grand canyon zion trip

Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon: Ultimate 7 Day Road Trip Itinerary (2024)

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The Grand Circle is a popular place to plan a route for a one week family friendly adventure, in the US southwest. A road trip through Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon here will let you hit all the highlights this beautiful area has to offer. You could take multiple trips through here and still not see everything, as there’s so much to do.

We’ve put together our one week road trip itinerary , an action packed introduction to all the best hikes, sites, tips and places to visit you won’t want to miss. 

Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon Itinerary: A Family Friendly One Week Road Trip

• Day 1 : Las Vegas / Hoover Dam tour
• Day 2: Drive to Zion. Stop at Valley of Fire along the way.
• Day 3: Zion National Park – full day
• Day 4 : Zion – most of the day  and drive to Bryce Canyon late afternoon, early evening
• Day 5: Bryce Canyon – full day
• Day 6: Drive to Page, AZ – Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell
• Day 7: Drive to Grand Canyon, Half day visit in Grand Canyon, Evening Drive to Las Vegas

We love road tripping through America’s southwest. So read on for all our top recommended activities, accommodations, hikes, viewpoints and tips for visiting each Park.

We’ve also included some FAQs at the end to help answer commonly asked questions.

Table of Contents

How Many Days do you need in Zion & Bryce?

You will need at least 3 days when visiting Zion and Bryce to really see the highlights of both parks. Zion is a larger park, and a bit more difficult to get around in peak season (you must use the in park shuttle), so we recommend at least 1.5 to two days here.

You can see the highlights of Bryce Canyon in one day, including hiking, and driving to all the view points in the Canyon itself.

While we have worked out a 7 day road trip through Utah, Arizona and Nevada, if you have an extra few days, 10 – 14 days would be ideal and allow for a slower, and less jam packed pace, especially if you have younger kids.

For a 10 day trip , I would add an extra day in Page, AZ and spend the day on Lake Powell, and do a full day in Grand Canyon, before taking the day to drive back to Las Vegas.

There is a lot to see and do along that route back. You can also do this road trip in reverse Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce.

👉 Save money on entrance fees with the annual  America the Beautiful Park Pass.

Covers entrance fees for driver and passengers for over 2000 National Park and Federal Rec Sites . Especially useful if you are planning on a long road trip or visiting more than one park in a year.

Road Trip Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon: Ultimate 7 Day Itinerary

Day One: Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV is a popular place to fly into given its a top tourist destination, with cheap flights from all over the world. 

It’s the perfect place to start on your Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon Itinerary.

Las Vegas also tends to have the lowest car rental rates around .

Starting your Zion to Grand Canyon road trip here is to your advantage , if you need to rent a car .

Things to do in Las Vegas

Besides wandering the strip which is an adventure in itself, there are endless options of how your family could spend the day in and around Las Vegas:

• Take a Hoover Dam Tour – half a day
• LINQ High Roller (super cool ride in America’s tallest observation wheel)
• Take a Hop On – Hop Off Bus Sightseeing Tour
• See a family friendly magic show or the Cirque du Soleil . Michael Jackson’s One was fantastic.
• Marvel Avenger STATION in Treasure Island, for your superhero fans
• Las Vegas Night Helicopter Flight & Neon Sign Museum
• Madam Tussauds Wax Museum
• Medieval Knights Tournament themed dinner show
• Hot Air Balloon Rides
• Indoor Skydiving, ziplining, mini golf, and arcades

LOCAL TIP : Short on time? Take a day tour from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park, lunch included.

Where to stay in Las Vegas

• Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Desert Club Resort is a well recommended resort by families. Enjoy their 5 heated swimming pools, a game room, plus it’s an all-suite resort.
• Mandalay Bay is another family friendly option, with two outdoor splash swimming pools complete with a lazy river and a real sand beach. As well as easy access to the Shark Reef Aquarium.

Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon Itinerary

Day two is the start of your Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce Grand Canyon Itinerary on the road.

Grab a self driving audio tour , so you can learn and be entertained as you drive.

Are you ready? Let’s go!

Day Two: Las Vegas to Zion National Park & Valley of Fire 

Day two, you’ll drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park.

It only takes about 2.5 hours direct to drive along this scenic route, with breathtaking views.

So you have some time to play with if you want a little extra time in Las Vega s. Or take a stop at  Valley of Fire along the way, as the geology and formations are different from Utah, which is interesting to  compare. 

LOCAL TIP: You lose one hour on the drive as Las Vegas is on PST and Utah is MDT.

Valley of Fire

Valley of Fire is a Nevada State Park less than an hour from Las Vegas. 

You can stop here for an hour, or half a day.  Visit the Visitors Centre first, to get the scoop on what’s open, where to hike and more. 

In the Valley of Fire you can see hoodoos, caves, 2000 year old petroglyphs and wildlife. Keep your eyes open for Big Horn Sheep, snakes, and vultures. 

The Beehives is an easy stop with kids which takes only a short time. Enjoy the strange beehive looking sandstone formations and desert flora and fauna. Climb to the top of a dome to see what you can see.

If you are hiking around, make sure you have a good travel and hiking backpack for your kids, to carry their own water bottle, a snack, and a light jacket or sweater.

Other Valley of Fire ideas include:

• Enjoy the landscape – drive along Mouse’s Tank Road
• Check out Elephant Rock – near the east entrance
• Climb to Rainbow Vista – this 1 mile hike offers  a panoramic viewpoint of the Valley of Fire. The last bit is a hill climb.
• Hike the Fire Wave – one of the most gorgeous spots in the valley, this 1.5mile out and back  hike will take you to amazing white and red patterned sandstone. Photo op!

Things to know:   Day use fees are $15 per vehicle for non-Nevada license plates ($10/car with). There is also no food services in the park, so make sure you pack lots of water and food.

Cool fact: This park derives its name from red sandstone formations, the Aztec Sandstone, created 150 Million years ago by shifting sand dunes.

Where to Stay in Zion 

The closest town to Zion National Park is Springdale, UT, which is about a 30 minute drive from the park itself. This tiny town has a population of less than 1,000 people, so  tourists make up a vast majority of the people in this town.

As parking is limited at the Zion Visitors Centre, and you need to use a shuttle in the Zion Canyon portion most of the year, we recommend staying close to the park.

• Zion Lodge – In the Park is the only lodging (besides camping) available in the park itself. While more rustic accommodations, it gives you access to the park, and stargaze worthy skies right from your front door.
• Cable Mountain Lodge is a fabulous choice for its proximity to the park, plus it has a pool, great amenities, and beautiful Zion views. It’s within walking distance to the park entrance. So you can leave your car at the Lodge, and only have to take the Zion Canyon Shuttle in the park itself. 

Springdale, UT Hotels

Other family friendly options if you prefer staying in Springdale, UT  near Zion National Park:

• Affordable & Traveller’s Favorite Chain Hotel – Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott Springdale Zion National Park
• Cliffrose Springdale  Curio Collection by Hilton

👉 Check out all the Best places to stay in & near Zion & Bryce

Day Three: Zion National Park

Day three will be a full day in Zion National Park . The Zion Canyon section of the park is popular, and for good reason.

From stunning Canyon views, to once in a lifetime hikes to instagram worthy shots in the Narrows and Angel’s Landing, this picturesque park really highlights the beauty of this earth. 

Day Three: Zion Itinerary includes:

• Sunrise walk along Pa’rus Trail (up to 2 hours): If ambitious, wake up early and watch the sun’s rays light up the Towers of the Virgin. This easy, multi use trail starts at the Visitors Centre and follows the Virgin River towards the Canyon Junction for 3.5mi / 5.6km. You don’t have to walk far to see stunning views.
• Riverside Walk (1.5 hours): To beat the worst of the crowds , shuttle early morning all the way to the last stop, #9 Temple of Sinawava, and the start of the Riverside Walk. This trail is an easy, paved, and wheelchair accessible path ending at the river and the start of The Narrows hike. The Narrows is a strenuous hike in the river itself, so requires proper gear and preparation to do the full hike. It is fun though to dip your toes in the river and  hike a little ways along the Narrows, for the experience.
• Zion Lodge for Lunch: Take Shuttle to Zion Lodge for Lunch. Picnic on the grass or eat at the restaurant. Make reservations ahead, as the restaurant does get busy.
• Hike the Lower Emerald Pools trail (1 hour)  – after lunch head to the trailhead near the lodge and walk this easy 1.2mi / 1.9km roundtrip trail. This is a fun hike for kids, as you can walk behind the misty waterfall and wends its way through a shady forest so perfect for those hot summer months. You can extend the hike by also walking the Upper or Middle Emerald Pools trails as well.
• Visit  the Zion Human History Museum (1 hour)  – On the way back to the Visitors Centre, make a stop at the Zion Museum if it’s open. Learn more about the rich human history of the park from American Indian Culture, to pioneer settlement and the effects of water in Zion. 
• Sunset watching – Take a Zion sunset jeep tour to watch the sun go down over Zion National Park.
• Stargazing – The open night skies are the perfect place for stargazing. Ranger led  fascinating stargazing tours (seasonal) are an option
• Stargazing at Kolob Canyon Viewpoint on the other side of the park – If you haven’t worn out your hiking legs by this point, the Timber Creek Overlook Trail starts at the viewpoint and is only a 30 minute hike that  follows the ridge to views of Timber Creek, Kolob Terrace, and the Pine Valley Mountains

Grab your free Mini Road Trip Planner Here:

Check out these not to miss Zion activities if you have more time:

• Popular Guided Tour – Guided Tour to Peekabo Slot Canyon in Kanab, UT close by.
• Horseback Riding – Small-Group East Zion White Mountain Horseback Ride
• Jeep Tour – East Zion Checkerboard Overlook Jeep Tour
• Zion UTV Tours – Fun family friendly UTV Tours with sandboarding & hikes through Peekaboo Canyon

Things to know about Zion: 

Zion Shuttle – During the busy tourist season, cars are not allowed in the Zion Canyon portion of the park. You will have to use the Zion Canyon Shuttle , unless you’ve booked  a tour.

Phone and cell service in Zion is almost non-existent , so come prepared for that. Wifi available at Zion Lodge for a fee.

Tips for kids: The National Parks Junior Ranger program is a fun thing to do with kids in parks across the US. Zion’s is fantastic as well. 

This program offers fun and educational activities for kids to do while they are out exploring. You can pick up the Junior Ranger Handbook at the Visitors Center, or download from the NPS website.

LOCAL TIPS: Check out our top kid friendly tips for beating the crowds and heat in Zion .

Day Four: Zion to Bryce Canyon

Day four is focused on seeing more of Zion Canyon in the am, then driving to Bryce Canyon in later afternoon or early evening.

Day four Zion to Bryce itinerary includes:

• Weeping Rock & Court of Patriarchs (1.5 Hours)  (If open) & Watchman Trail (2 hours)  OR
• Angels Landing Trail (4 hours) – Everyone who hikes Angels Landing needs to have a permit.
• Drive to Bryce Canyon (1.5 -2 hours)

Get an early morning start by taking the first shuttle out to Weeping Rock then back to the viewpoint of the Court of Patriarchs.

As of this writing they are closed due to rockfall, so check ahead to see if they’ve re-opened.

For easy to moderate hiking, choose the Weeping Rock, Court of Patriarchs and Watchman Trail option:

• Weeping Rock is an easy, short but steep 30 minute return hike. Stop at Shuttle Stop #7. This trail ends at a rocky alcove, where the porous rock seeps water, hence the name. Look out for exhibits along the way.
• Court of Patriarchs is at Shuttle Stop #4, and is a quick and easy two-minute trail to a viewpoint above the trees. Here you can see the Patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as The Sentinel and Mount Moroni. Stop in early morning as the light starts to peak above the Patriarchs.
• Watchman Trail (2 hours) is a delightful moderate, family friendly  hike that starts right from the Visitor’s Centre. This is a great option if the Zion Canyon Shuttle is busy, as there’s no need to take it! The Watchmen Trail follows the Virgin River ending at a viewpoint of the whole area. See if you can identify the Temples & Towers, lower Zion Canyon, Watchman Peak and Springdale town in the distance.

👉 Grab more fun Zion ideas: Comprehensive One Day Guide to Zion National Park

Angels Landing

Choose Angels Landing if you want the full Zion experience, and can handle a strenuous hike.

One note, there can be up to an hour or more wait to summit and take your pics, during the busiest months.

Angels Landing via the West Rim Trail is a strenuous, but rewarding 4 hour return hike to the infamous red rock at the edge of the world photo op.

This hike however is not suitable for young kids, or people who are afraid of heights, as there are long drop offs, and the last bit is a steep narrow trail to the summit.

LOCAL TIP: Everyone who hikes Angels Landing now needs to have a permit.

How Far is Bryce Canyon from Zion?

Bryce Canyon is approximately 80 miles (128 km) from Zion, and  the drive takes about  1.5 -2 hours. Drive the Zion – Mt Carmel Highway through the Zion tunnel, built in the rock in the 1930’s. Continue following route 89 north, towards Bryce Canyon, until you get to route 12. Turn onto Route 12 east, until you reach Bryce Canyon City.

• Canyon Overlook Trail – If you have the time and desire, pull into the parking lot on the right, just after the Zion Tunnel for the Canyon Overlook Trail. This is a one hour easy to moderate trail (1 mi / 1.6km round trip) to a wonderful viewpoint for Pine Creek and the Lower Zion Canyon.

There is so much to see and do in both Zion and Bryce, that there really is no need to stop along the way. 

However if you are looking for more to do, Red Canyon in the Dixie National Forest is a fun place to stop.

Enjoy the vermilion-colored rock formations and ponderosa pine forests. The Birdseye Trail is a moderate 0.8-mile hike with close-up views of this spectacular rock.

Day Five: Bryce Canyon One Day Itinerary

Bryce Canyon is such a gorgeous area, known for its hoodoo rock formations. I’ve put together our family friendly one day itinerary that takes in some short hikes, and drivable viewpoints. 

👉 Want more Bryce Canyon ideas? Grab your Complete Guide: What not to miss in one day in Bryce

Things to know about Bryce Canyon National Park:

Bryce Canyon National Park is open 24 hours a day, year round, with the closest town being Bryce Canyon City. You will need to buy a pass to enter.

Parking can be a challenge in Bryce, so the parks service recommends taking their free Bryce Canyon Shuttle service.

It can pick you up from major hotels in Bryce Canyon City and drop you off at the four most iconic viewpoints of Bryce Canyon National Park; Bryce, Inspiration, Sunset, and Sunrise Points.

If you’re driving, we recommend the Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks Self-Driving Bundle Tour , to listen and learn as you drive the park.

✅ Grab the Zion & Bryce Self-Driving Tour

The park is broken up into three scenic areas: 

• Bryce Amphitheatre – Sunrise & Sunset Points, Inspiration Point, Bryce Point, portions of the Rim Trail, and trailheads for Navajo Loop & Queen’s Garden Trails.
• Scenic Southern Drive (includes the Natural Bridge and Rainbow Point); and 

One Day in Bryce Canyon Itinerary

As you only have one day in Bryce, focusing on the Bryce Amphitheatre area is a must. Especially if it’s your first time.

Morning Activities in Bryce Canyon include: 

• Watch the Sunrise – Choose either Sunrise, Sunset or Bryce Point  if ambitious, and early risers.
• Check out the Visitor’s Centre, located at the entrance to the park, just beyond the pay stations. Knowledgeable rangers can give you all the latest park info, and help plan your day.
• Early Morning Hike to Mossy Cave (start by 9am) & Picnic Snack – Mossy Cave Trail is located along highway 12, and is a very kid-friendly easy hike to a small you guessed it mossy cave, and waterfall. The hike only takes about an hour, and is a streamside meander  following the river, coming up close to hoodoos, and arches. It’s extremely popular as it’s the only trail that doesn’t require a 1,000 foot descent into the Amphitheatre . So go well before 10 am or after 6 pm to avoid the crowds.
• Lunch at Bryce Lodge (make reservations) – Bryce Lodge restaurant  is one of the few food services in the Park. You can also check out the General Store (at Sunrise Point) or the Valhalla Pizzeria & Coffee Shop adjacent to the Lodge for food.

Afternoon Activities include: 

Your afternoon In Bryce Canyon will focus on hiking in the Bryce Amphitheatre . To experience the beauty of hoodoos and brilliant shades of red and orange, plus taking in other viewpoints. 

Three hiking options to choose from:

• Easy Hike (1 hour) – Sunset Point to Sunrise Point (or vice versa) . This part of the Rim Trail is partially paved and is the easiest trail in the park for views of the hoodoos and amphitheater from above.
• Moderate Hike (2-3 hours) – Recommended hike –  Navajo Loop Trail & Queen’s Garden Trail ( Start at Sunset Point). For the full Bryce Canyon, hike in a clockwise direction down the Queen’s Garden Trail to see wide awesome views of the Bryce Amphitheater in front of you, then back up through the Navajo Loop Trail.
• Moderate Hike (1-2 hours ) – Easiest into Bryce Amphitheater – Queen’s Garden Trail Start at Sunrise Point following the Rim Trail, before descending into the canyon. For an up close look at the hoodoo and arches formed of rock, worn by erosion. Trail ends at the Queen Victoria walk.

Next drive or Shuttle to the following Viewpoints:

• Inspiration Points:  Lowest viewpoint, so you feel closest to hoodoos.
• Bryce Point: Bryce Point is the most famous and popular viewpoint. The sunset from here is spectacular. Here you can view the entire Bryce Canyon amphitheater from a cliff-side viewing area.

Evening Activities – Dinner &  Stargazing

If you still have energy, star gazing is a must!

Take a walk along the Rim Trail between Sunrise  at Sunset Point. You can stargaze along the way, or at either point.

Where to eat: After all this hiking, and outdoors time you and your travel companions will be hungry.

For dinner try out the Stone Hearth Grille , but make sure to make reservations ahead of time, to avoid disappointment. Open March thru October – 5 to 9 PM

Where to stay in Bryce Canyon, UT

There are fewer places to stay here in Bryce Canyon  than in and around Zion National Park.

In the park itself, you have the Bryce Lodge or camping at the North Campground and the Sunset Campgrounds. Both have about 100 sites, but do not have RV hookups for electrical, sewer or water.

Here are some other highly recommended and reviewed accommodation options near the National Park.

Family Friendly Places To Stay Near Bryce Canyon

• Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel  is one of the nicer hotels in the area, and should be top of your list of where to stay in Bryce Canyon City. Guest love their free breakfast, an outdoor pool and fitness area and easy access to the shuttle route to the park are some of its perks.
• Luxe Bryce Canyon home is a family friendly option with a bit more room to play with.  In addition to three bedrooms, there’s a child’s playground, free WIFI and parking and a kitchen. Which is perfect if you are looking to do a little cooking yourself. Plus as it’s only 1 mile from the park so you can be there in no time at all. 
• Bryce Glamp And Camp is a cool alternative to camping, in mountain view luxury domes . Includes kitchenette, bathrooms, space for up to 4 people, all in a stunning setting.

👉 Grab more ideas of the best places to stay between Bryce and Zion

Day 6: Bryce Canyon to Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend & Lake Powell )

Ideally you would have two  days in the Page, AZ and Lake Powell area , when heading to the American Southwest.

With only one, you’ll need to make some choices. Leave Bryce Canyon, UT early in the morning to ensure you have a full day in this area, and arrive in Page, AZ by breakfast time.

Visiting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, as well as boating or swimming in Lake Powell are all fun things to do with kids of all ages. 

If you arrive by breakfast , you’ll have time to spend half a day visiting Antelope Canyon and/or Horseshoe Bend, then the other half doing water sports, boat tour, or hanging out on the beach at Lake Powell.

Things to know :

Antelope Canyon : Antelope Canyon is a sacred place for the Navajo people, and they believe that this canyon is where you go to pay respect to Mother Nature. So be respectful during your visit.

• You also must take a guided tour of Antelope Canyon.
• You can check out all our tips and recommendations for Antelope Canyon tours here .

Where to Eat: Stop in at R.D. Drive-In   at 143 S Lake Powell Blvd in Page, AZ for family friendly eats. This family owned business serves everything from hamburgers, burritos and chicken sandwiches to dipped cones, and desserts.

The “Rainbows” an ice cream-slushie combo, are perfect for a hot day.

How far is Bryce Canyon to Page, AZ

The drive from Bryce Canyon to Page, AZ is about 150 mi / 243km and takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. Follow route 12 back to route US-89 S, past the Zion Junction and straight to Page, AZ. Lake Powell is located off route 89, about 15 minutes before Page as well. 

Antelope Canyon, AZ

Antelope Canyon is located  a 20 minute drive east of Page, Arizona in the Navajo Nation.

This  area is actually two slot canyons, the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon , plus the Antelope Canyon X. 

You aren’t allowed to wander around on your own, and must take a guided tour of Antelope Canyon .

The world of sandstone and the wavy, orange, red, and tan hues of the canyon walls beckon.

• Upper Antelope Canyon: The Upper Antelope is considered the easiest canyon to travel, as its entrance and length are both at ground level. This slot canyon is a 660 feet long, in-and-out trail which is great for families with smaller children who are preschool age or younger. If you’re visiting in summer for the famous light beams, visit between 11:00am and 1:30pm.
• Lower Antelope Canyon: Lower Antelope Canyon is a lesser travelled one-way trail that is approximately 1,335 feet long, which gets great light year round.
• Antelope Canyon X: This canyon is the shortest walk at only 334 feet in and out. It does have some light beams, and lighting is good before 2pm.

Antelope Canyon Tours

As you must book a tour to be able to visit Antelope Canyon . Here are a few of the most popular choices, that also allow children.

Tours typically leave from Page, AZ and take between 1 and 2.5 hours. 

For the Upper Canyon Tours try this popular 90 minute small group Antelope Canyon Tour. Experience the narrow slot canyon made of dramatic sandstone wall, while learning the history and geology of the area.

For Lower Antelope, these 60 minute family friendly tours are a blast. Walk, take photos, and enjoy the beauty of the area, which is shallower than the Upper Canyon.

Horseshoe Bend, AZ

Horseshoe Bend, in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is located 7 miles from Antelope Canyon. You can hike, fly over or boat along this 1000 ft (305 m) deep, horseshoe-shaped bend in the Colorado River. 

The overlook hike is a gentle slope of 1.5 miles (2.4 km) round-trip, over flat terrain, suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, and hikers. There are even two shade stations, as it is a very sunny and hot trail.

Horseshoe Bend is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. The busiest times are between 9:00am to 11:00am in the morning and 4:30pm to 6:30pm in the evening. 

Horseshoe Bend parking lot and trailhead is located off US Highway 89. The City of Page, AZ charges $10/car to park. 

LOCAL TIP: Watch your kids carefully. While some areas have railings, it is a 1,000 ft /305 m drop to the Colorado River below.

Lake Powell 

Lake Powell twists and winds its way for 186 mi /299 km straddling  Utah and Arizona.

Here you can rent house boats to small watercraft including kayaks and jet skis at the Wahweap Marina and even do boat tours. Lake Powell Resort is the main rental place for these.

Lake Powell is the perfect way to spend the afternoon, or a full day. Waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing, cliff jumping and spending time at the beach are all favourite activities here. 

Lake Powell is also a world class fishing destination, for all you anglers out there. Try fishing for northern pike, wide-mouth bass, catfish, crappie, and  walleye.

Cool Fact: Lake Powell is a man made lake, formed after the  Glen Canyon dam’s diversion tunnels closed in 1963. Did you know that it took 17 years for the lake to reach its full capacity? Nope me neither.

Where to stay in Page and Lake Powell, AZ:

Page and Lake Powell, AZ can provide you with many unique accommodation options from renting houseboats, to camping on the beach, or more traditional hotels, motels and resorts. I’m all for renting a houseboat, how cool is that. 

Lake Powell Accommodations

Camping – Lone Rock Beach – Lone Rock Beach is a gem, as it is the only beach you can drive onto for camping. Come out of your tent in the morning to impeccable views of the Lone Rock monolith. Fun fact: “The Impossible Astronaut,” the first episode of the sixth season of Doctor Who, was filmed at Lone Rock Beach. 

Lakeside Resort: Lake Powell Resort located at the Wahweap Marina is a fun option. With a restaurant onsite, family rooms, pool,  fridges in room, plus easy access to their boat tours and rentals, it’s a one stop place to stay.

Family friendly places to stay in Page, AZ 

• Family Favourite with Mountain Views : Country Inn and Suites by Radisson (Page, AZ) – What families love : includes free  breakfast, family rooms, fitness centre, free private parking, and gorgeous mountain views. Restaurant onsite.
• Hampton Inn & Suites Page – Lake Powell (Page, AZ) – What guests love : The indoor Pool, free hot breakfast buffet and Wifi. Family rooms available.   5 Minutes from Horseshoe Bend and 15 from Lake Powell Marina.
• Pet Friendly: Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham (5 minutes from Lake Powell) – What guests love: Pet friendly with free breakfast & wifi plus an outdoor pool and laundry access. The Days Inn offers panoramic views of Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, the Navajo Indian Reservation, and the Vermillion Cliffs along the Colorado River
• Budget Friendly: Lake Powell Motel & Apartments (Page, AZ) – What guests love: Homey feel, budget friendly, and units with kitchens and patio garden views. Free WiFi and private parking. Very clean and family friendly.

Day Seven: Page, AZ to South Rim of Grand Canyon & Las Vegas

The Grand Canyon was formed over 200 million years ago by erosion and the Colorado River.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a sight to behold. 

If you have an extra day you might consider spending more than half a day here, then taking a more leisurely drive back to Las Vegas, the next day.

The drive from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas has some great spots to stop along the way.

Drive from Page, AZ to Grand Canyon

The fastest route from Page, AZ to the Grand Canyon, South Rim is approximately  150 miles, and just under 3 hour drive. If you have time, stop at Horseshoe Bend along the way, for epic photos, if you didn’t have a chance yesterday.

South Rim of the Grand Canyon

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon gives you the iconic views  of what you think of as the Grand Canyon.

View chiseled rock, amongst the great depths of the winding Colorado River. More facilities including the Visitors Centre, accommodations and restaurants are  located at the South Rim. So it’s a good place for a first visit. 

As you’ll only have about half a day, you’ll need to be choosy about what you want to see.

• For a first time visitor, a visit to the Grand Canyon Village and Hermit Road  / walk along the Rim Trail is a must. 

Stop first at the Visitors Centre, and the Mather Point viewpoint. Then take a walk along the Trail of Time between Yavapi Point and the Grand Canyon Village.

Follow your adventure up by taking the shuttle along the rest of Hermit Road.

Jump on and off at various viewpoints as you are inspired. You can also hike the full 7 mile Rim Trail and catch the shuttle back.

Here is a list of family friendly things to do on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon:

• Grand Canyon Visitor Center – Stop in for your  free map of area. Take a few moments to  visit the geological exhibits, watch the documentary, and see historic artifacts. You can also buy souvenirs, rent bikes,  and check out their ranger led programs.
• Drive along the Rim Road or take the park and ride options along 4 routes. 
• Mather Point Viewpoint – short walk from Visitor Center for your first majestic views. Can walk along the trail from Mather Point to the next viewpoint Yavapi or drive.
• Yavapai Point – Yavapi Point  has fabulous views at sunset for that WOW factor.
• The Trail of Time – The Trail of Time is the easiest part of the Rim Trail which running 1.3 miles between Yavapai Geology Museum and Grand Canyon Village. Perfect for families with little kids.
• Grand Canyon Village – The Grand Canyon Village started growing in 1901, when the steam train arrived. Several historic buildings from that area are here to check out, including the Grand Canyon Railway Depot, the Hopi House,  Kolb Studio and the historic landmark El Tovar.
• Hermit Road   – 7 mile scenic drive from Grand Canyon Village to West Rim. You’ll need to hike, bike or use the shuttle in summer as cars are not allowed between March and November.  See 10 awe inspiring viewpoints of the Grand Canyon.
• Desert View Drive – 25 mile long scenic drive from GC Village to the Desert View Watchtower in the east. Has about 10 pullouts and viewpoints a long the way. Climb the Watchtower for epic views.
• Sunrise or sunset – Maricopa Point, Hopi Point or Yavapi Point

Things to know:

Grand Canyon National Park:

• As with all National Parks there are fees to enter. $35 / car which is good for seven days.   
• Grand Canyon is a remote area, so make sure you carry an extra set of car keys, your car is gassed up and in good repair. The nearest gas station and mechanic is not close by. 
• Hermit Road is only open to private cars December to February. You will need to use the shuttle the rest of the year. 

Drive from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

The drive back to Las Vegas from the South Rim or the Grand Canyon Village is roughly 4.5hrs.

There are a few places you may want to consider stopping along the way if you have some extra time.

• Route 66 from Flagstaff to Kingman, Arizona – explore Historic Downtown and Railroad District of Flagstaff to learn more about its history and visit the Wupatki National Monument.
• Bearizona Wildlife Park , Williams, AZ  (short distance from Flagstaff) – Drive through Safari Park. You can see bears, elks, mountain goats, mule deer, wolves, and bison, in a more natural habitat. Pet some animals at the petting zoo.
• Hoover Dam – if you didn’t visit when you first arrived in Las Vegas.
• Lake Mead Recreation Area – The reservoir is created by the Hoover Dam and is a pleasant place to stop for a picnic. It’s also a popular summer destination for boating and lake cruises, kayaking, swimming, biking and hiking the trails. 

How Long Is the Drive From Zion To Bryce Canyon?

The drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon takes around 1.5 hours directly, and is about 80 miles / 128km. There are plenty of stops and sights to see as you drive if you have extra time. Some of the highlights include Many Pools Slot Canyon, Red Hollow Slot Canyon, Red Canyon, and a detour to Cedar Breaks National Monument.

Should you spend more time in Bryce or Zion?

