Page Updated: April 13, 2023
Zion National Park
2021 MAY
The Watchman - Zion National Park
The first of the Mighty 5 for us to explore, Zion National Park is Utah’s most visited Park and a slice of heaven for a nature lover. Zion exceeds 145,000 acres and there are loads of hiking trails to check out. I’m sure one could spend weeks here and still not see everything. We were in the park for 2 days total and only saw just a sliver of it. But the time we spent in Zion was amazing. Plus, it was our first camping experience!
We nabbed a spot at Watchman Campground near the park’s entrance for a night. We’d actually never camped before. Didn’t even really know what we’d need to do it.
Watchman Campground - Zion National Park
Our boys have done it, as well as a handful of our friends. Remembering pieces of past conversations, we were selective in what we purchased. Didn’t know if we’d like it… surely didn’t want to sink too much into it. Armed with a cheap 3 person tent (‘cause a girl needs space), a tarp for underneath (thanks, Toots!), a few pieces of interlocking exercise mat we’re hauling around and several blankets for a pallet, we set up for the night – and survived.
Even though you can’t drive your car through Zion Canyon, you can ride a bike. And if you’re early enough, you pretty much have Zion Canyon Scenic Drive all to yourself. I’m writing this from memory, and today I own a GoPro. I really REALLY wished I’d had one on the morning of this ride. The cool spring morning and coming dawn were a spectacular pair.
We cycled the from Watchman to the Grotto Picnic area for a day of hiking. New-ish to cycling, I paced myself; disgruntled by the handful of ebikes passing us along the way. Somewhere in the middle of the ride, shuttles started running for the day. Thinking the road would be tougher, I took the ride nice and easy only to arrive at the trailhead and find a woefully undersized and fully occupied bike rack… another glitch to my psyche. Later that day, in the middle of our hike, I was glad I had taken it slow; because that hike’s intense.
The bike ride back to Watchman Campground was a breeze. The hard part of the day was over and the ride was mostly downhill. Plus, I’d finally figured out how to navigate gear switching effectively!
After loading up the bikes , we grabbed lunch at The Zion Canyon Brew Pub in Zion Canyon Village. Their menu is extensive to caters to all, and also contains great choices for refueling after a hike.
Tired and stuffed, it was time for us to head out. Zion - Mt. Carmel Highway was a longer route for us, but we took it anyway to see the scenery and check out what was available in that area of the park. The vistas are different on the Highway versus the Scenic Drive - but equally beautiful.
Zion National Park set the bar high for the rest of the Mighty 5. We’d love to return for a longer visit and explore the back areas. Things we noted that would be worth checking out next time around: Keyhole Canyon, experience the “subway,” and cycle that amazing valley floor road again – but next time, all the way to the Narrows.
scenes from Zion
-b&b
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Angels Landing Trail
