Zion National Park

Sept. 10, 2026

I spent a couple days here a decade ago hiking all the famous trails like angels landing and emerald pools. This time I focused on things I had not seen before such as driving in through the tunnels of the east entrance. I took the shuttle bus to the last stop which is the Riverwalk trail that leads to the Narrows. This is high tourist season, but it was shocking how many people there were wearing rented boots to walk the river. It was over 90 degrees out, so I had no desire to do any more walking.

I spent the night roughing it in a covered wagon motel outside the park. I was not expecting how close to the real experience it was going to be. The AC struggled so it was almost the same temperature as outside, not helping was the door did not shut all the way. I was too short to reach the only light switch, good thing I had my flashlight along. Loud coyotes woke me up at 2am and then a thunderstorm at 5am. I have mad respect for my great great grand parents that crossed the Oregon trail in a wagon.