The Anasazi Cliffs Trail Journal
Local, practical advice from our cabins in Apple Valley, Utah: where to stay near Zion, when to go, bringing your dog, and riding Gooseberry Mesa and the trails around Hurricane.
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Springdale puts you at the park gate, Hurricane has the most services, and Apple Valley trades a longer drive for quiet, space and dark skies. Here's how to choose.
20 guides
Springdale puts you at the park gate, Hurricane has the most services, and Apple Valley trades a longer drive for quiet, space and dark skies. Here's how to choose.
Zion allows dogs on exactly one trail, the paved Pa'rus Trail. Here's where your dog can and can't go, how the rules compare with Bryce, and how to plan a trip that works for both of you.
Zion allows dogs on one trail, but the land around it is far friendlier. Here are the best places to hike and explore with your dog, with drive times from Apple Valley and the rules for each.
The paved drive from Apple Valley to Zion's south entrance takes about 50 to 55 minutes. Here's the route, when to leave, and when Kolob Canyons or the east entrance makes more sense.
Hotels in Springdale win on location and services. Cabins win on space, kitchens and quiet evenings. Here's an honest look at which one suits your group.
Camping on Gooseberry Mesa puts you at the trailhead for free, but you haul every drop of water. A cabin nearby adds showers, a kitchen and a hot tub. Here's how to choose.
The road to Gooseberry Mesa is about 6 miles of unpaved, often rutted dirt from UT-59 in Apple Valley. Here's the turn-by-turn, what vehicle you need, and what to do after rain.
Rent trail bikes in Hurricane for Gooseberry, JEM and the mesas, and rent Class 1 e-bikes in Springdale for Zion Canyon. Here's what to book ahead and what to bring to the shop.
Spring and fall bring the best hiking weather, summer brings heat and crowds, and winter is quiet but icy. Here's how each month in Zion really feels, and when to book.
One day shows you Zion Canyon's highlights. Two days lets you add a big hike. Three days opens up Kolob Canyons and a slower pace. Here's how we'd spend each.
Apple Valley sits within an hour of slickrock mesas, two reservoir state parks, a ghost town, pink sand dunes and some very dark skies. Here's what's nearby, sorted by how far you'll drive.
Winter in Zion brings mild afternoons, icy shaded trails and far fewer people. Here's what December through February is really like, which hikes work, and how to end a cold day well.
Two nights, one private hot tub, one good day in Zion and a lot of sky. Here's the couples' weekend we'd plan for our own friends.
Spring and fall are prime time on Gooseberry Mesa and the Hurricane trails, winter is a quiet bonus season, and summer is for dawn rides only. Here's what each month is really like.
Most Zion trails are closed to dogs, so a day or two of daycare opens up the big hikes. Here are the boarding options near the park and how to build your days around them.
Southern Utah's red rock is hard on paws. Here's how local hosts keep dogs safe on desert trails, from heat and water to rattlesnakes, foxtails and the nearest 24-hour vet.
JEM is the flowing warm-up, Gooseberry is the slickrock classic, Little Creek is the wilder expert mesa, and Hurricane Rim is the long cliff-edge day. Here's how they compare.
St. George is closest but served by regional jets, Las Vegas has the most flights and the easiest bike-friendly airlines, and shipping your bike to a Hurricane shop skips the airport hassle entirely.
Desert slickrock asks for more water, more sealant and more layers than most riders expect. Here's what to carry on the trail, what to keep in the car and what to leave at the cabin.
Apple Valley is quiet because there's almost nothing here. Here's where to stock up on the way in, where to eat in each nearby town, and what's already in your cabin kitchen.
Zion Trip Planning
Where to stay, when to go, and how long to spend
4 guides →
Apple Valley Basecamp
Getting here, getting around, and what's nearby
3 guides →
Traveling With Dogs
Pet rules, dog-friendly trails, and keeping pups safe
4 guides →
Gooseberry Mesa
Access, roads, and where to base your rides
2 guides →
Mountain Biking
Trails, seasons, rentals, and gear
5 guides →
Hot Tub Cabins
Cozy stays, winter trips, and couples' getaways
2 guides →
Looking for individual hikes, rides and restaurants? Our Experience guide covers more than 50 places near the cabins, from Angels Landing to Gooseberry Mesa.
Whether you're exploring Zion National Park, hiking local trails, or just relaxing under the stars, your desert escape awaits.
