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.