Would especially love to hear from Utahtea, the source! Can anyone help us decide between Cliffrose Lodge or Flanigans??? We have three kids traveling with us ages 16, 11 and 10. How's the Virgin River floating this time of year? Any particular hikes recommended in Zion or Bryce? Restaurant recommendations in Springdale, Utah? Horseback of mule rides in either park???
Thanks you SO much....

I'm so flattered to be requested by name! quot;>

It's been over 26 years since we used loding in the area and then we stayed in the Cabins in Zion. We have an RV and we like to camp & cook our own meals so I can't be of any real help in this area.

We've never done any of the horseback rides so I couldn't advise on that either.

They have been going thought bad drought years in the area and the last time we were there the Virgin River was really low. I think you could still intertube on it and it's a fun activity for the kids.

I've never done the Virgin River raft float tour. This won't be IN the park and if you have limited time I would spend my time IN the park.

My favorite hike (and I make my husband do it almost every night we spend in Zion) is the Riverside Walk to the start of the Narrows. If it's really hot and we have a lot of time we cross the river and go a little farther.

Bring some River Shoes...Shoes you don't care if they get wet so you can start down the Narrows. You will also need these for the tubing down the river. You don't want to do that with barefoot or with flip flops!

My second favorite hike is to upper Emeral Pool. You use to be able to swim in the pool, but they don't allow that anymore.

We've never done Angel's Landing hike but it seems to be a favorite of a lot of people. If your are afraid of heights then I wouldn't recommend it.

Utahtea

Since we just came back from Zion and Bryce, I will try and add to this. We stayed at the Lodge right in the park at both places, and it was great. However, I believe the places you mentioned are in Springdale, which is very close to the Zion park entrance. As for places to eat, Springdale has a few interesting places. We ate lunch at Oscar's, which has outdoor dining, and serves some very good California style Mexican food, burgers,etc.We also ate at Zion Pizza and Noodle, a very casual pizza and pasta place. Both places would be great for kids. Springdale also has a tiny playhouse that puts on a 50's music review every evening. Definitely small town theater, but fun. We did Ruby's horseback ride thru Red canyon, which is right outside Bryce. Pretty tame, but thru some very scenic country, past Butch Cassidy's hideout.The guides were cowboys - the real deal. As for hikes - both Zion and Bryce have some magnificent hikes. The Navajo Trail/Queens Garden trail at Bryce is otherworldly and quite easy. At Zion, we did the upper and lower Emerald Pool which had some beautiful waterfalls, and was also quite easy. We also did the Angels Landing trail, but didn't go out along the very narrow, hold on to the chain, last 3/4 mile. Even so, the views up there were spectacular and the hike was a paved footpath - some parts were fairly steep but anyone in reasonably good shape could do it.I suspect this hike could be very hot in warm weather, so bring lots of water. Zion and Bryce are both very beautiful, but in different ways. Bryce is considerably cooler and more 'north woodsy' feeling, while Zion is in a lush green valley.

I recommend Cliffrose! The rooms are plain but the grounds are large and wonderful! Lots of room for the kids to run around. I also recommend the Pizza & Noodle Company for casual dining.

I Cannot comment on lodging, but regarding Pizza and Noodle in Springdale - be warned, there is no waitress service (at least while I was there). We stood in line for about 20 minutes to place our order, then found a seat, and the waitress delivered our food. After hiking all day, I did not enjoy standing in line, but the food was good and it was a nice, casual place.

The Bit n Spur restaurant does good Mexican food and the best margaretas!
Disappointed with the pizza at Oscars.

Horse rides are available in both parks. I did a one hour ride in Zion, cost $20 - it was great! Info at www.canyonrides.com

enjoy

Give Oscars a try we ate there very recently, all the food's homemade and the Mexican was great. Staff very friendly as well.