The Smithsonian Retreat with Zion Skyline views

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Entire home hosted by Frank And Nicole

14 guests
4 bedrooms
8 beds
4 baths

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An unbelievable launch pad or just-stay-around-home pad for your exploration of Southern Utah, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon. Amazing views of Zion National Park from the south, Smithsonian Butte and Gooseberry Mesa from the west. Take day trips to some of earth's most majestic sites or stay home and enjoy the giant playroom, private tennis court, or gorgeous views. There is easy access to vast federal lands from this unparalleled property.

The space
This house is eccentric and absolutely remarkable, and the views are breathtaking! The red adobe style gives it the perfect desert feel, but the solid log beams, wood room and ceilings give it a warm and rustic feeling on the inside. With four bathrooms, four dedicated bedrooms, and one semi-bedroom with a pull-out sofa, you can bring a few families or just a large group of friends. And even though some of earth's most exotic geological features are a short drive away, you may not want to leave this memorable vista.

The house offers a massive gameroom, complete with pool table, shuffleboard, foosball, and air hockey. Attached to this space is a carpeted TV room with an xbox for video games, complete with a pull-out sofa for extra bedding. But that's just the start of what makes this home an ideal western retreat.

Enjoy the well-lit private tennis court just above the house looking right at Smithsonian Butte which also has a two hoop basketball court. Enjoy the mesa top breezes from the covered front porch or patio area just outside the front entrance on our comfortable outdoor gathering furniture. Also, take the group or family out for a round of beach volleyball on the regulation size sand court.

We have made some significant enhancements this past year starting with the addition of a massive front Trex deck off the front porch. We just had Fiber Optic brought to the house for wifi speeds of over 100M up and down constantly covering the house with a G00gle Mesh wifi system. Stream your favorite Netflix shows or watch Live TV (50 Live Channels) with HULU. The kitchen has also seen some new additions such as a crock pot and blender.

But the location and the views may be the stand-out feature. From the front, you are looking at the south of Zion and the entrance to Zion Canyon, arguably the prettiest place on earth. Straight ahead is the majestic Smithsonian Butte, across a bit of ranch land and virtually unlimited federal land, dirt roads, campsites and trails. As the home sits on a rock mesa in the middle of the small community of Apple Valley, you can walk to any edge and see the valley and town below.

It's hard to imagine a more ideal hub for your exploration of southern Utah and northern Arizona, including a short jaunt to Zion National Park, and within 2 hours of the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Anetlope Canyon, Bryce Canyon and just a bit further to Capital Reef National Park. Jacob's lake, just above Grand Canyon's North Rim is under an hour away, while the exotic waves of Snow Canyon Park is roughly a thirty minute drive. Pine Valley, Brian Head, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument are just east of Kanab, an easy hour's drive. Hurricane and St. George are your closest full-service towns. This house is a real western retreat, comfortable yet rustic, with panoramic views and a central location to natural wonders.

Where you'll sleep

Bedroom 1

1 queen bed

Bedroom 2

2 double beds, 2 single beds

Bedroom 3

1 queen bed, 1 single bed

What this place offers

Kitchen

Wifi

Free parking on premises

Pets allowed

TV with standard cable

Washer

Dryer

Air conditioning

Security cameras on property

Unavailable: Carbon monoxide alarm

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Guests

1 guest

4.91 out of 5 stars from 236 reviews

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Location

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Where you’ll be

Apple Valley, Utah, United States

Apple Valley is a small farming community east of Hurricane, and just south of Zion National Park. It is rural, but less than ten miles from the shops, restaurants and grocery stores of Hurricane. There is a Costco roughly 20 minutes away in St. George. Outside noise must be quieted to talking after ten PM. The location of the home, atop the town on a cul-de-sac make our home unsuitable for large events.

The house sits by ranch land which borders vast federal lands used for ATVs, camping, hiking, and climbing. If you have a 4wd vehicle, you can take the federal dirt roads from Apple Valley to Rockville, just a few miles from the gates of Zion National Park. The distance from the house to the park gates is roughly 14 miles this route, but most travelers opt for the paved highway through Hurricane to access Zion.

Bryce Canyon: 120 miles
Grand Canyon: 117 miles
Lake Powell: 120 miles
Antelope Canyon: 125 miles
Snow Canyon State Park: 38 miles
Pine Valley: 64 miles
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: 50 miles
Brian Head Ski Resort: 82 miles
Las Vegas, Nevada: 149 miles
St. George, Utah: 30 miles
Jacob Lake, AZ: 73 miles
Capitol Reef National Park: 131 miles
Lake Mead, NV: 132 miles

Hosted by Frank And Nicole

Joined in May 2015

4,981 Reviews
Identity verified
Superhost

We have loved world travels our entire life though as parents of 8 kids, we move more between TN and Utah, our two family homes, than anywhere else. Frank is an entrepreneur and business owner, lover of history, plants, nature, his faith, philosophy, and our family. Nicole, who stays home to manage our large family and the properties enjoys being in nature, bird watching, trail running with our dogs, date nights with Frank, cuddling with our little ones and cats, conversations with the older kids, studying Gods word, and coffee talks with friends. She loves her Heavenly Father, her family, coffee, and wishing she did not love so much sugar! We love Chattanooga and Southern Utah for too many reasons to list, but also cherish variety and the beauty so many places in the world have to offer.

As hosts, Nicole is home a lot during the day when not out in the community serving and we live on the property, So you will find us responsive, accommodating, and eager to share the treasures of our town and learn the treasures of your own. We know the trails, many waterfalls, parks, restaurants, and attractions of Chattanooga quite well and are willing to be a resource for our guests, offering an intimate knowledge of our home areas of East TN and Southern Utah.

As a traveler, on business I tend to work, read and rest if I can, and prefer to travel with associates or family when I can. As a vacationer, I am eager to share and celebrate the diversity of creation and humanity with my family and to give them an explorers heart, a warmth for difference, and a bit of zeal for travel too. I prefer National Parks to cities, but cities carry their own attraction. I prefer mountains to beaches, forests to fields, and local to corporate or suburban.

We have loved world travels our entire life though as parents of 8 kids, we move more between TN and Utah, our two family homes, than anywhere else. Frank is an entrepreneur and b…

Co-hosts

D.D.

During your stay

My wife and I are always available to help, advise, share insight on the area and assist in any way; however, if you are here we're in another state. Should there be any issues we have cleaning, maintenance and co-hosting services nearby for quick response.

My wife and I are always available to help, advise, share insight on the area and assist in any way; however, if you are here we're in another state. Should there be any issues we…