Zion to Bryce Canyon: How to plan an epic 3-day road trip

Utah has some of the most astonishing landscapes in the world. Home to sandstone arches, towering orange hoodoos, red rock canyons and sweeping vistas, Utah has an otherworldly beauty. There is so much to discover in Utah but a 3-day road trip from Zion to Bryce Canyon is a great place to start.

Zion and Bryce Canyon are two of the most popular national parks in the US. Established in 1919, Zion National Park was the first of Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’ national parks. Home to dramatic landscapes and endless hiking opportunities, it’s no wonder that Zion is Utah’s most visited national park. Bryce Canyon is smaller but has just as much to offer. It’s a place of unparalleled beauty, spectacular sunrises, and geological wonders.

I’ve put together this 3-day Zion to Bryce Canyon itinerary to help you plan your own trip and see the best of both parks. This guide covers everything you need to know, including:

• Key information about the parks (entrance fees, shuttle bus systems, accessibility)
• The best time to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon
• Where to stay inside and outside the parks
• The best things to do from epic hikes to breath-taking view points
• How to get from Zion to Bryce Canyon

A road trip from Zion to Bryce Canyon is perfect for a long weekend but if you have more time, there are lots of great places to explore nearby, such as Capitol Reef National Park. I’ve included some ideas for extending your trip later in this guide.

BOOKING / If this article helps you travel, please consider booking your trip via the links on this page. This means I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you and helps me to keep the blog running. Thank you in advance for your support – Steph

3-Day Zion to Bryce Canyon Itinerary

Day 1: Zion

Hike Angels Landing, explore Emerald Pools and watch the sunset at Canyon Junction Bridge

Day 2: Zion to Bryce Canyon

Spend the morning in Zion before driving along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway to Bryce Canyon

Day 3: Bryce Canyon

Watch the sun rise over the hoodoos and hike the best trail in the canyon 

Zion to Bryce Canyon: What you need to know

Before we jump in to this 3-day Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary, here are a few important things you should know about the parks:

Entrance fees

It costs $35 per vehicle (or $30 for motorcycles and $20 for pedestrians) for a 7-day pass to enter Zion National Park and the same for Bryce Canyon. If you’re planning to visit another national park within 12 months, I highly recommend buying the America the Beautiful National Park Pass. It costs $80 for the year and gives you access to all 63 national parks (plus hundreds of other national park sites). Visiting Zion and Bryce Canyon will cost you $70 for a 7-day pass so the annual America the Beautiful National Park pass is much better value for money.

Booking accommodation

There is only one park lodge in both Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Zion Lodge and Bryce Canyon Lodge usually book up over a year in advance as a result. If you want to stay in the parks, you need to organize this in advance. Both Zion and Bryce Canyon have a number of campgrounds located within the parks. Some of the campgrounds are first-come first-served, while others take advance reservations. If you can’t get accommodation in the parks, there are a number of places to stay just outside of Zion and Bryce Canyon. I’ve listed some good options later in this guide.

Accessibility

Zion National Park is much more accessible than Bryce Canyon. The Visitor Centre, shuttle buses and Zion Lodge are fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. There are a number of paved trails which are accessible with some assistance. Bryce Canyon, on the other hand, is very rocky and many of the trails are on uneven terrain. Aside from a small section of the Rim Trail between Sunset Point and Sunrise Point, the majority of the park is not wheelchair accessible. However, there is accessible parking at all of the scenic overlooks and public facilities. 

Visiting Zion and Bryce National Parks with pets

In Zion National Park, pets are allowed on a leash along the roads, in developed campgrounds and in picnic areas. They aren’t allowed on any of the hiking trails except for the Pa’rus Trail, and can’t go on shuttle buses or in public buildings. Similarly, in Bryce Canyon, pets are not allowed on any of the hiking trails. You can take them on a leash to the park viewpoints, campgrounds, and along the Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points.

Car hire

If you’re flying into Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, you’ll need to hire a car to get to Zion and Bryce Canyon. I highly recommend hiring a car from the airport as it’s a lot easier than having to Uber to one of the other car rental locations in the city. I personally use Auto Europe as they have great rates. You can compare all the major companies in a grid format that shows the prices for different car sizes by provider. If you need any help, their 24/7 customer service is very good.

If you’re only driving from Zion to Bryce Canyon, I would suggest saving some money by booking a sedan instead of a SUV. The roads are accessible and well maintained so you really don’t need a SUV for this trip.

