Travel Agent: November 2006

This month's Travel Agent destination would be to two of my all-time favorite places: Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park. Just because this is posted in November, doesn't necessarily mean that this is when you should go. I recommend mid-June or late-September.

You would fly into St. George, which is located in the southwest corner of Utah. The drive to Zion National Park takes approximately an hour from there, driving through a handful of small southern Utah towns nestled among the scenic buttes and plateaus.

Whether you're a camper or a hotel-stayer-inner, the town of Springdale has you covered. Springdale sits at the West entrance of the park, and has everything from tent camping to lavish hotel suites. The campground is run by the National Park service, and is situated next to the Virgin River, which runs through the middle of the park. When it's just my wife and I, camping is the preferred way to go. To listen to the river rush by, and the sound of the breeze blowing through the rock canyons and tall cottonwood trees is so very therapeutic.

Dinner at the Zion Pizza & Noodle Co. is a must. Excellent pasta dishes, and a tasty variety of pizzas make the Pizza & Noodle company a destination worth visiting time and time again. The Thai Chicken pizza is one of our all-time favs.

Then, if you're not too stuffed from the dinner, cross the street to the Bumbleberry Inn and get a slice of the famous Bumbleberry Pie.

Zion National Park

In the morning, a tram ride into the park will drop you off at any number of trailheads, or at the Zion Canyon Lodge. For starters, I recommend the trails that go to the Emerald Pools, the Weeping Rock, and the riverwalk trail that leads to the mouth of the Narrows.

At the Emerald Pools, there is a waterfall between the upper and lower pools. My wife and I hiked up there ten years ago, and while resting by the upper pools, saw some gold-skinned frogs, and some silver-skinned frogs. Just tiny little things, but I had never seen frogs like that before.

If you're more of a moderate or advanced hiker, I'd recommend the hike to Angel's Landing, or even making reservations to hike the world famous Virgin River Narrows, a series of sandstone slot canyons which are breathtakingly beautiful.

For a good afternoon break, I'd recommend an ice cream cone at the Zion Canyon Lodge, then a drive to the east part of the park (you get to drive through a mile-long tunnel carved through the middle of a small mountain) where lots of slickrock and slot canyon trails exist. The views are breathtaking, and hiking in the redrock is something that everyone needs to experience at least once.

Bryce Canyon National Park

A two hour drive north along scenic highway 89 and then east on highway 12 will bring you to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Absent are the towering cottonwoods, in favor of towering pines, as Bryce Canyon is at a substantially higher elevation than Zion is. Here again, you have the option of camping in a tent, camping in a teepee, or staying at Ruby's Inn (or another small handful of motels).

A great way to start the day is to watch the sunrise from Sunrise Point, or any number of places along the rim trail.

Now that you've had a bit of experience hiking in the redrock, you'll find yourself even more surprised by what awaits you in Bryce Canyon. One of my favorite areas is called "Wall Street", named certainly for the way the monolithic redrock hoodoos tower above you like skyscrapers. This trail is found just off of Sunset Point, in an area called the "Silent City", and winds down deep between the rock formations, giving the hiker an unbelievable variety of amazing scenery.

Other areas to check out are Fairyland, The Cathedral, and Queen's Garden. There is a hoodoo there that resembles a sitting Queen Elizabeth!

After a good day of hiking, satisfy your appetite at Cowboy's Smokehouse, just a little further north along highway 89 in the town of Panguitch. Touted as having great steaks (grilled perfectly) with fast, friendly service and really good guacamole.

Then, at your own leisure, make your way back south to St. George, whether spending another night in beautiful southern Utah, or flying home right away, I think you'll agree that walking and hiking among the sandstone and redrock is one of the most relaxing and yet fascinating things to be found in nature.