Reflections on a 2nd Volunteer Stint in Zion National Park
Zion National Park … still as beautiful as we remembered!
We’ve enjoyed our time as Watchman Campground hosts, helping campers and visitors get the most out of their park experience. And in our off time, we were fortunate to be able to experience Zion in a deeper way — seeing it in the morning and at night, in all sorts of weather, and hiking (almost) all the day-hike trails.
We hosted guests, and got to experience anew the splendor of the park through their eyes.
As campground hosts, we’ve come to appreciate the friendship, comraderie and support we found working with 8 other volunteer hosts over the past 3 months.
Yes, Zion is crowded at times (visitations up 10%, to 590,000 in May 2025 vs May 2022) …
… which only increased our appreciation of the less crowded spaces and trails, e.g. East Zion washes …
… the newly found 9-to-6 trail, the Observation Point via East Mesa trail, the West Rim trail, the Northgate trail on Kolob Terrace, bike rides up the Scenic Drive in Zion Canyon early in the morning, and the Watchman trail in the evening.
Zion National Park remains a national treasure, and we still love volunteering with the NPS.
We’re leaving, having completed our 2 month assignment as campground hosts. Zion will always have a special place in our memories.
Thank you so much for your posts, not just in Zion, but at all of the parks in which you are volunteering or visiting. That said, and I realize this is a somewhat trite sentiment, Zion is my favorite NP of those I’ve visited so far, and it has been so much fun to relive my own visit vicariously through you. Looking forward to where your adventures take you next!