A Week in Zion National Park – Watchman Campground

I will start with this-

!PICTURES AT THE END!

A year ago… I stood in Zion National Park with Jessie and had a dream I couldn’t stop thinking about — to come back one day and bring our kids with us.

At the time, it felt far off… like something we hoped would happen “someday.”

Exactly one year later, we’re back in Zion National Park — walking The Narrows with our kids beside us. When we walked the Narrows with our kids, the cold water, canyon walls towering above us… those are the kinds of moments you don’t forget.

Watching their smiles, seeing them splashing through the water, and the pure amazement reflecting in their eyes made all of the planning, sacrifices, and wondering if we could pull this together completely worth it.

We’ve just started our traveling journey, but being here already feels like the beginning of something we once only imagined.

Dreams don’t always happen overnight… but sometimes you look up and realize you’re standing right inside one.

Can’t wait to share more with you all

ZION 2026……

After spending a few days exploring the St. George area, we made the short drive to Zion National Park on Friday afternoon. We had reserved a full week at Watchman Campground, staying in Loop B right along the Virgin River. From the moment we pulled in, we knew this was going to be one of our favorite stops of the trip. Although, I know I think this about most places. I can honestly say, this was truly our favorite place.

Watchman Campground is hard to beat. Massive canyon walls surround the campground, the Virgin River runs right alongside many of the campsites, and the park shuttle is only a short walk away. It was the perfect place to slow down for a week and really experience Zion. The best part of it all, the kids had hours of entertainment in the virgin river playing as we sat with our lawn chairs cooling down after the long hot days of hiking.

Friday – Settling In

After getting the motorhome set up, we didn't waste any time heading down to the river. It was a hot afternoon, and the cool water felt amazing after traveling.

The kids immediately started exploring. They hopped from rock to rock, searched for little pools, and spent hours seeing what they could find along the riverbank. It's amazing how a simple river can entertain kids for hours.

Jessie and I were just as happy to sit back, enjoy the view, and watch them play. Towering sandstone cliffs surrounded us in every direction, and it was hard to believe this was our campground for the next week.

It was the perfect way to kick off our stay in Zion.

Saturday – The Narrows

The alarm went off early Saturday morning as our family of five caught one of the first shuttle buses into Zion Canyon. Riding the shuttle is an experience all by itself. The road is closed to private vehicles for most of the year, so everyone rides the park shuttle through the canyon.

The kids thought the shuttle ride was one of the coolest parts of the morning. Around every corner another massive cliff came into view. The morning light was just beginning to hit the tops of the canyon walls, creating beautiful shades of orange, red, and gold while the canyon floor was still cool and shaded. It felt like we were driving deeper into a completely different world.

We stayed on until the very last stop—Stop 9, the Temple of Sinawava.

From there, we followed the easy one-mile Riverside Walk to the entrance of The Narrows.

The Narrows is one of the most unique hikes anywhere in the National Park system. Instead of hiking on a trail, you hike directly up the Virgin River. In many places the canyon walls rise over a thousand feet above you while the river winds through the narrow opening below. The farther you go, the taller and closer the walls seem to become.

Before long, our shoes were soaked as we stepped into the cool water.

We made our way about a mile into The Narrows, taking our time and enjoying every minute of it. The kids absolutely loved it. They laughed with every slippery rock, searched for fish, and constantly looked up at the towering canyon walls above us.

Lincoln decided walking was overrated. More often than not, he chose to swim through the deeper sections instead, grinning from ear to ear the entire time. Watching him splash around without a care in the world was one of those moments I'll probably remember forever.

It was one of those hikes where the destination really didn't matter. Simply being there, surrounded by towering cliffs with cold water flowing around your legs, was pure bliss.

After hiking back out, we rode the shuttle to the campground, changed into dry clothes, and grabbed some lunch.

The afternoon temperatures climbed quickly, so there was only one logical place to be—the Virgin River.

The kids spent the afternoon swimming, floating, and playing in the water while Jessie and I sat in our lawn chairs along the riverbank, enjoying a rare chance to simply relax. Sometimes the best vacation memories aren't the big adventures, but the quiet afternoons where nobody is in a hurry and everyone is just happy.