Zion needs more time than Bryce, as it is a larger, more spread out park with longer hiking options, such as the Narrows and Angels Landing. The minimum amount of time you will need is two days in Zion and one day in Bryce Canyon. Zion is a much busier, more difficult park to navigate, given you must use the Zion Canyon Shuttle most of the year.

Planning for at least three days will give you enough time to do those not-to-miss hikes, take some epic photographs and see the best viewpoints. 

How Far is Bryce Canyon from Antelope Canyon?

Bryce Canyon to Antelope Canyon is about a 160 mi / 257 km drive, which takes about 3 hours via US-89 S. Antelope Canyon is located near the Arizona / Utah border, just east of Page Arizona. 

How far is Grand Canyon from Antelope Canyon 

The Grand Canyon is  147 mi / 236km from Antelope Canyon and is about  a 3 hour drive. Due to the relatively short distance, Antelope Canyon is a popular day trip from the Grand Canyon. 

The most common route is via AZ-64 E to US-89 N through the Navajo Nation.

If AZ-64E is closed you will need to drive the long way around, through Flagstaff, AZ. It’s a bit longer of a drive at 221 mi / 355 km and will take approximately  3 hour and 45 minutes.

Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon: One Week Family-Friendly Itinerary

Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce is one of the best road trips in the USA for good reason. Gorgeous ever changing landscapes, this route offers nature at its best. From dramatic waterways, to slot canyons, and wildlife, this is a one week trip you and your family are sure not to forget.

Related family travel destinations and travel planning tips:

• Simple ways to save money on road trips
• Fun RV Gift Ideas
• 150 Road Trip Questions to spark conversations
• Easy Road Trip Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers
• Best Walkie Talkies for Road Trips

Donna Garrison is the founder of Packed for Life, an ever curious traveler with a passion for making memories with her family. With a unique perspective on travelling on a budget gathered over 30 years, 20 countries and 5 continents she gives families the tools & resources they need to experience the joys of travelling more for less through practical solutions. She helps over 20,000 families a month plan & take the family travel, camping and road trip adventures of their dreams in Canada, the USA and around the world. Contact her at: Donna [at] packedforlife.com

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great overview, however, there are no hotels listed for grand canyon?….any help in that regard?

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Join the Adventure: Start Your National Park Bucket List

National Park Bucket List

The Best Zion Bryce Grand Canyon Itinerary for 4 to 7 Days

This Zion Bryce Grand Canyon itinerary leads you to the best views and hikes in the parks on the Utah and Arizona border.

Rocks, cliffs, and gorges in every shade of orange, red, and pink fill the landscapes of the Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion national parks. The three destinations on the border of Utah and Arizona are some of the most popular national parks in the country and draw huge crowds to admire their big boulders and bucket list hikes.

If you’re planning a Grand Canyon Zion Bryce Canyon itinerary, it helps to map out which activities you’d like to do in advance, so that you can maximize your time in the region. I’ve been to each park two or three times and crafted the guide below to help you plan your trip. I’ve also suggested a few different routes you can take depending on how long you have.

I recommend saving the map of significant points below and adding this post to your bookmarks so that you can refer back to it as you plan the details of your trip. I’ve included a handy tips section at the bottom with ideas for where to stay, how long to spend at each park, and what to pack for a hiking trip.

I hope you fall in love with this beautiful region, as I have. Keep reading for a guide to Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Grand Canyon national parks.

Bryce Canyon Zion and Grand Canyon Map

This Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Canyon map has pins for all of the activity locations from the itinerary below. You can open it and save a copy to help with your trip planning.

Zion Bryce Grand Canyon Itinerary Options

There are so many different ways to arrange a Grand Canyon Bryce Zion road trip. The best path depends on how long you have and which direction you are coming from. The Zion Bryce Grand Canyon itinerary options below for 4, 5, and 7 days cover a few of the routes you could take flying into either Salt Lake City, Utah, or Las Vegas, Nevada.

On short trips, it’s usually best to drive round-trip from Las Vegas or one-way between Salt Lake City and Vegas. Visiting the Grand Canyon North Rim instead of the popular South Rim also usually saves a couple of driving hours, since it’s closer to the Utah parks.

Drive time for a Salt Lake City or Vegas to Bryce, Grand Canyon North Rim, and Zion trip returning to Vegas is roughly 12 hours, not counting scenic drives in the park. A Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, Bryce Canyon, and Zion road trip loop, is about 14 hours.

Follow this Grand Circle road trip itinerary to see all of the Utah parks!

4-Day Grand Canyon Bryce Zion Itinerary

Day 1 : Las Vegas or Salt Lake City to Bryce Canyon National Park Day 2 : Bryce Canyon National Park to Grand Canyon North Rim Day 3 : Grand Canyon to Zion National Park Day 4 : Zion National Park to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City

5-Day Grand Canyon Zion Bryce Itinerary

Day 1 : Las Vegas to Zion National Park Day 2 : Zion National Park Day 3 : Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park Day 4 : Bryce to Grand Canyon North or South Rim Day 5 :  Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

7-Day Itinerary Zion Bryce Grand Canyon

Day 1 : Vegas to Zion National Park Day 2 : Zion National Park Day 3 : Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park Day 4 : Bryce to Page, Arizona Day 5 : Page to Grand Canyon Day 6 : Grand Canyon South Rim or North Rim Day 7 : Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

Things To Do at Zion National Park

Time in the park: 1 to 3 days Where to stay: Springdale for the nearest access, Kanab for cheaper options

If you’re on a short road trip and only have a day in Zion National Park, then you’ll have to pick between the two most popular challenging hikes, Angels Landing and the Narrows, or do a few shorter ones like the Emerald Pools, Riverside Walk, and Canyon Overlook.

With two days in Zion , you could either attempt both longer hikes and add a scenic drive on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, or head to the Kolob Canyons section of the park for the second day. 

The activities and hikes below could fill up to three or four days in the park if you attempt all of the trails.

Angels Landing Trail

The hike to Angels Landing is not only one of the most popular Zion National Park hikes, but it’s also a bucket list trek known around the world. Named for the narrow rock fin at the end of the trail that provides breathtaking views of the canyon, Angels Landing is a challenging hike that gains 1,488 feet of elevation and also includes a narrow and steep ascent with chain assists to the final lookout.

The West Rim Trail to Angels Landing totals 5.4 miles out and back. Climbing the final section from Scout Lookout to Angel’s Landing requires a permit. You can apply for the permit lottery seasonally and one day in advance. All of the details are in this guide to hiking Angels Landing .

The trailhead for Angels Landing is near the Grotto, stop number 6 on the Zion shuttle. Allow at least 3 to 4 hours to hike Angels Landing.

The Narrows and Riverside Walk

The second of Zion’s pair of famous hikes, the Narrows is a unique trail in the Virgin River, where the canyon walls close in around the water. The path starts with the Riverside Walk Trail (2.2 miles round trip) at the end of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. If you don’t want to get wet on the longer trail, this short and easy route is a nice taste of what’s to come, since it follows the river with the walls of rock soaring overhead.

Where the Riverside Walk ends, the Narrows hike begins. The trail leads into the river for a walking and wading combo into the constricting canyon. You can continue for a few miles (9.4 out and back) or turn around earlier for a shorter adventure. 

This is a hike that you need to prepare well for. Local outfitters in Springdale have rental boots, hiking poles, and wet gear to help you navigate the river. Flash flooding can make this trek dangerous, so it’s important to check the conditions before taking off.

The trailhead for the Narrows is at the Temple of Sinawawa, the last stop on the free park shuttle. This hike can take a few hours to complete, depending on how far you go.

Emerald Pools Trail

The Emerald Pools are a series of waterfalls with lower, middle, and upper levels you can hike to. It’s a nice trail to round out a day of hiking in Zion National Park or for visitors looking for something a little less challenging than the Narrows or Angels Landing hikes.

The route to Lower Emerald Pools is only 1.2 miles roundtrip and easy. It leads to the bottom tier where you can cross under the waterfall. After that, you can climb up to the Middle Emerald Pools Trail for a total of 2.2 miles. The Upper Emerald Pool Trail adds another mile. You can also make a loop with the Kayenta Trail for a little over 3 miles total. The last two options are moderately challenging.

Allow a couple of hours to do the full hike. The trailheads can be reached from the Zion Lodge shuttle stop, number 5, or the Grotto, stop number 6.

The Watchman Trail

Located near the visitor center, the Watchman Trail climbs up to a view of the lower Zion Canyon and cliffs. Way less popular than Angels Landing, you can get some great vistas here without crowds or the challenging ridge climb. In addition, you can reach the trailhead without having to wait for a shuttle ride.

The moderately challenging trail is 3.3 miles out and back, with 368 feet of elevation gain. You should allow about 2 hours for this activity. 

Pa’rus Trail

If you’re looking for an easy and family-friendly hike in Zion National Park, the Pa’rus Trail is the perfect option. Starting from the visitor center, the trail runs alongside the Virgin River to the Canyon Junction shuttle stop. There are also educational exhibits along the way. It’s 3.5 miles to walk the whole thing and back, but you can turn around earlier to shorter it. 

The path is paved and handicap accessible with some wheelchair assistance. Leashed pets and bicycles are also allowed on this trail.

Canyon Overlook Trail

One of the best hikes in Zion, the Canyon Overlook Trail has a huge payoff for minimal effort. Located along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, the hike is about a mile roundtrip and moderately challenging. It leads to a sweeping view of the Pine Creek and Zion canyons. 

You can’t ride the shuttle to this trailhead, and parking is limited. Be prepared to park in designated roadside pull-offs a half mile or more from the trailhead if the lot is full.

Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway is my favorite scenic drive in the national park, connecting Mount Carmel, Utah, on U.S. Route 89 to the floor of the canyon. The road weaves around cliffs and rocky hills in shades of yellow and pink, crosses through a 1.1-mile tunnel, and winds down switchbacks into Zion Canyon. There are a few spots where you can pull over to hike and take pictures of landmarks like a huge arch that’s forming in a cliff and the Checkboard Mesa, a unique rock formation with straight lines crisscrossing the surface.

The highway and tunnel, built in the 1920s and 30s, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If you’re in an RV or another large vehicle, you need a permit from the entrance station to cross the tunnel.

Kolob Canyons

If you have more than two days in Zion, I recommend checking out the Kolob Canyons section of the park. Located about 45 minutes from Springdale and Zion Canyon, this area is much less crowded and has a short hike with a fantastic view.

Start your time here with a drive up the 5-mile-long scenic Kolob Canyon Road. At the end of the road, there’s a lookout and a trailhead for the Timber Creek Overlook Trail. The 1-mile, roundtrip hike leads to a stunning panoramic view into the canyon and surrounding landscape, which is shockingly green.

If you want to spend more time in this section, check out these longer Kolob Canyon day hikes .

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Things To Do at Bryce Canyon National Park

Time in the park: 1 to 2 days Where to stay: Bryce Village for the closest access or Tropic for more options

Bryce Canyon is such a beautiful park with a unique landscape. But, you can easily see a lot of it in just a day on your first trip. If you aren’t a hiker, allow half a day for the overlooks and the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive. Set aside at least a full day to hit the trails and start early on a hike down into the canyon.

The best overlooks and routes are listed below.

Bryce Canyon Overlooks

While there are several canyons located within the national park. The main Bryce Canyon bowl full of orange hoodoos is the most popular and easy to access. Four main overlooks offer different vantage points of the amphitheater — Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunrise Point, and Sunset Point. 

Each overlook has parking, but it can fill up during busy times. A free park shuttle also stops at the four points. 

The Rim Trail connects the four Bryce Canyon overlooks, so you can walk between points with views along the way. The entire hike is 5.5 miles each way between Fairyland Point and Bryce Point. You can walk the nearly 3-mile one-way section from Bryce Point to Sunrise Point and ride the shuttle back, or take the short accessible path between the Sunrise and Sunset overlooks, about a half-mile each way. 

Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop Trails

If you have at least a half day in Bryce Canyon National Park, I recommend trying out one of the trails below the rim to see the hoodoos up close. The two shortest options are the Navajo Loop Trail (moderate, 1.3 miles) and the Queen’s Garden Trail (easy, 1.8 miles). Both pass by famous rock formations like Queen Victoria and Thor’s Hammer.

Since the Queen’s Garden trail goes out and back on the same path, most people combine it with the Wall Street switchbacks section of Navajo Loop, forming a moderate 2.9-mile hike. On this combo, you’ll pass through tunnels and next to hoodoos on Queen’s Garden and walk between soaring canyon walls on the Navajo Loop. You can either walk down the Wall Street section and back up the Queen’s Garden for a less steep climb out of the canyon or go the opposite direction for the best views of the Bryce Amphitheater and a safer decline into the canyon. 

The Wall Street portion of the Navajo Loop closes when the trail is icy, but you can still hike the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop combo by using the Two Bridges half of the Navajo trail instead.

Peekaboo Loop and Figure 8 Trails

For a more challenging trail into the canyon, consider hiking either the Peek-a-boo Loop or the Figure 8 Combination. The latter adds the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop to the Peekaboo Loop.

The strenuous Peek-a-boo Loop starts from Bryce Point and drops 1,500 feet into the canyon along a 5.5-mile, roundtrip path through the hoodoos and bristlecone pines. Mule riders also use this path, so you have to follow a clockwise route and yield to the animals.

At the bottom of the canyon, the Peek-a-boo Loop intersects with the Queen’s Garden and Navajo trails. You can add a second loop to make a challenging 6.4-mile hike called the Figure 8 Combo. Other options utilizing these paths include the Figure 8 Loop on the Peek-a-boo and Navajo trails (4.9 miles) or the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater Traverse, a one-way 4.7-mile option on the Peek-a-boo and Queen’s Garden trail (use the shuttle to return to the start).

Fairyland Loop Trail

The Fairyland Loop is a less popular trail along sections of the rim and into the Fairyland Canyon. This is a great option to avoid some of the crowds in the Bryce Amphitheater. The 8-mile trek starts at Fairyland Point and is rated strenuous. Along the way, you’ll see hoodoos like the China Wall and Tower Bridge. It takes most people 4 to 5 hours to complete the hike.

Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive

After a morning hike, consider exploring the park further with a trip down Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive. The park shuttle doesn’t go down this 17-mile road, so it’s not as crowded as the Bryce Amphitheater area. There are more than a dozen overlooks to check out along the route, including Bryce Natural Bridge and Rainbow Point. 

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Things To Do at the Grand Canyon South Rim

Time in the park: 1 to 3 days Where to stay: Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan for the easiest access, Williams for more options

The Grand Canyon South Rim is the most popular section of the national park and is full of trails, scenic views, and history. On a short visit, you can spend just a day hopping around to different vistas and hiking along the rim. Two or more days will allow time to try out one of the trails that goes down into the canyon, visit museums, and check out less crowded viewpoints.

The South Rim has three different sections along the rim. The central area (blue and orange shuttle route) includes the Visitor Center, Grand Canyon Village, and several popular overlooks and trailheads. Hermit Road to the west (red shuttle route) includes nine overlooks on the way to Hermits Rest. And Desert View Drive to the east (no shuttle) runs to the Desert View Watchtower and the eastern park entrance.

The most popular things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim are detailed below.

Mather Point and the Grand Canyon Visitor Center

The Grand Canyon Visitor Center is a great place to start your visit, grab a map, and take in your first canyon view. This is also the central transit area, where free park shuttles pick up riders for a few different routes. This area has the largest vehicle lot you’ll find anywhere in the park. It’s the best place to leave your car and ride the shuttle to different trailheads and overlooks.

In the plaza, you’ll find a cafe, indoor exhibits, a park movie, a bike rental counter, and a gift shop. Beyond the buildings, it’s a short walk out to Mather Point, one of the most popular vistas. It can get crowded here, but the view is incredible and you can always walk away from the main overlook to take in the panoramas from different spots along the rim. This is also one of the best spots to watch the sunrise and sunset!

Yavapai Point and Yavapai Geology Museum

From Mather Point, ride the orange shuttle or walk 0.7 miles to Yavapai Point, with views along the way. This is one of the shortest walks between designated viewpoints if you’re looking for an easy stroll. 

The Yavapai Geology Museum is close to the overlook and has educational exhibits about the formation of the canyon. The Trail of Time that traces the geological canyon history also starts from here.

Trail of Time

The Trail of Time is one of the easiest and most accessible hikes in the park, along a flat and paved path that traces the rim for 1.3 miles between Yavapai and Grand Canyon Village. Each meter of the walk represents a million years of geological history, and exhibits display different eras of the canyon. Starting at the Yavapai Geology Museum takes you backward in time and starting in the village takes you forward.

The Trail of Time is a section of the longer Rim Trail, which we’ll cover in more detail below.

Covering about 13 miles, the Rim Trail connects Grand Canyon Village, about a dozen viewpoints, and several South Rim trailheads. From east to west, it runs between the South Kaibab trailhead and Hermits Rest. 

Some parts between the visitor center and the village are paved but most of it is a dirt path. A section on the western end is also open to bikes. Since the entire path is along shuttle routes, you can do a combo of walking and riding to see more.

Historic Grand Canyon Village

The steam train’s arrival at the edge of the canyon in 1901 established the beginnings of Grand Canyon Village. Several early buildings remain, including the Verkamp Visitor Center (1906), which displays village history, the Kolb Studio (1905) for art and photography exhibits, the Hopi House (1905), made to look like a Hopi Tribe pueblo, the El Tovar hotel (1905), a European-style luxury lodge and National Historic Landmark, and the Railway Depot (1901), which still connects the village to Williams, Arizona, via train.

The village is both a place to stay and to visit. If you check in at one of the Grand Canyon hotels here, you’ll be sleeping just steps from the rim! Otherwise, you can stop by to check out the shops, restaurants, galleries, and visitor center.

Hermit Road

With two days in the park, you should have time to hop between the overlooks on Hermit Road. Running for 7 miles to the west of Grand Canyon Village, the route has nine named viewpoints where the shuttle stops, but plenty of other vistas if you hike the rim.

Private vehicles are only allowed on the road from December to February. For the rest of the year, you have to take the park shuttle (red route), hike the Rim Trail, ride a bike, or do a combination of two or three.

There are lots of different routes to walk along the rim here. One of the most accessible sections is the paved Hermit Road Greenway Trail, a multi-use path connecting the last three overlooks along 3 miles. The final stopping point on the trail and road is Hermits Rest, where you’ll find toilets and a snack and gift shop combo located in a stone house from 1914 designed to resemble a miner’s cabin.

The nine lookouts on this route from east to west are Trailview Overlook, Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, The Abyss, Monument Creek Vista, Pima Point, and Hermits Rest. If you’re riding the shuttle and want to hop out at all of the overlooks, it’s best to do this on the westbound route, because the eastbound return does not stop at all of them.

Bright Angel Trail

The 9.3-mile Bright Angel trail leads to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. For a day hike, though, you shouldn’t attempt the whole thing unless you’ve gone through training and preparation. This trail, like all others to the canyon floor, is full of switchbacks and thigh-burning climbs. 

Since the steep climb back up can take twice as long as the ascent, the National Park Service advises turning around by the Indian Garden Lookout in summer for a 9-mile hike or Plateau Point in cooler weather for 12 miles total. You can also just walk down a mile or two for a shorter hike.

About every 1.5 miles until mile 6, there are rest areas with rudimentary amenities. All have running water when the pipes are functional (ask ahead before you go), and a couple have pit toilets. 

South Kaibab Trail

The South Kaibab trail is another option for hiking into the Grand Canyon. This one runs for 6.8 miles all the way to the floor, but you can do a day hike on part of it and come back up on the same path. 

This trail is shorter, steeper, and less shaded than the Bright Angel, so it’s more exposed and hot in the summer months. There is also no water along the trail. The National Park Service recommends turning around at Cedar Ridge in summer for a 3-mile hike roundtrip or at Skeleton Point in milder weather for a 6-mile hike. For a shorter option, walk down to Ooh-Aah Point and back to clock in just under 2 miles. 

Hikers doing the Rim-to-Rim trek on the South Rim usually use both the South Kaibab and Bright Angel paths to go down and back up to mix up the scenery.

Desert View Drive and Watchtower

Nearly 25 miles, Desert View Drive connects Grand Canyon Village with the park’s East Entrance. Taking a drive on the route is a great way to escape the crowds and check out some breathtaking vistas of the Colorado River, which contrasts in turquoise tones with the layers of red and orange rocks.

Most of the six overlooks along the way are significantly less busy than the remainder of the South Rim since the free park shuttle only stops at the first two, Yaki Point and Pipe Creek. 

Towards the east end of the road, park at the stone Desert View Watchtower, built in the 1930s. You can see for miles in every direction of the canyon from the 70-foot-tall observation platform. The site also has a campground, gas station, ice cream counter, and grocery store.

Things To Do at the Grand Canyon North Rim

Time in the park: 1 to 2 days Where to stay: The Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge and the North Rim for easy access, Jacob Lake Inn for a few more options

Bright Angel Point

Bright Angel Point is the perfect spot to get your first view of the North Rim. Located at the end of a short and steep paved path, the lookout has panoramic views for miles. It’s located near the North Rim Visitor Center and Grand Canyon Lodge. Come here for sunrise if you get an early start.

Transept Trail

Taking off from Bright Angel Point, the Transept Trail follows the rim for about 2 miles, with overlooks that stick out into the canyon. You can walk part way for the views or do the whole trail out and back for a 4-mile hike.

North Kaibab Trail

The North Kaibab Trail may be the most popular hike at the North Rim. It leads all the way to the canyon floor. If you want to hike here, it’s best to arrive first thing in the morning, since the parking usually fills up early.

The entire path is 14.2 miles each way, but you can walk a mile or two for the views. The Supai Tunnel makes a great day hike turnaround for a 3.4-mile roundtrip route, and the rest point has a rustic toilet and drinking water.

Point Imperial

You don’t want to miss a visit to Point Imperial, the highest overlook at the North Rim at 8,803 feet. From the lookout, you can see all the way to the Marble Canyon and Painted Desert. There are also spots to picnic in this area, so it makes a great mid-day rest point.

Cape Royal Road

Combine Point Imperial Road with Cape Royal Road for a scenic drive of about 30 miles. Cape Royal Road has several pull-offs for views on the way to the namesake vista at the end. 

Stop at Vista Encantada and Roosevelt Point lookouts and the Walhalla Overlook to check out the ancient Puebloan ruins. At the Cape Royal lookout, a paved path of less than half a mile each way leads out to views of the Colorado River and a cool rock feature called Angel’s Window that appears as though part of the cliff has been cut out.

Tips for Visiting Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyon

Use this travel guide for Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion to plan out your trip. We’ve included helpful tips like where to stay, when to go, and what weather to expect in southern Utah and northern Arizona.

Getting to Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion National Parks

The nearest major airports to Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon are in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Phoenix. The airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, makes the most sense if you’re doing a loop to the three parks because it’s the closest airport to most of them. The smaller St. George Regional Airport is only an hour from Zion and has flights on a few major airlines.

Harry Reid International Airport in Vegas is roughly 3 hours from Zion and 4.5 hours from Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon’s North and South rims. Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah is about 4.5 hours from Bryce Canyon, 5 hours from Zion, 7 hours to the Grand Canyon North Rim, and 9 hours to the South Rim. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is 4 hours from the South Rim, 6 hours from the North Rim, 7 hours from Zion, and 8 hours from Bryce.

The drive from the Zion Visitor Center to the Grand Canyon North Rim takes about 3 hours and it’s about 2 hours to Bryce Canyon. Going to either one, you can take the magnificent Zion-Mount Carmel Highway for vistas of colorful rocky hills.

The drive from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim to Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon is around 5 hours, and you can take a picturesque route through Marble Canyon and Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. Or, you can go through Page, Arizona, to stop at Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.

Where to Stay Near Bryce, Grand Canyon, and Zion National Parks

I recommend staying close to each of the parks and switching locations throughout your trip to save on driving time. Aside from staying in a campground or lodge with the parks, which all four locations have, the closest towns to each are Springdale for Zion, Bryce Canyon City or Tropic for Bryce, and Tusayan for the Grand Canyon South Rim. The Grand Canyon North Rim is not near any towns, but Jacob Lake has accommodations an hour from the park. 

For one central location, Kanab is your best bet near Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon North Rim. The town is roughly an hour from Zion’s visitor center and 1.5 from Bryce Canyon and the North Rim. 

What to Pack for a Utah and Arizona National Parks Trip

What to pack for Bryce Canyon, Zion, and the Grand Canyon depends on the season and hiking or camping plans. At a minimum, you will need some comfortable sightseeing clothes and layers for cooler nights and mornings. If you plan to hit the trails, bring activewear and hiking boots or shoes with good traction and ankle support.

The 10 essentials are necessary for any backcountry hikes and smart to bring on day hikes, too. This packing list will help you prepare for your trip.

Weather and Seasons in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona

Even though they are geographically close, there are some variations in the climate at the three parks.

Grand Canyon Weather

The Grand Canyon North Rim is only open to the public from May 15 to October 15. Summer highs in the mid-70s and lows in the 40s are typical. Highs and lows are around 10 degrees colder in the spring and fall shoulder months.

The Grand Canyon South Rim is open year-round. The weather here varies by location with the inner canyon about 20 degrees warmer than the rim. This means that as you hike down, things heat up quite a bit, which makes summer hiking dangerous. Average summer highs are in the 80s at the rim but rise to the low 100s in the inner canyon. In spring and fall, average highs at the rim are usually in the 70s, 60s, and 50s as you move away from the summer months. Nights in the desert often cool off from daytime highs by about 30 degrees.

Zion Weather

Summer temperatures at Zion average in the 90s to 100s midday with lows in the 60s. The monsoon season begins towards the end of summer, bringing the possibility of flash floods to the canyon. Highs in the 60s to 80s and lows in the 40s to 50s are typical in the spring and fall. Winter temperatures average in the 50s with lows in the 30s.

These are the best national parks to visit in January and February .

Bryce Canyon Weather

At Bryce Canyon’s higher elevation, things are a bit cooler, though it does warm up if you hike down into the canyon. At the rim, summer highs average in the upper 70s and low 80s while lows cool to the 40s and 50s. Highs in the 50s and 60s are typical in spring and fall, or even the 40s in March and November. Average low temps stay at or below freezing usually until May and after September. When the park is snowy and frozen, some of the roads and trails close for safety.

How Many Days to Spend on a Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon Trip

I’ve done this road trip loop from Las Vegas in as few as four days, including a stop in Page, Arizona. That length of time gives you a quick overview of each park but doesn’t allow time for more than one or two short hikes in each park.

If you’re able to, I recommend around a week to have enough time to explore a few different spots in Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon. The itinerary options at the top of this post will help you plan out a 4 to7 day trip.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon

How far are bryce and zion from grand canyon national park.

Using directions from the main visitor centers at each, Zion and Bryce Canyon are about 4.5 to 5 hours from the Grand Canyon South Rim and 3 hours from the Grand Canyon North Rim.

Can you do Zion and the Grand Canyon in one day?

If you drive between Zion and Grand Canyon North Rim, you could technically see both parks in one day, but you wouldn’t have time to do much more than take in the view. Many of Zion’s famous attractions are in the canyon on the shuttle route, and it can take a couple of hours just traveling in and out, not to mention hiking time.

If you have to squeeze them into a day, I’d also recommend starting with an early morning drive from the bottom of the canyon at Zion to the top, a hike at the Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile), and a drive on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway on the way to the Grand Canyon North Rim. At the North Rim, drive the scenic route to the Point Imperial and Cape Royale lookouts before heading to the visitor center area to watch the sunset from Bright Angel Point.

Can you do Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon in one day?

I recommend at least two days for Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon. If you need to fit them into one, start early with a hike along the rim of the Grand Canyon before the scenic midday drive between the two. You can end the day by enjoying the sunset from one of the main overlooks at Bryce Canyon such as Sunset Point or Bryce Point.

Which is better to see, Bryce Canyon or Zion?

It’s impossible to pick a better park since everyone’s tastes and travel styles are different. Between the pair, Zion is more popular, but Bryce isn’t too far behind. Zion has the most adventurous hikes, but Bryce has more easy-to-reach overlooks with a view. I would recommend visiting both if you can, as the drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon only takes about 2 hours and is incredibly scenic.

How much time should you spend in Zion vs. Bryce?

How much time you should spend in Zion or Bryce will depend on how much hiking you plan to do. I would recommend spending more time in Zion if you like to hike but set aside at least 4-6 hours to hike into the canyon at Bryce and visit the overlooks at the top.

Which is better, Zion or Grand Canyon?

It’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite between Zion and Grand Canyon as the two parks are so different. Last year, Grand Canyon was the second most visited national park in the country and Zion was the third, so most agree that both destinations belong on your bucket list.

How many days do you need in Bryce Canyon?

I would recommend spending at least a full day on your first trip to Bryce Canyon. You can start with sunrise at Sunrise Point before heading down into the canyon for a hike on the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop trail. At midday, drive to the end of Bryce Canyon Road to escape the crowds at lesser-visited viewpoints, before ending back at Bryce or Sunset Point.

How many days do you need in Zion?

If you want to hike, I recommend at least 2 days in Zion National Park, or longer if you want to do both of the bucket list trails here (Angel’s Landing and the Narrows). On a one-day trip, you can take an early shuttle into the canyon for one of the longer trails or a couple of short ones before spending the last few hours before sunset driving the scenic Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and hiking the Canyon Overlook Trail.

How many days do you need at the Grand Canyon?

I would also recommend at least a couple of days at the Grand Canyon for your first visit to explore a few different overlooks and hike a trail partway into the canyon. But, if you just want to stop to see the view and walk along the rim a little way, you can do that in a couple of hours. 

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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!

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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.

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Grand Canyon to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park Road Trip Itinerary

• January 12, 2022

There is no shortage of national and state parks, monuments, and landscapes to explore in the Southwest. While the Grand Canyon is certainly one of the most popular spots—nearly five million people visit the South Rim National Park alone each year—there are two other National Parks within a proverbial stone’s throw of the Grand Canyon that Southwest roadtrippers often add to their itineraries: Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.

