Zion with Kids Report
Nov 1st, 2010, 10:05 AM
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Zion with Kids Report
A friend and I took our 4 kids down to Zion for the Fall Break weekend. (2 kids aged 5, 2 kids aged 8) Big hint to anyone traveling anywhere during the school year--ALWAYS check the school schedules for areas within a 6 hour drive! There were a number of Eurpeans and retired folks who were not ready for the inundation of families with young kids flooding Zion.
We stayed at the Cable Mountain Lodge and loved it. We all stayed in one room that had a king bed in a separate bedroom, a murphy bed in the LR and the sofa bed. The pool was great and the kids liked the hot tub too. We got a first floor room which was awesome because we could leave the Living room doors open and the kids could run around on the lawn. We took them down to the Virgin River (just on the other side of the parking lot) and let them play on a beach there. (This was doable ONLY because it is fall and the river is very low. I would not let my kids NEAR it in the spring!) The lodge is righ in back of the Imax Theatre so we took them to see a movie one night. There is a convenience store right there so its easy to pick up something and an espresso place is within easy walking distance.
On the down side, the lodge is definitely not in the main part of town, so you have to drive to go out to dinner or hit the grocery store. But we just ate or cooked in so not a problem for us. And it was quieter than places in town.
The big plus is that you are right THERE at the entrance to the park. Seriously. Walk out your door, across the parking lot, cross the bridge, and there's the visitors center with shuttle etc. Very convenient when you have tired kids at the end of the day.
We did the entire Emerald pools trail. The kids had so much fun playing in the big pool at the end. Totally worth the hike for them. We saw a tarantula sunning itself and a gopher snake. Ended it with icecream at the Zion lodge--yum.
The next day was Saturday and the park was packed. So we went to the Kolob Canyon section. OMG--how beautiful!! I had never been there. I loved the ecosystem variety and the cliffs were gorgeous. The kids had fun stopping to play in the water. We made it to the first cabin. And it was so uncrowded!!!! This is now one of my favorite places to hike in southern Utah.
It was a nice, quick break. I would definitely recommend the Cable Mountain Lodge as a viable alternative to the Desert Pearl. (which was booked when we started planning our trip!)
We stayed at the Cable Mountain Lodge and loved it. We all stayed in one room that had a king bed in a separate bedroom, a murphy bed in the LR and the sofa bed. The pool was great and the kids liked the hot tub too. We got a first floor room which was awesome because we could leave the Living room doors open and the kids could run around on the lawn. We took them down to the Virgin River (just on the other side of the parking lot) and let them play on a beach there. (This was doable ONLY because it is fall and the river is very low. I would not let my kids NEAR it in the spring!) The lodge is righ in back of the Imax Theatre so we took them to see a movie one night. There is a convenience store right there so its easy to pick up something and an espresso place is within easy walking distance.
On the down side, the lodge is definitely not in the main part of town, so you have to drive to go out to dinner or hit the grocery store. But we just ate or cooked in so not a problem for us. And it was quieter than places in town.
The big plus is that you are right THERE at the entrance to the park. Seriously. Walk out your door, across the parking lot, cross the bridge, and there's the visitors center with shuttle etc. Very convenient when you have tired kids at the end of the day.
We did the entire Emerald pools trail. The kids had so much fun playing in the big pool at the end. Totally worth the hike for them. We saw a tarantula sunning itself and a gopher snake. Ended it with icecream at the Zion lodge--yum.
The next day was Saturday and the park was packed. So we went to the Kolob Canyon section. OMG--how beautiful!! I had never been there. I loved the ecosystem variety and the cliffs were gorgeous. The kids had fun stopping to play in the water. We made it to the first cabin. And it was so uncrowded!!!! This is now one of my favorite places to hike in southern Utah.
It was a nice, quick break. I would definitely recommend the Cable Mountain Lodge as a viable alternative to the Desert Pearl. (which was booked when we started planning our trip!)
Jan 7th, 2011, 06:33 AM
#3
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We're considering an extended family gathering in Zion next July. From your report it sounds like hiking through Zion with young kids wasn't a problem. Just curious if you have any specific tips for making such a trip a success for young children -- we'll have 2 8 year olds and a 7 year old with us. Also, we're thinking about staying at the Zion Ponderosa resort which I understand is on the other side of Zion. Do you know anything about that resort, or any thoughts on the pros/cons of that location? Thanks!
Jan 7th, 2011, 11:32 AM
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The Virgin River is always fairly low, it doesn't rain often in the desert. The time to worry about the river is when it does rain and just after. Flash Floods are a real concern. I would hike The Narrows(located in the park). You should check with visitor center before to make sure of the water level. I would stay at The Zion Lodge(in the park) if at all possible.
