Base Camp

WHAT ARE THE “MUST-HAVES” WHEN DECIDING ON A LOCALE AND TRAVEL STYLE FOR A FAMILY GETAWAY?

Are you feeling the call to hit the open road where the heart and connection of the trip deepens as the miles stack-up…a.k.a. the family road trip? Perhaps the family schedule only allows for a quickie weekend to your go-to favorite locale where the path, pack list, drive-time, and destination is well-worn, familiar, and easy-breezy? OR… is it a “one stop shop” where you unpack once, settle in, and are then handed an adventure/activity menu where the 40+ options range from small Tapas style 1 to 2-hour excursions, to the comfort food of the main course featuring full-day adventures to satisfy the soul?

If you are feeling the “stay and settle in” vibe with the bonus of an extensive adventure menu (or app if you prefer) at your fingertips…then a retreat to Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort is one to add to the top of your list. The main entrance of Zion is accessed through the town of Springdale and tends to be hopping with visitors year-round, as the popularity of this park has grown to be one of the country’s top 5 most-visited National Parks. This busy side of the Park is actually only a portion of what Zion has to offer, with much of Zion’s incredible opportunities located in the less-traveled east side of the Park. Zion Ponderosa is located 310 miles south of Salt Lake City and 7 miles north of the east entrance of Zion National Park. This 4,000-acre ranch sits at 6,500 feet in elevation and is a wonderous reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the wild side of the Park.

At the Ranch you will find a slower pace where you can really settle in, unpack (just once), unwind, and just take in the epic natural beauty of the area. Or you can fill your schedule with back-to-back activities…the options are vast…and the experience is what you make of it. Oh…and in the summer months they offer kids-only activities, which means you can chill by the pool with your favorite book or podcast, take a leisurely hike, or take on an adult only high-adventure guided canyoneering excursion, all while the kids are entertained, fed and “watered,” then returned to you smiling and fully exhausted…a total win-win!

Our mother-daughter adventure at Zion Ponderosa Ranch was a spring break getaway. The daytime temps during the spring can range from the 40’s to the high 70’s at this elevation. The activities we chose from the menu were guided canyoneering, sunset jeep tour, horseback riding, zip line, and mini golf, plus a few of our own adventures.

Before I move on, I must highlight the variety of lodging options offered at the Ranch, as there are many. Campgrounds feature spaces for RV’s or tents, and they even provide glamping tents (comfy bed included) for those wanting to test out the glamping scene in style.

Cabin options are aplenty, with Cowboy Cabins (one room/no bathroom), Cabin Suites (bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette), and the ever-popular Conestoga Wagon which sleeps 6 (king + 2 twin beds). For even swankier digs, beautiful vacation homes ranging from single to multi-bedroom options are also available.

Back to the adventures! First up, and my personal favorite, was our canyoneering adventure. As an added bonus, the route to our slot canyon included a bit of offroad UTV action over some bumpy back county roads and sand-filled dry riverbeds. The adrenaline was already flowing when we reached our trailhead. Our guide pointed to a cliff in the distance to show us where our first rappel into Elkheart Canyon would be. We followed his steep and steady zig-zag path up and over three ridge lines, and after about 20 minutes we made it to that red rock cliff in the distance.

My daughter and I were joined on this excursion by another family, who had never been canyoneering before. Our guide gave us all the safety rules of the canyon and then went over the basics of rappelling. The trepidation was palatable from our fellow adventurers. As usual, I was in photo mode and quickly found the best vantage point for photos. One by one we descended slowly into the dark unknown canyon. The canyon bottom was hidden from our perch above, generating a bit of an ominous vibe as each one disappeared from sight.

I was the last to drop into the canyon and my adrenaline was running high with the anticipation of exploring a new and beautiful canyon. To say I love slot canyons is a bit of an understatement and the walls of my house provide ample proof of my fascination. These amazingly sculpted narrow canyons are rough and wild, yet smooth and inviting and SO EPIC to photograph. This canyon did not disappoint! The photographer had to be ushered along in efforts to keep the group moving, and the first timers confidently said they are now hooked on guided canyoneering and exploring slot canyons. Fist bumps for the win!

Next on the menu was a 2-hour guided horseback trip to Pine Knoll. As an animal aficionado, this adventure ranked number 1 on my daughter’s must-do list for this trip. I was just along for the ride…feeling a bit out of my comfort zone as I prefer mountain biking over horseback riding. We were joined by another mother/daughter duo, making for a great adventure. The moms chatted most of the way, and the girls (who had just enough space ahead of their moms), really connected with each other over their shared love of animals and their pets at home.

As a single parent of an only child, I find guided adventures to be mutually beneficial. My daughter, who is now a teen, is able to connect with other youth in the group while I am able to connect with the parents in the group. Another important factor for me is safety; even as a very capable and seasoned outdoor adventurer, I find myself second guessing some of my go-to adventures when my daughter is in tow. Thinking about how she might handle situations if I get hurt when we’re out solo in the vast Utah desert can be an unsettling thought. We talk about this often, and we go with friends when able, but there is truly no substitute for a professional local guide. I feel totally confident leaving all the safety, gear, and weather concerns to them, which allows me to feel more relaxed and present with my daughter so we can both fully enjoy the experience.

In infancy these magical canyons begin as just a tiny crack, and over time, (millions of years to be exact…) they are imperfectly sculpted by water and erosion creating deep and winding passages as large amounts water rushes through them looking for an exit. These are not made by water slowly trickling through, these are the result of massive amounts of water flooding and pushing force through the area. It is important to note here, that these same narrow canyons that were formed by flash flooding over millions of years are still locations where these dangerous floods take place, and you should never go into a slot canyon if there is rain or flash flood warnings forecasted in the area.