Year: 2021

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Day Six: Horseback Riding in Zion & Scenic Drive

Horseback riding at Zion National Park

Horseback Riding in Zion National Park

My daughter loves horses so we booked a horseback riding trip while we were in Zion. We chose to go horseback riding with Canyon Trail Rides. This Zion horseback riding company is located inside Zion National Park. It is located across the street from the Zion National Park Lodge and near the Emerald Pools trailhead.

When you book your ticket, you are given a parking pass, and also a gate access code to drive your car through the portion of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive that is normally closed off to private cars when the park shuttle system is in operation. You still have to pay to enter Zion National Park itself, but at least you do not have to worry about finding parking.

Tip: Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to check-in. The horseback riding tours are very punctual, and you will be left behind. If you want to be more time-efficient, you can plan on hiking Emerald Pools the same day you take your horseback ride.

Horses at Canyon Trail Rides, Zion National Park

The one hour horseback riding tour along the Virgin Riverside was wonderful! We had two guides on our trip. One was leading the group and the other was in the back. We rode on the trail in a single file and it felt very safe.

We started our journey by riding our horses through the Virgin River. Then they took individual photos of us crossing the river, and offered them for sale at the end of the tour at $10 per photo.

Our guides entertained us with funny jokes and told us interesting facts about Zion. The one hour ride was the perfect amount of time for me, but my daughter wanted to stay longer! She is already in love with the horse, Black Magic, and is looking forward to returning again for another trail ride.

Beautiful Zion-Mt. Carmel Hwy Scenic Drive

One of the tunnels on Zion-Mount Carmel Hwy

We originally planned to go river tubing down the Virgin River, but we were concerned with the low water levels. The Virgin River tubing is not a lazy river float to begin with. The water is shallow and requires people to get in and out of their tubes to avoid the sharp rocks. So we decided to go on a scenic drive down Zion-Mt. Carmel Hwy instead.

Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni)

The Zion-Mt. Carmel Hwy was a lovely drive. You drive in and out of tunnels that have been carved into the mountains, and get gorgeous views of interesting geological rock formations. We even saw some desert bighorn sheep! There were a lot of cars on this highway, but the Park Rangers did control traffic. Be prepared to wait for several minutes before being allowed through. Some people used this time to get out of their cars and take a few scenic photos.


Before heading home, we had a delicious meal at Whiptail Grill and did a little shopping in Springdale. If you love beautiful rocks, fossils and gemstones, visit the Zion Rock & Gem store, which is located at 1416 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767!

Agate Coasters and Agate Geode Slice Jewelry

Rock hounds will love this place! This shop sells natural rocks, fossils, gemstones, jewelry, coasters and more. My daughter happily spent the remainder of her souvenir money in this shop. She appreciated the informative cards that came with the stones so that she could properly identify them when she returned home.

I purchased some dyed agate slice coasters, and also some gold plated geode slice necklaces (see above). I love that I am reminded of our trip to this park every time I use these coasters. I have also received many compliments on the geode slice necklaces. They are truly one of a kind.

Similar Agate Coasters and Agate Jewelry from Other Sellers


Blue Agate Slice Earrings


Gold Plated Blue Agate Slice Necklace


BLUE AGATE COASTER SET of 4 Sliced Thick with Felt Bumper (4-5″)

Trip Itinerary


Day 1: Las Vegas


Day 2: Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Joshua Tree Forest, Grand Canyon West


Day 3: Kayaking to Emerald Cave and Raiders Stadium Tour


Day 4: Bryce Canyon


Day 5: Zion Emerald Pools


Day 6: Zion Horseback Riding


Day 7: Hiking Zion National Park Narrows

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Day Five: Zion Emerald Pools

Waterfall at Zion National Park with green trees and red canyons in background.

After a long day in Bryce Canyon National Park, we wanted a nice and relaxing introduction to Zion National Park.