The best time to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon

The parks are open all year round but April through to October is considered to be peak season. During the summer months, both Zion and Bryce Canyon are incredibly busy, making the trails crowded and parking very difficult. If you do decide to visit in summer, keep in mind that many of the trails are very exposed so pack plenty of water and sunscreen.   

I would personally suggest planning a trip on either side (March or November) to avoid the crowds if you can. The weather is cooler which is ideal for hiking but it can be quite chilly in the mornings and evenings, especially in Bryce Canyon. Pack plenty of layers as it does warm up throughout the day. When we went in November, we were hiking in t-shirts by mid-day!

Winter is a nice time to visit if you’re looking for solitude. While Zion doesn’t tend to get heavy snowfalls, it can be icy on the trails so pack traction devices such as spikes or crampons and check the trail conditions in advance. Bryce Canyon normally gets a good amount of snow in winter. Seeing the hoodoos with a blanket of snow is magical. However, be aware that the Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop is closed due to its steep switchbacks, along with part of the Rim Trail from Inspiration Point to Bryce Point.

Travel tip

If you plan to hike the Narrows, summer is the best time to do so. In spring, the water levels are still too high but by fall, the water temperature begins to drop which makes it a very cold hike.

Zion to Bryce Canyon: Suggested driving route

Start your 3-day road trip in Zion National Park and head to Bryce Canyon on the second day. You could start in Bryce Canyon and end in Zion; however, Zion is closer to both of the major airports in the area. Las Vegas McCarran International Airport is 3 hours away, while Salt Lake City International Airport is a 4.5 hour drive from the park.

You can begin your Zion to Bryce Canyon trip from Las Vegas or Salt Lake City. Check flight times and prices to see which is more convenient for you. For ease, I’ve included maps for both routes to help you plan your road trip from Zion to Bryce Canyon.

Las Vegas to Zion to Bryce Canyon: Route 1

Salt Lake City to Zion to Bryce Canyon: Route 2

Distance from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon is less than 2 hours from Zion National Park. The drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon is incredibly scenic. In order to get to Bryce Canyon, you’ll leave Zion via the east entrance which will take you along the iconic, windy Zion Mount Carmel Highway. Along the way, you’ll see Zion Canyon’s crimson cliffs transform into cream and pink sandstone mounds.

The highway does have a mile long tunnel which is quite narrow. To ensure large vehicles can pass through safely, NPS rangers are stationed at both tunnel entrances and stop the traffic to let larger vehicles through.

If you are travelling in a RV or your vehicle is 11’4” (3.4m) tall and/ or 7’10” wide, you’ll need to pay a $15 tunnel permit fee at the entrance. For more information, visit the park website.

How to get around Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks

Unless you live nearby, you’ll most likely be flying to Las Vegas, Salt Lake City or St. George (domestic flights). Due to the parks locations, you’ll need to hire a car to get to Zion and Bryce Canyon. 

Getting around Zion National Park: Mandatory Shuttle Bus

In 2000, the National Park Service implemented free shuttle bus system in Zion to reduce traffic and congestion. From March until November, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles and visitors must use the shuttle buses. The only exception is for visitors staying at the Zion Lodge. If you have a reservation, you are allowed to drive along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive as far as the lodge.

There are two shuttle routes, both of which are free and don’t require reservations. You can find the shuttle bus map with all of the stops on the park website.

• Zion Canyon Line (park shuttle): This shuttle starts at the Zion Canyon Visitor Centre and stops at locations on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, including Zion Lodge and the Grotto. The trail heads for a lot of Zion’s popular hikes are located close to these stops.
• Springdale Shuttle (town shuttle): This shuttle starts in Springdale and runs to Zion’s pedestrian/ bike entrance, stopping at 9 locations in town along the way. If you are staying in Springdale and take the shuttle into Zion, you’ll need to buy your national park pass once you get off the bus at the pedestrian entrance.

Travel tip

There is limited parking inside Zion National Park. Most of the car parks are located near the Zion Canyon Visitor Centre and fill up early in the day. If you’re planning to park in Zion you’ll need to get there very early to get a parking spot. In the summer months, park in Springdale and use the free town shuttle service instead.

