There’s no shortage of ways to spend your time at Water Canyon Resort. As one of the best luxury resorts Utah has to offer, it’s perfectly situated in Hildale, just above the border to Arizona. This means that popular destinations like Zion National Park, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, and more are located just a few hours’ drive away from our Canyon resort.
Looking to enjoy a wine tasting? You won’t have to travel to a St. George Utah winery with the brand-new Water Canyon Winery located right here in Hildale. There are also restaurants and stores, so you won’t even need to leave town during your stay.
Famous destinations like the Grand Canyon or Zion are popular day trips from our resort. But there’s much more to see. One destination that’s often overlooked is Pipe Springs National Monument. Keep reading to learn more about this unique park, and why you should plan a visit during your Canyon resort stay.
Pipe Springs National Monument
Located just 20 minutes south of Hildale and our Canyon resort is Pipe Springs National Monument. This unique national monument preserves the remnants of a once-thriving frontier settlement and offers visitors a glimpse of what life was like for Native American tribes and pioneers who once called this region home.
History of Pipe Springs National Monument
The history of Pipe Springs National Monument dates back thousands of years. For centuries, Native American tribes occupied the area. They came to the region for the natural springs, which helped to create arid land and attracted wildlife. They wouldn’t be the last people to settle here because of the easy access to fresh water.
A few thousand years after Native Americans first came to the region, the first pioneers arrived. In the mid-19th century, Mormon pioneers traveled to what is today northern Arizona. It was this group that gave Pipe Springs its name. The pioneers established a cattle ranch here. This early ranch was later raided by Native American tribes during the Black Hawk War. A fort was then established on the site, and the ranch was once again in operation. The fort and ranch became an outpost for travelers passing through the area.
Around the same time, the Paiute Native American tribe settled once more in the land around the ranch. By the late 1880s, the Mormon pioneers lost ownership of the ranch. In 1907, the land surrounding Pipe Springs became the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation. In 1923, the site of the ranch and fort was set aside as a national monument.
Visiting Pipe Springs National Monument Today
Today, Pipe Springs National Monument is dedicated to telling the story of both the early Native American tribes that lived in the area, and the Mormon pioneers who created the ranch.
There are a variety of ways to explore the national monument. Start your visit at the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians Visitor Center and Museum. Here, you can explore a variety of exhibits on the history of the Kaibab Paiutes and other nearby tribes, as well as of the Mormon settlers. There’s a 25-minute introductory video that provides an overview of the national monument’s history.
After checking out the museum, it’s time to visit the remnants of the fort. Called Winsor Castle, the fort can be accessed via a ranger-guided tour. These tours are available daily all year long. During the summer, you can also join additional ranger-guided talks and demonstrations, including demonstrations of Indian and pioneer crafts and tools.
Following your tour, you can also explore other parts of the national monument on your own. There are two preserved cabins that each have exhibits about preservation and the life of western cowboys. Stepping inside these cabins during your stay in one of the best luxury resorts Utah has to offer can make it tough to imagine what these early settlers experienced! Pioneer and Native American crops still grow in the gardens. There’s even an orchard that you wander, as well as corrals with horses and cattle.
You can enter the Visitor Center and Museum for free. Exploring the grounds or visiting Winsor Castle costs $10 per person. You can also use your America the Beautiful Interagency Pass to waive this fee.
Choosing the Best Luxury Resorts Utah Has to Offer
If you’re looking for a unique day trip during your stay in one of the best luxury resorts Utah has to offer, Pipe Springs National Monument can be a good choice. This monument is often overlooked by visitors, but is a great spot to learn more about the groups that once lived in the region and the challenges that they faced. Located just 20 minutes from Water Canyon Resort, you can visit this national monument for a quick morning or afternoon adventure, and make it back to your Hildale cabin for an afternoon of relaxation.
Ready to start planning your next Hildale adventure? Now is a great time! Right now, when you book a stay of three or more nights, you’ll enjoy a 25 percent discount on your booking. Book today to take advantage of these savings!