Yes. You will need to purchase a pass to drive into and through the National Park to get to Zion Mountain Ranch. We recommend buying a Standard Pass, which lasts for 1-7 days A standard pass is $35 per vehicle.
https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/fees.htm#spci_69CC4D84-AA81-892B-102E62234415886C
Zion Mountain Ranch has a restaurant on-site! Check out Cordwood and enjoy a bison burger + locally sourced veggies while enjoying a view of the sweeping plains and a glass of wine.
Hours of Operation:
7 AM–2 PM; 5–10 PM (Every day of the week)
Observation Point! It’s a moderate-difficulty out-and-back hike with minimal elevation changes. It’s about 7 miles round-trip, but mostly flat throughout. It typically takes about 4 hours total. The view at the end is a breathtaking reward for hikers of all experience + fitness levels.
Embrace the West! You can book activities through Zion Mountain Ranch! Horseback riding, bike rentals, guided hikes, jeeping, and canyoneering await you: https://www.zmr.com/activities/
For quick trips + cool stuff to see about 45 minutes (or less) away from Zion Mountain Ranch, we also recommend:
- Belly of the Dragon in Kanab
- The Kanab Sand Caves
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes
It's definitely encouraged! But not make-or-break. You can still navigate around in a sedan if you're feeling adventurous.