We had a nice breakfast at the airbnb and drove over to the park. We arrived around 10am, and the Zion parking lot at the visitor center was already full so we parked at the public parking lot on Lion Blvd. $10 (cash only) will get you all day parking in this dirt parking lot. The parking lot is close to Springdale-Zion shuttle stop #3, but we just walked about 13 minutes to Zion Outfitter to hop on our private shuttle.

Tip: This is the cheapest paid parking lot we found. However, if you make a purchase of at least $20 at Hoodoos General Store (across the street), you can park in the Hoodoos General Store parking lot for free all day.

Google Maps: Zion Economy Public Parking Lot

Zion National Park Shuttles

Zion National Park does not allow private cars past a certain point when shuttles are in operation.

When we went, Zion National Park was operating on a shuttle ticket reservation system. It was madness. Tickets were sold two weeks in advance, and would sell out in a matter of minutes. Tickets were also made available the day before, but that left a lot of uncertainty. We decided to play it safe and book shuttle tickets with Red Rock Shuttle.

We loved Red Rock Shuttle company! They are a private shuttle company that normally shuttles people for Zion backcountry hiking, but when we went they were also shuttling people into the canyon. We paid $40 per person for a round trip shuttle ride. It is pricey compared to the $2 that the Zion National Park shuttles charged, but I did appreciate that we never waited more than a few minutes to hop on a shuttle. That might not seem like a big deal, but after you have hiked several hours the last thing you want to do is wait in a long line in the hot sun for a ride back to the visitor center. The Red Rock Shuttle drivers were all friendly, told us interesting facts about Zion, and the shuttles had good A/C.

Unfortunately, private shuttle companies can no longer shuttle people into the canyon because Zion National Park Shuttle system is resuming full capacity. See National Park System for latest updates. However, when we return to Zion, I will definitely use Red Rock Shuttle for some backcountry hiking.

Emerald Pools

Our family loves waterfalls so we were excited to explore Zion’s Emerald Pools. The Emerald Pools trailhead is across the street from Zion Lodge. We walked across a bridge and took an easy walk to Lower Emerald Pools.

We saw some wildlife (e.g., tadpoles, snakes, squirrels). This was the one and only snake we came across on our trip.

Snake at Zion Emerald Pools

Lower Emerald Pools

The Lower Emerald Pools were beautiful. It was by far the most beautiful of the three areas.

Zion Lower Emerald Fall

Middle Emerald Pools

We continued on to the Middle Emerald Pools, which was a more strenuous hike up hill.

Zion Middle Emerald Pools

At this point, the sun was beating down on us and there was little shade. The water levels were so low at the middle pools that we were hesitant to continue on our hike, but fellow hikers assured us that the hike was worth the additional trek to the upper pools.

We were so thankful we brought plenty of water, snacks and our cooling towel. This cooling towel has saved us more than a few times on this trip. All you have to do is wet your towel, and place it on your body. We placed it on the back of our necks to help cool our bodies down.

Tip: Wear sunscreen, a hat, and bring plenty of drinking water and a cooling towel.

Upper Emerald Pools

Zion Upper Emerald Pools

The upper pools was my least favorite of the three pools, but to be fair I believe this could be gorgeous when there are higher water levels.

Cliffs at Zion Upper Emerald Pools
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Trip Itinerary


Day 1: Las Vegas


Day 2: Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Joshua Tree Forest, Grand Canyon West


Day 3: Kayaking to Emerald Cave and Raiders Stadium Tour


Day 4: Bryce Canyon


Day 5: Zion Emerald Pools


Day 6: Zion Horseback Riding


Day 7: Hiking Zion National Park Narrows

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Day Four: Bryce Canyon

Epic Bryce Canyon Day Trip

We had a late start to our day so we chose to skip the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs and head straight to Bryce Canyon National Park. As you drive to Bryce Canyon National Park, you will enjoy views of Dixie National Forest. We took the National Scenic Byway 12 (UT-12). This road has been designated a National Scenic Byway and an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration because it has one-of-a-kind features that qualify it as a destination unto itself.