Later that afternoon, Jessie checked his phone and found out he and Hudson had won the lottery for Angels Landing the following morning.

Excitement quickly replaced relaxation as we started getting everything ready for an early start. With an alarm set well before sunrise, we called it a night looking forward to what would surely be another unforgettable day in Zion.

Sunday – Two Different Adventures

Sunday morning started before the sun came up for Jessie and Hudson. They quietly headed out to catch one of the first shuttles after finding out the night before that they'd won an Angels Landing permit.

If you've ever looked into hiking in Zion, you know Angels Landing is a pretty big deal. It's one of the most famous hikes in the country, and for good reason. The climb is steep, the elevation gain is no joke, and the last half mile has hikers holding onto chains while walking along a narrow ridge with huge drop-offs on both sides. It's one of those hikes that takes preparation, a little courage, and a lot of determination. Reaching the top is something to be proud of, and both Jessie and Hudson absolutely crushed it. Jessie and I conquered this hike last year and I knew that Hudson must do it this year!

While the boys were off having their adventure, Macie, Lincoln, and I took a much slower start to the morning. I sat outside drank my coffee as the sun rose over the mountain, and the kids caught up on their sleep. Once Macie and Lincoln woke up, we rushed off to the trails. We took the shuttle to hike the Emerald Pools and Kayenta Trail.

I loved the slower pace of the morning. When we reached the waterfall at the Lower Emerald Pool, we just stopped. Water poured right out of the sandstone cliffs, and we stood there for several minutes just watching it. It's amazing how something so simple can leave you speechless. The kids thought it was the coolest thing, and honestly, so did I.

From there we continued along the Kayenta Trail toward The Grotto. Everywhere we looked there were incredible views of the canyon, the river below, and those massive cliffs Zion is known for. It wasn't a difficult hike, which made it perfect for enjoying the scenery instead of rushing to the finish.

Later that morning we met back up with Jessie and Hudson. They couldn't stop smiling. Hearing them talk about climbing the chains, standing on top of Angels Landing, and looking out over the entire canyon made it obvious just how special the experience had been.

The rest of the afternoon was exactly what we needed. We headed back to camp, changed into swimsuits, and spent hours cooling off in the Virgin River. Those afternoons sitting in lawn chairs while the kids play in the water have honestly become some of my favorite memories from this trip. Nobody is looking at the clock. Nobody is rushing to the next thing. We're just together.

That evening, the excitement around camp reached a whole new level.

Barrie and Keri were coming to spend the week with us, and the kids had been counting down the days. Around 7:00 that evening we got the call that they were only a few minutes away. The kids jumped on their bikes as fast as they could and raced to the campground entrance to meet them.

Seeing everyone pile out of the car for hugs and snuggles was one of those moments that reminds you what these trips are really about. We spent the rest of the evening sitting outside, talking, laughing, and catching up while the canyon slowly disappeared into the evening light.

It couldn't have been a better ending to the day.

Monday – Family Time

Monday was all about spending time with Nana and Grandpa.

The kids woke up early because they couldn't wait to head to their hotel in La Verkin for breakfast and swimming. They were staying about thirty minutes away, and it ended up being the perfect little getaway for the day.

After swimming, we introduced them to a couple of our favorite Zion traditions. First was Swig for drinks, and then we wandered through the Bumbleberry Gift Shop in Springdale. The kids loved showing Nana and Grandpa all the fun souvenirs and treats they'd been talking about.

We eventually made our way back to camp where, once again, everyone ended up in the Virgin River. I don't think any of us realized before coming here just how much time we'd spend sitting by that river. It quickly became our favorite place to relax every afternoon.

That evening we decided to drive through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and hike the Canyon Overlook Trail for sunset.

The drive alone is worth doing. The road climbs up a series of switchbacks carved into the cliffs before entering the historic tunnel through the mountain. Every turn seems to reveal another incredible view.

The hike itself isn't very long, but it might have some of the biggest views for the amount of effort. As we made our way across slickrock and along the canyon walls, we kept stopping to admire the scenery.

