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Started By
Message
What to know before heading to Zion with a large group?
Posted on 4/25/23 at 9:40 am
Posted on 4/25/23 at 9:40 am
I'm looking for suggestions for anything we should do or anything we should reserve before our trip. We have a large group, 6 adults, 10 kids (6-16 years old) and we're staying in Springdale on Park Blvd. We're planning 2 full days of hiking in Zion. We definitely want to do the Narrows, although our group ranges in ability, I'm sure we'll have some hang back but we'll figure that part out. What other hikes should we do, with the thinking that we don't want anything more difficult than the Narrows. Also, will the Narrows take us all day; or is there another hike we (or part of our group) could do after? Also, we're not interested in trying to secure permits for a party as large as ours so any permit required hikes will be save for our next single-family trip.
Few other questions:
- Is there anything we need to reserve/book before getting there?
- Any suggestions on the best way to enter the park? I see there's a shuttle that goes from Springdale to the Zion shuttle but I've heard about long lines. I don't see our party being up and ready at the crack of dawn. Would it make sense to shoot for 830am or 9am to miss the early lines?
- Any good restaurant recs for a party our size? Should we make reservations? We don't want to cook.
- I'm sure there will be places to stock our bar but correct if I'm wrong here....could pick up liquor in Vegas before getting to Zion if necessary.
- Happy to hear any other general recommendations. We normally go to Rosemary with this group but after last year's heat/seaweed combo we decided we needed something different. We're also planning a day at Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon/horseshoe, and a few nights in Vegas.
Few other questions:
- Is there anything we need to reserve/book before getting there?
- Any suggestions on the best way to enter the park? I see there's a shuttle that goes from Springdale to the Zion shuttle but I've heard about long lines. I don't see our party being up and ready at the crack of dawn. Would it make sense to shoot for 830am or 9am to miss the early lines?
- Any good restaurant recs for a party our size? Should we make reservations? We don't want to cook.
- I'm sure there will be places to stock our bar but correct if I'm wrong here....could pick up liquor in Vegas before getting to Zion if necessary.
- Happy to hear any other general recommendations. We normally go to Rosemary with this group but after last year's heat/seaweed combo we decided we needed something different. We're also planning a day at Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon/horseshoe, and a few nights in Vegas.
This post was edited on 4/25/23 at 7:00 pm
10
Posted on 4/25/23 at 9:51 am to Tigers13
what month are you going? If in the summer, early morning or evening will be better for most hikes due to the heat.
Antelope Canyon was closed when we went due to Covid even though everything else was open so make sure tours are running. horseshoe doesn't take long but definitely worth checking out the view.
We kayaked the river at horseshoe bend while staying in Page, AZ and that was one if not our favorite part of the trip.
Antelope Canyon was closed when we went due to Covid even though everything else was open so make sure tours are running. horseshoe doesn't take long but definitely worth checking out the view.
We kayaked the river at horseshoe bend while staying in Page, AZ and that was one if not our favorite part of the trip.
Posted on 4/25/23 at 10:19 am to specchaser
We'll be there the last week of June and Antelope is open. We have our tour booked.
Do you have the name of the outfitter for the Kayak rentals?
Do you have the name of the outfitter for the Kayak rentals?
Posted on 4/25/23 at 10:25 am to Tigers13
Posted on 4/25/23 at 10:59 am to Tigers13
I haven't been there in the summer and it wasn't busy in November when I went. But basically you go to the visitors center and park, and then take a bus or walk or bike up into the canyon. I would get there as early as possible as the bus system in the summer probably gets busy and as said it will be hot.
Just an fyi some of the hikes to the pool trails have steep drops, so be prepared for that with the young kids. Not grand canyon certain death drops but pretty dang close. We did them with my 3-8 year olds and it was fine but definitely some yelling at my kids.
ETA: Look this up but I would think the narrows would be ok mid day as you are walking in water and the canyon is steep so there is shade? I may be missing something though.
Just an fyi some of the hikes to the pool trails have steep drops, so be prepared for that with the young kids. Not grand canyon certain death drops but pretty dang close. We did them with my 3-8 year olds and it was fine but definitely some yelling at my kids.
ETA: Look this up but I would think the narrows would be ok mid day as you are walking in water and the canyon is steep so there is shade? I may be missing something though.
This post was edited on 4/25/23 at 11:01 am
Posted on 4/25/23 at 11:20 am to Tigers13
quote:
I don't see our party being up and ready at the crack of dawn. Would it make sense to shoot for 830am or 9am to miss the early lines?
Generally 8:30-9am isn't at all early in the National Parks. As far as popular hikes go, my experience in Rocky Mountain, Yosemite, and Smokey Mountain have all been that we got to the trailhead at 7-7:30am and the parking lot was nearly full. If you want to miss lines, 8:30-9 is too late. For the best hiking experience on popular trails in any parks, be there by 8 and 7-7:30 is better.
