Visiting Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks was an incredible experience and one we would recommend to anyone looking to explore the vast and expansive wonder that is the Southwest United States. This journey is part of a longer trip we took which included Las Vegas, Death Valley, the Hoover Dam and other locations in the region. Let's get started on the Guide to Exploring Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks: A 4-Day Adventure.
When to Visit
When to do something is always critical to maximizing the value of your experience. Embarking on a mesmerizing 4-day journey through Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, my husband and I discovered the ideal time to visit these natural wonders: March. The weather was pleasantly mild, perfect for experiencing the breathtaking landscapes through stimulating hikes. Weather is a significant factor when visiting this region. It can be very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter.
Where to Start/Fly
We recommend flying into Las Vegas and renting a car to drive to Utah. The drive to our hotel in Utah was about 2 hours and 45 minutes from the Las Vegas airport, a very easy and scenic drive. Las Vegas is a great jumping off point for exploring the Southwest US. Flights are cheap and you have an oasis of amenities the day you arrive and the day you leave.
Where to Stay
We chose Virgin, Utah to be our home base as it is just outside of Springdale, Utah (which is where Zion National Park is located). It was a lot cheaper to stay outside the park at that time. Only 9 miles away from the entrance to the park. Nestled in the heart of Virgin, the Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites captivated us with its panoramic vistas, outdoor pool, complimentary breakfast, and plush bedding, ensuring three nights of absolute comfort after long days exploring the area.
Visitors Centers
There are visitor centers at both parks with plenty of souvenirs and goodies to buy. We brought our own food to both parks so I can’t speak to how their food is at either park. The lodge at Zion has a restaurant called Red Rock Grill that is open for lunch. However, I have heard the wait times can be long. I would recommend packing a lunch and eating on the lawn in front of the lodge. The views are amazing and there is plenty of shade and room to relax.
Bryce Canyon
The first day we drove to Bryce Canyon National Park which was about a 2 hour, very beautiful drive from the hotel. You really only need one day there as it’s a pretty small park and you can experience most things in a day, in my opinion. We did one hike during our visit which was the Navajo Loop trail. It is 3 miles total roundtrip with an elevation change of 515ft. It is considered moderately strenuous, as the toughest part is the switchbacks on the way out of the canyon. The beginning is all down hill. Ultimately, well worth the hike! The hoodoos are stunning up close! After our hike, we drove to the scenic viewpoints around the park to get different views of the hoodoos and scenery. All scenic viewpoints offer a parking lot with a short walk to the lookouts. Absolutely breathtaking!
Zion
Our second day, we went to Zion National Park. I would recommend arriving as early as possible to secure parking and a short wait to ride the shuttle bus that takes you around the park. Zion is full of wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for all kinds of fauna.We did multiple hikes in Zion and highly recommend them all if you have the time. Below are the hikes we did:
Watchman’s Trail - 3 miles, moderate difficulty with 636 ft. elevation gain. It is a gradual climb until you get to the end. Beautiful scenery all throughout. Very little shade so bring water and wear sunscreen.
Emerald Pool Trails - there are different parts (we only did the lower part due to time constraints), easy hike, 1.5 miles, gentle incline with a waterfall at the end.
Overlook Trail -1 mile, moderate difficulty, with 187 ft. elevation gain, great for sunsets
Pa’Rus Trail - paved, easiest in park, only dog friendly trail in the park, no elevation changes
Angel’s Landing - strenuous with an elevation change of 1827 ft.!! But the views are stunning. I believe you have to buy passes now to hike this trail. Check on recreation.gov. The permits open at midnight the day before you want to hike and cost $6.
The Narrows - walking in the river, need to get special boots and pants beforehand at the entrance to the park, can go as far as you want. We were unable to go past the entrance to the water due to the water being too cold at the time we visited, but I highly recommend this hike if you visit in warmer months or if you are brave enough to handle the cold water.
Shopping
We grocery shopped at a small grocery store right outside of Virgin called Davis Food and Drug. They had a great sele
ction of groceries with reasonable prices. Our hotel had a mini fridge and a microwave in our room so we opted to eat in every night. There are a couple restaurants in town that come highly recommended if you desire to eat out.
Main Street Cafe
Stage Coach Grille
Balcony One
Summary
With memories etched in our hearts, our journey concluded. We will return to Zion, Bryce Canyon, and other regional attractions in this portion of the Southwest to continue exploring everything this wonderful landscape has to offer.
If you want to learn more about this area or discuss a trip, please contact us or complete our questionnaire. Don't forget to checkout our planning packages as well!
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