These three Southwest hotspots are ideally situated for a convenient road trip loop, making this journey particularly ideal for travelers exploring the region in a rented car. See them all—with some other state parks and national monuments thrown in for good measure—on our Ultimate Grand Canyon-Bryce Canyon-Zion National Park road trip.

The Ultimate Grand Canyon to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon Road Trip Itinerary

Thanks to its close proximity, ease of access, and abundant amenities, Las Vegas is an ideal homebase for our Ultimate Grand Canyon to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary.

Route Summary

Las Vegas → Grand Canyon South Rim National Park → Grand Canyon North Rim National Park → Grand Canyon East and Page, AZ → Kodachrome Basin State Park & Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument → Bryce Canyon National Park → Zion National Park → Valley of Fire State Park → Las Vegas

Total Miles Travelled: 1,083 miles (starting and ending in Las Vegas) Total Driving Time: 20 hours Recommended Trip Duration: 5-7 days

Because it’s a loop, this route can easily be reversed. Instead of following our suggested Grand Canyon-Bryce Canyon-Zion National Park loop, you can also start your trip at Zion, then make your way to Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon National Park before returning to Las Vegas.

Let’s hit the road!

Over 43 million people visit Las Vegas every year. Despite its rambunctious reputation, Las Vegas is a fantastic homebase for your Southwest explorations, offering easy access to nearby attractions like Red Rock Canyon and Death Valley , as well as ample accommodation options and in-town activities for travelers of every inclination, including kids.

If you have a few days to explore Las Vegas, check out our Ultimate Guide to Visiting Las Vegas for our tips for finding the right hotel, what to pack, where to eat, and what else you can see and do in the city limits and beyond.

The Ultimate Las Vegas Visitor Guide: Meet the Contributors

• November 10, 2021

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Grand Canyon South Rim National Park

The Grand Canyon’s South Rim National Park is about 281 miles from Las Vegas—a drive of roughly 4-5 hours. If you are starting your Grand Canyon to Zion National Park road trip at the South Rim, your route from Las Vegas will take you along historic Route 66, with stops at the Hoover Dam, Kingman, and Seligman, AZ on the way:

• Hoover Dam: Just a quick 40 miles from Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam is well worth a stop to snap a pic of Lake Mead, the Dam, and the Bypass Bridge. The Hoover Dam is not directly en route to Las Vegas from the North Rim, so if you’re heading in that direction or you want to explore deeper into the Hoover Dam, you might be better off making a separate trip or taking a guided Hoover Dam day tour from Las Vegas.
• Kingman: Kingman has over 60 restaurants to choose from, including the famous Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner (try their famous homemade root beer). It’s also a great place to stop for the night if you want to break up your long drive from Vegas to the South Rim.
• Seligman: This small highway town only has 500 inhabitants, but it’s the perfect place to stretch your legs and stock up on supplies. Check out the Route 66 General Store and the Return of the 50s Museum, and stop in at the Roadkill Cafe to try one of their famous buffalo burgers.

The South Rim is the most popular place to visit the Grand Canyon, with the greatest available amenities, the highest concentration of viewpoints and hiking trails, a robust schedule of guided Ranger programs and events, and a number of dining and accommodation options. Here are some highlights to keep in mind:

• Viewpoints: There are nearly two dozen viewpoints to check out at the South Rim, including Mohave Point (popular at sunset), Mather Point (see nearly ¼ of the entire Grand Canyon!), and Desert View. Discover more South Rim viewpoints on our blog.
• Hiking: Bright Angel Trail is the perfect single-day hike into the Canyon. If you want an easier walk, are biking, or are visiting with young kids, try the Rim Trail instead.
• Grand Canyon Village: Check out ranger programs, grab a souvenir, and see the most historic Grand Canyon structures, including Hopi House, Lookout Studio, and Bright Angel Lodge. Learn more about the Grand Canyon Village .

Check out our South Rim resources to learn more about what you can see and do while you visit:

Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Guide

• April 6, 2023

The Grand Canyon’s South Rim National Park is the most highly developed Grand Canyon tourism region, with the most iconic viewpoints and numerous hotels, restaurants, and attractions to explore.

6 Iconic Grand Canyon Buildings Designed by Mary Colter

• August 25, 2021

Exploring the Grand Canyon Village

• August 20, 2021

Located on the South Rim within the Grand Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon Village contains many of the Grand Canyon’s most iconic buildings and structures.

15 Breathtaking Grand Canyon South Rim Viewpoints [Updated in 2023]

• February 28, 2023

Some of the most recognizable Grand Canyon viewpoints can be found at the South Rim. Discover some of the most popular, from remote Yuma Point to Desert View Watchtower.

From the South Rim, you can head north to check out the Grand Canyon’s remote North Rim or continue east to Page, AZ. The North Rim closes from mid-October to mid-May, so if you’re visiting in the fall, winter, or spring, head straight to Page from the South Rim.

Grand Canyon North Rim National Park

Though they are less than a mile apart as the crow flies, the Grand Canyon’s North Rim is a 211 mile, 4 hour drive from the South Rim National Park. If you’re thinking about skipping the busy South Rim, you can head straight to the quiet North Rim from Las Vegas—it’s about the same driving distance from Las Vegas and Page, AZ (the next stop on our itinerary) as the South Rim.

If you have enough time, it’s certainly possible to visit both Rims during your National Park adventure. If you only have time to visit one Rim, our guide can help you decide which spot to visit .

Both regions offer very different experiences. The North Rim receives significantly fewer visitors than the South Rim—about 10% of the Grand Canyon’s total visitation—and it offers a much more relaxed vibe with more natural solitude, as well as a cooler climate and a wider range of vegetation thanks to its higher elevation.

Read our North Rim guide for more information on the area, including hiking trails and viewpoints.

Grand Canyon North Rim Visitor Guide

• January 7, 2022

Open seasonally from mid-May to mid-October, the Grand Canyon’s rugged North Rim experiences just 10% of the tourism seen at the South Rim.

A Quick Guide to Exploring the Grand Canyon North Rim

• September 8, 2021

The Grand Canyon’s North Rim offers an entirely different experience than the popular South Rim. Discover the best viewpoints and more in our quick guide.

Grand Canyon East & Page, AZ

Page, AZ is roughly 2.5 hours from the South Rim and the North Rim. This bustling Arizona town is an ideal place to base your Grand Canyon East explorations, especially if you want to stay for a night or two. It’s within easy distance of iconic east rim views like Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, as well as Marble Canyon and Lake Powell, and there are numerous dining and accommodation options available.

Be sure to check out:

• Marble Canyon: Marble Canyon marks the beginning of the Grand Canyon at its westernmost point. You can cross its colorful rocks and cliffs on foot using the historic Navajo Bridge, which first opened in 1929. If you’re travelling by car, you’ll cross a newer companion bridge that opened in 1995.
• Horseshoe Bend: About 4 miles from Page, this horseshoe-shaped meander in the Colorado River is one of the most iconic Grand Canyon viewpoints.
• Antelope Canyon: Antelope Canyon is a narrow slot canyon that is well known for its distinctive smooth, curved orange walls and ethereal sunbeams.

Find out what else you can see and do on the east rim of the Grand Canyon:

A Quick Guide to the Grand Canyon East Rim

• September 13, 2021

The Grand Canyon East region is home to many famous viewpoints, including Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and Marble Canyon.

Kodachrome Basin State Park & Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Kodachrome Basin State Park is about 170 miles—roughly a 3 hour drive—from Page, AZ. Best known for its 67 towering sand pipes, Kodachrome Basin has earned a reputation as a photography paradise—in fact, the park is such a hotspot for photographers that it was actually renamed in 1962 when the Kodak Corporation gave permission to use the name of its famous Kodachrome film.

If you have time, the main entrance for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (located in Escalante, UT) is about 50 minutes northeast of Kodachrome Basin. This National Monument is home to a mixture of colorful sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, washes, and slickrock formations. With vast swathes of untouched backcountry to explore, this region is a must-see for the most adventurous among us, and is well worth a stop on your way to Bryce Canyon National Park.

For a longer detour, you could also continue another 1.5 hours, or 70 miles (about 110 miles, or 2.5 hours total from Kodachrome Basin), north of Grand Staircase-Escalante to Capitol Reef National Park. Capitol Reef is best known for the Waterpocket Fold—a 100-mile “wrinkle” in the earth’s crust.

Bryce Canyon National Park

• Bryce Canyon National Park welcomes over 2.5  million visitors every year.
• There’s an entry fee: $35 per private vehicle, $30 for motorcycles, or $20 for those entering by foot or bicycle.
• Bryce Canyon National Park covers nearly 35,835 acres.

Bryce Canyon National Park is just a short 23 mile drive from Kodachrome Basin.

Named after Ebenezer Bryce, a mormon pioneer who set up a homestead in the area in 1874, the Park’s major feature is Bryce Canyon. Bryce Canyon isn’t technically a canyon at all—it’s actually a collection of giant natural amphitheaters along the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau.

Bryce Canyon National Park is most famous for its rock spires, known as “hoodoos”. Formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of sedimentary rocks, the hoodoos are best viewed from the scenic drive along the edge of the Canyon rim, which can reach elevations up to 9,100 feet above sea level—much higher than Zion Canyon.

The park is open year round, and is popular for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sledding in the winter. During the summer, visitors often stop to watch the sunrise or sunset at Bryce Amphitheater, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, or Bryce Point. The elevation can make weather unpredictable—particularly in the winter months—and lightning is especially common, so be sure to pack accordingly.

ROAD TRIP TIP: The night sky at Bryce Canyon is one of the darkest in the country. If you can, stay overnight and sign up for a full-moon hike into the Canyon—no flashlights allowed.

NOTE: Parking is limited in the summer—there is only one spot for every four cars, so plan to arrive early, or take the free shuttle. The shuttle stops at all the main viewpoints and is the most efficient way to explore the National Park.

Hiking trails

Ranger-led night hikes, including Astronomy and Full Moon hikes where you can steal a closer look at the stars through a telescope, are very popular at Bryce Canyon National Park. There are many other hiking trails at a variety of difficult levels to enjoy as well. Here are some of the most well-traveled:

Queen’s Garden Trail

The Queen’s Garden Trail is the least difficult trail into the Canyon, with a relatively short descent of 320 feet. Royal watchers in particular will relish the opportunity to see a hoodoo that bears a striking resemblance to Queen Victoria.

Mossy Cave Trail

Get a different view of Bryce Canyon on the Mossy Cave Trail, which follows a sparkling river to a cave of dripping water complete with a waterfall and vibrant green plants growing out of the red rock walls. Located in the north end of the National Park, this trail does not descend into the Canyon, making it ideal for families with children. The waterfall flows from May-October.

The Rim Trail connects many viewpoints and hiking trailheads. It can be hiked the whole way, but you may prefer to choose a couple of viewpoints to hike between and drive the rest of the way, or even add a loop trail to your adventure. Sunrise Point to Sunset Point—about 1 mile round trip—is a popular option.

Navajo Loop Trail

This short hike starts at Sunset Point and heads down into the Amphitheatre. See a slot canyon called Wall Street, the Silent City, stand right next to hoodoos, and pass 700-year old Douglas fir trees while you hike. The descent into the Canyon is steep, so take your time and be sure to drink lots of water on your way out.

For a longer hike, you can catch the Queen’s Garden Loop Trail on the canyon floor, as well as the Peek-A-Boo Loop.

Peek-A-Boo Loop

Peek-A-Boo Trail is primarily an equestrian trail, but it’s also popular among hikers. Beginning at Bryce Point, the Peek-A-Boo Trail offers one of the most breathtaking vistas in the park, including a 1,000 foot descent (and later ascent) into the canyon. The Peek-A-Boo Loop also meets up with the Navajo Loop Trail on the canyon floor to create an 8.6 mile trek that will take you past the Wall of Windows, the Cathedral, and the Three Wise Men formations.

Under-the-Rim Trail

This epic 23-mile trail will take you from Bryce Point to Rainbow Point. You’ll need about 2 days to complete it, plus a backcountry permit and a ride arranged to take you back to the trailhead (unless you want to take two more days to walk all the way back).

Fairyland Loop

The Fairyland Loop will take you from Fairyland Point into the amphitheater, where you can walk among hoodoos and deep canyons. The trail is primarily located at the bottom of the canyon, with a drop—and subsequent vertical climb—of nearly 900 feet. As a result, the Fairyland Loop can be dangerous and strenuous, and is therefore best for prepared and experienced hikers.

• Sunrise Point: This easy-to-access viewpoint is can be reached via a short, light walk from the Bryce Canyon Lodge and Visitor Center. Sunrise Point prominently displays the many geographic features and landscapes visible throughout the park, including hoodoos, greenery, and “sand dunes”. Spot Thor’s Hammer, the Silent City, Boat Mesa, and Sinking Ship, as well as Limber Pine, Fairyland Canyon, and the stunning reflection of the sun on the rock formations. It’s also the trailhead for the Queen’s Garden and Fairyland Loop trails.
• Bryce Point: Bryce Point is one of the highest overlooks on the Rim, reaching 200 feet higher than Inspiration Point and offering an almost bird’s-eye view of the Park’s famous hoodoos. It also offers an unbeatable view of the Bryce Amphitheater, and is one of the best places to watch the sunrise—the morning light at Bryce Point catches the hoodoos in stunning fashion, lending them a warm orange glow. The 23-mile Under-The-Rim Trail also extends from Bryce Point in the north to Rainbow Point in the south.
• Inspiration Point: A short trail leads to Inspiration Point, which actually consists of three viewpoints at various elevations, including panoramic views of one of the most iconic sights at Bryce Canyon—the Bryce Amphitheater.
• Rainbow Point: Take in panoramic views of southern Utah—from a height of 9,100 feet—including the geological Grand Staircase rock layer, from the uppermost Pink Cliffs to red Vermilion Cliffs beyond. The best place to view Rainbow Point is from the north side, overlooking the southern rim of the amphitheater. Adventurous visitors can also hike the 7.5 mile Riggs Spring Loop Trail to see nearby Yovimpa Point.
• Paria View: Looking out over the floor of Bryce Canyon, Paria View is situated 2 miles off the south road. For sunset views, Paria Point can’t be beat—later in the day, the hoodoos catch the last rays of the sun and glow a brilliant red.
• Farview Point: Farview Point gets its name from the immense distance you can view from the overlook, with sights of a seemingly endless valley of hoodoos, slot canyons, rocky ridges, and the sun bouncing off the rock at all times of day. Farview Point offers views of many of the National Park’s most famous rock formations, including the Kaibab Plateau on the north rim of the Grand Canyon, the Pink Cliffs of the Aquarius Plateau, the grey rocks of Kaiparowits Plateau, and the white formations of Mollie’s Nipple.
• Piracy Point: Piracy Point offers similar views to Farview Point, but with additional sights of two large rock formations that resemble battleships. A short walk along an easy path leads to nearby Farview Point.
• Agua Canyon: Agua Canyon offers breathtaking views of three geological layers—hoodoos in the front, pink cliffs beyond, and Navajo Mountain on the horizon.
• Fairyland Point: Located outside of the National Park boundaries, Fairyland Point is less frequently visited. There are fewer hoodoos, but Fairyland Point offers views of a river running through the red rock on the canyon floor below, as well as parts of the Fairyland Loop trail, Sinking Ship, Aquarius Plateau, and Navajo Mountain. You can also jump on the Rim Trail at Fairyland Point.

Zion National Park

• Zion National Park welcomes over 2 million visitors every year.
• The National Park is open year round, with visitation peaking between June and September.

Named by Mormon settlers after the ancient Hebrew word for “sanctuary” or “refuge”, Zion National Park is about 73 miles southwest of Bryce Canyon, near Springdale, UT.

Zion National Park is located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert. As a result, the park’s geography is unique, including mountains, canyons, buttes, monoliths, rivers, slot canyons, and natural arches. It’s best known for Zion Canyon—a 15-mile long canyon that reaches depths up to 2,640 feet. Unlike the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon is typically viewed from the canyon floor—instead of peering over the canyon rim into deep rocky chasms, you’ll be peering upwards at massive granite cliffs.

Travellers that would prefer not to park inside the National Park can catch the shuttle bus in Springdale. The shuttle is free, and will drop you off at eight different stops within the park.

ROAD TRIP TIP: Arizona does not observe daylight saving. After you cross the border, double check your timezones so you can adjust your clocks accordingly and stay on schedule.

If you have limited time, you may want to plan your road trip itinerary so that you spend more time at Zion National Park than Bryce Canyon. One night is more than enough time to experience Bryce Canyon, but the many hiking trails, viewpoints, and activities at Zion National Park will keep you occupied for several days.

Hiking Trails

From easy, family-friendly walks to multi-day backcountry excursions, Zion National Park is a hiker’s paradise. Here are some of the most popular trails:

Riverside Walk

Starting at the end of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the Riverside Walk is a leisurely two-mile walk that’s a great low impact alternative to the Narrows. It’s perfect for a picnic, with lots of opportunities to stop and snap pics of the surrounding scenery. The river is also shallow enough for children to play, making the Riverside Walk an ideal adventure for families with children.

Pa’rus Trail

This 3.5 mile trail travels along the Virgin River from the South Campground to Canyon Junction. It’s paved and suitable for wheelchairs, and dogs are welcome.

Canyon Overlook Trail

The Canyon Overlook Trail is a lighter, shorter alternative to the popular Angel’s Landing trail. A short 1-mile round trip hike with a 163 foot elevation gain, this trail brings you to a fantastic high-elevation overlook without the difficult final ascent of Angel’s Landing.

BE ADVISED: The parking area is very small and can get congested, so try to arrive early in the day if you can.

Lower Emerald Pool Trail

Starting at Zion Lodge, this 1.2 mile paved trail leads to a waterfall you can actually walk behind at the Lower Emerald Pool. If you’re looking for a more rugged hike, the Lower Emerald Pool Trail connects to the more intense Kayenta and Upper Emerald Pool Trails. Swimming is not permitted.

Angel’s Landing

The Angel’s Landing trail is the most famous hiking trail at Zion National Park. The trail starts by following the West Rim Trail leading to Scout’s Lookout. From here, you can decide whether you want to brave the final 1-mile climb along the narrow canyon spine. Be warned—if you’re afraid of heights, exposure, or crowds, you may want to skip the final leg of this trail.

The hike to Angel’s Landing includes 2.7 miles of steep, one-way uphill climbing. It’s not ideal for young children. For the best experience, give yourself a full day to do the round trip. If you want to beat the crowds, try to arrive early in the day.

The Narrows

Take the Riverside Walk till it ends to catch the Narrows trail. This trail actually follows the Virgin River, which means you’ll be walking through knee to waist-deep water, so be sure to dress appropriately and wear waterproof footwear. Don’t let the thought of wet feet put you off — it’s worth it to see the walls of sandstone stretch as high as 2,000 feet above you.

The Narrows can be as long or difficult as you like—simply follow the Virgin River as far as you want, then turn back.

Day hiking is permitted if you start from Riverside Walk and are not going any further than Big Spring (5 miles). If you want to continue past Big Spring, you’ll need a backcountry permit.

NOTE: Winter runoff means this trail usually doesn’t open till June or July.

Rent a Bike

Rent a bicycle from one of the many rental outposts near Zion National Park to ride the Pa’rus Trail or wind your way along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

ROAD TRIP TIP: The shuttle buses that run in the park have bike racks on the front, so you can take the bus one direction to the end of the Scenic Drive and bike back at your own pace.

You can also book guided bicycle tours in nearby Springdale.

Mount Carmel Highway

The Mount Carmel Highway stretches for 21 miles, connecting the south and east entrances of the National Park. This scenic drive features up and down steep switchbacks, numerous pull-offs and photo opportunities, and a trip through the 1.1 mile long Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel.

Be sure to allow extra time for delays to stop at the many photo ops along the route, and to accommodate other large vehicles traversing the Tunnel—the Tunnel reduces to one lane to accommodate vehicles like RVs, and delays up to 15 minutes are common. For more information on large vehicle restrictions, visit the National Park Service website .

NOTE: There are no washrooms or other services along the route, so be sure to stop for a washroom break before you begin your journey. Bring all the food and water you’ll need for your journey.

Beyond the scenic highway, driving in Zion National Park is restricted for much of the year. From mid-march through November, your only option for transportation within the park is the shuttle. The shuttle is free, and departs from the Springdale Visitor Center.

• Towers of the Virgin: Located behind the Zion Human History Museum, the Towers of the Virgin are viewable from second shuttle stop. This is a popular spot for watching the sunrise or sunset.
• Court of the Patriarchs: Get off the shuttle at the 4th stop, between Canyon Junction and Zion Lodge, to spot three prominent sentinels named after Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac.
• Weeping Rock: Disembark the Park shuttle at Weeping Rock Trailhead (the 7th stop) and climb a short but steep 0.4 miles to reach Weeping Rock. Here, a constant drip of spring water creates a moisture-rich environment that enables cascades of hanging gardens to grow.
• The Watchman: Accessible via a 2-mile round trip hike, the Watchman is a popular spot to watch the sunset, and is one of the most well-known viewpoints in the park. Catch the trailhead near the Visitor Center, and spot the Towers of the Virgin, West Temple, and the Altar of Sacrifice on your way. The Watchman can also be seen from the Canyon Junction shuttle stop
• Observation Point: Also accessible from the Weeping Rock Trailhead (the 7th shuttle stop), the summit of Observation Point lies 6,507 feet above sea level at the top of Mount Baldy. The trail is mostly paved, but with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet and a 4-mile hike each way, this viewpoint may not be accessible for those travelling with kids. If you do make the climb, you’ll be rewarded with views of the Three Patriarchs, Angel’s Landing, the majority of Zion Canyon, Hidden Canyon, and Echo Canyon.
• Big Bend: Get off at the 8th shuttle stop to see the Great White Throne and catch a view of the Angel’s Landing trail far above you.
• Checkerboard Mesa: This slickrock formation is located near the east entrance of the National Park and can be viewed from a pull-off near on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Scenic Highway. Featuring a perfect checkerboard line pattern, the light gray-ish color of the rock starkly contrasts the orange layers of the surrounding mountains.
• Kolob Canyon: Located in the northwest area of the National Park—technically 40 miles away from Zion Canyon itself—Kolob Canyon welcomes significantly fewer visitors than the rest of the park. The 5-mile scenic Kolob Canyon Road winds through a quiet, rugged stretch with viewpoints to stop at along the way, as well as trailheads for backcountry hikes. Adventurous visitors will want to check out the Subway Trail, which starts from the Left Fork trailhead in Kolob Canyon. This difficult hike features 9 miles of river crossings, bouldering, and steep climbs en route to the Subway—a stunning geological feature that mimics a subway tube. The Subway itself is only about half a mile long, but access is limited and requires a permit.

Valley of Fire State Park

Formed over the course of 150 million years, the eponymous red rock formations of the Valley of Fire get their characteristic hue from the concentration of iron oxide in the area’s sediment.

The Valley of Fire is about 130 miles, just under 2.5 hours drive, from Zion National Park, making it the perfect place to break up your drive to Las Vegas. Stop and stretch your legs, explore the area, or enjoy a picnic before you finish your journey.

Learn more about what to see and do at the Valley of Fire:

7 Burning Reasons to Visit the Valley of Fire

• September 7, 2021

Looking to escape the bustle of the Las Vegas Strip? The Valley of Fire is a perfect destination for a day trip off the Strip. Discover 7 reasons to visit the Valley of Fire on our blog.

Southwest Spotlight: 9 Sights to See at the Valley of Fire

• August 5, 2021

The Valley of Fire’s characteristic red sandstone and other unique geological features up close at these sights and viewpoints, including petroglyphs, Atlatl Rock, and Rainbow Vista.

The drive to Las Vegas is just under 50 miles—about one hour—from the Valley of Fire. From Las Vegas, you can also visit Red Rock Canyon, which lies just 20 miles—a short 25 minute drive—from the Strip.

Thanks to their close proximity, the Grand Canyon-Bryce Canyon-Zion National Park loop is a very popular choice for southwest roadtrippers. Nearby Las Vegas is a common homebase for these explorations, with numerous accommodation options, a busy airport, and an unparalleled selection of other activities to enjoy.

Find out what you can do at each National Park, as well as other spots to see along your route, on our Ultimate Grand Canyon to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon road trip:

Route Recap

The ultimate grand canyon road trip guide.

Get more tips for your Grand Canyon road trip in our comprehensive guide:

Itineraries

• 7 Popular Grand Canyon Road Trip Routes
• Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon
• Grand Canyon to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park

Tips & Road Trip Hacks

• How To Plan a Road Trip

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Zion Bryce Grand Canyon National Parks Road Trip – 7 Day Itinerary

Are you planning to drive through Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion National Parks on the ultimate southwestern road trip? This route through the Grand Circle is one of our favorite road trips ever. This trip can be done year round but for the best time to visit and other trip planning advice read our detailed guide below. This article is part of our series on 20 Best Road Trips Through USA.

The Grand Circle area and the American Southwest are our favorite destinations for amazing road trips.

We have been on at least a dozen road trips through that area, each time adding something new to our itinerary and yet haven’t seen everything this area has to offer.

Our very first trip through the Grand Circle was a winter road trip through Zion, Bryce , and Grand Canyon National Parks.

We started from Las Vegas and also made additional pit stops at Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Page, Antelope Canyon and many other exciting things to do in this area.

If you are visiting this area for the first time, then you have to see a minimum of these 3 National Parks.

Here’s excellent trip planning advice to make the most of your road trip.

Also Read: Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

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“ You cannot see the Grand Canyon in one view, as if it were a changeless spectacle from which a curtain might be lifted, but to see it, you have to toil from month to month through its labyrinths.” – John Wesley Powell

Grand Circle 101

The area in Southwestern US formed by parts of the states of Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico is known as the Grand Circle.

This area has many large national parks, dramatic landscapes, beautiful waterfalls, incredible wildlife, ruins of ancient civilizations, and Native American heritage.

Many national scenic byways weave through these natural recreational areas.

With beautiful campsites, great hiking and backpacking trails, and wide-open doors, this region is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and road trippers.

The Grand Circle encompasses many parts of the American Wild West and you will find many ghost towns and artifacts related to the same.

When is the best time to visit Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon National Parks on a long road trip?

The beauty of this route is that it can be driven year-round.

Some roads near the Grand Canyon North Rim will be closed during winter, but other than that you can visit all three national parks throughout the year.

We have been here from summer through winter and have found the changing landscapes beautiful and compelling.

The Grand Canyon North Rim at peak fall was one of my favorite landscapes.

In that case, when should you ideally plan your trip?

The peak season for this road trip is undoubtedly summer when schools are closed and everyone is embarking on the ultimate summer road trip.

The season is beautiful and you can take advantage of the long daylight hours but all three national parks will be crowded and everything from car rental to lodging will be expensive.

You can reduce costs by either RV or tent camping but most campsites will need to be booked months in advance.

Fall, just after Labor Day, is a good time to visit because the crowds have thinned but the fall colors make the drives more scenic. Hotels will be cheaper and campsites are easier to reserve.

Similarly in spring just before the summer i.e. in May pre-Memorial Day is a good shoulder season.

We have made this trip in winter as well, once around Thanksgiving and once at Christmastime, and had great fun.

Car rentals in the offseason are quite cheap – we scored a convertible under $200 for a week – and the temperature wasn’t that bad for most parts.

Grand Canyon looked quite beautiful covered in snow and the Christmas decorations in all the towns along the route were beautiful to see.

How long should a road trip through Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon loop be?

I always wish for more time when driving through this area.

To completely explore Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon National Parks and the many monuments and attractions in their vicinity at a leisurely pace, you will need a minimum of two weeks.

However, since most of us are often low on time, we have planned this itinerary to be week long.

That should give you enough time to explore the parks, hike short trails, and drive along scenic routes to see a variety of landscapes and geological forms.

We have also provided suggestions to see the area in fewer days or spend more time – basically customize it as per your schedule.

Which direction should you travel this route?

Some people travel this route clockwise starting from Vegas and then visiting Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce, and Zion in that order before returning to Vegas.

Many others also drive in the opposite direction – that is what we did – and that is what we recommend in this article.

Either way, you won’t have much difference in the drive time or attractions visited.

You can use our itinerary whether you drive clockwise or anticlockwise.

Why visit Grand Canyon South Rim as part of this trip?

We visited Grand Canyon South Rim during this trip because it has the best views.

The iconic views of the wide expanse of the Grand Canyon, its many chiseled layers, its vast depth, and the Colorado River at the bottom can only be seen from the South Rim.

There are more facilities near this rim including the Visitor Center, lodging and accommodation, restaurants, and it is visited by the most number of people throughout the year.

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If you are visiting the Grand Canyon National Park for the first time, then we absolutely recommend visiting the South Rim.

Another advantage of visiting the South Rim is that it lends itself to a nice loop trip through the region.

If you instead visit the North Rim, the route will look significantly different – Grand Canyon won’t look like you had seen it in the pictures – and you will be driving through the same areas over and over again.

Zion – Bryce – Grand Canyon Itinerary

Arrive at las vegas and drive to zion national park.

We arrived and stayed in Las Vegas for 2 days before embarking on our road trip.

We love Las Vegas for a variety of reasons – the shiny strip with its lavish casinos, dozens of free shows and entertainment, gourmet buffets, and of course, the slot machines.

Another major reason to love Vegas is its proximity to the many national parks in the Grand Circle area.

Las Vegas combines an urban getaway with amazing road trip ideas and makes the perfect base for exploring the American Southwest.

Also, most budget airlines have cheap flights to Las Vegas and we have often found tickets for as low as $70 round trip on Spirit Airlines.

The main attraction of Sin City is the fabulous Las Vegas Strip .