Getting around Bryce Canyon National Park: Car or Shuttle Bus

The easiest way to get around Bryce Canyon is by car. You can drive throughout the park all year round but they also have a great shuttle bus system which runs daily in peak season (April to mid-October). They’re free to use – all you need to do is show your park entrance receipt or your America the Beautiful Pass.

If you’re visiting in July or August, I recommend using the shuttle service. It can be hard to find a parking spot after 9am at the popular overlooks where the trails begin. The bus route stops at the main hotels in Bryce Canyon City so you could leave your car at the hotel and use the shuttle bus. Alternatively, drive in early and park at one of the central overlooks (Sunset Point, Sunrise Point or Inspiration Point) and then use the shuttle bus to get around.

Where to stay in Zion and Bryce Canyon

To make the most of your 3-day Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip, you’ll want to stay as close to the parks as you can. As I mentioned earlier, accommodation within the parks is quite limited but there are some good options just outside of both parks.

Where to stay inside Zion National Park

Zion Lodge is the only hotel within the park. It was first built in 1924 but burned down in 1966. The lodge was rebuilt in 1966 but was completely restored to its original 1920s-period style in 1990. Zion Lodge only has 80 rooms and books out quickly so if you want to stay here make sure you book at least 9 months in advance. If you enjoy camping, there are three great campgrounds in Zion National Park:

• South Campground: Open from March to October, this campground has tent, RV and group campsites. Reservations are required and can be made up to 14 days in advance.
• Watchman Campground: Open from March to October, the Watchman campground has tent and electric campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. You can reserve a spot up to 6 months in advance.
• Lava Point Campground: Located in Kolob Canyons in the northern part of the park, this used to be a first-come, first-served campground. Starting in 2022, you will have to reserve a spot in advance. Reservations will become available on a 2-week rolling window. It is usually open from May to September and has limited facilities (no water).

Where to stay outside Zion National Park

Springdale is located just outside of Zion National Park and is a great place to stay. The shuttle bus makes it easy to get into the park if you don’t want to drive in. Here are some of the top places to stay in Springdale:

• Driftwood Lodge: This lovely lodge has a swimming pool and hot tub to relax after a busy day exploring. All of the rooms have balconies or patios with lovely views of the Virgin River, the Watchman and the West Temple.
• La Quinta by Wyndham: The décor may be quite simple but the hotel has great facilities, including an outdoor pool, hot tub, fitness centre. However, the views surrounding the hotel are the true highlight.
• Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort: Located on the east side of Zion National Park, Zion Ponderosa is a unique place to stay. The resort’s sister company, East Zion Adventures, offers some incredible guided adventures, such as sunset off-road jeep tours and guided hikes to the stunning slot canyons.  

Where to stay inside Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon Lodge is the only hotel inside the park and has a lovely rustic charm. It is located right in-between Sunset and Sunrise Points meaning you’ll have Bryce Amphitheater on your doorstep. Like Zion, there are a couple of campgrounds within the park:

• North Campground: Open all year round, this campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis so you need to show up early in peak season to snag a spot. It’s located on the rim of the amphitheater close to the Rim Trail and Fairyland Loop trail head. 
• Sunset Campground: Open from May to October, this campground is the larger of the two. You can reserve a spot up to 6 months in advance. It’s located opposite Sunset Point so you can easily get to all the main trail heads.

Where to stay outside Bryce Canyon National Park

If you’re planning to stay outside the park, Bryce Canyon City (also referred to as Bryce) is the closest option. It is located 3 miles from the Visitor Centre so you can be at the park entrance in less than 10 minutes. There aren’t many options to choose from so I suggest booking in advance:

• Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn: This Southwestern-themed hotel has all the necessary amenities, including a few different restaurants to choose from. It is also open in the off-season so it’s a good choice if you’re visiting in November as a lot of places are closed.  
• Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand: Located on the other side of the highway from its sister hotel, Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn, this is a comfortable and modern option.
• Ruby Inn’s RV Park and Campground: If you’re travelling in your own RV, this campground has 250 campsites which have electric and water, and full hook-ups. There are also cabins and tipis.

Panguitch and Tropic are good options if all of the hotels in Bryce Canyon City are fully booked. They are a bit further from the park but they have a number of budget and mid-range hotels.

Zion to Bryce Canyon: The best 3-day itinerary

This 3-day Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip will help you experience the best of both parks, from scenic viewpoints to incredible hikes.

