History
HISTORY & HERITAGE:
“The mountains never disappoint. They always have a story to tell, if you’re willing to listen.”
– Jeremiah Johnson
Our story begins with acknowledging the foundation laid for us by the Native American people that occupied this area over 12,000 years ago. It was the Ancestral Puebloans and the Paiutes of “Mukuntaweep”, Zion’s original name, who set the precedent for respecting the sacred spirit of Zion. Remnants of their culture can be seen on the property, such as petroglyphs or pictographs in nearby caves, and pottery shards and arrowheads in the sand beneath your feet. Each of these honor the ancient story of those existing in this area before us. Their legacy remains as an inheritance of reverence and embodiment of the meaning of “TRUE NORTH “.
It was not until the 19th century that the property was settled by a pioneering family in Southern Utah. In the mid to late 1900’s, Merlin Lee owned the property here on Kolob Terrace, where he transformed the original building into a tavern for locals and moviemakers, alike. Well known productions such as “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “Jeremiah Johnson” were filmed in this area, and famous personalities such as Willie Nelson, Robert Redford, and Paul Newman have been known to visit Merlin’s tavern. In 2002 Hank and Mariangela bought an RV and traveled through out the Southwest seeking the perfect venue to create a sanctuary, and it was in the heart of Zion that they eventually discovered their True North.
Hank and Mariangela have been the loving stewards of Zion Villa’s True North for almost 20 years, welcoming visitors to their villa since 2006 when they first opened to the public. Creating True North here in Zion National Park was a dream of Mariangela’s that she had from her undergraduate years, a dream she shared with her dearest friend who died of AIDS in 1993. Their dream was to design and build a sanctuary where guests could come and “unplug” from the tethers of life and connect with their True North through an intimate experience with the natural beauty of Zion. Since then, thousands of guests have visited and experienced the majesty of True North. Hank and Mariangela consider themselves the current custodians of this consecrated land, destined to contribute to safeguarding its sacred use.




THE MEANING OF TRUE NORTH:
True North is an awareness of one’s direction, an internal compass, guiding and orienting your alignment and path. It is a fixed point, in a chaotic world, that guides you on your life and soul’s path.
True North is unique to everyone, representing the deepest truth of your authentic self, and consequently providing a profound perception of being at Home with yourself. True North is the awareness of being at Home with yourself.
Hank and Mariangela welcome all guests and visitors to Zion to enjoy this sacred sanctuary, situated a mile high above the hustle of the crowds. We summon you to enjoy an intimate experience with each other while being surrounded by the natural beauty of Zion and Southern Utah.
UNIQUELY OFF GRID
Located within Zion National Park, this off-grid facility is meticulously designed with advanced features such as tracking solar panels, automatic computerized generator backup, multiple water filtration systems, satellite and cellular internet, and more. This property has a WiFi system linked to cellular service via two external antennas and network extenders, along with two Starlink satellite routers with battery backups. Along with cellular telephone access, a telephone with a hardwired connections to one of the outdoor antennas, is located in the Villa’s kitchen.
The sophisticated off-grid facility operates independently, harnessing its own power, water, cellular, and internet services. These systems are closely monitored and maintained by technicians who custom-designed and constructed the infrastructure, to ensure optimal performance. The well water undergoes three filtration processes, providing safety and quality.
Hank and Mariangela, the resident stewards, reside on the property to enjoy Zion regularly, oversee maintenance and provide support to guests when necessary. Their separate dwelling is attached to the Villa, providing unique privacy for them and the guests. While deeply respecting guests’ privacy, they are available to answer questions or provide assistance to guests to help ensure a wonderful and memorable experience.

