Cabin

FreeSpirit Cabin| Your Zion National Park Retreat

Cabin in Mount Carmel with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for FreeSpirit Cabin| Your Zion National Park Retreat

Outdoor dining
Interior
Property grounds
Living area
Exterior

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 446.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Laundry
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Zion National Park
  • Place, Zion National Park East Entrance
  • Place, The Narrows

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Sofa Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

FreeSpirit Cabin| Your Zion National Park Retreat

Experience the magic of Zion National Park at FreeSpirit cabin, perched on the East Rim amidst a forest of Ponderosa, Juniper, and Pinion Pine. This historic 1930s cabin offers a perfect blend of rustic charm and modern comfort, ideal for those seeking to unplug and reconnect with nature. With world-class hiking trails at your doorstep and breathtaking views all around, FreeSpirit cabin provides the ultimate "roughing it easy" getaway in the heart of Utah's spectacular wilderness.

Step into FreeSpirit cabin and feel the weight of the world slip away. This cozy retreat, once nicknamed the "John Wayne cabin," has a rich history that adds to its unique charm. Built in 1931 at the Parry Lodge in Kanab, Utah, it has witnessed the golden age of Western movies and even served as a dressing room during the filming of Clint Eastwood's "The Outlaw Josey Wales."

As you enter, you'll be greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere that seamlessly blends rustic elements with modern amenities. The living area beckons you to curl up with a good book or enjoy a movie on the Smart TV. The fully equipped kitchen, complete with an electric range, oven, microwave, and coffee maker, allows you to prepare delicious meals after a day of adventures.

The cabin's true magic reveals itself as you step outside. Breathe in the crisp mountain air as you relax in the hammock or unwind on the rustic deck. Watch as the sun paints the sky in brilliant hues, casting long shadows across the rugged landscape. You might spot mule deer grazing nearby or hear the call of wild turkeys echoing through the trees.

As night falls, the lack of light pollution transforms the sky into a glittering canvas of stars. It's the perfect setting for sharing stories around a campfire or simply marveling at the beauty of the universe.

From the cabin, you have direct access to the Zion National Park East Rim trail network. The East Mesa trailhead for Observation Point is just a couple of miles away. We encourage you to explore these trails and immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of Zion.

Remember, water is precious in this high-desert environment. The cabin operates on a limited water supply, so we ask guests to conserve where possible. While the tap water is safe for cooking and showering, we recommend bringing bottled water for drinking.

At FreeSpirit cabin, we invite you to disconnect from the daily grind and reconnect with nature, history, and yourself. Whether you're seeking adventure on Zion's trails or a peaceful retreat in the wilderness, our cabin offers the perfect base for your unforgettable Utah experience.

Places to visit while in the area:
Walking distance to hikes in Zion National Park
Zion National Park (20 minutes to the East entrance)
Bryce Canyon National Park (90 minutes)
Grand Canyon National Park (140 minutes)
Cedar Breaks National Monument (55 minutes)
Grand Staircase National Monument (60 minutes)
Kanarraville Falls (100 minutes)
Lake Powell (120 minutes)

At our secluded mountain retreat, we invite you to disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature, your loved ones, and yourself. Whether you're seeking adventure in Zion National Park or a peaceful escape in the wilderness, our cabin offers the perfect base for your unforgettable Utah experience.

It's important to note that if you're planning a visit during the winter months (November-April), a 4WD vehicle is recommended. The dirt roads leading to the cabin can become very muddy, slippery, or snowy, and may be impassable for 2WD vehicles.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Laundry
Outdoor space
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
A security deposit hold of up to $500 is required prior to arrival, and will be released 7 days after checkout unless damages are found.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Mount Carmel

Located in Mount Carmel, this cabin is in a rural area and in the mountains. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Zion National Park and Zion National Park South Entrance. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Orderville, UT

What's nearby

  • Clear Creek Overlook - 5 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Zion National Park - 20 min drive - 15.1 km
  • Zion National Park East Entrance - 22 min drive - 17.0 km
  • Zion National Park South Entrance - 45 min drive - 33.5 km
  • The Narrows - 61 min drive - 43.8 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Red Rock Grill - ‬49 min drive
  • ‪Ponderosa Eats - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Cordwood - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Castle Dome Cafe - ‬48 min drive
  • ‪The Buffalo Grill - ‬20 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is FreeSpirit Cabin| Your Zion National Park Retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at FreeSpirit Cabin| Your Zion National Park Retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at FreeSpirit Cabin| Your Zion National Park Retreat?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is FreeSpirit Cabin| Your Zion National Park Retreat located?

