Utah’s southwestern corner offers one of America’s most spectacular short drives connecting two dramatically different national parks.
The Zion to Bryce Canyon route spans just 84 miles but transforms from towering red sandstone cliffs to otherworldly stone spires in less than two hours.
As travel writers who’ve covered Utah’s national parks extensively, we’ve driven this route multiple times across different seasons.
This relatively quick drive packs incredible variety into a compact distance, connecting two UNESCO-recognized landscapes through some of the Southwest’s most photogenic terrain.
Our comprehensive guide draws from firsthand experience and local expertise to help you plan this memorable drive, covering optimal routes, timing, and essential stops for maximum impact.
How Far Is Zion to Bryce Canyon?
The direct route between these two national parks covers approximately 84 miles and takes roughly 1 hour and 50 minutes of driving time without stops.
The fastest path follows the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway east from Zion National Park, then connects north via US-89 through the towns of Mount Carmel Junction and Long Valley Junction. This route takes you through the famous Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and up dramatic switchbacks as you exit the park.
The drive feels more like a scenic experience than simple transportation between destinations. You’ll gain significant elevation as you travel from Zion’s desert floor at 4,000 feet to Bryce Canyon’s rim at over 8,000 feet in altitude.
The landscape transformation happens gradually, creating anticipation as red rock formations give way to pine forests and eventually to Bryce’s distinctive pink and orange hoodoos.
Best Scenic Route From Zion To Bryce Canyon
The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway provides the most dramatic and visually rewarding path between the two parks.
This route begins with the famous 1.1-mile tunnel carved through solid sandstone in 1930, followed by a series of switchbacks that offer spectacular views back into Zion Canyon. The road continues past massive sandstone formations before reaching the more open terrain of US 89.
The landscape shifts occur in distinct phases as you gain elevation. Desert vegetation and red rock walls gradually transition to juniper and pinyon pine forests, then to higher elevation aspen groves, and finally to the unique pink limestone formations surrounding Bryce Canyon.
Several optional detours can extend your trip, including scenic drives through Red Canyon or stops at Cedar Breaks National Monument for those wanting to add more variety to their route.
One-Day Road Trip Itinerary Snapshot
A single day allows you to experience both parks’ highlights while making key stops along the connecting route.
Morning (8:00 AM to 12:00 PM)
- Depart Zion National Park via Zion Mount Carmel Highway
- Stop for photos at Canyon Junction Bridge overlook
- Drive through Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel
- Brief stop in Mount Carmel Junction for supplies
Afternoon (12:00 PM to 4:00 PM)
- Lunch break in Kanab or continue to Red Canyon
- Short hike at Red Canyon along Scenic Byway 12
- Drive the final stretch to Bryce Canyon National Park
- Check into accommodation or a campground
Evening (4:00 PM to 8:00 PM)
- Quick visit to Sunset Point for first hoodoo views
- Drive Rim Trail or walk to Inspiration Point
- Watch sunset from Sunset Point (weather permitting)
This timeline works best during longer daylight months and requires starting early to maximize your time at both destinations.
Best Stops Between Zion And Bryce Canyon
The route between these parks offers numerous worthwhile stops that can transform a simple drive into a day-long trip.
Red Canyon (hoodoos preview on Scenic Byway 12)
Red Canyon serves as a perfect introduction to the hoodoo formations you’ll see in greater concentration at Bryce. The area features several easy hiking trails and unique red rock tunnels that frame the road itself.
The Pink Ledges Trail offers a short 1-mile loop through miniature versions of Bryce’s formations. Arches Trail provides another quick option for stretching your legs while seeing natural stone arches up close.
Kanab (Hollywood history and Coral Pink Sand Dunes)
This small Utah town played host to numerous Western movies and TV shows, earning it the nickname “Little Hollywood.” The area also provides access to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park for a completely different landscape experience.
Main Street features several buildings from the town’s Hollywood heyday, plus local restaurants and shops for meal breaks. The nearby dunes offer opportunities for photography and short hikes in a unique environment.
