road trip zion national park

• Plan Your Trip
• Utah Itineraries

The Complete Zion Trip

6 Days   •   419 Miles

Discover a less crowded Zion by visiting during the shoulder season

Exploring The Zion Region Tucked into the southwest corner of Utah,  Zion National Park  is the centerpiece for a 6-day red-rock vacation that includes a little bit of everything that makes the state such a marvel to experience. Whether you’re flying into Salt Lake, Las Vegas, or nearby St. George, most visitors will enter the park through Springdale, a growing town that’s equipped to offer plenty of creature comforts in this otherwise wild region.

The Zion region exists at the intersection of many different ecosystems, each with their own treasures to uncover. From the red sands of the Mojave desert to the west, to the high alpine forests to the north, to the narrow slot canyons to the south, no matter where you turn, the classic red rock vacation you may have in mind will end up being more diverse than you’d ever expect. 

Because of this region’s close proximity to I-15, you’re never too far away from a city or town full of knowledgeable locals happy to help you get the most out of your vacation. This itinerary is full of suggestions that aren’t quite on the radar of the average visitor, but nonetheless offer memorable moments that rival a scramble up Angel’s Landing. For certain experiences we recommend taking advantage of guides that can help you explore like a local and find views rarely found in brochures or Instagram feeds, as well as make as little an impact on the fragile ecosystem as possible. This is a region that rewards taking the path less traveled, sure to leave you feeling like that one overlook was made just for you.

Prepare for your trip with these  how-to visit Zion tips . 

• Start:  From Salt Lake City drive roughly five hours south west to Springdale
• End:  From Kanab head back to Salt Lake City or extend your trip by visiting the Bryce Canyon region
• Hours of Driving:  21+ hours, including travel between the region and Salt Lake City

Zion Canyon From A Different Point Of View

• Watchman Trail
• West Rim Trail To Cabin Spring

Though Zion National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country, the decision to restrict car traffic within Zion Canyon has kept it a picturesque place to explore. From March through November and during the holidays in December, daily shuttles run through the Zion Canyon Drive, giving visitors front-door access to all the “must-see” spots. The park entrance and first shuttle stop are within walking distance from anywhere in Springdale, so leave your car where it is and stretch your legs before the main event. First-time visitors will inevitably want to check out the Emerald Pools or the vertigo-inducing Angel’s Landing trails, but we suggest you stay flexible, hopping off the shuttle wherever others choose to stay on to find a trail or experience that offers a degree of solitude. You really can’t go wrong, no matter where you decide to roam.

Where to Stay Spend the night in Springdale before a second day of exploring Zion.

Tips for Prepared Travelers Soil Sleuth: Protecting Utah's Living Landscapes

Exploring the Perimeter of Zion

• Grafton Ghost Town
• Wire Mesa Loop Bike Trail

Day two is all about going against the flow. From mountain bike trails on the perimeter of the park, to literal ghost towns, there’s plenty to experience in the Zion region that still feels wild and unexplored. You’ll immediately notice the change of pace as you drive south against the flow of traffic heading into the park. 

Those already familiar with Utah know that Moab is a mecca for singletrack riding, but the area south of Zion National Park is also home to some seriously epic lines. Whether you’re bringing your own bike or renting from one of the local outfitters, there are trails suited for any experience level. 

After your two-wheeled adventures, return to Springdale for your last night in the shadow of the canyon walls. The sunsets in Springdale are worth lingering on a patio with a cold drink in hand as the night climbs its way up the eastern face of the nearby cliffs.

Where to Stay Make up for a day spent outside of the national park’s borders by reserving a camping spot within Zion, either at the Watchman or South campgrounds.

Tips for Prepared Travelers Hiking Southern Utah with Younger Children: Tips for Family-Friendly Adventure

St. George and Snow Canyon State Park

• Snow Canyon Climbing Guide
• Tuacahn Amphitheatre

It’s time to hit the road to nearby St. George , a city experiencing remarkable growth. Before you hit the town, you’ll detour to Snow Canyon State Park , a natural wonder that exists at the intersection of three different geologic zones — the Mojave desert, Great Basin and the Colorado Plateau. Due to the confluence of forces shaping this land, you’ll marvel at the diverse landscape before you.

Rock climbers of all skill levels have learned to call these canyons home, with bolted routes scattered about, and cyclists that prefer tarmac to singletrack will find plenty to enjoy on the park’s scenic drive.

In St. George, summer visitors will have the opportunity to take in a show at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre. This stage is nestled within a red rock canyon, offering concertgoers a once-in-a-lifetime open air show under the clear desert sky. (Read: Exploring the Arts in St. George )

Where to Stay Spend the night in luxury digs at one of St. George’s resorts, or camping in the nearby Red Cliffs Recreation area.

Red Cliffs Recreation Area and Cedar City

• Sand Hollow State Park
• Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

After a relaxing night of culture, it’s time to get dirty! Depending on your tolerance for thrill-seeking, your morning can be spent riding ATVs and OHVs across the red dunes of Sand Hollow State Park , or floating across Quail Creek Reservoir on rented stand-up paddle boards. 

No matter your choice of morning activity, save plenty of time to explore the Red Cliffs Recreation Area for the remainder of the day. Again, you have a choice between the red-rock rimmed Upland area, and the fragile desert ecosystem of the Lowland zone. Visitors interested in ecotourism can carefully explore the Lowland area with a guide to learn about the sensitive species and microbiomes that hold this transition zone together. Those with kids in tow are welcome to comfortably explore the City Creek area (or the red rock playground of Pioneer Park) just north of St. George.

Where to Stay After a day spent ripping around Sand Hollow State Park, reserve a room in Cedar City for some well-deserved pampering (Read: 24 Hours in Cedar City ).

Tips for Prepared Travelers Things to know about Off-Road Vehicle Use

Brian Head to Dixie National Forest

• Brian Head in Summer
• Dixie National Forest
• Cedar Breaks National Monument

Now for something completely unexpected: a lush, green high alpine forest in the middle of red rock country. Dixie National Forest never fails to surprise travelers driving through the Zion region. One moment you’re looking out at mesas and buttes straight out of classic westerns, then you turn a corner to find yourself in an entirely different world. Because this area doesn’t fit with the “classic” national park vacation many visitors have in mind, it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. That makes it a perfect place to explore for anyone who loves actually “getting away” during a vacation. The centerpiece of the day’s activities is Cedar Breaks National Monument , another hidden gem that is often overlooked. Geologically similar to Bryce Canyon National Park , this natural amphitheater is a few million years older and slightly more weathered than its national park doppelganger. That said, it still scratches that itch to sample Utah’s iconic hoodoo spires in a more laid back, remote location — though at 10,000 feet above sea level can require taking your time to acclimate.

Where to Stay Camping under the crystal clear Milky Way in Cedar Breaks National Monument .

Slot Canyon Adventures Near Kanab

• Wire Pass Slot Canyon
• Lake Powell (Glen Canyon)

Spend the final day of your journey heading south for the border — with Arizona, that is — in search of slot canyons to explore. These canyons on the Utah-Arizona border range in difficulty from leisurely strolls to technical multi-day expeditions. No matter your comfort level with the claustrophobic walls of Utah’s slot canyons, they are always more enjoyable with the aid of a local guide. After enjoying breakfast in Kanab , join up with a tour operator to get the most out of the nearby slot canyons such as the family-friendly Peekaboo Canyon or a multi-day trek through Buckskin Gulch , the longest navigated slot canyon in the state.

Tips for Prepared Travelers Expert Tips for Your Next Canyoneering Adventure

Extend Your Stay Once you’ve reemerged into the desert sun, you can return to St. George for your flight home, or call in sick for a few more days and extend your vacation nearby at  Lake Powell .

Explore More

Previous Group Next Group

A Van Lifer’s Guide to Responsible Travel in Southern Utah

Written By Kristen Bor

2 minute read

When Utah’s dirt roads are calling you, it’s time to plan your van life road trip. Here’s what you need to know to travel safely, support Utah’s rural communities, and help preserve the delicate desert landscapes.

A Visitor's Guide to Zion's Kolob Canyons

Written By Matcha

In the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park, you’ll find a scenic wonderland with an adventure for everyone. Learn more about this unforgettable attraction and plan a visit.

Best Hikes in St. George During Winter

5 minute read

While Utah's Greater Zion offers a few hundred trails, we’ve highlighted seven of the best hikes in the state's southwestern corner, from deep canyons to high peaks.

How to Have the Perfect Weekend on the Water at Quail Creek State Park

4 minute read

Just 15 miles north of St. George and even closer to the town of Hurricane, Quail Creek State Park offers warm water and mild weather year round. There’s plenty to do out on the water, and the gorgeous setting is sure to impress.

How To Stay Safe in the Outdoors

Written By Ryan Salm

Know how to stay safe and informed during your Utah trip and who is helping when you get into trouble.

Ice and rock, snow and splendor: Winter in Southern Utah

Written By Jeremy Pugh

10 minute read

For an extraordinary adventure, plan winter hikes in Utah’s Zion National Park. Winter rewards hikers with stunning sights of stalactites and snow covered mountains.

Max Out Your Multi-Pass

Written By Paula Colman

With so many ski and snowboard resorts easily accessible in and around Utah, using the state as your gateway can maximize the value of any multi-pass. Here's some tips on how to make your ski vacation more flexible, fun and affordable than ever before!

Movies Filmed in Utah: Plotting a Cinematic Drive-Through

Written By Andrea David

Follow a Germany-based film enthusiast on an extended road trip to discover the rich history of Utah cinematography.

Off the Eaten Path: Dining Between the Mighty Five

6 minute read

Whether you’re visiting a single Utah national park or all five, take time to explore and enjoy the local food on the spectacular routes between the parks.

Painted Pony Restaurant

Located in Ancestor Square in the heart of St. George, Utah, the Painted Pony, affectionately known as “The Pony,” gets rave reviews by all, as evidenced by its 4.5-star Trip Advisor rating.

Supporting Women Entrepreneurs While Traveling in Utah

Written By Whitney Childers

Women entrepreneurs in Utah have been particularly successful at honing their expertise. Find out about women-owned businesses you can support while adventuring in Utah.

The Art of Supporting Utah Artists

Written By Lindy Blanchette

Here’s a look at six local artists whose work draws upon Utah’s diverse environments as inspiration.

Together They Climb

Written By Shanti Hodges

8 minute read

Utah’s most unlikely adventure family shows America that you don’t have to fit into the outdoors stereotypes to find your place on the trail.

Top 10 Family-Friendly Hikes in Utah National Parks

With so many destinations, and so many trails, it can be difficult to decide where to begin in Utah's Mighty 5® national parks. Here are 10 family-friendly hikes, two per national park, you cannot miss.

Utah Liquor Laws Visitor Guide — Yes, You Can!

3 minute read

In preparation for your trip to Utah, here’s what you need to know about Utah's liquor laws, especially how and where to buy a drink in the city or in the rural parts of the state.

Where to Eat and Drink in St. George

Written By Elainna Ciaramella

As you explore St. George and Greater Zion seeking excellent food, coffee and drinks, you’ll want to add these top restaurants to your list.

Winter in Southern Utah Like a Local

Written By Andrew Dash Gillman

Southern Utah comes alive in winter with unexpected experiences for those who are well-prepared and solitude for those who want to expand their view.

Yurt Camping in Utah: How To Have a Wintertime Yurt Excursion

Whether you’re glamping or choosing a simpler option, yurt camping in Utah during the wintertime is a fun, unique experience you won’t want to miss out on.

Well-prepared travel is responsible travel.

Do your part by planning ahead

Get My PNW Presets!

This preset collection can enhance your photos and will help you define your style and save you time.

3-Day Zion National Park Itinerary | Best Trip Tips & More

Zion National Park has incredible scenery that provides a backdrop for hiking, camping, river walking, swimming, and more. It has stunning red rock formations, towering sandstone cliffs, and diverse landscapes.

Visitors commonly combine a trip here with one to nearby Bryce Canyon National Park, referring to it as a Bryce and Zion getaway.

A USA National Park road trip can truly be one of the best experiences of your life, particularly if you enjoy the great outdoors. There are several fantastic parks in the US, and most will more than meet your expectations. Zion National Park in Utah is definitely one of them. 

Tip: Download this national park checklist for the ultimate guide to US National Parks.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.

Zion National Park

Related posts.

• One Day in Zion National Park | What To Do on a Day Trip
• Where To Stay in Zion National Park | 14 Best Places
• 15 Best Things To Do in Zion National Park
• 10 Best Hikes in Zion National Park | Top Trails & More
• Best Time to Visit Zion National Park | Season by Season

3-Day Zion National Park Itinerary Map

You can copy and download the itinerary below, but I recommend printing it because you can’t see it if you have no service.

>>>Rent A Car Here<<<

3-Day Zion National Park Itinerary

With all that said and understood, it’s time to plan a fantastic three-day Zion National Park itinerary for your visit. 

Day One of Your Zion Itinerary

Day one of your Zion National Park itinerary starts with a bang, as you will behold two of the most iconic attractions within the park. 

Emerald Pools Trail

• Distance: 2.5 miles (loop)
• Elevation Gain: 620 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

Emerald Pools in Zion National Park is an ever-popular spot for visitors. It’s essentially a desert oasis adjacent to the Historic Zion Lodge. There are three sets of pools, Upper, Middle, and Lower, and each offers visitors a choice of trails to explore. Note that swimming is not allowed in these pools. 

The short 1.2-mile round-trip loop from the Zion Lodge leads to the Lower Emerald Pools. If you’re up for a bit more exploration, embark on the 2-mile round-trip journey to visit the Middle and Lower Pools. For the full experience, take the 2.5-mile round-trip hike that encompasses all three pools.

The Upper Emerald Pool is probably the most interesting. It’s positioned among sheer cliffs on three sides and a boulder foothill on the fourth, creating a natural amphitheater. 

The Lower Pool is wheelchair-accessible, while the trails leading to the Middle and Lower Pools are also wheelchair-friendly. The trail from the Middle Pool to the Upper Pool has an uneven sand and rock surface and a moderate to strenuous grade that is not suitable for wheelchairs.

Lunch at Zion Canyon Brew Pub

Holiday fun means holiday food and a good lunch will be essential to enjoying the rest of your day. The Zion Canyon Brew Pub offers unique burgers, artisanal ales, and local brews.

What makes it even more exciting is that you might be lucky enough to enjoy some live music if you’re there on the weekend. All of this is set in the amazing scenery that Zion National Park offers. The pub is situated at the park’s entrance. The pub’s patio runs along the Virgin River, so this is definitely the place to take in the splendor.

Download my free Outdoor Photography Guide

Take on the narrows or the riverside walk trail.

• Distance: 2.2 miles (out-and-back), but up to 10 miles if you continue along the Narrows
• Elevation Gain: 194 feet
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate

In the afternoon, take on the Narrows hike or simply do the Riverside Walk, which is essentially the first half of the Narrows experience. 

Two route options are generally available: Bottom-Up and Top-Down. The Top-Down option is less appealing, partly because it requires a permit and overnight camping. 

To do the normal Narrows hike adventure, catch the Zion shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava, the last park shuttle stop. The Riverside Walk starts here and has a paved path suitable for wheelchairs. 

Even if you’re not tackling the Narrows, the Riverside Walk is worth exploring. When the Riverside Walk comes to an end, you can enter the Virgin River proper to continue your water-borne hike upstream into the narrow canyon. 

The Riverside Walk serves as the starting point for those looking to venture into the Narrows. Simply follow the river as far as you want and turn back when you feel you’ve gone far enough. The good news is that the return walk is quicker because of the downstream flow.

Keep an eye out for the wildlife. Visitors may spot birds, squirrels, and other animals along the way. 

Some hikers venture as far as Orderville Canyon, while others explore areas like Wall Street. The ultimate turnaround point is Big Springs, located five miles from the Temple of Sinawava, resulting in a 10-mile round-trip hike. 

Important: Keep a sharp eye on river conditions and weather, as flash floods are known to occur in the region. Talk to the rangers at the Zion Visitors Center if you are uncertain. 

Sunset at Canyon Junction Bridge

Finally, after what might be a fairly challenging day on the walks, get to a really amazing sunset point at Canyon Junction Bridge. Take the Utah SR-9 until you find a small parking area just beyond the entrance to Zion’s Visitor Center.

Canyon Junction is a notable location within Zion National Park. To reach the Canyon Junction Bridge, take the Pa’rus Trail from the visitor center. You can park either at the visitor center parking lot or the Watchman Campground and follow the signs. 

At the end of that walk, you can admire the breathtaking scenery directly from the bridge.

Day Two of Your Zion Itinerary Day

Angels Landing is regarded as one of the most beautiful day hikes in the world. That’s how you will start your second day on your Zion National Park itinerary. 

Hike Angels Landing

• Distance: 4.3 miles (out-and-back)
• Elevation Gain: 1,827 feet 
• Difficulty: Challenging

Angels Landing is a prominent rock formation and one of the most iconic landmarks in Zion National Park. The trail to the site was opened in 1926 and is a challenging hike, ascending approximately 1,500 vertical feet. 

The summit itself reaches an impressive elevation of 5,790 feet. Some sections do seem precarious, but a safety chain railing accompanies most of the trail. 

Note that a permit is required for the Angels Landing chain section. As it’s fairly challenging, some safety considerations are required. You can get your permit at the Recreation.gov website .

While the chain portion of the trail may cause a little nervousness for some, there’s an alternate area that offers a less daunting option. You also will not need a permit for the non-chained section. So don’t miss the opportunity to at least see why this trail comes with such a prestigious reputation. 

Side fact: How Angels Landing got its name isn’t officially documented. But, it’s believed to have been named by Methodist minister Frederick Fisher in the early 1900s. The name is said to reflect the idea that only angels could land on its summit.

Lunch at Oscar’s Cafe

Head back to Springdale and indulge in something quite fun. One of the hundreds of reviews of Oscar’s Cafe claims it has “The best Turkey Burger in the world!” 

The restaurant otherwise offers Tex-Mex, burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast options. It also has a surprisingly decent wine cellar, too!

Hike Canyon Overlook at Sunset

• Distance: 1 mile (out-and-back)
• Elevation Gain: 187 feet
• Difficulty: Moderately challenging

The Zion Canyon Overlook Trail is short, but it does present a truly breathtaking sunset vista. This is a trail you can take the whole family on, as it’s easy to navigate (though not wheelchair accessible). 

The Canyon Overlook Trailhead is on the east side of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

When you reach the Canyon Overlook, you get to see the vast Pine Creek Canyon. The fading sunlight hits the sandstone walls in a stunning display. Just another example of the magic present in Zion.

Day Three of Your Zion Itinerary

There’s so much to see on a Zion National Park trip that it can be daunting to fit everything into a three-day Zion National Park itinerary. 

So, for your last day, you have the choice between three equally juicy hiking options. Choose between The Subway, the Watchman Spire, or the Observation Point. 

Option 1: The Subway 

• Distance: 7 miles (out-and-back)
• Elevation Gain: 1306 feet
• Difficulty: Very challenging

The famous Subway is a semi-technical slot canyon hike. Most adventurers prefer a top-down approach for this hidden canyon, as attempting it bottom-up is exceptionally challenging. You will need to wade, swim, scramble, and climb your way through this little adventure. 

You will start at Wildcat Trailhead off Kolob Reservoir Road, approximately 15.3 miles above the town of Virgin. 

The path leads down the left fork of North Creek, and the waterway serves as your route trail most of the way. This is a demanding route, and you will traverse waterfalls, navigate boulders, and scale cliff faces. It’s a good idea to pack ropes you can use to hoist and lower backpacks.

The semi-technical section of the route ends at the bottom of the Subway. As you progress through the “tunnel,” keep an eye out for the large boulder adorned with dinosaur tracks.

Keep some energy in reserve for the very end. The sign marking the trail up the ridge to the Left Fork Trailhead is the exit from the canyon. There’s one more steep climb out of the canyon at this point. 

Note that the water may be very cold in some parts of the trail (depending on the time you visit), and you will need to swim in at least a few of the spots. 

Option 2: Watchman Trail

• Distance: 3.1 miles (out-and-back)
• Elevation Gain: 636 feet

The Watchman Trail is not as well-known as some of the others on this list. It sits along the Pa’rus bike trail and is sometimes unfairly overlooked by visitors. 

The Watchman offers views of Springdale and is, in fact, a perfect introduction to the wonders of the park. The trailhead is the closest one to the South Entrance of the park, so you won’t even need to take the Zion National Park shuttle to get there. 

The good news for inexperienced hikers is that the trail isn’t too difficult. It does not head to the top of the spire. On the canyon overlook trail, hikers can enjoy a scenic third-of-a-mile loop trail along the Watchman bench.

Option 3: Observation Point via East Mesa Trail

• Elevation Gain: 702 feet

The cutely named Mount Baldy is the home of the esteemed Observation Point. The point itself provides a magnificent position overlooking one of the widest points of Zion Canyon. 

Some say you can see every major point of interest from here. It makes for a breathtaking sight, and it is well worth the effort to get there on at least one of your days, if not the last. 

The hike to Observation Point is challenging and achieves an elevation gain of nearly 1,000 feet. The path takes you through steep terrain, with only occasional level stretches in Echo Canyon. 

Please note: The Observation Point trailhead has changed. The popular Weeping Rock Trail has not been accessible due to rockfall. You can access Observation Point via the East Mesa Trail or the longer East Rim Trail.

How to Get to Zion National Park

Zion National Park can be found near Springdale and Kanab in the southwest corner of Utah. It’s 170 miles, or a few hours’ drive, from Las Vegas, Nevada, which acts as a useful starting point for many visitors to the park. 

Las Vegas airport happens to be the closest major arrival point for long-distance travelers. Most visitors who fly into the area use this airport or the Salt Lake City International Airport, although that is a lot further away at 274 miles. One advantage to flying into Salt Lake City is that smaller flights can be connected to Saint George or Cedar City.

Saint George is just 49 miles from the park, while Cedar City is 19 miles away. If you do fly, you can also easily rent a car at the airport for your Zion National Park road trip.

How to Enter Zion National Park

Zion National Park has three entrances to choose from. While you do not need permits to visit the park, you will need to pay an individual park fee of $35, which gives you park entrance for a week. Here’s a quick note on each.

Side note: The America the Beautiful Pass is the ultimate money-saver. This pass offers you unlimited entry to all US National Parks for an entire year and only costs $80. >>> Purchase your pass here

The South Entrance

This is considered the main entrance and is the most popular option. It’s near the town of Springdale, which offers several hotels and restaurants for visitors. Shuttles leave from Springdale to the park’s visitor center. 

You will need to use shuttles to get into the park for much of the year (especially spring, summer, and fall), as private vehicles aren’t allowed into the park. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is located within Zion National Park and starts from this entrance. 

Whether you take the Zion Canyon Shuttle or go by private vehicle when allowed, you’ll be awed by the views of the amazing landscape. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is the primary route through the main canyon of the park, providing access to many of the park’s iconic features and trailheads.

Side note: There is another interesting attraction you may consider if you are near the South Entrance: The Zion Human History Museum. The museum is dedicated to showcasing the human history of Zion National Park and the surrounding region.

Tunnel or East Entrance 

Also known as the tunnel entrance, the east entrance is near the towns of Mt Carmel and Kanab. Constructed in the 1920s, this somewhat fascinating engineering marvel was actually intended to facilitate access to the eastern section of the park and create an additional scenic route for visitors. 

PS: The distance from Zion to Bryce Canyon is a mere 83 miles and takes less than two hours.

Kolob Canyons Entrance

If you’re keen on a lesser-seen part of the park, try the “highway entrance” off the I-15, known as Kolob Canyons, situated in the northwestern part of the park. The trails and drives accessed from this entrance are far less crowded. One of the many highlights is the five-mile Timber Creek Overlook drive.

Some notable features in the Kolob Canyon area include the Kolob Arch, one of the world’s largest freestanding arches, and the Timber Creek Overlook. The panoramic views of the canyons and surrounding landscapes from this point are spectacular.

Best Time to Visit Zion National Park

Usually, the best time to visit a holiday destination is quite a subjective choice. In the case of Zion National Park, though, March to April and then October to November come highly recommended. Most things are open, and there are slightly fewer crowds to navigate.

Still, it’s best to get into the park early, preferably before 9 am. In the summer and surrounding months, you’ll need to consider that only park shuttle options are allowed from the visitor center. If you want to avoid competing for space there, it’s best to get in early as well. 

Zion National Park in Summer

June – August

Summer is the peak season and hottest time of the year in Zion National Park. It can reach 100 °F (38°C) on some days. Yet, if one were being honest, it’s not necessarily one of the best national parks to visit in summer . 

There are regular thunderstorms in the region, and high rainfall in the mountains increases the risk of flash flooding in the canyon. The river waters have also recorded high levels of toxic cyanobacteria in the Virgin River and surrounding streams during the warmer months.

There are few shaded areas on the hikes, so the best advice is to do them early and bring plenty of hydration. 

A Note on Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms are most common in Utah during the summer months, from late spring to early fall. They can be intense and dramatic, particularly during the warmer months. The state’s diverse geography, which includes mountains, plateaus, and deserts, contributes to the formation of thunderstorms. 

 They often feature lightning, strong winds, and heavy precipitation. Flash floods are a significant concern, especially in slot canyons and areas with steep terrain, just like in Zion National Park.

Zion National Park in the Fall

September – November

Fall is considered a much better option to explore Zion National Park. For one thing, you will not have to deal with the summer crowds of peak season. The weather is more comfortable and mild, too, ranging between the 60s and 70s °F (15-25 °C).

November is your best bet to take advantage before the snow arrives. Note that there may still be a thunderstorm or two during this time. Nights will get cold, so bring appropriate layers to protect yourself after warmish days. The water in the river is also cold, so if you do plan to swim or wade, a wetsuit or drysuit may be a good choice. 

Zion National Park in Winter

December – February

Zion National Park should be added to the list of the best national parks to visit in winter . There are far fewer people hustling through the park, which makes for a much more peaceful and serene experience. 

The downside is that the park is wet and cold during winter. It often drops below freezing at night. That said, for those who love the wintertime with a hint of snow, it could be the perfect nature getaway. 

Roads and trails are icy and a bit more treacherous, and some roads are indeed closed for safety reasons. A few hiking trails may even require special equipment like microspikes. It’s a good idea to check in with the visitor center and park rangers before settling on any specific plan. 

Zion National Park in Spring

March – May

Next to fall, spring is probably another one of the best times to visit Zion National Park. 

The weather maintains a pleasant medium in the 60s and 70s °F (15-25 °C) during the day, and there are far fewer thunderstorms on average. The blossoming flowers and the trees coming to life offer an enchanting and exciting visual experience. 

The Virgin River tends to swell in the spring due to snowmelt, so there are high water levels that can result in the closure of the Narrows hike. If experiencing the Narrows is a top priority, it might be wise to plan your visit for a different time of the year.

Spring break means there are more crowds, though. This happens in much of the country in March most years, with April being Utah’s kick-starter month. So expect some swell in visitor numbers at this time. 

Extending Your Trip to a Bryce Canyon/Zion National Park Itinerary

If you would like to extend your trip, you can add a visit to Bryce Canyon National Park . As the parks are just an hour away from one another, seeing both of these exceptional parks is a great idea.

It would be ideal to extend your Zion and Bryce Canyon itinerary by around an extra two days if possible. 

Top Tip: On the other hand, you don’t have three days, try this handy itinerary for one day in Zion National Park .

Grab Your Free Car Camping Checklist! 🚗🌲

Ready to elevate your car camping game? Snag our essential checklist to ensure you’ve got everything you need for a stress-free, fun-filled adventure! Perfect for beginners and seasoned campers alike. Download now and hit the road prepared! 🌟🎒

Zion National Park Itinerary: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Zion National Park.

Why Is Zion National Park So Famous?

Zion National Park is primarily known for its landscape, in particular its sandstone cliffs and deep canyons. The sandstone landscape also shows off interesting, streaking red colors, especially at sunrise and sunset. 

One of the key attractions is the Zion Canyon, a deep and narrow gorge carved by the Virgin River over millions of years. The towering sandstone walls of the canyon, reaching up to 2,000 feet in height, provide a dramatic backdrop for awesome pictures.

The park also features iconic landmarks like Angels Landing and the Narrows, offering ambitious hikes and opportunities for breathtaking views.

Is Zion National Park Expensive?

In Zion, the fee for a private vehicle with a seven-day pass is around $35. Individual entry fees for pedestrians or cyclists are lower. There’s a decent range of accommodations available close by, so visiting the park should fall within most budget ranges.

Is Zion Park Part of the Grand Canyon?

Zion National Park is not part of the Grand Canyon. It’s situated in southwestern Utah. The Grand Canyon, on the other hand, is located in northern Arizona. The Grand Canyon is significantly larger and older than Zion Canyon.

Can You Swim in Zion National Park?

Swimming is allowed in most sections of the river, but tubing is prohibited. You may not swim in the Emerald Pools attraction at all.

Tip: The Pine Creek Waterfall swimming hole in Zion National Park is a hidden gem worth discovering.

Tours Of Zion National Park

What to pack for the best hikes at zion.