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Mossy Cave & Tropic Ditch Falls

Mossy Cave

Our first stop was the Mossy Cave. There is limited parking at the trailhead so get there early in the morning. This place gets busy between 10am to 6pm. Although we arrived before 10am we still waited a while for a spot to open up. Parking is not allowed along SR 12 so if you cannot find parking, you can try again another time.

Tip #1: Get there early (before 10am) to get parking.

Tip #2: Mossy Cave is a fee area. Bring your National Park Pass or proof of admission before you arrive at the trailhead.

The Mossy Cave hike is an easy 0.4 mile walk from the trailhead with little elevation change (~300 ft). We gave ourselves an hour in this area, which was plenty of time to see the cave and enjoy the waterfall.

Mossy Cave and Tropic Ditch Falls Trail Map
Mossy Cave and Tropic Ditch Falls Trail Map
Source: Google Maps

The Mossy Cave is filled with moss in the summer, but is filled with icicles in the winter! When we went, the icicles were long gone. The small cave was fenced off and was not impressive with just the moss. I enjoyed the hike to Mossy Cave more than the cave itself! I would come back in the colder months to see the icicles.

Mossy Cave's I Hiked the Hoodoos Benchmark
Mossy Cave’s I Hiked the Hoodoos Benchmark

Take a selfie with the Hike the Hoodoos benchmark or take a pencil rubbing. If you visit three of these benchmarks, you will get a free I Hiked the Hoodoos sticker at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center. You can also buy an official I Hiked the Hoodoos official collectors pin at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center.

Tropic Ditch Falls

The Tropic Ditch Falls was a short hike from Mossy Cave. Pioneers in 1890s dug an irrigation ditch which allows water to flow seasonally through Water Canyon (from Tropic Reservoir east of the park to communities in the Paria Valley).

This was my favorite part of the hike and the best waterfall I saw on this trip.

Hiking Navajo Loop & Queens Garden Trail

Bryce Canyon Hoodoos
Bryce Canyon Hoodoos

Most people hike Sunrise Point to Sunset point, but we decided to start from Sunset point so we could avoid hiking up the switchbacks.

Switchbacks of Navajo Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park
Switchbacks of Navajo Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park

We parked at the Sunset Point parking lot, and hiked down the switchbacks of Navajo Loop trail. We took a photo at Navajo Loop Hike the Hoodoos benchmark. Then went back to the fork and followed the signs to Queens Garden Trail. Then we took a photo at the Queens Garden Hike the Hoodoos benchmark. The trail through the pine forest was easy and enjoyable. We even saw a couple of cute chipmunks.

We continued on Queens Garden Trail which gradually ascended to Sunrise Point. The hike up was a challenge for my mother and I. We were not used to the elevation change (~8,000 feet) and the heat. We made it though! Our

ATV Bristle Cone Forest

Riding the Quad, Bryce Wildlife Adventure

After all that hiking, we wanted to give our feet a break. We took an ATV tour with Bryce Wildlife Adventure, 1945 West Scenic Highway 12, Bryce, UT 84764. Jeff at Bryce Wildlife Adventure is AMAZING!!!

I had underestimated my ability to hike within the two hours we had given ourselves, and Jeff had called me to make sure that we were okay when we did not show up for our reserved time. We were touched by his concern, and when we spoke to him, we were just hoping to get on the ATV for the remainder of our reserved time to give ourselves a break and enjoy the view. However, Jeff was so kind and generous that he decided to stay late (delaying his own plans) to make sure that we had enough time to see this beautiful bristle cone forest and other scenic spots along the way! He also pointed out the areas where we would see a prairie dog colony that my daughter was so excited to see! We were blown away by his kindness and the beautiful scenery. It was one of the best part of our trips, and we are already looking forward to going back again!

Dinner

We had packed plenty of food and were not hungry enough to eat out. However, when we return we want to try out  Ruby’s Inn Cowboy’s Buffet & Steak Room and Cowboy’s Smokehouse Cafe. We have heard good things about both places.

