I love visiting Zion in the fall. We don’t really get a real autumn in Las Vegas most of the time, so when the “ber” months start, many locals head to Mt. Charleston for day tripsday trips or to Zion for weekend getaways. Springdale, Utah, is only about 2.5 hours from Las Vegas, so it’s the perfect getaway when Las Vegans want real fall weather.
Last fall we were invited to visit Flanigan’s Resort & Spa in Springdale, and it was the perfect opportunity to make our fall pilgrimage to Utah. The resort is stunning, and it’s an amazing destination for a wellness-focused weekend of hiking and exploring the parks. We were booked into a High Desert King room, which is designed to look like a little cabin with their own front patio and backyard. My only gripe was that parking can be a little difficult to find close to your room—but there was always a space somewhere on the property!
Inside Our Room at Flanigan’s Resort & Spa
The room was gorgeous. It had high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, a deep soaking tub, a rainfall showerhead, and even a small kitchen-esque area with a sink, coffee maker, and fridge. The bathroom was also large and open (aside from the necessities), and it fit the room’s open layout. The Southwest Botanical Bath products smelled amazing, and while I rarely use hotel tubs, I definitely used the soaking tub and the bath salts the hotel provides (I may have also gotten a couple more from housekeeping).
On-Site Wellness & Hidden Sunset Views
Flanigan’s Resort & Spa also has a labyrinth for quiet meditation, and it offers guided yoga classes. We checked out the labyrinth out of mere curiosity but discovered an amazing view of the whole town from the top! It’s a great place to see the town as the sun sets! Just bring shoes with good traction for the short hike to the top! It’s a beautiful, quiet spot to reflect on your day in Zion.
Dining at The Spotted Dog
Long before I had even heard of Flanigan’s Resort & Spa, I had heard of The Spotted Dog. This restaurant is one of the most recommended spots in Springdale, and for good reason—it’s AMAZING. I had visited once a decade before and loved it—I ordered the same dish this time, and it was just as delicious. Make sure to book a reservation—this restaurant gets PACKED because it’s outstanding.
Exploring Grafton Ghost Town & Zion Mt. Carmel Highway
On our first day in Springdale, we visited Grafton Ghost Town on the way in. This little historic spot requires a bit of a drive on an unpaved road, and you’ll want to be careful if it’s recently rained since it is a flood zone. That said, you’ll find stunning views here, and it was a filming location for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid! You can actually safely explore the buildings since the town is very well preserved.
After Grafton Ghost Town, we still had quite a while before we could check into our hotel, so we stopped at Whiptail Grill for lunch (delicious shrimp quesadilla), then headed to the Zion Mt. Carmel Highway to enjoy views of Zion from above. This drive can be a little nerve-racking if you are afraid of heights, but the views are phenomenal and more than worth it!
Navigating Zion National Park Shuttles
During busier seasons, you can’t just drive around the rest of Zion National Park. You actually have to either park inside the national park and take the shuttle, or catch the Springdale shuttle in town and transfer to the park shuttle. One of the best parts of Flanigan’s Resort & Spa is that it is right across the street from a shuttle stop. We grabbed breakfast at Oscar’s Cafe first and then headed into the park for some morning views. We even spotted a bit of wildlife from the park shuttles, which ranged from fairly empty to packed.
Trail Highlights & Celeb Sightings in Zion
We hit multiple scenic spots, including the Court of the Patriarchs, the Grotto, Weeping Rock, and the Temple of Sinawava. We even did a little of the trail up to Angel’s Landing (you need a permit for this one, and I’m too chicken to try), and the views from partway up were already phenomenal, plus we accidentally ran into one of my favorite actors from 24 on the trail!
Overall, our visit was more than successful—we loved the room and the whole resort, the food around town was delicious, and we couldn’t have asked for better weather. Zion is always a favorite no matter how often I visit, and Flanigan’s Resort & Spa made this past trip even more amazing!
