Both the National Park and Springdale have ample activities, from hiking and sightseeing, or just taking in the relaxed country pace, to mountain biking trails and horse back tours. Open year round, the lodge plays host to travelers from around the world. One of the best discoveries in Zion is our off-season. As leaves begin to fall, the canyon opens up, exposing a point of view that summer never reveals. In winter, the sun is warm, the air is clear and crisp, and the crimson peaks are lightly frosted in snow. That is one of the best times for photographing Zion. Our long spring is warm and colorful, with the leaves returning early, and cactus and wildflowers blooming everywhere.

During your stay at the Driftwood, day trips into the scenic Grand Circle of southwestern Utah are simply breathtaking. The Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes are an easy drive.


Zion National Park

Zion National Park is one of the great scenic wonders of the west and is a myriad of deep sandstone canyons, that extend over 30 miles and covers an area of 229 square miles. This national park was created in 1909 and originally named Mukuntuweap National Monument. The name was later changed in 1919 to Zion National Park. The park is composed mostly of sedimentary layers of sandstone that have been stained by the oxidizing of iron in the rock. The sandstone which makes up most of the rock in Zion National Park was formed by the compressing of ancient sand dunes over eons of time.  Eventually streams running across the Colorado Plateau caused what is now known as the the Virgin River to overflow with flood waters.  The river eroded the rock away taking boulders, sand, and pebbles with it. Over time it carved the canyons you'll see today in Zion National Park.  One of the best times to be in the park is during a rain storm.  Water collects quickly into pools on the upper plateaus of the park and gravity then forces great amounts of water into carved crevices that send cascading waterfalls to the valley floor.  During a good rain you'll see waterfalls coming from every cliff face or major crevice. For more info on our park go to www.nps.gov/zion .

The Zion Shuttle
Avoid parking issue as general parking is limited inside Zion and only available during the winter season inside the park itself. There is a shuttle stop right at the Driftwood Lodge so you can simply leave your car here and ride the town shuttle to the park. Buses run frequently throughout the day, as often as every six minutes.

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park is easily accessible from Springdale for hikes and day trips. Bryce Canyon offers wonderful views from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau where you are able to see the red rock spires, hoodoos, and amphitheaters. Bryce Canyon also offers one of the best night skies in the country. The sky is so dark Venus can cast a shadow! The park offers several night sky programs. For those looking for an easy way to view Bryce, drive along Highway 63 and stop at each of the viewpoints: Bryce Point, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, and Inspiration Point. Another excellent way to view the park is by horseback. Canyon Trail Rides offers 2 and 4 hour rides on either a horse or mule along the Peek-a-boo Loop Trail. Mountain biking is also popular around the Bryce Canyon area. During the winter months, snowshoers and cross-country skiers are prevalent. For more information about Bryce Canyon National Park you may visit their website: www.nps.gov/brca.

Bryce Canyon Shuttle
Bryce Canyon offers a shuttle to transport you around the canyon. You may park outside of the park at the bus stop near Ruby's Inn; or inside the park at the Bryce Canyon Lodge, North Campgrounds, or Sunset Campgrounds.

The Grand Canyon

North Rim
Although it lies only ten air miles across the canyon, the North Rim is more than 200 miles (320 km) from the South Rim by vehicle or a strenuous 21-mile (34 km), two- to three-day cross-canyon hike. The North Rim sits considerably higher than the South Rim—8200 feet (2500 m) at the edge of the canyon, almost 9000 feet (2700 m) at the entrance station. The road into the North Rim opens in mid-May and remains open until the first heavy snowfall in November. Most facilities are open mid-May to mid-October.

South Rim
Summer temperatures are pleasant along the rim, but increase rapidly as you descend into the canyon. Low humidity causes significant temperature differences between day and night. The low humidity and high elevation also means that it is important to drink water frequently. Afternoon thundershowers are common in July, August, and early September. Windy conditions prevail in April and May. Snow may fall as early as November. Winter snowstorms continue into March. Roads are plowed frequently, so closures seldom last long.
Individual interests, available time, weather, and health considerations can influence your visit to the South Rim. Use the information in this publication and the abundant information available on the web site, www.nps.gov/grca/, to help plan your visit.

The Grand Canyon Shuttle
Four shuttle bus routes serve many areas of the South Rim—two operate year-round and two seasonally.