For Immediate Release
Photos Available
ZION NATIONAL PARK, May 4, 2009 – Between celebrating its centennial year as a National Park Service entity and higher room availability than in recent years, this is an exceptionally good year to visit Zion National Park.
A decline in the lodge’s advance reservations has created opportunities throughout the summer for vacationers to find accommodations. According to Zion Lodge operator Xanterra Parks & Resorts, travelers are planning their vacations later than ever.
“This is great news for the traveler who, like many of us, is just now getting around to actually making firm plans for that summer vacation,” said Trina L. Smith, regional general manager for Zion and Bryce Canyon Lodges.
Zion Canyon was designated Mukuntuweap National Monument July 31, 1909 by President William Howard Taft. On November 19, 1919 the United States Congress added land to the monument and designated it Zion National Park.
Under the direction of famed architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood working for the Union Pacific Railroad’s Utah Parks Company, Zion Lodge was built in 1925. The original lodge burned in 1965 and was immediately rebuilt. In 1990 the lodge was restored to its original form. With 81 rooms and 40 historic cabins, the lodge is situated on the east side of Zion Canyon an easy shuttle ride from the park’s world-famous hiking trails.
“The spectacular natural features of this park have made it a tremendously popular destination through the years,” said Smith. “Ever since it opened Zion Lodge has also been very well-loved by visitors from around the world who come for the hiking, slot canyons, sightseeing and breathtaking views.”
In addition to the rooms and cabins, Zion Lodge operates a restaurant, café and gift shop. For reservations, go to www.zionlodge.com or call 1-303-29-PARKS (1-303-297-2757) or toll-free at 1-888-29-PARKS (1-888-297-2757).
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Xanterra Parks & Resorts® (consisting of Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Inc. and Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C.) operates lodges, restaurants and other concessions at national parks and state parks and resorts. Xanterra Parks & Resorts is the country’s largest park concessioner. Xanterra operates concessions in the following locations: Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Crater Lake, Death Valley, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial; and at the Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif.; and eight Ohio State Parks. Its affiliate Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C. operates concessions at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Xanterra also operates the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Ariz.
Long committed to the preservation and protection of the environment, Ecologix, Xanterra Parks & Resorts’ environmental program, includes a variety of proactive environmental stewardship programs in each location. Xanterra has been repeatedly recognized for its environmental leadership in the hospitality industry and is the recipient of many honors, including major awards from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, Travel Industry Association, Colorado Department of Public Health, State of Arizona, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Utah Department of Environmental Quality.
For more information about Xanterra, links to individual properties and reservations numbers, visit www.xanterra.com.
Media contact:
Mona Mesereau
(1) 720-842-5271
mona_mesereau@msn.com