From Zion Waterside Inn - you are just minutes away from the East entrance of Zion National Park. Enjoy a leisurely drive through the upper levels of Zion to the main tunnel. This tunnel is over 1 mile long with windows that look out from the tunnel into the main canyon. Descend from the tunnel and turn north into the major attractions and walking areas of the park. The Virgin River (which carved the canyon) follows the roadway and offers glorious views of grassy fields, cottonwood trees, the river and 3,000' vertical rock formations. For entertainment you may choose the Zion Cinemax (Giant Screen) Theater, the O.C. Tanner Amphitheater (weekends) or the Bumbleberry theater in Springdale where restaurants and shops abound. You may return the way you came or circle through Rockville, Hurricane and take the southern route through Kanab. Don't miss Pipe Spring National Monument along this route.

Take the short drive along highway 9 to scenic highway 89 and turn north. Red Canyon is approximately 40 miles to the North and is your first views of the formations that make up Bryce Canyon National Park. Red Canyon is part of the Dixie National Forest and part of the scenic drive you'll enjoy. At Bryce Canyon you will drive along the top of a large plateau and park your car at overlooks where you will have the option of walking down into the rock formations (Hoodoos) at most points. From the canyon rim you can see 90+ miles into eastern Utah. There's a great visitor center at Bryce Canyon and interpretive signs and information at many locations. If you have the time you may want to travel 15 miles beyond Bryce to Kodachrome Basin State Park. This is a magical place and well worth the trip to see the remains of sediment that once filled the holes of geysers. It's a unique story to see how these towers of stone were formed.

This magnificent wonder of the world is easily reached by going south on scenic highway 89 through the city of Kanab (known as a location for many western movies) and then up onto the Kaibab plateau where you will enjoy a drive through the dense Kaibab National Forest. Keep an eye out for deer and other animals as you travel. The view from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is considered to be the best. The Rim is officially open from May 15 to October 15 (ask for details). From the rim you will see views across the canyon and thousands of feet deep to the Colorado River below. The lodge at the north rim offers meals and you may wish to hike partway down the trails or try a horseback ride into the canyon. There are many walking trails along the rim and there's no shortage of photo opportunities here. Coming or going you may wish to stop in Kanab at the Frontier Movie Town to see some of the old western movie sets.

There are many ways to experience the monument from our Inn. With entry points into the monument on the south, west and north you can make a day tour on well-graded dirt roads into such places as Johnson Canyon, Bull Valley Gorge, Grosvenor Arch and more. The Grand Staircase is named for the many layers of rock formations, which step up like a staircase (Vermilion cliffs - near Kanab, White Cliffs above and the Pink Cliffs of the Bryce Canyon region. Much of this area is referred to as the Pansaugunt Plateau and is heavy with large mule deer, mountain lions and other wildlife. Take a picnic lunch, plenty of water and good maps as you go and you'll have a wonderful day in some of the last explored area of the continental United States. Check for good weather conditions before you venture into the Grand Staircase and stop one of the many visitor centers to pick up additional information and literature.