Southern Utah is home to a variety of beautiful national and state parks that feature some of the most stunning landscapes in the world! If you love the great outdoors, St. George is the perfect vacation destination, because you can easily access several national and state parks that are great for outdoor adventures. The area is home to the famous Zion National Park, where you can view massive sandstone mountains through a variety of thrilling activities! Here is everything you need to know about visiting Zion National Park!
A Brief Overview: The History of the Park
When you visit Utah’s first national park, you can follow along the same pathways that the natives and pioneers took hundreds of years ago. It is believed that the Anasazi people inhabited Zion somewhere between 800 to 1,500 years ago. Their history was traced back thanks to the discovered abandoned cliff houses and rock art throughout the park. When Nephi Johnson arrived on the land in 1858, the Paiute Indians occupied Zion. Later on, Issac Behunin became the first permanent European settler in the canyon where he built a one-room log cabin. Behunin is also the one who renamed the land to Zion after the land that is mentioned in the Bible.
Things to Do: Hiking, Horseback Riding, & More
Zion National Park offers a ton of fun ways to explore the history and scenery of Utah. You can enjoy activities such as canyoneering, hiking, horseback riding, backpacking, and more. One of the most popular activities in the park is hiking. There are over 100 different hiking trails throughout the park that guests can explore. The best part is that there are trails for all ages and skill levels.
For beginner hikers, the Pa’rus Trail is a 3.5-mile roundtrip hike that has a paved trail that runs from the Visitor Center to Canyon Junction. For the more experienced hikers, we recommend either taking the trip to Scout Lookout or The Narrows. If you are not into hiking, the park also offers an amazing scenic drive where you can explore the Zion Canyon by way of a shuttle.
Where to Stay: St. George Luxury Vacation Rentals
If you want to stay near Zion National Park and all the other national and state parks in the area, we offer an array of vacation rentals in St. George that will put you really close to the action. We have over 400 St. George rentals to choose from, ranging from 2-bedroom rentals for families all the way up to 14-bedroom vacation homes perfect for large groups. During your stay with us, you can enjoy all sorts of wonderful amenities, including resort pools, hot tubs, pickleball courts, golf courses, and much more! Our vacation rentals are also located near a ton of wonderful local restaurants and shopping destinations for the entire family!
Are you ready to plan your vacation to southern Utah so you can explore Zion National Park and all the other fun things to do in the area? Take a look at our St. George vacation rentals today to find your next home away from home!
