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23 Fun Family Experiences for Your 2023 Zion Vacation

A new year means it's time to plan your next getaway! We're sharing 23 fun family experiences for your 2023 Zion vacation!

1. Visit Three National Parks in One Trip

When you make Zion Ponderosa your base camp for your 2023 Zion vacation, you're ideally situated to visit Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon North Rim.

 

Enjoy world-class hiking to the famous Zion Narrows or apply for a permit to hike the renowned Angels Landing in Zion National Park. Wander through Bryce Canyon's other-wordly red rock hoodoos, or view them from the rim. From May to October, check out the lesser-visited North Rim of the Grand Canyon for a unique and serene national park experience. All of this within two hours of Zion Ponderosa!

Visit three national parks during your 2023 Zion vacation

2. White Mountain Horseback Ride

Why limit yourself to one adventure when you can have two? Our White Mountain guided horseback tour combines two of southern Utah's most popular activities: exploring scenic slot canyons and horseback riding. Catch this tour in Orderville from The Shop Coffee Co-a yummy East Zion experience you don't want to miss!

 

Three riders on horseback traverse a sandy trail through rugged canyon landscapes under a bright sky.

3. Climbing Wall

Get in some practice (and an upper body workout!) before your canyoneering adventure! The climbing wall is also a fun challenge for the kids. Ring the bell at the top to signal your victory.  A person in a helmet climbs a vertical rock wall with various holds.

4. Paintball

Enjoy an epic battle on our outdoor field, featuring forts and obstacles. Paintball can be a fun family feud for your next reunion or a great corporate team-building experience.  Two people in protective gear engage in a paintball match behind wooden obstacles in an outdoor setting.

5. Abandoned Mine Hike

This is one of our most unique and family-friendly guided hikes at Zion Ponderosa! A thrilling UTV ride sets the stage for this slightly spooky adventure. Stop at the trailhead for a short hike to the mouth of an abandoned mine shaft. Our knowledgeable East Zion Adventures guides have lots of fun stories and interesting history to share about this abandoned mine hike!  

Children exploring a dimly lit underground tunnel with flashlights.

This backcountry UTV adventure leads to a non-technical hiking tour of Crimson Canyon. This slot canyon adventure is an awesome family adventure.  A couple stands together in a stunning sandstone canyon, gazing upwards at the colorful rock formations.

A peaceful horseback ride for beginners across Zion Ponderosa's beautiful property. Three riders on horseback traverse a desert landscape at sunset.

Even the littlest cowboys and cowgirls deserve an adventure. Our Little Wrangler horseback ride is a 10-minute horseback experience for kids.  A young boy in a red shirt rides a horse while being led by an adult.

Take in the beauty of our unique landscape from the very top. From this incredible vantage point, you will be to enjoy the beauty and grandeur of not only Zion but all of the surrounding national parks and wilderness area. Snacks and water included.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaBIZ_R37F8

Test your aim with a 20 gauge shotgun!

A person wearing a pink cap aims a shotgun at a target in a mountainous outdoor setting.

11. See the best view in Utah

Trek across Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort for the view Backpacker magazine calls the best  in Utah. Once you reach Observation Point, gaze across the canyons to see hikers climbing Angel's Landing in the distance! We can't promise you'll see a raven fly overhead but the view is definitely worth seeing!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P55KX3HfeXA

12. Bungee Trampoline

Kiddos love the thrills of bouncing and flipping on our outdoor bungee trampoline!

 

A child swings high on a playground swing set against a clear blue sky.

The ideal canyoneering adventure for larger parties or newbies to canyoneering. This short but beautiful canyon features  two rappels.  

A climber rappels down a rocky canyon while wearing a helmet and harness.

The ultimate, high-adrenaline tactical experience, ideal for all skill levels. We begin with basic firearm safety and range etiquette then move on to metal targets and a progressive shooting range.  

Shooting Experience

A Zion experience even the most reluctant adventurers will have fun with!

Two boys with virtual reality headsets sit in red chairs while two girls and an adult watch them.

Enjoy the beautiful night sky in East Zion with a guided stargazing tour. Expert guides, telescopes, and hot chocolate included.  Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort Stargazing

Enjoy some of the most breathtaking views of the east Zion area. Enjoy a snack and watch the sun dip below the red rocks. This hike is approximately one mile, round trip. A couple stands together, overlooking a vibrant sunset amidst hills and greenery.

Another popular sunset Jeep tour, with incredible sweeping views of Zion National Park's remote backcountry. It's the perfect ending to your 2023 Zion vacation.  A Jeep navigates a dirt road surrounded by rugged terrain under a colorful sunset.

19. Rappelling Lessons

We'll show you the ropes in anticipation of your canyoneering adventure. Our rappelling lessons include safety and technique plus two rappels from Zion Ponderosa's climbing wall. For ages 8 and up. A climber in a green shirt reaches for a handhold while others cheer from below.

20. Sand sledding at Coral Pink Sand Dunes

Who says you need snow to go sledding? Visit nearby Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park for a unique sledding experience.  A person carries a surfboard while climbing a sandy dune, with another individual walking in the background.

21. Hike or Snowshoe to Cable Mountain

The hike to Cable Mountain is one of Zion's best-kept secrets. In winter, snowshoe right from the front door of your Zion Ponderosa vacation home. A group of young men poses together under a wooden structure against a clear blue sky.

22. Grafton Ghost Town

Visit this abandoned town during fall to add a spooky element to your Zion family vacation.  A couple walks towards a rustic brick house with mountains in the background.

Fuel up after a day of summer adventures with live music and a hearty country dinner straight from Grandma Ruth's cookbook. A lively gathering of people seated at tables, enjoying a meal while a performance takes place on stage.

Click here for seasonal specials on Zion Ponderosa lodging and East Zion Adventures.