Day 6 - Relaxing at Zion Hot Springs

After 5  days of hiking — nothing feels better than slipping into the warm mineral waters at Zion Hot Springs in La Verkin which is about 20 minutes away.  

It’s the ultimate way to end an adventure-filled vacation — surrounded by red rock views, desert air, and that blissful feeling of finally relaxing sore hiking muscles. 🌄😌 Whether you’re stargazing from the pools or just letting the heat melt away the miles, this place is pure magic. We signed up for the 3 hour package. The world inspired pools mimic different mineral springs around the world. This is from their website. We paid $72 for 3 hours. I think it's $67 but if you pay $5 more it goes to a $15 credit and the snack bar which can include drinks. 

We’ve designed a space that blends the serenity of nature with modern amenities to create an unforgettable wellness retreat. Our mineral-rich pools are the centerpiece. Carefully maintained to enhance their natural therapeutic properties, these pools invite you to sink in, let go, and feel your worries drift away.

30+ Natural Springs Pools (Now Open!)

16 WorldSprings Inspired Pools

2 Fresh Water Pools Including a Large Family Pool

3 Cold Plunge Pools

3 Barrel Saunas

If you’re heading to Zion, trust me — make time for a soak. Your legs (and your soul) will thank you! 🙌✨

Day 5: Zion – The Grand Finale

After days of exploring Utah’s red rock country, we finally made it to the grand finale—Zion National Park. Even as we drove in, the views were jaw-dropping. Massive sandstone cliffs towered on both sides, glowing shades of orange, gold, and cream in the sunlight. It felt like driving straight into a painting.

We entered through the east side, winding our way down the steep switchbacks of the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway. Every turn revealed another “wow” moment—arches carved into cliffs, tunnels through solid rock, and sweeping views that seemed to stretch forever. By the time we reached the canyon floor, I was already in love. Instead of pulling over and stopping I just took photos and videos from my passenger window. 

We stayed right outside the park in Springdale, a charming little town lined with cafes, gear shops, and restaurants. Since the park was full and you couldn't park in there, I went to the hotel and asked if I could leave my car there for the day. It was a quick five minute walk to the city shuttle that took us to the visitor center and the shuttle that will take you in the park and all the major trailheads. 

For our big hike, we wanted  to explore The Narrows, one of Zion’s most iconic experiences. This isn’t your typical trail—it’s a river hike through a slot canyon, where you wade (and sometimes walk waist-deep) through cool water surrounded by cliffs hundreds of feet high. However rain was predicted and we couldn't rent the waterproof bib overalls and hiking boots w/stick because of flood watch warnings.My bucket list item was a no go today and I was super disappointed. However everyone advised to not do it because of the danger. So we walked the mile walk to the narrows for photos and. turned back. We just started our next hike to the Emerald Pools  when the Thunder and Lightening started. As we reached the Middle Pool our phones were sending us alerts for "Flood watch warnings". We made it one mile in and explored the waterfalls before heading back down the hike, but at least I had my waterproof pants on. We descended back into town to dry off and head out to dinner. 

After 5 days of hiking we are seriously considering the Zion Hot Springs tomorrow. 

Day 4: Bryce Canyon – Walking Among Giants

Waking up in Escalante, I could already feel the excitement building for our next stop—Bryce Canyon National Park. Even though I’d seen a hundred photos of its famous orange hoodoos, I wasn’t prepared for how jaw-dropping it would be in person. We stayed at Ruby's Inn at the entrance of Bryce Canyon but parked at the visitor center to take the free shuttle through the park. 

We started at Bryce Point which is Stop #8. The real magic happens when you hike down into the canyon. We started to tackle the Peek-a-Boo Loop Trail, which winds about five miles through the heart of Bryce. The trail descends quickly, and suddenly you’re surrounded by towering formations on all sides. It’s humbling and otherworldly—like walking through nature’s cathedral. But we knew we had a mile back up and a couple miles walking the rim so we headed back up. 

By the time we hiked back up to the rim, we were dusty, tired, and grinning ear to ear. Bryce Canyon has a way of making you feel both small and completely alive.

We walked the rim to Sunrise Point and Sunset point.

It was beautiful weather and we decided to check into our hotel. While in the lobby we decided to rent a RZR for a fun filled hour long ride through the back country and cows. There was a guide and 3 ATV's and 3 RZR's. This was our first time so we opted for the guided tour. Now that we have tried it, next time we will try it on our own. 

As night settled in, I realized this park had quickly become one of my favorites. Bryce Canyon is truly a place that stirs the soul—it’s wild, whimsical, and completely unforgettable.

Tomorrow, we’d hit the road once more for the grand finale of our Utah adventure: Zion National Park.