Ponderosa Ranch / Zion National Park/Bryce Canyon
 

Hey has anyone stayed at Ponderosa Ranch. what did you do... was it fun... affordable.

We are also going to visit Bryce Canyon. Any thoughts on where to stay for the night w/ 4 adults and 3 kids, must have swimming since we are going in mid August. In advance, thanks.

Do you mean Ponderosa Ranch associated with the Bonanza movies, in the Lake Tahoe area? Sold and closed to the public several years ago.

Is there another Ponderosa, perhaps?

Hi gymjunkee,

This ranch is located outside the east entrance to Zion Natl Park and is at a higher altitude. It will be cooler than the canyon, but will still be hot. I don't know if they have a pool.

It would be a bit of a drive down to the canyon, through the tunnel and down the switchbacks on the road, hwy. 9.

If you are thinking of using this as a base to see both parks, I suppose it would be OK. Personally, I would much prefer to be IN Sprindale (lots of pools plus tubing on the Virgin River) and IN Bryce Natl Park.

Bryce will be cooler at 8,000 ft. Usually in the low 80's during the day. Always a nice breeze.

FainaAgain:

If you can believe it Bonanza is still on TV -- but no we will not be meeting the Cartwrights -- we will be staying or hopefully staying at Ponderosa in Zion National Park. They do have activites for the kids -- I was wondering if anyone has ever been. Thanks

Ponderosa Ranch is not IN Zion. It's near the east entrance, but the east entrance is still 10 slow driving miles to the canyon floor. While it is scenic here, it's no where as scenic as Springdale. It will be cooler because of the higher elevation...but you are going to want to spend most of your time IN the park where it's warmer. You can swim and go tubing in the Virgin River in Springdale.

You are looking at a 20 minute drive every time you want to go into Zion Canyon. You will have to drive though the Zion Tunnel coming and going...and because they have to close one direction of the tunnel to escort motorhomes and buses all day long, you could have to wait each time.

Utahtea