Our Dark Rangers Telescope Tour did not start until 9pm so we killed some time by driving through the park and stopping by scenic locations.

Natural Bridge at Bryce Canyon
Natural Bridge

Dark Rangers Telescope Tours

Living in the city we rarely get an opportunity to enjoy the stars because of the light pollution so we booked a private Dark Ranger Telescope Tour to take advantage of the dark sky in Bryce Canyon. It was a full moon the night of our tour so it was not the best time to see a lot of stars, but we did have an amazing view of Venus and the full moon.

The clouds rolled in so our ranger ended up showing us an informative astrology presentation. We took refuge from the cold and drank some hot beverages while viewing the multimedia show. I enjoyed the show just as much as I did watching the stars. I also loved that we are able to ask him questions.

Tip: Try and plan your tour during a new moon to get the most out of the dark sky. Bring winter jackets and gloves! Avoid going during monsoon season (July-August).

Trip Itinerary


Day 1: Las Vegas


Day 2: Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Joshua Tree Forest, Grand Canyon West


Day 3: Kayaking to Emerald Cave and Raiders Stadium Tour


Day 4: Bryce Canyon


Day 5: Zion Emerald Pools


Day 6: Zion Horseback Riding


Day 7: Hiking Zion National Park Narrows

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Day Three: Kayaking to Emerald Cave and Raiders Stadium Tour

Emerald Cave Day Trip from Las Vegas

Kayaking to Emerald Cave

We checked out of our hotel and drove to Willow Beach Harbor where we rented two tandem kayaks for 8 hours for our self-guided tour. At the time an 8 hour tandem kayak rental was $120.

Tip #1: Bring your National Park Pass or your Lake Mead receipt from the day before. The Lake Mead NRA fee station at the top of Willow Beach Road collects entry fees, and your receipt from the day before gives you 7-day access.

Where is Emerald Cave?

Emerald Cave is located on the Colorado River and is about 2 miles upstream from Willow Beach Marina. As you kayak upstream, you will see it on your right side.

The cave is hard to miss because it is a popular spot and groups of guided kayakers visit it. Sometimes there will be long lines to get into the cave, but luckily we arrived just as a group was leaving. We had about ten minutes to enjoy the cave before another group arrived.


Universal Waterproof Phone Pouch, Compatible for iPhone 12 Pro 11 Pro Max XS Max XR X 8 7 Samsung Galaxy s10/s9 Google Pixel 2 HTC Up to 7.0″, IPX8 Cellphone Dry Bag -2 Pack

Timing is Important

The Emerald Cave is not always emerald. This small cave only lights up when the sunlight reflects off the bottom of the river during certain times of the day. Due to the steep canyon walls, we planned on arriving at the Emerald Cave around mid-day to increase our chances of seeing the cave lit up.

The cave was only partially lit up when we arrived, but it was beautiful. We could only imagine what it would look like if the entire cave was that vibrant, sparkling emerald color.

How long does it take to paddle to Emerald Cave?

It depends on your physical fitness and experience, but we feel that 4 to 5 hours would give a beginner plenty of time to kayak there and back and still have time to enjoy the scenery and stop at one of the beaches along the way. Allow yourself additional time to swim in the water or hike one of the trails from the beaches.

All of us have been kayaking before and are of average fitness. We were able to kayak to Emerald Cave and back within four hours. It was a good workout upstream, but we hardly paddled on the way back. We allowed the current to carry us back to the marina, which gave us plenty of time to eat our lunch and enjoy the beautiful Black Canyons, the desert big horn sheep and the birds.

Tip #2: When kayaking upstream, kayak on the sides of the river where the current is not as strong. It will take less time and effort to paddle upstream this way.


Waterproof Dry Bag with Waterproof Phone Case


Tip #3: Bring a Waterproof Dry Bag (like the one above) to keep your camera, phone and other electronics safe. We saw a kayaker flip over unexpectedly in her kayak so it does happen.