Prior to having kids, we loved casino hopping – weaving in and out of casinos – Luxor and Tropicana being my favorites – and playing on the slot machines, getting sloshed with free drinks, seeing unique attractions on the strip including the Cirque Soleil performances and eating in various eateries including the pastries at Bouchon bakery.

We also enjoyed attending parties in different nightclubs like Drai and in general painting the town red.

We also used to drive to Fremont Street in Downtown and see the music performances.

Post kids, we still love Las Vegas.

Now we prefer spending time doing family-friendly things including the colorful plants at the Bellagio conservatory and seeing the famous fountain show, strolling inside Paris Paris and taking the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower, walking inside the Venetian , seeing the flamingos inside Flamingo Hotel, and buying lots of candies at the M&M Store.

Read our post on 52 Best Things to do in Las Vegas for more information.

We usually relax in Las Vegas for 2 to 3 days before starting on our Grand Circle road trips.

Another reason we like starting road trips in Las Vegas is that the city has one of the lowest car rental rates we have seen elsewhere.

We have always found midsize cars for under $200 for the entire week in Vegas.

Once we even scored a convertible for $220 for ten days! Hence, we recommend planning your Grand Circle Road Trip from Vegas.

We recommend driving to Springdale or St. George which are great bases for Zion National Park and staying there for the night.

That way you won’t be wasting precious daylight hours on driving and can have an early start at hiking inside Zion before the crowds arrive.

Day 1 & 2: Zion National Park

After the ‘Big Three’ of Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone, Zion is one of the most visited national parks in the country.

Over two million visitors travel to Zion every year to see its beautiful landscape.

Zion also is one of the best national parks for kids . It is just 2.5 hrs away from Las Vegas, making it the perfect last stop on this road trip.

Visiting Zion during peak and the non-peak season is very different for one major reason: free shuttles!

The National Park Service runs free shuttles inside Zion National Park on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during peak season which is usually from spring through fall and then again the week of Christmas.

When the shuttles are active, visitors can’t drive inside the park and need to park at the entrance in the Zion Visitor Center lot.

When we visited during the fall, even the visitor center parking lot was full and we had to park further away in Springdale.

Springdale is the closest town to Zion and the Springdale Visitor Center is located here.

A second free shuttle drops visitors from Springdale to the park entrance.

In Springdale, visitors can find accommodation, restaurants, as well as rent clothes for hiking the narrows and any other required active gear including mountain bikes and helmets.

The park shuttles start from the Visitor Center and make a round trip up to the Temple of Sinawava which is the last stop on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and the start of the Narrows hike .

Visitors can get down and board at 8 different stops on the shuttle route.

We also found many people walking from one stop to another while exploring the National Park – however, this is not a good idea since the roads are narrow and the shuttles are big plus frequent.

You can read more about the Zion Shuttle System here.

The other time we visited Zion was in November and the shuttles were not in operation.

We could drive on the scenic drive in our car at a very relaxed pace.

This was by far my favorite way of getting exploring Zion.

We received a free map of the drive at the visitor center – shuttle stops and what to see at each stop was marked on it.

We followed the map and got down at various points on the scenic route.

There were hardly any other visitors in the park, and we could spot lots of wildlife including deer, sheep, and chipmunks.

That’s why we would recommend visiting Zion in winter if possible.

For your two days in Zion, we recommend starting early in the morning with a round trip shuttle ride and getting down at each stop to explore the beautiful landscape.

If going in the off-peak season, just drive around the Zion scenic drive and get down whenever you see a parking spot.

This roundtrip with short strolls and photos should take about three hours.

After that, we recommend early lunch followed by any of Zion’s famous hikes.

Day hiking in Zion allows visitors to experience the Park’s rugged and wild landscape first-hand.

We suggest hiking the Narrows on the first day and using Day 2 for an early start on the Angels Landing Hike .

The Narrows

Hiking the Narrows is one of Zion National Park’s most famous attractions.

The Narrows is a five-mile one-way hike and takes anywhere from 5 to 8 hours to complete.

The hike is also strenuous because most times you will be hiking on really cold, knee-deep water!

The Zion Narrows hike allows visitors to walk through the course of the Virgin River in what is one of the best hikes in the country.

The Narrows is where Zion Canyon narrows down and the river bed is surrounded on both sides by vividly colored red rock cliff walls.

The bottom-up (upstream) hike is permit free and starts from shuttle stop #9 or the Temple of Sinawava.

The top-down or downstream hike is 16 miles long, permit only, and should be attempted by experienced hikers or backpackers.

The first part of the hike is a mile-long walk known as the Riverside Trail which begins from the Temple of Sinawava to the beginning of the narrows.

This is the easiest part and mostly out of the water and we recommend it for everyone whether you are hiking the narrows or not.

The Riverside Walk is by itself a scenic trail that takes you along the Virgin River and its surrounding beautiful scenery.

Even if you start walking the Narrows, you can turn back whenever you want – we have seen people return even a quarter of a mile into the hike due to less time – so you can always fit the Narrows into a time schedule.

The Virgin River water is mostly always cold, even during summer, and that’s why we recommend renting proper gear in Springdale for this hike including wet suit/drysuit, hiking poles, shoes, etc.

The water temperature is most comfortable during summer but even little rainfall can cause flash floods so we recommend checking with park rangers before attempting this hike.

To get the best views of the hike, we recommend walking at least 2-2.5 miles (~two hours) inside the narrows before turning back.

The prettiest views by far are at the end of the trail/canyon around the 4 to 5 hours mark.

The hike is really popular during summer and the crowds can be quite dense, so to get beautiful views into the canyon, we recommend going really early or in off-peak season.

Angel’s Landing Hike

Zion’s second most popular hike takes you over mountain tops and to a ridge with panoramic views of the canyon.

For Angel’s Landing Hike, you need to get down at the Grotto Trailhead or shuttle stop #6.

This hike is quite strenuous and five-mile-long roundtrip.

It begins along the river and rapidly gains elevation to about 1500 feet.

The hike needs 3 to 5 hours depending on fitness level – during our visits to Zion we skipped it because of time issues – but it is on our bucket list!

The real reason this hike is difficult and quite dangerous is the stretch beyond a viewpoint known as Scout’s Lookout .

The trail past Scout’s Lookout continues along the mountain ridge with steep drop-offs on both sides.

Visitors can hold on to some safety chains but that’s it!

We do not recommend continuing past Scout’s Lookout for those with a fear of heights.

If you do continue up to the summit, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the canyon.

Since this is one of the popular hikes, it gets quite crowded around noon and that’s why it is good for Day 2 morning.

We found this trail guide to be quite useful when planning our Zion Itinerary.

Zion National Park has many other short day hikes which are great to explore the park, its rock formations, vivid colors, and beautiful foliage.

Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park

Your next stop is the stunning Bryce Canyon National Park .

Bryce Canyon is a less-visited gem of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks due to its remote location.

It is located pretty close to Zion, making it the next natural stop on this trip.

Bryce Canyon Visitor Tips

The driving distance from Zion National Park to Bryce National Park is less than two hours (~75 miles) and you can easily visit the two national parks together.

In fact, if you are very short on time, you can even see them in one day during the long hours of summer.

In general, there are fewer places to stay near Bryce than there are at Zion, plus they can be more expensive.

Instead, we recommend staying in Springdale after seeing Zion and heading for Bryce early the next day.

Or do what we did. We actually drove from Zion to Bryce well before dawn and were able to experience sunrise at Bryce – an amazing experience!

Even if you are driving later in the day, we recommend that you reach Bryce at least by noon to devote sufficient time to the park.

Drive the scenic loop, go hiking, catch a spectacular sunset, and enjoy the beauty of the park.

As you might have guessed, sunrises and sunsets in Bryce are pretty spectacular and you need to experience at least one of them.

Bryce can be visited year-round but in winter the temperatures fall below freezing and frequent snowfall is common from October through March.

However, the contrast of sparkling snow on the deep red rocks results in some spectacular scenery at Bryce – making it especially scenic to visit.

Also, Bryce is located at a much higher elevation than Zion and hence, it is usually 10-15 degrees cooler inside Bryce than Zion.

Spring weather begins around April in Bryce while summer is pleasanter compared to the dry heat of Vegas, Zion, or the Grand Canyon.

You can either drive inside Bryce Canyon National Park or take the free park shuttle during summer.

We recommend taking the shuttle if it is available so that you don’t have to worry about finding parking at scenic overlooks.

Bryce Canyon History & Geology

Just like Zion Canyon and the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon is also the work of millions of years of erosion by water, frost, and wind.

Bryce Canyon National Park has many unique geological features formed due to the continuous weathering and erosion of the brilliant red sandstone cliffs.

The park is most famous for its crimson brown hoodoo rock formations .

Hoodoos are tall, thin, spire-shaped rocks that rise from the ground.

The best places to see hoodoos in Bryce are the Main Amphitheatre from Bryce Point Overlook.

The hoodoos look strange and weird and if you happen to visit them without crowds, the entire park seems desolate and eerily beautiful.

Things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park Scenic Drive is an 18-mile long route that takes visitors along the park’s most famous viewpoints, overlooks, and famous landscapes.

The drive all the way to Rainbow Point and back is beautiful and it is just a short flat walk from the drive parking to the viewpoints so it can be easily done by everyone including small children.

Some of the must stop viewpoints include Natural Bridge Overlook, Fairyland Point, Inspiration Point , Sunset Point , Sunrise Point , and Rainbow Point .

After driving the scenic drive, hike some of the easy trails inside Bryce Canyon National Park to see the hoodoos and other fascinating geological features.

Most of the popular hikes are located near the Bryce amphitheater area.

Sunset Point to Sunrise Point is an easy, flat, paved, mile-long rim trail that can be easily done by beginners and kids.

The views along the trail of Bryce Canyon and the hoodoos from above are incredibly pretty throughout the day, so we recommend this trail as a great starting point even if you don’t reach during sunset or sunrise times.

The trail has benches to rest and admire the views.

To go down into the hoodoos, you can hike the popular Navajo Loop Trail .

The views of the hoodoos towering above the canyon floor from below are stunning and there is no better way to see them than on the Navajo Loop Trail.

The trail starts descending at Sunset Point and follows along a slot canyon called Wall Street to reach the canyon floor.

From the canyon floor, you can either return via way of Thor’s Hammer to Sunset Point or continue on to Queens Garden Trail for even more spectacular views and climb up to the rim at Sunrise Point.

On the canyon floor, you will see hoodoos in various stages of erosion and development.

Hikers can also finish the trail in the opposite direction – park at Sunrise Point and then hike Sunrise Point – Queens Garden – Navajo Loop – Sunset Point , then rim walk from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point to return to the parking lot.

If you don’t climb up through Wall Street canyon and instead take the fork towards Two Bridges Trail, then the trail passes by the famous Thor’s Hammer, one of Bryce’s most photographed hoodoos.

Also, the Wall Street route is closed during winter – so you will need to take the Two Bridges route.

The trail is 2.6 miles long moderate trail and can be done by visitors with decent physical fitness. It can be done in 2 to 3 hours.

Bryce Canyon has many other hiking trails of various difficulty levels that are perfect if you have more time. Bryce is also popular with cyclists, campers, equestrian riders, and backpackers during summer.

To read more about all the things to do in the park including Mossy Cave Trail and Yovimpa Point as well as plan your trip, read our guide on 16 Best Things to do in Bryce Canyon National Park.

If you are hiking in winter, hiking boots with excellent grips or microspikes are necessary as the trails and switchbacks are slippery due to snow and ice.

After leaving Bryce, we drove to Page , Arizona where we were staying for the night.

The distance from Bryce to Page or from Bryce to Antelope Canyon is about 160 miles or roughly 3 hrs drive time.

Day 4: Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend

Page is a desert city in Arizona that is the perfect base for a host of activities on the way from Zion and Bryce to Grand Canyon.

Page’s most popular attraction is without a doubt the famed Antelope Canyon .

But Page also makes the perfect base for exploring Horseshoe Bend , Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Rainbow Bridge National Monument , Vermillion Cliffs National Park, and Water Holes Canyon.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love Page for paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and even helicopter tours over Horseshoe Bend / Grand Canyon.

We were in Page just for one day and chose to see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Overlook.

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is one of the most famous slot canyons in the entire world.

Even those who have never heard of its name and location have seen iconic photos of a sunbeam entering the strikingly colored canyon with some version of the caption “Beautiful Places to visit before you Die”.

Read more: Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon, Explained

So what is a slot canyon anyway?

A slot canyon is a very narrow canyon formed by water rushing down through the rocks. It is deeper than wider compared to regular canyons!

There are many slot canyons in the world – even the entrance to the famous archeological site of Petra in Jordan is through a slot canyon.

The American Southwest itself has over half a dozen slot canyons.

But the Antelope Canyon is most famous because of its striking colors, particular appearance at certain times of the day, and its location on Navajo land hence, the added exclusivity.

Antelope Canyon actually consists of two slot canyons, the Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon.

Upper Antelope Canyon

More famous of the two canyons, Upper Antelope Canyon is the one featured in most photographs.

It is more vividly colored than the Lower Canyon and hence, more photogenic of the two.

It is also wider than the Lower Canyon and walking through it is an easier hike.

The canyon is very narrow at the top, hence at noon when the sun is directly overhead sunlight entering the canyon looks like a single shining beam in the darkness of the canyon.

This sliver of light highlights the patterns on the red rock wall to create stunning photos.

Naturally, the photography tour at noon is the best way to see Upper Antelope Canyon.

But even if you can make it on any tour between 10 am to 1 pm, you should be good.

As a result, Upper Antelope Canyon tours are more expensive and sell out faster during peak season.

We recommend booking your tour far in advance or plan your itinerary around available dates.

Lower Antelope Canyon

Lower Antelope Canyon is also located on Navajo Land and can be seen only via tours.

It is wider at the top than at the bottom and hence, appears well lit during the day.

Because of the narrow canyon floor, the Lower Canyon tour involves squeezing through narrow passages and climbing many ladders.

The hike through Lower Antelope Canyon is definitely more fun than the Upper Antelope Canyon but not for those who can’t climb or feel claustrophobic.

Tickets to the tour are cheaper and don’t sell out as quickly as those for Upper Canyon, however, we still recommend booking in advance.

You can easily visit both in one day – we suggest booking the first tour after 10 am for Upper Antelope Canyon and the one around 1 pm for Lower Antelope Canyon to see them both in a good light.

We recommend booking tickets as far as 6 months in advance during the summer and Christmas holiday season.

Horseshoe Bend

After seeing both the canyons, you should still have time to visit Horseshoe Bend Overlook.

Though this might be trickier during winter months with limited daylight and you may need to choose between any two out of three attractions.

My first introduction to Horseshoe Bend was through the geography textbook in school.

Horseshoe Bend is the perfect example of a horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River .

It is as old as the Grand Canyon itself and an excellent example of the millions of years of erosion caused by the Colorado River.

Horseshoe Bend looks especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset when the deeper colors are revealed.

In winter, there is often a slight dusting of snow on the rocky cliffs and the whole area looks spectacular.

Horseshoe Bend Overlook is located about 5 miles from Page and can be reached by about a mile long steep hike over sandy soil from the parking lot.

The hike can seem far more strenuous when the sun is shining overhead and we suggest taking it slow and carrying enough water even though it may seem like a short hike.

The views of the bend in the river flanked by steep slopes on both sides are breathtaking.

The rim overlook does not have a guardrail and people have fallen to their death here, so we advise everyone to exercise strict caution – especially if you have children in your party.

Day 5 & 6: Grand Canyon National Park

From Page to the Grand Canyon or from Horseshoe Bend to Grand Canyon, it is just about 2 hours.

You can either spend the night in Page and drive to Grand Canyon early morning or drive in the night or stay in Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan , both of which are less than half an hour away from the Grand Canyon National Park Visitor Center.

We stayed in Page on Day 4 and drove to Grand Canyon at dawn but stayed in Tusayan on Day 5 & 6.

In 2019, the Grand Canyon National Park celebrated it’s centennial or 100 years celebrations.

President Theodore Roosevelt was a conservationist and great visionary who protected the Grand Canyon area by creating the National Park on 26th February 1919.

The Grand Canyon formed over 200 million years ago due to erosion work carried out by the waters of the Colorado River.

A total of 11 Native American tribes call the Grand Canyon home since thousands of years.

Because of the centennial celebrations, it is a great time to visit the Grand Canyon National Park and the surrounding Tribal Parks.

We reached Grand Canyon around 11 am and just drove along the Rim Road on our first day in the Grand Canyon.

We utilized Day 2 to hike for half the day and then just relaxed back at our hotel.

Here are some of the things we did on the Grand Canyon South Rim:

Grand Canyon Visitor Center

The Grand Canyon Visitor Center was our first stop after entering the Grand Canyon National Park through the South Entrance Station.

This Visitor Center is located inside the Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim.

It was huge and quite crowded compared to most other National Parks visitor centers we have visited.

There a lot of things to do inside the Visitor Center including a documentary on the Grand Canyon, historical artifacts, geological exhibits, ranger-led programs, etc.

We got our free map of the National Park.

You can also buy souvenirs, rent bikes, and grab something to eat at the Visitor Center.  

Mather Point

The first thing we did on exiting the Visitor Center was to view the Grand Canyon from Mather Point .

The Mather Point viewing area is a short walk away from the parking/visitor center.

The viewing area is big and was quite crowded but when we found an empty spot along the railings we were treated to our first, awe-inspiringly majestic views of the Grand Canyon.

We could see along the rim in both directions and had panoramic vistas over the Grand Canyon.

From Mather Point, visitors can also walk along the Rim Trail to the next viewpoints but we chose to drive along the Rim Road.

We also saw free shuttles along 4 different routes starting from the Visitor Center for those who prefer the Park-And-Ride system.

Yavapai Point and Museum

The Yavapai Point Overlook is also located close to the Visitor Center.

We saw many people walking from Mather Point to Yavapai Point.

The Yavapai Point has far better ooh and aah-worthy views of the Grand Canyon than Mather Point.

Sunset views from here are beautiful, so we made our way back to Yavapai Point at sunset.

There is a Geology Museum at this point which has informative exhibits on how the Grand Canyon was formed.

Grand Canyon Village

Next, we spent some time walking about the Grand Canyon Village, I was particularly interested in visiting the Grand Canyon Train Depot .

We also walked inside the Verkamp Visitor Center which has informative exhibits about the Verkamp family who settled along the South Rim to cater to tourists in the early 20th century.

There are also exhibits about other Grand Canyon communities that settled there.

Other things to see in Grand Canyon Village include Kolb Studio , Backcountry Information Center, Hopi House , and El Tovar Hotel .

Hermit Road

Hermit Road is a 7-mile long scenic road that follows the West Rim from Grand Canyon Village.

When we visited the Grand Canyon during summer, we had to take the shuttle since private vehicles are not allowed but could drive along the road in winter.

There are about 8-10 viewpoints along the road that offer great views of the canyon.

The Canyon Rim Trail parallels the road and can be used to walk between viewpoints and shuttle stops.

At Trailview Overlook we had great views over Bright Angel Trail which goes to the canyon floor.

Other popular points include Maricopa Point, Hopi Point for sunrise or sunset, and Mohave Point .

Desert View Drive

The Desert View Drive is a scenic drive from the Grand Canyon Village to the Desert View Watchtower in the east.

The route is 25 miles long and has about 10-12 pullouts and viewpoints along the way.

We loved driving along this drive for one major reason: the farther we drove from the Village, the lesser was the traffic.

At the end of the drive, near the Desert View Watchtower – we had the Grand Canyon mostly to ourselves.

Along the way, we stopped at Grandview Point which has beautiful views of the Grand Canyon with bends in the Colorado River visible and the Moran Point .

Here we could see the Vishnu Basement layer of the Canyon’s oldest rocks.

Another essential stop is the Tusayan Museum , which has ruins of ancestral Pueblo Village and exhibits about the Native people that settled there.

Desert View Watchtower

The Desert View Watchtower was my favorite part of the Desert View Drive.

As if watching the Grand Canyon from the South Rim is not enough, you can actually climb to the top of the watchtower for even more epic views of the canyon.

The North Rim is just over 10 miles from here and when we visited during winter, we could see the snow-capped edges.

The watchtower is designed by the famous architect Mary Colter to resemble the Native Pueblo architecture and has indigenous inspired art, murals, decor, and interior.

The Tower beautifully blends in the surroundings.

There’s a souvenir store, Native American Trading Post , and restroom located near the watchtower.

We recommend the Trading Post if you like dreamcatchers, indigenous sand art, handicrafts, Arizona turquoise jewelry, etc.

The ice-cream here was also delicious and a refreshing treat in the summer months.

Bright Angel Trail

Bright Angel Trail is a strenuous 12-mile round trip hike that goes to the canyon floor.

It is mostly completed as an overnight hike.

While we did not complete the hike, we partially did it – descended into the canyon for an hour before climbing back to the rim trail.

The climb up took us nearer to 2 hrs because of the steep ascent and also since we were tired by that time.

It is on our bucket list to hike the Bright Angel Trail in its entirety, sometime in the future.

For those who want to do a comfortable day hike, going up to the Three Mile Resthouse and back is a great option.

You still get to see epic canyon views without backpacking overnight.

To read up more about the South Rim viewpoints and decide which ones you should visit, check out this article .

Day 7: Flagstaff, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead

After visiting the Grand Canyon, we continued on our way back to Las Vegas.

The drive from the South Rim or the Grand Canyon Village is roughly 4.5 hrs.

We started early in the morning and broke it into several stops along the way.

From Flagstaff to Kingman, Arizona we drove along Historic Route 66. Here are some great stops along the way back:

Flagstaff is a beautiful mountain city located among tall pine forests.

It makes a great road trip pit stop as well as a good weekend trip destination.

After leaving Tusayan, we stopped in Flagstaff for breakfast and wandered around the charming city.

Flagstaff lies on Historic Route 66 which resulted in its popularity with tourists since early times.

The railroad also significantly contributed to Flagstaff’s development and today the Historic Downtown and Railroad District are great for exploring the area’s history.

You can also easily visit Wupatki National Monument, a Native American ruins site while in Flagstaff.

Bearizona Wildlife Park

Located a short distance away from Flagstaff, Bearizona Wildlife Park in Williams, Arizona is a drive-through safari park where you can view animals in their natural habitat.

When we drove through the park we could see lots of animals including bears, elks, mountain goats, mule deer, wolves, and bison.

The park also has a petting zoo with goats for children. This makes a nice stop if you are traveling with kids.  

The Hoover Dam is a superb engineering feat – this arch dam was constructed on the Arizona – Nevada border in 1936 – and is a major tourist attraction.

The dam was constructed in the Black Canyon to control the flooding of the Colorado River, provide water for irrigation purposes, and generate hydroelectricity which powers Arizona, Nevada, and California.

Due to our background in civil engineering, we took the detailed guided Hoover Dam engineering tour and loved it.

We got to learn about the diversion tunnels, spillways, powerplant, and walk inside the passageways of the dam.

We had fun navigating the inspection gallery tunnels of the dam along with our tour guide and seeing parts of the dam that most people don’t see.

We also recommend visiting the Hoover Dam Bypass – the 4 lane arch bridge located downstream of the dam. It has a small visitor center/overlook which has great views over the dam.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mead is the reservoir created by Hoover Dam.  

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area is good to have a picnic lunch/dinner on the way to Vegas or to even stay as a short 2 to 3 days trip.

Lake Mead is especially popular with summer visitors for its water recreational activities.

Visitors can take a boat on the water and visit secluded parts of the lake, scuba dive to see interesting underwater formations, take a lake cruise to the Hoover Dam, kayak, swim, or birdwatch.

There are lots of hiking and cycling trails in the area and a variety of wildlife can be seen.

On another trip, we drove along the scenic Lakeshore Drive and had great picnic lunches.

That’s it! You have just completed one of the most memorable road trips of your life.

After returning to Las Vegas, we usually stay in the city for a day or two – just to relax and soak in the memories of the road trip – while devouring Las Vegas’s fabulous buffets!

If you have extra time, we would suggest visiting Death Valley National Park .

It is just a couple of hours from Vegas and makes the perfect day trip or even a half-day trip if you are too squeezed on time!

Read our post on 14 Best Things to do in Death Valley for travel inspiration.

Optional: Drive to Phoenix via Sedona

While we started and finished our road trip in Las Vegas, the Zion Bryce Grand Canyon Loop can also be done by starting or ending in Phoenix.

You can also start in Vegas and end in Phoenix or vice versa.

The route from Grand Canyon National Park to Phoenix is incredibly scenic and passes through some of the most dramatic landscapes.

We have done this route as part of our Houston to Grand Canyon road trip and have been extremely impressed with the views.

The scenery is constantly changing and you will see a lot of different vistas including the Saguaro and other cacti desert, red rock country of Sedona, and Flagstaff with its pine forests and surrounding mountain ranges.

The drive time is little under 4 hours and the distance is about 250 miles.

If you are planning to travel this way, then here are some of the must-visit destinations on the Flagstaff to Phoenix section of this road trip:

Sedona is a must-see on the route from Phoenix to Grand Canyon National Park via Flagstaff.

Sedona’s red rock country and Oak Creek Canyon area are very scenic and one of the most romantic places I have seen.

The route from Flagstaff takes you along the Oak Creek Canyon into Sedona via SR89A, which is one of the best scenic drives in America.

Another great scenic drive is the Red Rock Scenic Byway .

Once in Sedona, you can view incredible red rock formations including Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock .

You can hike, take jeep tours or do some rock climbing along the Cathedral Rock Trail.

Sedona’s Chapel of the Holy Cross located among the red rock formations is strikingly beautiful to visit.

Montezuma Castle National Monument

One of Arizona’s lesser-known National Monuments, Montezuma Castle National Monument has beautifully preserved Indian ruins .

The highlight of the visit is the 5 storied cliff dwelling built inside a sandstone cliff.

The ruins were initially supposed to be built by the Aztec people hence the name Montezuma after the Aztec leader of the same name.

Historians and archeologists have since discovered that these dwellings were built by the Sinagua Indian people who settled in that area.

The Montezuma Well , a flooded natural limestone sinkhole, located 7 miles from the dwellings is also part of the national monument.

This monument is located just along the road to Sedona and makes a perfect pitstop.

Jerome is a charming little mining ghost town which can be seen as an easy side trip if you have some time.

We recommend starting your visit at the Jerome Historic State Park by visiting the Douglas Mansion .

This museum has beautiful views of the red rocks and Verde Valley and is a great place to know about the story of Jerome and its mining history.

Scottsdale is a beautiful resort city located less than an hour away from Phoenix.

We recommend staying in one of Scottsdale luxury spa resorts and relax for a night after your hectic road trip.

Scottsdale makes a perfect romance, honeymoon, or babymoon destination.

Old Town Scottsdale is a charming area with many boutique stores, trendy restaurants, and art galleries.

The area has distinct old Wild West feel and is perfect for a stroll.

For architecture lovers, visiting Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West home and studio in Scottsdale is a must.

We took the detailed guided tour of the house and were able to view the living quarters, drafting studio, and other areas of the house.

This was definitely one of my favorite parts of our visit to Scottsdale.

Before you return the rental car and fly out of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, you can take some time to see Phoenix highlights.

One of the must-visit attractions includes the Desert Botanical Gardens – a beautiful landscape of the American southwest cacti and succulents.

The Phoenix Art Museum is the largest art museum in the Southwest US and worth a visit.

You can also drive along the scenic Apache Trail. Phoenix also has great shopping and fine dining.

The Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce road trip is one of the best road trips in the entire country with good reason.

While on the road, we traveled through ever-changing environments and witnessed dramatic scenery.

We were able to see nature at its best and experienced the role of water in shaping the American Southwest landscapes.

We saw a lot of wildlife and viewed some of the darkest night skies. In short, we had the time of our lives!

13 thoughts on “Zion Bryce Grand Canyon National Parks Road Trip – 7 Day Itinerary”

Planning a 7 day trip in this area. Good itinerary. What car rental agency did you use?

Hey there, great blog post! Quick question, did you purchase an America the Beautiful park pass for each of you? Or do you have any info on entrance fees into each park? For example, on Zion’s website it says $35 per rental car for 7 days. not sure if that means you can go in and out multiple times over the course of 7 days or if you can go in once and stay a max of 7 days. Any input you may have on entrance passes would be great.

do you have a map outlining this itinerary?

Could you give us the lodging that you used for this itinerary or the lodging recommendations for this itinerary. We could like to do this trip but have no idea about lodging.

What lodgings did you use for your trips? Looking for recommendations on where to stay in each area.

I would also like To know the names of the lodging you used.

I have been researching the area, trying to narrow down the many choices on our 9-day roadtrip; and found your article the most helpful! I really appreaciate the details & your opinions on options. I am bringing my 19-yr old daughter, her best friend & my 9-yr old son (single momma) on this trip – which adds a little stress on satisfying both ages, interests, etc. Thank you for writing/posting, I really appriciate it!

Thank you! We just got back from a Zion-Bryce-Grand Canyon loop and your information and advice was really helpful. It was pretty cold, but snowy, beautiful and quiet!

Thanks for the helpful tips! Curious what company you went through to score the convertible for less than $200 for a week? Or how you went about? Planning this trip now!! Thanks!

Hi Kristen, We booked through Enterprise, several months in advance. I recommend checking prices with different rental agencies for a couple of days before booking one. Also, you will get the best rates if you are traveling outside of major holidays.

@Ketki R S, hi where specific location you rent in enterprise in las vegas?

Great detail for every place.

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Our 8 Day Grand Canyon and Zion National Park Road Trip

• April 3, 2018
• Travel Notes , Trip Planning

This month we’re heading out for an 8 day, 7 night Grand Canyon and Zion National Park road trip. We’ve planned this trip for almost 18 months, but we’ve dreamed about seeing Grand Canyon and Zion for a lot longer than that!

