Virgin River Rim:

This area gets its name as the rim from which much of the water flows to fill the tributaries of the Virgin River (the river that carves Zion National Park). There are various ways to travel this area depending on the season. To begin you will go east from Zion Mountain Ranch (10 minutes) to Mount Carmel Junction and then turn north on highway 89. Travel north about 25 minutes and turn west on Scenic highway 14. We know-we know - everything is called a scenic highway - but it is only because each one really is spectacular. Travel west about 10 minutes to the mountain community of Duck Creek. In winter time you may want to go north on the Mammoth Creek road to get to either Brian Head ski resort, Panguitch Lake or to the town of Panguitch. Consult your maps or ask us for more details on this. There are some unique lava caves down the Mammoth Creek road - appropriately named Mammoth Caves (20 minutes - make sure you have directions - just off the road a mile or two. Going west on Scenic Highway 14 you will come to Navajo Lake - a high mountain reflecting jewel in the forest. You may turn on the Navajo Lake road and follow it around the south end of the lake. This dirt road actually goes all the way back to connect with the north fork road near Zion Mountain Ranch. This road is a bit rough and will take at least two hours to traverse (dirt). At Navajo Lake you may also follow the signs (three miles) to Cascade Falls. These falls are the result of the water leaking from Navajo Lake down into the mountain and then coming out on the side cliffs of the Virgin River Rim. (1 mile walk - not difficult - but some steep drop-offs). In the warmer time of year you can go past Navajo Lake and take the highway 148 to the north past Cedar Breaks National Monument. You are above 10,000 feet here and the views to the west are beautiful any time of day. The mountain meadows are filled with wild-flowers and wildlife (deer, porcupines, squirrels, etc.)  Go past Cedar Breaks and venture on 143 to the west to Brian Head Ski Resort (1 mile) or turn east toward Panguitch Lake. As you go toward Panguitch Lake you will pass the Mammoth Creek Road (you can head back home this way) or you can continue to Panguitch Lake - then on to the town of Panguitch and then circle back on Scenic Highway 89 to Zion Mountain Ranch.