Which is prettier Bryce Canyon or Zion?

If seeing the most breathtaking views of the southwest is your goal, Zion National Park might be a better choice. With its spectacular sandstone cliffs and deep canyons, it's hard to beat. There are also plenty of trails to explore and activities like rock climbing, canyoneering, and horseback riding.



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If seeing the most breathtaking views of the southwest is your goal, Zion National Park might be a better choice. With its spectacular sandstone cliffs and deep canyons, it's hard to beat. There are also plenty of trails to explore and activities like rock climbing, canyoneering, and horseback riding.

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Should I Spend More Time in Zion or Bryce Canyon? Chances are, if you're heading to Bryce Canyon, you're probably also wanting to visit Zion National Park at the same time. These parks are only two hours apart, making it easy to see both! Zion definitely needs more time than Bryce Canyon.

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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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One of the important differences between Bryce Canyon and Zion is that Bryce is at significantly higher elevation than Zion. In fact, Bryce has areas that are as much as 5,000 feet higher in elevation than Zion. This means that Bryce is significantly colder—and snowier—than Zion for a significant portion of the year.

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Bryce Canyon National Park in Spring and Fall: April and October. These are probably the best months to visit the park if you're looking for a quiet, reflective experience with mild weather.

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Bryce Canyon National Park in Southwestern Utah is famous for the largest collection of hoodoos—the distinctive rock formations at Bryce—in the world. Bryce Canyon is also home to horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, scenic vistas, and the dark night sky.

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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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You should plan to spend at least 1 to 2 days in Bryce Canyon National Park. While you can see the highlights in just one day, you'll be able to explore the hiking trails more with a full 2 days in Bryce Canyon.

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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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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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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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Known for its glowing orange rock hoodoos and otherworldly landscape, Bryce Canyon National Park is a must see. While the nearby town of Bryce, Utah offers many lodging options, spending a night inside the park at the Lodge at Bryce Canyon is an unforgettable experience.

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Best Time of Year to Visit Zion and Bryce Canyon From April to October, the weather is warm, perfect for hiking. But crowds flock to these parks in the summer. To avoid crowds, it's best to visit in either spring or fall. The best months in Zion and Bryce Canyon are April, May, September, and October.

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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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Bryce Canyon NP Scenic drive runs 18 miles along Highway 63 from Highway 12 until it ends at the south end of Highway 63 in Bryce Canyon National Park. Many of the park's highlights can be seen by the numerous overlooks. Please be aware that several of the side roads may be closed seasonally due to wintery conditions.

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Bryce Canyon NP Scenic drive runs 18 miles along Highway 63 from Highway 12 until it ends at the south end of Highway 63 in Bryce Canyon National Park. Many of the park's highlights can be seen by the numerous overlooks.

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Bryce Canyon's popular trails tend to be shorter, easier hikes. The best way to find solitude in Bryce Canyon is to take on one of the park's harder trails like the Fairyland Loop. This is the longest day hike in Bryce Canyon and the most strenuous.

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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.

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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. All 100 sites are reservable on a 6-month rolling basis.

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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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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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Bryce Canyon's high elevation, clean air, and remote location creates some of the darkest skies in the country.

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Start hikes, like the Queen's Garden/Navajo Loop trail, in the morning to avoid crowds. I recommend watching the sunrise and starting the hike shortly after. Wait to do the scenic drive until the afternoon after you've explored the area around Bryce Canyon Lodge. Sunrise is the best time for photography.

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