• Sunscreen:  Utah gets HOT! Even in the winter, we were hiking in bright sunny weather at times.   >Buy Sunscreen
• Hiking Boots/Shoes:  If you use tennis shoes, you can easily hurt your toes by hitting a rock by accident (Trust me, I have done it so many times before).  >Check Out My Hiking Shoes
• Hiking socks: Having the correct socks helps you prevent getting blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there. >Buy Hiking Socks
• Water Reservoir:  Water reservoirs help prevent me from getting dehydrated while hiking. The great thing about this reservoir is that it doesn’t have a plastic taste.  >Here Is My Water Reservoir
• Water: Stay nice and hydrated.
• Sunglasses:  It can get sunny, so make sure to pack some sunglasses.  >Check Out These Sunglasses
• Snacks:  The best snacks are jerky, nuts, and energy bars. Clif Bars are great for hiking.
• Camera: The Sony A6000 was one of the first cameras I started traveling with. The Sony A6000 is an excellent camera for people that want to start improving at travel photography.    >Buy Sony Camera Here
• First Aid Kit: This is one of the first things I bought when I first started going on adventures. It is super portable.  >Buy This Awesome First Aid Kit Here
• Day Pack to carry all your things:  The REI bag I have linked, we have had for seven years now, and it is still going strong! >Buy This Great Quality Backpack
• Headlamp: A headlamp is an absolute must in case you get stranded in the dark! It is a lot more portable and easier to use than a flashlight. >Buy A Headlamp Now
• Leggings or shorts: Shorts are good for hot days and if you are hiking the narrows! >Click For These Cute Shorts
• Breathable sweat-wicking shirts : Cotton shirts soak up your sweat when hiking, so make sure to wear something breathable. >Check out this awesome breathable shirt here.
• Sports Bra:  For women. >Buy One Here
• Jacket: In case you go during the winter months.   >Buy My Favorite Jacket
• Tripod: This is an optional item, but it is excellent for getting the ideal sunset pictures. >Check out this tripod
• Knife: I always carry a knife in my backpack just in case. >Check Out My Knife Here
• National Park Pass:   I highly recommend getting a year-long America The Beautiful Pass.   >Get It Here
• Sandals: If you are hiking the Narrows then I suggest good sandals. >Click Here For These
• Trekking Poles: I highly recommend this if you are hiking the narrows. It really helps with balance. >Buy Some Here
• Map For Zion: A map is essential so you don’t get lost. I love National Geographic’s maps. They are good quality >Buy One Here

Claim your FREE Hiking Checklist

Ready to start hiking? Grab my free hiking checklist and never forget anything at home!

How Many Days to Spend in Zion National Park

Three days may be the perfect amount of time to spend exploring this divine wilderness. Of course, more is always better. Take a look at a great way to split a three-day Zion National Park Itinerary.

However, if you want to see Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks all in one go, extending your stay to five days is ideal.

Where to Stay in Zion National Park

Looking for a place to stay while visiting this beautiful park? Here are a few suggestions to consider. 

Luxury | Brian Head Lodge 

This beautiful luxury Zion Lodge is situated in the scenic location of Brian Head and conveniently located within seven miles of Cedar Breaks National Monument. It is about 50 miles from Zion National Park. 

The area surrounding the hotel is popular for hiking and skiing. The Zion Lodge even offers bike rentals for those looking to explore the surroundings. >>> Check Availability

Mid-Range | Holiday Inn Express Springdale

Situated just 1.6 miles from the stunning Zion National Park amidst the captivating red rock cliffs, the Holiday Inn Express in Springdale is a superb middle-budget option. 

The hotel makes for a good base if you are also planning to visit Bryce Canyon, which is just 85 miles away. It’s also just yards away from the above-mentioned Oscar’s Cafe. >>> Check Availability  

Budget | Super 8 by Wyndham

The Super 8 is in downtown Hurricane, Utah, about 2.5 miles from the useful but small Hurricane Airport. If you’re a golf player, you may want to take advantage of this hotel’s location. 

Coral Canyon Golf Course is just a 12-minute drive away, while the stunning Zion National Park is located 17 miles from the hotel. >>> Check Availability

Camping | Zion View Camping

Zion View Camping in Hildale offers accommodations, free bikes for use by visitors, and barbecue facilities at an outdoor fireplace.

At the campground, every unit includes outdoor furniture for your convenience. There’s a seating and a dining area in all units as well. For guests with children, the campground conveniently provides outdoor play equipment to keep them busy during your downtime. >>> Check Availability

Camping in Zion National Park

If you’re hoping to camp in Zion itself, you’re not short of options. You can take your pick from three stunning options: the South Campground, the Watchman Campground, or the Lava Point Campground.

Being some of the only accommodations within the park itself, these campsites book up quickly. So, if you want to enjoy a truly rustic outing in the natural expanse that is Zion National Park, book one of these campsites at least six months in advance. >>> Check Availability

Final Thoughts on Planning a Zion National Park Itinerary 

Zion National Park stands as a monument to the astonishing beauty of nature. The towering red cliffs stand in majestic support of the serene flow of the Virgin River. Visiting Zion National Park should be on any keen hiker’s bucket list.

This is a great place to navigate the awe-inspiring canyons or discover hidden gems like the Pine Creek Waterfall swimming hole. There are plenty of places to stay in or around the park. The local eateries and restaurants offer surprisingly good food and a cheery atmosphere. Have a good Zion trip!

PS: If you’re unfamiliar with hiking, check out these guides on wildlife safety tips and some Leave No Trace principles for US and Utah national parks. 

Get my free National Park Checklist

When you join the newsletter, pin for later: zion national park itinerary.

Similar Posts

Best Time to Visit Yosemite National Park | Season by Season

Glamping in Joshua Tree, California | 13 Amazing Tents, Igloos & More

16 Best Things To Do in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

An Ultimate Guide to Hiking to Plateau Point Grand Canyon

The Best National Park in Utah – All 5 Ranked From Best to Worst

The Ultimate 7-Day Grand Teton To Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Partnerships
• Guest Post Submission

Hiking , National Parks , Utah

Ultimate zion to bryce canyon national park road trip itinerary.

Both Bryce Canyon and Zion are filled with some of the world’s most renowned hiking trails, viewpoints, and geology in the American Southwest. In this guide, we highlight all the best stops on an epic Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary. 

Utah is an incredibly diverse state with so much beauty highlighted within its five National Parks . Two of which are Zion and Bryce Canyon, some of the most popular national parks in the state. 

Since both these parks are located in the southwest corner of Utah, a lot of travelers choose to visit them both in the same trip.

In this guide we’re laying out an epic road trip itinerary from Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park. We cover all the best things to do, the best route for traveling between the parks, essential tips, and what to pack for the ultimate adventure.

Article contents

• About Zion & Bryce Canyon
• Itinerary overview
• Know before you go
• Day 1: Zion
• Day 2: Zion
• Day 3: Bryce Canyon
• Day 4: Bryce Canyon
• What to pack

About Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks

Bryce and Zion National Park are two beloved desert gems in the Southwestern corner of Utah. Zion is Utah’s most visited national park, with over 4 million visitors annually. The mile-deep canyon is carved by the breathtaking Virgin River and pine trees dot the landscape interspersed with red rock cliffs. 

Just 85 miles to the east, Bryce Canyon is seemingly of another world. Famous for its hoodoos—the tall, pillar-like rock formations protruding from the arid basin. The landscape at Bryce Canyon is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. 

Zion Canyon to the vibrant hoodoos of Bryce make for an adventurous road trip to two iconic canyons in Utah.

Because these parks are direct opposites of each other, you wouldn’t expect them to be just under two hours apart. Some people visit each park individually from Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, but we think they’re best explored together on a road trip.

Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park Itinerary Overview

In this article, we’ve outlined the perfect 4-day Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary. This itinerary is designed for those looking to fill their days with adventure and end their trip truly feeling like they experienced each park to the fullest. 

You’ll begin your trip by spending two days experiencing a taste of what the picturesque Zion canyon has to offer. Then you’ll spend the next two days exploring in and around the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. 

How much time do I need in Zion and Bryce Canyon?

You could spend years adventuring through each of these parks and still not experience everything. However, we think two days in each park is the sweet spot where you are able to see the highlights and then some. 

We found 2 days in Zion to be especially useful because if you didn’t get a permit for Angels Landing on your first try, you’ll have an extra day to enter the next-day permit drawing. 

When to go to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks?

You can enjoy either park year-round, however, the best seasons to visit Bryce Canyon and Zion are spring and fall because the crowds are slimmer and the weather is a lot more favorable than in the scorching heat of the summer months. 

Want to try out vanlife while visiting the national parks?

If you’ve been following us for a while now, you know we’re obsessed with #vanlife. However, if you don’t have the time (or interest!) in  building your own conversion  but you still want to give vanlife a test drive, we’ve got options for you…

Check out our list of top companies for  USA Campervan Rentals , from budget to bougie, we’ve even included some exclusive discounts for our readers. 

One company we’d recommend looking into is  Escape Campervans . They have 12 different locations across North America (including Seattle) and come fully loaded with all the gear you need for an epic road trip. Plus, their rates are fair and affordable.

BONUS: We’ve partnered with them to give you a  10% off discount when you use our  link !

Things to know before visiting

• Expect crowds. Expect to share the scenic drives, trails, and viewpoints with a ton of other people in each of the parks since they’re both so popular.
• Take advantage of the free shuttles. Both parks have limited parking and offer free shuttle services. These are the best and quickest ways to get around since you won’t have to worry about finding parking, especially in Bryce Canyon.
• Get an early start. Starting early will give you a bit more solitude from all the crowds and a respite from the midday desert sun. 
• Pick up a park pass before you go. An America the Beautiful Pass will save you a ton of money on entry fees for the U.S. national parks. More on this pass below!
• Book far in advance. These two national parks are increasingly popular year after year, and most accommodations book up 6 months to a year in advance.
• Pack layers for Bryce Canyon. The park sits at an average of 8,000 feet above sea level, so the temperature stays chilly year round. 
• You cannot drive your car in Zion . To reduce pollution and congestion, you can only drive inside Zion when the shuttles aren’t running in the winter months. 
• You’ll need a permit to hike Angel’s Landing in Zion. In response to overcrowding and congestion, a pilot permit program was introduced in 2022. More on how to snag your permit below. 

America the Beautiful annual park pass

If you’re planning to visit more than just Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, we’d highly encourage you to look into getting an annual park pass. At $35+ per vehicle upon entry, visiting the national parks in the U.S. can get expensive.

For just $80 per year, you can purchase the America the Beautiful park pass. This pass grants you free access to all of the national parks. Plus it also covers your entrance to over 2,000 natural, historical, and recreational sites across the United States.

If you still need convincing, check out our article: National Park Annual Pass: Is it Worthwhile? + How to Buy

How to get you Angels Landing permit

As of April 1, 2022, everyone on the trail to hike the famous (and most popular of the hikes in Zion ) Angels Landing, needs to have a permit. 

Permits are allotted via an online lottery system. You can apply for a permit for up to 6 people and can select from multiple preferences for hike start times.

Permits are divided between the Seasonal and Daily lotteries. The fall seasonal lottery (hiking dates between Sept 1 – Nov 30) applications are available between July 1-20 and winners are notified on July 25th. 

That leaves the daily lottery for the remainder of the year. You may enter for a chance to win a permit the day before your intended hike from midnight to 3:00 p.m. Results will be delivered via email by 4:00 p.m. for the following day. 

Apply for your Angels Landing permit the day before your intended hike here . 

And now with all that info out of the way, let’s get into the fun part!

Day 1 | Zion National Park

The first day of this itinerary takes you up to the infamous Angels Landing and along the scenic vistas of the Zion Mount-Carmel Highway. From there, you’ll have the option to hike the Watchman Trail before enjoying sunset at Canyon Overlook.

Important Note: This itinerary for 2 days in Zion is best if you have a permit to hike Angels Landing. If you didn’t get a permit, consider switching Angels Landing and the Narrows hike to give yourself an extra day to enter the permit lottery.

Hike Angels Landing 

• Distance: 4.4 miles, out and back 
• Elevation gain: 1,604 feet
• Difficulty rating: hard, because of the exposure on the spine
• Duration: 4-5 hours

For your first day in Zion, you’ll be taking on the challenge of the Angels Landing Trail. Aim to make the first shuttle to the trailhead to avoid a ton of crowds.

Along this 4.4-mile hike, you’ll sweat your way up Walters Wiggles before arriving at the infamous Scouts Lookout. Take in the views, then make your way to the top of Angels Landing via the iconic chains nailed into the sandstone rock spine. 

Optional: If you didn’t get a permit or simply don’t want to attempt the entire Angel’s Landing hike, you can still make your way up Walter’s Wiggles to Scout’s Lookout and just turn around from there. 

Take the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive Shuttle

• Duration: 1.5 hours round trip

After an adrenaline-filled morning, give your legs a rest while taking in the views along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Hop on the free Zion Shuttle Bus to navigate this 26-mile road, which features historic rock tunnels, hairpin switchbacks, and the unique geology of Checkerboard Mesa.

This highway was considered impossible when road plans began due to design, engineering, and logistical challenges, but somehow they pulled it off. As you ride the shuttle, you’ll take in both the remarkable views along the drive and impressive feats of early engineers.

Hike the Emerald Pools Trail (Optional)

• Distance: 3 miles, loop
• Elevation gain: 620 feet
• Difficulty rating: easy – moderate
• Duration: 1-3 hours

Depending on how your legs are feeling, the best way to spend the late afternoon is along the Emerald Pools Trail. This 3-mile loop trail takes you to vibrant green pools and close to stunning waterfalls. 

This is a moderately easy trail that is well-worth the hike in this unique area of the park.

Sunset at Canyon Overlook

• Distance: 1 mile, out and back
• Elevation gain: 187 feet
• Difficulty rating: easy to moderate
• Duration: 1 hour

At the end of the day, head to the Canyon Overlook Trail for a 1-mile out-and-back hike to incredible views of Zion Canyon. This is a short trail, but it is very steep! Parking is also extremely limited, so you may need to park your car a little ways down the road.

Day 2 | Zion National Park

The second day in Zion will be hiking through the world-renowned, 100-foot walls of Zion Canyon known as the Narrows. After checking off this bucket list item, you’ll head out to peruse the Pa’rus Trail and stop into the Zion History Museum, then end the day at Observation Point. 

Hike The Narrows

• Distance: 8.9 miles, out and back
• Elevation gain: 695 feet
• Difficulty rating: moderate to hard
• Duration: 2-6 hours depending on your speed and how far you hike

The Narrows hike has been rated one of the most scenic trails in the WORLD, year after year, so be prepared to be in awe as you hike the narrowest portion of Zion Canyon.

The best part about this hike is that you can make it as easy or difficult as you’d like. 

We recommend at least hiking to Wall Street, the narrowest and most beautiful part, which is 6-miles there and back. But the views along the entire trail are all memorable.

• The Narrows Hike: Trail Guide for Zion National Park

Cycle the Pa’rus Trail

• Duration: 1-2 hours

After resting your legs, you’ll head to the Zion Visitor Center and walk along the scenic and paved Pa’rus Trail. If your legs are spent after hiking the Narrows, there are eBike rentals just up the road at Zion Outfitter . An eBike is great for this trail since it’s paved and you’ll get a nice breeze as you cruise down it.

Check out the Zion Human History Museum

• Duration: 30 minutes – 1 hour

About a mile into the Pa’rus Trail, you’ll take a small dirt spur path to the Zion Human History Museum. Inside, you can learn about Zion’s original indigenous settlers as well as the Euro-colonizers that later settled the area.

Option 1: Sunset at Canyon Junction Bridge

Canyon Junction Bridge is one of the best places to watch the sunset in Zion National Park that doesn’t require a hike. From the heart of Zion valley, you will see the iconic Watchman Peak turn shades of red and orange as the sun sets beyond the horizon. 

This is a popular spot for sunset, so make sure you arrive with plenty of time to get a decent spot on the bridge. Just off the Pa’rus Trail, you can either walk/cycle here, or take the shuttle and get off at Stop 3. 

Option 2: Hike to Observation Point for sunset

• Distance: 7 miles, out and back
• Elevation gain: 702 feet
• Difficulty rating: moderate
• Duration: 4-6 hours

If you’re feeling up for another long hike (maybe you decided to skip Angel’s Landing) you can venture out for sunset at Observation Point via the East Mesa Trail. This is a longer journey, but the hike is relatively flat for 7-miles out-and-back. The trail to one of the most iconic viewpoints in the park for sunset. 

Where to stay in Zion National Park

You’ll want to base yourself close to the park since you only have two days here. The Zion Lodge is in a great location in the heart of the park. Other great options are either of Zion’s campgrounds, the Watchman and South Campgrounds , or the Driftwood Lodge in Springdale.  

Day 3 | Bryce Canyon National Park

On the morning of day 3, you’ll drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park. You’ll want to get an early start so you can get to Bryce Canyon before 9:00 a.m. to avoid crowds. 

Directions from Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park

The distance from Zion to Bryce Canyon is only about 85 miles and takes just under 2 hours. You’ll take scenic Highway 9 towards Canyon Junction then head north on US-89 N. From there, you’ll turn right on UT-12 E to Bryce Canyon. 

Take the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive

• Duration: 1.5-3 hours, depending on how many stops you make and for how long

Once you arrive at the park, pick up a map at the Visitor Center and head out on the 38-mile round trip Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive. You can take your time hitting all 13 viewpoints along this road, or focus on Bryce’s best views: Inspiration Point , Bryce Point , Natural Bridge , Rainbow Point , and Yovimpa Point .

Take in the views at Fairyland Point

For the afternoon, drive or take the shuttle to Fairyland Point to take in the remarkable vista of hoodoos before heading out on the most underrated hike in Bryce Canyon, the Fairyland Loop.

Hike the Fairyland Loop for sunset

• Distance: 7.8-mile loop
• Elevation gain: 1,545 feet
• Difficulty rating: challenging
• Duration: 4 hours

This 8-mile trail is the perfect way to wrap up your first day in Bryce Canyon. The hike is one of the most scenic in the park, has few crowds, AND has the best sunset spot in Bryce Canyon, Tower Bridge. 

It takes 4 hours in total to complete, so be sure to pack a headlamp and plan the right timing for sunset, or head out early if you don’t want to hike back in the dark. 

Day 4 | Bryce Canyon National Park

For the final day of this itinerary, you’ll enjoy your first and last sunrise in Bryce Canyon. Then, you’ll hike the best trail in the park. After finishing the trail, you can take the Rim Trail back to your car at Sunset Point.

Sunrise at Sunset Point

• Distance: 1.1 miles out-and-back
• Elevation gain: 82 feet
• Difficulty rating: easy

It seems counterintuitive so watch the sunrise at Sunset Point, but all of the park rangers in Bryce Canyon will attest that the sun lights up the canyon even more beautifully for sunrise here. Plus, you’ll avoid all the crowds at Sunrise Point.

Figure 8 Loop Trail

• Distance: 6.3-mile loop
• Elevation gain: 1,499 feet
• Duration: 3.5 hours

While many people hike the trails in Bryce Canyon individually, the park’s condensed nature has allowed for an incredible network of interconnected trails. The Figure 8 Loop Trail is a prime example of that. 

This scenic 6.3-mile hiking trail combines the three best hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park : the Navajo Loop Trail , Queens Garden Trail, and the Peek-a-boo Loop. 

You’ll get up close and personal with the hoodoo rock formations that make Bryce Canyon such a unique destination not only in the U.S., but worldwide.

Sunrise Point for sunset

At the very end of the Figure 8 Loop, you’ll climb up scenic switchbacks to Sunrise Point. Take in the stunning vistas standing at the edge of the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater, then walk back to Sunset Point via the Rim Trail to complete the loop. 

Spend the rest of the day getting an early start heading home, or check out other incredible things to do in Bryce Canyon, like the Mossy Cave Trail.

Where to stay in Bryce Canyon National Park

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon , Sunset Campground, and North Campgrounds are all in a prime location next to all the best trailheads in the park. Ruby’s Inn is another great option just a short drive away from the park in Bryce City.

What to pack for your Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary

Since you’ll be doing lots of hiking in Zion and Bryce Canyon, you’ll want to come prepared. There are a few items we take on every hike with us, no matter how far or challenging the trail we plan to tackle.

• Get your first week of using Alltrails+ for FREE when you  sign up using our link !
• Hiking daypack
• Hydration pack and/or water bottles
• Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat
• Bug spray (we prefer the natural stuff )
• Camera and tripod ( this is our favorite for hiking)
• Note: If you plan to hike the Narrows in Zion, you’ll want to bring close-toed shoes that can get wet. Keen makes great shoes for just this purpose!
• Comfortable hiking clothes (dress in layers!)
• Swimwear (if you’re visiting in the summer and plan to take a dip!)
• Light jacket for the cooler evenings
• Hiking snacks

You may also like…

• Best Hikes in Zion National Park
• Best Hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park
• USA National Parks Checklist & Guide

Save this article on Pinterest for later!

We want to hear from you!

Are you planning a road trip through Utah from Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park and still have questions? Leave your comment below and we’ll do our best to get you the answers you’re looking for!

2 thoughts on “ Ultimate Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park Road Trip Itinerary ”

Hi! This has been super helpful in planning our own trip. Just wondering: what shuttle service did you use for the Zion-Mt Carmel Highway? I can’t find anything about a shuttle on that section from the park’s website.

Great question! The Mount-Carmel Scenic Highway is a state highway, and the turn off is just before the gate where no outside cars are allowed. Therefore you can drive your own vehicle on that road.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• National Parks
• Tiny Houses

The Ultimate Zion to Bryce Canyon Road Trip Itinerary

Posted by Sarah Lamagna March 23, 2021 Updated January 05, 2024

Two of the most unique and beautiful national parks sit within two hours of one another, but make sure not to race from one straight to the other.

There’s so much to explore in between.

Utah has five national parks, and only 100 miles separate Bryce Canyon and Zion. That means they’re easy to combine into one long weekend, and many people leave one park and head directly to set up camp in the other. But that’s a mistake – there are many can’t-miss sights along the way, many of which are rarely crowded as most people just flock to the parks. This Zion to Bryce road trip will take you through red sandstone, natural tunnels, and some truly secret gems throughout southern Utah.

Traversing through some of the most distinctive landscapes the United States has to offer, this road trip will be one you’ll remember forever. Fully customizable, you have the power to make this road trip your own. For each section you’ll find highlights, potential side trips, and suggested places to stay.

This epic southern Utah road trip includes:

• Over 300 miles
• Almost 6 hours of driving
• 2 national parks
• 1 national monument
• 2 state parks
• 1 national conservation area

Related Read: The Ultimate Salt Lake City to Zion Road Trip Itinerary

Zion to Bryce Road Trip By Section

Start your journey at the most common airport people fly in and out of in southern Utah: St. George. Take a look at the complete route on Google Maps to follow along as you read the guide below. If you want to see everything on the itinerary (not including side trips), it’ll take about five days. With side trips, it’s more like seven or eight days. Take as long or as little as you like depending on your mood and adventure mindset.

Leg One: St. George to Springdale

Related Read:   12 Gorgeous Cabin Rentals Near Zion National Park, Utah

Leg 1 Highlight: Zion National Park

The town of Springdale is quaint, welcoming, and full of character. It sits at the southern entrance to Zion and is more than just a parking lot for the park. Grab dinner if you arrive at night, and consider also picking up something for lunch the next day. That way, you can wake up and head right to the park shuttle stop in the morning, which will likely be within a few miles of your lodging. It’s the best way to get in and out of the park quickly without worrying about parking.

Zion National Park is best experienced over the course of a few days. But if you’re on a tight schedule, check out the best way to spend one breathtaking day in Zion . Zion is best known for its red, pink, and white cliffs that tower over a sweeping valley. Make sure to get out of your vehicle and walk a bit what you’re here, even if it’s a short one: the views are iconic and standing among the towering rocks is a magical feeling.

Related Read:   When is the Best Time to Visit Zion National Park?

Leg 1 Side Trip: Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

It’s worth the 60-mile detour to this one-of-a-kind state park . Just like the name suggests, the colors of the dunes are unreal. These sand dunes were created by the winds that flow through the notch between the Moquith and Moccasin mountains. Wind carries sand deposits, and since al the wind gets funneled through that one spot, the sand does, too. You can do a shorter hike here through a canyon if you’re in a hurry but still want amazing views.

Leg 1: Where to Stay

So many options! Camp inside the park, stay at the trendy and eco-friendly Under Canvas Zion , or book one of the area’s lux hotels. It’s not a cheap place to stay, but you should be able to find basic rooms around $100 a night at the EconoLodge and other comparable hotels.

• The 11 Best Airbnbs near Zion National Park, Utah
• 11 of the Best Glamping Destinations in Utah

Leg Two: Zion National Park to Duck Creek Village

Leg 2 Highlight: Checkerboard Mesa

This ten-mile stretch from Zion’s East Entrance to Mount Carmel is unforgettable. You’ll drive up and around switchbacks and slickrock while getting to see the sweeping valley views. It’ll be hard to keep your eyes on the road. At one point, the highway carves right into the side of a cliff with a mile-long tunnel.

“Windows” were carved out of the tunnel so passengers could glimpse the adjacent dangerous rock ledges. Don’t forget to stop at Checkerboard Mesa to snap a few photos. Hundreds of thousands of years of freezing and thawing, wind, and rain, carved the now-petrified Navajo sandstone into an amazing checkerboard pattern.

Leg 2 Side Trip: Kanab

The town of Kanab is more than just a quick side trip. If you decide to head this way, try to stay for at least a night — if not more. Sitting at the southwestern edge of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Kanab is a great starting point for many slot canyon hikes within two national monuments — Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is the other one. Check out these must-do Kanab adventures .

Leg 2: Where to Stay

Duck Creek’s main road (called Movie Ranch Road) is home to most of the businesses and lodging. Though the region was first inhabited by sheepherders, it became a popular filming location for Hollywood in the 1940s. In fact, the are was considered a “movie ranch” — a place with dozens of sets and backgrounds for the sole purpose of staging. Westerns were popular in the 1930s and ’40s, and Duck Creek has that ‘Wild West’ look in spades. The town was a popular place with A-list Hollywood actors like Henry Fonda  and Elizabeth Taylor.

• 12 Best Cabin Rentals in Duck Creek, Utah

Leg 3: Duck Creek Village to Bryce Canyon National Park

Leg 3 Highlight: Hatch

Don’t blink or you’ll miss this tiny town worth stopping in as you make your way north to the park. With roughly 150 residents, the town triples and quadruples in size during the peak tourist months. Find a unique gift or memento at Mugwumps Antique Shop and grab a beer or two at the Outlaw Saloon , the only full-service bar in the entire county.

Leg 3 Highlight: Bryce Canyon National Park

It’s the reason you’re here: head into  Bryce Canyon National Park for as many days as you can spare. The park is convenient in that you can explore by car or by foot. If you’re short on time, head out to the many observation points along the Route 63. They’re clearly marked on the park map and don’t require much walking.

If you have more days to spare, check out some of the more in-depth things to do in the park or choose one of the 10 best hikes in the park . Depending on when you visit, you may be able to attend the park’s annual Geology Fest or Astronomy Fest , book a horseback ride on the trails, or catch a hoodoo informational hike to learn about the park’s world-famous formations.

Leg 3 Side Trip: Escalante

The town of Escalante is the other recommended basecamp if you want to adventure within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument . Just like Kanab, if you decide to head on this side trip, spend at least a day here. Driving along Hole-in-the-Rock Road might not be exciting, but the trails are stunning.

Check out Spooky and Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyons and Bull Valley Gorge . The monument is huge and less crowded than Bryce, so some people may prefer it over its busiest neighbor.

Leg 3: Where to Stay

If you want to stay in the park, the historical Lodge Hotel is your best option — make your reservations as soon as possible. Otherwise, there are plenty of convenient and affordable hotels and motels near Panguitch, plus a few camping and cabin resorts.

• 14 Best & Most Unique Utah Airbnb Rentals
• 12 Stunning & Secluded Utah Cabin Rentals

Leg 4: Bryce Canyon National Park to St. George

Related Read:   12 Best Cabin Rentals in Duck Creek, Utah

Leg 4 Highlight: Panguitch

With one of the cutest downtowns ever, the city of Panguitch impresses anyone who drives through. It’s name means “big fish” in the Paiute language, so stop here if you love fishing — some of the largest rainbow trout in the state of Utah were caught here.

If you happen to come across this town in June, make sure to stick around for the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, when hot air balloons are paraded down main street to light up the night sky.

Leg 4 Highlight: Kanarraville Creek Canyon

This town has swelled with tourists thanks to social media. The Kanarraville Creek Slot Canyon used to just be a local secret, but it’s become popular enough that permits are now required to help protect the trail.

It’s Kanarraville Creek Canyon is a three-mile walk through water into gushing waterfalls through a slot canyon. And you don’t have to be a professional photographer to snap a great picture — the falls are beautiful enough that you don’t need a perfect eye.

Leg 4 Side Trip: Cedar Breaks National Monument

Cedar Breaks National Monument might look a tad familiar after just visiting Bryce Canyon. The difference between the two areas is Cedar Breaks sits at 10,000 feet above sea level with a 2,500-foot-deep amphitheater.

There’s plenty of great hiking in the monument, but if your legs are tired from all the exploring you’ve already done by now, just stop by one of the ranger-led programs instead.

Leg 4 Side Trip: St. George

If you have some time to spare, St. George is actually a pretty cool little town. You could head to Snow Canyon State Park in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, which was established to protect desert tortoise. You may even get to see one while you’re there.

Check out the Scout Cave Trail or the Petrified Dunes Trail if you need some recs. Other fun destinations in St. George include the Dinosaur Discovery Center and Grafton ghost town , which you could also stop by on the way to Zion NP.

Leg 4: Where to Stay

Fortunately, you have no shortage of options around St. George. You can grab any old no-frills motel, glamp in a cabin or wagon at nearby Holmstead Ranch , or treat yourself after a week of camping to a night at the luxury Inn on the Cliff , with a lux outdoor pool overlooking the red rock canyons.

• 11 Best Airbnbs in St. George for Your Southern Utah Getaway
• 11 Beautiful Glamping Spots Near Zion National Park

Explore More in Utah

10 Best Hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

14 Best Hikes in Zion National Park, Utah

12 Stunning & Secluded Cabin Rentals in Utah

12 Best Things to Do in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Itinerary Ideas for One Breathtaking Day in Zion National Park

Sign up for Weekend Wanderer to join thousands of readers getting epic travel and airbnb ideas every week.

Seen in: Destinations , National Parks , Road Trips , Southwest , Utah , Zion National Park

Posted by Sarah Lamagna

Sarah is an ecologist-turned-freelance writer specializing in the ecotourism and slow/sustainable travel industry. Her bylines include The Denver Post, 5280 magazine, VeryWellFamily, Matador Network, and was an expert on NPR’s The Takeaway for her work on the wildfires in Colorado.

Find your next adventure

Sign up for Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly.

Related Posts

The 7 Best Caves in Arizona for Subterranean Exploration

If you’re looking for a real Arizona adventure, what could be cooler than finding your way underground?

