One of the things that make Zion National Park so popular is the wide range of things to see and do during a visit. This makes it easy to customize your trip to fit your interests.
If you knew anything about Zion before you started planning a visit, you no doubt had a few activities in mind that you wanted to enjoy.
Maybe you’ve always dreamed of hiking Angels Landing. Or, if it’s your first time visiting, you might want to see The Narrows—or even do a full 16-mile through hike! If you’re visiting with your family, you might have plans to enjoy the Zion Human History or take a bike ride on the Pa’rus Trail.
While each of these popular trails and other destinations is worth a visit, there are many other spots that visitors tend to overlook. Some of these hidden spots are great for getting away from the crowds on a busy day in the park or simply to see a new side of Zion and other nearby national parks during your stay at Zion Wildflower Resort. Keep reading to learn a few of the overlooked spots you need to check out.
Kolob Canyons in Zion National Park
Our first overlooked spot to check out is just a short drive away from Zion Wildflower Resort. In fact, it’s a part of Zion. However, many first-time visitors to the park don’t know that it exists.
Zion National Park covers more than 240 square miles. But most visitors only explore Zion Canyon. With the shuttles only operating in the Lower Canyon, some visitors never make it past this section of the park.
Zion actually has two distinct sections. The first is Zion Canyon. The second is called Kolob Canyons. You can’t access this section of the park from within Zion Canyon. Instead, you’ll need to drive roughly 45 minutes from our resort to enter this section.
Kolob Canyons may see far less traffic than the rest of the canyon. But that doesn’t mean that it’s any less stunning. This section of the park has some challenging hiking trails and incredible views. Because many visitors don’t realize that it exists, it rarely sees crowds, and is a great choice on days when the Lower Canyon is busy, such as around holidays.
Apple Picking in Capitol Reef National Park
If you want to check out this next overlooked spot during your stay in the lodging near Zion, you’ll be facing a bit of a drive. Capitol Reef National Park is around three and a half hours from our resort. But if you don’t mind a longer day trip, you can enjoy one of the most unique activities you’ll find in any of the region’s national parks.
When Capitol Reef National Park was established, farmers used parts of the land. Those farmers had begun planting orchards in the late 1800s. When the National Park Service took over the land, they preserved the orchards and even began maintaining them.
Today, the orchards continue to flourish and are home to more than 3,000 trees that produce cherries, pears, peaches, plums, apples, and more. Historic irrigation systems continue to water the plants, while NPS staff maintain the orchards. But it’s the tourists who get to do the harvesting.
You can stroll through the orchards year-round. During the harvest seasons, you can pick fruit from the trees and pay for it at self-service stations located in the orchards. If you’d rather let someone else do the picking and preparation, you can stop by the historic Gifford House to purchase homemade pies and other baked goods and to learn about the settlers that first planted the orchards.
Willis Creek Slot Canyon Near Bryce Canyon National Park
Slot canyons are popular attractions across the Southwest. The Narrows in Zion is the most famous, attracting thousands of hikers every year. But if you want to enjoy a slot canyon without the crowds during your stay in the best resorts near Zion National Park, head to Bryce Canyon.
Bryce Canyon National Park is just two hours from our hotel Zion inn. The park is known for its large collection of hoodoos, as well as for the massive natural amphitheater that acts as a focal point of the park.
Between Bryce Canyon and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, a short, flat hike will take you to Willis Creek Slot Canyon. In this canyon, cliff faces rise 10 to 30 feet high, with the slot canyon narrowing to as little as 6 feet in width.
Depending on rainfall and the time of the year, there may be some water in the canyon, though it is usually pretty low. As with any slot canyon, you should always check the weather before starting a hike and avoid the canyon when rain is in the forecast. Flash floods can be deadly in slot canyons.
Planning Your Next Visit to Zion Wildflower Resort
From a little-known slot canyon to apple picking in a national park, these are some of the area’s best-kept secrets you can enjoy during your stay at Zion Wildflower Resort.
Ready to start planning your next visit? Check out our lodging options today to start planning your next stay!
