leading us to ...

READ MORE

Lessons learned from a first trip to Bryce and Zion National Parks

We recently stumbled upon these great tips from a blogger who recently visited Bryce and Zion. Check them out for yourself here...nothing quite like local knowledge to help plan your ...

READ MORE

Think Quick! Grand Circle Quiz

How many national parks are there in the Grand Circle region of the U.S.? Know the answer? Submit it in the comments section below! We'll choose one correct answerer at random to receive a free pair of Leki custom hiking poles! Hint: Check out our Zion National Park page, especially our ...

READ MORE

Grand Circle

The Grand Circle is a beautiful, vast region located in the Southwestern United States. Encompassing portions of five states – Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Nevada – the Grand Circle contains America’s largest concentration of national parks and monuments, woven together by extraordinary designated Scenic Byways.   Some of America’s ...

READ MORE

Zion road to remain open during daytime hours

Road work causing traffic delays near the east entrance to Zion National Park will now be done at night. The construction schedule of the Zion-Mount Carmel road project has been  keeping the east entrance closed on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. About a third of the park’s 2.7 ...

READ MORE

Zion Road Construction Schedule: Summer 2010

Reconstruction of the Zion-Mt Carmel Highway will begin June 1, 2010 and end October 28. The road construction will occur from the junction of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive to the East Entrance, a distance of 9.5 miles, including The Switchbacks. Delays and closures will occur Monday through Thursday, ...

READ MORE