Zion National Park Lodge
- Zion National Park Lodge, the only hotel located within Zion National Park.
- Every room type has a private balcony or porch.
- The rustic architecture gives the hotel a sense of place.
- Zion National Park Lodge offers free shuttle service for those who wish to travel further.
After four days of Las Vegas, and a 2.5 hour drive in our car rental, I finally made it to Zion National Park Lodge I went with my family. The only hotel in the area, located a few hours away (and on a different planet) from Sin City. Zion National Park.
As I was feeling cooped-up from the drive, i stepped out to stretch my leg and went with dad to check in. The red and orange-stained rocks, surrounded by peaks of all sizes on every side, were an unexpected sight. The lodge appeared miniature under the shadow of jagged mountains. As my dad and I giggling as children, we walked along the front lawn of the property on our way to the lobby. He asked excitedly: “Are you getting it? Did you make a video?”
Although Native Americans inhabited this land for thousands years, it was settled by Mormon pioneers during the late 1800s. The awe-inspiring scenery made them compare it to the biblical Zion. Zion means sanctuary or refuge in Hebrew. It became an official U.S. national park In 1919. Zion National Park Lodge, which opened to the public in 25 and earned a place among the best, was built shortly after. Historic Hotels of America. Conceived by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood, who later went on to design several of America’s iconic national park lodges, the building was intended to fold seamlessly into its environment—working to complement the natural beauty of its surroundings rather than overpowering it.
We walked in and it was like walking into a cozy mountain cabin or ski lodge. The concierge was friendly and welcomed us. While my dad checked us into the lodge, I noticed a notice explaining that, while there is Wi-Fi in the main building and certain rooms, cell service will not be reliable. Instead, guests are encouraged to enjoy the rare chance to unplug from the digital world and embrace the analog. I looked down at my phone, and lo and behold, they were right—zero bars. Instead of being annoyed, I breathed a sigh relief. I was alone with my family in the unspoiled countryside.
You’ll get my honest opinion on staying at the only hotel in Zion National Park.
The Rooms
Zion National Park Lodge
Simple but comfortable, the 52 rooms at Zion National Park Lodge include six suites. All rooms have modern amenities such as Wi-Fi and satellite TVs. They also feature comfortable beds, kitchenettes, bathrooms with full baths, and kitchenettes. The 40 historical standalone cabins feature full bathrooms, gas-log fireplaces and are available in a variety of styles. The cabins do not have a TV, WiFi, or kitchen, but they are equipped to a microwave and mini-fridge.
All rooms, including cabins have a private balcony or porch furnished with a rocking chair and table. This allows guests to relax after a day of exploring and hiking with a bottle wine and deck of cards. It was the ideal place to relax with my family, and to re-immerse myself into the beauty of Zion National Park.
Don’t expect to find too many bells or whistles, even though the rooms are comfortable and clean. Zion Lodge is primarily a relaxing place for travelers. Rooms are designed to be minimal so that the emphasis is placed on the park, rather than opulent interiors.
Food and Drink
Zion National Park Lodge
The lodge has two restaurants, and a beer yard. The Red Rock Grill is open for breakfast and lunch and offers indoor and outdoor dining options. Castle Dome Cafe serves fast casual dining.
Sophie Mendel/Travel + Leisure
When we visited during the week between Christmas and New Year’s DayAll but the Red Rock Grill was closed for the year. While we initially thought we would eat in town most of the time, we often became too tired to do so after a day’s worth of exploring. So we ended up eating at Red Rock Grill nearly every night.
The food was flavorful, and the atmosphere—cozy and welcoming. The staff were friendly and charming, creating a fun atmosphere that my family enjoyed. The homemade cobbler, which was a life-changing experience, was the highlight of the meal.
Activities and Experiences
Sophie Mendel/Travel + Leisure
As one of the best places for wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and stargazing, it is not surprising that the majority of activities and experiences available at Zion National Park Lodge center around hiking and spending time in nature. Fortunately, it is a short distance (or an eco-friendly, free shuttle) from the trailheads. park’s most iconic hikes. While I preferred the Sand Bench Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the Court of the Patriarchs (which hikers must secure in advance), the more adventurous group members tested their limits by hiking the Angel’s Landing.
Although the hikes certainly were a highlight of my vacation, the true climax was the afternoon spent riding ebikes through the otherworldly terrains of the park. As I soared over towering cliffs, against a backdrop that was impossible to imagine being blue, I felt awestruck. While I loved the ease of the ebikes, you can rent both traditional bikes and ebikes just outside of the park in nearby Springdale.
Zion Lodge offers a range of guided tours and activities that are led by park rangers for all guests. The park offers a variety of guided tours, including open-air tram rides and ranger-led activities. Ride with a Ranger tours The Zion Nature Center has a wide variety of interactive exhibits.
Offers Family Friendly
Sophie Mendel/Travel + Leisure
Zion National Park Lodge has connecting rooms and suites to accommodate families. Baby cribs are provided for free. Rollaway beds can be requested for an extra $25 per night. The gift shop at the property has everything from handmade jewelry and local crafts to books, games, clothes, and much more.
The staff at the lodge will direct you to family-friendly activities available in the parkThe ranger-led program for kids is the Junior Ranger Program, There are also less strenuous trails that can be enjoyed by all ages. These include the Emerald Pool Trails (lower, middle and upper) and the Riverside Walk, which leads to the Temple of Sinawava.
Accessibility and sustainability
Zion National Park Lodge offers five ADA-compliant guest rooms and a cabin. All of the suites at the property are on the second level. The park provides shuttle buses that transport guests to all parts of the park. These buses stop outside the lodge. The shuttles have zero emission and are wheelchair accessible.
Zion National Park Lodge is partnering with the National Park Service to create a new experience for visitors. Play Forever The program focuses on reducing waste and water consumption, as well as reducing the overall impact of the environmental impact.
Location
Zion National Park Lodge offers the only accommodation in the area. You can find out more about this by clicking here. Zion National Park is the ideal place to stay if you want to get the most out of your park experience.
There is a free eco-friendly shuttle service that runs through the park. seasonal timetablesIf you prefer to drive yourself, it is worth renting a vehicle. It’s also very likely that you will need a car to reach the park as it is a 2.5 hour drive from Las Vegas – the nearest major airport.
You can also leave the park to visit nearby areas. Springdale, UtahVisit for more dining and retail options. Zion National Park strives to minimize light pollution It is important to drive at night in order not to disturb the wildlife. This makes it a little more difficult. Renting a car to get from and to the airport was the best choice for us. However, we chose to stay at the lodge in the evening for a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
What to Expect from Your Stay
Zion National Park Lodge does not have a hotel loyalty program, but it works closely with the National Park Service in order to keep rates affordable for all travelers. Rates start at $257 per night.