Zion National Park is full of mysteries and history that most visitors never get to see. In this video, Zion Glamping Adventures took me on an epic UTV ride through the backcountry to uncover some of Zion’s best-kept secrets, including a wild piece of history—the Pony Express Mail Drop. This isn’t your average history lesson; this place has stories that go way beyond what you’d expect.
Long before settlers showed up, this land was home to ancient indigenous cultures. The Ancestral Puebloans and Fremont people left their mark here with petroglyphs and ruins, and later, the Paiutes called this place home. They didn’t just live here; they thrived. To them, these cliffs and canyons weren’t just beautiful—they were sacred.
Fast forward to the mid-1800s, and the settlers rolled in, founding the little town of Springdale in 1862. They worked hard to make a life in this harsh, beautiful place, farming along the Virgin River. But the real grit belongs to the Pony Express riders.
The Pony Express Mail Drop isn’t just a name—it’s a crazy piece of history. Imagine riding hundreds of miles through sand and heat, your horse worn out, only to reach a 1,000-foot cliff. That’s where the riders had to stop, swap horses, and figure out how to get the mail down the cliff. Their solution? Saddle bags tied to a rope, lowered carefully to the valley below. From there, the mail continued on its journey. It’s one of those stories that makes you realize how determined people were back then, no matter the odds.
Today, Zion is known for its stunning red cliffs and slot canyons, but its history runs just as deep as its landscapes. From the ancient cultures who first called this place home to the settlers and Pony Express riders who pushed the limits, every corner of Zion has a story waiting to be told.
Come along as we dig into the Secrets of Zion. This adventure isn’t just about the views—it’s about connecting with the stories that make this place one of a kind.