Cedar Breaks National Monument (amphitheater views)
Cedar Breaks provides spectacular amphitheater views similar to Bryce Canyon but typically with fewer crowds. The monument sits at over 10,000 feet and may be closed during the winter months.
Point Supreme offers the most accessible viewpoint with expansive views into the colorful rock formations below. The visitor center provides educational displays about the area’s geology and wildlife.
Dixie National Forest (forests, meadows, red cliffs)
The national forest encompasses much of the high country between the two parks, offering cooler temperatures and different vegetation zones. Several scenic overlooks and picnic areas provide rest stops with mountain views.
Navajo Loop Road cuts through some of the forest’s most scenic sections. The area features aspens that turn golden in fall and wildflower meadows during spring and early summer.
Panguitch (historic small-town charm)
This small Utah community offers dining options and serves as a convenient resupply point for travelers. The town features historic buildings and local restaurants serving regional cuisine.
Main Street preserves much of its late 1800s character with brick and stone buildings housing shops and eateries. The town also provides lodging options for those preferring to stay outside the national parks.
Mossy Cave Trail and Losee Canyon (short hikes and hoodoos)
These easily accessible trails near Bryce Canyon provide opportunities to walk among hoodoo formations rather than just viewing them from rim overlooks. Both hikes take less than an hour to complete.
Mossy Cave Trail leads to a small waterfall and cave formation along a stream. The trail offers close-up views of the erosion processes that create Bryce’s distinctive rock spires.
Grand Staircase-Escalante (optional extension)
This vast national monument offers opportunities for extended exploration of Utah’s red rock country. The area requires more time but rewards adventurous travelers with remote landscapes and slot canyons.
Access points along US 89 provide entry to various sections of the monument. Many areas require high-clearance vehicles or significant hiking to reach the most spectacular features.
The monument’s size and remote character make it better suited for multi-day trips rather than brief stops during the Zion to Bryce drive.
Best Time To Drive From Zion To Bryce Canyon
Each season offers distinct advantages and challenges for the drive between these two national parks.
Spring brings mild temperatures and wildflower blooms throughout the route, though higher elevations near Bryce Canyon may still have snow. April through May generally provides ideal driving conditions with moderate temperatures and good visibility.
Summer offers the longest daylight hours and guaranteed access to all roads, but temperatures can become uncomfortably hot in the lower elevations near Zion. Early morning departures help avoid the worst heat while still allowing full days for park activities.
Fall provides arguably the best combination of comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and beautiful color contrasts between red rocks and changing aspen leaves. September through October typically offers excellent conditions for both driving and photography.
Where To Stay On A Zion To Bryce Canyon Road Trip
Accommodation options near both parks range from developed campgrounds to luxury resorts, depending on your preferences and budget.
Near Zion (Springdale hotels, Watchman Campground, Under Canvas Zion)
Springdale provides the closest lodging to Zion National Park with numerous hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals within walking distance of the park entrance. Reservations are essential during peak seasons due to limited inventory.
Watchman Campground inside the park offers the most convenient camping option with easy access to the park shuttle system. The campground fills quickly, especially during spring and fall when temperatures are most comfortable.
Near Bryce (Sunset Campground, Bryce Canyon City, Under Canvas Bryce)
Sunset Campground provides the closest overnight option to Bryce’s main viewpoints and hiking trails. The campground operates year-round, though water may be turned off during winter months.
Bryce Canyon City offers hotel and cabin rentals just outside the park boundary. The area provides restaurants and services while maintaining easy access to park activities and programs.
Top Things To Do In Zion Before The Drive
Zion National Park offers world-class hiking and scenic drives that deserve at least a full day before continuing north to Bryce Canyon.
Angels Landing ranks among America’s most famous and challenging day hikes, requiring permits and providing incredible views of Zion Canyon. The Narrows offers a unique hiking experience through the Virgin River between towering canyon walls.
Canyon Overlook Trail provides spectacular views with less commitment than Angels Landing, making it ideal for travelers with limited time. The trail takes about an hour round-trip and offers excellent photography opportunities.
