Grand Canyon to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park Road Trip Itinerary

There is no shortage of national and state parks, monuments, and landscapes to explore in the Southwest. While the Grand Canyon is certainly one of the most popular spots—nearly five million people visit the South Rim National Park alone each year—there are two other National Parks within a proverbial stone’s throw of the Grand Canyon that Southwest roadtrippers often add to their itineraries: Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.

These three Southwest hotspots are ideally situated for a convenient road trip loop, making this journey particularly ideal for travelers exploring the region in a rented car. See them all—with some other state parks and national monuments thrown in for good measure—on our Ultimate Grand Canyon-Bryce Canyon-Zion National Park road trip.

Thanks to its close proximity, ease of access, and abundant amenities, Las Vegas is an ideal homebase for our Ultimate Grand Canyon to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary.

Because it’s a loop, this route can easily be reversed. Instead of following our suggested Grand Canyon-Bryce Canyon-Zion National Park loop, you can also start your trip at Zion, then make your way to Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon National Park before returning to Las Vegas.

Let’s hit the road!

Over 43 million people visit Las Vegas every year. Despite its rambunctious reputation, Las Vegas is a fantastic homebase for your Southwest explorations, offering easy access to nearby attractions like Red Rock Canyon and Death Valley, as well as ample accommodation options and in-town activities for travelers of every inclination, including kids.

If you have a few days to explore Las Vegas, check out our Ultimate Guide to Visiting Las Vegas for our tips for finding the right hotel, what to pack, where to eat, and what else you can see and do in the city limits and beyond.

The Grand Canyon’s South Rim National Park is about 281 miles from Las Vegas—a drive of roughly 4-5 hours. If you are starting your Grand Canyon to Zion National Park road trip at the South Rim, your route from Las Vegas will take you along historic Route 66, with stops at the Hoover Dam, Kingman, and Seligman, AZ on the way:

The South Rim is the most popular place to visit the Grand Canyon, with the greatest available amenities, the highest concentration of viewpoints and hiking trails, a robust schedule of guided Ranger programs and events, and a number of dining and accommodation options. Here are some highlights to keep in mind:

Check out our South Rim resources to learn more about what you can see and do while you visit:

From the South Rim, you can head north to check out the Grand Canyon’s remote North Rim or continue east to Page, AZ. The North Rim closes from mid-October to mid-May, so if you’re visiting in the fall, winter, or spring, head straight to Page from the South Rim.

Though they are less than a mile apart as the crow flies, the Grand Canyon’s North Rim is a 211 mile, 4 hour drive from the South Rim National Park. If you’re thinking about skipping the busy South Rim, you can head straight to the quiet North Rim from Las Vegas—it’s about the same driving distance from Las Vegas and Page, AZ (the next stop on our itinerary) as the South Rim.

If you have enough time, it’s certainly possible to visit both Rims during your National Park adventure. If you only have time to visit one Rim, our guide can help you decide which spot to visit.

Both regions offer very different experiences. The North Rim receives significantly fewer visitors than the South Rim—about 10% of the Grand Canyon’s total visitation—and it offers a much more relaxed vibe with more natural solitude, as well as a cooler climate and a wider range of vegetation thanks to its higher elevation.

Read our North Rim guide for more information on the area, including hiking trails and viewpoints.

Page, AZ is roughly 2.5 hours from the South Rim and the North Rim. This bustling Arizona town is an ideal place to base your Grand Canyon East explorations, especially if you want to stay for a night or two. It’s within easy distance of iconic east rim views like Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, as well as Marble Canyon and Lake Powell, and there are numerous dining and accommodation options available.

Be sure to check out:

Find out what else you can see and do on the east rim of the Grand Canyon:

Kodachrome Basin State Park is about 170 miles—roughly a 3 hour drive—from Page, AZ. Best known for its 67 towering sand pipes, Kodachrome Basin has earned a reputation as a photography paradise—in fact, the park is such a hotspot for photographers that it was actually renamed in 1962 when the Kodak Corporation gave permission to use the name of its famous Kodachrome film.

If you have time, the main entrance for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (located in Escalante, UT) is about 50 minutes northeast of Kodachrome Basin. This National Monument is home to a mixture of colorful sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, washes, and slickrock formations. With vast swathes of untouched backcountry to explore, this region is a must-see for the most adventurous among us, and is well worth a stop on your way to Bryce Canyon National Park.

For a longer detour, you could also continue another 1.5 hours, or 70 miles (about 110 miles, or 2.5 hours total from Kodachrome Basin), north of Grand Staircase-Escalante to Capitol Reef National Park. Capitol Reef is best known for the Waterpocket Fold—a 100-mile “wrinkle” in the earth’s crust.

Bryce Canyon National Park is just a short 23 mile drive from Kodachrome Basin.

