Zion National Park, Hiking and Springdale Utah

 

Springdale Utah

Springdale, Utah is the gateway to Zion National Park. This town was founded in the fall of 1862, when Mormon pioneers, under Brigham Young’s call, came to establish a Cotton Mission in the south.  The town got its name from Albert Petty’s wife, one of the first Mormon settlers.  After he took her to the place where their house would be built, near some large springs, he asked her to name their new home.  She named it Springdale.

After Springdale, Utah was surveyed in 1863, in 1864 Springdale, Utah became a branch of the larger and well-developed community of Rockville, a few miles to the west. The settlers traveled to Rockville for supplies, to go to church or to receive and send messages at the post office and telegraph office. Springdale lacked these conveniences until sometime later. Later in 1885, a public building that was used as a church and a school as well as the first post office, opened in 1897.

Springdale remained a quiet Mormon agricultural settlement until around 1912, when roads into the area improved enough that someone from a nearby town drove the first automobile into Springdale.

Zion National Park forever changed Springdale, Utah with tourism. By 1917, groups of people from as far away as Salt Lake City were arriving to the town to stay at the Wylie Way Camp, one of Zion’s first tourist places. The Mukuntuweap National Monument was dedicated on September 15, 1920. It later become Zion National Park. From that point on, things changed quickly. Many businesses started up to meet the needs of the tourists.  Electricity and gasoline were supplied and stores and tourist camps opened to meet the demands of the tourists. The young men found jobs in the new national monument, which caused many to leave their family farms to begin new careers in resource management and tourism.  Later, a paved road, telephones and many other amenities followed.

Tunnel Access

There was one way into Zion National Park and one way out for nearly a century. This made Springdale, Utah somewhat isolated. The town needed a highway to allow access to the community and to the park from the east.  To bring timber into the canyon from the East Rim of Zion, the now-famous cable works begun in 1901. With the construction of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway and Tunnel, which was dedicated in 1930, Springdale, Utah would no longer be isolated. The tunnel was nearly a mile long and was carved through solid sandstone. It was cool, damp and dark, but wide enough to barely fit two lanes of traffic. This helped to bring the world to Springdale, Utah as word spread of the beauty of Zion National Park.

Incorporation

By the mid-twentieth century, with Springdale, Utah beginning to boom, residents of the unincorporated, town recognized a need for some form of local government. In 1959, Springdale, Utah was incorporated. Over time, Mormon pioneer features of the community were replaced by contemporary structures to sustain the bustling tourist economy. There are still many of the pioneer architecture made from native sandstone. Today, Springdale, Utah is a friendly, safe and clean community with many activities, restaurants and shops.

Culture

Springdale Utah is a home for artists and writers. Many of the shops and galleries carry paintings, photographs, masks, pottery and jewelry by the local residents. Retreats, festivals, farmer’s market, concerts and more make Springdale, Utah not only the gateway to Zion National Park but also a haven to all who visit and want to enjoy the splendor of the scenery and many wonderful cultural events.

Hikes

The Watchman, 2 Miles Round-trip, Easy, 1 Hour

This 3-foot wide trail in Springdale, Utah has views of Bridge Mountain, The Watchman, the Virgin River and the Towers of the Virgin. See views of stratified rock layers and overhanging cliffs. Park at the Watchman visitor center and just walk to the trailhead from there.

Be Prepared

Bring water. There is no drinking water along this trail. Wear sunscreen and a hat. There isn’t much shade. Don’t go in the middle of the day if possible. Have snacks on hand. Eat at local restaurants in Springdale, Utah. Enjoy Mucho Nachos at Oscar’s, along with many other wonderful meals there.

 

West Bank of the Virgin River, 2.6 Miles One Way, Easy, 1 – 1.5 Hours

Begin at the Court of the Patriarchs up Zion Canyon Road, ending at the Grotto trail head. This trail accesses the trail head for the Emerald Pools Trail also. This trail offers sightseeing of birds, mule deer, views of Mount Majestic, Cathedral Mountain, the Spearhead, and the Great White Throne. Take the shuttle in Springdale, Utah between April and October.

Be Prepared

Bring water. The Virgin River is always flowing, but don’t drink the water without a filter. Wear a hat and sunscreen. There is plenty of shade, but plenty of sun too. Take your kids to the Zion Ponderosa Ranch for space camp, geology camp, paleontology camp, desert birds camp, desert animal camp, desert plants camp, zip line, climbing wall, trampoline bungee, rafting, and all the fun things.

Lower Emerald Pool, 1.2 Miles Round-trip, Easy, 0.5 Hours

Easiest hike in Springdale, Utah. This short hike is paved and wide. The Lower Pool trail is stroller and wheelchair-friendly. The Middle and Upper Pools. The Middle Pool Trail is a 1.9 miles roundtrip hike and the Upper Pool Trail is a 2.5 miles round-trip hike. This trail is no longer paved and follows a rocky path. Located on the opposite side of the road from Zion Lodge.

Be Prepared

Bring Water. The water from the Emerald Pools is not drinkable.

Put up a tent and stay the night

Put up a tent next to the Virgin River, if you stay at the Zion River Resort. They also have cabins.

Water Canyon, 2 Miles Round-trip, Moderate, 0.75 – 1.25 Hours

Water Canyon trail leads to a slot canyon. The canyon is an amazing mini subway experience with tunneled walls, and a trickle of water. Be aware of the slick rock covered in a wet, mossy algae. Take UT 59 east from Hurricane, Utah to the town of Hildale, Utah. Turn east onto Utah Avenue and follow Short Canyon. Turn right onto Water Canyon Road until you get to a pond. The trail begins at the upper side of the pond.

What to bring

Bring your own water of a water filter, as there is always water in Water Canyon. Shoes that can get wet!

Northgate Peaks, 4.4 Miles Round-trip, Easy, 2 Hours

This is an easy and scenic trail in a remote, less crowed area, Kolob Canyon. You will walk through Navajo sandstone, sage meadows, pretty pines, lava outcrops, views of Northgate Peaks and the North Guardian Angel. Start at the Wildcat Canyon trailhead, located at mile 16 up the Kolob Reservoir Road. Springdale, Utah offers many beautiful trails in Zion National Park.

Prepare for the Hike

Bring water and snacks!

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