Zion`s Rustic Cabin

Please say hello to Zion’s Rustic Cabin.
Zion National Park has been a destination of ours for many years and not too long ago a chance invitation brought us to this cabin for a one night stay. The cabin is just over the eastern border of the park. We had a lovely evening and the next morning we learned that the cabin was for sale! One impulse buy later and I found myself sleeping in my own cabin with an experience that didn’t measure up: Rustic One Star.
Our impulse buy soon morphed into a project, and we’ve been coming down from Alaska twice a year to work on the cabin. Shacks were torn down and junk hauled away. We did some carpentry, painted the cabin. Water (cold water for washing) was made to run out the kitchen faucet. The wood stove was repaired to keep the place from burning down. The kerosene lamps were upgraded to use odorless fuel. We installed Goal Zero solar panels for LED lighting and cell phone charging. Trav’ler, our three burner propane stove is cooking again. Trav’ler has an oven but if you succeed in baking a cake, that would be a first.
These improvements in my view deserve at least a Rustic 2 Star rating. And the indoor bathroom has a brand new toilet which should take it to a three or even four! But only guests get to award stars, and we hope your stay will be better than you expect. We strive to keep the place clean. No maid service, but the dishes and mattresses are acceptable to most. Please bring your own sleeping bag and toiletries. We provide extra blankets
Our main opponent in the crusade for cleanliness could be the Plume Tailed Pocket Mouse, Perognathus formosus formosus, long time residents of Zion National Park. These are worthy adversaries, cute but messy, and can squeeze through the smallest opening. Zion Rustic Cabin has bigger openings than that and we try not to attract them so no cookie crumbs on the floor please
We recently completed our latest improvement, a hardwood parquet floor in the front room. My brother in law spent many days sanding it and finishing it but I laid the pieces down in a herringbone pattern, like the French workers did in the Versaille Palace. It's the most palatial thing about Zion Rustic Cabin.

About the location

Zion`s rustic cabin is situated on a one acre lot with Zion National Park just over the back fence. The crowds flock to Zion Canyon, but the high desert ranch land to the east of the Park is more to our liking.

Wild turkeys roost in the Ponderosa pines. Deer and coyotes cross the lot regularly. We set out a bird bath that gets regular visits from Western Bluebirds and Spotted Towhees.

Also within walking distance is the remarkable trail network that the National Park Service has created. Cable mountain is an easy four mile walk featuring spectacular views of Zion Canyon and all those tourists way down below. Observation point (6 miles) is a bit more strenuous and crosses just above a slot canyon that descends to the Zion Valley. The Deer Trap Mountain trail also ends with a birdseye view over the Virgin River and the Park Entrance.

If your tastes are more upscale, the landmark Zion Ponderosa Ranch and Resort offers a restaurant, tennis courts, jeep rides, and more. We pay the ranch an annual maintenance fee so we ( and you as well ) can use their showers and swimming pool.

Type of swap

  • Home Exchange
  • Non Simultaneous Exchange
  • Housesitting Wanted
  • Open to Offers
  • Long Term Exchange

Conditions of exchange

  • No pets allowed
  • Children welcome

Zion National Park (HE40808)

Utah,   USA

  • 1 bed   (sleeps 6) 1 bath

Preferred destinations

  • Open to offers
  • Europe
  • Austrailia
We are open to offers, but especially interested in Southern Germany, Spain, or Perth Australia for some reason.

Dates available

Open to offers

Swap duration: Open to offer

Meet the member

Adults: 2      Children: 0
Experienced Exchanger

Membership expiry date: 16 Oct 2025