Today we’re sharing our planned route and some of the stops we have planned.  We’d love to hear your suggestions and tips in the comments section or on our Facebook page if you’ve done this route before.

What else should we know before we go?

Good Things to Know

• Year after year Grand Canyon and Zion are two of the most popular national parks.  Last year a combined 10.75 million people visited the two parks (check out the list of  Top 10 Most Visited National Parks ).  That means crowds can be a big factor.
• So is the weather. We picked the shoulder season of April to avoid the heat and extra people.  But it also means that the North Rim of the Grand Canyon will be off-limits.  The road typically doesn’t open until late-May.
• Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks are very close to other terrific travel spots, including Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef National Parks.  It’s tempting to continue adding parks to the road trip.  But we’ve found it’s better to choose fewer parks, spending less time on the road and more time hiking and exploring.
• Utah is in the Mountain Time Zone. Nevada is in the Pacific Time Zone, one hour earlier than Utah. Arizona is in the Mountain Time Zone, but does not observe daylight-saving time.  Paying careful attention to your watch will make sure you don’t miss any tours and leave with enough time for your flight home. 

Planning the Itinerary

Visitors commonly choose Las Vegas, Phoenix, or Flagstaff airports when flying in for a Grand Canyon and Zion National Park road trip. All are options for the circle-route we planned, it just changes the place you’d hop on the loop.  Our departure is through Las Vegas as we snagged cheaper flights from our base camp in Minnesota.

The Route: Grand Canyon and Zion National Park Road Trip

Estimated Mileage:  750 miles / 1,200 km

States:   3 – Nevada, Arizona & Utah

National Park Units:  5 Total (Lake Mead National Recreation Area; Grand Canyon National Park; Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; Pipe Spring National Monument; Zion National Park)

The Route: 

Arrive at Las Vegas International Airport and pick up rental vehicle.  Drive about 30 minutes east to Lake Mead National Recreation Area Headquarters. Pick up the first passport stamps and unigrid of the trip.  Check in at the campground and spend the afternoon hiking near the lake.

Break camp early to be at the Hoover Dam Visitor’s Center by 9 AM.  Some tours are filled first-come, first-serve so arriving early is important to get a time slot early in the day.  After the tour, continue driving East another 4 hours to Mather Campground in Grand Canyon Village.  While there are other tent camping choices, Mather is the only campground on the South Rim with reservable campsites.  It’s also open year-round.

Spend the next two days hiking around the South Rim.  With lots of options for look-outs and ranger-led hikes departing from the campground there are plenty of options in Grand Canyon Village.  Desert View watchtower and the lobby of the Grand Canyon Hotel are also on our list.

This is the longest day of driving of the trip.  Departing by 8 AM, we’ll drive northeast to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the Carl Hayden Visitor’s Center.  Depending on time and tour availability, checking out the controversial Glen Canyon Dam.

After a lunch at Horseshoe Bend, it’s back in the car.  We’ll drive 91 miles west to Pipe Spring National Monument. Pipe Spring preserves much of the Native American and early pioneer history of the Southwest. The grounds have restored buildings and gardens with heirloom trees and flowers.

In the late afternoon, head back in the car for another 42 miles to Zion National Park.  Check into the South Campground and check in with rangers for a full list of shuttle bus times and hiking trail conditions.

Spend the next two days in Zion, with hikes around the park.  Weather can be tricky in the shoulder season at Zion, so we’re planning to check in with rangers when we arrive for the best options.

All good things must come to an end.  Including the perfect Grand Canyon and Zion National Park road trip.  Pack up from the campground and drive 177 miles west to Las Vegas International Airport.

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THE PARK CHASERS

Greg & Amy Chasing a visit to all 400+ units in the NPS Current Count: 130/423 Next Stop: @hawaiivolcanoes

WHERE WE ARE NOW

• Arizona National Parks , camping reservations , Grand Canyon National Park , Trip Planning , Utah's National Parks , Vacation Planning , Zion National Park

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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

1. 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.

2. 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 ) – 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!

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5 Day Road Trip – Zion-Bryce-Grand Canyon (+MAP)

• North America

You could spend years in the American Southwest exploring different National and State Parks. We have condensed this post to five adventure-packed days however if you have more time to spend in this region you can also check out our post 17-Day Grand Canyon and Utah’s Mighty 5 Road Trip Itinerary .

We started and finished this 5 road trip in Las Vegas. Driving close to 1000 miles with stops in Zion – 2 days, Bryce Canyon – 1.5 days, and Grand Canyon – 1.5 days. This Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce itinerary covers all the highlights and details making this an unforgettable experience.

These three National Parks may be physically close but could not look and feel more different. Each of them offers a unique and everlasting experience.

For this trip, we recommend purchasing the Annual National Park Pass at USGS.GOV . It is a better deal than paying individual park entrance fees.

5-Day Road Trip Itinerary – Zion, Bryce & Grand Canyon

Day 1&2 – Zion National Park Day 3 – Bryce Canyon National Park Day 4 – Drive to the Grand Canyon Day 5 – Grand Canyon – South Rim

Day 1&2 – Zion National Park

To do any of the Zion Canyon Trails, you have to take the shuttle into the canyon. Below is the shuttle schedule.

The only other way to enter the Zion Canyon is by private shuttle or e-bikes/bikes. 

Hikes we recommend are The Narrows, Emerald Pools, Angel’s Landing, and Observation Point . The Observation Point Trail from the Canyon has been closed for some time now due to the rockfall, but there is a different way to get to it. A lot less strenuous and you can read more about it in our post Alternative Ways to Hike to The Observation Point in Zion . The Observation Point hike can be done on the way to Bryce Canyon since getting to the trailhead is in the same direction as heading to Bryce Canyon.

The Angel’s Landing hike is a strenuous hike to do, so be sure to do your research before you commit to something like that and that the weather is favorable for the hike, especially while walking on the ledge.

Other things to do in Springdale: Helicopter Ride, Jeep Tour, Drive through Kolob Canyons and hike their trails – Timber Creek Overlook Trail is a short and sweet one, Drive Kolob Terrace Road with the endpoint at the Kolob Reservoir .  We have detailed some of these adventures in our post 3 Epic Days in Zion National Park .

WHERE DID WE STAY: Cable Mountain Lodge – we really enjoyed this accommodation. We had our own private balcony where we could enjoy coffee in the morning and an adult beverage in the evening with the Watchman watching over us. It was extremely clean, which is always important to us. The accommodation also has laundry facilities, which were very helpful.

WHERE DID WE EAT: Oscar’s Café – casual dining with a Mexican influence, there is always a wait here but it goes quickly. King’s Landing Bistro – more of the fine dining experiences in town, great outdoor seating and wine selection. Expect a long wait during the busy season and they only take reservations for parties of 6 and more.

Day 3 – Bryce Canyon National Park

The drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon is only about two hours with a scenic drive through the Red Canyon.

Bryce Canyon National Park is a series of natural amphitheaters sunk into pink cliffs and filled with delicate red rock hoodoos.

The ultimate hike to do in Bryce is the Figure Eight Loop . It is a loop that starts at Sunset Point, combines Navajo Trail, Peekaboo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail, and ends at Sunrise Point. It is a 6.3-mile trail that lets you walk through the Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop, hike the Hoodoos and Wall of Windows in the Peekaboo Loop, visit Queen Victoria in the Queen’s Garden, and it finishes with the splendid view of the Bryce Amphitheater.

While at the Bryce Canyon, it is a must to stop at the iconic Bryce Lodge for lunch.

The scenic drive through the national park, stopping at different viewing points and walking the rim trail will give you a taste of the park if hiking is not something that you would like to do.

Another popular hike in Bryce is the Fairylands Loop where you can see, the Chinese Wall, Tower Bridge and Hoodoos on a less crowded trail.

WHERE DID WE STAY: Stone Canyon Inn in Tropic.

WHERE DID WE EAT: Stone Hearth Grill and Pizza Place are both decent places to eat.

Day 4 – Driving to the Grand Canyon

Driving from Bryce to Grand Canyon through Kanab and Page is a long driving day, over 6 hours . But if you start early enough, you can still squeeze in a couple of great hikes. Don’t forget that UT and AZ are in a different time zone and you will most likely gain an hour.

From Kanab, you can venture on a Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch hike, through a slot canyon approximately 6.0- mile moderately trafficked but absolutely beautiful hike.

From Page, you can stop and enjoy Horseshoe Bend for a few minutes . It is only about a 20-minute leisurely walk to the view that will leave you speechless.

After arriving at the Grand Canyon if you have time check out the park for some time before the sunset, just to get a feel for where to be the next morning. Tomorrow’s hike is the hardest hike of this trip and is only recommended if you have adequately prepared.

WHERE DID WE STAY: Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon in Tusayan, AZ – we didn’t stay at the park, since the lodging options were limited at the time of our bookings. However, this hotel is run by the same company as the park hotels and we would not recommend staying here. It is overpriced and not worth it. If you can find something better or the same but for less money, it would be a better choice.

WHERE DID WE EAT: Canyon Star Steakhouse – Hotel Restaurant – also wouldn’t recommend it. Overpriced for the OK quality. There are not many options in town and since we were starting an early day the next morning, we just wanted something convenient.

Day 5 – Grand Canyon – South Rim

Our Grand Hike in the Grand Canyon was a 14-mile hike from South Kaibab to Tonto Trail to Bright Angel.

For the hike we recommend, you will need to park by the Backcountry Information Center and take a Kaibab Rim (ORANGE) Route. Service starts at 4 am and until 20 minutes after sunset.

This hike is every bit as challenging as we expected it.  We had a few things going against us, an altitude that we were not used to and extremely hot weather. It just seemed like we couldn’t drink enough water. 

We are extremely glad we did this hike since the canyon is simply stunning, but if you decide to do this hike make sure you are fully prepared and give your body enough rest afterward. We were sore for 3 days after the hike.

Some other less challenging day hikes you can take are down South Kaibab Trail no further than Skeleton Point and back or go down Bright Angel Trail no further than Plateau Point for the view of the river and back.

The next day, prepare for a drive back to Las Vegas and fly home.

WHERE DID WE EAT:  Plaza Bonita – a Mexican Restaurant

This is the driving map of the road trip.

Other helpful posts… Grand Hike in The Grand Canyon – South Kaibab to Tonto to Bright Angel Loop Alternative Ways to Hike to the Observation Point in Zion 3 Epic Days in Zion National Park Must Do Hikes in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (Peek-a-boo and Spooky Loop and Lower Calf Creek) Four Adventure Filled Days in Moab Easy Must Do Hikes in Capitol Reef 17-Day Grand Canyon and Utah’s Mighty 5 Road Trip Itinerary The Best Hike in the Canyonlands Needles District

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Canyon Country

About this tour.

Experience America’s canyons and venture through a world of colorful vistas and the neon-lit spectacle of Las Vegas. Take time to shop in Sedona's marketplace and travel through Kaibab National Forest. Relax in the stillness and natural beauty of nature at the Lake Powell Resort for two nights. Enjoy a rafting adventure that floats down the Colorado River with stops at some of its most awe-inspiring sights, including Horseshoe Bend. Take an afternoon cruise during your stay at Lake Powell. Climb aboard Zion’s open-air tram and wind your way alongside the Virgin River. Enjoy a night along the lively Las Vegas strip. From the legendary Grand Canyon to the vibrant valleys of Zion, take in America’s most beautiful landscapes.

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• Grand Canyon
• Rafting on Horseshoe Bend

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Explore the amazing spires of Bryce Canyon National Park.

Behold the breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon.

Marvel at the red and white sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park.

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Enjoy time in Sedona surrounded by red-rock buttes.

• Climb aboard Zion's open-air tram with an expert guide.

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Climb aboard Zion's open-air tram with an expert guide.

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Road Trip: From Zion National Park to the Grand Canyon

I set out for Zion by way of Vegas for a girl’s getaway weekend in the great outdoors with a loose itinerary. We knew what we wanted to accomplish, but we could deviate from the plan at any time. It was one of my favorite trips to-date simply because I’ve grown to love being in nature. Gimme ALL the trees, mountains and canyons. You have full permission to copy/paste it all…no travel agent fees required.

April 18, 2022 by lesleymurphy 45 Comments

DAY 1 – Getting Started

When exploring Zion, most people stay in Springdale which is the jumping off point for exploring the Canyon. From April through October, access into Zion Canyon is by shuttle bus only. The bus will take you to 1 of 9 stops on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, depending on which hike you’ll be conquering for the day.

• Depart for Zion National Park
• Upon arrival, check into Majestic View Lodge or Heller House with Lezlie, the fab Airbnb host. Note that most lodging options are modest around the region. While there are more options on the outskirts of Zion, I enjoyed both places due to their close proximity to the park, spacious room and comfy bed. The shuttle also stops directly in front of the lodge. Score!
• Hike Emerald Pools Trail (1.2 – 3 miles depending on lower or upper pool trail) or another short hike from this list of hikes at Zion Nation Park .
• Dinner at Bit & Spur . We arrived late for dinner, and this was one of the only options available. Very tasty! Other options include Blondie’s Diner and Zion Canyon Brew Pub.
• Early morning hike to Angels Landing ! This famous 5 mile round-trip hike is strenuous but worth the sweat. It has everything you’d want in a hike – a challenge, a workout, switchbacks, support chains and an unbelievable view to make it all worthwhile. We boarded the shuttle around 9am and finished the hike around 1pm. Some hikers do it slower, some do it faster. We like to take pictures 🙂
• Lunch at the Grotto Picnic Area or stop at Zion Park Gift & Deli where they’ll make you to-go sandwiches to eat while hiking.
• Hike the bottom of The Narrows . This is the most popular hike at Zion. Hiking from the bottom up is the easiest way to explore The Narrows, and you can do it on your own terms. Note that you do not necessarily need the waders that are sold at the park entrance unless you want to be uber comfortable. The water is cold, but you’ll get used to it, and it’ll feel exceptionally good on your tired feet after Angel’s Landing. Bring water shoes! Hiking The Narrows from the top down is another story, requiring 16 grueling miles of exploration, of which I’ll be doing upon my return!
• Afternoon R&R
• Sunset at The Watchman . This was an interesting hike since you’ll need to time it perfectly as you don’t want to be hiking back to town in the dark. Of course you can bring a flashlight, but allow for 30 minutes of evening light to make it back down.
• Dinner at King’s Landing . Time to treat yourself to the best cuisine in the National Park.
• Leave Zion for Page, Arizona. This was an aggressive move, but we only had 5 days allotted for this trip, and I wasn’t leaving without seeing Antelope Canyon in Page! The drive takes an hour and 45 minutes, and the only downfall here was not being able to view the gorgeous scenery during daylight.
• Check into Rose Walk Inn B&B . Seeing as how this was a last minute trip and it was high season in the area, all hotels were booked up. I love a good B&B because they’re super cozy and feel just like home. It’s like Airbnb but with a concierge (owners of the home) and a hot breakfast! Never have I ever had better pancakes in my life than at Rose Walk Inn. Never. Ever. Ever. I dream about those things on a weekly basis.
• Upper Antelope Canyon Tour with Antelope Slot Canyon at 10:30am. The best advice I can give is to partake in the photo tour since the scenic tour can only be compared to a zoo. My objective for this tour was to capture amazing photographs, and with the photography tour, your guide will hold the crowds for you to take photos and have a few moments to really enjoy the canyon. Don’t expect to go at your own pace here. It’s rushed. In comparison to the lower canyon (which I didn’t get the chance to see due to time constraints), I believe it’s much more crowded and more expensive. It’s probably also good to note that the famous light beams only appear April – September. If you enjoy photography, don’t worry as the photos are still stunning. I should also mention that to partake in the photo tour, you must have a DSLR camera and a tripod. If you aren’t a photographer, I might suggest lower Antelope Canyon just so you aren’t with a crazy scenic tour.
• Lunch at Big John’s Texas BBQ . Being a southern girl, I know good BBQ when I taste it, and good BBQ lives at Big John’s.
• Wahweap Overlook at Lake Powell is definitely worth pulling over for, but it’ll take a total of five minutes to capture it. You can spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the lake via paddle board or boating .
• Sunset at Horseshoe Bend is beautiful, but don’t be alarmed when you’re packed in there with 500 tourists trying to capture the same thing. I’ve never seen so much photographer hostility in my life! The lady on one side of me was telling a Japanese man that his tripod was in her shot, and he couldn’t understand a thing she was saying. The woman on the other side of me was making passive aggressive remarks about my tripod leg in her shot while whispering to her husband that the woman on the other side of me was SO rude to run off the Japanese man. UGH I CAN’T HANDLE THE TRIPOD DRAMA! Phew. I’m glad I got that off my chest. Look closely and you’ll see what I mean about tripod legs… 😉
• Dinner at Bonkers . It’s Italian and it’s called Bonkers. Enough said.
• Early morning drive to the Grand Canyon. We put the car in drive around 4am and we arrived to the Grand Canyon lookout point around 6:15am.
• Watch sunrise at Grand Canyon Yaki Point . It’s very important to note that you can only take a shuttle from the Visitor’s Center to access Yaki Point…or you can walk/run. Once we finally made it inside the park that morning, the sun was already coming up. We still had 20 miles until Yaki Point, and I’d never driven so fast in my life. We only had once chance see sunrise here, and missing this epic experience was out of the question. Suddenly, we arrived at a barricade only a few miles from the lookout point where only shuttle buses were allowed to pass. The sun was rising by the second and time was ticking away. I could either drive a few miles down the road to catch the next shuttle that left in 30 minutes or park in the lot across from the barricade and run. I parked, grabbed for my camera and ran down the road in flip flops as fast as my legs could carry me. A workout directly before a Grand Canyon photo shoot made for a great morning.
• Eat breakfast at El Tovar Lodge . This is exactly what you need after an early morning photo shoot. Pancakes, waffles, eggs, hot chocolate. You name it, this place has it. The experience couldn’t have ended on a better note when a man came up to our table towards the end of our meal and said, “It’s so wonderful to see two young women out here exploring this great world. I’ve paid for your breakfast. Have a great time.” I’ve never been so taken aback in my life. A random stranger buying breakfast for two women he has never met before in his life!? You, sir, are a treasure. Thank you for the scrumptious pancakes and making my heart sing. There are good people left in this world.
• Helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon with Papillon Helicopters . I believe our ride was something around 40 minutes for $199. Worth it for these views. I promise! Plus you’ll have enough aerial shots to last a lifetime!
• Drive to Sedona for more hikes. If you haven’t noticed yet, this was a true road trip. We spent a lot of time in our rented DodgeWhateverItWas, but great exploration takes great determination and many, many miles. This two hour drive was a breeze.
• Hike Devil’s Bridge . This 4 mile roundtrip hike was the perfect ending hike on our road trip. It wasn’t extremely strenuous (by this time, the blisters on my feet were out of control) and provided a jaw-dropping view at the lookout point.
• Check into L’Auberge de Sedona . Do not, I repeat do NOT, miss lunch or dinner on Oak Creek while here. It’s a fairytale book setting.
• Depart Sedona for Phoenix Airport. All trips must come to an end, but this one was one for the books!

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in October 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Reader Interactions

October 28, 2016 at 11:45 pm

Lesley! I’ve read every one of your posts for a couple years now and while each one has something to them, this was THE BEST! Something in the last few years has pushed me outside to see more of the natural world. I am currently planning a trip to Glacier next spring/summer, but this post has me wanting to do both. Thank you SO much for going to Zion and the Grand Canyon, taking great pictures, documenting where you hiked and ate and slept, and putting it all in one place. Thanks for all the hard work that goes into each post. You’re something of a role model. Keep it up, girl!

October 31, 2016 at 2:47 pm

Bety, thank YOU so much for the sweet note! I’m so happy you found it helpful! I know some destinations can be a bit overwhelming, so I wanted to document this one to the best of my abilities. I also really appreciate you taking the time to notice the hard work that goes into each post. Thanks for making my day 🙂 Have a good one!

October 29, 2016 at 2:05 am

I’ve been trying to come up with an itinerary for a trip to Utah for awhile now, but no where I’ve found gives suggestions of how long to spend there. I know everyone explores at different paces but I didn’t want to schedule too much time at one places. This certainly helps! Plus I never thought about going to Sedona and flying out of Phoenix, I was kinda dreading a six hour drive back to Vegas. You’re pictures are beautiful, and it makes me that much more excited to go!

October 31, 2016 at 2:50 pm

Chris – glad you found it helpful! I found this to be a great itinerary with not too much time spent in one place (and just enough time in the car for a fun road trip!). Highly suggest flying into Vegas and out of Phoenix. Do it!

November 1, 2016 at 1:19 am

My friends and I are going out to the Grand Canyon in January. We only have a day maybe two. Any suggestions on the best hikes and must -do’s? We are avid hikers and looking to pack as much as we can into one day.

November 30, 2016 at 2:36 pm

Depends on where you are, but do the South Kaibab Trail if you’re near the south rim! Bright Angel is a popular option as well. Have a blast!

November 4, 2016 at 12:50 am

Thanks for such a detailed post. Seriously so helpful as I’ve been wanting to do this trip for awhile. Glad you made it for sunrise at the GC>

November 5, 2016 at 4:18 pm

Always love your posts and this one is so timely, I’m considering doing a similar trip while I have a short break between jobs in a few weeks. Any thoughts about whether this itinerary will be good for late-November? I know it’s out of peak but assume the hiking will still be nice (and slightly cooler).

Keep up sharing your amazing journey – Patagonia is high up on my list of next trips in large part due to your pics!

December 5, 2017 at 1:02 pm

Lesley, I’m hoping to do this trip itinerary myself sometime this year with my fiance! He is an avid hiker and I think this would be the perfect surprise birthday trip for him. I just have a few questions for you about your trip. What time of the year do you recommend going? Also if you don’t mind, could you give me a rough budget to expect?

December 31, 2017 at 6:56 pm

Hi Lesley. My husband and I will be buying an Airstream in the spring and look forward to our journeys. I’ve read and researched quite a bit from travelers from all over the country, but reading your post for the first time was awesome! Although my husband and daughter did the helicopter ride which stopped inside the canyon for a brunch and took over one thousand pix! So agree with you it’s money well spent. We’ve talked about seeing Lake Powell for so long and with your help we’ve got a good idea how much we can plan ahead including stops to eat. (Good food is always a big part of our agenda) I totally enjoyed your style of writing and beautiful pix. I’ll continue to follow you, learn from your travels and share with other RVers. I’m so happy I found you. You are quite the girl!!! Thank you for all your hard work. We greatly appreciate you. Deborah & Mark Frieze

January 3, 2018 at 1:37 pm

Grand Canyon has numerous enchanted spots, I have recently (2nd time) to Eagle Points (SkyWalk). Can you comment how one can cover maximum seeable point of GC in one trip.

February 1, 2018 at 12:21 am

My niece graduates high school in June. Last night she texted me “what if you and I went on a trip to somewhere cool before graduation?”. Uhhhh, YEAH!! Not only does that validate me as the “Cool Aunt” but I also get to take an adventure with my niece before she heads off to college. Knowing she wants to go to Zion and I love the Grand Canyon, I started to look at road trips that would take us to both as well as Sedona. This is EXACTLY what I was hoping to map out! Hannah loves the outdoors and, like you, is quite the photographer. I’m excited to follow your steps in June and can’t thank you enough for saving me all the planning 😉

Side note – I live in Charlotte and loved your reading about your visit!

February 22, 2018 at 1:36 pm

haha yeah, all the photographers battling for their shots can get a bit intense at Horseshoe bend. I didn’t go to Antelope Canyon, but I can imagine it’s even worse there. Devils Bridge was really cool. We did it on a bit of a whim on a random day stop in Sedona. We didn’t really know anything about it before we hiked it, but it turned out to be a real highlight.

March 18, 2018 at 4:56 pm

Antelope Canyon is CRAZY on a regular tour which is why we booked a private photography tour! Definitely a must in order to get good shots of the surroundings 🙂

March 4, 2018 at 6:58 am

Hey Leslie. Just in case your followers try to find “Mystic View” hotel and can’t, it’s because it’s called Majestic View. It is indeed aptly named. There is no Mystic View lodge/hotel in Springdale. Also, I recommend visiting Lower Antelope Canyon on your next visit to Page. I’ve been to both upper and lower numerous times. Lower is much less crowded and in my opinion, just as or more pretty than upper AC and far easier to photograph. However, you don’t get the light beams in the lower canyon. If you’re REALLY into photography, you might also take a multi canyon tour in the same vicinity that includes Owl, Rattlesnake, and Mountain Sheep Canyons. They’re all unique and very photogenic.

March 18, 2018 at 4:55 pm

Thanks, Gary. I see the typo now 🙂 Appreciate it.

April 14, 2018 at 9:00 pm

Just stumbled upon this post on Pinterest and so glad I did! I’m going to Zion in August and it’s a quick trip – 4 days! This is perfect for helping us plan our days.

Brittany | thechicette.com

April 18, 2018 at 5:18 pm

Awesome, happy to help 🙂 Have a blast!

May 5, 2018 at 4:09 pm

Thank you for sharing this. I am from Alabama and me and two friends plan on driving out to Utah in August. This blog post has made it much easier to help us plan where we want to go. Thanks for sharing 🙂 !

May 28, 2018 at 11:41 pm

I have been searching for the perfect 30th birthday trip for my national park loving husband for October. This may be the perfect way to check off several park on our national park map in one trip. Thank you for all the insight it has been very helpful. I am hoping to get this trip booked by the end of the month

July 2, 2018 at 4:01 pm

This was a fantastic blog with great tips! My boyfriend and I are heading to Utah / Arizona in October and this just made my planning so much easier! Thank you!

July 8, 2018 at 4:06 pm

Hi! Love this guide! Do you recommend driving from LAS (leaving at 10AM) to Zion and hiking The Narrows in the same day? Then the second day hiking Angel’s Landing and Emerald Pools?! Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

July 8, 2018 at 10:16 pm

This is a great post! I love the voice in your writing. As a southern Utah native, I can completely attest to the tho he you have written! This itinerary brings me back to high school. Thanks for sharing!

July 8, 2018 at 10:36 pm

Hi Lesley! My boyfriend and I just got back from our trip…of literally exactly your itinerary… we added in extra day but pretty much stayed at all the hotels you mentioned and ate at 2/3’s of the resurants. When I say we followed your every move, I mean it LOL this is an AWESOME guide and I’m so happy I came across this when planning. To everyone reading this- I highly recommend this trip. It is a beautiful trip including the drives. Thank you so much!!

September 16, 2018 at 4:29 pm

Thank you for letting me know, Sloan! I’m SO glad y’all followed the route – it’s a good one. I think one more day was a great choice, too 🙂

July 29, 2018 at 7:54 am

I did this trip in May 2018, drove 2,500km from Las Vegas clockwise around the Grand Canyon and back. I would suggest that you look at visiting the Valley of Fire about 80km outside of Las Vegas, I must say except for Antelope Canyon it was the best place I visited, the scenary was out of this world, I have lived in many countries including Africa but the Valley of Fire was fantastic, I live in New Zealand and now planning to redo this trip but this time will spend more time at this fantastic place, check out their web page.

August 8, 2018 at 10:25 pm

Thanks for the tip, Terry!

September 21, 2018 at 7:03 pm

Lesley, I’m planning this trip for next Spring (around early-mid may) and really would like to hike the narrows but know the water levels can be a factor. What time of year did you go?

September 21, 2018 at 7:10 pm

I went mid-October!

January 28, 2019 at 3:44 pm

Hi Lesley, This is a wonderful blog with great deal of information. I am planning do to this trip in April during spring break with my 10 year old son. Are the hikes kid friendly?

February 11, 2019 at 12:32 pm

That’s great news! Angel’s Landing is a difficult hike – I can’t sugar coat it. I wouldn’t say it’s very kid-friendly. The full Narrows hike wouldn’t be a good idea either. I think you should be okay with the others!

February 12, 2019 at 1:13 pm

Thank you so much for all the info, ill be doing this same Road trip this may of 2019 , do you recomend this trip for solo Traveler ? are there alot people doing hikes in the parks so you wont fell alone? tks, cheers

February 13, 2019 at 2:19 pm

Hi Victor – yes, this would be a great trip for a solo traveler in May! There are lots of people on these hikes, so you’d have some company for sure. Have a great time!

March 7, 2019 at 10:52 pm

This is an awesome blog. It’s very informative. We are planning a trip to Zion/Grand Canyon. I LOVE your itinerary. I think we may follow your steps. The only thing I’d add to our itinerary is Bryce Canyon since we have one extra day there. Thank you for the wonderful post.

March 26, 2019 at 11:44 am

We are planning to go to the Las Vegas at the end of April and wanted to go “Horseshoe Bend” (Zion National Park) . Can any one please help me about how to go there from Las Vegas and what is the best time to there?

April 2, 2019 at 4:35 pm

Lesley! My family is about to take this trip, and I couldn’t be more pumped especially after reading this blog! I was wondering what time of year you went and how to plan to dress for the weather!

May 4, 2019 at 9:21 pm

You have excellent photography! What camera do you use?

May 9, 2019 at 9:00 am

I believe I was still using my Nikon D7100 on this trip. Now I use a Sony a7riii 🙂

March 9, 2020 at 8:03 pm

Thank you for sharing this amazing places. I’m been in Grand Canyon, but not in Utah. Love to visit this places in a near future.

March 10, 2020 at 9:15 am

Dear Leslie…………Have you ever check out Death Valley? The Winter months through early April or after October is a good time to go.

March 11, 2020 at 1:55 pm

I haven’t, but it’s on the list!!

March 29, 2020 at 8:38 am

Lesley, you know you’re crazy, right? (lol)

I’ve headed out to Southern Utah at the end of August these last 5 years and seen some really amazing stuff. This Summer, it’s “Shafer Trail Road” in Canyonlands National Park. You might want to consider that as well. It might not be enough adrenalin for you, but I think that it’s right up your alley.

