My husband and I (both mid-30's) will be staying 4 nights in Springdale, UT in mid-September. We'll have 3 full days to take advantage of the area. (We'll have already been to Bryce Canyon earlier in our trip.) I know we will want at least one full day at Zion, and we also plan to spend 1/2 day volunteering at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab.

How should we spend our other 1 1/2 days? Grand Canyon north rim? (We have been to the south rim.) Grand Staircase National Monument? Lake Powell? Other suggestions? Not Vegas...we've been there before and want to stay in Utah.

We like to hike (moderate trails) and just love exploring new places. We are looking for advice for those other 1 1/2 days. (Maybe we need another day at Zion?)

Thanks so much!

I'd suggest spending the time in Zion. It's a great park and there are many great hikes to take.

It might be somewhat helpful to list your itinerary prior to/after Springdale to give a fuller picture of your trip, just so we can get an idea of how much driving/relaxing you're doing.

In lieu of that, I'd suggest combining the Best Friends trip with a stop at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and a hike or two (Canyon Overlook for sure) on the east side of Zion. I think the North Rim is a bit too far for a 1/2 day trip - normally it would work well with being in Kanab but since you have to drive back to Springdale I'd say no. Lake Powell is just too far IMO.

And on the other day, spend it in Zion. You can check out the Kolob Terrace section of the park, hit some more trails in the main canyon or just relax a bit. Plenty of moderate hikes in Zion to fill up your time.

Maybe somebody else can chime in, but I'd also suggest volunteering in the afternoon at Best Friends. It sounded like the morning sessions were more work (cleaning, etc) whereas we spent our afternoon wandering from house to house, playing with the cats. That was more fun than a *working* volunteer activity, at least for me. An afternoon session would also mean you don't have to get up early to get there.

I'd spend the time in Zion. There are plenty of hikes in Zion to keep you busy. We go for a week at a time and still don't get tired of the park.

Utahtea

Hikes you might want to consider taking in Zion. Emerald Pools, The Watchman, Riveside Walk and continue on through The Narrows (get equipment in town at Zion Adventures), Angels Landing and Hidden Canyon all found along the scenic canyon road. The last half mile of Angels Landing involves a trail with drop offs on either side and chains to hold onto. Do not take if can't handle heights only go as far as Scouts Landing or continue up to the West Rim Trail. Observation Point Tr is longer and more strenuous but without the drop offs on the last portion of Angel's Landing and you have the advantage of looking down on top of it and out the valley.

If you like petroglyphs and don't mind driving, go past the Kolob entrance of the park off I-15 near Cedar City continue to town of Parowan and the Parowan Gap petrglyphs info at, www.parowan.org/city/pgap/. Could then continue on UT143 south to the turn off to Cedar Breaks Nat'l Monument and then back to Zion via UT 14, US89 & UT 12. Makes for a long day however. Snow Canyon State Park outside of St. George is also an interesting area to visit.

ooooh, I would put in for a permit to hike "The Wave" (which is between Kanab and Lake Powell) or you could hike the upper part of Buckskin Wash from the same trailhead (on the half of the day you are not at Best Friends) Be sure to check out the "Rocking V" restaurant in Kanab--awesome food and great service.