Ponderosa Ranch Zion Utah

What Makes Ponderosa Ranch So Special?

It’s No secret Zion National Park in Utah is one of the most amazing places you will find in the world. Just a few hours away from Las Vegas, the Ponderosa Ranch sits right on the edge and has unparalleled access to everything Zion Has to offer.

What had initially attracted us to the ranch were all the activities available, especially for the little ones, in such a small area. We planned our trip a week or two ahead,I made a quick call and the woman on the other end of the phone had pour itinerary hooked up in just a matter of minutes. We drove up on a Thursday and had plans to stay until Monday. I felt this would give us time to do at least a couple of fun hikes, tours, or zip lines boasted by the website. At first I thought it was too good to be true and and while we were driving up I anticipated getting to the campsite and finding we had long treks or drives to get to anything. This was not the case.

On arrival the folks at registration were great. They got us all checked in and pointed us in the direction of our site. We got there early so we would be able to walk around and see where everything was before it got too dark. From the RV/Camper sites the pool, showers, and laundry rooms are a very short 2 or 3 minute walk. The pool itself is amazing, the kids had hours of fun going back and forth between the slides and the hot tub. Over the course of the four days we spent more than our share of time swimming and just having fun in the pool.

Just down from the pool, another short two or three minute walk you have the admin offices, check in, Put Put Golf, the restaurant, and the activities barn. The Put Put is a great value, for about $12 dollars a person you can play for the extent of your stay.
The restaurant is clean, the staff are friendly and the food exceeds your expectations especially for the cost. They have a full coffee bar and can whip you up just about any kind of coffee beverage you can think of in just a few minutes. For breakfast they offer a cafeteria style meal, again at a great value.

The Activities barn is where the zip line is located and where you can book any of the many activities offered. We booked the zip line, horse back riding for the littles, a jeep tour for all of us, and canyoneering for Talia and I. Every activity was awesome. We did the zip line almost every night we were there, even atlas (3) got to go. The jeep tour we went on was a little over an hour but in that short time, Spencer, our guide was able to show us so much. We got great picture and had a total blast. The canyoneering for me was the highlight of the trip. Talia and I got to try our hand at repelling through some of the most beautiful notch canyons and sandy dunes I have ever seen. We always felt safe with our guide who was extremely experienced.

From the RV standpoint the site was pretty level, The water pressure was decent but could have been a little better. Each site had 30 and 50 amp service as well as a picnic table and fire ring. There was plenty of room at each site to accommodate the chairs, the grill, and all the toys and “stuff” we had brought a long. We made friends with our neighbors pretty quickly and the kids had their new besties over for a marshmallow roast.

You can get all the information about Ponderosa ranch you need from there website at https://www.zionponderosa.com/ or call 1 800-293-5444. we highly recommend

Some of the trails Zion Ponderosa Ranch has to offer:

• Canyon Overlook
• Court of the Patriarchs
• Emerald Pools – Lower, Middle, & Upper
• Grotto Trail
• Kayenta
• Narrows to Orderville Canyon
• Pa’rus
• Riverside Walk (Paved Portion)
• Sandbench (November – March)
• Timber Creek
• Watchman
• Weeping Rock Trail
• Weeping Rock (T.H. to mouth Echo Can.)
• Weeping Rock (T.H. to mouth Hidden Can.)
• Weeping Rock (T.H. to Observation Point)
• West Rim from Scouts Lookout
• West Rim to Angels Landing
Note: T.H. stands for Trail Head.

Preparation & Safety: Don’t forget to bring sturdy walking shoes, lots of water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, a camera, and a swimsuit (if desired). Remember that you will be hiking in an arid desert climate, so do everything you can to minimize the risk of dehydration and/or heatstroke by coming prepared. Stay on paths and don’t venture off trail where soils or vegetation may be damaged. Your guide will provide additional information about how to protect the resources within the park. Much of the rock in Zion is sandstone which is often brittle or loose, and visitors should move carefully on trails or areas that are made of stone. During spring, fall and winter, remember to wear layers and bring warm, waterproof clothing for a more desirable trip. For hikes in water, we rent a gear package which includes neoprene socks, waterproof shoes, and a hiking stick, and this will greatly enhance your experience! When it rains in Zion National Park the water can accumulate rapidly in slot canyons, washes, and other natural water flow areas. Flash floods are possible, and visitors should avoid going into, or near, any area where a flood may occur. If you have received a pass to the national park, make sure to let your guide know.