Anyway, you standing on that stump in picture #2, I don’t know girl. I just kept thinking of those old cartoons with “The Road Runner and Wiley Coyote” …..…. then, it’s say good by to Lesley. (lol)

Hey, what about Antarctica? Supposedly, there’s some giant hole there. That might be a worthwhile and very interesting expedition for you.

August 20, 2020 at 1:11 pm

This post helped me so much!! We just came back and although we did’t go to Sedona or Antelope Canyon (was closed)… we actually followed your advise and it was the best we could’ve ever done. Thanks again!!

April 19, 2022 at 8:46 pm

Great blog post! Zion is one of my favorite places and I hiked the Narrows from the top down over 20 years ago! It has to be one of my all time best experiences. Highly recommend. We camped overnight about half way down. Back then you needed to reserve the campsite in advance (1-2 days). They bus you up to the top and drop you off for the 16 mile hike down. It’s amazing!!!

July 18, 2022 at 12:46 am

Very great post, I love visiting parks and this is so much fun for me to read. love it.

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Driving from Grand Canyon to Zion National Park

Home / Zion / Driving / Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon and Zion are two of the most beautiful national parks in America. And lying between them are stunning landscapes, historic monuments, and world-class outdoor adventures.

Choose the right route, and driving between Grand Canyon and Zion becomes its own adventure.

In this guide, I’ll show you the best scenic drives between Grand Canyon and Zion. Click on the links below to skip to each individual route.

•  Grand Canyon South Rim to Zion (Western Route) 456 miles / 730 kms • Grand Canyon South Rim to Zion (Eastern Route) 241 miles / 390 kms • Grand Canyon North Rim to Zion 111 miles / 180 kms

Driving to Zion from Grand Canyon’s South Rim

The South Rim is Grand Canyon’s most famous and popular destination. It’s home to the vast majority of the park’s viewpoints , campgrounds , and hotels .

If you’re driving to Zion from Grand Canyon’s South Rim, you have two options:

• Drive around Grand Canyon’s east rim – the fastest, most scenic route • Drive around Grand Canyon’s west rim – a longer route that passes through Las Vegas

Other than distance, what’s the difference between the two routes?

The western route is filled with man-made sights and attractions (Route 66, Grand Canyon Skywalk, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas). The eastern route is filled with natural sights and attractions (Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, The Wave).

Let’s start with the western route.

Grand Canyon South Rim to Zion (Western Route)

This route is nearly twice as long as the eastern approach (456 miles vs 241 miles) and slightly less scenic. But it does pass through Las Vegas. Whether or not that’s a good thing is up to you to decide.

The route starts at Grand Canyon’s South Entrance , near the small town of Tusayan. Follow Arizona State Route 64 (AZ-64) south 52 miles (84 kms) to Williams.

Williams, Arizona

This small town (population 3,000) is located 60 miles (one-hour drive) from Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Downtown Williams contains a historic stretch of Route 66, and its quaint Main Street has plenty of retro, road-trip charm. Williams is also the departure point for Grand Canyon Railway , which makes daily trips to Grand Canyon’s South Rim.

From Williams, head west on Interstate 40.

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Route 66 was the first major highway between Chicago and Los Angeles. Completed in 1926, the 2,448-mile (3,940-km) highway became famous following the Bobby Troup hit “ Get Your Kicks on Route 66 .” In the 1960s, however, motorists abandoned Route 66 for the new Interstate Highway System. Once-thriving towns disappeared, and thousands of roadside businesses shut down.

But you can still find a classic stretch of Route 66 about 40 miles (64 kms) west of Williams, just off Interstate 40. Get your kicks in the small town of Seligman —the real-life inspiration for the fictional town of Radiator Springs in the Pixar movie Cars . While there, visit Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In , a classic Americana burger joint open since 1953. From Seligman, Route 66 arcs northwest 85 miles (137 kms) before rejoining Interstate 40.

Havasu Canyon

Havasu Canyon is Grand Canyon’s largest side canyon—and one of the most beautiful destinations in the Southwest. A bright blue river flows through the center of the canyon, tumbling over a series of stunning red rock waterfalls en route to the Colorado River.

But this is no roadside attraction. That’s because there’s literally no road to Havasu Canyon. There are only three ways to get there: foot, mule or helicopter. You’ll need a minimum of two days (preferably three) to visit Havasu Canyon. But trust me, it’s worth it.

There’s a comprehensive guide to Havasu Canyon in my book Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide . You can also read my post about visiting Havasu Canyon .

Grand Canyon West

Although Grand Canyon West is technically part of Grand Canyon, it’s not part of Grand Canyon National Park. The land belongs to the Hualapai tribe, and it lures a steady stream of day-trippers from Las Vegas.

Grand Canyon West offers lodging, restaurants and helicopter rides. Its most famous attraction, however, is the Grand Canyon Skywalk , a semi-circular glass walkway that extends 70 feet beyond the rim of Grand Canyon. For a steep fee, you can stroll across the glass walkway and gaze 4,000 feet down to the Colorado River.

Kingman, Arizona

In the town of Kingman (population 30,000) exit Interstate 40 and turn onto Highway 93. Follow Highway 93 northwest towards Las Vegas.

This engineering marvel, located 25 miles (40 kms) southeast of Las Vegas (just off Highway 93), plugs the Colorado River and backs up Lake Mead. Hoover Dam was built in the 1930s, and its ingenious construction and monumental Art Deco architecture still inspire awe. If you visit, be sure to sign up for a tour of the dam .

Las Vegas would induce sensory overload anywhere in the world. But watching The Strip’s carnival skyline shimmer into view after a long drive through the desert is an experience worthy of Mad Max. From Las Vegas to Zion it’s just 160 miles (260 kms)—a roughly 2.5-hour drive. To continue on this route, see my guide to driving from Las Vegas to Zion National Park .

Grand Canyon South Rim to Zion (Eastern Route)

This is my favorite driving route between Zion and Grand Canyon. And not just because it’s the fastest. This epic road trip passes through colorful deserts and classic Southwestern scenery along the way.

Little Colorado River Gorge

Your driving adventure begins at Desert View near the eastern boundary of Grand Canyon National Park. Exit the park at Grand Canyon East Entrance , then follow Arizona State Route 64 roughly 30 miles (48 kms) as it twists towards Highway 89.

This land belongs to the Navajo Nation. Look north and you’ll catch dramatic glimpses of the Little Colorado River Gorge. The Little Colorado River is Grand Canyon’s largest tributary, and its gorge is basically a “mini Grand Canyon” just east of the park. Both the Hopi and Zuni tribes believe their ancestors emerged from a sacred opening deep within the gorge.

Continue to the junction with Highway 89 and turn north.

Cameron Trading Post

Open since 1916, the Cameron Trading Post offers beautiful, authentic crafts from local tribes. Navajo rugs, Hopi pottery, and turquoise jewelry are just some of the items available. The most impressive objects are found in the art gallery, which displays dozens of antique crafts. Grab a bite at the Cameron Trading Post restaurant, which serves the best food for miles. Try the tasty Navajo tacos.

From the Cameron Trading Post, continue north on Highway 89.

Navajo Nation encompasses over 27,000 square miles (71,000 square kilometers) in northern Arizona, and Tuba City is its largest town. Home to about 9,000 mostly Navajo residents, Tuba City is located 11 miles east of Highway 89 (15-minute drive).

Tuba City is a great place to learn about the Navajo people. You can visit the Navajo Interactive Museum, which explores the tribe’s culture and traditions, or the Navajo Code Talkers Museum, which tells the fascinating story of Navajo soldiers who used their language as a secret code during WWII.

From Tuba City, head back to Highway 89 and drive 68 miles (110 kms) north to Page.

Horseshoe Bend

One of the most photographed spots on the Colorado River, Horseshoe Bend is exactly what it sounds like: a dramatic, horseshoe-shaped bend in the river. A public viewpoint is located south of Page, Arizona, just off Highway 89.

Antelope Canyon

This extraordinary slot canyon is a visual extravaganza. Narrow sandstone walls twist and curve in a thousand impossible ways, sculpted by millennia of flash floods. Visiting Antelope Canyon feels like stepping inside a Georgia O’Keeffe painting.

For many people, particularly photographers, Antelope Canyon is a must-see destination. Note that it is located on Navajo Nation land, and you can only visit with a Navajo guide.

Lake Powell

This manmade reservoir, backed up by Glen Canyon dam, twists and turns through fabulous rock formations. There are over 90 major side canyons, and over 2,000 feet of shoreline. One of the best ways to enjoy Lake Powell is renting a houseboat and setting off on an overnight voyage.

From Page, continue northwest on Highway 89 and cross the border into Utah.

Arizona is filled with quirky geology. But The Wave might be the quirkiest geologic formation of all. Located in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness , just south of the Utah border, The Wave is a rolling, undulating mass of sandstone that seems sprung from the mind of Salvador Dalí.

You’ll need a permit to visit Coyote Buttes North, the technical name of the area that includes The Wave. The Bureau of Land Management limits visitation to just 20 people per day. Half of the permits are issued four months in advance in an online lottery. The other half are issued the day before at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument visitor center in Kanab, Utah.

Kanab, Utah

This is the last “big” town (population 5,000) before Zion National Park. As such, it’s a good place to load up on groceries and camping supplies.

Kanab was known as “Little Hollywood” in the 1940s, 50s and 60s thanks to dozens of Westerns filmed nearby. These days, it’s an outdoor adventure hotspot thanks to its location near Zion , Grand Canyon , Bryce Canyon , and Grand Staircase-Escalante .

From Kanab continue northwest on Highway 89.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

These pink sand dunes are located about 9 miles (15 kms) west of Kanab off Highway 89. The park covers 3,000 acres, and over 90% of the dunes are open to off-road vehicles. Keep your eyes out for the Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle, which is found nowhere else in the world.

Continue north on Highway 89 until you reach Mt. Carmel Junction. Turn left onto Utah State Route 9, and follow it 13 miles (21 kms) to Zion National Park’s East Entrance.

Driving to Zion from Grand Canyon North Rim

From Grand Canyon Lodge , drive north 44 miles (71 kms) on AZ-67 to Jacob Lake.

This tiny town (really just two motels and a gas station) has the last gas until Fredonia, 30 miles (48 kms) away. Stop by the Jacob Lake Inn restaurant, which serves the best food for miles. Try the house specialty Kaibab Jagerschnitzel.

From Jacob Lake, turn left onto Highway 89A.

Le Fevre Overlook and Rest Area

After driving through a forest of tall ponderosa pines, you’ll start descending from the Kaibab Plateau into the arid desert below. Be sure to stop at Le Fevre Overlook , which provides terrific views of the region. This is a great place to observe the Grand Staircase , a series of dramatic rock layers that starts in Bryce Canyon and drops to the bottom of Grand Canyon. In the distance, you can see the cliffs of Zion.

This small town (population 1,500) has gas stations if your tank is running low. The next gas is in the larger town of Kanab, 7 miles (11 kms) north.

From Fredonia, continue north on Highway 89. Information on Kanab and Coral Pink Sand Dunes can be found in the Grand Canyon South Rim to Zion section above.

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4 Day Zion, Grand Canyon, and Bryce Canyon National Parks Itinerary

This post details my 4 day Zion, Grand Canyon, and Bryce Canyon National Parks itinerary and is part of my  Travel Itineraries  series which details my trip summaries, reflections, and tips to help you plan your trip.

Some of the things you can expect to find in these posts include:

• Quick Overview of the Trip : Purpose, Transportation, Time of Year, etc.
• Daily Breakdown : Sightseeing, Food highlights, etc.
• Succinct Trip Reflections : What I would leave out, adjust, and keep
• Links to More Information : Blog Posts, Pinterest Planning Board, Useful Websites, etc.

Time of Year

Getting there and around, you should know that…, day 1: zion national park, day 2: grand canyon national park (north rim), day 3: zion national park, day 4: bryce canyon national park + zion east side, what i would leave out, what i would adjust, what i would definitely keep.

Since moving to the USA , Christian and I wanted to take a road trip to see some of the famous western US National Parks. After our son, Teddy, was born, we wanted to prioritize hiking trips because we felt that was an activity we all would enjoy.

October (Autumn)

4 days (with two additional days for transit)

We flew round-trip from Baltimore to Las Vegas. In Las Vegas, we picked up our rental car from the airport. We heavily used our rental car to navigate to the parks during our trip. We bought the America the Beautiful Pass during our trip to Shenandoah National Park , which was still valid for this trip. I highly recommend the pass because it is super cost-effective and gives you year-long access to US National Parks and more for $80 USD.

Originally, we planned a pretty epic road trip that incorporated more stops. However, Teddy started hating car travel as we were finalizing our trip. We then decided to visit fewer parks and make Zion National Park our home base. We cashed in our loyalty points to stay at the Springhill Suites by Marriott in Springdale (a town right at the main entrance of Zion).

In terms of hiking, we opted for easy hikes and walks because

• Christian was carrying Teddy for all hikes
• Christian and I were fighting colds during this trip
• We did not have the time to train for more strenuous hikes.

Since this itinerary might be useful for those travelling with kids , I have included information on how accessible each hike was and how we carried Teddy (i.e., hiking backpack , front carrier , stroller ).

Daily Breakdown

After spending the day before transitting to Zion, we were ready to start our trip. On our first day, we opted to use the shuttle system to see some of the sites in Zion Canyon. The Springdale shuttle takes you to the entrance of Zion. Once inside the Park, the Zion Canyon Shuttle takes you to the main attractions within the canyon.

We decided to start by taking the Zion Canyon Shuttle to the last stop – Temple of Sinawava (Stop 9) – to 1) Get an overview of all the stops and sites and 2) hike the Riverside Walk .

We really enjoyed Riverside Walk . Even though it’s paved, thus accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, we opted to use our hiking backpack to carry Teddy since we wanted to fit in another hike that didn’t seem fully accessible.

Check out the post, Riverside Walk in Zion National Park .

After Riverside Walk , we stopped at Zion Lodge (Stop 5) to grab a quick lunch and let Teddy stretch his legs in a grassy area. We then hiked the Lower Emerald Pools, which was a bit of a letdown. In theory, most of this hike can be accessed using a stroller (or with assistance in a wheelchair), but some of the inclines could make it challenging. We opted to use our hiking backpack .

After hiking the Lower Emerald Pools, we took the shuttle into town to grab some food dinner before making our way back to our hotel.

The Grand Canyon is huge and there are two main visitor areas in the Grand Canyon National Park- the North Rim and South Rim. The South Rim has a lot more viewing points and is the place you probably see in movies. Before we revamped our trip, we were planning to go to the South Rim; however, the North Rim was closer (close to a 3-hour drive one-way) so we opted to visit it instead.

We had a late start only reached the North Rim around 1pm. We parked our car in the parking lot near the North Rim Visitor Center and had lunch. Given we were short on time, we opted to just hike the Bright Angel Point Trail (originally we had thought about hiking the Transept Trail as well or driving out to Point Imperial).

The Bright Angel Point Trail is short, steep at points, and has great views of the canyon. We opted to use both our stroller and front carrier for this hike. At one point, when the trail was getting steeper and we decided to park our stroller and use the front carrier .

Check out the post, Bright Angel Point in Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim) .

After we finished the trail, we took in some of the views in the outdoor area of Grand Canyon Lodge. We then drove back and ordered take-out in Springdale.

We had an easy and relaxed morning. Christian ran the Watchman Trail, while Teddy and I slept in a little and hung out. Around 12pm, we all headed to Zion National Park via the shuttle system. Our first stop was Canyon Junction (Stop 3) where we started the Pa’rus Trail .

The Pa’rus Trail is fully paved and you can definitely access it with a stroller and wheelchair. We used our hiking backpack for Teddy because we wanted to fit in another hike later that wasn’t accessible.

Check out the post, Pa’rus Trail in Zion National Park .

The northern end of the Pa’rus Trail (where we started) was my favorite part and I can see why most people opt to end there. Halfway into the Pa’rus Trail, we made a detour to visit the Museum and watch the overview video of the park. While I found the geological overview helpful, I would have loved more content on the indigenous people and societies, one being the Paiute , who lived in Zion prior to Mormon settlement.

After the Museum, we finished up the Pa’rus Trail and quickly hiked the Archaeology Trail. This trail was slightly disappointing because there was only a small placard with limited context about the prehistoric buildings. Nonetheless, I was happy to see some sort of archaeological representation.

After the Archaeology Trail, we headed to Springdale for a quick late lunch and then set off to the Kolob Canyons. The Kolob Canyons are located in the northwest corner of Zion and is about 45-minute drive one-way from Springdale.

The Kolob Canyons are not as frequented as the attractions in Zion Canyon, but they are amazing to see. At the Kolob Canyons Viewpoint, we hiked the Timber Creek Overlook Trail, which was short and offered spectacular views. We carried Teddy in our front carrier for this hike, but the hiking backpack would have worked too. After finishing up the hike, we made our way back to Springdale and grabbed a late dinner.

We opted to leave a little earlier in the morning compared to the rest of the trip to visit Bryce Canyon National Park , as well as the eastern side of Zion. Since we had limited time, we opted to drive the main road at Bryce Canyon and check out some of the viewpoints.

We first stopped at the Natural Bridge. While interesting, I probably would cut this stop out if my time was even more limited. We then headed to Rainbow Point to get a view from one of the southernmost viewpoints. After that, we wanted to head to Inspiration Point, but it was closed. Instead, we headed to the next viewpoint north and completed a round-trip trek from Sunset to Sunrise Point . At Rainbow , Sunset , and Sunrise Point , we kept Teddy in his stroller .

We then headed back to Zion and made a quick stop to see the east side of Zion, specifically the Checkerboard Mesa. While I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to see the Checkerboard Mesa, the drive through the East Side of Zion offered stunning views of the geological formations there.

The next day we drove to Las Vegas and flew back to Baltimore .

Food Highlights

Most of the time we ate in Springdale and we had to order take out because Teddy needed to sleep. Breakfast was included with our hotel so we ate out for lunch and dinner. Here are our food highlights:

King’s Landing Bistro : Delicious and creative food. Where you go for a nice night out (in your hiking pants). Our favorite place to eat out in Springdale.

Meme’s Cafe : A good lunch spot with satisfying sandwiches after a morning of trekking.

Bit & Spur Saloon : We ordered from here twice and it was a reliable option. My favorite dish was the Sweet Potato Tamales.

Rosita’s Santa Fe Kitchen : Solid option that we ordered take out from. I enjoyed my Frito Pie.

Bumbleberry Gifts : Yes, the Bumbleberry pie is a gimmick, but it’s tasty. We had it on three separate occasions.

Closing Thoughts

Our short tour of these US National Parks was an excellent first long vacation for our new family of three. While we definitely had to change our travelling style, we all could enjoy the beautiful nature and landscape of all three parks. Here are a few quick reflections:

Nothing. We were all quite happy with our overall itinerary and how we set up the trip.

Lower Emerald Pools

The hike to the Lower Emerald Pools was a bit of a letdown. If I were to do it again, I would opt for the more strenuous hike and see the Upper Emerald Pools or even the Watchman Trail.

Earlier Mornings to the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon

While we didn’t have the easiest nights with Teddy, I think we would have liked it if we headed out to the two other National Parks a bit earlier in the morning. This would have allowed us to see a bit more by going on an extra walk in each park. I would have especially like to walk down to the Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park .

Grand Canyon (North Rim)

I think if you have already seen the Grand Canyon , then you could leave this out. Especially if you are short on time. I’m glad we got to see it, but if we were going back to Zion or Bryce then we would leave the North Rim out.

Staying Right At Zion

Given our circumstances (infant who hates being in the car), I am so happy we stayed so close to Zion National Park and got more time to explore the park. While a road trip would have been great, this alternative helped us have a better trip for everyone. Zion offers a range of sites and treks that can accommodate many needs and situations.

Day Trip to Bryce Canyon

Given Teddy’s distaste for the car, we debated long and hard about going to Bryce Canyon National Park after our day trip to the Grand Canyon North Rim . I’m so glad we ended up going. As mentioned before, I wish we started our day a bit earlier, but I’m so happy we got to see it.

I hope our 4 day Zion , Grand Canyon , and Bryce Canyon National Parks itinerary helps you as you plan your trip. If you want additional resources, check out my Pinterest Planning boards for Zion National Park , Grand Canyon , and Bryce Canyon National Park .

Be sure to check out my other  Travel Itineraries !

Are you planning a trip to Zion, Grand Canyon, or Bryce Canyon National Parks? What are your must-sees? Let me know in the comments below!

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I enjoyed reading about your trip. My wife and I with my son and his girlfriend are looking to do something like this.

Thanks for your comment. I hope you four have a wonderful trip when you go.

Love reading about your trip! I’m planning something similar with my 2 sons and hubby. Would you suggest breaking up the trip and staying in 1 location near Grand Canyon, and the other near Zion? We plan to fly in and out of LAS.. just curious if I should get 2 Airbnb’s or 1. We’d be coming out for 8 days.

Hi Jessica! Your trip sounds great and I’m so happy you have 8 days. If we had that length of time, I would have definitely stayed in two locations so we could have enjoyed the Grand Canyon a bit more (or another park more). Personally, I would have loved to go to the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon so that’s where I would have split the trip up. If you’re planning to go to the Northern Rim, we were looking at staying at places in and around Page, AZ because of the seemingly kid-friendly hikes and things to do. Depending on where you stay, it’s a little over a 2-hour drive to the Northern Rim. Hope this helps!

This was SO helpful! We’re planning a trip in OCT with our ten year old and one year old and staying in Zion. Thanks for all the insight!

So happy to hear that Rachel! I hope you and your family have a great trip!

Smiti Nathan

I’m an archaeologist that travels around the world for both work and pleasure. I have a penchant for exploring ancient and modern places and the people, plants, and foods entangled in them. I write about archaeology, travel, and productivity.

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Grand Canyon Road Trip form Zion

Zion national park to grand canyon road trip.

Located in Southeastern Utah, Zion National Park is only 3 hours from Las Vegas Nevada, which is the closest major city.  One of several national parks in Southern Utah, Zion is an amazing place to visit on your way to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim or other Grand Canyon destinations for an awesome road trip. As Utah’s first national park, Zion is renowned for its towering cliffs, awesome slot canyons and the unique sandstone formations in various shades of pink, red and cream which add to their extraordinary beauty.  From sightseeing and hiking to rock climbing and canyoneering, this is one of the best parks to visit on your way to the Grand Canyon and other nearby parks. 

Zion is an extremely beautiful and very busy destination. Zion National Park operates a shuttle system that runs most of the year (March-November, plus busy weekends) and limits where and when you can drive your personal vehicle. Parking lots for the shuttle fill up early when it’s busy and lines to get into the park get backed up, so it’s important to do some planning and get to Zion early in the day to enjoy your visit. Camping, backpacking and other activities may also require advanced reservations if you want to make sure to include them in your trip. For more tips and up to date information on the shuttle, traffic and traveling to Zion you can check out the parks travel page . To learn more about travel from Zion to the Grand Canyon Read the guide below, or check out our Zion National Park map  to see all the nearby destinations and attractions.

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Travel Information, Tours and Lodging

Driving distance from zion national park, ut to grand canyon.

• Zion to Grand Canyon North Rim is 110 miles, a 2 hour 5-minute drive.
• Zion to Grand Canyon East Rim is 108 miles, a 2 hour drive.
• Zion to Grand Canyon South Rim is 255 miles, a 4 hour 30-minute drive.
• Zion to Grand Canyon West Rim is 289 miles, a 4-hour 45-minute drive.

Zion National Park Tours

There are a several tour guides that offer great tours at Zion National Park, you can check out our list of recommended tours below, or read if you're looking for Grand Canyon tour options read our guide on canyon tours . Zion has amazing scenic drives, great campgrounds and guided trips that include a step accent up Angel’s Landing or a hike through the Zion Narrows.  Canyoneering is also a popular past time, and Zion National Park has many technical slot canyons to choose from.  Just keep in mind most of Zion’s hikes require a permit, which you can get in advance or at the visitor center.  Zion is also well known for its rock climbing routes and you can see climbers ascending its big walls, or hire a professional tour guide and try it out for yourself. 

Best Zion National Park Area Hotels

Zion Lodge is the only accommodation within Zion National Park and it books quickly during the high season, but there are several other popular lodging options  in nearby towns. Just like Grand Canyon lodging , make a reservation well in advance if you want to stay here on your way to the Grand Canyon.  Outside of the Park’s south entrance in Springdale, Utah there are many lodging options.  If you leave Zion from the east entrance en route to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon or Bryce Canyon National Park, there are a few lodges outside the park and in Mt. Carmel Junction.  There are also three campgrounds in Zion National Park.  Watchman and South Campgrounds are located near the South Entrance, while Lava Point campground is located at the north end of the park on Kolob Terrace Rd.  For people with RV’s there are several RV parks outside the south entrance and one smaller park outside the east entrance.

Area Car Rental Options

Although there is a shuttle in the park, if you want to visit other National Parks like the Grand Canyon, it’s best to have your own vehicle.  You can pick up a rental car in Las Vegas or any other major city you are traveling from. Once you arrive, there is a free shuttle in Zion National Park as well as several private companies that run shuttles in the area.

Closest Airports to Zion

The closest major airport to Zion National Park is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.  St George UT a little over an hour away also has daily flights from Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. 

Best Restaurants and Dining Options

Inside Zion National Park the only place to eat is the Zion Lodge.  Springdale, Utah right outside is your best bet close to the Park, or Mt Carmel Junction if you are headed towards the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park or Bryce Canyon. Kanab, Utah and Jacob Lake, AZ also have some great restaurants on the way to the North Rim.

Weather and Climate

Zion’s weather is known to be unpredictable, especially in the spring when storms are common. Overall, the spring and fall seasons are the best times to visit Zion but summer can be a great time too, especially if you plan on doing some canyoneering.  Just keep in mind summer is hot and school is out so the park is very busy.  Winter in Zion is fairly mild and although the park gets snow, clear sunny days in the 50’s are not uncommon and you’re sure to have more solitude during the low season both here and at the Grand Canyon.

Private Southwest Tours

Recommended zion national park tours.

Zion and Bryce Canyon Tour from Las Vegas

Duration: 14 hours Rating: 5 out of 5 from $238 on Viator

Zion, Bryce, South Rim, Antelope, Monument Valley

Duration: 3 days Rating: 4.8 out of 5 from $695 on Get your guide

Zion Small Group Tour from Las Vegas

Duration: 11 hours Rating: 4.5 out of 5 from $252 on Viator

Utah's Slot Canyons Tour from Kanab

Duration: 3 hours Rating: 5 out of 5 from $128 on Viator

Popular hotels near Zion National Park

Learn more about zion national park.

With an average annual visitation of over 2.6 million people, Zion like the Grand Canyon is definitely a busy park. Zion National Park charges an entry fee for private vehicles and camping and hiking have additional fees.  Like most national parks fees for food, lodging and other services are high.

Environment : At 150,000 acres Zion isn’t one of the west’s larger national parks, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty.  Zion National Park is a landscape of colorful canyons and step cliffs, leaving much of the park inaccessible.  The main road follows Zion Canyon through the Southern end of the park, and from here you can see how the creative power of water carved out this landscape.  Zion sits on the edge of the Colorado Plateau and uplift of the sedimentary rock in this area created the conditions water, wind and ice needed to carve out the Navajo Sandstone and other sedimentary rock formations that formed the Zion we know today

One of the biggest dangers in Zion are flash floods that are not uncommon during the summer monsoon season in the parks many narrow canyons.   Check in with the Backcountry Permit office and make sure it’s safe if you aren’t familiar with the local conditions.  The summer heat can also be an issue and it is important to stay hydrated, wear sun block and get out of the sun when the temperature is just too hot.  Although you probably won’t see one there are rattlesnakes so be aware.

Plants and Animals: Zion National Park’s location on the edge of the Colorado Plateau and close proximity to the Great Basin, Mojave Desert and Basin Range as well as a 5,000-foot variation in elevation give this area a great diversity of plant and animal life.  Zion has over 40 species of reptiles and amphibians, 78 species of mammals, and almost 300 species of birds including the Mexican spotted owl, mountain lions, and desert tortoises.  This variation in landscape also means local life zones include flora from desert scrub, arid grasslands, pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine, and mixed conifer forests, as well as riparian areas along the parks many perennial water sources.  

Zion Culture and History: Although human history began in Zion nearly 12,000 years ago, permanent settlements started about 2,500 years ago when the Anasazi started growing crops and making permanent settlements in Zion.  Due most likely to drought the Anasazi left the area which was later settled by the Paiute Indians who thrived in the area until the arrival of Europeans and Mormon Pioneers.

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Road Trip from Zion to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim

Get ready for an unforgettable road trip! Zip from Zion National Park to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim and experience three incredible national parks. The drive takes under five hours, but who can resist the call of scenic stops along the way? This guide is packed with all the details on where to stop, stay, and explore for a memorable trip from Zion to the Grand Canyon.

Explore Zion National Park

Immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of Zion National Park with at least two full days of exploring all this park has to offer. Between April and October, take advantage of the free shuttle bus service from Springdale, which conveniently makes nine stops along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive to some of the most popular trails and photo spots.

Angel’s Landing Hike

Begin your adventure with the exhilarating Angel’s Landing Trail, a 5.4-mile ascent that rewards you with unrivaled panoramic views atop Zion Canyon. The journey demands planning and grit but promises an unforgettable experience. This permitted hike requires a little planning but is well worth it for the adventuresome hiker.

Emerald Pools Hike

For a gentler excursion, the Emerald Pools Hike offers a 2 to 3-mile round trip to glistening pools and cascading waterfalls, perfect for families seeking a leisurely and scenic adventure.

The Narrows Hike

Navigate the most popular hike in Zion through the Virgin River’s towering canyons and rock formations. Be ready to wade through water and enjoy this famous trail’s refreshing, unique pathway, offering an adventurous journey through the heart of Zion.