Sightseeing Pass logo

Las Vegas Raiders Stadium Tour

Raiders Stadium Tour (Allegiant Stadium)

The Allegiant Stadium Tour

We could not visit Las Vegas without seeing the new Las Vegas Raiders Stadium (Allegiant Stadium)! The stadium is a gorgeous facility! The tour was much more than I expected.

What will I see on the Raiders stadium tour?

The stadium tour includes a tour of Al Davis Memorial Torch, Broadcast Booth, Private Suites and Clubs, Raiderette Locker Room, Ubeo Press Conference Room, Raiders Locker Rooms, Hall of Fame Wall, the Field and more. There was plenty to see and we loved the surprise in the locker room!

How much does the Raiders stadium tour cost?

Guided tour tickets cost $59 and the Guided Tour and Drink with view costs $80. We took the latter. You can purchase additional drinks and food at your own cost. If you do, try the nachos! They were delicious and generously filled a football shaped bowl. It was the perfect size for the four of us to snack on.

The tour includes a digital souvenir photo and short video clip. Use your pass to get a 10% discount off the Raiders store.

Tip #1: Get your tickets way in advance because they sell out quickly!

How long does the Raiders stadium tour last?

The tour itself lasted a little over an hour (about 75 minutes). Then we had our drinks and ate some nachos and pretzels. After we ate, we went shopping at the Raiders store. Overall, we spent about two hours here.

Tip #2 : Shop after the tour. Your hands will be free of shopping bags to take plenty of photos during the tour. Then you can use your stadium tour pass to get a 10% discount on store purchases.

Drive to Airbnb

We drove a couple of hours to our Airbnb in Washington, Utah which will be our home base for the rest of the trip. If you prefer to stay closer to Zion, you can stay in Springdale. Springdale is a popular choice but the price of accommodations are also higher. We were able to get a beautifully furnished, well stocked house (with a washer and dryer) for less that what we would have paid for a nice room in Springdale.

Trip Itinerary


Day 1: Las Vegas


Day 2: Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Joshua Tree Forest, Grand Canyon West


Day 3: Kayaking to Emerald Cave and Raiders Stadium Tour


Day 4: Bryce Canyon


Day 5: Zion Emerald Pools


Day 6: Zion Horseback Riding


Day 7: Hiking Zion National Park Narrows

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Day Two: Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Joshua Tree Forest, Grand Canyon West

Arizona Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon Skywalk and Hoover Dam Photo Collage

Lake Mead

Road to Lake Mead, NV


We left our hotel around 6:30am, and stopped by Starbucks to pick up some coffee and breakfast sandwiches. There was no traffic on the road that early in the morning so it was an easy easy drive to Lake Mead.

We used our America the Beautiful: National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass to enter.

Tip #1: We are going to visit more than two national parks or federal recreational lands in a year so we saved money by purchasing a National Parks pass. The standard annual pass currently costs $80 (plus a $5 processing fee). Discounted or free passes are available for certain people so check their website for details.

Lake Mead is America’s first and largest national recreation area. We saw campers, boaters and people fishing. We enjoyed sipping our coffee, walking around Lake Mead, and enjoying the beautiful morning.


Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam Low Water Level 2021
Hoover Dam Low Water Level 2021

After our morning coffee, we continued to Hoover Dam which was only a 15 minute drive.

Tip #2: Park on the Arizona’s side where you can park for free (except for the first covered parking area). Or pay $10 to park on the Nevada side closest to the visitor center.

When we went Hoover Dam Visitor Center tours and exhibits were closed. You can visit their website for current status.

We walked on top of the dam, and gave ourselves a tour. We noticed the water levels were low at Lake Mead, but they were even more obvious at Hoover Dam. The water levels are so low that The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation may declare a water shortage for the first time. If the water levels drop too low, it could threaten electricity generation at Hoover Dam which could affect millions of people in Nevada, Arizona and California.