If you have the vacation time, you could extend your visit and explore the other Utah ‘Mighty 5’ National parks on one epic road trip. You’ll need at least 8 or 9 days to explore all 5 parks. If you don’t have time to do all 5 parks but want to extend this 3-day road trip by a few days, I’ve added some options later in this guide. 

In order to make the most of your trip to Zion and Bryce Canyon, I recommend getting to Zion National Park the night before. This way you can get an early start on day one!

Day 1: Explore Zion National Park

Looking for a more detailed guide?

My ultimate guide to Zion National Park covers the best things to do in Zion so that you can build your own 2-day itinerary.

Zion is Utah’s most visited national park and welcomes over 4.5 million visitors a year. It can get very busy during the day so you’ll want to get an early start to avoid the intense crowds! Aim to catch the first shuttle of the day (7am or 8am depending on the time of year).

Today, you’ll hike Zion’s most popular hike, Angels Landing. It is a tough hike and not for the fainthearted. If you don’t fancy hiking Angels Landing, consider hiking the Watchman Trail instead. It’s often overlooked by visitors in favour of the park’s other iconic hikes but it’s a great alternative. The trail Is 3.3 miles (5.3 km) long with 368 feet (112 m) elevation gain. You’ll ascend a number of switchbacks to a viewpoint above the canyon floor where you’ll get some great views of the Watchman.

Hike Angels Landing

Angels Landing is probably the most famous hike in Zion National Park (closely followed by the Narrows. The panoramic views over the canyon are stunning but it’s a strenuous hike with 1,500 feet (457 m) elevation gain over 5.4 miles (8.7 km).

The trail begins at The Grotto shuttle stop. You’ll follow the trail along the river until you reach the first set of switchbacks which can be quite gruelling! The trail eventually flattens out and you’ll get some relief as you walk through Refrigerator Canyon. This section is relatively flat and shaded so you can cool down before the next set of switchbacks. Known as Walter Wiggles, these rigorous switchbacks lead to Scout’s Landing where you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous views.

The final stretch of the hike involves walking along a thin mountain ridge with steep drop offs on either side. There are chains bolted into this section but it’s still very narrow and dangerous in places. Over the years, a dozen hikers have died on this trail. Take your time and make sure you are focusing on the trail. This is not the place to stop and try and take a selfie. Once you reach the top, you’ll be greeted with spectacular panoramic views over Zion National Park.

NEW FOR 2022: ANGELS LANDING PERMITS

Zion National Park has implemented permits for Angels Landing to try and reduce crowding and congestion.

This permit is only required for the last section of the hike – Scout’s Landing to Angels Landing. You can still hike up to Scout’s Landing and enjoy the incredible views without a permit. You can also continue to hike along the West Rim Trail. This is a 15 mile (24 km) trail which connects to Lava Point. You don’t need to hike the whole way to find gorgeous vantage points though. After a couple of miles, you’ll come to a great lookout point where you’ll get a beautiful view of Angels Landing.

If you have your heart set on hiking Angels Landing, there are two ways to get a permit:

• Seasonal Lottery: The seasonal lottery opens in January, April, July and October and allows you to apply for dates for that season. It costs $6 to apply for a seasonal permit which covers up to 6 people. If you’re successful, you’ll be notified by email on the day recreation.gov issue permits and will have to pay the additional $3 fee per person.
• Day-Before Lottery: If you don’t manage to get a permit in advance, you can apply for one the day before your planned hike. This lottery opens every day at 12:01 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. Mountain Time (MT). Permits are issued at 4pm for the next day. The permit costs the same as the seasonal lottery; $6 for the application (up to 6 people) and an additional $3 fee per person if successful.

You can read more about the new permit system on the NPS website or you can apply for your permits via recreation.gov.

Have lunch at Zion Lodge

After hiking Angels Landing, you’ll probably have worked up quite an appetite! Jump on a shuttle bus heading back to the Visitor Centre and get off at the next stop, Zion Lodge. The Lodge houses the only full-service restaurant in Zion National Park, the Red Rock Grill.

The restaurant’s large windows provide unbeatable views, making it the perfect place to relax and refuel after a tough hike. The restaurant has a great and varied menu, from small entrees such as hummus wraps, salmon cakes and Navajo tacos, to larger plates like the black bean quinoa burger and the bison cheese burger.

If you’re short on time and want to get something to go, the Castle Dome Café is a great snack bar next to the lodge. It’s open during the season (normally March to November) and serves coffee, tea, cinnamon buns, burgers and hot dogs.

