If 2026 is your year for travel and adventure, Zion Ponderosa is your base camp to make it unforgettable. From stargazing to slot canyons, and everything in between, here are 26 things you have to do in 2026.
NATIONAL PARKS
1. Visit Zion National Park
The main event. Whether you’re hiking The Narrows, exploring Emerald Pools, or checking out the main canyon, Zion National Park is one of the most spectacular parks in the world—and just a short drive from Zion Ponderosa.
2. Visit Bryce Canyon National Park
Yes, you can visit two national parks in one trip. Bryce Canyon’s iconic hoodoos and incredible viewpoints make a perfect day trip. Join an East Zion Adventures guided tour to make the most of your visit.
3. Visit the Grand Canyon North Rim
Did we say two national parks? Make it three! The North Rim is the quieter and less visited section of the Grand Canyon but (we have to say it) just as grand. Plus it’s a scenic day trip from Zion Ponderosa.
JEEP ADVENTURES
Kids and adults alike will love East Zion’s scenic and rugged backcountry, including Zion Cliffs, Checkerboard Mesa and these guest favorites:
4. Watch a Zion Sunset, Roast S’mores and Stargaze
The Sunset, S’mores, and Stargazing Jeep Tour is exactly what it sounds like! Take a Jeep ride to catch the sunset from a private viewpoint, enjoy campfire treats, and stargaze when the sun goes down.
5. Chase Fall Colors
If you visit Zion in autumn, you won’t want to miss the Brushy Cove Fall Jeep Tour. It’s offered only during this colorful season.
6. Drive a UTV
Add a little adrenaline to your Zion vacation. Choose the Zion Pines or Diana’s Throne guided UTV adventures. Both are off-road experiences where you get to take the wheel.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Beginner trails, kid-friendly rides, and longer backcountry excursions make it easy for everyone—no matter your skill level—to experience East Zion on horseback. Add these popular horseback rides to your bucket list:
7. Ride Horseback to a Slot Canyon
The White Mountain Horseback Ride is what southwest dreams are made of. Travel through rugged East Zion terrain on horseback to the mouth of a secluded slot canyon, then dismount to explore it on foot.
8. Experience a Backcountry Expedition on Horseback
Explore the rugged Paria River backcountry on an overnight horseback ride. Ride through stunning canyons, camp under the stars, and experience a side of East Zion you can’t reach any other way.
9. Cowboy Trail Ride and Family Cookout
Take the whole family on a trail ride, then gather around a campfire for a classic cowboy cookout. It’s a hands-on way to end the day with good food and great memories.
Never ridden a horse? No problem. Checkerboard and Pine Knoll offer gentle, beginner-friendly trails, and kids will love the Little Wrangler Ride.
SLOT CANYONS AND CANYONEERING
Zion’s slot canyons offer adventure for every level—from full-day challenges to non-technical and group-friendly canyoneering options that make exploring the canyons approachable and memorable.
10. Go Canyoneering in Crimson Canyon
This non-technical hiking tour takes you on an off-road UTV adventure to the mouth of Crimson Canyon. You’ll hike through the towering red sandstone walls, soaring over 100 feet high, through the narrow slot canyon passage about 6-10 feet wide.
11. Rock Drop Canyon
Rock Drop Canyon is the ideal canyoneering adventure for larger parties or those who may be hesitant about going canyoneering as it allows spectators to join without participating in the actual rappelling.
12. Stone Hollow Canyon
A full-day canyoneering adventure, Stone Hollow Canyon includes 10 rappels, with the highest reaching 100 feet high!
HIKING
13. Explore The Narrows
Take the Riverside Walk to the mouth of The Narrows for an easy, scenic hike the whole family can enjoy—or book a guided hike to go deeper into the canyon.
14. Hike Angels Landing
Didn’t win the permit lottery or didn’t apply in time? No problem. East Zion Adventures can still get you a bucket-list hiking experience to the top of Angels Landing.
15. Hike to Observation Point
Observation Point has been called one of the best views in Utah, overlooking Angels Landing and with access to East Mesa trail right from Zion Ponderosa. We even have a shuttle to the trailhead.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN
16. Watch an East Zion Sunset
Enjoy the day’s grand finale with a sunset the whole family can enjoy—whether from a Jeep tour, a trail, or the deck of your vacation home, cabin, or glamping tent.
17. Stargaze Under Some of the Clearest Skies in Utah
Whether on a guided experience or right outside your lodging, East Zion’s dark skies deliver unforgettable views of the Milky Way.
18. Visit an Abandoned Mine
Step into history with a family-friendly guided tour to an abandoned mine and learn about East Zion’s mining past.
ZION PONDEROSA RECREATION
One of the best parts about staying at Zion Ponderosa is how much there is to do right on property—perfect for filling downtime between adventures or slowing down for a day.
19. Try the Climbing Wall
Perfect for warming up before a canyoneering tour—or just trying something new—the climbing wall at Zion Ponderosa is a guest favorite for all ages.
20. Paddle the Pond
Cool off and enjoy a quieter adventure by kayaking on the on-site pond. Perfect for beginners and families, it’s a relaxing way to enjoy East Zion from the water.
21. Yoga Under the East Zion Sky
Take a break from adventure with sunrise or sunset yoga on the plateau. Offered in summer, it’s a chance to stretch, recharge, and soak in the views.
SIDE QUESTS
Nearby attractions like Coral Pink Sand Dunes, the town of Kanab, the Sand Caves, Moqui Cave Museum, Belly of the Dragon, and Cedar Breaks are perfect add-ons for family adventure and exploration.
22. Sled the Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Just up the road, Coral Pink Sand Dunes offers one of the most unique desert landscapes in Utah. Sled down the dunes or pair it with the Pink Sands Jeep Tour for an off-road adventure.
23. Visit Cedar Breaks National Monument
Just a short drive from Zion Ponderosa, Cedar Breaks National Monument is like a mini Bryce Canyon—an epic natural amphitheater full of spires, cliffs, and colorful rock formations. Hike along scenic overlooks, snap photos as the colors shift with the light, and don’t miss sunrise or sunset for the full wow factor.
24. Check Out Belly of the Dragon
This Instagram-famous sandstone formation Belly of the Dragon is a must-see for families and adventurers alike. Explore the twisting rock tunnel and feel like you’ve stepped into another world, right in the heart of East Zion.
Bonus day trip! Visit Kanab and explore “Little Hollywood”—nicknamed for its role in classic Western films—or join East Zion Adventures for some thrills, like the Coral Sands Canyoneering Adventure.
WAYS TO STAY
With eight different lodging styles, Zion Ponderosa makes it easy to find the right fit for every group size, travel style, and budget.
25. Plan the Ultimate Family Reunion
Bring the whole family together under one roof—or in multiple vacation homes close to each other—and make memories that last a lifetime. Zion Ponderosa offers spacious lodging, on-property amenities, and plenty of space to gather for family reunions, large groups, and corporate retreats.
26. Try Glamping
Spend a night under the stars in comfort. Choose from glamping tents, tiny homes, or Conestoga wagons for a cozy stay that kids especially love.
