Escape to Zion National Park

Updated June 4, 2025 02:35PM

What happens when you gather a lively mix of women from all over North America, each bringing their own stories, skills, and comfort levels in the wild? Magic, pure and simple. Our four-day adventure in Zion National Park delivered full hearts, camera rolls bursting with memories, and choruses of supportive “woos” that helped conquer fears and discover newfound confidence in the outdoors.

This blueprint, called the Escape Series, was developed by FP Movement, which has crafted an authentic way to bring its mission to life. The program provides national park experiences to women—FP Movement team members, editors, and brand enthusiasts—and elevates community building alongside outdoor exploration. The Escape Series is a natural evolution of FP Movement’s partnership with the National Park Foundation. Now in its eighth year, the collaboration has resulted in $700,000 in donations to the National Park Foundation and 3,200-plus employee volunteer hours.

Welcome to Zion

When I unzipped my tent at Under Canvas, located in the foothills of Zion National Park, I was met with thoughtful surprises from my hosts: hiking essentials and FP Movement apparel in all my favorite colors. The desert welcome only got better when I met the nine women I’d be sharing this adventure with at a sunset dinner overlooking glowing red cliffs.

The Adventure Unfolds

Canyoneering with Zion Guide Hub was my first adrenaline rush in Zion. The guides taught us about the land and Leave No Trace principles and created a supportive environment where vulnerability thrived. While I rappelled down the first boulder, encouraging shouts echoed off the stone walls. My layers were so comfortable and supportive, no readjustments required, and my Teva hiking shoes provided incredible traction so I could focus on the experience.

Later, horseback riding with Blue Sage Adventures offered a new perspective of Zion’s trails, with the stunning Vermilion Cliffs in the distance. That night, conversations flowed under twinkling lights, cementing a palpable sense of shared experience and newfound confidence. As one woman remarked, “I feel more capable than I realized. I got to experience things I wouldn’t have otherwise on my own.”

We greeted the new day with a hike up to Scout Lookout. The challenging 3.4-mile ascent with 1,700 feet of elevation gain rewarded us with sweeping views of the winding Virgin River.

At Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, our guides awaited with powerful Polaris RZR side-by-sides. After a quick fit change into our sand-ready FP Movement pants and windbreakers, we were zooming across the dunes, ready to sandboard. Overheard among the laughter, someone exclaimed, “It’s so nice to be outside with a group of women versus on my own or with a partner. There’s a different kind of support and understanding.” Before heading back, we stopped at Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon, a hidden gem among the dunes.

Beyond the Escape Series

The best trips, like this one, give you more than great memories. After Zion, I couldn’t help but think about the larger lessons we came away with: We’re all on our own trail, but the beauty lies in simply putting one foot in front of the other, taking the time to really experience our surroundings, and moving through this world with a sense of freedom.

The FP Movement collection, with its empowering spirit and focus on movement, encourages women to do just that: express themselves fully, embrace every adventure, and live life in motion—a mission that’s brought to life by the Escape Series.

As Seen in Zion: Shop the Collection

Established in 2012 as a category on Free People, FP Movement has been at the forefront of redefining activewear, introducing performance-ready styles that extend beyond the gym. Rooted in community, individuality, and the spirit of #movingtogether, FP Movement’s activewear for hike, run, racquet, studio, and ski bridges the gap between fashion and function.

In 2020, FP Movement emerged as an independent brand, opening its first stand-alone store in Los Angeles. The brand currently has 56 stores nationwide, offers online shopping at fpmovement.com, and collaborates with wholesale partners such as Dick’S Sporting Goods and independent fitness studios.