Not much of a planner and need a weekend getaway? On a budget? Want amazing Thai food? Here's a few tips for the adventurous explorer without working too hard
Other than on those planned vacation holidays, sometimes I just want to pack up in a car and go explore and be immersed in the beauty of the desert and nature. Zion is one of the most popular and EXQUISITELY gorgeous places on this blue planet, and it's conveniently in Utah if you are in the southwest (sorry everyone else living outside of that). Thinking of where to go, where to eat, where to hike...Do I want to camp, glamp, or be totally bourgeois, can be stressful.
1. Get a Travel Buddy to Share the Planning AKA do majority of the mental work
If you have enough friends who like to plan and are Type A personality, feigning ignorance and incompetence does wonders for having a travel buddy pick up the slack and suggest places to eat and different points of interest to check out. Be careful to offer at least one contribution like offering to drive or pay for gas if you do indeed need prevent your designated planner from getting too resentful and angry. OR alternatively, someone who likes to be in control for every detail could work in your favor as well!
2. Stop for Supplies and Eat at Kitchen Thai Express in St.George
Kitchen Thai Express is a family-owned stop and go restaurant with adorable hand painted signs to satisfy all your Thai food cravings. For some delicious, authentic, and budget friendly curry and Thai food, be sure to visit the town of Saint George (Also known for its Shakespeare festival). You can also stop for supplies in case you are a space cadet like me and forget a bunch of essentials on the way to Zion.
3. Pick Central Location to Stay JUST Outside of the Park
There are lot's of cabins and places to pitch a tent right outside of the park. Didn't reserve a campsite 6 months in advance? In fact, need to reserve something semi last minute as in a week or couples days ahead? No problem! I recommend Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. This amazing resort reminds me of an amusement park or camp in the midwest that the maintenance workers forgot about for many years and the equipment on the premises just might fall apart or hold on long enough for you to finish the rusty roller coaster ride. There are cabins, glamping style tents, raw ground to pitch your tent.. AND horses, mini golf course, rock climbing, and tennis courts! The reason for my recommendation is that there are many trailheads starting right at this campsite area that you don't even need drive into the park for. Most people in Zion get up at the butt crack of dawn to find parking to rush to Angels gate or some famous hiking spot. BUT for lazy people, you can just wake up, put your shoes and on, and pick some trail to walk down that will take you into the park. Awesome right? Plenty of time to drink your coffee, brush your teeth, and head out to experience some rock beauty.
4. Pick the Off-Season Time to Go
If you wish to avoid the burning hell of heat and traffic jams behind giant RV's of summer peak, I highly recommend going off season right before the winter and some time when summer has finally disappeared. October and November has the best colors seen in these photos, and you will thank me for the time saved having to wait in line for literally EVERYTHING. Better yet, you might be better off exploring Capital Reef National Park or Grand Staircase Escalante in the Summer if you wish to go somewhere in Utah for your summer vacations. But that's another post, til next time folks!
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