Springdale was settled in 1862 and has a population of less than 1,000 people. Located just outside of Zion National Park, it only has an area of 4.6 square miles. Springdale is mostly a tourist town with plenty of restaurants and shops.
Pechanga, Temecula, California
We keep our Airstream in storage about 30 minutes away, then bring it to our house when its time to travel. Unfortunately, we aren’t allowed to keep the Airstream overnight at the house. It’s a long day to to get it out of storage, drive to the house, wash it off after 6 months outside in storage on dirt, check tire pressures, make minor repairs, load it up, and then finally hit the road by 3pm. Pechanga is normally about an hours drive away, but because of rush hour traffic it took 2 hours. We’ve stayed here numerous times before. The RV park is at a casino, has 50-amp service, sewer, cable, good water pressure, and WIFI good enough to stream.
We enjoy walking around the large property. The Halloween decorations were outstanding.
Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort
We usually stay here when headed in this direction. They have 50-amp electric, good water pressure, WIFI fast enough to stream and sewer. They have lots of amenities. The only downside is the proximity to I-15, so there can be a lot of road noise in the air.
On the way in, a car had flip over during rush hour traffic. They were able to roll it upright to tow it away just as we drove past.
Sunset was stunning.
Springdale, Utah
Springdale is at an elevation of about 3,900 feet. We could either walk 15 minutes into Zion from the campground, or take the free shuttle bus that stops just in front of the campground which drops us off at the Zion entrance, then catch a free Zion Park shuttle into the National Park. Visitors can take a shuttle bus through the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which provides access to popular trailheads and viewpoints. We saw deer in the campground and in town.
Zion Canyon Campground, Springdale, Utah
This was our first time staying here. In the past, we stayed at Watchman Campground in Zion, but they only offer 30 amp electric, no sewer or water and Verizon signal is spotty at best. Zion Canyon Campground had 50-amp electric, good water pressure, sewer and WIFI, but not always good enough to stream. Our site backed up to the Virgin River. It was a treat to sit outside each day and watch the clear water flow by.
Wild Thyme Cafe, Springdale, Utah
We had dinner at the Wild Thyme Café at the southern edge of Springdale. The décor was a bit simplistic, but the food was delicious.
Zion Canyon Brew Pub, Springdale, Utah
After a very nice morning hike, we went here for a beer, salmon and chicken sandwich. Love the views from outside.
Zion National Park
Zion in the Fall is a wonderful time to visit, but we also enjoy spring, summer and winter. It is a beautiful National Park that takes on a different personality with each season. We’ve been to Zion during all the seasons. This time, we were here at the very end of October and the trees were just starting to turn yellow. Evenings could drop into the 30s and days as high as 80F.
Zion is all about the canyon and rocks. There isn’t a lot of wildlife here, although bighorn sheep and deer can be seen. It is a breathtaking masterpiece carved by nature and stands as a testament to the raw power and enduring beauty of the American Southwest. Nestled in the southwest corner of Utah, this iconic park offers a stunning panorama of towering red cliffs, vibrant canyons, and crystal-clear streams.
Zion National Park is a hiker’s dream, with trails ranging from leisurely strolls to challenging hikes. Depending on where in Zion the hike starts, the elevation could range from 4,000 to over 5,000 feet. One of the most popular trails is the Narrows, a slot canyon where visitors can wade through the Virgin River, surrounded by towering canyon walls. We hiked the Narrows in the summer of 2012 and had a great time. It’s something most visitors should try at least once.
For an easier and drier hike, the Riverside Walk offers stunning views of the Virgin River and the surrounding cliffs.
The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway is a scenic route that winds through the park, offering breathtaking views of the canyon. The Canyon Overlook trail was only about a mile long and provided some panoramic views.
We hiked part of Keyhole Canyon, which is a slot canyon requiring technical canyoneering and wading through water. Obviously, we skipped that part.
Another nice hike through a wash. There were plenty of oaks and maples in fall colors.