If you're flying into Vegas, just go to Walmart there to stock up on all the supplies you need. You could even do it as a pickup order so as to not waste time. I think they sell liquor there, but if not, there will be plenty other liquor stores nearby. There's a Walmart Supercenter that's right beside McCarren.
This post was edited on 4/25/23 at 1:14 pm
Posted on 4/25/23 at 11:31 am to LaLadyinTx
I gotta feel like this year the national parks will be slower due to the increased traffic the last 2 years as people wanted to get outdoors and away from the cities, but yes if you don't show to the bus stop until 8:30am I'd bet you don't get onto a bus until 10:30 and that means starting the hike close to 11 in the middle of the day.
Zion is beautiful but the bus system and amount of people really can make it almost like a disney experience. So you really are going to want to try and get up and moving, and then you can take the bus back and hang out and enjoy the views around town. There are mule deer all through the valley and that includes walking through and bedding in the parking and visitors center.
Zion is beautiful but the bus system and amount of people really can make it almost like a disney experience. So you really are going to want to try and get up and moving, and then you can take the bus back and hang out and enjoy the views around town. There are mule deer all through the valley and that includes walking through and bedding in the parking and visitors center.
Posted on 4/25/23 at 9:06 pm to Tigers13
If you're wanting to do the Narrows go as late as possible. It's closed right now due to the water levels and with all the snow this year I'd expect it to be closed for a while
Posted on 4/26/23 at 12:13 am to Tigers13
If you plan on parking at the visitor center, get there early. After 8am or so and you'll find yourself circling the lot over and over waiting for someone to leave... and it's a very large lot. The shuttles in the park aren't that bad and run pretty regularly.
If your group is in fairly good shape the hike up to Scout Lookout just below Angels Landing is the best in the park, an incredible view at top. At the end is another half or quarter mile that they call "the chains"
going up to Angels Landing. We did not do that portion, too scary, and I wouldn't recommend that last portion, especially with small children. But many people don't go past Scout Lookout either, if you can get up to the point the view is worth it.
The Narrows is something you'll never forget. Great thing about it is you can do as little or as much as you want, it's an in-and-out. Just remember on the way in you have to backtrack that same distance out. Alot of people say you should rent the boots and gear, etc, but we found sturdy tennis shoes or river-type shoes did fine. A sturdy pole is extremely helpful as you're walking on a rocky riverbed the entire way, sometimes in water that can get waist-deep. We preferred doing Narrows early, as later in the day all the return traffic is heading straight at you. If early, everyone is headed in the same direction.
If your group is in fairly good shape the hike up to Scout Lookout just below Angels Landing is the best in the park, an incredible view at top. At the end is another half or quarter mile that they call "the chains"
going up to Angels Landing. We did not do that portion, too scary, and I wouldn't recommend that last portion, especially with small children. But many people don't go past Scout Lookout either, if you can get up to the point the view is worth it.
The Narrows is something you'll never forget. Great thing about it is you can do as little or as much as you want, it's an in-and-out. Just remember on the way in you have to backtrack that same distance out. Alot of people say you should rent the boots and gear, etc, but we found sturdy tennis shoes or river-type shoes did fine. A sturdy pole is extremely helpful as you're walking on a rocky riverbed the entire way, sometimes in water that can get waist-deep. We preferred doing Narrows early, as later in the day all the return traffic is heading straight at you. If early, everyone is headed in the same direction.
This post was edited on 4/26/23 at 12:21 am
Posted on 4/26/23 at 2:45 am to Hewonbyalot
If going anytime around the summer the best advice is get there early, get there early, get there early. It gets super crowded and typically hikers and outdoorsy people get up and start early to beat the heat and crowds. If your group can’t get up early consider splitting up the group and meeting in the park later.
To do the chain section of angels landing you need to secure a permit online. It is totally worth it and a great experience as long as you aren’t afraid of heights. If you do this you need to definitely get there super early because it makes it much easier, granted I did this before the permits so it might be easier now.
I still can’t stress enough get there early
To do the chain section of angels landing you need to secure a permit online. It is totally worth it and a great experience as long as you aren’t afraid of heights. If you do this you need to definitely get there super early because it makes it much easier, granted I did this before the permits so it might be easier now.
I still can’t stress enough get there early
Posted on 4/26/23 at 7:53 am to Yeti_Chaser
Went to Zion in the 70's and camped out in a soft sandy creek bed in a gorge. Too much weed and no one ever thought about a flash flood 5 miles away. Didn't rain that night but looking back, was a dumb move.
Posted on 4/26/23 at 9:28 am to Tigers13
They have quite a few ATV and SXS rentals and tours in that area that are pretty cool. Or maybe back country Jeep tours.
Posted on 4/26/23 at 9:41 am to Tigers13
quote:
6 adults, 10 kids (6-16 years old)
The Emerald Pools would be some thing that all of your group could do if they are up for a moderate hike. It 2.5 miles there and back with only a small portion that is beyond easy.