Dome in the Desert is Still One of Joshua Tree’s Hippest Airbnbs

The best way to soak in Joshua Tree's bohemian desert vibes? A revitalized geodesic dome from the '80s, of course.

12 Ideas for How to Spend One Day in Death Valley National Park

One day in Death Valley will never be enough, but sometimes, you have to make do with what you’ve got.

11 Best Scenic Drives in Southern California

Southern California is loaded with beautiful sights, and exploring them on a scenic byway drive is a great way to escape the workday grind.

8 Unforgettable Romantic Getaways in Utah

Utah is a surprisingly romantic and beautiful state thanks to its towering cliffs, beautiful deserts, and mountain retreats - and these destinations showcase them all.

10 Best Weekend Road Trips From Chicago, Illinois

Sometimes you need a change of scenery, and these weekend road trips from Chicago make it easy to get away from the bustle of the Windy City.

Relax in 6 of Utah’s Best Natural Hot Springs

Why not enjoy a nature-approved spa day in the Beehive State?

The Ultimate Dallas to Austin Road Trip: What to See Along the Way

Just one road takes you from Dallas and Austin, but there are countless things to see and do along that route.

CURRENT PRICES END MAY 12

Outside Festival feat. Thundercat and Fleet Foxes.

FROM JUST $44

Powered by Outside

Salt Lake City to Zion National Park Road Trip

On the way to zion national national park, stop at these other national parks and monuments on the way..

Explore this fun multi-day driving itinerary from Salt Lake City through Grand Staircase, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Cedar Breaks national park sites.

Start: Salt Lake City

Tradition and energy collide in Salt Lake. Find juxtaposition in Utah’s capital where tradition meets a progressive and energetic cultural scene.

Follow your trail in Park City, Utah. From mountain biking to al fresco dining to arts and culture, Park City, Utah , has a trail for everyone. Just outside Park City, experience what it’s like to be an Olympian at the 400-acre Utah Olympic Park.

Natural Retreats Park City Stay in a beautifully appointed vacation rental on your way to the parks.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Head for the scenic Utah Byway 12 from Boulder to Escalante and into Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument . It’s rated one of the ten most scenic highways in the nation by Car and Driver Magazine .

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is named for the 5,500-foot stairstep-like rise of formations from the rim of the Grand Canyon and up to the Bryce and Escalante River canyons. And the monument is surrounded by state parks and recreation areas.

Want to travel more sustainably? Follow our eco-friendly vacation itinerary of this section of the road trip from Boulder, Utah to Zion National Park.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Explore Bryce Canyon National Park ’s famous red rock spires and horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters. Bryce Canyon transcends 2,000 feet of elevation, and therefore exists in three distinct climatic zones: spruce/fir forest, Ponderosa Pine forest, and Pinyon Pine/juniper forest. Don’t miss our top seven viewpoints and five favorite hikes in the park.

Then discover the solitude you’ve been searching for just east of Bryce Canyon National Park in towns like Boulder and Escalante in Bryce Canyon Country .

Kanab, Utah

Kanab is Utah’s best-kept secret . Stay in the center of Utah’s wild country with national parks and monuments galore including White Pocket, The Wave and Buckskin Gulch. After you work up an appetite, sample Kanab’s truly incredible culinary scene.

Zion National Park

As visitors drive through Zion National Park , it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the size and vertical orientation of the canyon walls that are all around you. You feel tiny considering the scale of your surroundings. Spend the day hiking one of the famous trails like the Emerald Pools, Angels Landing (Not for those scared of heights) or Zion Narrows (Be prepared to wade through water.) Also don’t miss our top three vistas in Zion National Park.

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Welcome to Utah’s “Dixie,” known for a mild climate and history as a pre-Civil War-era cotton growing region. There’s a 7,500-foot drop from the cool forest of Cedar Breaks National Monument to St. George on the edge of the Mohave Desert. This is “Color Country,” known for the vibrant hues of cliff faces and especially Zion National Park.

Cedar Breaks is a natural amphitheater, sort of a miniature Bryce Canyon. The canyon rim is 10,000 feet, so snow effectively shuts down the monument from October to May.

Nearby Cedar City hosts the annual Utah Shakespearean Festival, from late June to mid-October. Plays featured this season in repertory are: Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, Pride and Prejudice, Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps and Great Expectations: A New Musical.

St. George is one of the fastest-growing communities in the country for the past 20 years, attracting retirees drawn by the mild winters. Just 43-miles east of St. George is Zion National Park.

End: Salt Lake City

Popular on utah national park trips.

Get a free Utah national park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information.

Healthy Living

• Clean Eating
• Vegetarian Times
• Yoga Journal
• Fly Fishing Film Tour
• National Park Trips
• Warren Miller
• Fastest Known Time
• Trail Runner
• Women's Running
• Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
• FinisherPix
• Outside Events Cycling Series
• Outside Shop

© 2024 Outside Interactive, Inc

When You Wander

Travel tips, van life, the great outdoors, utah road trip itinerary – 1 week in zion and bryce canyon national parks, march 26, 2018 liana safian.

Zion is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S., for good reason. It’s a vibrant oasis of majestic cliffs, rumbling rivers, and lush vegetation in the middle of the desert. Bryce Canyon (which isn’t a canyon at all—but an amphitheater) is our very favorite Utah national park. The plethora of hoodoos and expansive views are so other-worldly, you feel like you’ve been transported to another planet.

What to do in a Week in Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks

Where to stay.

The first thing you’ll need to decide on your road trip to Zion and Bryce is whether to stay at one place between the two parks or move locations during the week. Since there’s ample free camping outside both places, we moved locations and this is our recommendation. You’ll avoid wasting valuable time driving. Plus, you can catch sunrise and sunset at Bryce Canyon which is an incredible experience.

The Parks: The campgrounds inside Zion and Bryce Canyon are highly competitive. We’re talking Star Wars movie release level lines of vehicles waiting for the next camper to leave. If you have your heart set on camping in the parks, reserve ahead of time or get there super early in the morning. Both Zion and Bryce also have lovely lodges with various accommodation types. Free Camping: There are plenty of free campground options within 30 minutes of both Zion and Bryce Canyon. Hotels and Commercial Campgrounds: Zion has an entire village just outside its south entrance in Springdale, UT. You can even ditch your vehicle and catch a shuttle into the park. Check-out the Zion Canyon Visitors Bureau for options. The county tourism site has lodging details for Bryce. If you really want to stay in one location, here are some possibilities . Just be sure to allow extra time for traffic near and inside the parks.

Where to eat

Fort Zion Restaurant & Virgin Trading Post: This is a fun stop for more than just a hanger cure. In addition to homemade ice cream and juicy burgers (according to Tom), there’s a petting farm and a small village of humorous old west storefronts including the Virgin Jail and Miss Molly’s House of Negotiable Affection. Fruit stand outside the south entrance of Zion: We were so excited to find this stand just when our produce needed replenishing. We ended up stopping daily on our way out of the park. It’s on the left side of the road heading towards Zion’s south entrance. Just make sure to bring $ as it’s a cash only operation. Other places to eat near Bryce: Confession time. We were super budget travelling and didn’t eat out at all during our time in Bryce. Well, unless you count post-sunrise viewing coffee and donuts from the park store. Personally, I think that a 5 am wake-up warrants an extra coffee and a donut, but that doesn’t exactly count as a great food recommendation. So I’ll leave this one to the pro’s and share Eater’s list of best restaurants around Bryce. We’ll definitely be hitting up a few of these next time we’re in the area.

4 days at Zion National Park

• Hike right through the Virgin River in the Narrows.
• Conquer your fear of heights by trekking to Angel’s Landing. If hiking along a narrow ridge that has 1,000 foot drop-offs on both sides isn’t your thing, you can always stop at Scout’s Lookout and take in the views from there.
• Drive through the tunnels and see Checkered Mesa.
• Visit the Human History Museum.
• Get away from the crowds in the serene Kolob Canyons.

Find out even more about these 5 awesome things to do in Zion National Park here.

3 days at Bryce Canyon National Park

• Watch sunrise at Sunrise Point. This was one our favorite experiences from all our 2017 travels.
• Watch sunset at…you guessed it…Sunset Point. Don’t worry, the names in the park get more interesting from here on out.
• See the hoodoos up-close on the Peekaboo Loop Trail (and of course find out what the hell hoodoos are). Queen’s Garden/Navajo loop is a good alternative for a shorter, less strenuous hike that still gets you in the middle of the hoodoo action.
• Drive to the end of HWY 63 and stop at the uniquely named viewpoints. Seriously, who doesn’t want to see something called Piracy Point?
• Visit Red Canyon just outside the national park.
• Take in one of the longest views in North America on the Bristlecone Loop Trail. On clear days you can see all the way to the Grand Canyon.

Get even more details about the best of Bryce Canyon here.

Add-on Capitol Reef National Park

The Park: There’s one developed campground in Fruita with 71 sites. Most sites are reservation only for much of the year so as usual, book early. Free Camping: Free BLM camping can be found to the east and west of the park. There’re also boondocking spots in the National Forest south of the park. Hotels and Commercial Campgrounds: There are other lodging options including hotels, resorts, cabins, and Bed and Breakfasts in the areas surrounding Capitol Reef. Here’s a great site for finding a place to stay in the area. Just be sure to check distances, as some of these are bit far from the park.

Chuckwagon General Store Deli: We went here looking for coffee  and found a fresh tasty deli counter. You can grab lunch to go or eat there. Mesa Farm Market: Located 24 miles east of the Capitol Reef visitor center, this market has it all. In addition to produce they offer salads, artisan breads and baked goods, cheese, yogurt, fresh juices, and more. Other places to eat near Capitol Reef: The Capitol Reef tourism dining page lists lots of other tasty establishments.

• Hang out by the natural water “tanks” in Capitol Gorge.
• Take in the amazing views of the crooked landscape along the Chimney Rock Loop Trail.
• Stand on top of Cassidy Arch.
• Hike to Hickman Bridge natural rock formation.
• Take a trip through time in Fruita and learn about the history of the area’s early settlers.

Get even more details about Capitol Reef National Park here.

If you want to explore all of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks in one visit, check-out our 2-week itinerary . It includes Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands in one epic (yup I used that word) road trip!

If you’re planning a trip (or have already been) to Zion and Bryce Canyon, what’s your favorite experience there?

Related Posts:

• Utah National Parks Itinerary – 1 Week in Arches and Canyonlands
• Utah Road Trip Itinerary – 2 Weeks in the Mighty 5 National Parks
• 13 Road Trip Essentials  (Make sure to have everything you need for your road trip adventure)

Affiliate Disclaimer This post uses affiliate links. What does that mean exactly? Just that if you click a product link and make a purchase we’ll get a small commission on the sale (at no extra cost to you). The official legal speak for this is: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated site.

2 thoughts on “ Utah Road Trip Itinerary – 1 Week in Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks ”

Excellent recommendations and descriptions. But you left out one very important one, which is All American Road Hwy 12 that connects Bryce and Capital Reef or should be included in any recommendation for Bryce. The only one in Utah(only 31 in the US) an All American Road is considered a “Destination unto itself” and on a par with National Parks.

Thanks so much for the recommendation. Sounds like just the kind of road we like to drive. We took a different route to Capitol Reef, but we’re hoping to return to southern Utah and add even more details to our guides. We’ll be sure to check out this route on our next trip. Happy travels!

Comments are closed.

North America Chevron

United States Chevron

Utah Chevron

Zion National Park Chevron

An Expert Guide to Zion National Park

By Emily Pennington

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Zion National Park has remained a thing of road trip lore for over a century, partially due to its proximity to hubs like Las Vegas , Salt Lake City , and Los Angeles —but also for its enormous fins of Navajo sandstone that rise up from the Virgin River like rust-red skyscrapers. Originally protected as  Mukuntuweap National Monument by President Taft in 1909 (named for the Paiute word that roughly translates to “straight canyon”), the area was re-designated by Congress as Zion National Park in 1919.

These days, Zion routinely makes it into the top five  most-visited parks in the entire National Park System. As often happens with photogenic destinations, Zion can feel a bit overrun by iPhone-wielding crowds, particularly within its iconic, 15-mile-long main canyon. Still, the park has a few secret spots up its sleeve, if you’d prefer to avoid the throngs, plus dozens of outstanding lodging options, complete with dreamy red rock vistas, so you can stick around long enough to explore every nook and cranny.

Whether its your first timing visiting or your fifth, consider this your complete guide to Zion National Park—including when to go, where to stay, what to do, and more. 

All listings featured on  Condé Nast Traveler  are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Hikers in Zion National Park

The best time to visit Zion National Park

Zion is an outstanding shoulder-season park, meaning that it’s at its best in spring and fall, when temperatures are cooler, crowds are thinner, wildflowers are blooming (in spring), and most of the region’s best trails and climbing routes are accessible. As with any remote, mountainous area, be sure to check the weather before venturing into high-altitude zones during shoulder season, as snow can accumulate well into April and early-season storms are possible in October and November.

Beyond that, summer is when most visitors flock to Zion National Park. That’s hardly surprising, as kids are out of school, upper elevation trails are snow-free, and it’s an excellent time to take off on a week-long  road trip around Utah’s many  natural wonders . However, summer temperatures in the main canyon typically hover around 100 degrees, and flash floods during the monsoon months (July to September) can make hiking The Narrows, a very popular trek through the thinnest stretch of Zion Canyon, impossible.

Winter is the quietest season in Zion, and a great time to visit if you’re seeking solitude or hoping to motor onto Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (a free shuttle is required March through November) and snap a few photos of its famous vermilion escarpments while they're dusted with fresh white powder.

How to get to Zion National Park

The closest major airport to Zion National Park is Harry Reid International in Las Vegas, which will put you 167 miles from its main entrance. There’s also a small regional airport in St. George, Utah, with limited flights operated by Delta, American, and United, which drop you just 47 miles from the park. Either way, most visitors will rent a car to make up the remaining miles and allow for flexibility when exploring Zion’s different areas, accommodations, and restaurants. As such, it’s common to tackle a few national parks (like Bryce Canyon and  Grand Canyon ), or even some of Utah’s best state parks,  in one larger road-trip-style escape.

Zion National Park's free shuttles

The Narrows

Things to do in Zion National Park

Hikes and backpacking routes.

Apart from simply seeing the canyon in person, hiking and backpacking are the main draw at Zion. Famous trails like the adrenaline-inducing Angels Landing now require a  timed entry permit to hike (which can be avoided by booking a  guided day hike ), but there are plenty of other scenic paths through brilliant orange rock formations that any visitor can hop on at will. The  Canyon Overlook Trail , on the park’s east side, is a low-mileage, high-reward hike with phenomenal views and photo ops along its easy one-mile stretch. If you’re looking to crunch out big miles and escape the main canyon masses, an overnight or day jaunt along the  La Verkin Creek Trail should be first on your list.

Scenic drives

Private vehicles are only allowed along the iconic  Zion Canyon Scenic Drive from December through February (a  free shuttle is required during other months), but there’s a wealth of alternative scenic drives through the scrubby pinyon pines and striated cliffs that the area is so famous for. Just east of Zion’s main canyon, road trippers can wind around  Highway 9 to Mt. Carmel Junction, passing striking tangerine plateaus and the unique, crosshatched texture of hulking Checkerboard Mesa. You’ll find another postcard-inspiring view an hour north from Springdale, along the less-traveled road through  Kolob Canyons , which is known for epic hiking trails and brilliant red crags, sans crowds.

With private vehicle access to Zion Canyon prohibited spring through fall (creating a safe and car-free scenic route), many visitors opt to  bike into the park , and a bevy of friendly Zion bike rental shops have sprouted up nearby to help with growing demand.  Zion Cycles and  Zion Peddler rent road bikes and eBikes in the town of Springdale, but if you’re seeking an in-park rental, the historic  Zion Lodge has you covered. Just remember: Bikes are allowed on park roadways, but not on any paths—except for the paved Pa’rus Trail.

Guided excursions

Not everyone wants to set off into the desert wilderness on their own, and because of Zion’s high popularity there are dozens of standout guided tours and  day hikes designed with adventurous travelers in mind.

Emily Saladino

Mark Ellwood

Equestrians of all ability levels can embark on day trips through Zion’s towering sandstone pinnacles with  Canyon Trail Rides , a local business that’s been guiding visitors for over 50 years. Adrenaline junkies hoping to get up-close-and-personal with the park’s rock formations won’t want to miss an expert-led day of climbing or canyoneering with  Zion Rock & Mountain Guides .

Solo travelers seeking company, or anyone with more than just a couple days in the area, should check out Wildland Trekking’s  basecamp and  inn-based hiking tours , both of which include daily meals and a trek through the steep canyon walls of  The Narrows .

A LaFave luxury rentals at Zion National Park

Where to stay in and around Zion National Park

Whether you’re seeking something  ultra-luxe ,  'gram-worthy , or simply a budget-friendly camping option inside the park, there’s no shortage of great places to hit the hay when your day of exploring Zion is done. Below we cover some of the highlights, though you can find our comprehensive guide on where to stay in Zion National Park here.  

With 176 sites (including RV-friendly spots with electric hookups), flush toilets, and year-round access, the  Watchman Campground is Zion’s largest and best public campground. As such, it often books up months in advance, particularly on weekends and during summer months. Nearby  South Campground is an excellent plan B for car campers looking to sleep inside the park boundaries from spring through autumn.

If you don’t mind a longer drive to and from the park each morning (sunset views included),  Land Beyond Zion offers well-spaced, amenity-rich camping and glamping sites from founder Shanti Hodges, the woman entrepreneur behind  Hike It Baby .

Hotels and rentals

Seeking the best in-park lodging? Head to the historic  Zion Lodge . Completed in 1925, this charming hotel and cabin complex was designed by famed national park architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood and is set amongst the sky-high canyon walls and serpentine river bends that have drawn people to the park for decades.

If a vintage, albeit rustic lodge isn’t for you—some of us just need a full kitchen and luxe linens— La Fave’s well-appointed villas and suites will have you relaxing in style. To book an entire house,  The Ross in nearby Hurricane has a lavish soaking tub and mountain-modern décor.

Emily Pennington is the author of Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America's National Parks (February 1, 2023).

Recommended

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

A first-timer’s guide to Zion National Park

May 6, 2024 • 12 min read

Plan your trip to Zion National Park with this first-timer's guide © Mark Muratore / Shutterstock

Heavenly Zion National Park is the holy grail of Utah’s "Mighty 5"  and one of the most-visited national parks in the country. 

The towering red and white cliffs of Zion Canyon, one of Utah's most dramatic natural wonders, loom high over the Virgin River, and are enshrined in the park’s original name, Mukuntuweap, the Native Paiute word meaning "straight canyon." Mormon settlers who arrived here in the 19th century rechristened it Zion, an ancient Hebrew word meaning "sanctuary."

It’s impossible not to be overcome by the awesomeness of Zion, and the names of its prominent features and rock formations reflect the early Anglo view that Zion is a place on a higher plane: Angels Landing, Court of the Patriarchs , Cathedral Mountain and the Temple of Sinawava, named for the Paiute coyote spirit.

Hiking through the Virgin River in the Narrows or gaping at the canyon from the top of Angels Landing after a 1500ft ascent is indeed amazing, but for all its might and majesty, Zion National Park also holds smaller and more delicate beauties: sandstone rocks "weeping" with water, tiny grottoes, hanging gardens and mesa-top wildflower meadows.

Zion’s beauty is no secret. Nearly five million people pass through its entrances every year, making it the third most-visited national park in the United States . Summers can sometimes feel claustrophobic, and more mandatory permits have been introduced to control the crowds. But quieter corners can still be found, and much of Zion's 232 sq miles are little-visited backcountry.

If it’s your first time visiting Zion National Park, here’s a guide to what you need to know before you go.

When should I go to Zion National Park?

Zion is one of the most-visited national parks in the United States, and about half a million people pour through the park’s entrances every month between April and October. The best times to visit Zion National Park, spring and autumn, bring balmy temperatures and relief from sweaty summers and frosty winters, but these seasons also attract crowds looking to enjoy the park at its prime.

However, if you’re set on hiking the Narrows, spring and summer can be tricky times to visit. The springtime snowmelt that feeds the Virgin River can send water levels soaring, and when the flow of water is faster than 150 cubic feet per second, the National Park Service closes the hike. The Virgin River’s flow rate in spring is unpredictable: sometimes the Narrows will close in early March and not open until late June, and other years the hike will remain open all season. The National Park Service posts current closure notices and dates from previous years on its website .

In summer, flash flooding in the Narrows and other Utah slot canyons is a genuine threat, and hikers have died from being swept away in the rushing waters. The rain doesn’t necessarily have to fall in the park – a surge of stormwater can flow down the river even when the sun is shining overhead. Heed all warnings posted by the National Park Service before you set out on a hike.

Some of Zion’s most popular hikes and activities – including Angels Landing, the Subway and the top-down route of the Narrows – require permits that are issued by lottery, so when you visit might be dependent on when you can score a permit. Far fewer people apply for wintertime permits, though these hikes, especially those in water, require extra care and equipment.

How much time should I spend at Zion National Park?

While you can zip through Zion Canyon in a day, you’d miss out on getting to the heart of this gorgeous national park. With limited time, hop on the Zion Canyon Shuttle from the Visitor Center and set off on the shorter hikes that give a taste of Zion’s unique landscape. Ride the shuttle bus to the last stop, Temple of Sinawava, and take the 2-mile round-trip Riverside Walk, a dry, paved route alongside the Virgin River. The paved trail ends where the Narrows begin, but if you’re short on time, resist the river and check out Zion’s other watery features: the delicate hanging gardens at Weeping Rock and the three Emerald Pools, where clusters of tiny, fragile plants cling to near-vertical rock walls, fed by water seeping out of the sandstone.

If you have more time, tackle Zion Canyon’s longer and more challenging hikes – Angels Landing (permit required) and the Narrows (additional gear often required) – and visit East Zion and Kolob Canyons.

Is it easy to get to and around Zion National Park?

Yes, depending on your starting destination, it’s easy to get to Zion National Park, even without a car. The largest major airport closest to Zion is in Las Vegas , and shuttle bus companies can whisk you to the gateway town of Springdale in about three hours. (The closer Utah town of St George has a small airport with just a few direct flights.)

Getting around Zion Canyon without a car is also easy – and even required for much of the year. From March to the end of November, the National Park Service runs the free Zion Canyon Shuttle between the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and the Temple of Sinawava, the location of the trailheads for the Riverside Walk and the Narrows. Private vehicles are not allowed on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the road through the canyon, when these shuttle buses are operating.

If you’re staying in Springdale, a separate but also free shuttle bus stops along the town’s main street, where most of the hotels are located. The Springdale Line Shuttle ends a short walk from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Limited free parking is available inside the park; arrive as early as possible. Otherwise, it costs $20 to park in Springdale.

The main part of Zion National Park has two ways in: the south entrance near Springdale and the east entrance a short drive from Hwy 89. Near the national park’s east entrance, the historic 1.1-mile Zion–Mt Carmel Tunnel was once the longest tunnel in the country. It was completed in 1930 to the specifications for cars at that time (it’s just 22ft wide), so today’s RVs and other oversized vehicles are a tight squeeze. If your vehicle is wider than 7ft 10in or taller than 11ft 4in, you must pay $15 for a tunnel permit and drive through during specified hours when rangers are present so that the tunnel can be converted to one-way traffic.

You need a car to visit the lesser-seen areas of Zion National Park, including Kolob Canyons and Kolob Terrace Rd. These areas are not served by regular shuttle buses or other public transportation.

Top things to do at Zion National Park

The 5000ft of elevation change from Zion Canyon’s floor to the park’s highest peak provides an astounding range of environments. Even the park’s two main hikes – the Narrows and Angels Landing – are polar opposites: one wades through river water that churns through a slot canyon, and the other embarks on a chain-assisted white-knuckle climb to a narrow plateau so high that a minister visiting in the early 1900s quipped that "only angels could land there." 

Angels Landing permits are required to hike the final stretch – the famous part where hikers pull themselves up by chains to reach the overlook with sheer drops and 360-degree views – but you can go as far as Scout Lookout without a permit. For our money, if you’re already putting in the work to conquer Walter’s Wiggles, a series of 21 steep switchbacks on the hike up, you might as well reward your athletic efforts with the full experience and get the Angels Landing permit.

The three Emerald Pools (Lower, Middle and Upper) and Weeping Rock offer gentler trails to oasis-like hanging gardens where plants cling to dripping seeps on the canyon walls. Note: at the time of writing, Weeping Rock was inaccessible due to rockfall. Check online for the latest information before heading out.

Zion Canyon certainly hogs the spotlight, but it’s not the only part of the national park. In East Zion, Observation Point stands 700ft above Angels Landing, but it feels like cheating to reach the viewpoint along the flat woodland path, gloriously skipping the sweaty haul up Walter’s Wiggles. Observation Point was previously accessible from Zion Canyon via the East Rim Trail, but this route has been closed since 2019 because of a landslide and has yet to reopen.

The area around Zion’s east entrance has several more trailheads, and another excellent hiking option is Cable Mountain. At the end of the hike and at the edge of the canyon, the remnants of the historic Cable Mountain Draw Works are a reminder of the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the people who have called this place home. The contraption was once used to lower lumber 2000ft from the East Rim mesa to the floor of Zion Canyon, reducing the timber's transport time from weeklong trips by wagon to just two minutes. Hundreds of thousands of board feet were sent into the valley, including the lumber used to build the original Zion Lodge .

You can also escape the Zion Canyon crowds by checking out the trailheads along Kolob Terrace Rd and in the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park. These areas aren’t connected to Zion Canyon by road, but they are on overnight backpacking trails. Kolob Canyons is actually just off Interstate 15 but doesn’t see nearly as many visitors as Zion Canyon.

Need more inspiration?  Here are the best hiking trails in Zion National Park

My favorite thing to do at Zion National Park

My hiking boots and I have spent a lot of quality time together. We’ve trekked all over the world, but I can easily say that wading through the Narrows at Zion National Park is one of my favorite hikes on the planet. The Narrows is quintessential Zion, and this wet and wild "trail" is actually the Virgin River itself. Nothing brings out the kid in me like splashing in the river, and the sense of awe is infectious as you hike through the flowing water, wondering what’s around every river bend.

Hordes of hikers visit the Narrows, but many don't walk more than a mile or two. Quieter sections await the further you go. The best part about hiking the Narrows is that you can walk for as little or as long as you'd like and still have a great time.

As an almost entirely water-based hike, the Narrows isn't your standard walk in the park. Outfitters in Springdale rent canyoneering shoes, neoprene socks, wooden walking sticks, and dry suits or bibs. You don’t necessarily have to get the gear, but what you wear in the Narrows will greatly influence your enjoyment of the hike. The Narrows is cooler than elsewhere in Zion because of the tall canyon walls, and hypothermia can be a risk in colder months. A walking stick helps you navigate the fast-moving currents on slippery rocks, and you'll want to put your phone, camera and anything else you don't want to get wet in a dry bag.

How much money do I need for Zion National Park?

The standard entrance pass for Zion National Park costs $35 per vehicle or $20 per person if you’re visiting on foot, and it’s valid for seven days. If you’re visiting more national parks on a road trip through Utah and beyond, it’s worth buying the America the Beautiful pass for $80. The America the Beautiful pass is valid for a year at all national parks and federal recreation land across the country for one vehicle or four per person entry fees – arguably one of the best travel deals available.

Accommodations in and around Zion National Park can be pricey. Zion Lodge costs $200 to $350 per night depending on the season and the room size, and rooms can be booked out months in advance. Tent-only campsites at Watchman Campground cost $35 a night, and sites with electrical hookups cost $45 per night. 

Tent-only campsites at Lava Point Campground off Kolob Terrace Rd are cheaper ($25 a night) but are open seasonally (usually May through September). These sites are primitive, with pit toilets and no running water. You can camp for free on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in Utah, but these areas have no facilities.

What is the closest city to Zion National Park?

The town of Springdale sits at Zion National Park’s south entrance, and it’s so close that you can treat yourself to a post-hike beer at Zion Canyon Brew Pub just after leaving the park boundary. Springdale is a small town but is filled with excellent, if pricey, accommodation options, as well as lots of restaurants, cafes and grocery stores. Find cheaper accommodation options in the towns of Virgin, La Verkin and Hurricane (pronounced "hur-uh-kin") west of Zion along Hwy 9.

Where’s the best place to stay near Zion National Park?

Zion is one of Utah’s two national parks that has noncamping accommodations inside the park, at the historic Zion Lodge , opened in 1924 but rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1966. (Nearby Bryce Canyon National Park also has a lodge.) Reservations here and at Zion Canyon’s two campgrounds (Watchman Campground and South Campground, currently closed for long-term renovations) can be made up to six months in advance.

Springdale has a wealth of accommodations, though the proximity to the south entrance means higher prices. Not far from Zion’s east entrance, Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort is a good pick for families, with tons of on-site activities, including a climbing wall, swimming pool, mini golf and paintball. You can even glamp in a Conestoga wagon.

Zion Ponderosa is also a good base camp for travelers looking to tackle the hikes in East Zion. Its sister company East Zion Adventures runs shuttles to the trailheads for Observation Point and Cable Mountain, and it’s best to go with it because the roads are extremely rutted and parking is minimal.

Explore related stories

Destination Practicalities

May 8, 2024 • 7 min read

Planning to visit Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah? Here’s everything you need to know before you go, from what to do to when to visit.

May 3, 2024 • 12 min read

Apr 19, 2024 • 6 min read

Apr 17, 2024 • 6 min read

Apr 11, 2024 • 6 min read

Apr 7, 2024 • 4 min read

Mar 30, 2024 • 4 min read

Mar 30, 2024 • 5 min read

Feb 23, 2024 • 6 min read

Planning a trip to Zion National Park

With insider tips from real park rangers

The jewel of Utah’s Mighty Five national parks, Zion is home to some of the most iconic views and trails in the National Park Service. And everyone seems to know it. Overcrowding at this park is common. But if you know where to go, you can find an escape on even the busiest of summer weekends. 

Written for you by park rangers

Who knows a national park best? Yep, the rangers who live and breathe its fresh, clean air every day. That’s who we turned to for help in creating this guide. Roadtrippers has partnered with the Association of National Park Rangers and convinced its rangers to spill their secrets for your benefit.