When we finally reached the overlook, we sat down and watched the sun slowly set over Zion Canyon. The cliffs glowed orange and pink, and for a while nobody really said much. It was one of those moments where pictures just don't do it justice.

Tuesday – Taking It All In

Tuesday wasn't about checking another hike off the list.

Instead, we decided to spend the day riding the shuttle from one end of the canyon to the other, hopping off at all the stops:

-Temple of Sinawava (Stop 9)-Riverside Walk- Views of the Virgin River and canyon walls

-Big Bend (Stop 8)- One of the most beautiful viewpoints, Great place for photos.

-Weeping Rock (Stop 7)-Scenic stop (trail access may vary).

-The Grotto (Stop 6)-Angels Landing trailhead, River views and picnic area.

-Zion Lodge (Stop 5)-Lunch, ice cream, restrooms, Emerald Pools trails.

-Court of the Patriarchs (Stop 4)-Short viewpoint walk.

-Canyon Junction (Stop 3)-Famous bridge viewpoint.

-Human History Museum (Stop 2)-Museum exhibits and excellent canyon views.

-Return to the Visitor Center (Stop 1).

One stop overlooked the winding Virgin River. Another gave us a closer look at the towering cliffs we'd been admiring all week. We wandered around Zion Lodge, grabbed lunch, watched deer grazing nearby, and simply enjoyed taking everything in.

Sometimes I think we get so focused on reaching the destination that we forget to enjoy the journey. This day reminded us to slow down.

Wednesday – A Break From Zion

As much as we loved Zion, it was nice to take a little break and explore somewhere new.

We drove up to Kolob Reservoir for a day of fishing.

The drive was beautiful. The hot desert slowly turned into cool mountain forests, and by the time we reached the reservoir the temperature had dropped quite a bit. A light rain moved through while we were there, making everything feel fresh and peaceful.

Even though nobody caught a fish, I don't think anyone really cared.

The kids explored the shoreline, we laughed, enjoyed the cooler weather, and simply spent time together.

On the way back we stopped at Pizza Wagon in Hurricane for wood-fired pizza and homemade lemonade. It was exactly what we needed after spending the day outside, and everyone agreed it was a great way to end the day.

Thursday – One More Trip Through The Narrows

Thursday was bittersweet because we knew the week was almost over.

There was just one thing left that we wanted Barrie and Keri to experience before they headed home.

The Narrows.

We made our way back to Stop 9, walked the Riverside Walk one last time, and stepped into the cool river.

Watching them experience The Narrows for the first time almost felt like seeing it through fresh eyes ourselves. Every corner brought another amazing view, another laugh, or another cold splash of water.

It really is one of those places everyone should experience at least once.

That evening we shared one last dinner together at camp. Good food, lots of stories, plenty of laughter, and one last evening sitting beneath those incredible canyon walls.

Friday – Until Next Time

Friday morning came way too fast.

As we packed up camp, I couldn't help but feel like we had just gotten here.

That's the thing about Zion.

No matter how many times we visit, it never feels like enough.

There's always another trail to explore, another sunset to watch, another afternoon sitting beside the river, or another memory waiting to be made. Every time we leave, somehow we love this place even more than when we arrived.

Before everyone headed their separate directions, we met Barrie and Keri one last time at In-N-Out Burger for lunch.

After lots of hugs and one final goodbye, it was time to continue our journey.

Looking back on the week, I don't think what I'll remember most are the famous hikes—although they were incredible.

I'll remember Lincoln swimming through The Narrows instead of walking.

I'll remember Hudson telling us stories about standing on top of Angels Landing.

I'll remember Macie standing in awe beneath the waterfall at Emerald Pools.

I'll remember afternoons by the Virgin River when nobody wanted to be anywhere else.

Most of all, I'll remember getting to experience all of it with the people I love.

Zion has a way of slowing you down. It reminds you to look up, breathe a little deeper, and appreciate just how beautiful God's creation really is.

It's one of those places that leaves a mark on your heart, and I know we'll keep coming back as long as we're able.

Until next time, Zion.

-Kayla