Emerald Pools Hike
Posted on 4/26/23 at 7:32 pm to Tigers13
Check out Pink Sand Dunes State Park close by - everyone will love it.
For Zion…crowds. Lots of Vegas bound crowds.
For Zion…crowds. Lots of Vegas bound crowds.
Posted on 4/26/23 at 7:39 pm to Tigers13
I went last August on a weekday and it wasn’t busy at all. Parking galore and the shuttles didn’t seem to have any lines. I would forget the shuttles and use bikes. We rented ours from Zion Cycles on Park Blvd. You can rent e-bikes or regular bikes, just a couple minute ride to the park. Every mile or so there are hiking spots within the park, just lock your bikes and start hiking. Like other people have mentioned, the emerald pools would be fantastic for any skill level. If you don’t want bikes, don’t fret about parking- plenty of spots between where you are staying and the park(the official visitor lot was small and full but plenty of other lots/street parking), and you could even walk from Park Blvd. easy. I would also recommend Sand Hollow St Park- about an hour away but you’re be passing by it from Vegas. Swimming/paddle boarding/kayak and the views were almost as good as Zion. For food we all loved Stage Coach Grill. You’ll pass by the 2 locations
Posted on 4/26/23 at 8:18 pm to LSUfan20005
quote:
Check out Pink Sand Dunes State Park close by - everyone will love it.
Good suggestion. Renting a side by side wasn’t that expensive and it was fun ripping up the dunes.
Posted on 4/28/23 at 1:07 pm to OhioLSUfan
Thanks everyone for the suggestions, definitely adding Emarald Pools, bike rentals, Pink Sand Dunes, and Stage Coach to the agenda.
Posted on 4/28/23 at 3:23 pm to Hewonbyalot
quote:
If your group is in fairly good shape the hike up to Scout Lookout just below Angels Landing is the best in the park, an incredible view at top.
For the OP, there are a handful of spots where there are shear drops going up to Scouts as well as Scouts Landing before Angels Landing or heading farther up the west rim. There's no coming back from those falls.
I'd be nervous taking a 6 year old up there and definitely wouldn't take one on Angels Landing. There are some very steep switch backs right before you get up to Scouts, called Walter Wiggles, which will kick your butt right at the end.
Here's a view of Angels landing from farther up on the W Rim trail. There very bottom of that is the top end of Scouts. There's not a whole lot of room up there.
LINK
On the hike up. It's a shear drop off to the right and straight ahead. Right after this, you walk through a bit of a flat section called Refrigerator Canyon and then you hit the wiggles.
LINK
This post was edited on 4/28/23 at 3:25 pm
Posted on 5/1/23 at 2:27 pm to Tigers13
We just got back from a trip and had the best time!
We did one day at Zion. They are expecting the Narrows to be closed until at least June, possibly longer. I would definitely get to the park early. We did the Riverwalk trail, Lower Emerald pools, Grotto and Pa’rus. My daughter has limited mobility so those were the trails we were able to do with her.
We stayed in Kanab and entered through the East side which was beautiful!! I would recommend Canyon Overlook Trail too.
If you are going to be in the area, I would do a day at Bryce Canyon. I personally liked this better than Zion because the hoodoos are amazing to see.
Also we did a UTV tour to Peek-A-boo slot canyon in Kanab and also to the Great Chamber. This was the highlight of our trip! We booked through Expedition Kanab.
If you have any animal lovers in your group you can tour or volunteer at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. You have to book pretty far in advance. We did two dog car outings, where we got to pick up a dog for a couple of hours and take them on hikes. My oldest daughter loved it!
We did one day at Zion. They are expecting the Narrows to be closed until at least June, possibly longer. I would definitely get to the park early. We did the Riverwalk trail, Lower Emerald pools, Grotto and Pa’rus. My daughter has limited mobility so those were the trails we were able to do with her.
We stayed in Kanab and entered through the East side which was beautiful!! I would recommend Canyon Overlook Trail too.
If you are going to be in the area, I would do a day at Bryce Canyon. I personally liked this better than Zion because the hoodoos are amazing to see.
Also we did a UTV tour to Peek-A-boo slot canyon in Kanab and also to the Great Chamber. This was the highlight of our trip! We booked through Expedition Kanab.
If you have any animal lovers in your group you can tour or volunteer at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. You have to book pretty far in advance. We did two dog car outings, where we got to pick up a dog for a couple of hours and take them on hikes. My oldest daughter loved it!
Posted on 5/2/23 at 8:23 am to lsugrldej8
quote:
Also we did a UTV tour to Peek-A-boo slot canyon in Kanab and also to the Great Chamber. This was the highlight of our trip! We booked through Expedition Kanab.
Is this something we could do in the afternoon after a morning hike? For instance, hike Emarald Pools, finish around lunch (I think) and then do the ATVs around 2pm?
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