Getting to Zion National Park

Timing your visit to zion national park, things to do in zion national park, hiking in zion national park, staying in and around zion.

• Eating in and around Zion
• How many days for Zion

Your Zion National Park map

Here’s a map of all the highlights in this guide. Use it to plan your trip to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport (LAS) is the closest major airport to Zion. From Las Vegas, the drive is about three hours. Alternatively, you could fly into Salt Lake City (SLC) and drive five hours to the park. There’s a smaller airport in St. George (SGU) which has service on American (from Dallas and Phoenix), Delta (from Salt Lake City), and United (from Denver and Los Angeles). While the airport is conveniently located just an hour from the park gates, flights tend to be more expensive. 

Because of astronomical visitation numbers, the park has increased service on the free Zion Canyon Shuttle through the park. It now runs daily from March to November with some additional weekends in February. During these periods, shuttles arrive as often as every seven minutes. However, simply getting into the park and finding a parking spot can still be extremely challenging. By 9 a.m., most lots are full. Consider paying for parking in the gateway town of Springdale and hopping on the free Springdale Shuttle to the visitor center.

When the Zion Canyon Shuttle is running, you can’t take your own vehicle on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, but you can drive on Highway 9 through the southern portion of the park from Mount Carmel Junction to Springdale. Regardless of whether you’re just driving through or not, you’ll be required to pay the park entrance fee. Large vehicles (wider than 7’10” and/or taller than 11’4”) are required to pay an additional $15 for a tunnel permit and must be escorted through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. Escort hours vary; make sure to check online in advance. Some vehicles are prohibited, so read the rules prior to your visit.

Unlike many national parks, Zion is a year-round destination. Peak visitation spans nearly the entire year with large crowds possible from February through November. Know that no matter when you visit, the temperature will likely change dramatically throughout the day—sometimes by as much as 30°F—so wear layers. 

Utah schools have a fall break in mid-October that may not be on your radar when planning a visit. After all, October is typically an ideal time to visit most national parks because of decent weather and thinner crowds. However, at Zion, the crowds seen during fall break can rival those seen during the summer season.

With close proximity to Springdale and seamless shuttle access, Zion is one of the easiest national parks to get to, which is both a blessing and a curse. Crowding here is a real issue. But the scenery is so stunning, you’ll find it worth any inconvenience. 

Zion has two regions: the uber-popular Zion Canyon and less-visited Kolob Canyons. While Zion Canyon has the famous sites, Kolob offers impressive landscapes on long-distance trails. In fact, the trails here only see 20 percent of the Zion Canyon traffic.

Visitor centers Zion has two visitor centers: Zion Canyon Visitor Center near the south entrance in Springdale and Kolob Canyons Visitor Center in the northwest corner of the park. Both centers are staffed by rangers who can answer any questions that you may have about your visit. Plus, check out the long list of ranger-led activities throughout the park.

Visitors can see the 22-minute park film at the Zion Human History Museum near the south entrance. You also can stop in the Zion Nature Center just north of South Campground.

If you’re visiting with kids (ages 4-13), pick up their Junior Ranger booklets at any visitor center—or better yet, avoid the long lines at the information desk by downloading them online before you come.

Sunrise, sunset, and star viewing For one of the most memorable moments of your Zion vacation, you’ll need to wake up early… really early . Watch the changing colors on the rocks as the sun creeps up at the Canyon Overlook Trail viewpoint. You’ll need to make a pre-dawn drive to the Upper East Canyon and hike in about a half mile. Make sure to arrive early enough; you won’t want to miss it. Another good location for sunrise photography is the Towers of the Virgin behind the Zion Nature Center.

For sunset, head to the bridge over the Virgin River near the Canyon Junction shuttle stop or go to the viewpoint at the end of Kolob Canyons Road. The sand formations along Kolob Canyon Terrace also are dramatic in the late-afternoon sun.

The night skies over Zion are something to behold. Again, the Kolob Canyons Viewpoint is a perfect spot. Look eastward toward the cliffs for the darkest skies. In Zion Canyon, watch from the museum patio or paved Pa’rus Trail .

Biking Biking is permitted on all park roads including Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and on Pa’rus Trail, a 1.75-mile paved path that hugs the Virgin River from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to Canyon Junction. You’re not allowed to ride your bike through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.

Zion National Park Visitor Center

Kolob Canyons Visitor Center

Know this: It’s impossible to have a bad view in Zion. So while you may be tempted to head out on the most well-trodden hikes in the park, the reality is that on busy days, you’re not going to enjoy yourself as much if you’re sharing the trails with hordes of people. Remember, there are more trails in the park than just Angel’s Landing and The Narrows.

Zion Canyon

Emerald Pools The Lower Emerald Pool Trail is an easy, family-friendly, 1.2-mile (round trip) paved path that leads to the gorgeous green waters of the Lower Emerald Pool and waterfalls. The entire hike takes about an hour. The Upper Emerald Pool Trail is slightly more challenging, as it climbs to the pool at the base of a cliff. It’s a 3-mile hike when added to the end of the Kayenta Trail.

Weeping Rock Short and steep, the Weeping Rock Trail showcases Zion’s hanging gardens. Here you can catch water droplets that have been making their way through the canyon walls for 1,200 years.

Angel’s Landing The 5.4-mile (round trip) Angel’s Landing Trail (via the West Rim Trail) is not for the faint of heart. The trail has steep drop-offs, and there are sections where only a chain provides support as visitors pass in both directions. The trail takes you to a central peak in the middle of Zion Canyon. The out-and-back trail includes 1,500 feet of elevation gain and takes roughly four hours to hike. If you’re not confident in your own footing, do not hike this trail. Furthermore, it’s not appropriate for young children or those with a fear of heights. If you’re looking for an easier option, choose the 1-mile (round trip) Canyon Overlook Trail . Located on the east side of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, this trail is not on the shuttle route and requires you to drive your own vehicle to the trailhead.

Parking is extremely limited here, so arrive early in the day.

The Narrows The Narrows is an unforgettable gorge with soaring walls, sandstone grottos, natural springs, and hanging gardens in the upper reaches of Zion Canyon. It measures 16 miles long, up to 2,000 feet deep, and at points, only 20 to 30 feet wide. It’s a hike not to be taken lightly.

You begin the hike at Temple of Sinawava on the paved Riverside Walk that follows the Virgin River. This trail is popular and quite crowded. The herd starts to thin when you reach the river crossing. From this point on, hiking The Narrows means hiking in the river. In fact, at least 60 percent of the hike is spent wading, walking, or swimming in the water; proper footwear is imperative. 

The river is cold, no matter how hot the day may be, and much of  the hike is in the shade.

Before you attempt to hike The Narrows, make sure to check in with park rangers at the visitor center. There is a real and serious threat of flash flooding in the gorge, especially in mid-summer and fall. It’s safest to hike when there’s little chance of rain in the forecast. If you heed the warnings and prepare for the conditions, this hike likely will be the most memorable of your trip.

The water can get deep for young children; consider hiking The Narrows with older children only.

If you’re looking to do the more grueling 16-mile, 12-hour hike from the top of The Narrows or to camp overnight, you’ll need a permit .

Kolob Canyons

If the crowds are thick, consider hiking the 14-mile (round trip) trail to Kolob Arch , one of the largest natural arches on earth. Alternatively, if you’re just looking for views on this side of the park, consider the Timber Creek Overlook Trail where you can see as far as Mt. Trumbull in the Grand Canyon. 

If you visit during the spring, this section of the park puts on a colorful wildflower show.

Angels Landing Trail

The Narrows

Riverside Walk

The two most popular campgrounds in Zion are South (no RV hookups) and Watchman (some electric sites) near the south entrance; reservations are imperative. Many of the sites are fully exposed to the sun, so expect it to be hot, especially during the summer; the riverside sites are the most desirable.

Lava Point Campground is about a 1-hour drive from Zion Canyon on the Kolob Terrace Road. It has six primitive campsites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. RVs longer than 19 feet are not allowed on the road to the campground.

There are no campgrounds in Kolob Canyons. 

In the center of Zion Canyon, Zion Lodge offers year-round accommodations: historic cabins with two double beds, gas-log fireplace and private porch; and hotel rooms with a private porch or balcony.

In nearby Springdale, expect prices to be on the high side and don’t arrive without reservations. Cliffrose Springdale is just a 10-minute walk to the visitor center. The Cable Mountain Lodge holds the distinction of being the closest to the park’s boundary and has the added benefit of larger units with multiple bedrooms and full kitchens. It’s a great option if you’re part of a larger group visiting the park. 

St. George has numerous hotels that can accommodate most budgets and is about an hour’s drive from the south entrance.

Zion National Park Lodge

Watchman Campground

Eating in and around zion national park.

At Zion Lodge, you’ll find Castle Dome Cafe , a seasonal snack bar with patio seating and more upscale Red Rock Grill with impressive views.

From the visitor center, you can walk into Springdale for a bite to eat. Some favorite spots include:

• Zion Canyon Brew Pub : This restaurant boasts outdoor seating mere feet from the park boundary, but admittedly, you pay for the convenience.  Instead of a full meal, this ranger recommends drinks and a plate of loaded nachos.
• Cafe Soleil : If you’re looking to pick up a picnic lunch, stop here for wraps, sandwiches, and paninis.
• The Park House : In the morning, fuel up before heading out on the trails. The restaurant caters to those looking for vegetarian or vegan options.

Zion Canyon Brewpub

Cafe Soleil

How many days should you plan to spend in zion national park.

While its massive backcountry trail system can make for an incredible extended stay, the unbridled beauty from basically any spot in the park coupled with easy access makes Zion a perfect one-day trip. However, if it’s your first visit, try to spend at least two or three nights and venture to both Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyons.

For the perfect road trip, combine a trip to Zion with these other national parks: Arches , Canyonlands , Bryce Canyon , Capitol Reef , and the north rim of the Grand Canyon .

Add Natural Bridges National Monument to the list. It’s an undiscovered gem.

Plan Your Trip Now

Discover the most incredible people, places, and experiences worth the detour. Click below to start your trip to Zion National Park or enter a starting point . Click below to start your trip from to Zion National Park.

Image header credit: Shutterstock

• Trip guides
• Trip Planner
• Sign up Log in Sign out
• Log in Sign out
• ROADTRIPPERS MEMBERSHIP
• RV RESOURCES

Plan your journey, find amazing places, and take fascinating detours with our app.

We couldn't find an existing Roadtrippers account using that service. Please try signing in with another option or create a new account with Roadpass.

We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates.

2, 3 + 4 Days Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip Itinerary Ideas

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: July 2, 2020

Do you want to create the best Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary? Use this guide to learn everything there is to know about visiting both Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park, before planning the perfect road trip with our 2, 3 and 4 days Zion to Bryce Canyon itinerary ideas with maps.

Is a Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip worth it?

Absolutely! We think Zion to Bryce Canyon is one of the very best Utah road trips for visitors who are short on time or who just want to get a taste for the American southwest. Both Zion and Bryce Canyon are exceptionally popular national parks offering amazing hikes and stunning photo spots.

In this guide we will cover:

• Are both Zion and Bryce Canyon worth visiting?
• How to get to both national parks
• Hiking and photography highlights
• 2, 3 and 4 days Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary ideas
• Best places to eat and stay at both parks

Let’s get right into planning your Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip!

Our Zion And Bryce Canyon Experience

We have been lucky enough to extensively explore Zion National Park over 6 days on two separate occasions.

During both visits to Zion (once in October 2019 and again in December 2021), we have hiked all of the popular trails and photographed stunning red rock formations throughout each of the major regions in the national park.

Up to now we have been to Bryce Canyon once, but this park is much smaller so we were able to see and do everything across our two day visit. Next time we are in Utah, we will definitely be heading back to Bryce Canyon, along with Arches and Canyonlands for another visit.

We think Zion and Bryce Canyon are incredibly picturesque, fun and exciting places to visit and both easily made our list of the best US national parks .

During two visits to the area, we have stayed at several hotels all around both parks including in La Verkin, Springdale, Zion Lodge, Bryce Canyon and Tropic. We also spent cold nights camping in both parks, so you can rest assured we know the areas well.

All of the information, tips, photos and itineraries in this guide are a direct result of our own experiences in Zion and Bryce Canyon and we hope it all helps you plan the best possible trip to southwest Utah!

Zion National Park Factfile

• Address : Springdale, UT 84767
• Website : nps.gov/zion
• Phone : (435) 772-3256
• Hours : All day, every day
• Entrance Fee : $35 per vehicle 7 day pass (free with America the Beautiful Pass )
• Visitor Center : Open 8.00am-6.00pm spring and fall, 8.00am-7.00pm in summer and 8.00am-5.00pm in winter
• Campgrounds : South and Watchman (see campgrounds later in the guide)
• Lodging : Springdale, La Verkin and Hurricane (see where to stay later)
• Backcountry : Yes, backcountry camping permitted with wilderness use permit
• Activities : Hiking, camping, canyoneering, stargazing, photography
• Annual Visitors : 4.5 million
• Best Time : Every season has pros and cons (see best time to visit later)

Is Zion National Park Worth Visiting?

Yes, Zion National Park is definitely worth visiting, especially if you enjoy hiking. You can expect stunning canyons with 2,000 ft tall sandstone walls flanking valleys and creeks, world famous adventure hikes and immense natural beauty.

We love hiking in Zion National Park and the best part is that there are trails for every ability. There truly is a fantastic hike in Zion for everyone from adventure seekers through to families with younger kids.

Zion is not only home to some of the very best hikes in the USA , but it is also exceptionally photogenic from dawn to dusk. We will definitely be back in Zion in the near future to get even further off the beaten path.

The major downside to Zion is how densely crowded it can be in summer. Our best advice for Zion is to visit in the off season.

What Do You Need To Know About Zion?

Zion National Park is split into 3 main regions known as the Main Zion Canyon, Kolob Terrace and Kolob Canyons. It is home to several of the top bucket list hikes in Utah .

The Main Zion Canyon (where you will find Angels Landing and The Narrows) is much smaller than you might imagine, and it receives almost all of the visitors.

In the years leading up to 2019, Zion received around 4.5 million annual visitors . That number jumped during covid but numbers are beginning to drop as tourist trends normalize and international vacations pick up once again.

During peak summer months, getting parked in Springdale to visit Zion is a real issue. However, hotel options are plentiful and you can make use of the Zion shuttle system .

Bryce Canyon National Park Factfile

• Address : PO Box 640201, Bryce, UT 84764
• Website : nps.gov/brca
• Phone : (435) 834-5322
• Visitor Center : Open 8.00am-6.00pm spring and fall, 8.00am-8.00pm in summer and 8.00am-4.30pm in winter
• Campgrounds : North and Sunset (see campgrounds later in the guide)
• Lodging : Bryce Canyon City, Tropic and others (see where to stay later)
• Activities : Hiking, camping, stargazing, photography
• Annual Visitors : 2.6 million

Is Bryce Canyon National Park Worth Visiting?

Yes! Bryce Canyon National Park is home to the most expansive collection of hoodoos in the world. Photographers from around the globe flock to Bryce Canyon to photograph its remarkable needle-like amphitheater, which glows a burning red at sunrise and dims to a cool orange at sunset.

We really enjoyed watching sunset and the milky way dazzling above Bryce Canyon’s strange hoodoo landscape. Sunrise over Bryce amphitheater is one of the best we have seen and the Queens Garden Navajo loop hike is incredibly unique.

The major downside to Bryce Canyon is its smaller size and relative lack of different attractions. Our best advice for Bryce Canyon is to visit at different times of year to benefit photogenically from the various seasons.

What Do You Need To Know About Bryce Canyon?

The most important thing to know before planning your road trip is that Bryce Canyon National Park is much more compact and far easier to visit than Zion.

The good news is that Bryce Canyon is less overwhelming because technically you could see the entire park, hike the top trails and photograph the amphitheater at both sunrise and sunset in one long day.

But the bad news is that Bryce Canyon is a very popular national park with around 2.5 million visits each year. This means the small park can also become very crowded in peak season.

How Many Days Do You Need To Visit Both Zion And Bryce Canyon?

When planning your Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip, the very first thing you need to figure out is how long you want to spend in both parks.

Here’s the thing; if you are a hiker you should spend more time in Zion, but if you are a photographer you should spend more time in Bryce Canyon.

We hike and take photos for a living, and after spending a lot of time in the area, we would suggest planning for two full days in Zion with one full day in Bryce Canyon for first time visitors to these popular national parks.

All things considered with getting time off work, hotel costs and filling your time with things to do, we think 3 days is the optimal time for this Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip.

However, if you are a big hiker, you might want to plan for three full days in Zion and one full day in Bryce Canyon. This is one of the best USA road trips and it is important you give yourself enough time to achieve your goals.

Our Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary ideas later in the guide are for two, three and four days.

Can You See Zion And Bryce Canyon In One Day?

Yes, you can see some parts of Zion National Park and most of Bryce Canyon National Park in one day. But you wouldn’t have time to take on any of the major hikes in Zion and overall you would miss out on many of the best highlights in each park.

Bryce Canyon is easy enough to see in half a day, but you really do need at least one full day in Zion if you want to get a real taste for the park. These parks are two of the best places to visit in Utah because there are so many awesome things to do for visitors.

Therefore, we do not recommend trying to visit both Zion and Bryce Canyon in one day. That is unless you are driving a long distance American southwest road trip and just want to drop in to see what all the fuss is about!

Only have one day? Visit Zion and use one of our one day in Zion National Park itinerary ideas to see different ways you can day trip this famous park.

Zion vs Bryce Canyon: Which Park Is Better?

Calling a winner between Zion and Bryce Canyon is near impossible because they are such contrasting propositions.

What we can say is that hikers will likely prefer Zion, whereas general sightseers and photographers will likely prefer Bryce Canyon. This is a general rule but will not always be the case.

The two parks are unique and spectacular in their own ways, plus every one of us has a different idea about what makes a place better.

Instead of comparing the two parks, you should allow enough time for your Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip so you can see both landscapes and leave with your own opinion of this popular question.

What Is The Elevation Of Zion National Park?

The town of Springdale at the entrance to Zion National Park sits at 3,900 ft in elevation above sea level.

To give you an idea about elevation changes within Zion main canyon, the popular Angels Landing trail summits at 5,790 feet.

If you have time to take on some of the hikes in Kolob Canyon you can stand on Timber Creek Overlook at 6,300 feet above sea level.

What Is The Elevation Of Bryce Canyon National Park?

Bryce Canyon City sits at 7,650 feet elevation above sea level. Therefore, the rim at Bryce Canyon amphitheater is almost twice as high in altitude as Zion’s main canyon floor.

That is a hefty change in elevation when driving from Zion to Bryce Canyon.

Altitude sickness typically starts being a problem at around 8,000 ft. The major attractions at Bryce Canyon National Park are mostly just below that threshold but some also go higher, such as Bryce Point at 8,300 ft and Ponderosa Point which goes all the way up to 8,904 ft.

Therefore, it might be a good idea to take altitude sickness medication if you are prone to suffering.

Another aspect to consider is that Bryce Canyon gets cold at night in fall, winter and spring. We camped at Bryce Canyon for one night in October and it was freezing cold!

Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip Logistics

Unless you are driving a longer US southwest road trip, the likelihood is that you will fly into Las Vegas before driving to Zion and Bryce Canyon. Here are the best things to do in Las Vegas !

Let’s take a quick look at logistics including driving times and distances from Zion to Bryce Canyon and roundtrips back to Las Vegas.

Las Vegas To Zion National Park

The driving distance from Las Vegas to Zion is 160 miles and will take just over 2 hours and 30 minutes on average. Take I-15 N to exit 16 and follow UT-9 to Springdale for access to Zion National Park.

If you drive this route in a hire car, we highly recommend taking a few hours to stop at the stunning Valley of Fire State Park on the way to Zion if you have the time spare.

Best case scenario is that you stay at one of the best hotels in Vegas before driving to Valley of Fire in time for sunrise.

Head straight to Fire Wave trailhead and hike Fire Wave Trail to watch a magical sunrise in Nevada.

Distance From Zion To Bryce Canyon

The driving distance from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park is 85 miles. You can drive between Springdale near Zion and Bryce Canyon City in a little under 2 hours on average.

Take UT-9, US-89 N and UT-12 E to reach Bryce Canyon from Zion National Park.

There are no significant stops to make on a direct route between Zion and Bryce Canyon, which helps with keeping the road trip itinerary efficient and focused on the two national parks.

Not sure if you want to drive this route in a hire car? Why not take a look at visiting Zion and Bryce Canyon as one of the most popular day trips from Las Vegas ?

Can You Drive Through Zion To Get To Bryce Canyon?

Yes, you can drive from Las Vegas through Zion to get to Bryce Canyon by entering Zion’s south entrance in Springdale, taking the Zion-Mt Carmel highway and leaving via Zion’s east entrance, before driving up to Bryce Canyon.

This would be impossible in many popular US national parks but you can drive point to point through Zion. It is the perfect way for anyone who is just passing through the area to see small parts of each park.

Airports To Use For Zion And Bryce Canyon

Which airports should you consider using for your Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip?

Las Vegas Harry Reid airport is the closest major international airport to Zion at 165 miles or 2 hours and 50 minutes. Salt Lake City airport is the next best option at 273 miles or 4 hours and 30 minutes from Zion.

However, there is also regional airport in St. George Utah, which is only 40 miles to the west of Zion and takes just 45 minutes to drive. Domestic US travelers may find St George a more convenient airport option for accessing Zion National Park.

Want to learn more about airports? Here is our guide to the closest airports to Zion National Park for more information.

Helpful Road Trips Planning Resources

Next, let’s take a look at planning resources. We want you to get off to the best possible start with your road trip and it all begins with planning.

Here are the tools we use and recommend:

When searching for flights to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, we recommend checking prices on both Skyscanner and Google Flights as the two best flight search engines.

Tips to save on flights to Las Vegas or SLC:

• Shop around and compare prices on several days of the week
• Use incognito or private browser and clear your cache to see if the price changes
• Use several devices such as your laptop and smartphone to see if you get different prices
• Read our guide on how to book cheap flights

You should have no issues booking accommodation around Zion or Bryce Canyon with the clear exception of hotels near Zion National Park in peak season.

We always use and recommend using Booking.com to book hotels in the US. You might want to compare prices with Hotels.com to see if you can find the best deal.

We will include the best hotel options around both parks based on our experiences later in the guide.

Resource – Our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere is the perfect resource to help you find the best hotels in Las Vegas and Bryce Canyon.

Tips for booking hotels:

• Book your hotels in advance, especially if planning your Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip in summer
• Sign up for a free membership account with hotel search platforms like Booking or Hotels to save with membership rewards
• Try to arrive at Zion during the week to avoid the busier and more expensive weekend prices
• Read our popular guide on how to book cheap hotels

3. Hire Car

If you are not driving your own car to Utah, you will need to hire a car when you land at Las Vegas or Salt Lake City airport.

Our top recommendation is to find prices with Rental Cars and compare costs against Discover Cars . Input Las Vegas airport and your travel dates to see your options.

They are our go to car hire platforms and we always choose whichever has the better vehicle at the right price point.

Tips for hiring a car:

• Booking in advance often means you have more flexibility over vehicle type
• Smaller cars are better for parking in tight spots around the national parks
• You do not need a 4WD high clearance vehicle to go off road in Zion or Bryce Canyon

Happy with your plans? Read our helpful guide on how to plan a road trip for tips and advice on the best way to prepare for any eventuality.

4. National Parks

It is important to stay up to date with live conditions such as roads, weather, hiking trails and lodging when you visit any of the national parks in Utah.

One of the unsung positives to visiting Utah is that natural disasters, wildfires, flooding and other problematic conditions are rare. Just look at Yellowstone and Yosemite in 2022 or 2023.

With that said, we still recommend keeping on top of the following current status reports:

• Zion – Live conditions
• Bryce Canyon – Live conditions

Top Tips For Visiting Zion And Bryce Canyon National Parks

Let’s take a quick look at some important things you should know before planning your Zion and Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary:

• 1. Both Zion and Bryce Canyon can become extremely busy during peak visiting months between May and September. Zion in particular suffers from severe overcrowding in summer months.
• 2. Bryce Canyon offers a free shuttle bus service between mid April and late October. Although highly recommended, using this bus service is not compulsory.
• 3. Conversely, between mid March and November, you must use the shuttle service to access Zion’s Main Canyon. This includes the popular hikes Angels Landing and The Narrows.
• 4. However, you can drive your own vehicle into Zion canyon if you visit Zion National Park in Winter between December and mid March. 
• 5. Parking your car in a free parking spot at Zion visitor center between March and November is extremely challenging.
• 6. Arrive to Zion visitor center early to avoid paying excessively for a parking space in Springdale. We can’t stress enough the importance of arriving early at Zion.
• 7. You will benefit greatly from early starts at both Zion and Bryce Canyon to beat the crowds and heat.

Need a hand organizing your trip to Zion? Our popular 40+ page Zion National Park Guidebook can help you with planning every aspect of your trip.

Hiking On Your Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip

Before we get into our Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary ideas, we will briefly explain about hiking and photography in both parks.

The Bryce Canyon portion of your road trip has no issues with hiking or permits. But Zion is a little more complex and you need to be organized.

Zion is easily one of the best places to visit in the US for those who love to take on unique trails, but you must be aware that permits are required to hike certain trails in the park.

Which Zion Hikes Require Permits?

You will need to obtain a permit for the following hikes in Zion:

• 1. Both versions of The Subway (top down and bottom up)
• 2. The Narrows top down (no permit required for day hiking the narrows bottom up )
• 3. Hiking Angels Landing trail requires a time slot permit (three time slots available each day)

Here are the NPS sites you need for obtaining permits:

• 1. The Subway permit information
• 2. The Narrows permit information
• 3. Angels Landing permit information

You do not need permits to hike any other trail in any of Zion’s three regions. But we strongly recommend you apply for Zion hiking permits for Angels Landing as soon as you know your dates of travel.

Remember, you do not need a permit to hike The Narrows bottom up which is the most popular way to hike it.

Our popular hiking resources:

• Apps – 25 best hiking and outdoor apps
• Tips – Essential hiking tips for beginners

Best Photo Spots On Your Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip

Photography is a much easier aspect to plan on your road trip from Zion to Bryce Canyon because there are no permits to obtain.

Here are our favorite photo spots in Zion:

• 1. Watchman Trail summit at sunrise
• 2. Angels Landing at sunrise
• 3. Canyon Junction bridge at sunset
• 4. Zion Canyon Overlook at sunset

Here are our favorite photo spots in Bryce Canyon:

• 1. Bryce amphitheater at both sunrise and sunset (sunrise is best)
• 2. Wall Street
• 3. Switchbacks leading into the amphitheater
• 4. Bryce Point

Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip Itinerary Ideas

Now you know the important information, let’s make a start on our Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary ideas.

It is almost impossible to make a one size fits all itinerary for Zion because it is so heavily influenced by hiking. Not everyone is in Zion to take on Angels Landing after all.

Bryce Canyon has a relatively linear itinerary because there are only so many things you can do and none of them take all day like hiking The Narrows or The Subway in Zion.

We will walk you through itinerary ideas for 2, 3 and 4 days with maps.

At the start of each itinerary we will list summarized options to cover most visitors but we will then go deeper into how we would personally drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon in each timeframe.

Let’s get started!

2 Days Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip Itinerary

With 2 days we think you can see the major highlights of both Zion and Bryce Canyon and have some flexibility over how you split your time. However, you will be limited with hiking.

General sightseers and photographers could choose to spend one day in Zion and one day in Bryce Canyon. Whereas hikers could do one and a half days in Zion with just a few hours in Bryce Canyon.

Here is a summarized way you could spend 2 days in Zion and Bryce Canyon:

Day 1 – Zion

• Hike The Narrows all day
• Spend half a day hiking Angels Landing and half a day hiking The Narrows
• Hike Angels Landing, followed by Emerald Pools, Pa’rus Trail, Watchman and Canyon Overlook
• Day hike The Subway bottom up
• Spend the day in Kolob Canyons

Whichever option you choose, drive to Bryce Canyon later in the day and stay in a hotel or campground.

Day 2 – Bryce Canyon

• Wake up to watch sunrise over the amphitheater
• Hike Queens Garden Navajo Loop
• Drive Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive and stop at each viewpoint
• Watch sunset over Bryce amphitheater

How We Would Do 2 Days In Zion And Bryce Canyon

Click or touch the map above to activate. Zoom in and out, scroll around and see the major attractions as well as the 2 day route we will discuss below.

Armed with the knowledge we have of the area, here is how we would do a 2 day Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip if it were our first time as enthusiastic hikers and photographers:

• Reserve a permit (in advance) to hike Angels Landing before 9.00am.
• Wake up before sunrise and hike to Scout Lookout ready for Angels Landing as the sun is rising.
• Descend Angels Landing and head straight back to Springdale.
• Pick up waterproof gear and more importantly a walking pole from Zion Outfitter .
• Head to Temple of Sinawava on the shuttle and hike The Narrows for a few hours.
• Grab an early dinner back in Springdale.
• Drive through Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel and park to hike Zion Canyon Overlook for sunset.
• Drive to Bryce Canyon and stay in a hotel.
• Wake up to photograph a stunning sunrise over Bryce amphitheater.
• Hike Queens Garden Navajo Loop trail before driving to every viewpoint in Bryce Canyon.
• Watch sunset over Bryce amphitheater and maybe stay for stars if time allows.

3 Days Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip Itinerary

When we first created this guide in 2020 we only listed a 3 day Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary because we think it the optimal amount of time for this particular route.

With 3 days you can slow down enough to enjoy both parks and you have more flexibility over when you drive to Bryce Canyon.

We think 2 days in Zion and 1 day in Bryce Canyon strikes the perfect balance.

However, if you are not a huge hiker you could always go the opposite way and spend 1 day in Zion with 2 days in Bryce Canyon.

Here is a summarized way you could spend 3 days in Zion and Bryce Canyon:

Days 1 and 2 – Zion

Spend both days doing 2 of the following 5 options:

• Spend a day in Kolob Canyons

Drive to Bryce Canyon the second day in time to watch sunset over Bryce amphitheater.