Named after Ebenezer Bryce, a mormon pioneer who set up a homestead in the area in 1874, the Park’s major feature is Bryce Canyon. Bryce Canyon isn’t technically a canyon at all—it’s actually a collection of giant natural amphitheaters along the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau.

Bryce Canyon National Park is most famous for its rock spires, known as “hoodoos”. Formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of sedimentary rocks, the hoodoos are best viewed from the scenic drive along the edge of the Canyon rim, which can reach elevations up to 9,100 feet above sea level—much higher than Zion Canyon.

The park is open year round, and is popular for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sledding in the winter. During the summer, visitors often stop to watch the sunrise or sunset at Bryce Amphitheater, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, or Bryce Point. The elevation can make weather unpredictable—particularly in the winter months—and lightning is especially common, so be sure to pack accordingly.

NOTE: Parking is limited in the summer—there is only one spot for every four cars, so plan to arrive early, or take the free shuttle. The shuttle stops at all the main viewpoints and is the most efficient way to explore the National Park.

Ranger-led night hikes, including Astronomy and Full Moon hikes where you can steal a closer look at the stars through a telescope, are very popular at Bryce Canyon National Park. There are many other hiking trails at a variety of difficult levels to enjoy as well. Here are some of the most well-traveled:

Fast facts

Named by Mormon settlers after the ancient Hebrew word for “sanctuary” or “refuge”, Zion National Park is about 73 miles southwest of Bryce Canyon, near Springdale, UT.

Zion National Park is located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert. As a result, the park’s geography is unique, including mountains, canyons, buttes, monoliths, rivers, slot canyons, and natural arches. It’s best known for Zion Canyon—a 15-mile long canyon that reaches depths up to 2,640 feet. Unlike the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon is typically viewed from the canyon floor—instead of peering over the canyon rim into deep rocky chasms, you’ll be peering upwards at massive granite cliffs.

Travellers that would prefer not to park inside the National Park can catch the shuttle bus in Springdale. The shuttle is free, and will drop you off at eight different stops within the park.

If you have limited time, you may want to plan your road trip itinerary so that you spend more time at Zion National Park than Bryce Canyon. One night is more than enough time to experience Bryce Canyon, but the many hiking trails, viewpoints, and activities at Zion National Park will keep you occupied for several days.

From easy, family-friendly walks to multi-day backcountry excursions, Zion National Park is a hiker’s paradise. Here are some of the most popular trails:

Day hiking is permitted if you start from Riverside Walk and are not going any further than Big Spring (5 miles). If you want to continue past Big Spring, you’ll need a backcountry permit.

NOTE: Winter runoff means this trail usually doesn’t open till June or July.

Rent a bicycle from one of the many rental outposts near Zion National Park to ride the Pa’rus Trail or wind your way along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

You can also book guided bicycle tours in nearby Springdale.

The Mount Carmel Highway stretches for 21 miles, connecting the south and east entrances of the National Park. This scenic drive features up and down steep switchbacks, numerous pull-offs and photo opportunities, and a trip through the 1.1 mile long Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel.

Be sure to allow extra time for delays to stop at the many photo ops along the route, and to accommodate other large vehicles traversing the Tunnel—the Tunnel reduces to one lane to accommodate vehicles like RVs, and delays up to 15 minutes are common. For more information on large vehicle restrictions, visit the National Park Service website.

NOTE: There are no washrooms or other services along the route, so be sure to stop for a washroom break before you begin your journey. Bring all the food and water you’ll need for your journey.

Beyond the scenic highway, driving in Zion National Park is restricted for much of the year. From mid-march through November, your only option for transportation within the park is the shuttle. The shuttle is free, and departs from the Springdale Visitor Center.

Formed over the course of 150 million years, the eponymous red rock formations of the Valley of Fire get their characteristic hue from the concentration of iron oxide in the area’s sediment.

The Valley of Fire is about 130 miles, just under 2.5 hours drive, from Zion National Park, making it the perfect place to break up your drive to Las Vegas. Stop and stretch your legs, explore the area, or enjoy a picnic before you finish your journey.

Learn more about what to see and do at the Valley of Fire:

The drive to Las Vegas is just under 50 miles—about one hour—from the Valley of Fire. From Las Vegas, you can also visit Red Rock Canyon, which lies just 20 miles—a short 25 minute drive—from the Strip.

Thanks to their close proximity, the Grand Canyon-Bryce Canyon-Zion National Park loop is a very popular choice for southwest roadtrippers. Nearby Las Vegas is a common homebase for these explorations, with numerous accommodation options, a busy airport, and an unparalleled selection of other activities to enjoy.

Find out what you can do at each National Park, as well as other spots to see along your route, on our Ultimate Grand Canyon to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon road trip:

Get more tips for your Grand Canyon road trip in our comprehensive guide: