Map of Zion Family Ranch Stay  including United States Of America

Discover the very best of the Wild West

A playground for the young and young-at-heart, Utah has something to excite the whole family. The stars are brighter, the air is fresher, and the landscapes are simply out of this world. Round up your nearest and dearest to explore secret trails and pine forests from your Zion ranch, venture out to walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs and uncover some of the country’s most remarkable scenery. Discover unbelievable sandstone hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, weave through the magical walls of a secret slot canyon and kayak across the magnificent Lake Powell. If you’ve got your eye on Zion, this is the adventure for you.


Start
Las Vegas, United States
Finish
Las Vegas, United States
Destination
United States
Style
Original
Theme
Family
Code
SAFZ
Physical rating
Ages
Min 5
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Your ranch accommodation serves as the perfect base for exploring Zion National Park, featuring secret private access trails, exciting wagon rides, an excellent pool and unbeatable stargazing opportunities.

  • Follow a beautiful family friendly trail through Zion National Park, arriving at a waterfall tumbling into an emerald green pool – have fun walking through the waterfall’s mist and take in impressive views.

  • Explore the otherworldly landscapes of Bryce Canyon National Park and marvel at the weird and wonderful collection of sandstone spires known as hoodoos.

  • The kids are sure to be amazed when you meet a local expert to learn about the remarkable Grand Staircase-Escalante monument and its fascinating connection to dinosaurs.

  • Discover the unusual waves and contours of a lesser-known slot canyon – a quintessential Utah experience and a great opportunity to take some memorable snaps.

Is this trip right for you?

  • The trip involves walking through Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, so be prepared with study walking shoes, a water bottle and day pack.

Itinerary

Welcome to the Wild West! Your family adventure begins in Las Vegas, where you will meet your local leader and the other families you will be travelling with for a 10am briefing. From here, you’ll make the drive to your ranch (approximately 3 hours), situated on the eastern border of Zion National Park in Utah and your home for the next four nights. Along the way, make a stop at a deserted ghost town and take a short walk to find your feet in Zion National Park. Here you will pick up your junior ranger booklets and get ready to become a junior ranger tomorrow! Arrive at the ranch in the mid-afternoon and take some time to explore the grounds – covering over 4000 acres, there’s so much to discover here! The kids might like to go for a swim in the pool, or perhaps search for the secret trails that provide private access into the park. Later in the day, take a step back in time as you hit the dusty trails of the Ponderosa pine forest in an old school wagon, giving you a real taste of the Old West, followed by a traditional Dutch Oven dinner of classic dishes like ribs and cornbread.
Accommodation
  • Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort - Conestoga Wagon (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Zion National Park - Walks
  • Grafton - Ghost Town
  • Zion National Park - Dutch oven dinner and Wagon Ride
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
There is no accommodation included in Las Vegas on this trip. On Day 1, please make your own way to the Alexis Park Hotel by 10AM sharp. You will meet your leader at the - see joining point instructions for more detail.

The wagons have been converted to sleep up to 5 people with 1 king, 2 x twin bunk beds. They are equipped with heaters, wifi and electricity and outlets. There are no en suites but you will have hot showers in the shower house (towels are provided). 
Wake up in your wagon to the peaceful sound of birds singing, ready for an exciting day ahead. Today you will make the most of your enviable location and walk one of Zion National Park’s wonderful trails. It will be pretty easy going, with a paved path and plenty of shade, plus buckets of stunning scenery that surprises at every turn. Walk through dense forest, looking out for wild deer and birdlife, and arrive at a stunning waterfall tumbling into an emerald green pool. You’ll have the chance to walk through the mist behind the waterfall – a perfect way to cool off after the walk and a whole lot of fun for the kids. Take some time to soak in the spectacular surroundings, included Zion’s iconic hanging gardens, before returning to the ranch for an afternoon at leisure.
Accommodation
  • Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort - Conestoga Wagon (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Zion National Park - Zion Junior Ranger program
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
This morning before you head off on more adventures, you will move to a new accommodation experience; Conestoga wagons. These horse-drawn wagons were once used to carry freight in the 18th century, and have now been converted into amazing accommodation – a true Wild West experience! After breakfast you will take a short drive to Bryce Canyon National Park, sitting at an elevation of 8000ft, and explore its magnificent landscapes. Take a stroll around the rim of the canyon and marvel at the epic collection of unique sandstone spires known as hoodoos. The name may sound a bit silly, but these otherworldly geological features are truly striking, and the Bryce Canyon National Park is undoubtedly the best place in the world to see them. Hike down to the hoodoos for a closer look at the weird and wonderful anomalies. Return to the ranch in the late afternoon where you and the kids can take a dip in the pool before regrouping for an included barbecue dinner. Later in the evening at around 9.30pm, turn your heads to the sky to admire the Milky Way. You will be joined by a local expert who will point out distant stars, planets and constellations. The ranch sits on a forested plateau at a height of 6500ft, and without any light pollution from nearby towns and cities, there are few better spots in the country for stargazing.
Accommodation
  • Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort - Cabin (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bryce Canyon - Leader-led Walk
  • Zion National Park - Stargazing with a local expert
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

Head south this morning, winding through more of the Southwest’s celebrated scenery before arriving at the marvellous Lake Powell. Here you will visit the Big Water Dinosaur centre and meet a local expert to learn about the remarkable landscape and its fascinating connection to dinosaurs. The centre features a replica dinosaur dig, real dinosaur relics and a huge painted mural depicting the Late Cretaceous Period – plenty to keep the kids occupied! Continue to Horseshoe Bend for a gentle walk with beautiful views, then hit the clear blue waters of Lake Powell in kayaks! Return to the ranch for the evening.
Accommodation
  • Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort - Cabin (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Horseshoe Bend Visit
  • Big Water - Dinosaur center
  • Lake Powell - Kayaking
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
This morning you will pay a visit to the Peekaboo slot canyon – a lesser-known formation and the perfect place to explore the unbelievable sandstone contours and waves that define much of Utah’s most loved scenery. Make sure your camera is charged and ready to go as there will be the opportunity to take some awesome shots here! After your visit, return to the bright lights of Las Vegas, arriving at around 5pm, at which point your adventure will come to an end.
Included Activities
  • Peakaboo Slot Canyon - Leader-led Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Meals

4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Conestoga wagon (2nights), Cabin (2nights)

Included activities

  • Zion National Park - Walks
  • Grafton - Ghost Town
  • Zion National Park - Dutch oven dinner and Wagon Ride
  • Zion National Park - Zion Junior Ranger program
  • Bryce Canyon - Leader-led Walk
  • Zion National Park - Stargazing with a local expert
  • Horseshoe Bend Visit
  • Big Water - Dinosaur center
  • Lake Powell - Kayaking
  • Peakaboo Slot Canyon - Leader-led Walk

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Zion Family Ranch Stay trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 10 am on Day 1 in Las Vegas. Please make your own way to the Joining Point listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
2. There is no accommodation included in Las Vegas on this trip. If you wish to spend more time in Las Vegas, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Speak to an Intrepid booking agent for more information.
3. On the final day, this trip finishes at approximately 5 pm on arrival in Las Vegas. You will be dropped at the same location as the joining point. If departing this day, please do not book any flights before 8 pm.
4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
5. Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.
6. Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old.
7. A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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