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Itinerary
When you stay at the Pinewoods Resort at Duck Creek Village you are uniquely positioned to experience the scenic wonders of the region. Pinewoods Resort lies between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park and day trips to both locations are easily accomplished. Travel to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is also easily accomplished in a day trip. Also nearby is the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Scenic Byway 12 (All American Road), Navajo Lake, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Brian Head Resort and much more. The following itineraries offer many days of excitement. So you may come to the Pinewoods Resort and just relax in the Dixie National Forest or you may venture off on short day trips.  Day 1 and Day 2 – Visit local attractions in the area such as Cascade Falls, Mammoth Caves, The Ice Caves, Navajo Lake, Rainbow Point or walk any number of trails along the Virgin River Rim. You may also mountain bike along many trails or rent ATV’s in the summer or Snowmobiles in the winter. Many of the snowmobile trails are groomed and you may travel for many miles through the forest. In high snow years you may venture out over the lava fields to ride a snowmobile on wide open rolling hills. At Brian Head Resort you can rent Mountain Bikes (in the summer) and ride a large network of trails. You can even put your bike on a ski lift to the top of a mountain and ride downhill through the forest. At Cedar Breaks you can view the formations of the Markagaunt Plateau. It is much like Bryce Canyon. From here you can circle south and then east on highway 14 to see overlooks toward Zion National Park. You’ll pass Navajo Lake, which sits like a jewel in a mountain valley. You can take an easy walk to Cascade Falls and see where water seeps from the side of the mountain and literally cascades into the upper Virgin River. The Virgin is the river that has carved Zion National Park. Ask us for directions to some of these places that are just off the beaten path. Day 3 - Zion National Park: Travel just 10 minutes on scenic highway 14 to scenic highway 89. Go south just 20 minutes to Mount Carmel Junction and turn West (right) toward Zion National Park. Drive just 15 more minutes to the upper entrance of the park. You are near the top of Zion National Park and this upper end has a very different terrain than the lower areas. Stop at such view areas as Checkerboard Mesa and then park near the entrance of the Zion Tunnel and take a leisurely walk to the Blind Arch overlook. The mile-long tunnel in Zion goes right through the side of the mountain. You’ll enjoy driving slowly through the tunnel because there are windows in several intervals that look out onto Zion National Park. Once you exit the tunnel you will follow a very scenic drive down into the valley of Zion National Park where your elevation will be approximately 4,000 feet. From April to October a shuttle runs from the town of Springdale and takes you into the main canyon. This shuttle is your only access into the canyon during these months, so park your car in Springdale and jump on the shuttle. This will take you to any number of scenic stops. You may wish to take walks to Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock and the "Narrows" via the trail that begins at the Temple of Sinewava. Also stop at the turnout to shoot photos of the park’s most famous formation "The Great White Throne." For more adventurous hikers we can tell you more about "Angel’s Landing" and other backcountry adventures. Day 4 – Bryce Canyon National Park: Follow Scenic Highway 14 to 89 but turn north this time. Drive 20 minutes to Scenic Byway 12. Pass through Red Canyon and enjoy many Bryce like views as you drive. Fifteen minutes up the road you will turn right on highway 63. Go three miles to the entrance gate where you will be given a map of the park. Just past the main gate you can stop at the visitor center and view the various displays on the geology and other information about the park. Drive to some of the overlooks. The main road in Bryce Canyon goes from the Gate on the North for 20 miles to the South end of the park. There are many places to stop and take photos in Bryce Canyon National Park. If you enjoy walking then there are many trails that lead from the top of the park down in and among the formations. As you stop at the overlooks you will be looking to the East into the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and across the Bryce Valley toward Powell Point which rises to over 10,000 feet. Depending on the season you can enjoy many activities near the park – such as rodeos, entertainment, horseback riding, helicopter rides, etc. If you have time you can go further venture past Bryce Canyon to Kodachrome Basin State Park for the afternoon. This is a magical place with unique formations. Day 5 – Grand Canyon North Rim: The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is just 2.5 hours drive to the south. The drive is spectacular as you pass by Coral Pink Sand Dunes, the western town of Kanab and then make your way up onto the Kaibab Plateau and through the dense forest of Ponderosa Pines. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way. Coral Pink Sand Dunes is just a short drive off Highway 89 (7 miles) and offers beautiful views of reddish colored sand dunes. Kanab is a historic town and one where over 100 western movies were filmed in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Stop by the Frontier Movie Town to see old movie sets used by John Wayne and other famous men of the movie west. The north rim of the Grand Canyon is higher than the south rim and it is said that the views are more spectacular. You’ll need your camera and plenty of film or disk space on your new digital camera. The drive back from the north Rim is spectacular, as you’ll be treated to views of the Grand Staircase. Vermilion Cliffs, White Cliffs and Pink Cliffs will be visible in the distance, each one stair-stepping up and above the other. Day 6 – Fishing: Enjoy more scenery and adventure in the area or try your hand at fishing. In the summer months at Navajo Lake and Panguitch Lake you can rent boats and fishing gear to fish for some big trout. Both lakes are easily accessible. Travel to Panguitch Lake is on a beautiful paved mountain road (the word Panguitch means – "Big Fish"). There are stores and restaurants for lunch or dinner and supplies. In the winter months you can try your hand at ice fishing. Many of the streams in the area are also great for fishing. These are high mountain streams and the settings are cool and scenic. Lake or stream you may come home with dinner or simply enjoy the catch and release.
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