Itinerary
At Zion national Park!

From Zion Mountain Ranch: Our ranch (2,700 acres) begins at the border of the east gate of Zion National Park and runs east and slightly northeast - parallel to scenic highway 9 for four miles. Our main resort and cabins are just three leisurely miles away from the park entrance. Be sure to view our Native American Cultural Center and Visitor Information Center just outside the east gate of the park. You may enter the east gate (6,000 feet - elevation) and drive the winding scenic roads of Zion National Park and enjoy taking photos or shooting video at many of the pullouts. You are literally at the top of Zion National Park and this upper end has a very different terrain than the lower sections. As you enter the east gate of the park you'll be able to obtain a park map that shows walking/hiking trails and other points of interest in the park. Just a couple of miles into the park is a formation called Checkerboard Mesa where there is a nice parking area to stop and take photographs and to enjoy the view. Click here to view our photo gallery.

Enjoyable East Side Hikes: Just a few miles further into the park you'll come to the east entrance of the Zion Tunnel. On the left side of the road (at the tunnel entrance) is a place to park your car so you can enjoy a leisurely walk (approximately ½ mile) to the Blind Arch Overlook. Across from the parking lot is a series of steps that takes you up about 15 feet. From here you'll follow a trail along the side of the Pine Creek slot canyon. The trail opens up onto a plateau. Walk to the railing on the edge and peer out into the main canyon - a remarkable view from the top down. Remember to carry plenty of drinking water.

Observation Point: There is a way to take the steep climb out of the Observation hike. On the east side of the park - go north on the North Fork road (5 miles) to Zion Ponderosa Ranch. Enter the ranch and go straight on the road across the ranch till you get to a fork in the road - look for signs that say Observation Point. Park your vehicle next to the park boundary and hike 2.5 miles to the overlook.