Horseback Riding

Experience the rugged beauty of Zion on a guided horseback tour . Trot along scenic trails, navigate paths lined with wildflowers, and ascend to viewpoints offering sweeping panoramas of Zion’s diverse landscape.

As day turns to night, Zion’s remote locale is the ideal backdrop for viewing celestial wonders. Join a ranger-led program or view at your leisure for a dreamy end to your day in this recognized Dark Sky Park .

Where to Stay Near Zion National Park

After adventure-filled days, retreat to Under Canvas Zion , a luxurious oasis spread over 196 acres of remote desert terrain just a stone’s throw away from the park located in Springdale. Immerse yourself in a panoramic display of soaring cliffs and desert skies, staying in safari-style tents fitted with upscale amenities, ensuring comfort in nature. The camp is open from March through early November.

Detour to Bryce Canyon National Park

Drive time from Zion: 1.5 hours

On your journey to the Grand Canyon, set aside time to witness the unique wonders of Bryce Canyon National Park. Consider spending one or two days fully appreciating the towering hoodoos and dramatic landscapes that make this park so special.

Scenic Drive on Highway 12

Embark on a self-driven adventure with an 18-mile scenic drive on Utah’s All-American Road. Witness many of the park’s highlights from the numerous overlooks, including its famed hoodoos and the Bryce Amphitheater. Each viewpoint offers a different perspective of the expansive natural amphitheater and the vibrant hues of the red rock formations.

E-Bike Tour

Join an experienced guide and set off on the picturesque Red Canyon Bike Path on an e-bike tour for a half or full-day adventure, ensuring a delightful and memorable journey amidst nature’s displays.

Bristlecone Loop Trail

This one-mile, easy-difficulty trail allows hikers of all levels to embark on an accessible and awe-inspiring hike through ancient forests, home to some of the world’s oldest trees. As you navigate the trail, bask in the scenic views, breathe in the fresh air, and relish a tranquil escape amidst the bristlecone pines.

Where to Stay Near Bryce Canyon National Park

Make your stay memorable by spending one to two nights at Under Canvas Bryce Canyon . Situated just 15 minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park, it blends luxury and the great outdoors, ensuring a rejuvenating rest before continuing your grand journey to the Grand Canyon. The Bryce Canyon camp is open from May through September, allowing you to spend a day delving into the wonders of Bryce and the next day journeying to the nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Detour to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Drive time from Bryce: 30 minutes

Venture just beyond Bryce Canyon for a breathtaking detour to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Spanning close to a million acres, this sprawling expanse is a geological marvel, with a chorus of cliffs, plateaus, and slot canyons waiting to be explored.

Highway 12 Scenic Drive

Take a drive on Highway 12—the same highway that crosses part of Bryce Canyon—renowned as one of the most beautiful highways in the world. It offers multiple stops with exceptional viewpoints, allowing you to absorb the monument’s vastness, unique formations, and landscapes.

Calf Creek Falls Hike

This 6-mile moderately strenuous trail takes you to see petroglyphs on the mountainside and ends with a cascading 126-foot tall waterfall.

Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyon Hike

For a unique hiking experience, venture along the 4.4-mile Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyon Trail. This moderately difficult hike invites you to navigate through narrow passages and extraordinary slot canyons, promising an unforgettable adventure.

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park

Explore hiking trails that wind through an ancient petrified forest. Enjoy paddle boarding or kayaking in the reservoir, and enhance your geological knowledge at the visitor center and museum.

Head to the Grand Canyon

Drive time: 4.5 hours

Continue your adventure from Bryce Canyon to the breathtaking vistas of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Embark on a 4.5-hour drive through landscapes brimming with vibrant hues, unique formations, and historical charm. This journey leads you to explore one of the world’s natural wonders. You’ll want to plan on spending two to three days in the Grand Canyon to experience the best of the South Rim.

Mather Point

Within a 5-minute walk from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Mather Point unveils a grandeur all its own. On clear days, your gaze stretches over 60 miles into the distance and down to where the Colorado River winds through the canyon depths. Catch the sunset here, painting the vast sky in brilliant hues against the pink, orange, and red rocks.

Grand Canyon Village

Experience historic charm and delightful dining at the Grand Canyon Village. Amidst sweeping views of the canyon’s expansiveness, enjoy delicious food and drinks, all while soaking in the panoramic display of nature’s grand design.

South Rim Trail

Navigate this accessible, paved path offering ever-changing perspectives of the canyon’s magnificence. Stretching 13 miles, embark on as little or as much as you desire, continually treating your eyes to epic vistas and photo opportunities.

Explore Historic Route 66

Add a touch of retro to your journey by visiting a nearby section of Route 66. Indulge in a delightful shopping spree and savor mouth-watering delicacies at quintessential American diners, absorbing the nostalgic essence of this famed highway.

Where to Stay Near the Grand Canyon

Set upon 160 acres of secluded piñon and juniper forest, Under Canvas Grand Canyon is just 25 minutes from the South Rim entrance to Grand Canyon National Park. Named a ‘Top 15 Resort in the U.S. – Southwest’ by Condé Nast Traveler, Under Canvas Grand Canyon offers upscale accommodations near one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Experience the luxury and natural beauty from April through October at Under Canvas Grand Canyon, where luxury accommodations in nature meet the grandeur of the landscape.

Have more time to explore? Extend this memorable journey by taking the Grand Circle Road Trip for the ultimate national park adventure. This legendary 1,000-mile route spans six National Parks, including Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, and the Grand Canyon, unfolding a grand panorama of the American Southwest’s diverse and stunning landscapes.

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• Posted on December 30, 2022

Grand Canyon vs Zion: The Honest Comparison You Need [2023]

Last updated on December 30, 2022 by Wandering our World

G rand Canyon and Zion are two of America’s most stunning national parks. B oth have a vast array of varied scenery such as glowing sunsets which fill the sky and mountainous terrains that offer spectacu lar vantage points. They each make for an ideal holiday for nature and outdoor lovers.

And as Arizona borders Utah , there isn’t much geographical difference either. But that’s not to say they’re the same. Far from it.

So, which should you visit?

Well the Grand Canyon is iconic and unique – and if you’re looking for jaw-dropping photos at one of the most famous spots in the country then it’s a great place to visit. However if you want to be immersed in nature, with fewer distractions, less crowds and more time for exploring, Zion is probably the better choice.

But that’s just scratching the surface when it comes to the similarities and differences between these two national parks.

Luckily we know and love both these destinations, so to help you decide, we pit Grand Canyon vs Zion right here.

We compare both national parks and discuss the highlights of each destination, so that you can better understand which one to visit. Let’s get started!

• A Quick Overview
• How Do The Outdoor Activities Compare
• How Does The Nature & Wildlife Compare
• Which Is The Better Choice

A Quick Overview Of Grand Canyon vs Zion

Grand canyon: an overview.

The Grand Canyon offers a holiday truly filled with it all. Nature and beauty, deeply relaxing spas, and a throwback to the Wild West. What more could you want?

Being in Arizona, you can expect year round sunshine, iconic views of the desert sands changing colour with the sky, and of course, the endless expanse of the Grand Canyon itself.

You’ll have opportunities to tour the landscape from the skies via helicopter, or from the ground on foot or jeep. Keen hikers can a ls o enjoy a range of trails which deliver breathtaking views you simply can’t find anywhere else.

Simply put, the Grand Canyon is iconic. If you want world famous views and an experience to last a lifetime, you really can only get it here.

However, it’s larger than Zion, which means more of your time may be spent driving around compared to a visit t o Zion. The latter, being a bit smaller, allows for more time to be spent actually hiking, camping and exp loring.

Zion: An Overview

Zion is just as impressive in its own right. Here too you’ll find towering cliff faces overlooking miles of burnt orange desert sands.

Another popular destination for nature lovers, you can explore Zion freestyle by yourself as part of a road trip, or through one of the many guided tours offered to help you navigate the wilderness around you.

Known for its unique gorgeous views, Zion is in fact Utah’s oldest national park. Beyond the land itself, animal lovers, and especially bird lovers, can enjoy the huge variety of wildlife here. A l l of which creates the peaceful solitude at Zion.

This park also tends to be less busy and therefore more tranquil than the Grand Canyon. And there’s far fewer tourists crowding the hiking trails. It’s also just an hour away from Bruce Canyon , which also makes for a great stop off.

How Do The Outdoor Activities Compare?

From hiking trails, and birds-eye views, to white water rafting expeditions. These two holiday destinations have it all.

And that’s before we even get into the historical and cultural elements both have to offer as well.

Grand Canyon: Outdoor Activities

Labeled by many as a “must-see”, we can confirm that the Grand Canyon should definitely be on your bucket list. This place is known across the world for a reason, and it’s even a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Perhaps a showstopper and the best place to start is the Skywalk on the West Rim (one of three Rims) of the Grand Canyon. It’s a spectacular experience – although not for the fainthearted – as you can walk all the way across the glass walkway spanning the Rim.

For those who wish to explore on foot, there are a number of well-marked hiking trails to enjoy.

Alternative options for viewing the incredibly huge canyon include guided white water rafting and cycling. For all modes of transport, you can opt to go solo or with a guide, making this a great holiday for families as well.

Lastly, if you’re keen to immerse yourself in some North American culture, we recommend visiting Canyon de Chelly National Monument .

It’s the USA’s 3rd largest canyon and is one of the most sacred sites of the Navajo Nation, with ancient pueblo roots dating back to the 11th Century.

Zion: Outdoor Activities

With mountainous towers and sands stretching for miles, Zion Park covers an impressive 230 square miles.

While it may not have the fame of the Grand Canyon, there are plenty of things to do here. Some of our favorites include mountain climbing up the boulders of Zion, which often lead to one-at-a-time peaks. A hugely satisfying accomplishment should you manage to reach any.

In terms of hiking, you won’t be lacking for options here. There are a plethora of hiking trails and treks to explore, some even world renowned by hardcore hikers.

Some of the most notable include The Narrows , Subway and Angels Landing which will keep you busy and quite literally on your toes. With far fewer visit ors than the Grand Cany on’s hiking r outes, expect a far m ore nature immersive experience.

Also within Zion, you have the Kolob Canyons, which makes for an unforgettable experience. You can explore the peaks, cascades and hiking trai ls here on foot, horseback, or bike, and with the stunning scenery we recommend bringing your camera!

Across this region too, you can try your hand at canyoning, or explore the inner depths of the canyons on a kayak along the Virgin River .

How Does The Nature & Wildlife Compare?

If you’re considering either of these destinations for a holiday, we imagine you feel at peace in the outdoors. Both the Grand Canyon and Zion house many types of wildlife which you can enjoy while visiting. The perfect complement t o the obvious physical beauties of their canyons.

Grand Canyon: Nature & Wildlife

You name it, this p lace has it. From birds and snakes, to mule deer and mountain lions. And this only scratches the surface of the wildlife you can find in the Grand Canyon. Those especially lucky can catch glimpses of desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, grey foxes, and a large variety of reptiles.

Y ou’ l l find m ore mamma ls in Grand Cany on than Zi on, and m ore species of bird t o o. So if wi ld life is a pri ority then visiting the Grand Cany on may be a better ch oice f or y ou.

H owever the Grand Cany on d oes get busy with visit ors, and when humans are ar ound anima ls tend t o scatter. In that respect Zi on, as the less busy park, has an advantage.

Bird watchers should look out for Peregrine Falcons, which usually soar above the highest cliffs in the Grand Canyon. They typically stay above 2000 feet to scour the land for prey, before diving downwards at speeds of over 200mph! They really are quite something.

We also recommend looking out for the Canyon’s Bald Eagles – another one of its 450 species of bird. While Bald Eagles aren’t native to the Grand Canyon, in wintertime they migrate here and can be found hunting at the Colorado River.

If birds aren’t quite your thing, there’s a few less common creatures to keep an eye out for. First, the Rocky Mountain Elk: these tend to graze for waters near Mather Campground and Grand Canyon Village , and should never be approached. Secondly the Ringtail. However sightings of these mammals are rare as they are nocturnal, solitary and timid towards humans.

Zion: Nature & Wildlife

Once again, Zion offers arguably just as much. Walking through the hiking trails and canyons, you’re sure to stumble upon some form of wildlife, whether you’d set out looking for it or not.

Potentially an even better choice for bird lovers, Zion has 291 species of bird. While this is less than the Grand Canyon, the diverse habitat in the park makes spotting them easier for novices and experts alike.

As for some of the mammals you can expect to encounter, the Desert Cottontail Rabbit tops the list. Known to feed on Zion’s vegetation, they stay typically below 5000 feet. That means you’re likely to spot one hopping across your path at some point.

Similarly, Mule Deer are a common site throughout the park. While they tend to graze on vegetation, be sure not to get too close to avoid them thinking you’re a threat.

While much more rare, Zion has been known for sightings of the American Black Bear. These are in fact so rare, that any sighting should be reported to park officials!

Requiring the same protocol is the Kit Fox – a small fox with adorable huge ears that is not commonly seen. If you see either of these mammals, consider yourself very lucky!

Grand Canyon vs Zion : Which Is The Better Choice?

Both are jaw-dropping, and will leave you in awe of their natural beauty. While ultimately they are both canyons and national parks with sheer cliff faces and an abundance of wildlife, they do have their subtle differences.

Therefore it really depends what kind of experience you’re after. F or s omething iconic and a completely unique experience – pick the Grand Canyon. However if you want to be immersed in nature, with fewer distractions and more time for exploring, Zion is probably the better choice.

Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.

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Author: Wandering our World

Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe. View all posts by Wandering our World

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The Ultimate Roadtrip to Zion, the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon & Sedona With Kids

https://www.foratravel.com/guides/S8AFGZ/the-ultimate-roadtrip-to-zion-the-grand-canyon-antelope-canyon-and-sedona

The Grand Canyon

Antelope Canyon

Adventure Travel

Family Travel

Nature Escapes

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Kid-friendly

Curator’s statement

It's no secret that some of the most stunning landscapes in the United States can be found out West amid National Parks like Zion & the Grand Canyon. A road trip exploring these parks is a special trip regardless, but taking this trip with littles in tow creates a unique experience guaranteed to be filled with lifelong memories. While this may mean you aren't hiking the entirety of Bright Angel Trail or The Narrows, you & your family can still immerse yourselves in the surreal beauty of the surroundings, explore the culture of the area, & of course, enjoy the delicious cuisine of the Southwest. This itinerary can be used with littles of any age as long as you have the proper gear.

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Where to stay

Under canvas lake powell - grand staircase.

Safari-inspired tents with king-sized beds, ensuite bathrooms and in-tent wood-burning stoves overlooking Lake Powell.

El Tovar Hotel

A charming, historic lodging offering breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon Village.

Enchantment Resort

Centrally located in Sedona near hiking with great evening activities (think: making s'mores and live music).

$100 food / beverage credit.

Breakfast daily.

Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

L'Auberge de Sedona

Close to town but hidden in the woods, the L'Auberge is a warm and comforting home base for your Sedona exploration.

$100 food / beverage or spa credit.

LaFave: Luxury Rentals at Zion

Experience the ultimate in luxury and convenience with LaFave's upscale vacation rentals near Zion National Park.

Unlock perks by contacting Megan to book your trip.

Day 1: Arrival & Zion

The route laid out in this itinerary begins by flying into Las Vegas. With generally reasonable flights & readily available rental cars, this typically makes a great launching pad. Upon arrival, kickstart your trip with a pitstop at the Hoover Dam & Lake Mead (35-minute drive) before heading on towards Zion National Park , about 3 hours from the dam. Stop in Boulder City, Nevada to grab lunch.

You will most likely opt for Springdale, Utah, as your base for exploring Zion unless you are staying inside at one of the park's lodges, which requires planning well in advance. I recommend staying at LaFave: Luxury Rentals at Zion . These apartment-style rentals give you & your family a relaxing place to unwind & spread out with perfect views of the surrounding landscape, all right by the entrance to Zion National Park. Depending on what time you arrive & how much gas your family has left in the metaphorical tank, pack some snacks & drinks & head over to the Watchman Trail to watch the sunset. This 3.1 mile out & back hike is absolutely stunning & is very popular, especially with families.

For dinner, either swing by Sol Foods Supermarket & grab something to make in your kitchen at LaFave or I highly recommend King's Landing Bistro , a short 1-minute drive or 5-minute walk, for a delicious sit-down meal with some of the best views in town.

Day 2: Zion National Park

Get an early start for a full day exploring Zion National Park. Pack plenty of snacks, water, your park pass if you purchased one, sunscreen & wear comfortable shoes! You will want to make sure you have enough of whatever supplies your kiddos need for the day depending on their age & also will want to make sure you have the appropriate gear. A really great thing about Zion with kids is that several parts of it are stroller-friendly! The hikes I lay out below are stroller-friendly but swap it for the carrier if planning to add on some of the bigger hikes.

Depending on what time of year you visit, the main drive through Zion is not open to private vehicles & you must use the shuttle to decrease congestion.

My recommended route inside the park with littles in tow is as follows:

Hop off at Stop 4, known as the Court of Patriarchs , which is a quick [0.2 mile] viewpoint featuring five mountain peaks: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, The Sentinel, and Mt. Moroni.

Hop off again at Stop 5 to hike the Lower Emerald Pool Trail - a very popular hike, especially among families. It is an easy out & back trail that spans 1.4 miles total. Most of it is paved & you get to surprise the kids by walking behind a small waterfall! This stop also has the Zion Lodge & the only restaurants in the park. You can continue on via the Grotto Trail from here to Stop 6 or hop back on the shuttle. Grotto Trail is the easiest in the park & is a quick 1-mile section. This one is a fan favorite of those with really small kids.

Get off at Stop 7, Weeping Rock Trail , to take in views of Weeping Rock, Angel’s Landing, the Great White Throne, Big Bend & Cable Mountain from here. This viewpoint is just a simple 0.3 mile out & back walk.

Also get off at Stop 9: Temple of Sinawava . This is the most popular stop. The Temple of Sinawava is a naturally formed rock amphitheater & is the entrance to the famous Narrows hike. The views here are incredible & from here, you can do the Riverside Walk Trail. This trail is 1.9 miles, out & back & leads to the entrance of the Narrows. It is super easy & is a must-do. Once you hit the entry point for The Narrows, you will see hikers walking through the Virgin River. That hike is 16 miles in total, through the water. The Narrows is very popular, but is also a slot canyon & can be dangerous due to flash floods & sometimes, the presence of toxic bacteria. No permit is needed (when entering from the south) so you are allowed to enter & explore some if desired but recommend checking the national park site for advisories first.

-You can switch shuttles at the Visitor Center to head back to LaFave.

The shuttle ride itself is very scenic & takes about 45 minutes each way if you don’t get off at any stops. Restrooms/water fountains are available at stops 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, & 9.

If looking to eat out for dinner, drive 3 minutes to Spotted Dog for a delicious farm-to-fork dinner. Head back to soak in the starry night on your balcony or enjoy the hot tub/pool.

Day 3: Page/Lake Powell, AZ

Depending on the level of hikes you are looking to do, you can add a day in Zion here or continue on to the Page, Arizona/ Lake Powell area. If you get an early enough start, you could also just fit in one last one before heading out. This is laid out more as suggestions/ideas for the day than a chronological itinerary. If heading on to Lake Powell/Page, grab breakfast at Oscar's Cafe before hitting the road for the 2ish hour drive.

I recommend staying at Under Canvas-Lake Powell for the ultimate glamping experience underneath the most stunning desert sky. If you arrive in the area before time to check-in, I suggest heading on to Page, about 20 minutes away. **PLEASE NOTE THE TIME DIFFERENCE HERE. Under Canvas in on the Utah side of the line of Page/Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend are all on the Arizona side, which is an hour ahead.**

If the weather is nice, exploring Lake Powell by boat is an excellent way to see the area & enjoy the day. There are several places to either rent a boat or go on a tour from Page. If that isn't in the cards, at least make a stop at the Wahweap Overlook for incredible views of the lake. The beautiful Horseshoe Bend is also in this area & is a must-visit.

Spend the rest of the day at Under Canvas, enjoying all they have to offer. There are different family-focused activities planned throughout the day & each night ends with complimentary s'mores & stargazing! There is cafe-style dining on the premises for dinner.

Day 4: Antelope Canyon & Grand Canyon

Grab breakfast at Under Canvas before loading up & heading off on your tour of the mesmerizing Antelope Canyon . *Keep the time difference in mind!* These slot canyons are protected by the Navajo Nation & must be visited by tour. You can either opt to do the Upper, Lower or both. Both tours last around 1-1.5 hours. Grab lunch & fuel up if needed in Page if needed before heading on to the East Entrance of the Grand Canyon, an hour & 48 minutes away. I recommend staying at El Tovar on the South Rim inside the park for this stretch of the trip. It doesn't get any closer to the action than this hotel & you will need to book well, well in advance.

One of the most scenic drives in the Grand Canyon , Desert View Drive , happens to be on your way from the entrance to El Tovar. Check-in at ET isn’t until 4pm & usually, early check-in is not an option. Desert View Drive is a 23-mile drive that starts at the Desert View Services Area/Desert View Watchtower & ends at the Visitor Center. It has seven developed canyon viewpoints, four picnic areas, five unmarked pullouts & the Tusayan Pueblo Site . You will end at the Visitor Center. A 5-minute walk behind the center leads to Mather Point, which juts out over the canyon & provides a stunning view.

You can either just rest & relax after checking in or can explore part of the Grand Canyon Village, located just outside of El Tovar. Pop down to the South Rim Trail that runs behind the hotel near sunset to take in the views over the canyon (or the El Tovar Lounge Patio if there is space). I recommend dinner at the El Tovar Dining Room .

Day 5: Grand Canyon

El Tovar Dining Room offers breakfast or you can pop over to the Maswik Food Court to be able to find things the whole family loves. You have multiple choices for how to spend the day & will want to prepare for the day similarly to Zion. This day will again be more of a range of options as opposed to a chronological itinerary.

Tours - the Park offers several options for tours including mule rides, river rafting & bus tours.

A self-guided option is the Hermit Road Overlook via free shuttle (or bike/walk/combo, private vehicles not allowed). It spans 7 miles & hosts 9 viewpoints.

You can also rent bikes for the day. The only place to rent bikes is Bright Angel Bikes & Café , located at the main visitor center you visited the first day. You can do a guided bike tour from here or you can do one of the self-guided tours that they have designed.

Hike part of Bright Angel Trail - This is one of the most stunning & most popular hikes in the park. It is over 15 miles total & goes down into the canyon. Due to the difficult nature, some people will just do the first couple of miles & turn back, especially with littles in tow.

You could also hike some of the other shorter hikes, such as South Kaibab to Ooh Aah Point (1.8 miles) or South Kaibab to Cedar Ridge (3.1 miles). You can organize hikes with guides if preferred.

Lastly, you can also check out other parts of the Grand Canyon Village or add on more challenging hikes in the park.

Days 6-8: Sedona

Start your morning with some breakfast & coffee from Bright Angel Fountain & watch the canyons wake up. Finish up any activities you didn't get to from the previous days before checking out & heading on to Sedona for the last leg of your trip. It should take just over 2 hours to get there.

I recommend staying at one of our stunning partner properties in Sedona - either the beautiful Enchantment Resort or if you are looking for a really luxurious end to your trip, L'auberge de Sedona . L'auberge offers incredibly tranquil riverside cottages that are perfect for families.

If you arrive in town before you are able to check in, Tlaquepaque Arts Village is a great way to spend the afternoon. This will give you a true sense of Sedona & provide a little break from outdoorsy things. Internationally renowned, this shopping district prides itself on one-of-a-kind works of all types & you will likely experience local artisans in action. It is open daily from 10am to 6pm. If looking for lunch while you are visiting, check out Pump House .

The remainder of this guide is more of a list of recommendations on how to spend your remaining time in Sedona than a chronological itinerary.

Sedona is known to be a very spiritual place, focused on wellness & healing. Many of the top attractions involve those elements & vortexes are a huge thing in Sedona.

-Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross , known to be one of the top 10 most beautiful churches in the world. It is free to visit & is open from 9am-5pm daily. It is said to also be a vortex.

-The Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park is also among the top attractions in Sedona. It is a beautiful outdoor venue & a spiritual destination for prayer, meditation, & the experience of peace in a sacred place. It is open, sun up to sun-down & is free.

Hiking is obviously another one of the most popular things to do in Sedona. If looking to take in some of the stunning Sedona scenery on the trails, here are a few family-friendly options:

- Sedona Airport Mesa

- Schuerman Mountain Lookout

- Oak Creek Trail at Crescent Moon Ranch

- Lower Chimney Rock Loop

- Tea Cup Trail to Coffee Pot Rock - 2.2 mile, easy loop. *The full thing is 2.7 miles, but there is a scrambling section up Coffee Pot Rock at the end that is not recommended with smaller kids. You can see on the AllTrails map where to just continue on the loop instead of continuing on toward Coffee Pot Rock.*

-Chuck Wagon Supper & Show at Blazin’ M Ranch , a 20-minute drive from Sedona, provides a unique (& cheesy in a good way) family experience. This attraction is set up to mimic an old western town.

A few other dining recommendations for your time here include The Red Rock Cafe , The Vault & Creekside American Bistro for breakfast. The Vault & Creekside also serves lunch/dinner. Other options include Rascal , René Restaurant , Pisa Lisa , Javelina Cantina & for an upscale dining experience, Mariposa .

I recommend flying out of PHX, about 2 hours from Sedona, depending on traffic. *Definitely plan ahead if driving down the same day as your flight as traffic can become really congested*

Tips & Tricks

Purchase an America the Beautiful pass. This will give you & your family access to all of the National Parks & many of the federal sites in the US for roughly the same cost as purchasing a pass separately at each of the spots on this itinerary.

-Do your research on age-appropriate gear for your littles. Having a good carrier (if needed) & the proper supplies will be a game-changer.

-Keep time zones in mind! Nevada = PDT Pacific Daylight Time (1 hr behind Utah), Utah = MDT Mountain Daylight Time (1 hr ahead of Nevada) & Arizona = MST Mountain Standard Time (1 hr behind Utah). Nevada & Arizona share the same time; they are just technically in different time zones because Arizona does not observe daylight savings time.

-Prep for the weather. The temperatures in this climate can vary drastically & layers are a necessity.

-Download the AllTrails app. Even if you are just planning to do shorter hikes, this app is great for keep on trail & helping to plan out which hikes are suitable for your family.

-Check for closures within the parks ahead of time as they can happen quickly: Zion , Grand Canyon .

-Plan early! Accommodations in these areas tend to fill up well in advance, especially in peak seasons. If you are interested in lodging located inside of any of the parks, lock those in first.

Need to Know

Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Off the Beaten Path Ireland – The Skellig Islands .

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Our new line of premium active adventures is officially here. With perfectly paced itineraries, one-of-a-kind accommodations and elevated dining, this is adventure at its finest.

National Geographic Journeys

Go deeper into the cultures and habitats of the places we explore. More is included and you’ll enjoy greater hands-on exploration, interactions with local experts, and freedom to roam.

National Geographic Family Journeys

Are you an adventure-loving family in search of meaningful ways to discover the world together? These tours are specially designed for travellers seven and up and their inquisitive families.

Jane Goodall Collection

Step deeper into the animal kingdom while respecting all of its inhabitants. Our incredible collection of 20 wildlife-focused tours is endorsed by the world-renowned ethologist.

Roamies by Hostelworld

The thrill of adventure. The awesomeness of hostels. Get ‘em both on these immersive small group trips for 18 to 35-year-old travellers.

Why choose us

As the leader in small group travel for 30 years, we know how to do it right: flexible itineraries, freedom to roam, safety, peace of mind, and locally based guides.

Change the world just by having the time of your life. When you travel with us, you become a force for good by acting responsibly and creating positive impact.

Together with our non-profit partner, Planeterra, we ensure local communities touched by our tours benefit from our visits in as many ways possible.

Trees for Days

Leave your destination even greener than you found it! For every day on tour, we’ll plant a tree in your honour and ensure that our forests get to live their best lives.

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Southwest Family Journey: Sedona, Zion & the Grand Canyon

8 days, phoenix to las vegas.

• Full itinerary
• Tour details

With towering cliffs, colorful canyons, mesmerizing buttes and mesas, this journey through the Southwest makes for an extraordinary family adventure. Explore some of the region’s most iconic landmarks, including the Grand Canyon, Montezuma Castle, Antelope Canyon and more. You’ll traverse this extraordinary terrain by foot, boat, kayak, jeep and train as you immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the area.

Phoenix to Las Vegas

Special offers, is this tour for me, travel style: national geographic family journeys.

Trips for adventure-loving families in search of a meaningful way to discover the world together.

Service Level: Upgraded

Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.

Physical Rating: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 20.

Age requirement: 7+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 8

Places visited

• United States

Itinerary Notes

Prices are based on double occupancy; all other room configurations are on request and cannot be guaranteed. We will accommodate triples/quads whenever possible. Please call for further details.

Family Journeys are designed for groups traveling with children between the ages of 7 and 17. Your group must include a child in order to book, and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

There are new Health & Safety Protocols for National Geographic Journeys tours. Please see here for full details and up-to-date requirements as they may change.

Day 1 Phoenix

Arrive in time to meet your fellow travelers for a welcome gathering this evening. Your arrival transfer is included.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Day 2 phoenix/sedona.

Your day begins with a visit to Montezuma Castle to explore a window into the region’s past. The castle was the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture and was established in December 1906. Enjoy a picnic lunch on site before continuing to Sedona. Upon arrival, take to the terrain on a guided jeep tour, where you’ll travel down unpaved trails and canyons while learning about the native landscape, wildlife and geological history of the area. You’ll also get spectacular views of Sedona’s iconic red rock formations. In the evening, arrive at the hotel, where dinner will be at your leisure.

