Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks are two of the most popular Parks in Utah. And two of the Most Beautiful in the United States. They are also fairly close together and make a great combination for the same trip.
So we look at visiting the two parks and some great activities to do on a road trip between Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks.
About this Road Trip
This road trip is our suggestion for activities between Zion and Bryce. This road trip can be done in either direction (but we suggest Zion to Bryce). It’s possible to do all the stops after Zion in one day, albeit a long day. We recommend overnighting if you want to really explore the stops.
How Far is it from Zion to Bryce Canyon?
The shortest route between Zion National Park (Springdale) and Bryce Canyon National Park is 84 miles (1 hour 45 minutes). It will take you east through the park and north along UT-89. This beautiful scenic route misses many of our favorite highlights.
The road trip suggested below is about 140 miles (if you visit every stop). In our opinion, the additional miles affords visiting some incredible places.
When to Do the Road Trip
For this road trip, I recommend avoiding the winter months. For multiple reasons. One: Several places on this itinerary are closed during the winter. Even others that may be open are difficult to do in the winter.
Cedar Breaks National Monument’s main road is closed from Nov. to April due to snow. And many of the roads around there can be treacherous. So we will look at travels between May and October
May – June: Spring is a great season in Zion and Bryce. Expect temperatures in the 70s and 80s. You’ll still find snow at some of the higher elevations such as in Cedar Breaks and parts of Bryce Canyon. You may get rain during this season. Earlier in the season, we may find fewer tourists since schools are still in session.
July: July is peak summer in Zion and Bryce. Temperatures are hot, with temps in the 90s and 100s in Zion and 70s and 80s in Bryce. It’s also peak tourist season with all the families coming for summer break. It’s a great season for the Narrows as the cooler water will be welcome.
August—Early September: This is a tough time in both parks. It is peak summer travel, with extremely high temperatures (100s) in Zion and cooler (80s) in Bryce. August is also monsoon season. This can be annoying in Bryce and treacherous in the Narrows in Zion. It is peak tourist season too. Summer is my least favorite time in the parks.
Mid-Sept – October: Fall is an incredible time in both parks. Temperatures are cooler; Monsoon season has passed, and leaves are changing color. Crowds are high but down from the summer highs. You’ll experience chilly temperatures in higher locations (Cedar Breaks) and cool temps in Bryce (60s – 70s). Zion will still be warm (80s), but temperatures in the Narrows will be cold. You may need a dry suit at this time. This is my favorite season to visit.
Getting to Zion National Park
Most of the folks are not like me and can drive to Zion from somewhere within a few hours. So, for those coming, we look at the options for flying into Zion National Park.
Note: You will need a rental car for this trip. There is no way to do it via public transportation.
Closest Airport to Zion National Park: St. George Airport. (SGU): St. George is the best and closest option if you can make it work. There are limited flights into St. George, and it can be pricey. Even flying from Dever I was surprised by the flight. But in terms of convenience is great.
Best Airport for Cost: Las Vegas International (LAS): Las Vegas has the cheapest flights and the greatest number of options. However, it is about 3 hours from Zion National Park. It also has the cheapest rental cars.
Stop 1: Zion National Park
Zion National Park is the 3rd most visited park in the United States and the most visited in Utah. The park contains beautiful examples of Navajo Sandstone along Zion Canyon and the surrounding areas.
We recommend spending a minimum of 2-3 days in Zion. There’s so much to do in the park and incredible hikes to explore further.
Suggested Things to Do
- Hike the jaw dropping cliff up to Angels Landing
- Wade through the Virgin River under the towering cliffs of the Narrows
- Explore a quieter side of Zion along Taylor Creek in Kolob Canyon
- Take a hike up to the beautiful vista of Observation Point
- Grab lunch and relax on the lawn at Zion Lodge
- Catch the sunset along Pa’rus Trail
- Take a short hike to the Canyon Overlook for a jaw-dropping view
Where to Stay
- Cable Mountain Lodge: You can’t beat the location next to Zion Visitor Center. Walking distance to the buses.
- Bumbleberry Inn: Great hotel with nice, clean rooms and comfy beds. Located within walking distance of many Springdale attractions.
- La Quinta La Verkin: Located further out in La Verkin. But better priced (and often with availability). Good clean rooms and service. Free Breakfast.
Where to Eat
- Thai Sapa: Really good Thai in Springdale. Ended up being my group’s favorite of the restaurants
- Stage Coach Grille: Very popular and interesting grill restaurant. My burger was good and the portions were good.
- Oscar’s Cafe: Nice Cafe with sandwiches, Mexican, burgers, and more.
- Hoodoos Market: We found this a great option for to-go sandwiches when visiting the park.
Note 1: Parking is probably the trickiest part of visiting Zion Canyon. You must take the buses when they are running. We recommend getting to the visitor center early to get a spot. Otherwise, there are pay options in Springdale (that also may fill up)
Note 2: Kolob Canyon is located on the way to the other stops on this road trip. You may want to save them for later in your time at Zion so you won’t have to backtrack.
Stop 2: Parowan Gap
Location: Parowan Gap | Dinosaur Tracks
This was one of my favorite stops along the trip between Zion and Bryce. Parowan Gap features petroglyphs from native tribes as well as more recent markings from Spanish Explorers and 19th-century Mormon Pioneers.
The park has several cliffs you can walk along and try to locate the various markings. You’ll see things all along the cliffs, some quite high up. Parking and visiting are free for the site.
Bonus: Dinosaur Tracks
Once you finish visiting Parowan Gap, don’t turn around. Continue down the road past the park to another stock for dinosaur tracks. There are several tracks marked throughout this area and it’s worth a quick view.
