A Recent Article I Wrote for Articlebase.com:
Finding new and exciting places to teach your children the outdoors fun like hiking, camping, and nature can be a challenge. Zion National Park near Springdale Utah is a dream come true for the young explorer and the parent who is thrilled to see the wonder in his child’s eyes. Whether you are a camper or enjoy staying in one of the many Zion Park lodging, your trip to this Utah National Park will be an experience you’ll remember for years to come. To help you in your nature plan, here are five great tips.
1. Zion Park has trails suited for all ages. If you plan on hiking remember temperatures in the summer can be hot so plan ahead with water and sunscreen and wear the proper clothing and shoes.
While Zion Park has hundreds of hiking areas, children of all ages will enjoy Weeping Rock, a half mile round trip hike to a small alcove featuring unique plant life. Even though the hike is steep, but most children will have no concerns.
Riverside Walk is a flat paved path that is two miles round trip and follows the North Fork of the Virgin River. This is a shady trail and many different animals live along this trail. Hikers can use strollers and wheelchairs, if needed.
The Canyon Overlook trail is a little more of a challenge, one mile round trip. This trail provides hikers with a brilliant vision of lower Zion Canyon.
Pa’rus Trial is a 3.5 mile round trip hike along the Virgin River. This paved hike is accessible to bikes and strollers as well a wheelchair handy. If the children get tired, visitors can stop off at the museum, sit in one a child oriented program then hop on the shuttle for a ride back to the park entrance or Springdale.
If your children are prepared for a longer hike, Emerald Pools would be a thrill. This hike is a dream come true, a three mile trek and is highlighted by various Emerald Pools along the way. There is a lower Emerald Pool Trail which can be an easier hike with shade and unique desert plants on display.
2. Special Zion Park programs for kids. The park offers three on-site special programs for children: The Junior Explorer program, the Junior Ranger Program and the Nature Center programs. Junior Rangers at Zion Park is a perennial favorite for children 12 and under. Children receive a Junior Ranger booklet encouraging them to accomplish unique and different tasks and learning. They then receive a decal from a ranger when the job is done. Booklets are available at the Visitor Center. The Junior Explorer program at Zion Park is a classroom-like experience where children ages 6–12 participate in a variety of activities like hands-on creative projects, games, learning about Zion Park’s unique animals like the Utah Prairie Dog found only in Utah, the myriad collection of wildflowers and other desert plants, and the great red sandstone cliffs. If you would like to give your children a head start, become a Geodetective (this is an interactive program developed by Zion Park for grades one through 12K). There is nothing like the Nature Center to excite and inform children about the beauties of Zion Park’s environment. A nominal charge is charged for each section is charged. Sessions run for two and a half hours, one in the morning, one in the afternoon. Two sections are offered daily and each session offers unique and varied information, so children will want to return time and again.
3. Zion Park Lodging with a bonus. There are a variety of hotels and lodgings in Springdale Utah and around the park. You’ll be able to find lodging for any budget and you’ll be excited and pleased with lodging activities or other activities available to the camper or visitor. You can enjoy fishing, horseback riding, cruises and rafting along the Virgin River, swimming, rock climbing, ATV exploring, guided tours, campfires and much much more fun for the whole family.
4. Like to drive with the children? Scenic drives are abundant in the park. Why not take the time to drive through the Mt. Carmel Tunnel, a wonder to see itself but one that leads you along some of the most beautiful and changing geology available in the U.S. You’ll want to drive to Zion Park’s Checkerboard Mesa for a tope of the world view of twisted rocks and arches.
5. Plants and animals for everyone. Zion Park has some of the most beautiful and different plants and animals in the U.S. If you’re a bird watcher, you will love Zion Park, home of 289 types of birds: Peregrine Falcons, California Condors, Golden Eagles, and Hawks. Over 79 mammals like Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, Desert Cottontails, Jackrabbits, Cougars, Coyotes, and Gray Foxes roam the land, with 28 different reptiles including lizards calling Zion Park their home. Some interesting plants your children might enjoy seeing include sagebrush, the prickly pear Cactus Yucca, Juniper trees and Indian Paintbrush.
Be sure and enjoy the Zion Park lodging areas on you fun bound trip. Check on line for hundreds of places to stay near Zion Park and plan today for a great summer of fun with Zion Park activities.
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