Jan 7th, 2011, 03:51 PM
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Much, much easier to stay in Springdale. I would stay in Springdale--not the park lodging. The hotels have pools--which is a must have with kids. There are lots of different restaurants and a decent grocery store. We usually get take out and eat in the room/condo so the kids can run around and we can have a glass of wine in peace. A ground floor room at a place with a lawn (Cable Mountain or Desert Pearl) is a big, big plus.
The Emerald Pools trail was the one big activity we did that day. They had a blast playing in the upper pool--lots of sand, like a beach. Then back to the hotel for the pool and a movie at the IMAX. There was also the stop at the zion lodge for ice cream.
So hiking with young children is very doable if you take LOTS of breaks and bring LOTS of snacks and water. I have each kid carry their own camelbak so they can drink at any time. There are hikes in Zion that I would NOT do with children this age--due to length and exposure on cliffs etc. YOu can go to the Park's website and look at all of the trail descriptions for ones that are shorter and easier and not dangerous. Then plan accordingly.
But I see that you are thinking of going in July--are you sure you want to do that? Seriously, you couldn't pay me to hike in the desert in the summer. Maybe Bryce, but that's it. Add kids and the whining quotient would be too high for me. My kids wilt in the heat. (We live in Salt Lake City so we are not used to heat most of the year and in the summer, we escape to the mountains) You will need to go either early in the morning--done by 10 am or start at 5-6 pm. YOu will need lots and lots of water--at least 1 quart per adult per hour of hiking. I would definitely stay in Springdale so you would have access to a pool and air conditioning etc.
The Emerald Pools trail was the one big activity we did that day. They had a blast playing in the upper pool--lots of sand, like a beach. Then back to the hotel for the pool and a movie at the IMAX. There was also the stop at the zion lodge for ice cream.
So hiking with young children is very doable if you take LOTS of breaks and bring LOTS of snacks and water. I have each kid carry their own camelbak so they can drink at any time. There are hikes in Zion that I would NOT do with children this age--due to length and exposure on cliffs etc. YOu can go to the Park's website and look at all of the trail descriptions for ones that are shorter and easier and not dangerous. Then plan accordingly.
But I see that you are thinking of going in July--are you sure you want to do that? Seriously, you couldn't pay me to hike in the desert in the summer. Maybe Bryce, but that's it. Add kids and the whining quotient would be too high for me. My kids wilt in the heat. (We live in Salt Lake City so we are not used to heat most of the year and in the summer, we escape to the mountains) You will need to go either early in the morning--done by 10 am or start at 5-6 pm. YOu will need lots and lots of water--at least 1 quart per adult per hour of hiking. I would definitely stay in Springdale so you would have access to a pool and air conditioning etc.
Jan 8th, 2011, 02:37 AM
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I haven't done this, but tubing(outside the park) on the virgin river is a big summertime thing to do in Zion. It will most likely be as StantonHyde says. The Narrows is great in the summer because you are in the water. You might consider renting shoes @ Zion Adventure Company, if you decide to do this. You can just wear water sandals/tevas. Do your other hikes earlier in the day, and then water activities in the afternoon. If you are hiking slot canyons, you don't have to worry about the sun as you are shaded almost the entire day. I only have one child and she wouldn'ht have done any horseplay on the hikes that we did, including Angels Landing. However, with multiple kids and if they don't behave really really well, you should study on what hikes you want to do. The Narrows poses no risk of falling off of cliffs. I suppose you could drown, but you are in shallow water. It gets waist deep in a few places.
Jan 9th, 2011, 05:33 AM
#10
I was in Zion about 3 years ago for a day and again this past September with my duaghter for a day.
I found Zion more beautiful the second time. Maybe I looked more. Or maybe I just didn't remember the details as much.
We visited the Colob section on our way from Las Vegas to Escalante. Didn't spend much time and it definitely was more peaceful and less people. But I don't think it compared to the high cliffs above the lodge.
I found Zion more beautiful the second time. Maybe I looked more. Or maybe I just didn't remember the details as much.
We visited the Colob section on our way from Las Vegas to Escalante. Didn't spend much time and it definitely was more peaceful and less people. But I don't think it compared to the high cliffs above the lodge.
Jan 17th, 2011, 07:58 AM
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We didn't do the whole canyon. We hiked to the first cabin you can visit and turned around. There was LOTS of playing in the creek so it took us 2-3 hours. We went at noon just because it fit into the logistics of our day. I would check with the ranger station in the main park just to find out what the creek levels are like (depends on the ages of your kids). If you have small people with short legs, prepare to have wet feet or ferry them across. It's not like its a raging torrent but I find it helps if I can prep my kids for what to expect.
Also--note that the last week in April is Spring Break for the Salt Lake City school district. Other weeks in April may be spring break for Jordan or Granite districts. If you go on one of those weeks Zion will be crowded. Thus Kolob is even more wonderful!
Also--note that the last week in April is Spring Break for the Salt Lake City school district. Other weeks in April may be spring break for Jordan or Granite districts. If you go on one of those weeks Zion will be crowded. Thus Kolob is even more wonderful!
