Things to do in South Central & Southwestern Utah
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The Narrows
If there's one hike that's made Zion famous, it's this 26km/16mi waltz down the Virgin River, through the thousand-foot sheer gorge known as the Narrows. Overnight camping promises the best experience, though you can hike from the top in one very strenuous, long day. (You can also day hike the Narrows from the bottom, the only approach that doesn't require a permit.) This is the easiest and busiest of the backcountry hikes, and is unforgettable.
Plan on getting wet: about 50% of the hike is in the river. The trip takes 12 hours; split it into two days, spending the night at one of the designated campsites. This hike is possible between June and October, and may close betw…
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Bryce Amphitheater
Bryce 'Canyon' is actually a horseshoe-shaped amphitheater eroded from the cliffs, where hoodoos stand like platoons of soldiers or melting sandcastles, all painted endless shades of coral and magenta, ochre and white, and set against a deep-green pine forest. A shaft of sunlight suddenly breaking through clouds can transform the scene from grand to breathtaking. For the best views, head to Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration or Bryce Points.
You can walk the rim above Bryce Amphitheater for awesome views, but the best way to experience the canyons and weirdly eroding hoodoos is to hike below the rim. Descents and ascents can be long and sometimes steep, and the altitude makes t…
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Bryce Canyon National Park
The Grand Staircase – a series of steplike uplifted rock layers stretching north from the Grand Canyon – dramatically culminates in the Pink Cliffs formation at Bryce Canyon National Park. These cliffs were deposited as sediment in a huge prehistoric lake some 50 to 60 million years ago, slowly lifted above sea level, then eroded into wondrous ranks of pinnacles and points, steeples and spires, cliffs and crevices, and oddly-shaped hoodoos.
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Rim Road Scenic Drive
The park's 29km-long (18mi) main road roughly parallels the canyon rim. It takes 30min to drive the road's length. Because scenic overlooks (15 of 'em!) lie on the east side (the left, as you head south), drive all the way to Rainbow Point, then turn around and work your way back, stopping at the pullouts as you come to them on your right. Traffic is heaviest at the overlooks into Bryce Amphitheater. If you stop nowhere else, see the stunning Bryce Point.
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Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
Zion's three main roads - Kolob Canyons Rd to the northwest, Kolob Terrace Rd in the middle, and Hwy 9 to the south - pass through fabulous scenery. But the most spectacular is the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which pierces the heart of Zion Canyon. This is most visitors' primary destination; if you've time for only one activity, tour this road (only possible by park-operated shuttle from April to October; cars permitted November to March).
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Zion Human History Museum
A half-mile from the park’s southern entrance station, the Zion Human History Museum presents the geological and human history of Zion and its birth as a park. A good introductory video is shown every half hour. The paved Pa’rus Trail parallels the road for 2 miles from South Campground to the main canyon junction, passing the museum on the way.
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Canyon Trail Rides
The park’s only licensed outfitter is Canyon Trail Rides, which operates out of the park lodge. You can take a short, two-hour trip to the canyon floor ($40) or giddy-up for 3½ hours through the dramatic hoodoos on Peekaboo Trail. Trips into Bryce Amphitheater on horses and mules. Minimum-age (seven years) and weight-limit (220lb) requirements apply.
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Paunsagaunt Wildlife Museum
Live deer roam the yard at this barnlike museum, with more than 400 taxidermied animals and a butterfly and bug room. Ask at the museum about scheduling a visit to see the live bull elk and buffalo at the associated 80-acre Bryce Canyon Elk Preserve, a mile north of Hwy 12 on Airport Rd.
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Canyon Trail Rides
Zion’s official horseback-riding concessionaire, Canyon Trail Rides, operates across from Zion Lodge. Take a one-hour ($35) or three-hour ($60) ride on the Sand Bench Trail along the Virgin River. Minimum-age (7 years) and weight-limit (220lb) requirements apply.
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Spotted Dog
For dinner, you don't have to gussy up too much for the Spotted Dog but it might be nice to look fresh while people-watching on the patio. The seasonal, mostly regional menu has included wild game meatloaf and golden rainbow trout. There's also a breakfast buffet.
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Red Rock Grill
Settle into your log-replica chair and peer out of the window-lined dining room or relax on the big deck with magnificent canyon views. Breakfast is a buffet ($9). At dinner, expect solidly good, but not great, prime rib, grilled trout etc. Make reservations.
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Zion National Park
If possible, enter Zion from the east, following Hwy 9 west from Hwy 89. The route is jaw-droppingly scenic as it rolls through colorful red rocks and a gallery-dotted tunnel before switchbacking 3.5 miles into the canyon.
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Zion Canyon Visitors Bureau
The Zion Canyon Visitors Bureau offers comprehensive accommodations listings of family-friendly motels and hotels, as well as boutique inns and B&Bs, in the gateway town of Springdale, on UT 9 west of the park.
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Mean Bean
Grab a coffee, breakfast burrito or turkey panini at scruffy Mean Bean, a hiker-and-biker haven in the heart of downtown. Unless it's really busy, the place closes by noon on weekdays, and lunches are made to go.
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Mesa Market
Stop in Caineville at Mesa Market for straight-from-the-garden organic salads and freshly baked artisan bread from an outdoor stone-hearth oven. That’s all it serves and it’s delicious.
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Zion Adventure Company & Zion Outdoor Center
Leads rock-climbing and canyoneering trips and classes and guided cycling tours. Pre-trip planning info and shuttle service for The Narrows. The shop sells outdoor-activity gear, clothing, guidebooks and maps.
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Ripple Rock Nature Center
Across the road from the blacksmith shop (just a shed with period equipment) is the Ripple Rock Nature Center, a family-oriented learning center.
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Sundown Ranch Chuckwagon Dinner Show
Yee-haw! Cowboy up for some pure kitschy fun. Ride in a covered wagon to the ranch for Western song and verse to go with your fire-cooked chicken and beans.
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Cowboy’s Buffet & Steak Room
Yeah, it’s national park priced, but the ribs-and-beef dinner buffet ain’t bad. Even with the cavernous dining room, expect a wait.
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Foster’s Family Steakhouse
Skip the thin-cut steaks and iceberg-lettuce salads and stick to the diner-like menu items. Two miles west of the Hwy 12/63 junction.
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Cafe Oscars
Rastafarian hangout with friendly staff. Try the garlic burger with sweet-potato fries or veggie-friendly Mexican fare.
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Castle Dome Café
Looking for something fast? The café serves sandwiches, pizza, salads, soups, Asian-ish rice bowls and ice cream.
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Red Canyon Rides
Check in at super-slick Ruby’s Inn for its frequent, well-organized Red Canyon Rides.
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Zion Natural History Association
Nonprofit organization; runs field institute classes and sells maps, books and gifts at the visitor center.
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Bryce Canyon General Store & Snack Bar
Sells basic supplies, hot dogs, drinks, sandwiches, chile, soup and pizza. Showers ($4) and laundry too.
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