Ever wanted to stay somewhere that has the adventure and entertainment built right in? Look no further than Zion Ponderosa.
Located on the east rim of Utah’s breathtaking Zion National Park, there’s no better place on the planet like it.
If you like adventure, Zion Ponderosa is your playground.
When I say the adventure is built right in, I mean it. This 4,000-acre resort includes so much that it’s literally impossible to experience it all in one day. I’d recommend doing at LEAST a 3-day stay in order to really appreciate and experience all that this resort has to offer.
Jeep Adventures
Brought to you by East Zion Adventures, these amazing Jeep tours include Checkerboard Overlook, Brushy Cove, Red Canyon, and even personalized Jeep tours, if there’s a specific place you’d like to go! My favorite Jeep tours offered are listed below!
radio tower and mountain overlook tour
From this incredible vantage point, you will be to enjoy the beauty and grandeur of not only Zion, but all of the surrounding national parks and wilderness areas. This incredible view will leave you speechless. We arrived to experience the breathtaking views right before sunrise!
Watching the sun come up over the mountain landscape was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen in my life.
Slot Canyon Exploration – Rappelling / Jeep Tour
Explore the backcountry to the beginning of one of Zion National Parks’ major slot canyons, AND experience two separate rappels that extend a total of over 120 feet. This Jeep and rappelling tour has it all — adventure, exciting trails, fun activities, beautiful views, and more! Hop into one of their rugged Jeeps and enjoy the scenic ride while your guide drives you to one of our most spectacular slot canyons.
Sunset Jeep tour
This cruise follows the North Fork Road, then diverts to a road that leads to the area’s famous Pine Knoll. You’ll enjoy 360 views, watch the sunset on the western horizon, and create memories you’ll never forget. It’s breathtaking!
And the jeep tours are just the BEGINNING of the adventure possibilities at Zion Ponderosa.
Guided Adventures
Know there’s a ton you want to see and experience, but don’t know where to start? Let their experienced guides help you! Start by choosing one of the guided adventure options below.
Canyoneering
Guided Hikes
Make every moment count with the assistance of expert guides, giving you the ability to customize your day in Zion National Park.
Hikes include: Canyon Overlook, Court of the Patriarchs, Emerald Pools – Lower, Middle, & Upper, Grotto Trail, Kayenta, Narrows to Orderville Canyon, Pa’rus, Riverside Walk, Sandbench (November – March), Timber Creek, Watchman, 4 different Weeping Rock trail options, West Rim from Scouts Lookout, and West Rim to Angels Landing
horseback riding
Surrounded by a forest of ponderosa pine, Zion Ponderosa was once home to a pioneer logging camp. Many of the old pioneer trails and horseback riding roads remain and provide guests of the ranch a range of horseback rides through rugged, Rocky Mountain high country.
Now it’s time to explore all the adventure possibilities right on the property! There are so many!
Climbing wall
Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort has the only man-made, indoor and outdoor, climbing and rappelling wall in the Zion area. The walls rise over 40 feet high and provide a unique experience for guests of all ages and abilities. Climbers that have no experience and climbers that are very experienced will all enjoy our diverse climbing walls. They also offer repelling lessons!
Wagon ride & Dinner
Imagine hearing the creak of the wagons and breathing in the smell of leather, sagebrush and ponderosa pine as you roll along the trail on your way to a hearty Dutch oven dinner surrounded by the beauty of the Zion National Park area. If you’ve never had dutch oven cooking, you HAVE to do this.
fun for all ages
Bringing the little ones along? Great! Zion Ponderosa offers limitless activities for the kids including a bungee trampoline, mini ATVs, and pony rides!
They also have a kids camp, which includes trained and certified Kids Camp counselors that will take care of your children, so that you can spend the day playing in Zion! While you are adventuring, your little ones will be learning about Zion at a level that makes sense to them through crafts, activities, and a customizable curriculum.
Miniature golf
Zion Ponderosa has an excellent 18 hole miniature golf course! This miniature golf course is artfully designed to contour with the terrain and offers several water features. Prominent on the course are rock formations and waterfalls that mimic the great rock features of this region around Zion National Park. Everyone can enjoy a game of miniature golf, from the youngest to the oldest and all ages in-between. Challenge friends and family to several rounds and keep a running score of the friendly competition.
Outdoor paintball
Zion Ponderosa offers a 5-acre outdoor course that has plenty of natural foliage, as well as man-made obstacles to sneak up on your opponents. They provide coveralls, masks, markers, and paint. There are several sessions a day, and you can have a group of up to 25 people!
Shotgun Range
There are two range types offered. One looks over a small ravine where you can either shoot thrown clay pigeons or cans that have been tied to a tree across the valley or for a stationary target that is closer, there’s a shooting area with targets against a hillside. It’s an opportunity with fun and thrills for the outdoor hunting enthusiast or even someone who has never picked up a gun.