Day 3 – Bryce Canyon

• Leave when you are ready

How We Would Do 3 Days In Zion And Bryce Canyon

Click or touch the map above to activate. Zoom in and out, scroll around and see the major attractions as well as the 3 day route we will discuss below.

This is the way we saw the best of both Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks during our first visit to the southwestern Utah:

• Wake up early and get straight into The Narrows hike as far as Big Springs.
• Grab a late lunch in Springdale before hiking The Watchman for sunset.
• Wake up before sunrise and hike Angels Landing as the sun is rising (with permit).
• Hike the family friendly Emerald Pools Trail to all three pools.
• Get lunch in Springdale before hiking to Canyon Overlook.
• Stop at Many Pools on the way out of Zion and driving to Bryce Canyon.
• Watch sunset over Bryce amphitheater and stay out for stars.
• Either do another sunset at Bryce Canyon or leave early to visit another place.

4 Days Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip Itinerary

With 4 days you have so much more freedom and you can take things slowly to really enjoy every aspect of both parks without being rushed. The only downsides are added cost and needing to get more time off work.

You could split down the middle and do 2 days in each of Zion and Bryce Canyon, or you could spend 3 full days hiking in Zion and save your last day for Bryce Canyon.

Personally, we would do the latter and spend 3 days hiking in Zion, before driving over to Bryce Canyon on the third evening for sunset.

Here’s how you could plan a 4 days Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary:

Days 1, 2 and 3 – Zion

Choose 3 of the following 5 options:

• Hike Angels Landing, followed by Emerald Pools, Pa’rus Trail , Watchman and Canyon Overlook

Drive to Bryce Canyon late afternoon on the third day so you are there in time for sunset.

Day 4 – Bryce Canyon

How We Would Do 4 Days In Zion And Bryce Canyon

Click or touch the map above to activate. Zoom in and out, scroll around and see the major attractions as well as the 4 day route we will discuss below.

The second time we visited Zion we spent 3 full days in the park. This is how we would do both Zion and Bryce Canyon in 4 days:

• Wake up early to hike The Narrows
• Hike to The Watchman for sunset
• Hike Angels Landing for sunrise (permit)
• See all 3 Emerald Pools
• Explore Checkerboard Mesa
• Walk among the Many Pools
• Hike Zion Canyon Overlook for sunset
• Wake up early to hike The Subway (permit required, alternative is to hike Kolob Canyon area)
• Drive to Bryce Canyon for sunset and grab dinner in Tropic
• Leave in the afternoon for Las Vegas or your next destination

Where To Stay On A Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip

One of the most important aspects of planning your Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip is figuring out where to stay each night.

Zion has a better selection of nearby towns and cities for booking hotels when compared to Bryce Canyon. However, Zion is also more popular, so the supply and demand is around the same for both parks.

Springdale, La Verkin, Hurricane, Virgin, Cedar City and even St George could be used for day tripping into Zion National Park. Springdale is the obvious and best choice but the other options are typically cheaper, especially in peak season.

At Bryce Canyon, you have Bryce Canyon City and Tropic as your two major locations for booking hotels. There are alternatives but we would go with one of those two places if possible.

Here are our resources if you would like to learn more:

• Bryce Canyon – 10 best hotels near Bryce Canyon National Park
• Zion – Complete guide to the best places to stay near Zion National Park

Best Hotels Near Zion National Park

Here are three excellent hotels in Springdale (next to Zion) with links so you can check prices:

• 1. Cable Mountain Lodge
• 2. Red Rock Inn
• 3. Watchman Villas

Best Hotels Near Bryce Canyon National Park

Here are three popular hotels in Bryce Canyon City and Tropic (near Bryce Canyon) with links so you can check prices:

• 1. Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn Bryce Canyon
• 2. Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
• 3. Bryce Canyon Log Cabins

Where Have We Stayed?

Our first visit to Zion and Bryce Canyon was during a long 3 month western US road trip. We were booking hotels last minute to keep the itinerary open and flexible.

The negative side to traveling that way is that hotel rooms get booked up or they are expensive last minute. These days we try to book flights and hotels in advance to avoid overpaying.

So the first time we visited Zion, we ended up spending one night at La Quinta in La Verkin and another night at Sleep Inn and Suites in Hurricane. Both places are around 20 miles from Zion which isn’t the end of the world but it isn’t convenient either.

Around Bryce Canyon we have stayed at 2 hotels. One was the fantastic Bryce Canyon Log Cabins in Tropic where we had a superb night sleep and the other was a super low budget Rodeway Inn motel on the road between Zion and Bryce Canyon.

The second time we visited Zion in December, hotels in Springdale had plenty of rooms available at affordable price points so we stayed at the highly rated SpringHill Suites .

Lower prices at hotels in Springdale is one of the major benefits to visiting Zion in Winter .

Camping At Zion And Bryce Canyon

If you can’t find any hotel availability or prices are too high, why not try camping at Zion and Bryce Canyon instead?

The downside of camping at both Zion and Bryce Canyon is that both parks sell out of their advanced reservations within minutes of sites going on sale. You need to be online ready to hit book at the exact time the sites open.

However, last minute bookings are possible in the off season.

We managed to get a campground spot at both Zion and Bryce Canyon the first time we visited Utah in October. The evenings and mornings were very cold but it was so convenient and cost effective.

Kristen wasn’t happy when Mark decided to boil potatoes for a classic British dish of bangers, mash and beans in Zion’s Watchman campground after we had hiked The Narrows for 8 hours!

Let’s take a quick look at the information you need to know about camping in both Zion and Bryce Canyon.

Zion National Park Campgrounds

Watchman and South campground are your two main camping choices if you want to be near the main Zion canyon.

Campground sites are notoriously difficult to get a spot at Zion, you will need to be organized!

Check prices and availability for:

• Watchman Campground
• South Campground

Bryce Canyon National Park Campgrounds

Booking a camping site at Bryce Canyon is less stressful than at Zion but still requires some organization.

You can camp at either Sunset or North campground inside the park boundary.

• Sunset Campground
• North Campground

Camping Special

Are you planning to camp at Zion or Bryce Canyon?

We have teamed up with The Dyrt to offer our readers an exclusive no strings attached 30 day free trial with The Dyrt PRO .

You can take advantage of several useful benefits for your Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip, including no booking fees and locations for free dispersed camping around the parks.

However, the best part is a fantastic new feature called Dyrt Alerts which allows you to receive notifications when sold out campgrounds have cancellations so you can snag near-impossible spots. This could be a game changer if you can’t find a campsite at either Zion or Bryce Canyon.

Where To Eat At Both Parks

What are the best places to eat when you are in Zion and Bryce Canyon?

Zion has a far greater choice of dining options and cuisines. The small town of Springdale on Zion’s doorstep is filled with convenient places to eat and most stay open even through winter.

However, you will have to jump in the car and drive out of Bryce Canyon to eat at quality restaurants in the area such as Tropic. In addition, certain restaurants close for the winter season around Bryce Canyon.

Let’s take a look a handful of our favorite restaurants near each park.

Restaurants Near Zion

Here are some of the top rated places you can check out for coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner in Springdale near Zion National Park:

• Deep Creek Coffee Company – Coffee, healthy breakfast and lunch options
• Feel Love Coffee – Artisan espresso and coffee, light breakfast options
• Camp Outpost – Breakfast, lunch and dinner rotisserie style with craft beers
• Oscar’s Cafe – Tex-mex, burgers and sandwiches served all day
• Spotted Dog Cafe – Popular and highly rated casual bistro serving meat and fish
• King’s Landing – Upscale bistro with excellent food and atmosphere

Restaurants Near Bryce Canyon

Here are some of the top rated places you can check out for coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner close to Bryce Canyon National Park:

• Stone Hearth Grille – Upscale dining with amazing views
• i.d.k. barbecue – Counter service BBQ joint with great reviews
• Bryce Canyon Pines – Homemade comfort foods
• Showdowns – Eclectic homemade food on the menu

Best Time To Visit The Parks

When should you plan your Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip around weather, costs, crowds and activities?

If you have control and flexibility over your days and months for visiting these popular Utah parks, we would suggest planning your Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary during the week in spring, fall or winter.

Yes, we know that is a large window!

To narrow it down, we think fall is the best time of year to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon based on our experiences.

You can read our in depth guide on the best time to visit Zion National Park by month and season, but we will also summarize below.

Families may want to plan this road trip during the school holidays in summer but our advice is to avoid July and August in Zion and Bryce Canyon at all costs. It is hot, overcrowded and excessively expensive.

Spring can be awkward because The Narrows and The Subway can be subject to closures due to flooding. Whereas the fall season is a perfect time to visit for hiking.

We have visited Zion in October and December, and there was a very clear difference in tourist numbers from late fall to early winter. We shudder to think what Zion would be like in summer!

Bryce Canyon in October was perfectly fine for tourist numbers. December would be very cold in Bryce Canyon because it is at such high elevation, but it would be stunning covered in a light layer of snow.

Plan your road trip around avoiding Zion at the weekend if at all possible. Even if your first day is a Sunday, you should go to Bryce Canyon first and then double back to Zion on the Monday.

Holiday weekends are the worst time of year to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon. They will be out of control busy and you will not enjoy your road trip!

In an ideal world, you would drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the middle of October to benefit from the perfect balance of costs, crowds and weather.

Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip Packing

Packing for your Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip will depend on what you plan to do and what time of year you decide to visit.

Our two trips to Utah have been in the months of October and December. Both times we packed for cold mornings and cold evenings but warmer days, especially when hiking. The key is layers!

If you plan your road trip for summer you can expect hot days so your packing list will look very different. Take plenty of shorts, t-shirts and socks in case you need to wear more than one per day.

You will likely be taking on multiple hiking trails in Zion, so our guide to the best things to bring on a day hike may come in handy when packing.

Remember, you will get soaking wet in The Narrows so you may even need one entire extra outfit.

Are you planning to visit more of the Mighty 5 national parks? The number one item you should pack is an America the Beautiful Pass (see below) because you will save money.

Here is a basic road trip packing list to get you started:

• America the Beautiful Pass – REI
• Car emergency kit – First Secure
• In case of snow – Snow Brush
• Hiking shoes – Men | Women
• Day hiking backpack – Best day bags
• Down Jacket – Men | Women

We recommend reading through our complete road trip packing list to make sure you have everything you will need for your Utah road trip.

Planning a long term trip? You might also like to read through our long term travel packing list which covers almost every type of packing scenario.

What Else Is Nearby?

You are planning to visit the American southwest, one of the best parts of the country to explore unique landscapes, discover national monuments and hike adventurous trails.

There are so many places you can include on your road trip, so let’s take a look at some of the best:

• Arches + Canyonlands – How to see Arches and Canyonlands in one day
• Capitol Reef – Best things to do in Capitol Reef National Park
• Coral Pink Sand Dunes – How to visit Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
• Grand Canyon – Complete guide to Grand Canyon South Rim
• Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
• Kanab – Best things to do in Kanab Utah
• Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods
• Page – Sunrise and sunset photography at Horseshoe Bend
• Sedona – Ultimate guide to the best hikes in Sedona AZ
• Slot Canyons – How to day hike Buckskin Gulch via Wire Pass
• The Wave – How to hike The Wave in Arizona
• Vermilion Cliffs National Monument

Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip FAQ’s

Let’s take a quick look at some of the most frequently asked questions about driving the Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip route.

You need a minimum of 2 days and a maximum of 4 days to see the highlights of both Zion and Bryce Canyon on a first trip to both parks. Serious hikers should include more days but most visitors will find 3 days is the perfect amount of time for this popular road trip route in Utah.

Yes! We think the Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip is one of the best ways to get a taste for Utah’s famous national parks. You can hike and photograph your way around two spectacular landscapes in just a few days and by the end you will know if Utah is a place you want to explore further.

Our Popular Zion + Bryce Canyon Guides

• Airports – 4 closest airports to Zion National Park
• Angels Landing – How to hike Angels Landing Trail
• Bryce Hiking – How to hike Queens Garden and Navajo Loop
• Bryce Photography – Best Bryce Canyon photo spots
• Hiking – 20 best hikes in Zion National Park
• Hotels – Best places to stay near Zion National Park
• Itinerary – 5 fun ways to spend one day in Zion National Park
• Kolob Canyons – 4 best Kolob Canyon hikes
• Season – Best time to visit Zion National Park
• The Narrows – Day hiking the Narrows bottom up
• The Subway – How to hike The Subway in Zion
• Winter – 10 things to know about visiting Zion National Park In Winter

More Amazing US Road Trips

• Death Valley – Las Vegas to Death Valley day trip itinerary
• Kancamagus – Best stops on the Kancamagus Highway in fall
• Mt Rushmore – 10 days Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip
• New England – 10 best New England fall road trip stops
• Pacific Coast – San Francisco to San Diego road trip itinerary
• Salt Lake City – 7 days Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip
• South Dakota – 4 and 7 days South Dakota road trip itineraries
• United States – 30 best road trips in the USA
• Utah – 10 unique ideas for the best Utah road trips

Want more Utah content? Head over to our Utah Travel Guides to explore the Mighty Five National Parks and beyond.

We hope this Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary helps with planning your trip to southwest Utah!

Please let us know if you have any questions about Zion or Bryce Canyon National Park in the comments below.

Happy Travels ,

Mark and Kristen

Enjoy This Guide? Pin It For Your Road Trip!

Note : This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

14 thoughts on “2, 3 + 4 Days Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip Itinerary Ideas”

Mark and Kristen, what fabulous and thorough descriptions plus a multitude of resources you offer your blog readers. Thank you so much for doing the work, so we don’t have to.

My friend and I are planning a trip in October to Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon Southern Rim and Valley of Fire ( as you suggest with such difficulty winning the lottery for the Wave), Plus, we want to spend a few days in Sedona.

We enjoy hiking but in our 70s, we hike less vigorous trails than our energetic spirits would like. I am an amateur photographer and am beyond excited about our up and coming trip.

Were flying in from Boston and plan to be in the area for about 10-12 days. Any suggestions on where to go first and where to fly in and out of. Of course, we will be renting a car. Any advice you have will be appreciated.

Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm for traveling!

Hi Ellen, thank you for getting in touch and it sounds like a fantastic trip you have planned. We are more than happy to help! You could do this trip in so many ways but we would suggest flying into Las Vegas and flying out of Phoenix. Start with Valley of Fire on the way to Zion from Las Vegas, then go to Bryce Canyon, before driving through Kanab to Page. The Wave is exceptionally photogenic so definitely try to win a permit (you can do daily lottery 2 days in advance). If not continue to Page for Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon (book this in advance). Next you drive down to South Rim and then Sedona is not too far from the Grand Canyon. After Sedona it is just 2 hours to Phoenix Sky Harbor airport. This is the most efficient route for the spots you want to see. You could always do it in reverse as well. October is a great time to do this trip because temperatures are comfortable, hotels have more availability and better rates, and it is less crowded than summer. Hope this helps and you have a wonderful time!

I really loved reading your post, quite insightful. I know the amount of time you might have invested in typing all of these. I really hope I get to travel like you.

Thank you, Sid. We hope you are able to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon sometime soon!

With only a day to do both, it sounds like Zion is a pretty intense hiking area. Would we be better if doing a couple of hikes in Bryce and just grabbing the scenic view points in Zion? For the record we are not hardcore hikers.

Where would u recommend staying in Bryce?

Hi Bev, yes if you only have one day it’s a better idea to drive through Zion. Take the shuttle bus into the main Zion canyon just to look around, maybe even hike one of the smaller quicker trails like Emerald Pools. Drive up to the tunnel but park as soon as you get through the other side and hike Zion Canyon Overlook, it’s really short and easy but leads to a fantastic viewpoint. Then you can continue on to Bryce, hike Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop, then watch sunset on the rim and stay at Best Western Plus which has the best hotel rating in Bryce. Hope that helps and have a great trip!

@Mark and Kristen Morgan, thanks for the insight! Looking forward to this trip! We are heading there on our way to Vegas, driving from Alberta. Any pointers on things to see on the way? Coming via Montana

That will be a fantastic drive down! Glacier National Park (although you’ve probably already been and it’s similar to parts of Alberta), Yellowstone and Grand Teton are both well worth driving through even if you don’t have time to stop, SLC is a great city to explore, Bryce Canyon and Zion as we discussed for sure, also try stopping at Valley of Fire state park not far from Las Vegas and hike Fire Wave. Capitol Reef is another nice stop before Bryce if you have extra time, you can then drive the picturesque UT-12 to Bryce. Even though we’ve done all those places a few times, talking about it makes us want to go again! Have fun!

Would it make sense to drive from Vegas to Bryce Canyon just to get the further driving done. So Day 1- Fly to Vegas and drive to Bryce, Day 2- Bryce Canyon and drive to Zion, Day 3- Zion, Day 4- Zion, Day 5- Drive back to Vegas

Hi Jen – Yes that definitely works, ideally you would arrive into Bryce for sunset, then do sunrise in the amphitheater and spend the day hiking before driving over to Zion. If you can hike Zion Canyon overlook around sunset that would work perfectly. Then you have 2 full days for the main Zion canyon with The Narrows, Angels Landing etc. And if you have time on your way back over to Vegas – drive through Valley of Fire state park and hike Fire Wave. Have a great trip!

Great post. Don’t overlook the Kolob Canyon area in Zion on your next visit.

Thanks, Dick – Great recommendation and coincidentally just a week before you left this comment we revisited Zion and spent a full day hiking in Kolob Canyon (and we also got permits for The Subway nearby!). The areas outside of the main Zion canyon are fantastic for getting away from the crowds.

You are fantastic ? You give me many inputs. Thanks.

Thank you – Glad we could help and let us know if you need any help planning your visit to Zion and Bryce Canyon!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest in travel straight to your inbox

Click here to subscribe

Little Blue Backpack

chase what's fun.

Destinations , Vacations , West Coast · June 18, 2021

The Ultimate 7-Day Southern Utah Road Trip Itinerary: Zion, Bryce, Escalante

Southern Utah is full of stunning scenery. It makes for memorable hikes, lookouts that make your jaw drop, and long, beautiful drives that seem much quicker than they really are. One of the top destinations in the United States, a southern Utah road trip will not disappoint.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Who Should Go on a Southern Utah Road Trip?

Everyone! Take a solo trip. Make it a girl’s trip. Head out for a getaway with your significant other. Take the whole family! There is something for everyone that will make it impossible to regret.

If you’re a hiker, you definitely don’t want to miss out. If exploration for you means scenic drives, you will love it just as much!

As long as you love beautiful places and getting outside, you’re all set.

Note: the itinerary provided below will resonate most with those who want to do a lot of hiking mixed with grabbing drinks and eating good food. While hikes range from moderate to difficult, there are no 16-mile days or backpacking excursions! But you will get out and move every day!

When is the Best Time to Take a Southern Utah Road Trip?

The sweet spot for visiting Utah is in the spring and the fall when crowds dwindle (somewhat) and the weather is a comfortable temperature. Summer months definitely get crazy with both people and hot weather. And the winter months, though unique and beautiful in their own right, obviously come with snow and cold temperatures!

Keep in mind, besides the dead of winter, these places are busy all of the time. Go when it works for you, and be prepared for crowds.

Where Does This Southern Utah Road Trip Itinerary Take Me?

Many Utah itineraries you find are going to be based around the “Mighty 5,” which includes Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Capitol Reef National Park.

In my opinion, to do “The Mighty 5” right, your trip should be two weeks total—10 days at the very least. Anything under that and you will be doing a lot more driving than exploring.

Since this trip is only one week (including travel days), it’s two national parks and a national monument.

There are notes and tips about substituting different places on certain days so, obviously, you are not locked in. That said, it is a place to start and I highly recommend this itinerary for a week that includes a range of experiences!

How Can I Spend 7 Days in Utah?

• Travel Day : Arrive in Southern Utah with options to stop along the way
• Start with 1 Day in Zion National Park (East Side—aka the “secret side”)
• 1 Day in Bryce Canyon National Park
• 1 Day at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
• 2 Days back at Zion National Park (South End)
• Travel Day : Back home on Day 7

The trip includes three different places to stay, so while you do hotel-hop (Airbnb), it’s not a daily switch. All of the details on that are below.

The Best Southern Utah Road Trip Itinerary: One Week

A southern Utah road trip takes a little more pre-planning than a lot of vacations, but the adventures are totally worth it. Let’s get started!

Before Your Southern Utah Road Trip

Do your research.

Google. Read blogs. Browse Instagram. Ask your friends. Whatever you need to do, soak up as much information as possible! Everyone’s experience is different but I guarantee a better time if you have a plan together and a good idea about what you’re getting into!

Additional, HIGHLY-DETAILED blog posts of mine are linked throughout the post so make sure to visit those for even more tips.

I highly recommend a quality SUV for this trip. You spend a lot of time in the car, one day involves dirt roads, there are switchbacks through Zion, and you will need enough space for all of your passengers and luggage. My group went with a Chevy Equinox and it was perfect.

Annual Park Pass

If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, grab an America the Beautiful Pass for $79.99 . It’s $35 at each park (for 7 consecutive days) so you make up your money in just three NP visits.

This pass twice is used twice on this trip so if you have another national park planned (or find it likely—you’ll only be out $10 if you don’t) then definitely grab one of these! If you don’t want to go that route, you can grab week-long passes at the entrances.

What to Pack for a Southern Utah Road Trip

Water Bottle: You need a big one that keeps liquids cold. This 32 oz. water bottle is my absolute favorite (still had ice in it after a day at Zion in 80+ degrees!) It has an easy-to-carry handle and I love the mouthpiece.

Hiking Shoes: Don’t forget your hiking shoes! If you don’t have a pair, invest in some. A few of these hikes will be difficult without them. The REI Outlet is a great place if you want to keep things affordable.

Layers: A few mornings you will get started early and temperatures are much, much cooler than they will be in the day. Make sure to have a jacket, long sleeves, leggings, and shorts, as well as a warm hat if you are going between late September-May.

Snacks: Between long hikes and busy areas with restaurant wait times, you will want snacks! My favorite are these Chomps Beef Sticks (all clean ingredients and lots of protein), and Trader Joe’s Simply the Best Nuts (individually packaged which makes everything easy). They easily fit in a suitcase and can be in your carry-on.

Sunscreen: No matter what time of year! If you are on the hunt for a clean product, the best out there is Cocokind . It’s not a weird texture or sticky on your face. I love it, plus it’s a great size for travel.

And with that, let’s get into the official southern Utah road trip itinerary!

Day 1: Travel Day

Where do i fly into for a southern utah road trip.

McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada , is the closest airport to southern Utah. It’s 170 miles away from Springdale, Utah (Zion National Park), and is a major hub where you can typically find cheap flights.  This itinerary will start in Sin City!

Note: Salt Lake City International Airport is the next closest and is 311 miles from the park. This is a good option if you prefer to road trip through Utah from north to south.

Pick Up Your Rental Car

Grab your rental and be on your way! Your first day of travel will have you on a scenic drive as you make your way from Vegas, through Arizona, and finally, into Utah. It’s a fairly easy drive that will find you on curvy stretches every now and then and takes a total of 160 miles (2 hours, 35 minutes.)

KEEP IN MIND: there is a time change between Las Vegas (PDT) and Utah (MT)! Your clocks will move ahead one hour.

Places to Stop between Las Vegas and Springdale

• Valley of the Fire State Park : this can be your first stop if you’d like to do a short hike and check it off your list! Located under an hour from Vegas and still in Nevada, is beautiful desert land and red sandstone formations.
• St. George : is a city a couple of miles north of the Arizona and Nevada border in the very southwestern corner of Utah. It’s one of the bigger towns on your drive and perfect for a gas and food stop.
• Other than that, it’s mountains, small towns, and jackalopes! Lol

Depending on what time you arrive, check in to your place, explore Springdale, Utah, or better yet, just relax! You have a big week ahead. (Note: there are a few Springdale restaurant recommendations later in the post.)

Where to Stay in Springdale, Utah

Best western plus (night 1/1).

Springdale, Utah accommodations are not cheap given the high demand! One of the more affordable places is the Best Western PLUS , located right downtown and near a shuttle stop—more on that below.

The rooms are very spacious, clean, and complete with a view. Plus, they offer an (actually delicious) continental breakfast that is the perfect pre-hike meal. And lessens the blow of the bill.

Options: There are plenty more places to choose from in Springdale, Utah including the Zion Lodge inside the park (need to book early), camping, and additional hotels and Airbnb’s. Check out How to Spend Two Days at Zion National Park: What You Need to Know for more options.

Day 2: Zion National Park (East)

Hike: observation point via east mesa trail.

Observation Point is one of the most beautiful spots in Zion and you will want this hike on your list. More specifically, the version of this hike that is done via the East Mesa Trail. The more popular version of the hike to Observation Point is from the south end of the park—bottom-up. This requires a shuttle bus and there are an endless amount of people.

Luckily, there is an alternative route if you drive to the east side of Zion—top-out. Bonus: the scenic drive there (via UT-9) is one to remember!

Note: the popular, south-end version of the hike to Observation Point is currently closed due to rockfall. (That said, I’d still choose East Mesa Trail, even when it’s reopened.)

The East Mesa Trail hike is not one you need an early start for which makes it a good option after a travel day. Wake up, grab breakfast, and be on your way at a leisurely pace. Plan to leave Springdale between 11:00-12:00 PM.

Plug “East Mesa Trailhead/Observation Point Trailhead” into your Google Maps and you will be all set for a 52-minute journey. It’s only 23 miles, but given the switchbacks and drive through the mountains and tunnels (awesome!), it takes longer. There is a bathroom as you approach the east-side entrance. And a few miles from the trailhead, you hit a dirt road which is where your SUV comes in handy.

Note: you will not return to Springdale tonight and this is bringing you in the right direction once your hike is over.

Park at the trailhead (we arrived at 1:00 PM and found parking, no problem) and you will find where the 6.8 miles, out-and-back trail begins. 

* This Hike Takes 3-4 Hours *

You are led through a woodsy setting with mountains in the distance and amazing views once you make it to your destination. The best in the park, in fact! Though the hike is a bit longer, it’s not strenuous in terms of incline. A less than a mile or so stretch on your way back will be the toughest part on your booty!

Your destination (Observation Point) gives you not only a great hike but one of Utah’s best views . It includes a birds-eye view of both Angels Landing and The Narrows. Tip: it’s very windy at the top!

After your hike, you will make your way to Hatch, Utah (54 miles—1 hour, 10 minutes) which is very well-positioned between both Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. Tomorrow, you’ll tackle Bryce. But don’t worry, you will return to Zion in a couple of days!

Survive on snacks until you arrive. There is an awesome (and a bit unassuming) place to eat called Outlaw Saloon – Western Bar and Steakhouse . PRO TIP: Get the ribs. The meat falls off at the touch of a knife.

Where to Stay in Hatch, Utah

Mountain ridge cabins and lodging (night 1/3).

Mountains Ridge Cabins and Lodging is the perfect place to stay in Hatch, Utah. They are adorable and affordable with a restaurant/bar, convenience store, and coffee shop right nearby. The cabins are very clean (with daily housekeeping available) and include a shower, TV, and free drip coffees at the coffee shop.

Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park

Hike: the figure 8.

All right, people. Get ready. Because this is going to be a day to remember. Everybody raves about Zion National Park (which, of course, is beautiful) but the real winner in my book is Bryce Canyon National Park. The rock formations, known as hoodoos, will take your breath away!

Day 3 is going to require an earlier start. Leave Hatch, Utah absolutely no later than 8:30 AM ; I would recommend between 7:30-8:15 AM and potentially earlier in peak season.

Sip your coffee on the 30-minute drive over and park in the Sunset Point parking lot after showing (or purchasing) your pass at the park entrance. Note: we got one of the very last spots in the lot at 9:02 AM. And if it’s summer, it will fill up earlier than that.

Sunset Point parking lot will connect you to Rim Trail and one of the most beautiful overlooks at the top of the canyon. You will be hiking down into it—and back up! And trust me, the views will be worth it.

Hike the Figure 8 Hike

The best and most rewarding 6-7 mile hike (depending which route you choose) in Bryce Canyon National Park consists of three hikes looped together into a Figure 8. Always remember, STAY RIGHT.

*This Hike Takes 3-4 Hours*

• Wall Street : a series of switchbacks that lead you down onto the canyon floor. (Left side image once I reached the bottom.)
• Peekaboo Loop Trail : an up and down 3-mile loop inside the canyon that offers the most INCREDIBLE non-stop views of the rock formations.
• Navajo Loop Trail OR Queens Garden : The way back up to the parking lot which is a tough, but worth it, journey! Navajo is shorter yet steeper and brings you to Sunset Point. (Right side image. Phew!) And Queens Garden takes some extra time but is less of an incline and brings you to Sunrise Point parking lot.

You can find EVERY SINGLE DETAIL on this hike here: The Best Day in Bryce Canyon National Park . You will have the BEST time!

After the Figure 8 hike, which I cannot recommend enough, you still have an entire afternoon ahead of you. Choose one of these great options:

• Walk Rim Trail and check out all of the viewpoints. This brings you along the edge and does not get down into the canyon. You can park at Sunset Point OR Sunrise Point. There are no inclines so it can be a very casual walk while getting some great pictures.
• Drive the Scenic Byway known as Route 63 . If you’d rather drive, this will bring you to a TON of great views. (You can easily make this a full day as well.)

It has been a DAY! Find a restaurant in Bryce or make your way back to Hatch and hit Outlaw Saloon – Western Bar and Steakhouse again. This time, get the steak. It melts in your mouth!

Where to Stay: Hatch, Utah (Night 2/3)

Return to your little cabin for another night’s stay! Option: if you’d like to stay inside the park, Bryce Canyon Lodge is the only option and must be booked far in advance!

Day 4: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Hike: peekaboo gulch & spooky gulch slot canyons.

Ready for a mini road trip from Hatch to Escalante, Utah? If slot canyons are on your list, then your going to love this day! It’s such a fun experience.

67 miles (1 hour, 15 minutes) east of Hatch, and through Bryce, is Escalante, Utah. It is in the heart of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on Scenic Byway 12 and home to a few different slot canyon hikes that will blow your mind!

Use this as a day to sleep in a bit (this is by far the least populated area of your trip so you won’t need to worry so much about crowds) and leave Hatch, Utah by about 10:30 AM. This will put you in the town of Escalante by around NOON assuming you stop once. Once you get there, check out the little town, grab some coffee if need be, and be on your way.

Hike Peekaboo Gulch + Spooky Gulch

The plan is to hike Peekaboo Gulch and Spooky Gulch which are located about 40 minutes down a dirt road from Escalante. I know, more driving. But it’s all an adventure and the beautiful drives make them seem quick! Make sure you have an SUV for this trip.

*This Hike Takes 2-3 Hours*

This 3.5-mile lollipop loop hike will have you start at the trailhead, walk around the rim and down into the lower desert, and arrive at Peekaboo Gulch, the first of two slot canyons. From here you have a couple of options:

• Climb into Peekaboo Gulch (that’s the toughest part), and hike through the narrow canyon walls about .25 miles. This one is really fun and a pretty easy hike to maneuver. And the afternoon sun hits the walls perfectly for pictures.
• When you come out the other side, you can hike over to Spooky Gulch, which is only about half a mile or so. Or go back through Peekaboo the way you came. Spooky Gulch is much more narrow (like 10 inches in some spots.) If you had a tough time with Peekaboo or are just nervous to give it a go, turn around. If you’re ready and excited (and just a little nervous), do Spooky! It’s really a unique experience.
• If you end up doing Spooky Gulch, you’ll loop right back around to Peekaboo once you come out of the slot canyon (this one is also about .25 miles) and stay right.
• Of course, you can always reverse it and start with Spooky Gulch and make your way over to Peekaboo second. This is said to be tougher.

This hike is outlined in FULL details (including the drive) over on The Best Grand Staircase-Escalante, Utah Slot Canyons to Hike . Definitely read the details if you are headed that way!

Once you finish your hike and make your way back to the small town of Escalante via the dirt roads, it will be about 5:00-6:00 PM which makes it the perfect time for a beer! Stop for just that and a bite to eat at one of the restaurants/bars. I recommend:

Circle D Eatery

Right off the main road is a great hiking reward!  Circle D Eatery  is a part of an independently-run motel and serves some delicious food and drinks in a casual environment. There is plenty of space inside, as well as an outdoor seating area. I recommend the  Jalapeno Cream Ale  beer that I am still thinking about. And the BBQ Brisket Nachos.

After you eat, it’s time get some rest! Or just keep drinking 🙂 You’ve earned it!

Where to Stay: Hatch, Utah (Night 3/3)

It’s your last night in the tiny cabin! I recommend making your way back just because it gets you much closer to Zion National Park, where you will make your way back to tomorrow. But…

Options: There are actually quite a few places to stay in Escalante, Utah. Click for  all of the lodging choices , including motels and camping if you’d rather not drive more. There are also plenty of places to stay in Bryce, Utah which you drive through and puts you closer to Zion for the morning.

Day 5: Zion National Park (South)

Hike: rest day or your choice.

Sidenote: Zion National Park requires a LOT of details. Please don’t miss How to Spend Two Days at Zion National Park: What You Need to Know where nearly every single detail is outlined. This post will give you a lot of great high-level information, but we really go in-depth over there.

Back to Zion, it is! I like the idea of starting with Zion and looping back around to end with it to give you a shorter distance to and from the airport.

At this point, you will want to check off one (or two!) more hikes in the next two days. Depending on how you feel, you might need a rest day, which Day 5 is perfect for. Zion National Park is crazy busy and in order to have the best experience, you need to wake up EARLY. Being that you’ll wake up in Hatch, Utah, that will be difficult. A few options:

• Rest Day: Go at a leisurely pace today, explore Springdale, Utah and get ready for a big day tomorrow. This is the choice this itinerary covers!
• Hike Watchman Trail or Canyon Overlook Trail: these hikes don’t require the shuttle which makes it way easier to work into the day. Watchman is 3 miles from inside the south entrance and Canyon Overlook is 1 mile and off of UT-9.
• Hike Angel’s Landing: this is the most popular hike at Zion National Park and a later-in-the-day start might not be the best experience. That said, it’s your vacation!

Grab a delicious breakfast at Hatch Station. They have omelets that will hit the spot! Plan to take off and make your way back to Springdale (60 miles—1 hour, 20 minutes, and a beautiful drive) by about 11:00 AM.

Make a road trip stop at Belly of the Dragon. It’s right off UT-89 and is a quick, fun, and unique stop through a cave. There aren’t a lot of people and it’s perfect for kids—or just a couple of cool pictures! Plus, a chance to get out and walk around.

This is your chance to explore the town of Springdale, Utah! You might not be able to check into your hotel or Airbnb (my recommendation below!) until late afternoon so just find a parking spot and meander around the town. Recommendations:

• Go Shopping: This tourist town is, of course, full of shops that line the block towards Zion National Park. Souvenirs, crystals, sweet treats, boutique-style clothes, and gifts.
• Coffee/Drinks: FeelLove Coffee Zion is the cutest place and it is not just coffee, there are dinner and cocktail menus as well.
• Beer: Definitely plan to have a beer or five at  Zion Brew Pub where there is both indoor seating as well as an awesome outdoor beer garden. It’s right near the entrance to Zion National Park.
• Eat: Whiptail Grill , a converted gas station, is a great place for lunch! Grab anything from steak tacos to chicken sandwiches on their Mexican fusion cuisine menu. They do have beer and wine.
• Visitor Center: go talk to park rangers and grab maps for tomorrow.

After your day of exploring, it’s time to grab dinner and then call it a night. (Note: if you are doing The Narrows hike tomorrow, grab your gear from Zion Outfitters . More information below.)

Zion Pizza & Noodle Co

Dine-in (there’s a beer garden) at  Zion Pizza & Noodle Co . or order your food from the counter and bring it to your hotel or Airbnb.  The European Trail  was a delicious pizza option.

Townhouse Airbnb (Night 1/2)

I stayed in the  most perfect townhouse  in the heart of Springdale and it was perfect! Very clean, modern, and has two bedrooms plus comfy living space, laundry machines, and a TV.  And the outdoor patio space (pictured below) makes it worth every penny.

You are only a short walk from the Springdale Shuttle that will bring you to the park (more on that below.) And there is a marketplace across the street that’s perfect for grabbing meals to prep at the place and snacks for your hikes. We stayed two nights and weren’t quite ready to leave! Highly recommend.

Options: Visit How to Spend 2 Days at Zion National Park for more places to stay.

Day 6: Zion National Park (South)

Hike: the narrows.

Today is a big day and a check-off of the Bucket List! If you didn’t get a major hike done yesterday, you’ll need to pick between The Narrows and Angels Landing—two of the most popular hikes.

This itinerary will walk you through The Narrows , a fun and unique experience that isn’t quite as close to death as Angels Landing. (LOL I’m kidding. Sort of…)

Note: if neither of these sounds appealing, check out the list of other popular Zion National Park hikes .

Early. Start early. It cannot be stressed enough. As I mentioned, Zion is a very popular place. And between the number of people and the shuttle bus(es) requirement, it’s best to get going. We’re talking like, be in line for the Zion Canyon Shuttle at 6:00 AM. EEK! Don’t worry, it’s worth it. First things first:

Zion Shuttle Buses

The most popular hikes in Zion National Park REQUIRE taking the Zion Canyon Shuttle Bus. There are TWO separate shuttles in the area.

• The Springdale Shuttle : connects the town of Springdale (stops near your hotel or Airbnb) to the South Entrance of the park where you catch the Zion Canyon Shuttle. Note: this runs April-October. This is not required, you can also walk.
• Zion Canyon Shuttle : This gives you access from inside the park to the upper canyon (most popular hikes) since  private vehicles are prohibited along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive between March and November. It is first-come, first-serve. Don’t forget your park pass or purchase at the entrance.

Hike The Narrows

Shuttle bus stop 9: temple of sinawava.

One of the most unique hiking experiences in the United States  is through the Virgin River inside one of Zion’s canyons. After taking the Zion Canyon Shuttle to the last stop (#9) and making a mile or so hike on the Riverside Walk paved trail, you’ll enter the river with high canyon walls on either side.

*This Hike Takes as Long as You’d Like! Likely at least 4 hours*

Once you enter the water, you can go as far as 8 miles, but you can turn around and come back whenever you choose.  The scenery doesn’t change a ton, so we went about 1.5 hours or so before we made the trek back.

As far as gear, I recommend the boots, neoprene socks, and a walking stick from Zion Outfitters . You can find WAY more details in this post . Note: this is not required!

• Pick another shorter hike inside Zion National Park such as Emerald Pools or Weeping Rock.
• Head back out to Springdale to drink beer and eat; you’ve done enough hiking for one day!

Townhouse Airbnb (Night 2/2)

Back to the perfect townhouse in Springdale where you can enjoy your outdoor patio, maybe do some laundry before you head out, and relax!

Day 7: Travel Day

That’s it! You have reached Day 7 of your southern Utah road trip experience and it’s time to make you way back to the airport. You are 2 hours and 40 minutes from Las Vegas so depending on when you flight is, make sure you are packed and ready to roll!

Mix-and-Match + Additions

When you only have one week, including travel days, there is simply too many places to squeeze in on a southern Utah road trip. Here are other destinations in the area that you can replace in your itinerary, or add extra days for:

• Capitol Reef National Park: if you’re focused solely on national parks, you could potentially swap “Day 4: Escalante Slot Canyons” with this park which is also east of Bryce. It is more driving and you’ll likely need to stay the night.
• Canyonlands National Park: even farther east than Capitol Reef, you will probably need more days to work this in.
• Arches National Park: a tad more east from Canyonlands, these three national parks are pretty close in proximity. As I said, 10-14 days for “The Mighty Five” is what you’ll need. I plan to do these 3 as a separate trip.
• Dead Horse Point State Park: one of Utah’s state parks with views of the Colorado River. It’s near the three national parks above and the city of Moab, Utah.
• Cedar City + Cedar Breaks National Monument: a town north of Zion. You could choose to loop from Zion to Cedar City to Bryce and back around.
• Northern Arizona: PACKED with places to check out, this can easily be a vacation on its own! The Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon (popular slot canyons that are currently closed), and Horseshoe Bend are all highlights.

One Last Thought…

It’s tough to come by in Utah! Lol. Here’s the skinny: You can get 5% or less at gas stations, marketplaces, etc. Anything percentage above that, and you have to go to a liquor store. The kicker? There aren’t many liquor stores! Ha. Definitely scope it out during your travels and figure out your option to stop and grab some booze.

As far as restaurants, many (not all) only have beer and wine. And many (not all) places don’t have an actual bar to sit at.

This was my least favorite part of Utah and thought you should know! Lol.

You will LOVE this trip! And you will come out of it with so many amazing pictures and incredible memories. Comment your favorite spot on this trip! Or one I may have missed.

Happy travel! 🙂

Did this post help you out? Support the work and pass along $5 for a Coors Light 😉 VENMO: @Amber-LBB or PAYPAL: [email protected]. THANK YOU.

You’ll Also Love

The Best Grand Staircase-Escalante, Utah Slot Canyons to Hike

What the people love.

• Destinations
• Save Money to Travel
• Tips & Tricks
• Let’s Connect

Copyright © 2024 Little Blue Backpack · Theme by 17th Avenue

Perfect Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon Road Trip Itinerary

Are you trying to plan an epic road trip to Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon?

I visited all of these national parks in 2021 on an epic camper van road trip with my best friend. We had a blast journeying through Nevada, Utah, and Arizona , and now I am sharing our exact itinerary with you!

In this guide, I’ll provide a day-by-day breakdown of this one week road trip that includes Grand Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon, plus Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and Valley of Fire State Park! How’s that for an action packed itinerary?

So if you are planning a trip to the American Southwest and are looking for the perfect one week itinerary, this post is for you!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you! 

One Week in Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce: The Ultimate National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

Itinerary overview.

The route for this national parks road trip is basically a big circle , starting in Las Vegas and covering the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce, as well as Page, Arizona. I recommend starting with the Grand Canyon, as it’s the longest leg of the trip ( 4.5 hours ). From there, you will continue on from the Grand Canyon to Page, then Page to Zion.

If you follow this itinerary, the second half of the trip in Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park will be much slower-paced than the first half of the trip. During the first couple days, you will be changing locations each day, so it’s a quick start to the trip!

However, this road trip can be reversed, starting with Zion and ending with the Grand Canyon before heading back to Las Vegas!

The drive times for this itinerary are as follows:

• Las Vegas to Grand Canyon: 4.5 hours
• Grand Canyon to Page: 2.25 hours
• Page to Zion: 1.5 hours
• Zion to Bryce (day trip): 1.5 hours
• Zion to Las Vegas: 2.5 hours

Pace of Travel

Before we get into the details, let’s talk about the pace of this itinerary, because it’s definitely not for everyone! Understanding your travel style and what you are looking for in a trip will really help your planning process, and I want to make sure anyone can use this itinerary and adjust as needed.

I would categorize this trip as fast-paced and for adventure travelers.. You will be driving over 1000 miles through 3 states in 7 days . You’ll get to experience the Grand Canyon, Zion, AND Bryce, plus a few other spots!

The first 3 days you will be changing locations every evening after exploring all day . I will say – we were a little apprehensive about this before our trip, but it ended up being totally fine! But we are also in our twenties with no kids, in a van, and knew what we were getting into.

If you are looking for a more relaxing, slow-paced national parks road trip, I would highly recommend either adding more days in or cutting out some stops. For example, you could easily spend a week exploring just Zion and Bryce Canyon. Or you could spend 3 days in the Grand Canyon and still not see and do it all!

This itinerary hits all the highlights of the American Southwest, which was our goal for the trip. We only had one week and wanted to see and do as much as possible. Please use this itinerary as guide and adapt as needed to your travel preferences!

Packing Essentials for Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce

Your packing list for a trip to the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce will be very much dependent on the weather.

For example, summers in Zion National Park often see temperatures in the  100s and lows well below freezing in the winter. Bryce Canyon is typically 10-20 degrees colder than it is at Zion!

Regardless of the time of year you visit, these few items below will be essential for you trip:

1. Good Hiking Boots This might seem obvious, but you definitely need to invest in a good pair of hiking boots for your trip to the American Southwest. I wore these boots every single day, no blisters, no pain. I am prone to tripping and spraining my ankle.. but had no issue in these.

2. Day pack with water bladder I never owned a backpack with a bladder before, but I bought this one from Amazon for the trip! Not having to lug around a water bottle every day was great, and having hands free access to water comes in handy (see what I did there?!) when you are kayaking in Antelope Canyon or climbing the chains on Angel’s Landing! So I highly recommend this backpack – it was the perfect size and only $30!

3. Sunscreen I will scream this from the mountain tops until I am blue in the face! If you are going to be outside, you need to wear sunscreen. Even if it’s cold. Even if its cloudy!! If you hate the feeling of sunscreen, I highly recommend Supergoop! It’s my favorite brand ever (not sponsored) but I will recommend them forever.

Starting Point for Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Itinerary

This national parks road trip starts and ends in the beautiful Las Vegas, Nevada. You will be journeying over 1000 miles in a circle through Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. Las Vegas is the perfect place to start and end this itinerary for two reasons:  

• Harry Reid International Airport is a very popular airport with direct flights from all over the country!  
• After spending a week traveling through the desert, Las Vegas is the perfect place to bring yourself back to reality!

Now, I personally tackled this road trip in an Escape Campervan .. However, you can use this itinerary while traveling in a standard rental car and staying in fancy hotels. Or tent camping if that’s your thing. Or a combination of both – the possibilities are endless here!

This itinerary will focus on what we did each day and not so much details on our van trip or where we stayed. If you’re looking for more about #vanlife, check out my post here !

Things to Know Before You Go

You will be visiting 3 different national parks and one national recreation area on this road trip.  The entrance fee to each national park is $30 , so it makes the most sense to buy an America the Beautiful Pass for the trip.

This pass is only $80 per vehicle and gets you into an extensive amount of national parks for a whole year, including the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce . If you forget to purchase it in advance of your trip, you can also grab one at any of the National Park entrance gates . We got ours at the Grand Canyon with no issues.

Aside from the pass, you should also know about time zones before the trip!

You will be going back and forth between Pacific Standard Time ( PST ) and Mountain Standard Time ( MST ) during this trip. Throughout the itinerary, I will note what time zone you start and end in for each leg.

It gets slightly confusing during Daylight Savings time, as the State of Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings time. More on that when we get to that portion of the itinerary!  

Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas & Drive to the Grand Canyon

Distance: 280 miles Estimated Travel Time: 4 hrs 30 min Departure Time Zone (Las Vegas): PST Arrival Time Zone (Grand Canyon, Arizona): MST

Time Zone Note: During Daylight Savings Time (typically April – October), the time in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon will be the same, as Arizona does not observe daylight savings. In the winter (November – March), the Grand Canyon is one hour ahead of Las Vegas.

As I mentioned, you’ll be flying into the Las Vegas airport to kick off your adventure. I recommend arriving as early as possible, as you’ll be tackling the longest leg of the trip today. After arriving in Las Vegas, you’ll be making the journey to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, about 4.5 hours away.

Before starting your drive, stop at a local supermarket and grab some snacks and drinks. If you’re going the camping route, you might need a full blown grocery shopping trip – so leave time for that as well!

After stocking up on food, start your drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim . The best route is US-93 South to I-40 East, and then North on US-180. The journey should take around 4.5 hours.. If you’re camping, I highly recommend trying to arrive to your campsite before dark.   Make sure to look up the exact sunset time in the Grand Canyon for the date you are visiting.

If you make it in time for sunset, you can head to Hopi Point (the most popular), Mohave Point , or Pima Point to watch the sun fall behind the Canyon!  

Where to stay in the Grand Canyon

For Camping : If you’re planning to camp, I highly recommend Mather Campground inside the park! There is a bus stop at the front of the campground that will take you to all the main stops throughout the park.

For Hotels: If you’re not camping, there are a few hotel and cabin options within the park itself, including the Yavapai Lodge , the Bright Angel Lodge , and the historic El Tovar.

Your other option is to stay outside the park in the nearby town of Tusayan!

Day 2: Explore Grand Canyon and Drive to Page

Exploring the grand canyon.

Today is the first day of actual adventure on this national parks road trip! The majority of your day will be spent exploring the Grand Canyon South Rim . How long you have here will depend on how early you wake up and how late you want to arrive at your next destination (Page, AZ).

There are tons of things to do in the Grand Canyon in one day, but here’s a quick list to choose from. If you are having trouble deciding what to do, you can also check out my one day Grand Canyon itinerary for help!

• Sunrise at Mather Point
• Helicopter Ride
• Bright Angel Trail
• South Kaibab Trail
• Drive Along the Rim Trail
• Hermit Road Shuttle

Since you only have one day in the Grand Canyon, you may want to spend as much time as possible exploring. However, this road trop itinerary includes a visit to Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona for sunset tonight.

If you want to include this in your itinerary,   you’ll need to coordinate your departure time from Grand Canyon with the sunset time in Page, AZ. Again, this will depend on the time of year, so make sure to look up the sunset time for your specific date!  

Drive From Grand Canyon to Horseshoe Bend / Page

Distance: 132 miles Estimated Travel Time: 2 hrs 15 min Departure Time Zone (Grand Canyon, Arizona): Arizona Standard Time Arrival Time Zone (Page, Arizona): Arizona Standard Time

Time Zone Note: No matter what time of year you visit, the Grand Canyon and Page will always be on the same time zone.. I will call it Arizona Standard Time… Like I mentioned at the beginning of this post, the time zones can get confusing.. mostly because of Arizona. So I will try to break it down further below.

Arizona Time Zones Explained

The state of Arizona falls within Mountain Standard Time but  does not observe Daylight Savings. So from approximately April through October every year (Daylight Savings Time), Arizona will be on Pacific Standard Time ( PST ).

This is the same as California and Nevada, because Arizona does not “spring forward” like the rest of the states on Mountain Standard Time. To make it even more confusing, the Navajo Nation (in which part of Arizona falls) DOES observe Daylight Savings Time. So during these months, different parts of Arizona will be on different time zones. .. confused yet?!

Luckily, this national parks road trip does not enter the Navajo Nation. Even though the Antelope Canyon tours are run by the Navajo tribe, Page, AZ does not fall within the geographical boundaries of the Navajo Nation, so the time in Page will always follow the time of nearby cities like Phoenix and Flagstaff.

I highly recommend manually setting your phone to Phoenix, AZ as you near Page . This will ensure your phone is on the right time and does not pick up the cellular signal from nearby Utah which is on a different time zone during Daylight Savings..

So to summarize again, during Daylight Savings Time, the non-Navajo portion of Arizona (which includes the Grand Canyon, Page, etc.) will be the same time as California and Nevada (Pacific Standard Time, PST ). During non-Daylight Savings Time, (November – March), Arizona is on the same time as Utah, on Mountain Standard Time ( MST ).

Driving from Grand Canyon to Page will never have a time change (this is true all year long), but this does affect your journey from Las Vegas to Arizona and Arizona to Utah (later in the trip!).

Ok.. back to the itinerary!

Horseshoe Bend for Sunset

You have just arrived at Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ for sunset! The best part of visiting Horseshoe Bend is there’s no strenuous hike required.. You park in a small parking lot and from there it’s a 10 minute stroll on a paved walkway. Totally doable for kids and pets too! I recommend arriving about 30 minutes prior to sunset.

Where to Stay Near Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ

After visiting Horseshoe Bend, it’s time to make your way to your lodging or campsite for the evening.

For Camping : We stayed at Wahweap Campground on Lake Powell. We visited in October, and the campground was pretty much empty.. In the summer, I’m sure this campground is extremely popular, as it’s right on the lake and has all kinds of water toy rentals. So keep that in mind if you’re planning a trip during the summer!

For Hotels: If you’re not camping, there are a lot of different hotel options in the town of Page, AZ. Staying in Page will put you in close proximity to Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon for tomorrow.

Day 3: Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, and Drive to Zion

Fair warning.. this is an action packed day! You will be visiting Antelope Canyon by both land and water.. and then driving to Zion National Park after.  Probably the busiest day of this trip! If you’re looking for something more slow-paced, I recommend choosing one of the Page activities – either kayaking or doing the walking tour.

In order to fit both in one day, you will have to sign up for a late afternoon Antelope Canyon walking tour. However, the peak tour times for lighting are between 10am and 1pm. So if your main goal of visiting Page is to photograph Antelope Canyon, I would skip the kayaking portion of this day.

Kayaking to Antelope Canyon

To maximize your time, plan to start your day around 7am and start kayaking by 8am. Grab some breakfast and make your way down to Antelope Point Marina ( 537 Marina Pkwy, Page, AZ 86040 ). If you’re planning this trip in advance (by a few months), you can try calling to see if they take reservations for kayaks.

If you cannot get a reservation here, and you are visiting during peak season, I recommend calling other kayak companies and trying to reserve in advance. It would be awful if you get to Antelope Point Marina and they’re all out. There are tons of companies in Page that rent kayaks, or you can go on a guided tour !

I have a full blog post on kayaking to Antelope Canyon , which will provide you with all the details you need for this activity!

Antelope Canyon Walking Tour

After finishing your kayaking tour, head to the nearby Antelope Canyon walking tour at your designated time slot. Note that this will require advanced reservations! The Lower Canyon walking tour with Ken’s Tours is only 10 minutes away from Antelope Point Marina.

There are actually two parts of Antelope Canyon with two separate tours: Upper and Lower. Upper Antelope Canyon tends to be more popular due to the shape of the cave walls, and the signature light beams that shine down. However, we visited Lower Canyon, which is slightly less popular and can be booked with shorter notice! 

After your walking tour concludes, it’s time to make your way the next stop on this national parks road trip: Zion National Park in Springdale, UT!

Drive to Zion National Park

Distance: 105 miles Estimated Travel Time:  1 hr 45 min Departure Time Zone (Page, Arizona): Arizona Standard Time Arrival Time Zone (Springdale, Utah): Mountain Standard Time

Time Zone Note: During Daylight Savings Time (typically April – October), the time in Springdale, UT (where Zion is located) and Page, AZ will be different, as the state Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings. Utah will be one hour ahead of Page during this time, so you will lose an hour on this drive. In the winter (November – March), Page, AZ and Springdale, UT will be on the same time zone (Mountain Standard Time).    

So, in the summer, if you leave Page, AZ around 4:30pm local Arizona Time, it will be ~7:15pm MST when you arrive in Springdale, UT. Remember to set your phone back to the right time zone if you changed it manually while in Page! Once you arrive in town, grab some dinner and go to bed early.. tomorrow you hike Angels Landing!

Read more about the drive from Antelope Canyon to Zion National Park in my guide here ! It also includes some of the best places to stop along the way if you are looking to add to this itinerary!

Where to Stay at zion national Park

Inside the Park: There are a two different campgrounds (South and Watchman) inside Zion National Park, all of which book up insanely fast and are nearly always full. There is one lodge inside the park, Zion Lodge , which typically books up 6+ months in advance.

Outside the Park:  Staying inside the park definitely has its advantages (you can get right on the shuttle and don’t have to fight for parking). However, if you don’t manage to stay inside the park, it’s no big deal! In fact, most people stay in the town of Springdale, UT , right outside the park’s entrance. There are campgrounds, budget hotels, and upscale lodges here – something for everyone!

Don’t forget to check out my blog post on the 10 things you need to know before visiting Zion National Park to help plan for this trip to Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce!

Day 4: Hiking Angels Landing & the Canyon Overlook Trail

Hiking angels landing.

For hiking Angels Landing, plan to be on the first bus leaving the Zion Visitor Center. You’ll ride the shuttle to Stop #6: the Grotto shuttle stop to begin your hike!

Note : As of April 2022, Zion NPS is requiring permits for the chains section of the Angels Landing hike. This requirement is to make the hike safer and more enjoyable for everyone! Speaking from experience, I think this was definitely needed. The Angels Landing hike is SO much more enjoyable with less people!

The Angels Landing trail is  5 miles round trip  and can take anywhere from  3 to 5 hours to complete . The entirety of the chains section is  a half mile , which can take between 30 minutes to an hour to complete, depending on your pace and the amount of people on the trail!

Read my full beginner’s guide to hiking Angel’s Landing here !!

Mt. Carmel Highway and Canyon Overlook Trail

If you start Angels Landing first thing in the morning, you’ll probably finish around lunchtime, and your legs will probably feel like jello! I recommend grabbing lunch at one of the many places in Springdale and relax for a few hours.

Once you’ve recharged, take a drive through the Mt. Carmel Highway in Zion and head to the Canyon Overlook Trail . The views along this road are absolutely gorgeous.. take your time to take them in! Right after you pass through the long tunnel, find parking on the road or in the small parking lot to the right and walk to the trailhead.

I promise this hike is doable after hiking Angels Landing. It’s only about a mile roundtrip , and relatively easy, but the views are absolutely gorgeous. It’s a great place to watch the sunset!  

Pick Up the Narrows Gear

After you’ve watched the sunset at Canyon Overlook, on your way back to Springdale, make a stop at Zion Outfitter  right outside the entrance to the park to rent your gear for tomorrow’s hike… the Narrows!! What time of year you are visiting will dictate what gear you rent. At a minimum, I highly recommend the shoes, socks, and the walking stick.

After picking up your gear, have some dinner and get some rest – you have another big day tomorrow!  

Day 5: Hiking the Narrows & a Scenic Drive

Hiking the narrows.

Okay, you’ve got your gear and you’re up early (hopefully!). Like Angels Landing, hiking the Narrows will be SO much more enjoyable if you start early. The earlier you start, the less people there will be, and you get to take in the views all to yourself.

You can read my full Beginner’s Guide to Hiking the Narrows , but here is a short summary of what you can expect!

• Take the Zion shuttle to the last stop –  Temple of Sinawava
• After getting off the shuttle, you will have a one mile hike along the river path before you get in the water. This is called the Riverside Walk!
• After a mile, the path will lead you down stairs and into ankle deep water
• From here, the trail will vary between dirt banks and the river! Be prepared to venture into thigh-deep water, depending on the time of year
• This hike is an out and back hike, which means however far you go in, you will have to hike the same distance out
• There are no bathrooms or water fountains on this trail. Make sure to pack enough food and water for your entire day, and be ready to be creative when you have to pee!

Scenic Drive + Photo Ops

Depending on how far you hike in, you could spend most of your day in the Narrows. Once you’re done, head back to Zion Outfitters to return your gear. After this, grab a coffee from Feel Love Coffee right across the street and relax for a few hours.. You will be pretty pooped!

In the late evening, take a drive through the east side park and stop at some of the pull offs for photo ops. If you have the time and energy, you can also visit Checkerboard Mesa on this side. The drive through Zion is so gorgeous and a perfect way to spend the afternoon after a long day of hiking. Put on some tunes and cruise!

Day 6: Day Trip from Zion to Bryce Canyon

On Day 6 of this national parks road trip, you’ll be venturing out of town to a new national park – Bryce Canyon !! Bryce Canyon National Park is just 75 miles northeast of the Zion area and makes the perfect day trip. It’s not a huge national park like Zion, so you can easily do it in one day. It’s also a very pretty drive, which makes it even easier! So grab a quick breakfast and then start your drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon.

Distance: 75 miles Estimated Travel Time:  1 hr 20 min Departure Time Zone (Zion National Park): Mountain Standard Time Arrival Time Zone (Bryce Canyon NP): Mountain Standard Time

Time Zone Note: Bryce Canyon and Zion are both located in Utah and will always share the same time Zion ( Mountain Standard Time, MST ).    

Bryce Canyon is at a much higher elevation than Zion, so it will probably be much colder! Depending on the time of year, it could be warm in Zion and snowing in Bryce, so make sure you to check the weather for both before your trip and plan ahead!

I am working on my one day guide to Bryce Canyon still, but here is a quick summary of what you should try to tackle while there!  

• Sunrise Point
• Queens Garden Trail
• Navajo Loop Trail
• Inspiration Point

If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, try to arrive at Bryce as early as possible.. Pack a lunch so you can eat in the park, as there’s no food options. Once you feel like you’ve seen everything you can, make your way back to Springdale, Utah for your last day in Zion tomorrow!  

