Can you do Bryce and Zion in 2 days?

Two of the most popular National Parks – Zion and Bryce Canyon – can be easily visited together, even if you only have a day or two-three. The drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon is just about 2 hours, so this is one of the best Utah road trips, allowing you to see some of the best scenery and viewpoints in the state.



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We think 2 days in Zion National Park is a perfect baseline. With 2 days, you'll be able to plan a Zion National Park itinerary that fits in one of the longer hikes in Zion (like Angels Landing), the scenic drive between the East Entrance and Zion – Mt. Carmel tunnel, and some of the shorter hikes in the canyon.

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Yes, it is possible to see both Zion and Bryce Canyon in one day, but it will be one VERY FULL day. A lot depends on where you start and end your trip, of course.

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Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park are approximately 80 miles apart and one can be reached from the other in under 2 hours by car, about 1 hour and 40 minutes without traffic. The fastest route between the two parks starts on Route 12, takes you south on Interstate 89 and then west on Route 9.

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A Utah roadtrip route If you're only doing these two parks then it doesn't matter which you do first. If you're going over to the other Utah national parks (on the east side of the state), then it makes sense to do Zion first, then Bryce and head on east.

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That depends on the type of experience you are looking for. If you're interested in exploring the unique hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park is the better option, as it offers a variety of trails and viewpoints. On the other hand, Zion National Park has more adventurous hikes and back-country opportunities.

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Ideally, you need at least two to three days to visit Zion National Park. This gives you enough time to hike the longer, more popular trails, such as Angels Landing and the Narrows, and you can also add in a few of the shorter, easier trails, such as the Riverside Walk and Canyon Overlook.

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Bryce Canyon is compact, at least for a National Park. One day is all you need to explore this park. With one day, you can hike through a garden of hoodoos, take in the view from multiple viewpoints, and thoroughly explore the park. If you have less than one day, that's OK too.

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Best Time to Visit Zion National Park for Smaller Crowds If you have the flexibility, making the trip during the park's off-peak months of October through March means less crowded hiking trails and fewer view-blocking selfie sticks. If you're looking for a really quiet escape, January is the best time to visit.

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The Direct Route is safe - that said, you'll face sharp turns in the form of switchbacks. Switchbacks are roads with sharp ascents and descents cutting back one on another, so it's good to be prepared for this before you set off on your trip. If you're scared of heights, there's no need to be concerned.

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Since the two parks are only an hour and a half apart from one another it's completely possible to explore both parks in one day. You can become a driving warrior, hit lots of high spot lookouts and drive the scenic Zion Canyon Road.

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Since southern Utah is a bit of a haul from any major cities, many visitors make Bryce Canyon part of a larger Utah road trip. Though it's a smaller park and some people will spend less than a full day in Bryce Canyon, I recommend spending one to two full days here to really explore all that the park has to offer.

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The Southern Utah national park's beauty lent itself to making the park the second most popular park in the country, with over 5 million visitors per year. According to Travel Lens, Zion easily beat out other Utah national parks, though that is not to say Utah's parks should be slept on.

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Utah is home to 5 of the best national parks—Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion—collectively known as the Mighty Five.

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Top cities between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. The top cities between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are Kanab and Cedar City. Kanab is the most popular city on the route. It's 1 hour from Zion National Park and 2 hours from Bryce Canyon National Park.

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Crowds and wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park Crowds are common at most scenic overlooks and a number of trails, especially in summer, but the atmosphere is quieter than at Zion.

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No reservations are required to enter the park. Reservations for lodging within the park are highly recommended. Of the park's two campgrounds only Sunset Campground accepts reservations.

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If you're planning a trip to Bryce Canyon, it is important to take into consideration your tolerance for crowds and unpredictable weather. By and large the busiest time to visit the park are the summer months (June through September). In fact, sixty percent of park visitors come during this time.

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Panguitch is a historic town located about halfway between Zion and Bryce Canyon. It's a great place to stay if you want to explore both parks without staying directly near just one of them.

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The fastest route between the two parks starts on Route 12, takes you south on Interstate 89 and then west on Route 9. Route 12 is one of the most scenic roads in Utah, and all of the US for that matter, so this is a drive to enjoy.

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