Maybe National Parks Aren’t for Us?

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to southern Utah. Saint George was beautiful and Zion lived up to the hype. The tourists, however, proved to be no different here than at any of our other stops.

Saint George, Utah

We enjoyed lunch in a quiet outdoor patio. As we know that spending time in a park takes a toll on us and we need some down time off the grid. We had just come from Las Vegas (Blog about it Here), so there was that. After getting our fifth wheel set up, we treated ourselves to lunch. It is amazing what a date outside with birds chirping and sun shining will do for you. Such a great way to start our time in southern Utah. Oh, and they had a custard shop in town. This is quickly becoming my favorite dessert.

Red Hills Desert Garden

After our lunch date, we went to Red Hills Desert Garden. We enjoyed desert vegetation from a paved path. Z can’t go for long hikes and Lance was saving up his legs for Zion the next day. So, this was a perfect spot for a walk, and to burn off those added custard calories.

New State on the RV Map

We’re working on getting our RV map mostly filled within the next year. We’ve already talked about where we want to go and where neither of us has any interest in going. Sorry, North Dakota. You didn’t make the cut.

Quail Creek State Park

Quail Creek State Park was our home while we explored southwest Utah. We were in a very unlevel pad. Side to side it was fine, but being on a steep downhill grade made it a little tricky.

Although, it did give Lance the perfect opportunity to do the annual inspection under the RV. The views were beautiful. Each site had a covered picnic area. Because we boondock often, a picnic table has really become a luxury. We also had a campfire pit where I impressed Lance with my smore making abilities.

There was potable water available there as well as flush toilets. They did charge for outdoor showers and you had to use quarters. They also rented stand up paddle boards and kayaks there as well.

Zion National Park

We got to Zion National Park early in the morning to try and beat traffic. We find this is the best way to avoid people. As we have said before, Lance has a low tolerance for people, especially those in vacation mode.

You know the ones; completely unobservant to the world and anyone around them. By the time we left the park, the road to get in was packed and all parking spots inside the park as well as out on the road to the park were full.

The park itself was amazing and the beauty lived up to our expectations. Since a picture is worth a thousand words:

Here’s Your Sign

We just ask fellow RVers to read the posted signs for RV width and height. Please don’t be the guy who blocks the whole road because of either your illiteracy or lack of caring for not reading the signs. Luckily we missed it this day. We came through the tunnel on our way down and the park rangers were turning around a fifth wheel that wouldn’t fit through the tunnel. To say the least, the long line of cars was displeased in their fellow adventurer.  

BLM Camping Outside Zion National Park

We chose to stay at a state park this time because it had been raining in the area, and according to Campendium reviews, these spots are tough to navigate in the mud. This is something we didn’t want to risk.

We did, however, drive out to La Verkin Overlook and Virgin Dam to take a peek. Both were beautiful sites, but as we guessed, the mud would have been a little too much to pull our heavy fifth wheel through. Maybe next time.

Southern Utah is a spot we would like to visit again. What has been your favorite, unexpected place that you traveled to? Please let us know in the comments below.