Mt Zion and nearby parks

In My Humble Opinion
1

A friend of mine moved to St George, UT in August, and has encouraged people to visit.
Another friend has suggest we visit in early April and camp in nearby parks.
(though staying in St Goerge one night is also possible)

Mt Zion is an obvious choice since it is so near. But Bryce Canyon isn’t too far either. And there are a bunch of state parks in the area as well.

So, anybody have suggestions for what parks to visit / camp at?

We will fly to Vegas and rent a car. We (likely) will be car camping, and will be in the area for ~4 nights

Any recommendations appreciated.

Brian

2

Snow Canyon State Park is just north of St. George. It has beautiful redrock scenery and a nice campground with showers. It also has some notoriety as the location of the ill-fated (in more ways than one) film The Conqueror

3

Are you a mountainbiker? Gooseberry Mesa is supposed to be incredible.

4

Snow Canyon is one of my favorites. Red Cliffs near Leeds has better access to I-15. Zion is a wonderful park to camp in. Don’t forget to check out much of the National Forest Land around the National Parks. They have great camp grounds as well.

If you run into my ex-boyfriend out that way, tell him that after 20 years I still think he is a lying, cheating, rancid, rat bastard.

5

For me, the two “must-sees” were Bryce and Arches. Spectacular sights that look like they’re from another planet.

6

Ask your friend if he knows a flight attendant named Jenna.

ETA: Oh, wait, that was Cedar City. Never mind.

7

I agree with someone above who suggested that you go see Bryce and Arches. You mention camping. Be aware that Bryce is quite high in altitude and it may be quite cold in April.

8

I was just in that area (driving from Monument Valley to Vegas) and our route took us through Zion NP (not Mt Zion, AFAIK, it is just Zion National Park) and it was totally the most awesome place - and I had visited the Grand Canyon a few days before that. I would spend all my time there if I could, but I haven’t visited any of the other Utah National Parks yet. Your friend is so lucky! St. George and that area are so beautiful!

9

Arches is ~350 miles away.

10

Pine Valley, UT is about 45 miles from St. George. I used to go camping there a couple of times every summer when I lived in Vegas. Absolutely beautiful place.

11

I checked the WX - a bit colder than I hoped. I mean I’m from Wisconsin, and have camped to about 27F, but prefer it a bit warmer.

It has obvioulsy been a long time since I flew - when I was thinking “cheap flights to Vegas” I was thinking a lot less than my quick search found.

Yiou are right, it is Zion - not sure why I thought it was Mt Zion.
Yes, Arches is probably too far.

Keep the ideas coming!

thnaks
Brian

12

Bryce is beautiful, but a closer, miniature version is not far from Cedar City, Cedar Breaks National Monument. Some of the higher elevations may still have snow in April, so If you are camping you might want to stay in the valley areas. Since its the off-season, many of the small lodges and motels have cheap rates.

Valley of Fire (Nevada State Park) is not far from Las Vegas and stunning. Nevada State Parks are some of the best I have ever visited.

13

If you do come, make sure you look me up. Would be nice to have a Doper meeting here in St. George.