The Heart of the Mighty 5: Our Summer in Zion

One of amazing stops on of our massive Summer 2025 Road Trip covering Utah’s "Mighty 5" and the Grand Canyon; expectations for Zion National Park were high. Yet, looking back, it wasn't just another stop on the map; it was the place where we felt the most connected to the landscape. Parking our camper van at the base of those towering cliffs, we found a perfect mix of adventure and convenience.

Life at Watchman Campground

We stayed at Watchman Campground, and it was the perfect home base. It’s rare to find a National Park campground that feels this wild yet is so convenient. We loved how the mule deer would casually wander right through our site in the evenings, unbothered by our presence. The location was unbeatable. We were nestled right inside the park with views of the Watchman spire, but the town of Springdale was just a short walk across the river. Being able to pop over to the city for supplies or a treat, then immediately return to the solitude of our campsite, made the logistics of van life so much easier.

Two-Wheeled Freedom

The smartest decision we made was bringing the e-bikes. While the park shuttles are great, having the bikes gave us total independence. The kids absolutely loved the freedom of navigating along the Pa’rus Trail and up the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive without waiting in lines. We rode all the way to the end of the canyon, the Temple of Sinawava. Feeling the wind as we cruised beneath the Great White Throne and Angels Landing was one of many highlights of the summer. It turned the journey into an adventure, not just a commute.

Walking on Water

At the Temple of Sinawava, we traded our wheels for water shoes to tackle The Narrows. Hiking in the Virgin River was unlike anything else we did on the road trip. In the summer heat, the cool water was a relief. We didn't do the whole 16 miles, but hiking bottom-up into the slot canyon, with walls closing in and towering a thousand feet above us, was an experience the kids are still talking about.

The Scenic Exit

When we weren't in the canyon, we were driving above it. The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway was a drive we’ll never forget. Navigating the camper van up the switchbacks and through the historic 1.1-mile tunnel (which feels like a portal to another world) was thrilling. We made plenty of stops for photos, near Checkerboard Mesa, marveling at how the landscape changed from sheer cliffs to twisted slickrock.

The Verdict

Zion offered us something that many parks don't: a perfect blend of accessibility and wildness. Between the e-bike freedom, the deer in our "backyard," and the epic canyon walls, it set the bar incredibly high for the rest of our road trip.

Utah Destinations

Arches National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Dead Horse Point State Park

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Zion National Park