Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort

Busy, busy, busy…this resort is all about activity. There are so many excursions to take and things to do that even if you book an Adventure Package, which allows you 10 activity tickets at a discount and unlimited mini-golf for one person, you might not get to try everything. The property is also connected to Zion National Park by several uncrowded trails, meaning you can hike all day and return to your "home on the range" at night if you so choose. It's not uncommon to see lots of families with kids here, especially since there are camping options available as well as cabins. A kids’ camp is open during the day, and large groups often gather around the fire pits at night, which means this resort appeals to "children" of all ages in search of a casual, rustic Zion experience.

Technically in the town of Orderville, this resort is located near the eastern entrance of Zion National Park. The ranch itself is located five miles up a winding road and there’s not much -- okay, nothing -- around it for miles. The property itself, however, is well-lit and safe. If you're there to spend most of your time in the national park, keep in mind that it can take up to 45 minutes of driving to reach some of the more popular areas, so you might be better off booking a hotel in Springfield depending on what you want to explore. But there’s a ton to do right on the property -- so much so that many guests never even leave the ranch during their entire stay. 

There are a wide variety of ways you can stay at this resort, ranging from full-sized mountain homes, with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, to old-style classic pitched tents with shared showers/toilets. All options include access to myriad resort activities, though most of the "big ticket" recreational pursuits do come at some additional cost. You can reserve a site and bring your own tent, or for a fee the resort will lend you one and even pitch it and take it down. The Zion Ponderosa also has several covered wagons guests can sleep in, with twin beds. And the property offers "Cowboy Cabins," which are a little larger than the first two options and are actual wooden structures that can sleep up to six people. Keep in mind that all of these options rely upon communal baths and showers. For those traveling with their own RV, full-service hookups are available as well.

For people desiring a little more in the way of "modern conveniences" -- i.e., a toilet in your abode -- there are the Cabin Suites, which are log units with private bedrooms and bathrooms, flat-screen satellite TVs, microwaves, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and fold-out sofa beds. While still very minimally decorated, these cabins are more like classic hotel rooms with front porches and views of the national park. For those looking to really "move in" (or perhaps spend a holiday at the property or host a corporate off-site retreat), there are actual two-to-eight bedroom homes that you can rent with full kitchens, fireplaces, Southwestern-inspired furnishings/decor, and sweeping views from floor-to-ceiling windows.

There’s free Wi-Fi throughout the resort, but your connectivity will vary predicated on your lodging. For instance, some tents and sites may be a little further away from signals. Still, that being said, if you're camping, it's a boon to get any signal at all. There’s a large bi-level seasonal outdoor pool with an awesome slide and hot tub, as well as a poolside grill that’s open from June to August. While there’s generally no free breakfast, there is a super-cheap daily continental option served in the Narrows Cafe. (Some cabin rentals do include this meal in the rate.) Lunch is also available in the cafe and snacks can be snagged at the on-site convenience store. The super casual Blue Belly Grill offers hot breakfast and dinners served a la carte with a very diverse and reasonably-priced menu. People camping or on extended stays will appreciate the coin-operated laundry facilities. The small spa offers different kinds of massages and a few other treatments which can be booked in the spa, poolside, or in your suite, Tuesday through Saturday.  

For activities, the bottom line is you can find about a million things to do here. Activities that require no additional fee include tennis, basketball/volleyball, horseshoes, pool, and foosball. And if that doesn't keep you busy enough, for a fee you can indulge in paint ball, zip lining, mini-golf, wall-climbing, all-terrain vehicle tours, and even bungee trampolining. Other excursions that can be booked include horseback riding, canyoneering, and tours into the National Park.