Stop 3: Cedar City
Cedar City is the largest city in Iron County and the best place to stop to get food, spend the night, or otherwise take a break.
The town isn’t very big but there are quite a few restaurants, coffee shops and more. Some of our suggestions are below.
Restaurants
- The Pub Craft Kitchen: Great restaurant with big portions and a good menu. Good dessert options too! My ravioli was really good
- Centro Pizzeria: Best pizza in town. Can be pretty popular. Next door to pub craft kitchen.
Coffee
- Bristlecone: Good coffee and a really nice space. I didn’t get to try the yoga or other activities though.
- The French Spot: Cute cafe with good coffee and pastries.
Hotels
- Abbey Inn: Nice big rooms, clean and easy access locations. A bit further from my preferred restaurants.
- Bard Inn: Cute, homey B&B. Very friendly folks. And a great breakfast.
- Big Yellow Inn: Lonely B&B with big rooms and within walking distance of the University.
Stop 4: Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar Breaks is a very compact National Monument that is nearly a “Bryce” lite in a way. It has an amphitheater, which is the highlight of the park however, there are far fewer hoodoos.
The park is also high altitude, with most of it above 10,000 feet. So be aware for any signs of altitude sickness.
There are several observation points throughout the park, as well as a few hikes to get out and explore some of the area.
Things to Do
- Take a quick hike along the Alpine Loop Pond, a great wander through the forest, a pond visit, and some views of the amphiteather.
- Check out the Sunset, Point Supreme, North View, and Chessman Ridge Overlooks for different angles on the amphitheater
- Take a walk on Sunset Trail for a nice, easy hike with some great views
- For those with more time, wander the South Rim Trail, an up-to 5 mile out and back trail to some less visited views of the amphitheater
Stop 5: Optional Navajo Lake
This is a quick stop located right outside of Cedar Breaks National Monument. The lake is famous for the lava tubes at the lake. The lava tubes were critical for the formation of this lake.
There’s an observation point along UT-14 where you can stop and look over the lake. If the water level is low you may be able to see the lava tubes as well.
For those with time or interest, you can take some time to explore the lake.
You can even campgrounds along the lake. There’s also Navajo Lake Lodge with some cabins for rent.
Stop 6: Optional: Mammoth Cave
If you want to get to explore a lava tube in person, Mammoth Cave is the place to do it.
I ended up here randomly due to a Forestry Service employee at Navajo Lake suggesting it. Mammoth Cave is a detour and it will take some time for you to visit down an unpaved road (although at the time I went it was doable by 2WD vehicles).
If you do go, be sure you have proper clothes and footwear and a good light. It’s a tight squeeze in places, and I didn’t travel the whole length. It’s not for those who are claustrophobic.
Stop 7: Red Canyon: Dixie National Forest
From Cedar Breaks, you’ll notice a big change in the environment once you hit this area of Dixie National Forest.
This is a beautiful place in its own right and worth a stop and exploration. If you are in a rush, though, the drive through the park is always incredible, with towering red rocks punctuating the landscape.
Suggested Things to Do
- Stop at the ‘somewhat’ Smokey-themed Red Canyon Visitor Center. Good exhibits and important info for visiting.
- Drive your car through the Red Canyon Arch. Stop to get a photo, too, if you want.
- Bike along the Canyon Bike Trail. An easy trail that parallels the road and gives you a nice view of the red rocks along the way.
- Get some higher views along the Bird’s Eye Trail.
Stop 8: Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its beautiful amphitheater with the most hoodoos of any location worldwide.
The park is compact, with plenty of trails that branch in and through the amphitheater and incredible viewpoints to get different angles. It can be easily visited in a day or two. You can do many of the highlights in a day or half-day if you are short on time.
Suggested Things to Do
- Catch beautiful views of the amphitheater from Sunset Point, Sunrise Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point
- Get an ever-changing view of the amphitheater on the Rim Trail
- Get up close and personal with the hoodoos on the Queens Garden / Navajo Loop
- Check out the resilient nature of Bristlecone Pine Trail
- Get a quieter view of the hoodoos on the Fairyland Loop
- Get a different view of the park along the Mossy Cave Trail
- Hike under towering hoodoos on Wall Street
There’s plenty more to do, so check out our Guide on Things to Do in Bryce Canyon National Park
Where to Stay
Most of the options are between Bryce Canyon City and Tropic. Tropic tends to have the cheaper of the options.
- Bryce Canyon Lodge: The historic lodge and only hotel in the park. Books fast though
- Best Western Ruby’s Inn: Nice option close to the entrance of Bryce Canyon NP.
- Bryce Pioneer Village: Good option further out in Tropic. Cheaper and has a decent restaurant on-site.
Conclusion
This is our take on the road trip from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park. You end up seeing another National Monument, petroglyphs, lava tubes, dinosaur tracks, red rocks, and some beautiful trails and vistas.
Zion and Bryce Canyon are some of the best in the American Southwest and have some of the most spectacular views in all of America. I hope this guide helps with your planning.
We would love to hear your opinion. Did we miss anything? Anything you just didn’t like?
Where Else to Go?
- Continue on your Voyage by visiting the other 3 of the Big 5, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands.
- Explore the beautiful and remote slot canyons of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
- Hike mountains and deserts and explore archaeological sites in Bears Ears National Monument
- Explore some of our favorite things in Page AZ like Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
- Take a Detour to explore Pipe Spring National Monument, and its Native and Mormon history
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- UTAH: Completing the Hickman Bridge Hike – Capitol Reef National Park
- NEVADA: Guide to Lehman Cave Tours – Great Basin National Park
- COLORADO: Cliff Dwelling Tours Info: Mesa Verde National Park
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