The park’s scenic drive system allows visitors to experience the main canyon without extensive hiking. Biking the Scenic Drive during early morning hours provides a peaceful way to see the canyon before shuttle buses begin operating.
Top Things To Do In Bryce Canyon After The Drive
Bryce Canyon’s unique landscape of hoodoos and natural amphitheaters offers completely different experiences from Zion’s deep canyons.
Scenic Rim Drive and Viewpoints (Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, Bryce Points)
The 18-mile Rim Drive connects all major viewpoints and provides access to hiking trails throughout the park. Each overlook offers different perspectives on the hoodoo formations and the surrounding landscape.
Sunrise Point lives up to its name with spectacular morning light on the pink and orange rock spires. Sunset Point provides equally impressive evening views with different lighting angles highlighting the formations’ colors.
Hiking Into The Hoodoos (Navajo Loop, Queens Garden, Fairyland Loop)
The Navajo Loop and Queens Garden trails can be combined for a moderate hike that takes you down among the hoodoo formations rather than just viewing them from above. The combination trail takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete.
Fairyland Loop offers a longer hiking experience through multiple sections of hoodoos with fewer crowds than the more popular shorter trails. The 8-mile loop requires most of a day but provides intimate access to the park’s most interesting geological features.
Unique Activities (E-bike tours, Bristlecone Loop, stargazing)
E-bike tours allow visitors to cover more ground along the rim while reducing physical exertion at the park’s high altitude. Several local companies offer guided tours with equipment provided.
The Bristlecone Loop Trail leads to some of the oldest living trees on Earth, with some specimens over 1,800 years old. The short trail provides excellent views and a chance to see these remarkable survivors of harsh mountain conditions.
Extended Road Trip Itinerary Ideas
The Zion to Bryce Canyon route serves as an excellent foundation for longer Utah road trips, incorporating additional national parks and scenic areas.
Adding Arches and Canyonlands National Parks near Moab creates a comprehensive tour of Utah’s most famous landscapes. This extension adds about 350 miles and several days to your trip but includes some of America’s most iconic rock formations.
Capitol Reef National Park and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument provide opportunities to experience Utah’s less crowded but equally spectacular landscapes. These additions work particularly well for travelers interested in geology and paleontology.
Utah’s Mighty 5 road trip connects all five national parks in the state, typically requiring 10 to 14 days for a comprehensive experience. This route works best as a loop starting and ending in Salt Lake City or Las Vegas.
Conclusion
After years of exploring Utah’s national parks professionally, we can confidently say the Zion to Bryce Canyon drive ranks among America’s finest short road trips.
In just 84 miles, you’ll experience one of the continent’s most dramatic geological transitions while connecting two world-class destinations.
Based on our extensive field research, we recommend allowing 2 to 3 days minimum for the complete experience. This proven timeline ensures adequate time for both parks’ signature hikes plus meaningful stops along the scenic connecting route.
The key to success lies in treating the drive itself as a destination rather than mere transportation between parks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Do Zion And Bryce Canyon In One Day?
Technically, yes, but not recommended. One day allows only brief viewpoint stops without hiking. Most visitors find this place too rushed for meaningful park experiences.
Is It Better To Visit Zion Or Bryce First?
Starting in Zion works best due to gradual elevation gain and natural landscape progression. This sequence builds anticipation while following logical south-to-north geography.
Do You Need A Car To Travel Between Zion And Bryce Canyon?
Yes, a personal vehicle is essential. No public transportation directly connects the parks, and rental cars offer flexibility for scenic stops along the route.
How Many Days Do You Need For Both Parks?
Minimum three days: one full day per park plus driving day with stops. Serious hikers prefer 5 to 7 days for major trails and optimal photography conditions.
Are There Entrance Fees For Zion And Bryce Canyon?
Both parks charge $35 per vehicle for seven days. The Annual America the Beautiful Pass ($80) covers all national parks and federal recreation areas.
