Zion National Park Kolob Canyons Nearby Hotel National Park Hiking National Park Biking

St. George, Utah Hotel near Zion National Park

Incomparable beauty, phenomenal hiking trails, rivers and waterfalls are waiting for you at inspirational Zion National Park. And it’s all within 43 miles of the La Quinta Inn & Suites, an upscale, entirely non-smoking St. George, Utah hotel.

Zion National Park. Utah’s oldest national park, Zion National Park was awarded national park status in 1919. Known for its rising towers and magnificent monoliths, Zion National Park also boasts astounding slot canyons. The most famous of these is the Virgin River Narrows. It is a veritable magnet for canyon lovers of all types from all across the globe. Outdoor enthusiasts will have many activities from which to choose in Zion National Park, include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, ATV tours and outdoor workshops. With almost three million people arriving annually, Zion is Utah’s most popular park. For more information, visit www.utah.com/nationalparks/zion.htm   [Top]

Kolob Canyons, Zion National Park. Just 2 miles from the noise and traffic of interstate 15 lies the Kolob Canyons region of Zion National Park, a quiet, colorful and scenic collection of red cliffs and narrow canyons with none of the overcrowding problems that affect the main valley 20 miles to the southeast. Many tourists miss this little-known northern area, and stick to the frequently travelled east west route. Yet within a 25-minute drive from the La Quinta Inn & Suites, you can experience some of the grandest scenery imaginable. Take a box lunch and a camera for an unforgettable scenic tour. http://www.zionnational-park.com/kolob-canyons.htm   [Top]

Zion National Park Hiking. Hiking is big in Zion National Park. From beginner to expert hikers, Zion offers a trail for everyone, including physically-challenged visitors (some lower trails are wheelchair accessible). For those in need of a lift, there’s a shuttle that stops at several of the trailheads. Here are just a few of the many spectacular Zion National Park hiking trails.

• Angels Landing. One of the park’s most popular hikes, Angels Landing is a serious trail and not for those with a fear of heights.
• Emerald Pools (Lower). Short with a very slight slope, the Lower Pool trail is well-traveled because of its scenery and accessibility.
• Emerald Pools (Upper). It’s only three miles round trip but the Upper Pool trail, which is at the height of Zion's Emerald Pools system, climbs 250 feet in a short distance.
• Grotto Trail. Both level and short, the Grotto Trail connects the Grotto picnic area to Zion Lodge.
• Hidden Canyon. Nestled between Cable Mountain and the Great White Throne, Hidden Canyon is not a long trail but the ascent is steep.

For more information, visit www.utah.com/zion/hike.htm    [Top]

Zion National Park Biking. At Zion National Park, biking is truly a ride of a lifetime. For starters, there’s Scenic Drive, which takes you up Zion Canyon beneath ultra-steep cliffs to the Virgin River Narrows-a precipitous passageway sandwiched between mile-high sandstone walls. Shuttle buses with bike racks make getting around Zion National Park much easier. Bike trails are available either inside or outside the park and include

• Pa'rus Trail. Stretching about 3.5 miles, Pa’rus Trail connects the lower canyon with Scenic Drive, providing bicyclists with a safe ride.
• Gooseberry Mesa Trail. Enjoy this 10-mile moderate ride along a quiet trail that leaves recreational vehicles and hikers in the dust.
• Right Fork: Bunker Creek Trail. The route of this 14-mile trek begins at more than 11,000 feet atop Brian Head Peak. It drops about 3,000 feet, ending at Panguitch Lake.

For more information, visit www.utah.com/bike/trails/zion.htm   [Top]