Meals included:

Day 3 sedona.

Enjoy a morning on your own to explore Sedona with your family. You may choose to hit the trails on a hike, where you can explore the area’s stunning scenic surroundings, which includes everything from caves to canyons, red rocks and natural bridges. In the afternoon, depart for Verde Canyon, where you’ll climb aboard a private train car and ride the rails of the historic route from Clarkdale to Perkinsville. Continue through a protected corridor along the rippling green waters of the Verde River, bordered by towering red rock pinnacles, fortified bridges and a tunnel carved through solid rock. Return to the hotel in Sedona and enjoy an evening at your leisure.

Day 4 Sedona/Grand Canyon

Spend the day exploring one of nature’s most spectacular natural formations—the Grand Canyon. Marvel as the vastness unfolds before you and the land drops almost straight down for more than 3,280 ft (1,000 m) into the rainbow-colored canyons below. In the morning explore along the rim of the canyon, then spend the afternoon on your own. Choose to view iconic park structures at the Historic Village District, then descend below the canyon rim on your own along the Bright Angel Trail to see 2,000-year-old rock art and 250-million-year-old fossils. Other options include a visit to the Yavapai Geology Museum, a walk along the South Rim or watching a documentary at Grand Canyon IMAX Theater. In the evening, there will be an optional pizza dinner on the rim of the canyon overlooking the setting sun—an unforgettable experience for your entire family.

Day 5 Grand Canyon/Zion National Park

Get an early start to the day with a visit to the mighty Horseshoe Bend on the way to Page, Arizona. Stand on the steep vermillion cliffs overlooking the horseshoe bend in the Colorado River, which was formed 5 to 6 million years ago. Enjoy a picnic lunch in Page before an unforgettable, private kayak adventure through a section of Antelope Canyon that is only accessible by water. Paddle alongside your knowledgeable and experienced guides as you explore this stunning sandstone slot canyon while learning about its history. Along the way, jump into the refreshing water for a swim in the shadows of the massive canyon walls. This evening, arrive at your accommodations in Zion and have dinner at your leisure.

Day 6 Zion Ranch

Enjoy a full free day exploring the many amenities and activities at the ranch. Opt in for activities like, horseback riding, hiking, jeep tours, canyoneering and more! You may also choose to relax with a rejuvenating yoga flow, sit by the pool or just admire the magnificent landscape that surrounds you. You may also choose to go on a walk in search of the diverse plants and animal life in the area of the park that transitions from desert to forest. In the evening, join together with your fellow travelers for dinner. At night, be sure to head outside for some stargazing beneath the infinite sky.

Day 7 Zion National Park/Las Vegas

Travel further into Zion National Park for a guided hike along the Emerald Pool Trail. This 3-mile loop features a striking desert oasis in the middle of the park. The trail follows along a small, verdant stream, which collects in a series of pools. There are 3—upper, middle and lower—making this hike one of the most peaceful destinations in Zion Canyon. Lunch will be on your own in Springdale before you continue on to Las Vegas. In the evening, attend a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.

Day 8 Las Vegas

Depart at any time.

What's Included

• Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
• Your Family Journeys Moment: Verde Canyon Train Ride, Sedona
• Your Family Journeys Moment: Antelope Canyon Kayaking Adventure, Page
• Arrival transfer
• All national park fees
• Zion National Park visit and guided hike
• Antelope Canyon guided kayak visit
• Horseshoe Bend hike
• Grand Canyon National Park visit
• Verde Canyon train ride
• Free time in Sedona, Zion, and the Grand Canyon
• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotels (7nts).

7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners Allow USD360-470 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private vehicle, 4x4 vehicle, hiking, walking, train.

Staff & experts

Two CEOs (Chief Experience Officers) throughout, local guides.

Available extras  (Add these to your tour when you book)

My own room - from $2579.00.

If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.

Price Options

• From $ 3399 USD Per Adult
• From $ 3229 USD Per Child

Make it a private tour

Interested in a private departure with your own CEO and all the benefits of a National Geographic Family Journeys group tour? Our Private Travel team can make this happen for you. Click above to start your private journey.

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Grand Canyon/Zion Park day trips - Nevada Forum

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Grand Canyon/Zion Park day trips

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If anyone is familiar with the popular tour arrangements and timings, would you say it is practical to do both activities on a day trip from Vegas? Or would you recommend I reserve just one of these activities to optimise my 1 day itinerary?

Finally, in terms of logistics for a day trip to Grand Canyon, is it better for me to do a south or west rim tour in order to easily access the popular horse/mule riding tours and take the most scenic hiking route? For the Grand Canyon, a lot of the tours are along the south rim from what I’ve seen.

Any links or further information will be much appreciated.

2 replies to this topic

The south rim day tours don't give you that much time at the Canyon, so not really suited for walking into the canyon proper.

Not sure day trip tours to the west would give you much time for any meaningful walking either)

(I've walked to the bottom at the south rim and it is well worth getting beyond the rim)

The overnight mule trips are something to book up to 15 months in advance when they open reservations. Complicated by the fact the trail has been closed for months for improvements. It’s reopening next week.

There are reservations for the 3-hour mule trail ride available for May/June. Nothing for the overnight ride.

I’d recommend checking the TripAdvisor forum for the Grand Canyon for information on your visit.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g143028-i157-Grand_Canyon_National_Park_Arizona.html

Hiking to the bottom of the canyon is really only advised as an overnight trip. It’s very strenuous.

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See 9 National Parks on This Picturesque Road Trip Through the American West — Including the Grand Canyon, Arches, and Zion

Plus, you'll drive through the Navajo Nation Reservation and visit the Four Corners.

With so much to do and see in the world , there’s something wonderfully efficient about a road trip that takes you through five states and nine national parks in one go. The Grand Circle road trip, best visualized here , starts in Nevada and passes through Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona before returning where it started. The giant loop provides a great introduction to the Southwest as it takes travelers to nine national parks, a national monument, and a handful of towns worthy of a lengthy stopover .

For a route that seems to have it all, there is very little information on it. Some versions of the route pass only through Utah and Arizona — a truncated version that still includes six national parks. But if you have the time, we recommend the Grand Grand Circle road trip, which also passes through Colorado and New Mexico and includes a visit to Four Corners National Monument where four states meet.

According to our calculations, the full loop covers well over 1,500 miles and will take a full 15 days (if not more) to complete. The route starts and ends in Las Vegas , a major flight hub that is less than three hours from Zion National Park — the first stop on the road trip. (You can also fly in and out of Albuquerque. Though, for simplicity's sake, we built the trip around arrival and departure from Las Vegas.) Here we go!

Day 1 and 2: Las Vegas to Zion National Park

After picking up a car in Las Vegas and making the three-hour journey to Zion National Park in Utah, the fun begins. The first park on the Grand Circle is also Utah’s first national park, and it’s become iconic for its red sandstone cliff walls and narrow slot canyons. Spend a full day exploring Zion’s not-to-miss adventures like Zion Narrows , a watery gorge hike with 1,000-foot-tall walls, and the Emerald Pools , which have waterfalls and a hanging garden. 

Day 3 and 4: Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park

It takes less than two hours to drive to Bryce Canyon National Park from Zion, so you should be able to get in a full day of exploration. Like Zion, Bryce Canyon has lots of stunning red rock, which is extra vibrant in photos taken at sunrise and sunset. But while Zion is known for its sky-high canyon walls, Bryce is famous for the crimson-colored hoodoos, spire-shaped rock formations, and the Bryce Amphitheater . Your best bet is to hike the Rim Trail, which provides views over the amphitheater.

After a full day at Bryce Canyon, make the two-hour drive to the next park on the Grand Circle: Capitol Reef National Park .

Day 5 and 6: Capitol Reef National Park and Moab

You’ll want to spend at least one full day at Capitol Reef National Park, which is known for the bizarre rock formations that surround the long “wrinkle” in Utah’s south-central desert known as the Waterpocket Fold . Highlights inside this national park include the Chimney Rock pillar, the Hickman Bridge arch, and a series of white sandstone domes. To the north, you can walk among the towering monoliths of Cathedral Valley.

After exploring the park, make the two-hour drive to Moab — an adventure town with mountain biking, rafting, and Jeeping that’s easily worth a full day of exploration (if not more). You’ll pass the next two national parks on your drive in, but both are within 30 minutes of Moab and an easy backtrack once you’ve had a day back in “civilization.”

Day 7 and 8: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park

Arches National Park is less than 10 minutes from downtown Moab, so if you want to sleep in, this is the day to do it. Arches is small compared to most other Utah parks , but it packs a punch. Within the 120-square-mile park are over 2,000 towering sandstone arches, including the massive Delicate Arch and the unbelievably long and thin Landscape Arch.

From Arches, it’s just a 30-minute drive to Canyonlands National Park , which you passed on your way into Moab. Canyonlands has everything from Native rock paintings to the towering rock pinnacles found in the Needles area. For views over the desert, make your way to the Island in the Sky, a giant, flat-topped mesa with overlooks galore. 

Day 9 and 10: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Telluride 

After a day in Canyonlands, hop back in your trusty vehicle and make the road trip’s longest segment yet — a three-hour drive out of Utah and into Colorado. Once you’ve crossed the state line, it’s around two hours to your next destination: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park . 

The red rock landscapes of Utah are long gone, replaced by dark Precambrian rock. But, like many of the parks in Utah, Black Canyon is built around a deep, steep-walled gorge. You can travel all the way down to the bottom of the gorge via the winding East Portal Road, or explore the South Rim Road and enjoy the 12 overlooks and mini hiking trails that wind off the route. (Pro-tip: Don’t miss a stop at the striped Painted Wall cliff face !)

After a day in the Black Canyon, make the scenic, 1.5-hour drive to the mountain town of Telluride , which is wildly picturesque and offers plenty to do on your “down day” — including hikes to waterfalls and a free gondola up the mountain.

Day 11 and 12: Mesa Verde National Park and Four Corners National Monument

The landscape goes from mountainous to high desert on the 1.5-hour drive between Telluride and Mesa Verde National Park . This Colorado park is particularly special because it protects several well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, including the huge Cliff Palace. These homes, which are built into the rock, can be explored on foot, or you can drive the Mesa Top Loop Road past the park’s many archaeological sites and overlooks.

Not long after leaving Mesa Verde, you’ll pass through the Ute Mountain Reservation and then into the Navajo Nation Reservation. In the latter, you can swing through the Navajo Nation’s Four Corners National Monument , where you can stand at the point where all four states — Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona — meet. The Four Corners National Monument is less than an hour from Mesa Verde, but the next park on the list — Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona — is still another three hours away.

Day 13 and 14: Petrified Forest National Park and Grand Canyon National Park

Petrified Forest National Park is the first stop in Arizona, the final and fifth state in the Grand Circle Road Trip. This lesser-known park doesn’t see anywhere near the number of visitors as your next stop, Grand Canyon National Park, so soak up the solitude and enjoy the quiet trails that pass through the park’s colorful, petrified forest. For a dose of local history, check out the petroglyphs of Newspaper Rock and the ruined village of Puerco Pueblo. 

After a day in Petrified Forest National Park, make the three-hour drive northwest to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park , the final stop on the Grand Circle. The immense, mile-deep Grand Canyon has many viewpoints, including Mather Point and the Yavapai Observation Station. If you need to stretch your legs, the Bright Angel Trail is a popular and easy-to-access hike. 

Day 15: Return to Las Vegas and Fly Home

The drive from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas takes around 4.5 hours, so make sure to budget plenty of time.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure .

23 Incredible Road Trips in the U.S.

Whether you’re looking for sweeping views of the pacific ocean or a multiday adventure through national parks, these road trips provide plenty of opportunities to explore the united states..

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Glacier National Park is one of many scenic places you can visit on an American road trip.

Photo by Zack Frank / Shutterstock

In a country as large as the United States, there’s no shortage of destinations and detours to explore by car . Whether your idea of the perfect American road trip entails an epic, cross-country journey or a shorter jaunt through a few of its most iconic national parks , your options are as large and varied as the country itself.

Even if you don’t have the time to drive cross-country, there are plenty of road trip routes (ranging from three days to a week or longer): classic California itineraries , New England routes that shine especially well in the fall, scenic East Coast adventures, and a variety of Midwest journeys for folks farther from the coasts.

No matter your mode of transportation—be it van, RV, motorcycle, or four-door sedan—these are 21 of the best road trips in the nation to consider.

Plan your next Route 66 trip around thirst-quenching stops.

Photo by Peek Creative Collective/Shutterstock

There are many ways to do a cross-country road trip in the USA, but these two itineraries will take you through some truly iconic American places.

1. Chicago to Los Angeles: A Whiskey Road Trip on Route 66

It doesn’t get more American than a 2,000-mile drive along the entirety of Route 66. There are endless ways to take this legendary trip (including an EV version —but to take your cross-country road trip to the next level, we recommend exploring another American pastime: whiskey.

Starting in Chicago and ending in L.A., you’ll stop by some of the leading craft distilleries in the United States, like Few Spirits in Chicago, Still 630 in St. Louis, and Red Fork Distillery in Tulsa. In between tastings, make time for detours to natural attractions, like the Grand Canyon, and quirky roadside curiosities, like Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Just remember to drink responsibly—this is a road trip after all.

Plan your trip

The full itinerary: Put a New Twist on Route 66—Make It an American Whiskey Road Trip

No cars are allowed on Mackinac Island, so you need to park before taking the ferry to this spot.

Photo from Shutterstock

2. Bangor, Maine, to Seattle, Washington: The Great Northern on U.S. Route 2

Covering both the U.S. and Canada, a cross-country trip along U.S. 2 is ideal for anyone who wants to experience the vast diversity and expansiveness of North America. This drive runs the entire top border of the U.S. and showcases otherworldly natural wonders like Acadia National Park in Maine, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, and Mackinac Island in Michigan. The route also passes through Canada, taking road-trippers through Ontario into Quebec—this route may focus on nature, but you won’t want to miss a stop in Montreal or Ottawa.

You’ll also get to explore Montana and Glacier National Park ( reservations may be required ) before passing the Columbia Plateau and ending in the Pacific Northwest’s largest city, Seattle. Don’t miss spending time in the Olympic Peninsula (home to Olympic National Park) for a peek at one of the most scenic places on the West Coast.

3. Dana Point to San Francisco: Driving California’s Pacific Coast Highway

The seemingly endless views of the Pacific Ocean along Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) are what road trip dreams are made of, and exactly what makes this California road trip so popular. However, with so many stops along the 655-mile stretch, we pulled together a list of the ones well worth pulling over to view. Don’t miss the perfect surfing waves in Santa Cruz, seasonal cuisine in Malibu, an afternoon a the boardwalk in Santa Monica, or a night in Big Sur as you drive between Dana Point (just south of Los Angeles) and San Francisco.

• The full itinerary: The Best Stops for a Road Trip on the Pacific Coast Highway
• The AFAR Guide to San Francisco

The seaside town of Monterey was the setting for John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row .

Photo by Denise Lett/Shutterstock

4. Big Sur to Mono County: A Literary Road Trip Through Northern California

Yes, this itinerary requires you actually put down your book to drive, but seeing some of the pivotal places that shaped American authors will be so worth it. Follow in the footsteps of writers like Jack Kerouac, Maya Angelou, and Amy Tan on this road trip that takes you through literary landmarks in Northern California, such as Caffe Trieste, a meeting place for Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Alan Watts, and other bohemian writers and thinkers. This 12-stop itinerary is perfect if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area because you’ll be able to stay make these trips in one or two days.

The full itinerary: The California Road Trip All Book Lovers Should Take

Arizona may take its nickname from the Grand Canyon, but the state has far more natural wonders than just that one.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

5. Phoenix to the Grand Canyon: An Iconic Arizona Road Trip

This 240-mile Arizona road trip takes travelers along some of the state’s most iconic highlights, including its most famous one, the Grand Canyon. A great itinerary for first-time visitors and returning travelers alike, it offers plenty of opportunities for scenic drives, hiking, and biking—as well as tasty food along the way. Hike the 2,704-foot-tall Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale or take in the beautiful red rocks of Sedona on a hike to Cathedral Rock while exploring the Grand Canyon State.

• The full itinerary: The Classic 5-Day Arizona Road Trip
• Grand Canyon guide: The First-Timer’s Guide to the Grand Canyon
• Where to eat in Phoenix: A Chef’s Guide to the Best Restaurants
• Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Arizona ; The Best Airbnbs in Sedona

The Delicate Arch living up to its name in Utah’s Arches National Park

Photo by tusharkoley / Shutterstock

6. Zion to Grand Canyon: A National Parks Road Trip in the Southwest

If you’re looking to visit as many national parks as possible in one road trip, this southwestern itinerary is for you. This journey through Utah and Arizona lets you hike Angel’s Landing in Zion, feel tiny under Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, explore Fairyland Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon, and, of course, raft down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Most visitors to the Grand Canyon remain on the rim, but take at least four days to venture within the canyon and take advantage of the trails and river rafting.

• The full itinerary: The Ideal Road Trip Through U.S. National Parks
• Utah’s 8 Best National Parks and Monuments
• 10 Best National Parks and Monuments in Arizona
• The First-Timer’s Guide to the Grand Canyon

Stop and admire the winding roads of the San Juan Skyway.

Photo by Anh Luu/Shutterstock

7. San Juan Scenic Skyway Road Trip: An Adventure Through Southwestern Colorado

This Colorado trip takes you along the 232-mile loop of the San Juan Scenic Skyway, where you will see plenty of alpine forests, mining towns, and craggy peaks. And for anyone looking to enjoy refreshments after a long day of driving, this route features many opportunities to stop at some of the best breweries in Colorado , such as Ska Brewing Co. in Durango.

• The full itinerary: The Ultimate Southwestern Colorado Road Trip
• Five Classic Colorado Road Trips To Take This Year

In small-town Buena Vista, the riverfront Surf Hotel offers front-row seats to Colorado-style adventure seekers.

Courtesy of the Surf Hotel

8. Denver to Montrose: A 420-Mile Road Trip Through Colorado

Want to explore even more of the Centennial State? Head out on this weeklong road trip where you can fish for salmon in Colorado’s largest reservoir, visit numerous small towns, like Paonia and Crawford, with thriving art scenes along the Colorado Creative Corridor , and explore Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, one of the least visited national parks in the nation.

• The full itinerary: Art Stars, High-Altitude Wines, and a Remote National Park: The Ultimate Colorado Road Trip
• Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Colorado
• The AFAR Guide to Denver

Portland may be Oregon’s largest city, but with a population of some 652,000 (or 2.5 million in the larger metropolitan area), it isn’t intimidatingly large.

Photo courtesy of Travel Portland

9. Portland to Astoria: An Oregon Coast Road Trip for Outdoor Lovers

If you love the outdoors, then this six-day road trip along the coast of Oregon is for you. After driving to Coos Bay from Portland, travelers will meander along Oregon’s dramatic, rocky coastline, discovering some quintessentially Pacific Northwest vistas along the way: evergreen forests, seaside dunes, and marine ecosystems. Between stops, there are ample opportunities to stretch your legs hiking, kayaking, or strolling around the region’s small towns—like the historic old town in Florence.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an Oregon road trip without a stop (or three) at a craft brewery, such as Fort George Brewery in Astoria, or cozy coffee shop, like Bread & Roses in Yachats.

• The full itinerary: An Outdoor Lover’s Road Trip on the Oregon Coast
• The AFAR Guide to Portland

The State Capitol Building in Nashville marks the end of this road (trip).

Photo by photo.ua / Shutterstock

10. Seneca Falls, New York, to Nashville, Tennessee: Follow the Path of the Women’s Suffrage Movement

Starting in New York’s Finger Lakes region and ending at the State Capitol Building in Nashville, this road trip traces the route of the national women’s suffrage movement. Highlights include stops at the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House ; Union Square in New York City, which was the site of the first suffrage march; and the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument in Washington, D.C.

• The full itinerary: Celebrate Women’s Suffrage on an Epic, Self-Guided Road Trip
• Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Nashville
• The AFAR Guide to Nashville
• The AFAR Guide to Washington, D.C.

Asheville is one must-stop on a North Carolina road trip.

Courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com

11. Charlottesville to Asheville: A Scenic Road Trip Through Virginia and North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the country. Beginning in the soft hilly meadows of the Appalachian Mountains from Shenandoah National Park down into the Blue Ridge Mountains, then into the Great Smoky Mountains, this five-day road trip is best done at a slower pace, which is perfect for admiring the dramatic outlooks and green plateaus. This eclectic itinerary features stops at an art museum, a dairy farm, and plenty of hiking trails.

• The full itinerary: The Ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip
• Where to stay: 12 Dreamy Blue Ridge Mountain Cabins You Can Rent on Airbnb and Vrbo
• 8 U.S. National Park Road Trips to Take in Your Lifetime

Dowa:kwe dance group from Zuni Pueblo in 2019

Courtesy of Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

12. Albuquerque to Las Cruces: Discover New Mexico on This Three-Day Road Trip

This route steers you away from New Mexican tourist hot spots like Taos and Santa Fe and instead takes you on a three-day adventure with places that teach you about Pueblo history. You’ll stop at Indian Pueblo Kitchen (formerly known as Pueblo Harvest), a restaurant inside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center that features Indigenous cuisine ; pick up peppers at Three Brothers in Hatch; and slide down the dunes in White Sands National Park.

• The full itinerary: This New Mexico Road Trip Is the Perfect Introduction to the Land of Enchantment

Historic Fort Martin Scott is one of the places travelers can visit to learn about Fredericksburg’s history.

Photo by Mark König/Unsplash

13. A Five-Day Scenic Road Trip Through Texas Hill Country

This Texas road trip starts and ends in San Antonio with stops in small towns like Bandera, Boerne, and consider a stop in Fredericksburg, which is one of AFAR’s best places to go in 2024 ). Over five days, you’ll find opportunities to stroll in a Japanese tea garden in San Antonio, relax along the Sabinal and Frio Rivers by inner tube, and eat as many tacos as you want. Seriously: You could eat tacos for every meal on this road trip and not get tired of them.

• The full itinerary: Tree Houses, Tubing, and Tacos: The Ultimate Texas Hill Country Road Trip

Mount McKinley looms large on a drive through Denali National Park.

Photo by warnsweet / Shutterstock

14. A Weeklong Road Trip Through Alaska’s Most Majestic Sights

This weeklong drive in Alaska starts and ends in Anchorage. You travel along four scenic byways; explore Wrangell–St. Elias wilderness, the largest U.S. national park; catch sight of Denali, the tallest peak in North America; and enjoy the surprisingly stellar food scene of McCarthy, a one-road town with only a couple dozen residents.

• The full itinerary: Glaciers, Mountain Peaks, and Organic Farms: The Ultimate Alaska Road Trip
• Which Alaska National Parks Should You Visit?

More than geothermal pools, Kirkham Hot Springs features a piping-hot waterfall.

Courtesy of Idaho Tourism

15. Boise to Sun Valley: Explore Idaho’s Scenic Byways

Even a short road trip can be packed with adventure, good food, and scenery, which is exactly what this trip from Boise to Sun Valley along Idaho’s Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway offers. Although the drive only takes six hours, we recommend taking a few days to explore all the stops and detours along the way. One can’t-miss spot is the Kirkham Hot Springs , where you can stand under a waterfall that will splash you with 135-degree mineral water year-round.

• The full itinerary: The Little-Known Idaho Road Trip You Need to Drive
• Things to do: The Best Outdoorsy Things to Do in Idaho

Grand Portage State Park is the only state park jointly managed by a state and a Native American band.

Photo by Shutterstock/QZ

16. Duluth to Grand Portage State Park: A Scenic Minnesota Sampler

Although there are many appealing road trips throughout the Midwest, this 143-mile, three-hour circuit, which starts and ends in Duluth, Minnesota, is worth keeping in mind. Meandering north on MN-61 with this itinerary, you will enjoy prime views of Lake Superior and towns like Grand Marais, as well as Grand Portage State Park, home to waterfalls, hiking trails, and opportunities to learn about the Ojibwe community who occupy the land today. Once back in Duluth, enjoy a beer at Canal Park Brewing Company before checking into the waterfront Canal Park Lodge nearby.

• The AFAR Guide to Minnesota

Wind your way through colorful foliage in New Hampshire.

Photo by Shutterstock

17. Kancamagus Highway: A Quintessential New England Drive

Yes, you can take a road trip in New England at any time of the year , but this region shows off its best colors in the fall, when locals and tourists alike head out into the country to view the changing colors of the trees. Join other admirers of fall foliage on this popular, 34.5-mile road trip along New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway, colloquially known as the “Kanc,” for picturesque ponds, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks.

• Plan Your Fall Getaway With This Peak Foliage Prediction Map

Ogunquit is home to the small, postcard-perfect harbor of Perkins Cove.

Photo courtesy of QualityHD / Shutterstock

18. Maine’s “Lobster Trail”: Travel Route 1 Along the Coast

Traveling Route 1, affectionately known as “the lobster trail,” along Maine’s jagged coastline is an exercise in indulgence. Sample lobster dishes in all forms—buttered, steamed, on a roll, or even in a decadent mac-and-cheese.

The trip starts in the quaint small town of Ogunquit , with its rare (for the area) 3.5 miles of white-sand beach. Make your first lobster of the journey count, steamed with a side of drawn butter at Barnacle Billy’s in picturesque Perkins Cove harbor. Stop at Big Daddy’s for a cone on your way to the shipbuilding center—and summer home of George H. W. Bush—Kennebunkport. Stay at the recently redesigned 150-year-old classic White Barn Inn , and consider a sailing trip for an afternoon. With lobsters cooked in ocean water, the legendary lobster roll at the Clam Shack is a must.

• 8 Scenic East Coast Road Trips to Take This Year

Throughout North Carolina’s Piedmont region, innovative restaurants, shops, and restaurants like Leah & Louise in Charlotte, above, are creating a buzz.

Photo by Peter Taylor Photography

19. Raleigh to Charlotte: A 4-Day Trip Through North Carolina’s Reinvented Core

North Carolina’s Piedmont region extends from the coastal plain to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and includes farmland and rolling wooded hills, especially on the 1-40 stretch near Hillsborough. Starting in Raleigh, drive the short distances to Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte to see how these cities are innovating through art, food, and a celebration of the past. Take your time—four days should do—to experience downtown arts districts, James Beard Award–winning restaurants, and civil rights museums that speak truths. Plan your trip

• A Road Trip Through North Carolina’s Reinvented Core

Scenic South Walton is part of the Emerald Coast of Florida.

20. Scenic Highway 30A: A Sunday Drive Through South Walton, Florida

Florida is full of places to cruise with the top down, but it’s hard to beat a Sunday (or any day) drive along Scenic Highway 30A through northwest Florida, home to a postcard-perfect stretch of seaside towns known as South Walton.

The roughly 28-mile route through South Walton County kisses the coast for nearly all its length, taking you through gorgeous residential Gulf-front communities like Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, and Blue Mountain Beach . Roll down the windows and let the emerald-hued views in.

Pull over to explore, too—maybe to admire the New Urbanism architecture in Alys Beach or to swim in the clear waters at Grayton Beach State Park . (The beach here has been lauded among the best in the world.)

• The full itinerary: The Florida Road Trip You’ve Been Missing

Stand-up paddleboarding is just one way to enjoy a Florida Keys sunset.

Shutterstock

21. The Florida Keys: An Island-Hopping Getaway

For a sunny road trip itinerary in Florida, skip Miami and head farther south. Beginning in Key Largo and ending in Key West, the Florida Keys Scenic Highway is often overlooked for more well-known routes up north, but it is well worth going out of your way to experience.

As the name suggests, this route is very scenic, so plan to spend at least a few days exploring it and numerous stops along the way. Some highlights include driving across the impressive Overseas Highway, stopping to admire art in the town of Islamorada, and enjoying the historic sites, food, and (of course) beaches in the city of Key West.

• The full itinerary: How to Road Trip in the Lesser-Known Florida Keys

Sun Studio in Memphis was the site of the famous Million Dollar recording session that brought together Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash.

Photo by f11photo on Shutterstock

22. Memphis to Bristol, Tennessee: A Music-Driven Adventure

If you have about a week to spare and a deep appreciation for music, take a road trip from one side of Tennessee to the other, starting in Memphis and ending in Bristol. The eastbound trip spans genres, including rock ( Graceland ), blues ( Beale Street) and, of course, country (did you really go to Tennessee if you didn’t go to Dollywood ?). Nashville serves as the halfway point on your journey—so consider penciling in an extra 48 hours to fully explore the state capital’s greatest hits.

• The full itinerary: 5 Great American Road Trips For Music Fans

The stunning coastline near Cueva del Indio has been the backdrop of star-studded films.

Photo by Alexsf.gr/Shutterstock

23. Arecibo to Condado, Puerto Rico: A Lesser-Known Side of a Well-Loved Island

In the minds of many, trips to Puerto Rico bring images of stunning beaches , delicious foods , and maybe a bioluminescent bay or two . But there’s plenty of history to be found here, too, as Puerto Rico was home to an Indigenous population known as the Taino, a heritage many Puerto Ricans embrace. That history can be explored via a road trip. Starting in the northern town of Arecibo, travel south to Ponce, then back north to Condado—along the way you’ll encounter petroglyphs, Indigenous sites, and breathtaking natural spots.

• The full itinerary: A Puerto Rico Road Trip That Puts Indigenous Culture First

Additional road trip planning resources Picking the route for your road trip is only one part of your planning. From what snacks to pack to which podcasts to listen to, these additional resources will help you prepare for your next adventure:

• Best road trip snacks
• Road trip planning apps
• Podcasts and audiobooks to download
• What to pack for a road trip

This article originally appeared online in August 2020. It was most recently updated on April 4, 2024, to include current information. Additional reporting by Jessie Beck, Erika Owen, Ray Rogers, Terry Ward, and Sheryl Nance-Nash.