Explore the Emerald Pools

There are three Emerald Pools; lower, middle and upper. The trail heads are located at Zion Lodge so it’s a great thing to do after lunch. There are separate trails to each one or if you have time, you can also combine them and make one 3-mile (4.8 km) round trip hike.

You may not want to do any more hiking after Angels Landing, but luckily the trail to Lower Emerald Pool is quite easy and relaxing. It’s a paved and relatively flat trail which is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. The trails to the middle and upper falls are classed as moderate as they are a bit rockier and steeper.

• Lower Falls: 1.2 miles (1.9 km) with 69 feet (21 m) elevation gain
• Middle Falls: 2.2 miles (3.5 km) with 150 feet (45 m) elevation gain
• Upper Falls: 1 mile (1.6 km) with 200 feet (61 m) elevation gain

The best time to do these trails is in spring when the snow has just melted or after a heavy rainfall as the waterfalls are more impressive. If you visit in summer or fall, the waterfalls can be a bit underwhelming as the water levels in the pools are usually very low.

Watch the sunset from Canyon Junction Bridge

The park’s topography means you won’t actually see the sunset within the main canyon, but the golden glow on the cliffs is just as magical. There are some lovely spots to watch the sun set in Zion National Park, but Canyon Junction Bridge is my favourite. The view of the Virgin River and the Watchman in the distance is one of Zion’s most iconic sights.

The bridge can get quite crowded at sunset and is technically a road so make sure you stay inside the lines and don’t linger on the bridge. When we were there in November 2021, there were signs telling pedestrians not to stop on the bridge. If you hold up traffic, you can get fined so try to find a spot just off the road to take photos. 

Travel tip: Go stargazing

You’ll probably be tired after your early start but if you can find the energy I highly recommend taking advantage of Zion’s dark skies to go stargazing. Zion became a certified International Dark Sky Park in 2021 so it’s a wonderful place for stargazing and astro-photography. Book a stargazing tour and spend a memorable evening under the stars. The tour provides telescopes, hot chocolates and blankets so you can get cozy while learning about the constellations from an expert.

Day 2: Zion to Bryce Canyon

Today, you’ll spend half a day in Zion National Park before driving to Bryce Canyon. You’ll want to get up early again to make the most of the day. I recommend packing up your car and checking out of your accommodation before you start the activities for the day. By doing so you can enjoy your morning in Zion and don’t need to worry about rushing back to check out by 11am.

The itinerary below will depend on when you’re visiting Zion. If you’re visiting in the summer or early fall, I recommend hiking the Narrows (option 1). This is the best time to hike the as the water is at its warmest and the water levels are not too high. The trail is often closed in spring due to strong currents. If you’re planning to visit Zion in spring, late fall or winter, the Narrows will be closed so think about exploring Kolob Canyon instead (option 2).

Hike the Narrows (Option 1)

As the name suggests, the Narrows is the narrowest part of Zion Canyon. It is one of Zion’s most popular hikes so aim to catch the first shuttle bus to the trail head to try so you can beat the crowds. Get off the shuttle bus at Temple of Sinawava stop and follow the Riverside Walk until you reach the Narrows. This is where the fun really begins. You’ll wade through the Virgin River with the Navajo sandstone canyon walls towering above you on either side. Centuries of erosion have created beautiful rock formations which are truly impressive to see first-hand.

Although the trail is 9.4 miles (15.1 km) long, you can decide how far you hike. Some people like to hike all the way to Big Springs, while others stop at Orderville Canyon where the trail ‘narrows’. It usually takes about 2 hours to reach Orderville Canyon making it a 4 hour round-trip.

As you’re walking through the river, you’ll need to have the right equipment. Lightweight hiking boots that can get wet are a must. There are several outfitters in Springdale such as Zion Guru that provide waterproof socks, boots, hiking poles and dry bags. You can reserve your rental gear online and pick them up the day before your hike.  

Travel tip

Hiking through the Narrows can be dangerous due to the potential for flash floods. There are also some issues with a toxic cyanobacteria bloom, which acts as a neurotoxin. Make sure you check the trail conditions and stop by the Visitor Centre for the latest information before you set out.

