Driving to Zion on 13-Apr. Planning on driving in the morning. Spending the night around the area. Then meandering back to Vegas on 14-Apr around 1pm.

Any suggestions for lodging around Zion? I don't need anything splash or posh.

Also- what to do in Zion except hiking? Horseback riding? thanks in advance!

Plug in Zion Lodging in the search box at the top of this forum. You'll get more than enough info.

Personally, if there's a vacancy, I'd suggest staying inside the park, at Zion Lodge.

I absolutely agree with Brookhall. Besides, will you ever be back..perhaps not...grab the Lodge if you can because at least you'll be IN the park. OK..it is pricey but worth it IMO

If I'm not mistaken, you can not drive into the park any longer if you stay outside the park. But if you stay at the lodge, you can drive in.

If you do a search you will find that The Desert Pearl Inn in Springdale is highly recommended.

www.desertpearl.com

I wouldn't describe it as splash or posh, but tranquil, beautiful and not the least bit stuffy. There is a shuttle that takes you into the park in front of the hotel. Our stay was absolutely wonderful and we ended up staying an extra night. There are several restaurants within walking distance.

We've stayed both inside the park at Zion Lodge, and outside at Cliffrose. It's our favorite park and we will go back...and we will always stay in the park from now on. It has virtually nothing to do with the accomodations and everything to do with the ambience of being in the park, of walking at night and seeing the moon shining on the incredible cliff face, so close and so magnificent, especially in the moonlight, or the early morning before the buses arrive and it is all so peaceful. We ate at the lodge one night and had all breakfasts there. As with the Grand Canyon, once we stayed within the park, we'll never go back to "the outside".

The shuttle system will start up again on April 1st, so the shuttle will be running. You can only drive as far as the Lodge if you staying at the lodge inside the park.

What to do besides hiking. There is horseback riding in Zion. You can ride the free shuttle buses to each stop, get off explore, see the views and then get back on the next shuttle bus to do some more exploring. Shuttle buses run about every 7 minutes.

If you don't mind a nice 2 mile walk, then I highly recommend the Riverside Walk Trail. It's a easy 2 mile round trip with fantatic views and the canyon gets narrow as you go. You will also see hanging gradens and a swamp in the desert.

I would also make sure you drive out the Zion tunnel to the checkerboard mesa area. Great views and fun drive.

Utahtea