Fort Zion Gift Shop, Petting Farm, Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor
Fort Zion Gift Shop, Petting Farm, Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Restaurants
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Attractions
7 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
111 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
44
Average
14
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Alara
1 contribution
May 2022
I love this place! There is something around every corner. Turn left and you discover a western themed restaurant, turn right and you'll find Pappy, an old-timer who looked like a miner - he talks to you through a little booth, kind of like the Zoltar booth on the movie "Big". Tons of beautiful artisan Native American jewelry, lots of turquoise and other beautiful stones, plenty of cowboy hats and boots to buy, you can even get a walking stick, and I noticed the prices were affordable.
I also loved the little Western town outside, so fun to explore and take pictures of. The petting zoo area behind it was even more fun. LLamas, sheep, goats, horses, all super sweet and pettable. I made friends with a beautiful white llama, I named him "Star" due to his affinity for the camera. I swear he would look at me to make sure I was taking a picture of him, and then he would turn and do his pose, and then he would sneak a little look to make sure I was focusing on him. It was adorable. Also one of the bighorn sheep leaned his head against me, his big swirly horns just laying on my skin. What sweet and loving animals - they lifted my spirits and made me feel such happiness to see them enjoying all the attention.
Since we are locals, we will be visiting more. We live in the same county so it's a super short drive and it's so nice to get out of town and into nature. Oh, and the workers were so nice, helpful and friendly. They had just closed the restaurant but a kind man who worked there still went back and made me a root beer float (with homemade ice cream) that was criminally good. How thoughtful is that? This is a great place and we will definitely be back soon, I want to look more closely at the jewelry and connect again with the animals.
I also loved the little Western town outside, so fun to explore and take pictures of. The petting zoo area behind it was even more fun. LLamas, sheep, goats, horses, all super sweet and pettable. I made friends with a beautiful white llama, I named him "Star" due to his affinity for the camera. I swear he would look at me to make sure I was taking a picture of him, and then he would turn and do his pose, and then he would sneak a little look to make sure I was focusing on him. It was adorable. Also one of the bighorn sheep leaned his head against me, his big swirly horns just laying on my skin. What sweet and loving animals - they lifted my spirits and made me feel such happiness to see them enjoying all the attention.
Since we are locals, we will be visiting more. We live in the same county so it's a super short drive and it's so nice to get out of town and into nature. Oh, and the workers were so nice, helpful and friendly. They had just closed the restaurant but a kind man who worked there still went back and made me a root beer float (with homemade ice cream) that was criminally good. How thoughtful is that? This is a great place and we will definitely be back soon, I want to look more closely at the jewelry and connect again with the animals.
Written May 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jolene L
Grants Pass, OR130 contributions
Apr 2022
When going to the National Parks in Utah, I saw the gift shop and wanted to visit. The quirky cute buildings outside caught my eye. Inside the gift shop was items that you do not see in any other gift shop. Artisan Indian Jewelry was beautiful. Off to one side is an Ice Cream Parlor. The Ice Cream is made in house and was some of the best that I have ever eaten. Try the Prickly Pear Cactus Ice Cream. It is yummy. Definitely worth the stop.
Written April 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tin100tin
Los Angeles, CA206 contributions
Sep 2020 • Solo
I stopped in there for ice cream today and the lady who was scooping ice cream was not wearing a mask at all. Talking a lot while preparing my ice cream all while mask free. Now you have to wear a mask to go in the store, at least that’s what the sign said. But to me the weird thing is that this is a tourist place. Doesn’t look like locals really go so the people who run the store are getting exposed to the germs of people all over America. If it was just a by locals and for locals store, I don’t think it would be that big of a deal because the numbers here are pretty low. But I came from Los Angeles, I heard some New York accents, and I’m sure there’s representatives from many other states. I’m giving it three stars because the ice cream was good but I definitely won’t be going back in there. It’s a shame because they had some beautiful jewelry in there as well but I’m not going to give my money to people who are not following the law
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cyndi E
9 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Nice tourist attraction and stop. Had ice cream which was delicious but the gentleman serving it was great. Nice and friendly. The shop had lots of unique items to buy . There was a petting zoo for kids as well
Written September 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Roline K
Springdale, UT1 contribution
May 2014 • Business
I was absolutely appalled at the conditions of the petting zoo in this facility. The animals have very little shade. They are in small dusty miserable enclosures and apparently never have the freedom or pleasure of grazing freely in the fields around their enclosures. I am a regular at Zion park during all seasons and these poor creatures are always stuck in this pathetic excuse for an existance! The only difference being, that during 'off season' they don't even have the occasional visit from a tourist waving a carrot at them so they can get their picture taken! Apparently during the cold and very windy desert winter the animals still have no adequate shelter from the elements. Maybe the owners of this facility should try spending a day or two outside in the blazing sun or the ice cold wind and rain with nothing to do, no where to go and no way out! What a miserable existance!