Don’t want to walk through the river? You can just follow the Riverside Walk to the start of the Narrows instead. This is a short, easy and accessible trail with some lovely views. You’ll get a glimpse of the Narrows at the end of the trail and can turn round and head back. Get the shuttle bus back to the Visitor Centre and wander along the Pa’rus Trail. This short walk (3.5 miles / 5.6 km) follows the Virgin River from the Visitor Centre to Canyon Junction Bridge and has wonderful views of the Watchman.

Explore Kolob Canyon (Option 2)

There are two distinct areas in Zion National Park; Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyons. Most visitors stick to Zion Canyon but if the Narrows are closed or you just fancy escaping the crowds, venture out to Kolob Canyon. Located in the north of the park, Kolob Canyon is less crowded but equally as beautiful as Zion Canyon. From Springdale, it’s an hour’s drive to the canyons which are just off of Interstate 15 via exit 40.

The Scenic Drive starts just past the Visitor Centre. As you drive along the road, the sandy hills slowly turn a luscious green colour and the jagged red cliffs emerge in front of you. The drive ends at Kolob Canyons Viewpoint where you can see the tips of the ‘finger’ canyons in the east. If you want to explore more of the area, you can hike the short 1 mile (1.6 km) Timber Creek Overlook Trail which offers amazing views of the Kolob Canyons skyline.

Drive the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

It’s time to start your journey from Zion to Bryce Canyon. It’s a beautiful drive that will take you along the switchbacks of the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and through the iconic tunnel that cuts through the mountain. Constructed in the 1920s, the highway and the tunnel are designated as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

The views along the Zion Mount Carmel Highway are otherworldly. It’s incredible to see the landscape change as you pass through the tunnel.

Hike Canyon Overlook

Canyon Overlook is a short hike (1 mile/ 1.6 km round-trip) that leads to an incredible viewpoint overlooking Zion Canyon. The trail head is located just after the tunnel. There is a small parking lot on the right hand side right as you exit the tunnel but there are less than 10 spaces. There are a few more spots on the left hand side as you continue to drive east but you’ll probably need to park on one of the shoulders along the highway and walk back to the trail head.

Parking is difficult here but the views from the lookout are definitely worth it. From the overlook, you can see the West and East temples, as well as the Towers of the Virgin. Enjoy the views before heading back to your car.

Drive to Bryce Canyon

The drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon takes around 2 hours and is very scenic. Keep an eye out for Checkerboard Mesa on the way. This unique rock formation is located about 5 miles east of the Canyon Overlook trailhead. It has a crisscross pattern that was created by thousands of years of freeze-and-thaw cycles. There is a viewpoint you can stop at if you want to get out and take some photos.

Depending on what time you get to Bryce Canyon, you might want to drive to Sunset Point or Inspiration Point and watch the sun set.

Day 3: Explore Bryce Canyon

Looking for a more detailed guide?

This itinerary only includes one day in Bryce Canyon so you can fit both parks into a long weekend trip. However, if you have more time and want to add on an extra day in Bryce, check out my 2-day Bryce Canyon itinerary. 

Although Bryce Canyon is quieter than Zion, it is still a popular place and the trails can get quite busy. Aim to get up early and watch the sunrise. It’s a magical experience and something you don’t want to miss if you just have one day in Bryce Canyon!

Watch sunrise at Inspiration Point

Bryce Canyon is known for its soft lighting and warm glow that radiates off the red and oranges hoodoos as the sun rises. The majority of the rim overlooks face east which is perfect for sunrise. There are lots of lovely spots along the rim but Inspiration Point has three levels that provide unobstructed views over the Bryce Amphitheater. Wrap up warm as it can be very cold at sunrise. 

Hike Navajo Loop and the Queen’s Garden Trail

Make the most of being up early and hike one of the most popular hikes in Bryce Canyon before the crowds arrive.The Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail is a combination loop made up of two separate trails. They’re both incredibly scenic trails so I recommend combining them into one loop to make the most of your one day in Bryce Canyon.

The combination loop is 2.9 miles (4.6 km) with an elevation change of 600 feet (183 meters). You can start from Sunrise Point or Sunset Point. Clockwise direction is recommended by the NPS but you can hike it in either direction. We actually did counter clockwise, starting at Sunset Point and finishing at Sunrise Point.

The Wall Street side is often closed in winter but you can take the Two Bridges instead. You’ll walk among some of the most incredible hoodoos, including Queen Victoria – one of the hoodoos in the ‘garden’ which resembles the queen and her throne!

