Sunday, July 10, 2016

Zion National Park



I was not impressed with Zion National Park.  Fortunately, we did not pay the $30 National Park Fee as we have our Senior National Parks pass.  Before we entered the park there were signs that the park was full from 10 AM to 3 PM.  What that meant was there was no parking.  At $30 per carload, $25 per motorcycle, $15 per bicycle, and buses paid per passenger; you would think they could provide parking for the tourists who attend.  It seems to me that they could dedicate 10 additional acres to parking near the visitor center; that would leave the other million acres natural.  There was a 1.2 mile tunnel that charged large vehicles 11 - 13 feet in height an additional $15 so they can close the tunnel to opposite direction traffic as high profile vehicles must travel in the middle taking up both lanes. If your rig is taller than 13 feet 1 inch, you will not fit in the tunnel.   We waited about 10 minutes for four sets of cars to pass with a motorhome in each group.  There is another road in the park called the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, but you must take their bus and dogs are not allowed.
On the positive side, we did manage to snag the last parking spot at the nature center after 3 PM which was so narrow Aggie had to dismount the Tahoe before I parked so I would have enough room to exit after parking.  We took Buddy for a hike on the only trail available to dogs in this park and it was also colored concrete; not quite rustic but it was wheel chair accessible.  Buddy was able to cool off in the Virgin River and take a little swim.  He was able to get a nice cool drink of water, however the water was probably 70 degrees, much warmer than most alpine rivers and streams we are accustomed to.

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