Skeet Shooting! Their trained guide will throw each target on your command. Just pull, aim, and fire!
Zipline
Zion Ponderosa offers a zipline right on their property! Both kids and adults alike will have a blast!
Virtual Reality
In this virtual reality experience, you have two options. Soaring Southern Utah, a virtual reality experience that highlights Utah’s geological phenomena, and Montezuma’s Treasure Ride, an animated thrill ride that was inspired by the infamous legend of the lost Aztec treasure. Buckle up for a wild mine-cart adventure!
Zion National Park Stargazing
See the Utah Milky Way! Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort sits at 6,500 feet in elevation on a forested plateau above Zion National Park, far away from the light pollution of towns and cities, enabling their guests to have brilliant views of the distant planets, stars, and the milky way.
Zion Ponderosa’s knowledgeable guides will help you learn about constellations as you gaze at the crystal-clear night sky. It’s sure to be an unforgettable experience! Bonus points: hot chocolate is provided!
Kayaking and Paddleboarding
Zion Ponderosa also has its very own pond located on the property! This pond offers kayaking and paddleboarding! Whether you’re experienced in water sports, or never used one in your life, come learn! It’s a fun little adventure opportunity at this amazing resort.
Open-use Activities
Zion Ponderosa also offers a variety of open-use activities, including basketball, Billiards/foosball, horseshoe games, ping pong, tennis, an amazing pool & hot tub, and volleyball!
GOATS!
While we were there they had baby goats! I was dying at the cuteness. Make sure you watch the video at the end of this post to see me play!
Outdoor track
Zion Ponderosa has an outdoor track that runs along the resort’s pond! Start your day with a quick run that includes beautiful scenery.
Now that I’ve touched on all the awesome things to DO at Zion Ponderosa, let’s talk about lodging options! There are so many!
Lodging options
Vacation Rentals
There are four vacation homes in the Zion Ponderosa section and 21 vacation homes in the Zion Ridge section. They range all the way from 6,252 sq ft with 7 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, to 1,100 sq ft with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath.
Cabin Suites
Zion Ponderosa log-cabin suites are equipped with a private bedroom, full bathroom, wet bar, front room, air conditioning, satellite television, and a front porch.
Cowboy Cabins
Bathrooms: Please note that these Cowboy Cabins do not have bathroom facilities within the cabin. They do have an excellent shower, bath, and laundry facility adjacent to the cabins.
Tent Camping
Feel like roughin’ it in a camping tent near Zion National Park under the beautiful Southern Utah stars? Then come to the campgrounds near Zion National Park at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. Unzip your tent in the morning to the smell of a big country breakfast at our on-property restaurant.
RV Campground
Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort has some of the closest full hook-up RV camping to the East Entrance of Zion National Park. Come, Park, and play!
Unique and amazing lodging options
Okay, guys. These are my favorite. You remember when I stayed in a hippy bus at Mystic Hot Springs, right? Unique lodging options are sort of my thang. Prepare to be amazed.
Conestoga Wagons
That’s right. You can do the most amazing glamping experience of your life by staying in a COVERED WAGON.
Come stay in Zion Ponderosa’s Conestoga Wagons, patterned on the great pioneer wagons used in the 19th century. Experience the feel of an old wagon, with the extra desired comforts. Combine the experience of camping with a little glamour and you’ve got glamping in a Conestoga Wagon.
More Glamping
Why sleeping on the cold, hard ground in a tent when you can camp in style? Come stay in one of their many on-site glamping tents!
With a campfire outside, an amazing restaurant nearby with the best hot cocoa I’ve literally had in my entire life, this was by far my FAVORITE.
You can also see the best car-camping sites in the United States, here.
Ray’s Restaurant
That’s right, this resort also has a restaurant on-site! They serve family-favorite recipes made with fresh, local ingredients. The atmosphere and hearty food make Ray’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy time together.
The Narrows Coffee Bar
Located inside Ray’s Restaurant, the Narrows serves plenty of tasty treats to keep you energized on your adventures around the park. Swing by and pick up a freshly brewed coffee, specialty drink, snacks, pastries, or a boxed lunch for a grab and go meal! This is also where we got that DELICIOUS hot cocoa!
Ready to see all the adventure and lodging options together?
Watch OUR amazing youtube video now!
10 Responses
I have been to Zions several times but didn’t know Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort even existed! It looks so fun and there is so much to do!! Loved seeing all the photos and watching your YouTube video about it! I will definitely check it out! Thanks for posting!
It’s so amazing! You definitely need to check it out! That’s for reading!
Wow, they truly have something for everyone! I would LOVE to try glamping one of these days!
Omg you totally need to! Such a fun and unique experience! Thanks for reading!
Wow that looks incredible I hope I can go one day!
You need to! And Zion is such an amazing place to see in person!
I haven’t been, but planning next summer. This is a great post and the pics are phenomenal. Thanks for sharing!
Yay! You need to stay here! It’s such a blast!