Tag: Bryce Canyon National Park

Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort, Jolley Gulch

For Mountain Dad’s birthday, the whole family went on vacation at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. While we were there for a family reunion in August, Mountain Dad fell in love with the off roading Utility Vehicle we rented and thanks to that, decided to buy a UTV of our own (it arrives next week).
So when a blogging opportunity for Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort came up, we jumped at the chance to visit again. Mountain Dad was eager to get more off road time, and I was eager to enjoy the fall before it got too cold in the mountains.
The great part about off roading is the access to wilderness that would be difficult to reach otherwise. Mountain Dad and I took the tots to Jolley Gulch in Zion National Park, a thirty minute UTV ride from our cabin suite at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. To hike to this beautiful overlook with two small tots would’ve been very difficult, but in the UTV we could ride out together, walk a few hundred feet and take in the view without too much trouble.

 

 

Back at our cabin, we enjoyed a beautiful sunset and looked forward to exploring Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks in the following days.

 

 

National Park Week: Bryce Canyon National Park

One of the most remote national parks I’ve ever visited, was Bryce Canyon National Park.  This park is located in southeastern Utah and is famous for its unique rock formations. The views of the canyon from above are surreal, and to me it seemed like I was seeing the surface of Mars, instead of the canyons of Utah. 
Bryce Canyon National Park is known not only for this unique geology, but also its uninterrupted views of the night sky. The lack of light pollution in the area allows visitors to see brilliant stars create a canopy overhead. Like other high elevation desert areas, the temperatures at Bryce Canyon can vary greatly from daytime to nighttime, so don’t forget your warmest pajamas. 
For more photos by Mountain Dad click here.