Enjoying a Springdale vacationEvery now and then, you just have to block out any unnecessary stuff. Not for a week or some great cross-country road trip, but for a few warm days somewhere that feels like a breath of fresh air. This is what a mini-holiday in Springdale will satisfy. The first days are no different. Under those improbable red cliffs that glow at sunset, this small town knows precisely how to help you relax without actually needing you to disconnect. Springdale is right at the doorway of Zion National Park, and, actually, that’s worth the trip. But one of the things that makes a few days here so special is the balance. You’d be hiking in slot canyons in the morning or wading in the Virgin River in the afternoon, visiting local art galleries or catching up at a coffee house on the sidewalk. The town travels at a different tempo. People smile. Strangers hold a conversation about which trail is next. It feels like everyone is here to take a minute of pause. You are immediately drawn in by the popular spots. Zion National Park is the obvious star, with vast swaths of towering sandstone walls and trails that range from gentle walks along riversides to heart-pumping ascents. But for starters do not overlook Springdale itself. Zion Park Boulevard, the town’s main artery, is lined with shops, outfitters and restaurants, with the free town shuttle making it easy to jump around. For a breather from all that busyness, George Barker River Park is home to grass, picnic tables, and a soft, still-quiet space, with the sound of flowing waters—all with their soothing little tunes up above—and the Virgin River flowing by. The Springdale Town Park is a hidden gem, with an open space and view that is natural and provides comfort: nature is never far off at a glance. And if you’re looking for a little bit of culture, visiting local galleries such as DeZion Gallery and Worthington Gallery has local regional artwork showing that captures the feel of Utah state country beauty in Southwestern art—DeZion on their local pages. Your experience depends on where you stay, and Springdale is surprisingly flexible. At the deluxe end, destinations like Cliffrose Lodge & Gardens and Cable Mountain Lodge feel like sanctuaries. Riverside pools, full-service spas and balconies that frame the red rocks combine to make it all too easy and appealing to skip the park altogether and just soak in what’s going on around here. Flanigan’s Inn offers family-owned warmth with its hilltop labyrinth and spa treatments intended for fatigued hikers. For the traveller monitoring their wallets, the town has inexpensive motels and inns that keep you within walking distance. RV and campers can pitch up under dark skies at nearby campgrounds, while the glamping space lets you sleep under the stars without sacrificing an actual bed or hot shower. Whether you prefer spending money or saving up, you wake up from the same dream-like landscapes. What first-time visitors are often surprised by is the amount of culture packed into such an intimate space. The history here overlays Native American heritage with grit, pioneers and contemporary artistic verve. The cliffs of Zion have been revered for centuries, with that reverence lingering in the moments of silence, between shuttle buses and breakfast rushes. Today, the town draws tourists who hail from around the world, and with that global blend comes this food. For breakfast, there is a burrito at Oscar’s Cafe, a crepe at MeMe’s for lunch, and dinner at Switchback Grille for a steak or at Bit & Spur for sweet potato tamales and poblano mac and cheese. Zion Pizza & Noodle Co. sells slices with local brews; King’s Landing serves seasonal plates that are simply sophisticated for a mountain town. Its culinary variety is surprising, but you appreciate it after an exhausting day on your feet. There’s also that moment I always return to when I consider Springdale. It typically occurs in late afternoon, when the busiest hours are on Zion Park Boulevard. Tourists are rushing closer to shuttle stops, bikes are zipping past, and the air is ripe with that happy, tired buzz from a day outdoors. I will go find a bench by the river, or I will stand on an uncluttered section of grass that is separate from the sidewalk, and I will look up. The cliffs rise like ancient sentinels striped in pink and cream and burnt orange, where the noise of the crowds is replaced by background static. The rush evaporates in that moment. You also know how busy and present are two different things. A short break in Springdale doesn't just take you out of your routine. It allows you permission to freeze while the outside world runs around you. If you’ve been craving something restorative that you won’t just get a passport and don’t have to budget over the next month, throw in those few days in Springdale. Do pack good walking shoes, bring an appetite, and leave space in your suitcase for perspective. You’re probably going to come home with sand in your boots, a camera roll stuffed with red rocks and a special feeling like you stumbled upon some of the best-kept secrets in the American West. |