Day 7: Zion + Fly Home OR Zion + Valley of Fire + Vegas

Today is *technically* the last day of your Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon road trip! But I am laying out a few different options in case you can spare one more day on your trip and want to see an extra park and city!

Option 1: Zion + fly Home

If you only have 7 days and today is the last day of your trip, you’ll be heading back to Vegas from Zion to catch your flight home. If you have a late flight out, consider knocking off one more hike in Zion in the morning before hitting the road, like the Emerald Pools trail. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to catch your flight in case you hit traffic on the road or anything unexpected happens!

Distance: 165 miles Travel Time: 2 hr 30 min Departure Time Zone (Springdale, UT): Mountain Standard Time Arrival Time Zone (Las Vegas, NV): Pacific Standard Time

Time Zone Note: This route is not affected by Daylight Savings. You will always gain an hour driving from Zion to Las Vegas. The drive is 2.5 hours, but you will gain an hour going from MST to PST .

Option 2: Valley of Fire + Vegas + Fly Home

If you can squeeze in an extra day to your trip and have never been, I highly recommend spending your last evening in Las Vegas! After a week on the road, it will feel great to have one more night and fly out first thing in the morning, especially if you’re tackling this itinerary in a van!

Another optional add on for the last day of your Grand Canyon, Zion, & Bryce trip is visiting Valley of Fire State Park on your way back to Las Vegas! There are a couple different hikes in Valley of Fire that you can tackle in just a few hours, and it only adds about 45 minutes to your drive from Zion to Las Vegas.  

During our trip, we tackled both a morning hike in Zion and a few hours in Valley of Fire, and we ended up getting to Vegas around 5pm. If you’re wanting to see more of Vegas during the day, I recommend picking one of those two options, so you can be in Vegas by early afternoon.

Either way, if you decide to spend your last night in Vegas, there are a ton of fun things to see and do. Have a fancy dinner, try your luck gambling, see an iconic show.. there is something for everyone in Las Vegas! I’m working on a “One Day in Las Vegas” guide to help you pick!

Final Thoughts 

That concludes my one-week US National Parks road trip itinerary for the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, and Page! As you can see, there is a ton to see and do on this itinerary, and you can easily add on more days and more parks.

If you have less than a week, I recommend cutting out Page and Grand Canyon and focusing on Zion, as you can easily spend 5 days exploring this park alone. If you’re looking to add on to this trip, I recommend checking out the following places!

• Sedona and Flagstaff (Arizona)
• Canyonlands National Park (Utah)
• Arches National Park (Utah)
• Joshua Tree National Park (Cali)

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!

Copyright © 2021 Adventures by Lana

 All Rights Reserved

Privacy Policy.

Similar Posts

How Many Keys Are In The Florida Keys? + Other Fun Facts!

As a born and raised Floridian, I grew up visiting the Florida Keys and love answering questions about them!…

Kayaking to Antelope Canyon: A Detailed Guide

Trying to determine the details of kayaking to Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona? Unsure of where to rent kayaks and how to get to the Canyon? This detailed guide is for you!

ULTIMATE Guide to the Best Sunset Cruises in Key West

If you are planning a Key West vacation, you might wondering what you should in the evenings. In my…

A Beginner’s Guide to Hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park

If you’re planning a trip to Zion National Park, you probably already know about Hiking the Narrows. It’s arguably…

Kona Kai Resort: A Florida Keys Escape

If you’re thinking of visiting the Keys, you might have a lot of questions on where to stay. You…

Ultimate Florida Keys Travel Guide (+ A Map of the Florida Keys)

Looking to visit the Florida Keys but don’t know where to start? This Ultimate Florida Keys Travel Guide breaks down the Keys and goes over where to stay, what to do, and more!

10 Best Stops on a Zion to Grand Canyon Road Trip

Last Updated on November 6, 2023

by Kate Stewart

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Zion and the Grand Canyon are two iconic national parks tourists like to visit in one trip through the desert Southwest. On your Zion to Grand Canyon road trip, you’ll also see some of the most beautiful sites in all of southern Utah and northern Arizona. There is a reason you’ll see tourists from all over the world at these sites: they have a natural wonder that is unmatched.

Make the most of this road trip by stopping at some of these majestic sites on the way, which include red rock formations, canyons on the Colorado River, and some great gems of roadside and Hollywood history. You can also learn a considerable amount of Navajo history and culture by visiting the sites in this area.

Table of Contents

Planning a Zion to Grand Canyon Drive

The road conditions on the drive are generally good in Utah and somewhat worse in Arizona , where the roads are often bumpy and in need of repair.

The traffic will be light except at some of the most popular sites here like Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon Dam around holidays. As always in the desert, prepare for the heat in summer by making sure you have plenty of water, sunscreen, and the right gear to keep you protected from heatstroke.

There are a decent number of restaurants and gas stations in the towns of Mt. Carmel, Kanab, and Page, otherwise, you should make sure you are well stocked with food and gas if you are making other stops and especially if you plan to go camping in remote areas.

A great place to stop overnight is Page, which has lots of hotels and campgrounds and is near many of the sights you’ll want to see.

If you need to rent a car for your road trip, you can compare prices on Rentalcars.com which aggregates results across major providers.

You can also rent an RV from Outdoorsy if combining this road trip with other popular routes such as from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas or from the Grand Canyon to San Diego.

How Far is Zion to the Grand Canyon?

The distance from Zion National Park to the Grand Canyon is 239 miles (around 385 kilometres) if you are headed to the South Rim. The most common route is to take Highway 9 east out of Zion to Utah Heritage Highway 89, which then goes south through northern Arizona to Cameron, and then take Highway 64 to the Grand Canyon.

You can also split off on 89A from Kanab to Bitter Springs to see the south side of the Vermillion Cliffs area, which may be the best route to take.

The total drive time without stopping is just over four hours, but you should plan for at least a full day to enjoy a scenic drive and make the most of the incredible scenery on the way.

10 Best Stops from Zion NP to Grand Canyon NP

Thunderbird restaurant , utah.

You’ll start out from Zion taking Highway 9 east. Stop for lunch or coffee at the Thunderbird Restaurant in Mt. Carmel Junction, Utah where 9 meets Highway 89. The business originally started as a gas station in 1931 until the pies that owner Fern Morrison handed out to truckers became so popular, she opened a restaurant.

The fabulous thunderbird neon sign will beacon you in to sample the diner favorites and famous pies—another neon sign also advertises the restaurant as the “Home of the Ho-Made Pies” (those missing letters were due to having to shorten the letters of the original sign).

This retro restaurant has expanded now to also include a resort, gift shop and a 9-hole golf course. It also offers package tours of the sites in the area.

Maynard Dixon Legacy Museum , Utah

Drive a few miles north on Highway 89 for a detour to the Maynard Dixon Legacy Museum .

Dixon remains one of the most famous landscape artists of the Southwest, He captured the canyons, mountains, plants, native people, and workers, in a new style called social realism influenced by his second wife, photographer Dorthea Lange.

He had a summer home in Mount Carmel Junction, which is now the museum maintained by the Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts.

You can tour the home and see some of Dixon’s artwork for an entrance fee. The foundation also supports a gallery for new artists and summer retreats for artists and photographers.

Little Hollywood Museum , Utah

Drive south on Highway 89 to Kanab, Utah, which has been a location for shooting many movies, including Stagecoach, The Outlaw Josey Wales, and Point Break.

At the Little Hollywood Museum , you can see take a tour of the sets from some of these movies, see a live western skit, eat at the chuckwagon, and buy Native American crafts and jewelry and Stetson hats at the gift store.

The Little Hollywood Museum is open daily (closed in the winter months) and entrance to the museum is free. If you are a Western film buff, this is one stop you won’t want to miss on your itinerary!

Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell , Arizona

From Kanab, take Highway 89 to the Glen Canyon Dam , which created the sprawling Lake Powell. At the Carl Hayden Visitor Center, you can learn about the dam with exhibits and presentations and go on a guided tour that starts here.

To spend some time on Lake Powell, head to the nearby Wahweap Recreation Area where you can launch your boat to explore the lake or camp nearby at the Beehive campground.

You can drive up Lake Shore Drive on the west side to stop at some scenic viewpoints to get great shots of the dam and the lake. On the east side of the dam is the popular hiking spot called the Hanging Gardens and more scenic overlooks.

Horseshoe Bend , Arizona

Just down the road from Glen Canyon Dam is Horseshoe Bend , a stunning, almost circular curve in the Colorado River, known as an entrenched meander, a geologic formation due to the earth lifting up rapidly underneath the river.

The canyon it creates is known as the east rim of the Grand Canyon. For a quick visit, you can park near the overlook for a fee and hike less than a mile to the overlook and get some great photos. The best time for photos of Horseshoe Bend is at sunset.

It is not possible to hike down to the water, however, there are options in the area for guided river rafting trips on the Colorado River that go through Horseshoe Bend and you can also take a helicopter tour.

This vista is one stop you will not want to miss on your drive. If you are driving on Highway 89A, you’ll want to stop here on the reverse Grand Canyon to Zion road trip or backtrack a bit up 89 just to see this stunning photo op.

Antelope Canyon , Arizona

Just a few miles east on Highway 98 from Horseshoe Bend is Antelope Canyon, a stunning slot canyon, with winding walls and ceilings that bend in all directions due to flash flooding over time.

There is also streaming light from above that appears mystical, a beacon for photographers. This canyon is on Navajo land and is a sacred site, so you can only see it by going on a guided tour by a member of the Navajo Nation.

The Upper Antelope Canyon has no decline and is a short walk to get to, making it a popular choice. Lower Antelope Canyon is a longer hike that takes you underground and will require you to go up and down ladders. Some tours also add on excursions to nearby Rattlesnake Canyon and Owl Canyon.

As the most photographed slot in the United States, tours fill up quickly and will be crowded in the summer.

Jacob Lake , Arizona

If you are headed to the Grand Canyon North Rim or the south side of Vermillion Cliffs, take Highway 89A from Kanab and stop at Jacob Lake, a peaceful recreation area in the North Kaibab National Forest.

At the lake, which is surrounded by ponderosa pines, there is a lodge with cabins, a restaurant, a campground, and a store. There are also hiking and mountain biking trails.

This area is a nice change of climate from the rest of your road trip. Many visitors to the North Rim prefer to stay at Jacob Lake due to the limited lodging available at the national park. It is also a great spot to just stop for a picnic or sample the fry bread at the food truck in the parking lot of the gas station.

Coyote Buttes , Arizona

As you drive along Highway 89A, you’ll pass by Vermillion Cliffs National Monument , one of the most incredible red rock formations in the Southwest.

If you are an expert hiker, you may want to take your chances on one of the online or walk-in lotteries to hike either at Coyote Butte South or Coyote Butte North , where you can see the Wave, a famous swirling red and white sandstone formation you have probably seen in photographs.

These can be dangerous hikes though, so if you are attempting either of them, be sure you bring plenty of food, water, a map, and follow all regulations. The hike to the Wave is almost seven miles round trip, and the southern route, which you will have a better chance of getting a permit, is 25 miles.

There are no paved roads within Vermillion Cliffs, and you will need a 4-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle to drive there. Spare tires, mats, and shovels are also recommended due to the sand you’ll be driving through.

Since it is easy to get lost on the route to and from the Wave, you may want to consider doing a guided tour of one of the Coyote Buttes to ensure a safer trip.

Paria Canyon , Arizona

Another gorgeous area to explore in Vermillion Cliffs is Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch, one of the longest slot canyons in the world. At 15 miles, this slot canyon is an adventure to hike through, with towering cliffs that narrow down, puddles to wade through, and boulders to climb over.

There are also petroglyphs to view at Wire Pass Wash. There is no permit required to hike the canyon, making it an alternative for those who can’t get permits to Coyote Buttes.

Like the Coyote Buttes hiking areas, you’ll need to be a well-trained hiker and in good if you are attempting to hike the entire canyon. And unlike the Coyote Buttes, you can camp overnight in Paria Canyon, which you’ll need a permit for. You can enter Paria Canyon either from the White House Trailhead in Utah off Highway 89 or from the south.

There are also other shorter, spectacular hikes at Vermillion Cliffs like White Pocket and Sun Valley Mine Trail that don’t require permits and are definitely worth checking out.

Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry , Arizona

If you’re taking the 89A route, make your last stop at Marble Canyon on the Colorado River. You can walk the length of the Historic Navajo Bridge, built in 1929, which is now a pedestrian bridge that parallels the newer one. The bridge offers a great view of the canyon.

Drive down Honey Moon Trail to see Cathedral Rock, and you can park at the Cathedral Wash trailhead to hike down to the river.

A little further down the road is Lees Ferry , the first regular crossing of the Colorado River connecting Arizona and Utah, started by John D. Lee, an exiled Mormon banned from Utah due to his involvement in the Mountain Meadows Massacre.

There is a campground here and a beach where most group river trips down through the Grand Canyon launch from. You can also go trout-fishing here or launch your own boat to go upstream.

You can drive the rest of the way on Highway 89 and then take 64 to the Grand Canyon to complete your road trip.

Where To Stay on Drive from Zion to Grand Canyon

Though the drive from isn’t a long one, there are so many great stops along the way that you’re likely going to need to find a good place to base yourself for a night or two between these two iconic National Parks. 

Where to Stay in Page

A great place to base yourself between Zion and the Grand Canyon is the city of Page, which is situated close to Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs and countless other sites listed here. If you’re wondering where to stay in Page, have a look at these suggestions:

Country Inn & Suites  – A great option if you’re looking for a consistent and comfortable place to stay, this hotel has a lot to offer. They have a great location, countless clean and comfortable rooms, a swimming pool and even an on-site bar. 

Red Rock Motel  – If you’re travelling on a bit of a tighter budget, then this independent motel can be a great choice for you in Page. They have a handful of clean and comfortable rooms available (some including a full kitchen) and a great location for exploring the surrounding area. 

Private Rental  – Another popular option for accommodation is a private vacation rental, like this unique glamping experience .   There are lots of properties to choose from and you’re sure to find something that suits your travel needs.  

Not quite what you’re looking for?  Click here to browse more Page hotels!

Where to Stay near the Grand Canyon

If you’re not staying or visiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (which is only open from May to October every year), then the most logical place to base yourself is in the town of Williams located just south of the Grand Canyon South Rim park entrance.

The Lodge on Route 66 – If you’d like a bit of luxury to end your drive, then this hotel is an excellent choice. They have a number of beautifully decorated rooms available, a central location in downtown Williams and even include a buffet breakfast each morning.

El Rancho Motel – If you’re on a bit of a tighter budget, then this motel in Williams is a great option. Located in downtown Williams on the historic Route 66, they have a range of basic and comfortable rooms on offer and serves as a great jumping-off point for exploring the Grand Canyon and elsewhere in Northern Arizona.

Private Rental – If it’s a private vacation rental you are after, then you’ll be happy to know there are lots of options available near the Grand Canyon. Whether you’re looking for a luxury lakefront house like this one or something a bit more basic, there are lots of choices on offer.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Grand Canyon hotels!

Where to Stay near Zion

Basing yourself in the city of St George, Utah is an excellent choice when exploring Zion National Park as there are lots of amenities and services in the town that you don’t get closer to the park. If you’re looking for a great place to stay, have a look at these suggestions:

Inn On The Cliff — They have a number of clean, chic and comfortable rooms available, a great swimming pool with fantastic views, and a hearty continental breakfast included in the room price.

St George Inn & Suites — This is a great, mid-range option and makes for an excellent base for exploring Zion and a great jumping-off point for this road trip. They boast a range of comfortable and clean rooms and even have a swimming pool to enjoy.

Private Rental — If you’d rather find a private rental, then there are a number of great options for you when visiting Zion such as this ultra-cool cabin within easy reach of the park entrance.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options near Zion National Park!

The only difficult thing about planning a road trip from Zion National Park to Grand Canyon National Park is figuring out which of the amazing sites to see in a short period of time! These stops will definitely make your drive through the Southwest a classic road trip adventure.

Are you planning an itinerary between these two iconic national parks? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

12 Best Stops on the Phoenix to Las Vegas Drive

11 Best Stops on a Los Angeles to Grand Canyon Road Trip

Arches vs Canyonlands: Which National Park to Visit?

About Kate Stewart

Kate Stewart is a writer for The World Was Here First. She is an archivist specializing in oral history who is based in Tucson, Arizona and grew up in the Midwest. Kate loves driving across the country and exploring the oddities of American and Southwest culture. In her spare time, she is a political activist, country music junkie, and baseball fan.

Hello Kate I am from Brazil. I pretend doing this trip on the winter, do you think that is possible? I need have a 4WD car or a can do it with a normal car? Thanks for the information.

We are planning a trip from Salt Lake City starting early on Sunday 9/18/22 and ending in Las Vegas on Thursday 9/22/22. We hope to see Bryce, Zion & possibly the Grand Canyon if time allows. Or if you have a better use of our time in the 5 days we are open to suggestions to see the most beautiful attractions. We are in our early 60’s in decent shape & are up for hiking moderate trails… probly no longer than 5 miles at a time? Would also like suggestions of accommodations & how much time to allow at each park. Thank you!

You have probably already received a reply, but i would look into making Moab and Arches NP your first stop. That’s what we did last year and really happy we did. We also hit canyonlands since only a few minutes from Arches. If you have any questions i will be more than happy to answer. I am about the same age and did mostly 5-7 mile hikes as well.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Utah National Park Road Trips With Scenic Stops

• There are plenty of scenic Utah national park road trip routes, especially since the state offers unique national parks with dramatic formations like arches, bridges, and canyons.
• Invest in an America the Beautiful Parks pass for $80 to save on entry fees at multiple park sites.
• Explore themed national park road trip itineraries in Utah, with routes featuring multiple park stops all in one trip.

Utah is one of the top destinations in the US for outdoor adventurers, home to many of America's bucket list hiking trails . With five national parks and 11 other national park sites (including national monuments, recreation areas, and conservation areas), it's no surprise some of the most bucket-list-worthy national park road trips take place in Utah.

Utah's national park sites protect some of the most unusual formations in the world. Hoodoos, natural bridges, mineral caves, and sheer canyon walls are just some of the dramatic structures road trippers can expect to find on a trip around Utah. From weekend loops to treks across the state, these Utah national park road trip routes are excellent ways to explore the national park sites in the Beehive State.

For those worried about the price tag of a national park road trip, consider investing in an America the Beautiful Parks pass , one of the best ways to visit national parks for cheap all year long. At $80, the pass grants free entry for the pass holder and their passengers to all NPS, BLM, and USDA Forest Service sites for one year, which can save a lot for those who visit parks often.

10 Dog-Friendly State Parks In Utah

Arches & bridges of utah, national park sites visited: 4.

Arches National Park may host the highest concentration of natural arches and bridges in the world, but there are actually three national park sites in Utah dedicated to these natural formations. Both Natural Bridges National Monument and Rainbow Bridge National Monument also protect one-of-a-kind arch formations, and they combine nicely with Arches National Park for a themed Utah national park road trip itinerary.

Starting in Moab with Arches National Park, Utah road trippers move south towards Natural Bridges National Monument. This is where the road trip takes a bit of a turn. Rainbow Bridge National Monument is part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, meaning that guests can enjoy two national park sites at once.

However, while this may be a road trip, getting to the Rainbow Arch itself won't be that easy. The only way to see one Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the world's largest natural bridges , is to catch a boat ride from Lake Powell or take the multi-day 14-mile (each way) hike through the Navajo Nation . As the last stop of this national park road trip route in Utah, these exhausting excursions may be the perfect escape from the car for a grand road trip finale.

• Road Trip Route: Moab → Arches National Park → Natural Bridges National Monument → Glen Canyon National Recreation Area/Rainbow Bridge National Monument
• Recommended Time: 3–4 days

Arches National Park is one of several US national parks that require reservations in 2024 . Be sure to visit the National Park Service website to get a timed entry reservation made ahead of time.

The Alpine Loop

National park sites visited: 2.

The Alpine Loop is a favorite for local Utahns looking for an afternoon drive, but with the right stops, this drive can easily become an exceptional national park road trip in Utah.

The entirety of the Alpine Loop is, in fact, in Uinta National Forest. Camping opportunities along the Loop, which stretches from American Fork Canyon to Provo Canyon, are plentiful, as are scenic hiking trails through the Aspen trees. The steep canyon walls also lend themselves to dramatic waterfalls, like the scenic Stewart Falls Trail .

As a Utah national park road trip, however, there is one more can't-miss stop on this weekend getaway. Timpanogos Caves National Monument in American Fork Canyon is one of Utah's most unique national park sites, requiring a moderate hike up switchbacks before reaching the caves themselves. Timpanogos Cave can only be explored as part of a tour, but the stalactites and stalagmites in the damp mountain caves are well worth the effort.

• Road Trip Route: Alpine Loop Byway (American Fork Canyon to Provo Canyon)
• Recommended Time: 1–2 days

10 Affordable Small Towns To Retire In Utah

Southeastern utah road trip, national park sites visited: 3.

There are countless scenic Utah road trips , ranging from just a few miles to all-day drives across the state. If even exploring half of the state isn't quite possible, one of the shorter Utah national park road trip itineraries through a small region may be the perfect solution. The Southeastern portion of Utah is rich in national and state park sites, ideal for a smaller-scale road trip.

Moab makes an excellent home base for this road trip, sitting just outside Arches National Park and just an hour from Goblin Valley State Park, one of the many Utah state park alternatives to Zion National Park and the perfect substitute for making the drive to the other side of the state.

At just 370 miles to drive, this loop is far more manageable for those looking for a long weekend-length road trip through Utah's national parks.

• Road Trip Route: Moab → Arches National Park → Canyonlands National Park → Goblin Valley State Park → Natural Bridges National Monument → Moab

Utah National Monuments Road Trip

National park sites visited: 8.

Utah has eight dedicated national monuments, in addition to the famous national parks. Seven of these national monuments work nicely to create one of the most unique and varied national park road trips in Utah from Salt Lake City. Following I-15 from Salt Lake to American Fork, road trippers will first detour to the Alpine loop to explore Timpanogos Cave National Monument in Uinta National Forest. A challenging hike to a mountain cave, Timpanogos Cave is the perfect first stop before heading to the rocky terrain of the rest of the trip.

The other four national monuments are in the southern portion of the state. From the ancient structures of Hovenweep National Monument to the red rocks of Cedar Breaks National Monument, this expansive road trip is a chance to explore the hidden gems of Utah, with fewer crowds but plenty of scenic national park views.

• Road Trip Route: Salt Lake City → Timpanogos Cave National Monument → Bears Ears National Monument → Hovenweep National Monument → Natural Bridges National Monument → Rainbow Bridge National Monument/Glen Canyon National Recreation Area → Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument → Cedar Breaks National Monument → Cedar City
• Recommended Time: 7–10 days

Zion National Park & Dixie National Forest Road Trip

Zion National Park is the most-visited national park in Utah and was one of the most visited national parks in the US in 2023 . Many travelers recommend spending two or even three days exploring this spectacular park, including taking several scenic drives (or hopping on the eco-friendly shuttle) through the park.

Given the time spent in Zion National Park itself, limiting additional road trip stops might be necessary. By starting in Saint George in southwestern Utah, adventurers on a Utah national park road trip itinerary with scenic stops can stop in Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and Snow Canyon State Park on their way to Zion. After spending the desired time in Zion, and potentially even taking on one of America's most dangerous hikes (Angel's Landing), the road heads north to Dixie National Forest.

One of the numerous hidden gem destinations in Utah, Dixie National Forest is full of unique attractions of its own, including an arch that travelers can drive through and Red Canyon, one of the most underrated and worthwhile places to visit in Southern Utah.

• Road Trip Route: Saint George → Snow Canyon State Park → Red Cliffs National Conservation Area → Zion National Park → Dixie National Forest
• Recommended Time: 4–6 days

Got more time? By ending in Dixie National Forest, Utah national park road trip travelers are well-positioned to add Capitol Reef and even Canyonlands National Park to the road trip itinerary.

10 Hiking Capitals Of America

Route 89 road trip: the utah stretch.

Route 89 is often considered America's most scenic road trip , and for good reason. In its entirety, Route 89 visits seven national parks and 14 national park sites between Montana and Arizona. The Utah stretch of this picturesque drive takes travelers from Kanab in Southern Utah all the way to Bear Lake on the Utah-Idaho border.

The main national parks along this road are Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, both of which have their own scenic drives and hiking trails. For those interested in going further north, views of national forests as well as opportunities to detour to major cities like Provo and Salt Lake City help balance the attractions along this one-of-a-kind Utah national park road trip route.

• Road Trip Route: Kanab → Zion National Park → Bryce Canyon National Park → Provo → Salt Lake City → Logan → Garden City/Bear Lake

Mighty 5 Utah Road Trip

National park sites visited: 5.

The five national parks in Utah are perfectly spaced for one of the best national park road trips in the US with scenic stops , and it is arguably the most popular road trip route in Utah.

Starting in Salt Lake City, travelers can point their loop toward either Zion National Park or Arches National Park. For those starting in Zion National Park, road trippers will slowly move east across Southern Utah before moving north, ending at Arches National Park and returning to Salt Lake City.

One of the great advantages of the Mighty Five road trip is the ability to add plenty of additional stops, including Snow Canyon State Park near Zion and Goblin Valley State Park near Moab and Arches.

• Road Trip Route: Salt Lake City → Zion National Park → Bryce Canyon National Park → Capitol Reef National Park → Canyonlands National Park → Arches National Park → Salt Lake City
• Recommended Time: 5–8 days

There are a variety of ways to enjoy the Mighty 5 Utah road trip. For a more linear route, travelers can start in Salt Lake and go towards Arches National Park, moving westward and ending in Zion National Park. This opens the possibility of heading to Las Vegas, Nevada instead of simply returning to Salt Lake at the end of the trip.

• Skip to global NPS navigation
• Skip to this park navigation
• Skip to the main content
• Skip to this park information section
• Skip to the footer section

Exiting nps.gov

Alerts in effect, traffic & travel tips.

Last updated: May 31, 2023

Park footer

Contact info, mailing address:.

Zion National Park 1 Zion Park Blvd. Springdale, UT 84767

435-772-3256 If you have questions, please email [email protected]. Listen to recorded information by calling anytime 24 hours a day. Rangers answer phone calls from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. MT, but a ranger may not answer if they are already speaking with someone else.

Stay Connected

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

Las Vegas to Zion National Park Road Trip | 9 Amazing Stops Along Interstate 15

• Activities and Interests
• Destinations
• National Parks
• United States
• United States National Parks

Note: The Travel Awaits team regularly updates content to provide the latest, and most accurate information to our readers. The updated content in this article may not reflect the views or opinions of the original author.

When traveling from the Midwest to Zion National Park in Southern Utah, the best place for us to fly into is Las Vegas. The trip from Las Vegas to Zion is a fairly easy drive of about 2.5 hours, if you drive straight through. We did the drive during a week in the winter when traffic wasn’t bad at all.

I imagine that, if you’re driving on a summer weekend, you’ll encounter quite a bit more traffic, and drive times will be longer. Parts of the drive are spectacularly beautiful and other parts not so much. To break up the short drive, we set out to find interesting things to see and do on our way from Las Vegas to Zion National Park. Here is our list of what to see and do in the area.

Las Vegas to Zion National Park Road Trip

1. welcome to las vegas sign.

Since you’re starting off in Las Vegas , it only makes sense to see one of the most iconic Vegas landmarks, the “Welcome To Las Vegas” sign on your way from Las Vegas to Zion. The iconic sign is much smaller than I thought it would be but it was still really fun to grab a few pictures there.

Located less than 10 minutes from Harry Reid International Airport ( formerly McCarran International Airport ), the sign is a must-see for anyone who wants a few kitschy vacation pics from Las Vegas. This iconic sign, built in 1959, sits in the meridian at 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South — otherwise known as the very southern end of the Las Vegas Strip . Designed in the Googie architecture style that was popular in the 1940s and 1950s, it’s a cool throwback to early Vegas.

The people in Vegas have made it really easy to get there, too. No longer do you have to dodge traffic and stand in the median to grab a photo. There is now an actual parking lot right in front of the sign. Since it was so close, we stopped right as we made our way out of the airport. Our flight arrived in Vegas in the early morning so there were only a couple of people out and about when we stopped. We grabbed a parking spot and were snapping away within a few minutes. 

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Welcome To Las Vegas Sign

2. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area In Las Vegas

About 20 minutes west of the strip lies the almost 200-acre Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area . While it’s a little outside of your route from Las Vegas to Zion National Park, it’s so close to Las Vegas and definitely worth a stop. If nothing else, tour the park via the 13-mile scenic drive that cuts through the park. Note that, depending on the season, you may need to make a reservation for the scenic drive.

If you have more time to kill before your flight, you may want to check out some of the hiking trails or even go horseback riding. It’s an unexpected treat to find this outdoor paradise so close to the bright lights of Las Vegas! Open year-round, there is a variety of things to see and do in the park, with the most popular being the hiking trails. With trails rated easy to difficult, you’ll surely be able to find a trail that suits you.

Since I’m not a really experienced hiker, I liked the easy and moderate trails. Out on the trails, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see native Mojave Desert plants as well as plenty of cool rock formations. If you go in the morning or towards sunset, you’ll have the best chance to see some park wildlife like burros, sheep, deer, birds, and the desert tortoise. Start your trip at the visitor center to learn about the park, watch the short film, and grab a map. If you venture out on the trails, make sure to take plenty of water.

Even if it’s not hot weather, you can become dehydrated quickly. Also, the folks at Red Rock do not recommend taking rideshares like Uber and Lyft to the park. There is little to no cell phone service in the park and you may not be able to call for a return rideshare when you want to leave — so definitely plan ahead. 

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area In Las Vegas

3. Valley Of Fire State Park In Overton, Nevada

Located roughly 50 miles up the road from Las Vegas to Zion, you’ll find Valley of Fire State Park . Don’t let the fact that it’s a state park fool you. The oldest and largest state park in Nevada, the Fire State Park is awesome! When we were there in December, there were very few people in the park, even though the weather was perfect for hiking.

