Ideally, you need two to three days to really explore Zion National Park. This will give you enough time to hike one of the longer trails such as Angels Landing or the Narrows and enjoy all the major viewpoints.
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Typically, when you're not much of a hiker or have young children in tow, Zion can be done in a 1- or 2-day trip. Give yourself enough time to catch a few shuttle rides and sightsee. You may even want to set aside a day to do a scenic drive in your personal vehicle around the park.
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.
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.
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.
We recommend a 3-4 night stay at Zion National Park. This allows visitors time to take in all of the sights of Zion and enough time to enjoy the main hikes (Angels Landing, the Narrows via Riverside Walk and the Emerald Pools hikes) .
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.
For the average national park explorer, late spring or early fall is the best time to visit Zion. From April to May and September to October, the weather is good, crowds are fewer, and hiking conditions are optimal.
Best Time to Visit Zion National Park for Smaller CrowdsIf 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.
Weekends can be busier than weekdays but not always and not by much. All parking lots in Zion Canyon are usually full by 9:00AM. Get an early start or plan on parking in the Town of Springdale and using the town shuttle to reach the park.
Weekdays. If possible, consider visiting Zion National Park on a weekday rather than on a weekend. The park can be much busier on weekends, especially during the peak season.
The distance from Las Vegas to Zion National Park is roughly 160 miles (257 kilometers). The drive typically takes between 2.5 to 3 hours. Bryce Canyon National Park is quite a bit further — 260 mi (418 km) from Las Vegas. You'd cover that distance in roughly 4 hours.
The best place to stay when visiting Zion is in the town of Springdale. This is primarily because of its great location. Springdale is located directly outside the entrance to Zion National Park, so it's the most convenient area to stay during a trip to the park.
With only One Day in Zion, Make Sure to Book Your Accommodation Early so You can Stay Close to the Park. If you'll be spending 1 day in Zion, it is important to stay as close to the park as possible, so that you minimize your travel time, and can spend most of the day enjoying everything there is to see in Zion.
A Utah roadtrip routeIf 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.
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.
Crowds and wildlife at Bryce Canyon National ParkCrowds are common at most scenic overlooks and a number of trails, especially in summer, but the atmosphere is quieter than at Zion.
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.
Zion's popularity rests partly on its stunning landscape, including some of the tallest sandstone cliffs in the world, and its tapering wild canyon you can hike through.