North to Alaska 2016: Utah Travels & Zion National Park

Our Travels in Utah

2016/5/19

Highway 89 took us all the way from our overnight boon docking spot, (just north of Page, AZ) to BryceZion Campground, 5 miles north of the tiny village of Glendale, UT.

The road was in good shape, traffic was quiet and once again, great scenery.

The occasional farm/ranch dot the valley. These farms, although small, appear much more affluent than those on Navajo land.

Approaching the town of Kenab. The only community of reasonable size along this segment of Hwy 89.

Kenab is a quaint, touristy, western town. It certainly appeared affluent. Time did not permit us to stop.

Hwy 89 heading out of the village of Glendale. The campground is 5 miles north of Glendale.

Quiet setting, great views. Better WiFi than most parks.

The views from our campsite

Hoodoos outside our window.

Zion National Park, Utah

2016/5/20

Zion is Utah’s first National Park. Follow the paths where ancient native people and pioneers walked.

I knew that Zion, like all other National Parks would be unique and deliver natural beauty, but nothing prepared me for what was to come.

The movie presentation at the Visitors Center described Zion as “a sanctuary for the soul”.

The 12 mile drive from the park entrance to the Visitor Center was a fantastic experience with ever changing shapes and colors.

Spring through fall, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is by shuttle bus only. Parking is available at the Visitor Center, but is always congested.

We had been told by a fellow RV'er that there was a little known parking lot near the campground that would likely be less congested, so that was to be our first attempt.

As we checked in with the Ranger at the park gate, we were told that there were a few EV (electric vehicle) parking/charging spaces at the Visitor Center which we could use.......bonanza! When we arrived at the Visitor Center, it was packed, all except the two EV spaces.........rock star parking, what luck.

The shuttles run the entire scenic loop and are available every 10 - 15 minutes.

Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky.

These massive sandstone cliffs are some of the tallest in the world, towering upwards to 10,000 feet high.

Spring run off on the Virgin River.

These plants are tenacious, clinging to life in the cracks where water weeps out.

These massive sandstone cliffs, towering upwards to 10,000 feet, are some of the tallest in the world.

Hundreds of million years ago, the park was arid and mostly desert. Over time, the sandstone and sediment pushed upwards from the earth’s surface and solidified into the magnificent, majestic statues we see today.

The stunning vistas, shapes and colors changed as one rounded every corner.

Rockin and resting outside the Lodge.

God Bless America, Land of the Free!

This breathtaking scenery was absolutely mesmerizing. Each bend in the road was like turning the pages of one of those glossy photo books one has on the coffee table.

The Zion Arch

Having visited numerous National Parks, and many beautiful places worldwide, I have to say that Zion tops my list as the most consistently resplendent beauty in memory. As Alan commented, one could take a million photos in this park and not do it justice.