[trip style = steal + active + adventure]
A few months ago, Mr. Trip Styler and I jet-set to Utah {by way of Vegas} for the weekend on an Expedia x US National Parks assignment.
Our mission: Zion National Park, aka, the perfect trip styled fit since I've had my eye on Utah and its epic national parks for a long time. And, with Vegas being the closest gateway city, the woodland was easy to reach, and BONUS, allowed us to pair a side of sizzle with our trip into the sticks.
Our five-day, four-night adventure saw us spending three nights in Springdale, UT—a small town cozied up to Zion's South Rim Entrance—and a final night in Vegas. Our plan: Go nuts in nature, followed by a bit of pool time under the desert sun.
Trip Styler Tip: Vegas has a number of non-gaming hotels sans smoke and slots, so YES, it is possible to relax to the max in the Glitter Gulch. My favorite trip style = luxe address: The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, a hotel that redefines Vegas-chic.
Here's a rundown of our highly-recommended getaway blending two trip styles I'm crazy over: active/adventure + luxe. {See more photos + hiking suggestions and a stylish packing prescription in the Expedia Viewfinder.}
![Road trip from Vegas to Zion. Budget three hours of driving time.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464564464983-H13GEM0V4ZOTHF7RWDRI/IMG_9276.jpg)
![Stopping enroute, because VIEWS.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464564397560-OBUSOG5OE4DCUUHTVL17/IMG_7097.jpg)
![More roadside vistas.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464564405011-DJ3Q9I6SNYA4ABVVTTZS/IMG_7086.jpg)
![We made it to the South Rim Entrance!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464564413779-HSC96772HHJD9I0N7CF8/IMG_7100.jpg)
![Our hiking essentials. ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464566535705-HQ6YRK6OVT5BLBVJTOU7/SPUO5720.jpg)
![One of the first sights we pulled over to see minutes after entering the park: The West Temple {find it at the back of the Human History Museum}.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464635857524-3BA6L8HJC6GJJHH7X8ED/IMG_9275+copy.jpg)
![One of our best hikes: The short and sweet Canyon Overlook Trail, a 45-minute rock-hopping jaunt to a views-for-miles summit {pictured below}.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464564535060-1L3E5IAV606LCW8LBTUQ/IMG_9511.jpg)
![Top of the Canyon Overlook Trail {1/2}.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464565488235-R9PGA1RQFFUBJQF3PPDG/IMG_9526.jpg)
![Top of the Canyon Overlook Trail {2/2}. Please pass the Champagne, cheese, grapes and baguette...](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464565461734-YV9CKL8WAY767Z1P6ZXM/IMG_9527.jpg)
![Deer! Spotted roadside.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464564653344-XQ6MRPYAKIIHJFMVQM3A/IMG_9673.jpg)
![Mr. Trip Styler hiking down the switchbacks from Scout's Lookout, GoPro in-hand.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464565745740-TQN9XAHW9X6XSXDOYQL2/IMG_9296.jpg)
![Another perspective of the trail.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464565805956-Z0JD71PVWSYU7MRBN61H/IMG_9306.jpg)
![The Colorado River at sundown.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464564617509-YL26SPSVO6IQQ8SUDXZ4/IMG_9600.jpg)
![Dusk turns Zion National Park into a purple-hued paradise. Talk about mood lighting. ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464564507903-3BGQ8HESMYO2LGZEK85W/IMG_9484.jpg)
![So long Zion {the Trip Stylers will be back}.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464564497151-F15OAQHTR6DR43W8G8AT/IMG_9476.jpg)
![The serene pool scene at the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464566993691-EHECCFAR5LNHJ55GV86C/Screen+Shot+2016-05-29+at+5.07.59+PM.png)
![About to take flight above the Strip with Maverick Helicopters {booked via Expedia Things To Do.}](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464564700962-07TI5XP9MVSEEK03Z78B/IMG_9775.jpg)
![Vegas' sparkly setting captured from our helicopter's window!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a131d3e4b0aec740d0eadf/1464564668016-16T67JXEUSML41A057LK/IMG_9757.jpg)
[All photos taken while on assignment for Expedia x US National Parks' Centennial celebration. Mandarin Oriental pool photo via hotel website. Note: This trip is highly recommended, and if you're a longtime TS reader you know that I reserve the best for TS, and only my hottest picks are published.]