Spent 3 nights at Zion Under Canvas. What an awesome place. It is on the edge of Zion National Park and about a 30-minute drive to the visitor center. It is glamping American style. Each room is a tent with a wooden floor, small bathroom with shower, a seating area inside the tent, and a porch where you can sit and look out across the canyon and watch the stars at night.  This property is completed off the grid – no WIFI, all electricity from solar with a small restaurant to serve guests and basic grilling facilities.

Of course, our first night started with sundowners on our porch and bubbles all round – champagne for “moi” and beer for Glenn. Then a BBQ – a lovely fillet steak with salad and a cab from Nalle estate in Sonoma County, picked this up when we visited the estate with Amy and Pat.  Thanks for the introduction, love their wine!!! When we got back to our tent we noticed the campfire closest to our tent had been lit and there was a basket filled with all the ingredients for smores. Of course, had to have one, reminded me of my “girl guide” days!!!

Our first full day in Zion was a big hiking day with a very early start – we went all out and explored the canyon based on excellent advice from one of the staff – also an avid hiker.

Hike 1 – Observation Point an 8-mile hike, 4 up and 4 down. Observation point is on a canyon outcropping and provided a panoramic view of most of Zion Canyon. The hike to and from was amazing – pictures tell it all. Switch backs surrounded by sheer canyon walls, ever changing colors and shadows based on the light and the rock, varying terrain and views. If you are into hiking and fit, this is a must when you visit Zion. Took us about 4 hours…

Hike 2 – Weeping rock which was a gentle 1-mile ramble to see a rock weeping. The water takes 1200 years to filter through the mountain and emerge from the rock. Busy but worth a look.

Hike 3 – River walk a 2-mile round trip, another gentle walk that gives access to Narrows. Only way in and out if you want to do the river hike otherwise called Narrows. This is where you see the Temple of Sinawava. This is also the end of the road, last shuttle bus stop – the canyon becomes too narrow for anything but walking at this point.

Hike 4 – Narrows which is only accessed by river walk. Fun and different. You can walk for miles in the water and up through the canyons. At this point the canyon is so narrow it is only river – the river is your path and you walk through knee deep (occasionally can get waste deep) chilly water with the canyon walls looming several hundred feet above you on a rocky river bed. Tests your balance, agility and endurance – it is very very cold and by the time we turned around to make the journey back to the river walk, our feet were numb. We lasted about 1.5 hours – a couple of miles of river hiking was sufficient for us!!!

When we got back to camp, staff asked about our day, they were impressed that we did all 4 in one day, expected us to stagger the hikes…

Our second full day we decided to explore a different and less popular part of Zion Park, again thanks to a great recommendation. We chose to hike Wild Cat Canyon Trail– this trail was in stark contrast to the day before, meandering through pine forest, meadows, dessert vegetation and concluding at a viewing point overlooking Wild Cat Canyon, spectacular. All in all, about a 9-mile hike. Getting some mileage in!!! Then headed on a drive to see the reservoir where we tried to turn our BMW 2 series into a 4×4… needless to say we could not and had to turn back on our attempt to circle the reservoir after making it about 80% of the way round. Found the only place for lunch and had a delicious burger before heading back to camp for some rest.

Our stay at Zion Under Canvas did not disappoint – sundowners on our porch again(!) followed by dinner at the restaurant where we were entertained by a singer/guitar player. Wrapped up the evening with smores by the camp fire and chatting to our neighbors, sharing experiences.