Summary:

An unbelievable launch pad or just-stay-around-home pad for your exploration of Southern Utah, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon. Amazing views of Zion National Park from the south, Smithsonian Butte and Gooseberry Mesa from the west. Take day trips to some of earth's most majestic sites or stay home and enjoy the giant playroom, private tennis court, or gorgeous views. There is easy access to vast federal lands from this unparalleled property.



The Space:

The Smithsonian Retreat is owned by Timberroot, a small, family business that specializes in creating rustic spaces that allow you to relax, recharge, and reconnect with nature.



This house is eccentric and absolutely remarkable, and the views are breathtaking! The red adobe style gives it the perfect desert feel, but the solid log beams, wood room and ceilings give it a warm and rustic feeling on the inside. With four bathrooms, four dedicated bedrooms, and one semi-bedroom with a pull-out sofa, you can bring a few families or just a large group of friends. And even though some of earth's most exotic geological features are a short drive away, you may not want to leave this memorable vista.



The house offers a massive gameroom, complete with pool table, shuffleboard, foosball, and air hockey. Attached to this space is a carpeted TV room complete with a pull-out sofa for extra bedding. But that's just the start of what makes this home an ideal western retreat.



Enjoy the well-lit private tennis court just above the house looking right at Smithsonian Butte which also has a two hoop basketball court. Enjoy the mesa top breezes from the covered front porch or patio area just outside the front entrance on our comfortable outdoor gathering furniture. Also, take the group or family out for a round of beach volleyball on the regulation size sand court.



We have made some significant enhancements this past year starting with the addition of a massive front Trex deck off the front porch. We just had Fiber Optic brought to the house for wifi speeds of over 100M up and down constantly covering the house with a (Hidden by Airbnb) Mesh wifi system. Stream your favorite Netflix shows or watch Live TV (50 Live Channels) with HULU. The kitchen has also seen some new additions such as a crock pot and blender.



But the location and the views may be the stand-out feature. From the front, you are looking at the south of Zion and the entrance to Zion Canyon, arguably the prettiest place on earth. Straight ahead is the majestic Smithsonian Butte, across a bit of ranch land and virtually unlimited federal land, dirt roads, campsites and trails. As the home sits on a rock mesa in the middle of the small community of Apple Valley, you can walk to any edge and see the valley and town below.



It's hard to imagine a more ideal hub for your exploration of southern Utah and northern Arizona, including a short jaunt to Zion National Park, and within 2 hours of the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Anetlope Canyon, Bryce Canyon and just a bit further to Capital Reef National Park. Jacob's lake, just above Grand Canyon's North Rim is under an hour away, while the exotic waves of Snow Canyon Park is roughly a thirty minute drive. Pine Valley, Brian Head, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument are just east of Kanab, an easy hour's drive. Hurricane and St. George are your closest full-service towns. This house is a real western retreat, comfortable yet rustic, with panoramic views and a central location to natural wonders.



Guest Access:

You will have the entire 2.5 acres, fenced and gated, to yourself during your stay. This includes the home, detached playroom, tennis courts, covered space and two car garage with a third detached garage for overflow. There is space to park a trailer, RV, or boat on the property as well.



Apple Valley is a small town, a nice, safe and quiet town, and town ordinance requires that outdoor activity be quieted to talking voices after 10 PM in respect for the town and neighbors. The location of the home on a Cul-de-sac atop the town also make the home unsuitable for large events.



The Neighborhood:

Set in the red-rock desert of southern Utah, Apple Valley is a small, rural town off State Route 59, about 12 miles east of Hurricane, Utah. It sits close to some of the region's best-known landscapes, including Gooseberry Mesa, Little Creek Mesa, and Water Canyon, plus easy access to Zion National Park. The area draws a strong outdoor crowd. Dirt bike and mountain bike rentals, guided tours, and off-road adventures are all available nearby, along with ATV tours through the surrounding canyon terrain. For a quieter stop, Smithsonian Butte is a free, scenic overlook worth the short drive. It's a good home base for exploring Zion and the surrounding mesas without the crowds of staying inside the park itself.



Fall is one of the best times to be here. Daytime temperatures cool off from the summer heat, making the trails at Gooseberry Mesa and Water Canyon far more comfortable for a full day out. Zion's cottonwoods along the Virgin River turn gold from late October into November, and Angels Landing's fall hiking season draws hikers back after the summer permit lottery slows down. It's also one of the quieter stretches for the park, with crowds thinning out noticeably after Labor Day.



Other Things to Note:

Our Smithsonian Retreat has 4 smart TV's with high speed 1G fiber optic internet in the following locations:



Living Room (Chromecast and Roku)

Master Bedroom (Roku)

Queen Bedroom (Roku)

Playroom carpet area (Roku)