I don't understand the need for a petting zoo in the middle of the desert!!!!!! Most of these animals are not indigenous to the area and most were not part of the "cowboy and forts' era.
Could it be that the owners aren't happy with the profits they already make from their gift store and restaurant and feel the 'greed' to exploit animals in their tourist business.
Come-on people really? You can go feed these poor critters a carrot (which ,by the way you had to purchase) and feel good about their pathetic existance and explotation????
As for the owners. If you must have a petting zoo then please make it more humane or better still just stick with the great little gift store, restaurant with awesome food and the wildwest buildings for drawing tourists and making profits. You already have a good thing going. Please leave the animals out of it.
I don't understand the need for a petting zoo in the middle of the desert!!!!!! Most of these animals are not indigenous to the area and most were not part of the "cowboy and forts' era.
Could it be that the owners aren't happy with the profits they already make from their gift store and restaurant and feel the 'greed' to exploit animals in their tourist business.
Come-on people really? You can go feed these poor critters a carrot (which ,by the way you had to purchase) and feel good about their pathetic existance and explotation????
As for the owners. If you must have a petting zoo then please make it more humane or better still just stick with the great little gift store, restaurant with awesome food and the wildwest buildings for drawing tourists and making profits. You already have a good thing going. Please leave the animals out of it.
Written May 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DisneyFan30
St. George, UT514 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
The fort & buildings looked adorable--wanted to stop and take some pictures on the way back from Zion. I love a good kitschy tourist stop. They charge a $1.00 per person to go into the petting zoo and then for carrots to feed the animals. They claim the money is used for the care of the animals. The animals were sadly neglected. Water covered in algae, or no water in their enclosures in the hot desert sun. Covered in flies & mangy coats
Written August 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
zipty22
Maryland625 contributions
Sep 2020 • Family
I bought some cactus jelly here, hope it tastes good there's a petting zoo in the back were you could feed the animals carrots and little forts to walk in and explore, great for kids.
Written September 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
krocking123
New York City, NY911 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
When traveling from Zion canyon to Bryce Canyon this is a fun little stop to get out and stretch. The grill was not open so we could not get food. We were to late in the day. They have what you would see in a trading post. Just this place has some cool buildings for photo ops outside. They charge you per person to go into the area with the little houses. Or just take a pick from the parking lot.
Written August 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Donna R
Reno, NV25 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
I found this on a "things to do" list. We stopped in and had a nice visit. The gift shop was large, with something for anyone on your souvenir list. Had burgers in the restaurant. Then, the real reason to stop. The animals!
We paid our entrance fee and bought some carrots. Enjoyed seeing and sharing the treats with the alpacas, donkeys, miniture horse. Simply cute to visit. Also a beautiful view all around, with a patio to sit and take it all in.
We paid our entrance fee and bought some carrots. Enjoyed seeing and sharing the treats with the alpacas, donkeys, miniture horse. Simply cute to visit. Also a beautiful view all around, with a patio to sit and take it all in.
Written June 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Deerumsuckers
Thousand Oaks, CA34 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
So yummy and fun to stop by and see the friendly people!!
Chicken dinner wild boar hot dogs
Prickly pear wild huckleberry homemade ice cream!
A must see and taste awesome!!
Chicken dinner wild boar hot dogs
Prickly pear wild huckleberry homemade ice cream!
A must see and taste awesome!!
Written September 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Fort Zion Gift Shop, Petting Farm, Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor (Virgin) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Zion Gift Shop, Petting Farm, Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor
- Fort Zion Gift Shop, Petting Farm, Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor is open:
- Sun - Sun 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Mon - Sat 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Hotels near Fort Zion Gift Shop, Petting Farm, Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor:
- (0.36 mi) Best Rental Casita Near Zion, Heated Pool! Peaceful & Quiet...Avoid the Crowds
- (1.55 mi) Zion River Resort RV Park & Campground
- (4.04 mi) The Dwellings
- (0.61 mi) Zion White Bison Resort
- (1.80 mi) Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Virgin Zion National Park
- Restaurants near Fort Zion Gift Shop, Petting Farm, Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor:
- (0.01 mi) Virgin Trading Post/Fort Zion
- (0.21 mi) Balcony One
- (0.21 mi) The Cactus Room Restaurant
- (3.97 mi) River Rock Roasting Company and Baked Goods
- (5.04 mi) Main Street Cafe