High on the Markagunt Plateau, along the eastern border of Utah’s Zion National Park, rests what may be one of the most scenic family resorts in the western United States: Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. I had the opportunity to discover this special place when I was invited to be part of an accessibility research group on a four-day outing. 

Accessible Destination
The trip was a project of the University of Utah Department of Parks and Recreation to gather research on the topic of accessibility and inclusion in travel destinations.  There were about 18 people on the trip, including about 12 of us with disabilities, ranging from spinal cord injuries to cerebral palsy. Most were in wheelchairs, but some, like me, had limited walking capabilities. The rest of the group consisted of University of Utah researchers. 

Adaptable Activities
We spent four days experiencing the many activities available to us, from archery to horseback riding, to ATV tours, and more. Additionally, we spent several hours in discussion groups, exploring the concept of inclusion in recreation. I won’t go into detail about the research now but will report on that in another article. For this article, I want to focus on the destination itself: its beauty, amenities, and accessibility. 

First of all, even though it has been a while since our visit, the magnificence of the landscape is still vivid in my mind. Spectacular, inspiring, breathtaking—you pick the adjective. From rose-colored dawn to blazing sunset, the senses are bombarded with one memorable vista after another.  

History of Zion National Park
Zion National Park is Utah’s oldest, having been designated by President Taft in 1919. Protected within its 229 square miles is a spectacular cliff-and-canyon landscape and wilderness full of the unexpected, including the world’s largest arch, Kolob Arch, which has a span that measures 310 feet. 

The Resort
Zion Ponderosa Ranch is a full-service family resort located on a high plateau overlooking the eastern boundary. The resort consists of a main lodge with several restaurants, a small convenience store, and a gift shop. A variety of lodging options are available, from rustic “Cowboy Cabins” to luxurious (and large) vacation homes.

It also has a new, two-tiered, gravity-edge swimming pool; basketball and tennis courts; a recreation barn with an indoor-outdoor climbing wall; beach volleyball; ATV tours—the activity list is endless. There’s also an archery range, rifle range, zip line, and more. And all of these were accessible to those with disabilities who wanted to participate.

One of the highlights of the experience was a guided ATV tour that we took, including several in our group who were paraplegic. The tour was safe, fun, and breathtaking. We were guided to a spectacular overlook, where we could see across hundreds of miles of Zion’s landscape. Extraordinary!

Our guide, a young woman who was studying Recreational Therapy at the University of Utah, was knowledgeable, patient, and very capable. Maybe the fact that we were there to assess their readiness to accommodate people with disabilities was a factor, but I don’t think so. The entire staff, from front desk to housekeeping, was cordial, friendly, and professional. The recreation supervisors and assistants were well trained, capable, and fun to be with. All in all, it was a very enjoyable experience. 

Location, Location, Location
Zion Ponderosa Ranch is located in the southwestern portion of Utah, about four hours south of Salt Lake City and three hours north of Las Vegas. The resort is 75 minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park and two hours north of the Grand Canyon, providing an amazing variety of additional scenic opportunities.

For more information about this all-inclusive and accessible family vacation destination, visit www.zionponderosa.com.