The Buzz Talks To Zion River Resort's General Manager Mason Walters About History, Growth and Challenges
Located just minutes from Zion National Park, the Zion River Resort is the perfect base camp for the nation’s most beautiful national parks. For over a decade, the resort is still considered Southwest’s most popular resort destinations. The Buzz talked to General Manager Mason Walters about history, growth and challenges
The Buzz: What is the history behind Zion’s River Resort?
Mason Walters: The main reason why we opened up business in Zion was that the owners (The Family) are avid RVers. They’ve traveled the country, and love the RV lifestyle. Ronald, one of the owners, moved to Washington County, Utah back in 2000. At the time, he noticed there was only one RV Park within 20 miles of the National Park [and that there] was a need for RV camping closer to Zion. [They] found a beautiful piece of land next to the Virgin River with 360-degree views. Since the campground is along the river, the area is lush and we can grow trees along the [banks]…a perfect setting for an RV resort.
The Buzz: What is your background in the RV business?
MW: In the same fashion as a small business, the s ran the resort day-in and day-out for the first two years. I joined the team in 2002, and have been the general manager for nine years. Before that, I worked in another resort in the area. I’ve never been an RVer, and I had to immerse myself in the RV culture immediately. I love my job because 99% of the time the people are so happy to be here. They anticipate a getaway with family and loved ones, and they are here to create memories with one another. It’s a positive environment to work in.
The Buzz: Can you tell more about the area and its amenities?
MW: First of all, we’re able to have campfires here year round. There’s a moratorium on campfires in so many places because of fire hazards. [But] campfires are one of the most basic ways for people to sit around, talk, laugh, make s’mores and create memories. Camping [in this way] really offers a great way for families to connect with one another
The Buzz: And the area River Resort exists in is pretty unique…
MW: One of the great things about this area is that it offers something for everyone. For example, if you’re a history buff, we have a ghost town eight miles down the road from us called Grafton with some of the originals structures as well as the cemetery. It’s very interesting because the cemetery has a section with tombstones of people who were buried on the same day from an Indian attack. Some of the Indians are buried there as well. So a lot of history…but there’s also a lot of adventure. For instance, you can go ATVing, camping, horseback riding, and helicopter tours. We also have a full-service spa [at the resort], so if you want to get a massage after you go hiking, we have that too.
I like Zion more than some of the other national parks because there is so much to do. With some of the other national parks in the area, you take visual tours…you take pictures…you enjoy the views…and you soak up the atmosphere as much as you can. Zion, on the other hand, is so interactive. You have hiking trails for all levels. You could take your 80-year-old grandmother on some of these trails because they’re [so] gentle. You can take your toddler in a stroller or your infant in a backpack. Angel’s Landing, as an example, is one of the most popular trails in Zion’s National Park.
The Buzz: It seems like there has been a lot of growth over the years…
MW: We’ve really had to evolve over the years. Visitors to the national park have increased to over 1 million people in the last 16 years so we’ve really had to adjust. There have been some growing pains. [One great result is that we] have shuttle systems that run through the canyons every ten minute.
The Buzz: Along with the fast growth in the Zion area, what are some of the other challenges you’ve seen in the business?
MW: Some of the challenges are Pokemon-related. (laughing) It’s really become a big challenge (laughing). We have kids walking around with their cell phones. But along those same lines, the genuine challenge is technology.
[A good example is that] you take a metal box. When you try to get any kind of signal into that box, it becomes a challenge. This however is a challenge that most RVers accept…but it doesn’t make them very happier. We are all so used to having technology, whether it’s through our phone, cell service, or wireless internet. And now we want to be able to view our movies through Netflix and Hulu. That’s been our biggest challenge in the area.
On the flip side, it is also one of our major successes. We actually work with our local company WiFi providers, and they have created a very solid system for us. We get comments on our surveys where our customers say that we have the best WiFi, and that it is better than they expected. As we move forward, the whole WiFi connectivity will [obviously be] a continuing challenge. We are still planning for the future because every eight-year-old has a device. As a result, it’s something that all RV operators need to plan for and anticipate.
We also have a lot of gorgeous mountains in the background of our resort, but they create a problem for cell service. People can do without cell service, but not WiFi.
The Buzz: Any advice to give other RV resort owners?
I would remind RV park operators to always remember that your guests have chosen you to spend their very important family time. It’s their time and money…[and have chosen your park for the] kind of experience they want to create. You have to honor and respect that. If you ever forget that you have been chosen to become a part of that important experience in their life, then you lose focus on what’s important in our business.
Jerry Olsen
A graduate of University Of Utah in Journalism, Jerry has written for Green Markets & The Intermountain Commercial Register among others. He enjoys staying active as well as fishing, skiing and hiking.
Make Sure To Check Out:
Zion River Resort, nestled beside the tranquil Virgin River, and surrounded by painted mountains, our guests enjoy the best facilities and service.