Arizona’s Joshua Tree Forest

Arizona’s Joshua Tree Forest

We drove a little over an hour to reach Arizona’s Joshua Tree Forest. This is a great place to stretch your legs, and learn about the Joshua Trees. Signs were posted providing information about the Joshua Tree, other plant life, and the wildlife in the area.


Lunch at The Boat House Café & Grill

The Boat House Café & Grill’s Jalapeno Bacon Cheeseburger

We drove about 15 minutes to The Boat House Café & Grill, 30185 Escalante Blvd, Meadview, AZ 86444, where we were greeted by friendly people. I had a delicious jalapeno bacon cheeseburger and fries for lunch. I loved that they used tri tip burgers, and Texas Toast instead of burger buns. It was the second best burger I had on this trip, and one of the best jalapeno burgers I have had!

Grand Canyon West

Day Trip from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon Skywalk

We drove another 40 minutes to Grand Canyon West. Grand Canyon West is part of the Grand Canyon, but it is not in the U.S. Grand Canyon National Park. It is located on the Hualapai (Native American) reservation so your National Park pass will not work here. Park at the visitor center, and then walk through the terminal. The reservation runs a shuttle system from this point. There were a good number of people there, but we never waited long for a shuttle.

Tip #3: You need to purchase both admission to Grand Canyon West Rim and also purchase the Skywalk add-on to be able to walk on the skywalk. Read my post on how we saved money on our skywalk tickets.

Grand Canyon Skywalk

Grand Canyon Skywalk and view of Eagle Point

Our first stop was the Grand Canyon Skywalk, which is a clear bridge jutting out 70 feet from the canyon, and 4,000 feet up in the air! You have a beautiful view of the Grand Canyon and Eagle Point from this bridge.

Native American House

Personal cameras, cell phones, smart watches are NOT allowed on the Skywalk. You are required to store them in free personal lockers before you enter the Skywalk. If you want photos, they have their own photographers that will take photos of you and your family. We paid $65 for the digital photo package. I know it seems pricey, but it was worth it for our family. Walking on the Grand Canyon Skywalk has been on our bucket list for years! We only wish we had spent more time on the Skywalk itself.

Tip #4: If you want photos on the Skywalk, then budget for photos because no personal cameras are allowed on the Skywalk. The $65 digital photo package provides the best value. We got 40 photos (i.e., 20 photos of our family and 20 souvenir photos). If you do not care about Skywalk photos, then save your money. You can take your own photos anywhere else, and there are plenty of locations to capture beautiful scenic views of the Grand Canyon.


Guano Point

Guano Point, Grand Canyon West

We stopped by and explored Guano Point. Guano Point has a historic tramway, which was used to extract “Guano” (bat droppings) from a cave. Why would anyone want to extract bat droppings? Well, bat droppings is rich with nitrogen and was a useful fertilizer.

View of the Colorado River, Guano Point, Grand Canyon West

There are some hiking trails and incredible views of the Grand Canyon and Colorado River here.

Eagle Point Native American Village

Example of Hopi Indian House at Grand Canyon West
Example of Hopi Indian House

Eagle Point provides an opportunity for visitors to learn about Native American culture. Authentic Native American structures are on display, and members of the Hualapai Tribe were singing and dancing in the amphitheater.

Returning to Las Vegas

On our way back to Las Vegas we stopped by Port of Subs to pick up some sandwiches and chips for our kayaking trip tomorrow. We filled up our gas tank and picked up pizzas from Giordano’s that we had ordered in advance. My mom and I turned in for the evening, but my husband and daughter went Ziplining on the Strip. It conveniently dropped them off at Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop, where they got some ice cream sundaes. My husband being the awesome man he is, brought some back to us too.


Trip Itinerary


Day 1: Las Vegas


Day 2: Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Joshua Tree Forest, Grand Canyon West


Day 3: Kayaking to Emerald Cave and Raiders Stadium Tour


Day 4: Bryce Canyon


Day 5: Zion Emerald Pools


Day 6: Zion Horseback Riding


Day 7: Hiking Zion National Park Narrows