Situated in the mountains, this cabin is 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from Clear Creek Overlook and within 12 miles (20 km) of Zion National Park and Zion National Park East Entrance. Checkerboard Mesa and Orderville Canyon Trailhead are also within 12 miles (20 km).

About the host

Hosted by Alex and Vanessa Pavlides

Host profile image
Cabin History: The cabin was built in 1931 at the Parry Lodge in Kanab Utah when the Parry brothers were selling Southern Utah to Hollywood for western movies. While at the Parry Lodge the cabin was nicknamed the John Wayne cabin because of his frequent stays there. In the 1970’s cabin # 1 (John Wayne Cabin) along with a few others were moved from the Parry Lodge to make room for their new two-story building at. The cabin was moved to Angle Canyon (aka Kanab Canyon). While located at Angel Canyon, the cabin was used as one of the dressing rooms during the filming of Clint Eastwood’s movie, The Outlaw Josey Wales. The land and cabins in Angel/Kanab canyon were later purchased by Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. After acquiring the additional land in Angel Canyon, Best Friends decided to build new cabins on site to offer lodging for visitors. In 2003, the owner of the Zion Ponderosa Ranch, was offered to purchase the cabins if he would be able to move them to a new location. Intrigued with the history of the cabins, especially cabin #1—the “John Wayne” cabin, a polygamist group from Colorado City, Utah was contracted to move the cabin. If all went well the plan was to purchase the additional cabins and move them to lots located at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch area. The first cabin was moved to lot D30 on the Ponderosa property. This is where the cabin took on its new name of FreeSpirit Cabin. The successful movement of the cabin prompted the owner of Zion Ponderosa Ranch to go back to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and purchase the rest of the cabins. This is when he found out that, immediately after moving the first cabin, the group from Colorado City had purchased the remaining cabins with plans to move them to Colorado City. Cabin #1 was the only cabin that made it to Zion’s east rim.

What makes this property unique

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY – The cabin is in a fairly remote area. Respect for the land, property and rights of others (cabin owners, etc.) must be adhered to. Watch the fires because you are in the forest bordering the National Park. Douse fires with water when not attended. Deer, turkeys, coyotes, rabbits, eagles and variety of birds are present. Respect Nature and all natures creatures that reside on the lands! NO HUNTING! No-See-Ums (midges) can be present from late May through mid to late June and some Mosquitoes from mid to late June through early to mid-July so please prepare accordingly. Although fairly rare to see it is Rattlesnake country so be respectful of snake space if you come in contact with one. Access is via a dirt road and when it rains navigating the ranch can be difficult. No more than 4 guests at a time in FreeSpirit Cabin (without prior approval). As with all things in nature, you are responsible for your own behavior and actions.

Other things to note
FreeSpirit Cabin Information and Tips

• The nearest grocery store to the cabin is in Orderville about 35 minutes away. I recommend picking up groceries prior to coming to the cabin. The Ponderosa Resort 2 miles from the cabin does have a small shop but very limited.
• The deck railing is not as rugged as it appears. Please do not let children hang or play on the railing.
• ****The water heater is only a 5-gallon water heater so hot showers are limited on time. Water is precious in the high-dessert so please be conservative. There is a water saver stop valve on the shower head that will allow you to maintain water temperature while shutting off water flow to soap up.
• WiFi: There is no WiFi at the cabin. Two miles down the road at the Ponderosa Resort there is free WiFi available.
• Cell Phone Service: Cell phone coverage is spotty in Southern Utah. We do get cell phone coverage at the cabin with Verizon and AT&T but not sure about other carriers. Cell data does not work

Languages:

English

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