Zion National Park-Pioneer Lodge

We took a trip out to visit Zion National Park for an extended weekend over Labor Day and it took my breath away just as much as it had on my first visit.  I have my pictures from the last trip that I look at from time to time but even with those memories it doesn’t hold a candle to seeing the raw beauty with your naked eye.

For once we actually spent almost our entire trip in one place and that was wonderfully relaxing.  We stayed at Pioneer Lodge in Springdale, Utah just outside the park.  The lodge itself was just right, not too polished but perfectly clean and comfortable.  The rooms have coffee makers, refrigerators, and microwaves.  It looks like they had done some fairly recent renovations at least in the bathrooms.  They do have internet service if you need it but bring an Ethernet cable as the rooms don’t have wireless.  There is a restaurant on the property as well as a pool and a hot tub (believe me that hot tub was very welcome after a long day of hiking).

The best part is the location.  It’s pretty well situated to provide access to a grocery store, shops for any gear you may forget to pack or for souvenirs, and other dining options…all within walking distance.  There also is a shuttle that makes several stops in Springdale that will take you straight into Zion National Park, so you can park your car and forget it if you so choose.

The parking lot can get a little tricky when it’s full but we always were able to find a space.  Also something to keep in mind is that there is no elevator to the second floor so be prepared to carry up whatever you bring.

We were traveling with a friend of ours on this trip and he was staying at the Desert Pearl Inn maybe a quarter mile down the road.  It was very nice as far as the size and decor, but honestly for the price difference I think Pioneer Lodge met our needs just fine.