While talking to locals, we were told that the Fire State Park is pretty low-key all the time — for some reason, it’s not on people’s radar. But it should be! We had so much fun exploring this beautiful park. With 40,000 acres of Aztec sandstone, petrified trees, and ancient petroglyphs, there’s a lot to explore here. After a stop in the visitor center to watch the film and get a little backstory, we decided we had to check out the Fire Wave first.

Starting at the Fire State Park trailhead, it’s about a 1.5-mile hike that took about an hour. The park has this hike rated as moderate and I would agree. There is some tricky climbing involved, but it’s not too tough. And the reward is spectacular.

You’ll see the incredible wavy formations that are out of this world! This and the Rainbow Vista Trail were our favorite spots. But there are quite a few others that are not to be missed if you have the time. While we spent about 4 hours here, you could easily spend more or less time depending on your schedule. If nothing else, take the Valley of Fire Scenic Byway through the Fire State Park.

It’s spectacular with awesome views at almost every turn. A bonus for us was the bighorn sheep we spotted right up by the road! The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. From Harry Reid International Airport, get on I-15 North to Exit 75 and Valley of Fire Highway.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Valley Of Fire State Park In Overton, Nevada

4. Virgin River Gorge Near Littlefield, Arizona

A gorgeous, albeit somewhat white-knuckle drive for this apprehensive driver, the scenic Virgin River Gorge is something to behold. The gorge spans about 10 miles of Arizona near Littlefield, and believe me, you’ll know it when you see it. The mostly two-lane section of I-15 runs parallel to the Virgin River. How this road was ever carved out of the massive rocks is beyond me.

This scenic drive is at the top of the list of all scenic drives I’ve been on and is really awe-inspiring. It’s mind-boggling to think about how this section of I-15 was created out of sheer rock and stone along the Virgin River.

The tricky part of this drive along the Virgin River Gorge for me was the speed at which other drivers were flying down the canyon road. There’s nothing like an 18-wheeler so close to your bumper that you can’t see their headlights! Quick moving drivers aside, try to take in the awesome scenery as you traverse this section of I-15; it’s worth it.

However, take care that you know the weather forecast first. I would not want to be driving this road back down to Vegas in any kind of weather. That’s why we adjusted our itinerary and headed back to Vegas a day early rather than drive this section and other parts of I-15 that we felt could be a little tricky in the snow.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Virgin River Gorge Near Littlefield, Arizona

5. St. George, Utah 

Located about an hour south of Zion National Park, St. George , Utah, is a city of about 85,000 people that has a lot of cool things to see and do. With spectacular mountain views and plenty of red rock vistas, we found St. George to be a truly beautiful city.

Because the pioneers that originally settled this land were members of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, expect to find historical sites here like the Brigham Young Winter Residence Historical Site , St.George Temple (currently closed for renovation, but you can see the outside), and the St. George Tabernacle. In addition to these interesting historical sites, the city offers lots of outdoor recreation opportunities in the many state parks and recreation areas.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near St. George, Utah

6. St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site

Local and international geology enthusiasts should visit the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm. You’ll enter a 200 million-year-old ecosystem that was once home to dinosaurs, fishes, plants, important sedimentary structures, and more. The site is touted by paleontologists as one of the ten best dinosaur track sites in the world. 

The museum isn’t just for geologists. Families and children will have a great time following dinosaur tracks along the ground, making tracks on their own, uncovering replica fossils, or putting together dinosaur puzzles.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site

7. Quail Creek State Park

Quail Creek State Park is an interesting stop on your way to Zion National Park from St. George that people often overlook. Like most national parks, Quail Creek is an ideal destination for day-trippers and overnighters. You can boat, camp, fish, or paddleboard in the warm waters of the Quail Creek Reservoir. 

Clear, green water dominates Quail Creek State Park set against red, white, and orange cliffs is a perfect recipe for lake-focused adventure.

Conveniently located just a 45-minute drive from Zion National Park, Quail Creek State Park is an ideal stop for a day on the water before or after a trip to Zion.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Quail Creek State Park

8. Snow Canyon State Park In St. George, Utah

Hike, bike, e-bike, or even horseback ride your way through Snow Canyon State Park in St. George, Utah. This 7,400-acre park offers a vast array of activities and sightseeing opportunities.

Feeling like I discovered one of the best-kept secrets of southern Utah , I meandered the trails and took in the beauty of the towering red rocks. Staying at one of the nearby resorts, our trek to Snow Canyon couldn’t have been simpler: A walk out the back door to the paved trail led us directly into the park. If you aren’t staying nearby, don’t worry, there’s plenty of parking.

We started with the easy 2-mile Johnson’s Hike, traversing through the rugged lava trails and surrounding cliffs as we craned our necks to take in the splendor of the natural beauty that was all around. Snow Canyon is a top-rated state park and simply one of the most beautiful I’ve been to.

Hollywood agrees as Snow Canyon has been the shooting site of multiple well-known films including the classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid , The Electric Horseman , and Jeremiah Johnson . A geological wonder made with wind and water over 180 million years ago, the results are stunning.

With more than 38 miles of hiking trails and 3 miles of paved walking and biking trails, there’s something here for all to see. Snow Canyon Park partners with several hiking and biking vendors so you’ll be covered with rental equipment, including the popular e-bikes, to make your trip fantastic.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Snow Canyon State Park In St. George, Utah

9. Springdale, Utah

Located at the West entrance of Zion National Park , Springdale is a must-visit stop on your trip from Las Vegas to Zion National Park. In fact, unless you’re staying within the borders of Zion National Park, you’ll probably be staying in Springdale. And it’s a perfect spot to spend your time outside of the park.

You’ll find plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and many options for lodging in Springdale. If you do stay in Springdale, remember that the Springdale shuttle will take you into Zion National Park so you can leave your car at your hotel.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Springdale, Utah

What is the Best Time to Go From Las Vegas to Zion National Park?

Springtime in Zion National Park is beautiful, with temperatures in their 50s, as the park comes back to life following the winter. Come in April and you’ll also enjoy free admission to Zion National Park during National Parks Week. 

How Many Days Are Needed to Visit Zion National Park From Las Vegas?

Two nights would be ideal as it would give you time to recover from the hikes and enjoy more things in the area. With that in mind, you should look to spend at least one night here, given how large Zion National Park is.

How Much Does Zion National Park Cost?

The entrance fee for Zion National Park is $35 per car which is good for 7 days. If you are a frequent visitor, you can also purchase an annual entrance pass for $70. Remember to have the ticket visible on your car at all times.

Where to Stay When Visiting Zion National Park From Las Vegas?

If you are coming from Nevada, Springdale, and La Verkin are the two closest towns to the park entrance. Hotels in the Utah Zion National Park region are usually well-kept and have good reviews. 

Which Stop On My Las Vegas to Zion National Park Drive is Best For Wildlife?

Red Rock Canyon NCA in Las Vegas is teeming with wildlife. Mule deer, javelina, coyotes, and bobcats are regular sightings, as well as a wide variety of birds. There are also over 600 different species of plants mainly unique to the Mojave Desert.

SJ is a professional travel writer based in the Midwest. She has a background in credit card points and miles, having spent years working on loyalty campaigns for various financial institutions. She has a B.A. in history and is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association, the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association, and the International Travel Writers Alliance. SJ specializes in writing about travel, food, and wine.

Road Trip from San Diego To Zion National Park

Zion National Park is one of the most awe-inspiring parks in all of America. If you want to go on an epic trip across the desert, consider a road trip from San Diego to Zion National Park. You will get to encounter some of the most incredible scenery in the west.

The 500-mile road trip from San Diego to Zion National Park takes 7 hours 45 minutes of driving. Key attractions include Palm Springs, Kelso Dunes, Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve, Las Vegas, and the Valley of Fire State Park.

Planning a trip like this can seem daunting, so read on for more information about the best route, where you should stay, and things to do along the way.

How far is Zion National Park from San Diego and how long will the road trip take?

The road trip from San Diego to Zion National Park will take you across the arid desert, through some of America's most beautiful national parks and one of its most famous cities. The trip will cover about 500 miles and could be driven in a day.

However, you should consider taking at least a weekend, if not more, to experience the best this route has to offer. With so many national parks to explore, this trip is the outdoors person's heaven.

Best road trip route from San Diego to Zion National Park

Try to prioritize the attractions and figure out what you want to see the most. If Zion is your main priority, you can always visit the places you missed on the return trip, as the main drive is relatively short and straightforward.

The trip takes place on a mixture of interstates, highways, and smaller roads. This keeps the driving interesting and engaging, with plenty of opportunities to stop. The only major city on the route is Las Vegas, where congestion could be an issue.

Try to time your entry and exit from the city to avoid rush hour. Apart from this, there should be no issues with traffic. Still, download an app to make sure you're ahead of the game, and don't be afraid to make some detours if you run into some congestion.

If you'd like to hike up to Angels Landing, you will need a permit and will need to make a reservation. Check the Zion National Park's website for more details.

Whether you're flying into San Diego or you simply don't have your own transport in the city, renting a car for your road trip is something you'll want to take care of ASAP.

For an easy-to-compare view of rental options for your road trip from San Diego to Zion National Park, take a look at our partner site, RentalCars.com .

Road trip route from San Diego to Zion National Park

Leave San Diego heading north on Route 163 until you reach Interstate 15. Stay on Interstate 15 as it leads you north past Escondido and Temecula. Shortly after Temecula, you will turn onto Interstate 215.

Begin following this interstate as it takes you towards San Bernardino. Near Moreno Valley, exit the interstate and join Route 60. Follow this as far as Beaumont before merging with Interstate 10.

Take a detour into Palm Springs by leaving Interstate 10 and turning onto Route 111. Retrace your steps to Interstate 10 when you are ready to continue on your journey. You won't be on the interstate long before turning onto Route 62.

Follow Route 62 for a short while before detouring into Joshua Tree National Park via the west entrance station on Park Boulevard. Return to Route 62 after visiting the National Park. Turn onto Amboy Road off Route 62, heading towards Mojave National Preserve.

At Amboy, you will join Route 66 for a short stint before turning onto Kelbaker Road. This will take you into Mojave National Preserve and past Interstate 40. At Kelso, turn onto Kelso Cima Road, which will lead you to Interstate 15.

Interstate 15 will take you through the heart of Sin City. Continue following the interstate as you leave Las Vegas, heading towards Valley of Fire State Park.

A short detour onto the Valley of Fire Highway will allow you to explore this stunning landscape. Return to Interstate 15 when you are ready to continue onwards.

From the Valley of Fire, it isn't much further to your final destination - once you have passed through St. George, turn onto Route 9, it will take you directly to Zion National Park.

Best places to stop on a road trip from San Diego to Zion National Park

We advise splitting your road trip from San Diego to Zion National Park into at least a few days. That way, you give yourself time to see some of the sights along the way.

To help you plan your stops, here are some of the best places to call home when stopping for a night:

Experience Las Vegas at The Bellagio

Arguably one of the most famous hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, the Bellagio is the epitome of the Las Vegas experience, courtesy of its epic rooms and amenities .

Set at the heart of the Las Vegas strip, this hotel has exquisitely decorated rooms that are spacious and well-appointed. Some even have spectacular views of the cityscape.

The Bellagio has a wide range of amenities like swimming pools and gyms. Of course, there is an abundance of tasty food and drink to be had at any one of the hotels, restaurants, or bars - Sadelles, Prime Steakhouse, and the Mayfair Club are just a few of the options available.

The location can't get much better than that of the Bellagio. Las Vegas and all its attractions are on your doorstep. Best of all, if you steer clear of the casinos, you can expect your stay to be relatively affordable to boot.

READ MORE - Click here for more great hotel options

Relax at L'Horizon Resort and Spa in Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a trendy desert city with good weather. L'Horizon offers an oasis of adult-only tranquillity amongst the hustle and bustle of the city .

The resort is modern, sleek, and stylish. They have an on-site spa center, a large pool, and hot tubs to ensure you stay completely relaxed for the duration of your stay. This resort is all about creating a tranquil environment for you to enjoy.

All the rooms are incredibly trendy and filled to the brim with amenities. The large windows afford excellent natural lighting and make the rooms feel very spacious, on top of giving you a fantastic view.

SO-PA is the name of the on-site restaurant - they create an intimate setting with their alfresco dining. If you are looking for a more casual option, the pool bar is also open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

This stunning resort is located a stone's throw from downtown Palm Springs, and the use of free bicycles will allow you to get out and explore all that is on offer.

Things to see on a road trip from San Diego to Zion National Park

On your road trip from San Diego to Zion National Park, you will encounter some breathtaking natural beauty as well as the legendary city of Las Vegas.

While you could complete the trip in a day, you should consider taking at least three or four to make the most of it. To help you plan your sightseeing, here are some of the top attractions along the way.

• Palm Springs - The first stop on your trip, a chic town with plenty to do. Try taking a ride on the aerial tramway.
• Indian Canyons - Go hiking through the Indian Canyons to connect with nature.
• Hidden Valley - This short hike in Joshua Tree National Park will lead you to some staggering rock formations.
• Cholla Cactus Gardens - Set to a staggering backdrop, the cactus garden is an excellent stop for anyone interested in flora.
• Kelso Dunes - The Kelso Dunes in Mojave National Preserve are an otherworldly sight and are definitely among the region's top attractions.
• Death Valley National Park - Despite being arid and challenging to traverse in the middle of summer, this park is one of the most beautiful places in The States when it's at its finest.
• Las Vegas Strip - Known for its non-stop entertainment, there is always something to do in Las Vegas.
• Lake Mead - If you're looking to beat the heat with some water-based activities, Lake Mead lets you take a much-needed dip while providing a beautiful desert backdrop.
• Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area - Only a short drive from Las Vegas, this conservation area offers respite from the hustle and bustle of the big city. You might need to make a reservation for a timed-entry slot, so check the official website before traveling.
• Valley of Fire State Park - Home to petroglyphs and intriguing rock strata, this park is one of the definitive attractions in the Las Vegas region.
• Red Cliffs National Conservation Area - A great place close to St. George and Zion that offers more recreational activities set amongst class southern Utah scenery.
• Dixie National Forest - Located right by Zion National Park, this beautiful forest makes for the perfect extension to your road trip.

Best time of year to go on a road trip from San Diego to Zion National Park

The majority of the highlights on this road trip from San Diego to Zion National Park are nature-based - this makes the trip better suited to months where the weather is kind.

Summer will be the most popular season, with tourists filling the park and hotels at their most expensive. Temperatures can get uncomfortably warm this time of year, though, especially if you are not a local and are not used to the heat.

Fall and spring, also known as the shoulder seasons, offer a great time of year to travel. The weather is mild, and there are fewer tourists along the way, making it relatively easy to find accommodation in or around Las Vegas, even without much preplanning.

It is possible to go on this road trip in winter, as most of the parks along the way stay open. Temperatures can reach below freezing, but often only at night. Far fewer tourists and the potential to score a deal on a hotel make a lucrative case for traveling in winter.

If you are planning on traveling in winter, keep a close eye on the weather and ensure you are prepared for colder temperatures. Bear in mind that nights can get uncomfortably cold in the desert, so don't pack light if you plan on visiting places like Death Valley.

As for Zion itself, you can expect heavy crowds around spring break and in the middle of summer. To enjoy your vacation to the max, consider visiting in the fall, as this is when the park's colors are at their most beautiful, and the crowds start to thin out significantly.

Join our email list!

By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Your email will not be provided to third parties.

Related posts

roadtripfrom.com

Moab To Zion National Park Road Trip: Top 10 Tips

Moab to Zion National Park road trip is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA . The 345 miles of Moab to Zion National Park drive takes around 5 hours and 14 mins without stops.

This article includes 10 tips that turn your Moab to Zion National Park drive into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Moab to Zion National Park, take your coffee and keep reading!

Table of Contents

4 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From Moab To Zion National Park

On the Moab to Zion National Park road trip, you may want to stay at some points. Here are the top four hotels on the Moab – Zion National Park route!

1. River Terrace Inn, Green River

River Terrace Inn, Green River is one of the best hotels; you can stay on the Moab to Zion National Park road trip. Driving from Moab to River Terrace Inn, Green River might take around 51 mins .

River Terrace Inn in Green River, Utah is a great place to stay during your Moab to Zion National Park road trip. The rooms are well-maintained and comfortable, and the property is a great place to rest and relax with its shaded sitting area, hot tub, and stunning pool. It’s conveniently located just 45 minutes from Arches National Park and many other popular southern Utah vacation spots, making it a great place to stay for travelers on the road.

Check the River Terrace Inn, Green River, one of the best hotels in Green River, Utah, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.

2. Quality Inn Richfield I-70

Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Zion National Park from Moab is Quality Inn Richfield I-70. Located in Richfield, Utah, the hotel is 175 miles away from Moab, and it would take 2 hours and 41 mins to drive.

Quality Inn Richfield I-70 is an ideal stopping point for travelers on their way to Zion National Park. The hotel offers comfort and convenience at an affordable price. Our stay here was comfortable and convenient, and the fact that children can stay for free was a major plus. The hotel was easy to find, and the staff were friendly and helpful throughout our stay. The rooms were clean and quiet, and the amenities were more than adequate for our needs. Overall, this Quality Inn was a great choice and a great value for a stopover on our Moab to Zion National Park road trip.

If you want to learn more about the Quality Inn Richfield I-70, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com .

3. Quality Inn Bryce Canyon

Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Quality Inn Bryce Canyon. Quality Inn Bryce Canyon is located in Panguitch, Utah, and it’s 258 miles away from Moab. You can arrive there with 4 hours of non-stop driving.

Quality Inn Bryce Canyon in Panguitch, Utah is a great place to stop on your road trip from Moab to Zion National Park. The hotel is conveniently located close to the city with plenty of restaurants, but far enough away to make it feel secluded. Our room was on the first floor and we enjoyed sitting outside with a drink and taking in the view. The hotel had a lot of character compared to many others and the breakfast was great, with a lot of options. The room was spotless and the price was more than reasonable for what you got. The only downside was there was no pool, which was a disappointment for our kids. All in all, it’s a great place to stay if you’re taking a road trip from Moab to Zion National Park.

Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Quality Inn Bryce Canyon, for more information.

4. Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort

If you are taking the road trip from Moab to Zion National Park, Zion National Park, Utah is must have a place you should visit. Plus, Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort is one of the best hotels in town. The hotel is 317 miles from Moab, and it would take 5 hours to drive.

Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort is a fantastic place to stay while making the Moab to Zion National Park road trip. The resort is situated in a stunning forest of Ponderosa pine trees and offers a range of accommodation options, from Vacation Homes, Cabins Suites, Cowboy Cabins, Conestoga Wagons, and RV / Tent Campground. The communal showering facilities were always clean and warm, and the hook ups for RVs were easy to use. The activities team made the stay even more special, with Brandi and Parker going above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience. The horse riding and canyoneering activities were definitely highlights, as Brandi helped us conquer our fear of heights and Parker taught us so much about American style riding and ranching. The only downside is that the staff at reception could be more friendly and the food at the main restaurant isn’t the best. Other than that, Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort is a great place to stay on the drive from Moab to Zion National Park.

If you need more info about the price and availability of Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.

In this part, we explained four hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Moab to Zion National Park. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by commenting on this post. It will help people who will take Moab to Zion National Park route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from Moab to Zion National Park. We have three restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

3 Best Restaurants On The Moab To Zion National Park Road Trip

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Moab to Zion National Park road trip. This section lists three restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Moab to Zion National Park. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. Tamarisk Restaurant

We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on Moab to Zion National Park road trip with Tamarisk Restaurant. Tamarisk Restaurant is located in Green River, Utah , and is 50.9 miles from Moab. It would take 51 mins of driving.

Tamarisk Restaurant in Green River, Utah is an amazing place to stop and refuel on your drive from Moab to Zion National Park. The view of the Green River is spectacular, the staff is friendly, and the homemade breads are delicious. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it a perfect spot to take a break and enjoy a meal. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or taking time to sit and relax, you’re sure to enjoy your time at Tamarisk Restaurant.

For more information about Tamarisk Restaurant, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Tamarisk Restaurant.

2. Sagebrush Grill, Richfield

Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Zion National Park from Moab is Sagebrush Grill, Richfield. Located in Richfield, Utah, Sagebrush Grill, Richfield is 177 miles from Moab and would take 2 hours and 42 mins of driving.

Sagebrush Grill in Richfield, Utah is a great pit stop when travelling on the Moab to Zion National Park road trip. Offering an array of vegetarian and gluten-free options, the menu offers something for everyone’s tastes. The restaurant is clean and inviting and the staff is friendly and attentive. The food is freshly made and delicious, allowing travelers to refuel and recharge during their journey. Whether you’re a meat lover or a vegetarian, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your cravings. All in all, Sagebrush Grill is an excellent place to take a break during your road trip.

If you want to learn more about Sagebrush Grill, Richfield, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps .

3. Cowboy’s Smokehouse Cafe

Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Cowboy’s Smokehouse Cafe. It will take 3 hours and 52 mins of car drive to take 251 miles from Moab to Cowboy’s Smokehouse Cafe, Panguitch, Utah.

Cowboy’s Smokehouse Cafe in Panguitch, Utah is an ideal pit stop on a Moab to Zion National Park road trip. We had a wonderful experience here, despite the wait to be seated being longer than expected. The food was excellent – particularly the salmon and trout fillet, which were cooked just right – and the staff were very friendly and helpful. Cowboy’s Smokehouse Cafe offers a variety of American and Barbecue cuisines for lunch, dinner, and late night meals. We highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a tasty and affordable stop on the drive.

You can check Cowboy’s Smokehouse Cafe, on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.

This section lists our three restaurant recommendations for your road trip from Moab to Zion National Park. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 345 miles journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a Zion National Park road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Moab to Zion National Park. Keep reading.

3 Places To Visit On The Moab To Zion National Park Drive

A unique experience awaits you in Zion National Park. However, there are also some unique destinations like Green River, Utah on your road trip. We want to explain the top three destinations we recommend on the Zion National Park route.

1. Goblin Valley State Park

Goblin Valley State Park will be the first destination we recommend you to stop by on your Moab to Zion National Park road trip. Located in Green River, Utah, Goblin Valley State Park is 101 miles away from Moab, and it would take 1 hour and 37 mins to drive.

Goblin Valley State Park is a great place to stop on the drive from Moab to Zion National Park. It’s a unique and fascinating spot that shows off the wonders of geology. The erosive forces of wind and water have carved out the sandstone, leaving behind thousands of peculiar-looking formations. The goblins vary in size and shape, making for a fun and interesting exploration. The cliffs are also interesting to observe, with the various layers of rock exposed due to erosion. Goblin Valley State Park is an amazing place to visit, and a great stop on the road trip.

If you want to learn more about the Goblin Valley State Park, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website .

2. Red Canyon

Red Canyon, Panguitch, Utah is one of the destinations we recommend you to stop by on the Moab to Zion National Park route. It’s 260 miles from Moab, and it’ll take about 4 hours of driving.

Red Canyon is a must-stop on any Moab to Zion National Park road trip. It’s situated right on Highway 12, and offers plenty of turnouts for parking. The views are stunning and the colors are incredible. The wildlife is also quite active, so it’s a great spot to catch a glimpse of some of the local creatures. We decided to explore a bit in the morning, and the cool air was a great accompaniment to our hike. The visitors center was also top-notch, with clean bathrooms and friendly staff. In short, Red Canyon is a great place to explore and take in the beauty of Utah’s outdoors.

If you want to learn more about Red Canyon, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website .

3. The Narrows

One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Moab to Zion National Park is Zion National Park, Utah. And if you visit Zion National Park, Utah, we suggest you visit The Narrows. You can arrive at The Narrows after 5 hours and 36 mins of driving.

The Narrows in Zion National Park is an incredible and unique experience. November is a great time to visit as the temperature is comfortable for hiking and the river remains relatively cool. Renting dry pants and conyoneering boots from Zion Outfitters is not recommended; their equipment was unable to keep our feet dry. Instead, we should have rented from Zion Guru by La Quinta Inn as their dry pants are fully connected and keep everything dry. The wooden walking poles and conyoneering boots provided great grip on the rocks. Although summer temperatures may make this a more bearable experience, it is important to note that flash floods can make the Narrows a dangerous hike, so caution should always be taken. All in all, The Narrows is a must-do on any Moab to Zion National Park road trip.

You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of The Narrows for more information.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Moab to Zion National Park

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Moab to Zion National Park drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From Moab To Zion National Park?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the Moab to Zion National Park road trip takes approximately 5 hours and 14 mins to drive. The driving distance between Moab to Zion National Park is 345 miles.
• If you want to make the Moab to Zion National Park road trip by bike , the time you spend on the road will be 1 day 4 hours .
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Moab-Zion National Park route, then you will have to walk for 4 days 4 hours .

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Moab To Zion National Park?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Zion National Park. You can visit Green River, Utah; Richfield, Utah; Panguitch, Utah; Zion National Park, Utah on the road. Here we list three places to visit for you. For more information about the best places on the Moab to Zion National Park journey, you can check the 3 Best Places To Visit On The Moab To Zion National Park Road Trip.

• Goblin Valley State Park: 101 miles / 1 hour and 37 mins to drive from Moab | 317 miles / 4 hours and 51 mins of driving to Zion National Park.
• Red Canyon: 260 miles / 4 hours to drive from Moab | 70.1 miles / 1 hour and 33 mins of driving to Zion National Park.
• The Narrows: 353 miles / 5 hours and 36 mins to drive from Moab | 8.2 miles / 24 mins of driving to Zion National Park.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From Moab To Zion National Park?

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from Moab to Zion National Park. We have selected four hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 4 Best Hotels On The Road Trip To Zion National Park From Moab section.

• River Terrace Inn, Green River: 50.9 miles / 51 mins to drive from Moab | 294 miles / 4 hours and 31 mins of driving to Zion National Park.
• Quality Inn Richfield I-70: 175 miles / 2 hours and 41 mins to drive from Moab | 170 miles / 2 hours and 38 mins of driving to Zion National Park.
• Quality Inn Bryce Canyon: 258 miles / 4 hours to drive from Moab | 69.0 miles / 1 hour and 33 mins of driving to Zion National Park.
• Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort: 317 miles / 5 hours to drive from Moab | 19.8 miles / 45 mins of driving to Zion National Park.

Where To Eat Between Moab to Zion National Park?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Moab to Zion National Park drive, you can consider the three restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 3 Best Restaurants On The Moab To Zion National Park Road Trip .

• Tamarisk Restaurant: 50.9 miles / 51 mins to drive from Moab | 294 miles / 4 hours and 31 mins of driving to Zion National Park.
• Sagebrush Grill, Richfield: 177 miles / 2 hours and 42 mins to drive from Moab | 169 miles / 2 hours and 37 mins of driving to Zion National Park.
• Cowboy’s Smokehouse Cafe: 251 miles / 3 hours and 52 mins to drive from Moab | 75.0 miles / 1 hour and 38 mins of driving to Zion National Park.

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Moab to Zion National Park. We have listed four hotels, three restaurants, and three places to visit on the Moab to Zion National Park drive. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from Moab to Zion National Park as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken the Moab to Zion National Park road trip? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want to have the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from Moab to Zion National Park and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.

Video: Zion National Park Road Trip – Top Things

In this video, you can find a detailed travel guide about Zion National Park.

Other Road Trips Worth Your Attention

• Moab To Salt Lake City Road Trip: The Thrilling Adventure
• Chicago To Zion National Park Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide
• Sedona To Zion National Park Road Trip: Top 13 Tips

Hi, I'm Tolga. Your guide for unforgettable road trips across the USA, Europe, and Australia. I offer destination insights, tips, and occasionally use AI for added accuracy. Let's explore the world one road at a time!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

This 1,200-acre Ranch Overlooking an Iconic National Park Was Just Named the Best Campground in the U.S.

Zion Wright Family Ranch was just honored in the 2024 Hipcamp Awards.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

Courtesy of HipCamp

The title of “best all-around campground” is significant, and it’s not one the team at Hipcamp gives out lightly. As the most comprehensive resource for finding and reserving tent sites, RV spots, and glamping accommodations in the U.S., the folks at Hipcamp turned to their list of 500,000-plus properties to review bookings, guest reviews, and ratings to determine the best of the best.

“In highlighting the Best All-Around Campgrounds in the U.S., we took a bird’s-eye view to determine which Hipcamps are providing consistently stellar experiences. Competition was extremely fierce, and we are confident that these are among the very best campgrounds in the world,” stated the 2024 Hipcamp Awards webpage .

What they came up with is a list of three standout campgrounds, along with 17 runner-ups. At the top of the list is a ranch-turned-campground that overlooks Zion National Park . The property, Zion Wright Family Ranch , is adjacent to the national park and boasts views of the steep red cliffs of Zion with a fraction of the people. In fact, visitors are treated to 1,200 acres of open space and can set up camp on land that has been protected by the Wright family for over 150 years.

If that wasn’t cool enough, the ranch offers horseback rides with Bill Wright, the current owner-operator and the fifth-generation family member to own and run the ranch.

Campers with their own gear or an RV, can camp on the ranch and off-the-grid . The camping is dispersed, so guests can hike around to find a camp spot they love. There are fire rings at more established campsites and porta-potty access.

Visitors without their own gear can reserve one of the ranch’s two canvas glamping tents , which have real mattresses, bedding, seating, and an outdoor picnic table and fire pit. Water, firewood, and an ice chest are also provided. 

The entire ranch is pet friendly and is 40 minutes by car to the entrance of Zion National Park.

Following the Zion Wright Family Ranch, Hipcamp ranked Cedar Bloom in Oregon, No. 2. The property is located in southern Oregon on 100 acres set right off the Redwood Highway . There are RV sites and dispersed camping, along with a series of A-frame cabins, a vintage trailer, a “gnome dome,” and a river-view dome.

At. No. 3 was California’s Finnon Lake Recreation Area in California. The campground is nestled around the private Finnon Lake, providing tent and RV campers with water access and activities — from swimming to fishing and boating. There is also an 18-hole disc golf course.

Following the top three picks, Hipcamp called out 17 “runners-up,” including campgrounds in Texas, North Carolina, and Ohio.

Related Articles