Most visitors to Zion Wildflower Resort plan to spend at least a little time exploring Zion National Park. After all, our resort’s namesake park is located just 20 minutes from the popular South Entrance, making it easy to get to and from the park throughout your stay—and still get back to the resort in time to enjoy our beautiful pool!
But while Zion might be Southern Utah’s crowning gem, the region has many more attractions to enjoy. This includes several other national parks and other National Park Service sites.
One such site is Pipe Springs National Monument. While it may not have the towering cliffs or challenging hikes of Zion, this national monument is steeped in history.
After you’ve finished your search for a “luxury hotel near me” and booked your luxury wagon or other unique accommodations at Zion Wildflower Resort, it’s time to start planning how you’ll spend your time. If you’re looking for an educational and unique day trip, Pipe Springs National Monument might be just the ticket. Keep reading to learn how to plan your day.
Pipe Springs National Monument
The town of Springdale, Utah, is located just a short drive from the northern border of Arizona. Here, you’ll find popular destinations like the city of Page, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. You’ll also find Pipe Springs National Monument.
This national monument might not have Zion’s towering peaks, but it does feature some beautiful desert landscapes. The site also has a long and rich history.
The site that is now the national monument was first inhabited by the Kaibab Paiute people. They lived in the area for thousands of years before European settlers arrived, using the waters of the natural spring that is located there to grow crops.
The earliest European settlers were Mormon pioneers who arrived in northern Arizona in search of refuge from the harsh desert conditions in the late 1850s. They used the natural spring for drinking, keeping livestock, and growing crops. By the 1860s, a large ranching operation was established. However, a war between white settlers and the US army, and Native American tribes, the Black Hawk War, was raging in the area.
Following a raid on the ranch at Pipe Spring, a fort was constructed in 1872, directly over the main spring. A year later, the fort and ranch was purchased by Brigham Young for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The fort was soon renamed Winsor Castle. It became an outpost for travelers moving across the remote area.
In 1887, the church lost ownership of the property in 1887, and in 1923, the then-privately-owned land was set aside as a national monument.
What to Know to Visit Pipe Springs National Monument
Today, visitors to Pipe Springs National Monument can explore the well-preserved fort as well as exhibits and living history displays related to early pioneers and Native American life. The national monument does charge a small entrance fee. If you already have a national park annual pass, you can use it to enter here.
When you arrive on-site, you’ll want to visit the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians Visitor Center and Museum first. Here, you can stroll through displays about the Native American tribes that once lived here, the history of the fort, the story of the pioneers, and the struggles between the native tribes and settlers. Ranger-led tours of the fort are available daily.
Pipe Spring, the natural spring that has attracted people to the site for thousands of years, has turned the area into a lush oasis. Green cottonwood trees are beautiful but perhaps a little out of place in the orange-hued desert that surrounds Pipe Springs. There are several hiking trails in the national monument where you can take in the natural beauty.
Booking a “Luxury Hotel Near Me” For Your Zion Adventure
Whether you plan to spend all of your time exploring Zion or want to enjoy day trips to destinations like Pipe Springs National Monument and Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion Wildflower Resort is the perfect base camp for your getaway. Booking hotels near Zion National Park makes it easy to take day trips to some of the incredible attractions that the region has to offer.
Ready to start your search for the perfect “luxury hotel near me” for your stay? Check out the unique accommodations available at Zion Wildflower Resort today!