Read more about the trail >

Have lunch at Bryce Canyon Lodge

After you finish the hike, stop by Bryce Canyon Lodge for an early lunch. If you’re visiting in the off-season, the Lodge will be closed. You can either bring a packed lunch or buy something from the General Store just outside the park. There are plenty of lovely spots along the rim to sit and enjoy the view. 

Drive the Scenic Highway

After lunch, jump back in the car and drive along the main road, A.K.A the Scenic Highway. This 36-mile round trip runs has over a dozen scenic overlooks along the way. As the overlooks are on the east, you’ll want to drive all the way to the highest points in the park, Yovimpa Point or Rainbow Point. You can then drive back up, stopping at the different overlooks on the way.

If you have time, you can get out of the car at Yovimpa Point or Rainbow Point and hike the short and pretty Bristlecone Loop. It’s a 1 mile (1.6 km) trail with minimal elevation change (200 feet/ 61 meters) which takes you through a forest of fir and spruce trees. The trail ends at an expansive vista overlooking Grand-Staircase-Escalante National Monument.  

Head home

After an amazing day in Bryce Canyon it’s time to head home. Las Vegas and Salt Lake City are both approximately 270 miles away from Bryce Canyon. If you’re flying back from either of these airports, plan for about 4 hours of driving time.

Location details

Here is the route for this 3-day Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip along with all of the locations on the itinerary. You can save the map by clicking on the star next to the title so you can use it to plan your own trip.

Extending your Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip

As I mentioned earlier, a lot of people like to extend their Zion to Bryce road trip and explore the rest of Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’ national parks. If you have at least 8 days, you could visit Arches National Park, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef as one epic road trip. Given that there is so much to see in each park, 10 days would be ideal. Visit Utah has a great 10-day itinerary if you are thinking of doing all 5 parks in one trip.

Canyonlands and Arches National Park are both located in Moab approximately 4 hours away from Bryce Canyon. Capitol Reef National Park, on the other hand, is only a 2-hour drive from Bryce Canyon. If you’re looking to extend your trip but don’t have time to do all 5 parks, consider spending a couple of days exploring Capitol Reef National Park. It’s the least visited of the ‘Mighty 5’ parks and is still a bit of a hidden gem. I’ve written a detailed guide about Capitol Reef National Park which covers everything you need to know, including where to stay and what to do.

Zion to Bryce Canyon: Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Zion or Bryce Canyon?

Zion and Bryce Canyon are both incredible parks but in very different ways. Bryce has an otherworldly beauty and it’s probably one of the most enchanting national parks I’ve visited in the US so far. I personally liked the fact that it was a bit smaller.

Zion is larger and I feel like we only scratched the surface. It’s much more accessible than Bryce Canyon which is great if you’re travelling with wheelchairs or strollers, but it does mean it’s a lot busier. There are so many great outdoor activities in Zion which make it a really fun destination for adventure lovers.

Should I spend more time in Zion or Bryce Canyon?

It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you enjoy exhilarating hikes, Zion has some thrilling hiking trails that are very unique. There are also lots of other great outdoor things to do in Zion so if you’re an adventure junkie, spend more time in Zion National Park. If you love photography and are looking for beautiful viewpoints, I would personally say spend more time in Bryce Canyon. The rock formations are stunning and many of the scenic overlooks are easily accessible.   

Can you see Zion and Bryce Canyon in one day?

Theoretically you could visit both Zion and Bryce Canyon in one day. However, you wouldn’t be able to see very much of either park so I would suggest spending at least one day in Bryce Canyon and two days in Zion National Park.

Is one day enough in Bryce Canyon?

If you only want to see the highlights and don’t want to do much hiking then one day may be enough for you. However, I would suggest spending at least two days in Bryce Canyon so you have more time to explore.

Final thoughts

From the technicolour cliffs in Zion to the brilliant-hued hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, these two parks are very different but equally as spectacular. A road trip from Zion to Bryce Canyon is the best way to experience the parks’ incredible hiking trails, beautiful viewpoints and awe-inspiring scenic drives. Here are a few more guides to help you plan your trip:

• How to spend a day in Capitol Reef National Park
• Fairyland Loop: The best hike in Bryce Canyon National Park
• Lower Calf Creek Falls: A must-do waterfall hike in Escalante

I hope this guide helps you plan your own Zion to Bryce road trip. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer them!

Love from Steph

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