SPRING BREAK 2015
Nelson National Park Adventures
Zion and Bryce Canyon, Utah
*Disclaimer: This is a long post but I go into more details to help with tips for others planning their trips to the same place! So if you aren't looking for tips just scroll through these beautiful photos!
On the road! We stopped first night to stay at Silverton Hotel as it is a nice (and good rates) family friendly place to stay in Las Vegas not on the strip and connected to Bass Pro Shop which is fun for the kids to explore!
Then on to Utah! We are here! First stop - Watchman Campground in Zion (get reservations in advance if you are coming during spring break or summer are there they have a few first come first serve spots)! Being from California I thought that it would be warm in April - but not in Utah! It was chilly camping but worth this view at our campground!
We met up with our fellow National Park lovers at this campground too - the Wilsons!
*Don't forget to go to the Visitors Center fist thing for Maps and to Get Junior Ranger Books for kids to work on during the trip! They can earn a badge and it is fun while they are driving and hiking!
When in Zion must go Hiking! Loved this short fun hike with awesome views too!
Precious memories!
And they are down for the count! (Yes bundled up in the cold!)
Weeping Rock Trail is a great one for kids! Best Times of Day: Hike Weeping Rock trail early in the morning for a chance to sit and listen to the falling water in solitude.Trailhead: Exit the free Scenic Drive shuttle at Weeping Rock trailhead.
Emerald Pools Hike! ANother great one for the kids!! Trailhead: Exit free Scenic Drive shuttle at Zion Lodge. Loved this view on the way to Grotto Trailhead by Angels Landing and Emerald Pools!
Canyon Overlook Hike - Eek we attempted to do the moonlight hike here as I thought it would be so cool, BUT it was a bit scary with little kids and not being able to sere clearly and some sharp drop offs! Would be great to go half way up for day hike with the kids and stop before it gets too treacherous and still get lots of great views!!
Definitely have to go by the Narrows and do the Riverside walk! Its a cool hike and views and lots of people are heading into the Narrows! When the kids are older we definitely want to do a hike into the Narrows too, but not during Springtime where flash flood chances are high!
The kids getting sworn in earning their Park Ranger badges for Zion!
I had read about Secret Petroglyphs that you can find in Zion and I wanted to find them as the kids would love the adventure! Although we walked the wrong way when we first tried to find them it was still a beautiful hike and then when we realized we were going the wrong way and we were able to find them it was really cool! Starting off from the right location -- location - Go through the Mt.Carmel Tunnel coming from Zion and then go through a second small tunnel - this view (below) will be on your right hand side and you park by this side post on side of the road and walk down where it says No Bus Parking. Park here and either go down the hill here and go to your RIGHT through a stone tunnel and then walk a few minutes and keep an eye out for a path on your right in the shrubs -it's very easy to miss but you will see a pathway in between the shrubs so keep your eyes open - - follow that to the Petroglyphs sign.
Walk here
This is where you go down the trail on side of the road
If you are going this way - it is the WRONG WAY! We went this way first and it was cool to climb the rocks but we were going the WRONG WAY!
Still awesome hike here but this is the WRONG way too!
Then you find this and you have MADE IT!
This is the small sign you are looking for from the path you are walking on - look to your left as you travel down the valley after going under a stone tunnel arch in the path.
Here they are! They are secret because they don't want too many people seeing them for potential to vandalize! So happy searching!
And some road traffic ahead!
Then we biked the Pa'rus trail from the South Park Entrance. A great way to see more of the park!
We were excited to check out Zion Ponderosa Ranch too and stay there! It is a private ranch right near the border of Zion National Park and close to entrance as well as lots of fun things to do at the Ranch! We stayed in a cabin - half way between camping and hotel as no electricity but comfy beds! It's a cool place to stay! Jon and I went mountain bike riding, Shayla went horse back riding, the kids got to play mini golf and rock climb! Lots of fun little adventures and a nice place to stay! We took a Jeep Sunset back country ride there too which was very fun for the family (but windy and cold!)
This is at Observation Point at Zion Ponderosa
And more hiking! Mossy Cave Trail! This is a pretty one and easy for kids and the kids love climbing all the rocks (but rocks can be slippery so be careful!)
And on to Bryce!
Natural Arch - Bryce canyon - There's Snow!!
Bryce has a drive where you drive and stop and most places you can get out and see a great view without a hike or a short hike! Inspiration Point, etc, I would def get some yummy snacks or breakfast or lunch and eat it on the drive and stop for the views!
HIKE THE HOODOOS! This was awesome views! But you do not have to go all the way - def best views around! Loved it! Try the 3 mile loop of Queens Garden and Navajo Loop - AWESOME! If you have little kids start at Navajo Loop though as it is steep at end of hike so best to do Navajo Loop then go through Queens Garden.
- When the kid gets tired on the hike this is how we roll...
*PS If you are short on time the Grand Staircase-Escalante can be explored without having to travel far, as it's within ten miles of this Bryce Canyon City hotel
The road to Cedar Breaks past here was closed but it was an amazing view to come see! The kids even ended up getting this photo in the Family Fun magazine too!
Then on the way home we stopped in Utah to go to Sandy Hollow State Park in Hurricane, Utah and decide to rest our legs and do ATV riding here! Very dusty but another cool adventure to seal the trip! (Even though we did get stuck in quick sand once and had to get pulled out!)
And they earned this exhaustion! We LOVED Zion and BRYCE CANYON and look forward to coming back in the future for more adventures and longer hikes!
More photos from our great trip can be found here!
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