One of the best things about staying in the top hotels Zion has to offer is enjoying quick and easy access to this incredible national park. In fact, when you stay at our Zion Canyon lodge, you’ll be just over a half mile from the park’s South Entrance. That’s close enough to walk or to enjoy a short shuttle ride each day.
While you’ll certainly want to take in the many amenities at Flanigan’s Resort during your stay, like the pool, our on-site spa, and our delicious restaurant, you’ll no doubt also spend plenty of time in the park, or perhaps explore some of the other state and national parks located throughout Southern Utah.
One of the best things that you can do during these adventures and day trips is to make sure that you’re doing your part to preserve these incredible outdoor spaces. Keep reading to learn how you can practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace during your visit.
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
The first principle of “Leave No Trace” is to plan ahead and prepare for your trip before you ever arrive. What you need to do to follow this principle depends on the types of activities you plan to enjoy during your next visit.
For instance, if you plan to hike during your next visit to Zion, you’ll want to research trails ahead of time. Get an understanding of the lengths and difficulty ratings of various trails, as well as how the weather conditions might affect them. Always let someone at home know where you plan to hike and when. Plan to hike in a group—one that’s small enough to avoid crowding the trail.
Another way to plan ahead is to make sure that you have the right gear and clothing along with you. This includes plenty of water, the right shoes and clothing, a first aid kit, and other essentials.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
This next principle of Leave No Trace won’t apply if you have plans to stay in the best hotels Zion has to offer during your time in Southern Utah. But if you’re thinking about leaving our Zion Canyon lodge for a day or two to do some camping, you’ll need to know this principle.
No matter where you are camping, it’s important to make sure that you’re setting up your tent on a durable surface. Never alter the landscape in any way in order to make a campsite.
Part of this principle does still apply, even if you’re staying in Springdale hotels. When hiking, keep to the center of the trail, and never create your own trails. Stay on designated roadways and only park in designated spots. Driving, parking, and hiking in grass or on dirt and other surfaces can damage the plant and animal life that lives there. It can also contribute to erosion.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
Regardless of what you’re planning to bring with you into a national park during your stay in Springdale hotels, always follow this rule: pack it in, pack it out. From food scraps to plastic to paper, never toss trash in anything but a garbage can.
4. Leave What You Find
When you spot a flower blooming on the side of the trail or an interesting rock, it might be tempting to take it home as a souvenir. But in addition to being illegal, this also damages the delicate ecosystem around those items.
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
This is another principle that might not apply during your stay in the best hotels Zion has to offer.
A campfire is a great way to warm up on a cold night of camping, as well as to roast marshmallows or even cook your own dinner. But if you’re going to build a campfire, make sure that you’re following any posted rules, and that you’re minimizing the impact of your fire.
6. Respect Wildlife
Getting too close to wildlife isn’t just dangerous for the animal; it can also have deadly consequences for visitors. Tourists frequently discover that in Yellowstone, when seemingly gentle bison suddenly charge as people get too close.
In Zion, rock squirrels, which are frequently fed by tourists, may become accustomed to people. This causes them to get too close, which can end in a tourist getting bit.
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Leaving no trace doesn’t only apply to respecting animal and plant life in our national parks. It also means respecting other visitors.
Share the trail when hiking, moving to the right side to allow other visitors to get past in narrow spots. Talk in conversational voices to avoid disturbing the peace others are enjoying on trails and in picnic areas.
Planning a Responsible Stay in the Best Hotels Zion Has to Offer
If you’re planning to spend some time in Zion or other parks during your stay in Flanigan’s Resort, knowing the seven principles of Leave No Trace is a must. Even more important is putting these principles to work while you’re there!
Ready to start planning your own Southern Utah adventure? Book your next stay at Flanigan’s Resort today!