zion and bryce canyon national parks, utah
Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks offer very different visions of beauty. Zion is grand and sprawling, while Bryce is unusual and stunning.
Highlights
Hike The Narrows of Zion by walking in the Virgin River at the bottom of a deep canyon.
Take a guided Jeep tour at sunset into the heart of Zion National Park.
Get up early, and head to Sunrise Point for a magical natural display in Bryce National Park.
BEST TIME TO GO
September is the ideal time to visit Zion and Bryce, when the temperatures are moderate during the day and cool at night.
CAMPGROUNDS
Watchman Campground (Zion)
Watchmen Campground, Zion National Park, UT 84737. nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/watchman-campground.htm; 877-444-6777. $18 to $20. Toilets, drinking water.
Travelers come from all over to camp at Watchman for its views of sandstone cliffs and its clear skies perfect for stargazing. Some sites are situated along the Virgin River, but any site here is good.
The campground has direct access to three hiking trails, and the main visitor center is nearby.
This is a rare national park campground with electric hookups, so you can run the AC on sweltering summer nights.
Cannonville/Bryce Valley KOA
215 N. Red Rock Drive, Cannonville, UT 84718. koa.com/camp/cannonville; bvkoa@h-oh.com; 435-679-8988. $30 to $50. Pool, kamping kitchen, snack bar, pavilion, playground.
This KOA, located 12 miles (19km) from the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park, serves as an excellent base camp for those seeking the comfort and convenience of a private campground. Situated in beautiful Bryce Valley, the views from most campsites are very good, especially at sunset.
The owners and staff are friendly and knowledgeable about the area, and the pancake breakfasts are great. A community kitchen is available for those traveling without one in their RV, and the camp store is stocked with all the basics. There’s also a shared computer room for those needing a reliable connection. The pool is small but good enough for cooling off after a day of hiking in the park.
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Bryce Canyon rock formations. |
Traffic was such a problem in Zion National Park that the mandatory shuttle was introduced in 2000.
Zion River Resort
551 E. Highway 9, Virgin, UT 84779. zionriverresort.com; zionrv@zrr.com; 888-466-8594. $50 to $65. Heated pool, spa, game room, playground, horseshoes, recreation hall.
There’s nothing not to love about the Zion River Resort. This campground, located 15 minutes from Zion National Park, costs a little more than the local competition, but it’s worth it. Beautiful mountains surround the property, and several sites are nestled along the Virgin River. The staff is friendly and well informed about the national park, and the hosts work hard to make everyone feel welcome.
The heated pool and spa are lovely, and the game room has a billiards table and comfortable seating for reading a book or playing board games. There’s a community kitchen if you want to escape the RV and share a meal with other campers. Free coffee is served every morning.
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Walter’s Wiggles in Zion. |
One of the most endangered bird species, the California condor, is found in Zion National Park.
RESTAURANTS
Red Rock Grill
Zion National Park Lodge, Springdale, UT 84767. zionlodge.com/dining; 435-772-7700. Breakfast 6:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.; lunch 11:30 A.M. to 3 P.M.; dinner 5 P.M. to 10 P.M. $10 to $35. American.
Zion Lodge’s Red Rock Grill offers decent food in a convenient location in the park. If you’re taking the shuttle and don’t want to lug around a picnic lunch, this is a great place to stop. The atmosphere is on point, with stone walls and exposed wooden beams. A large outdoor dining terrace is also available.
Stick to the basics like hamburgers and bison meatloaf. Wraps, salads, and quesadillas are also great options for a light midday meal.
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon Restaurant
UT 63, Bryce, UT 84764. brycecanyonforever.com; 435-834-8700. Breakfast 7 A.M. to 10 A.M.; lunch 11:30 A.M. to 3 P.M.; dinner 5:30 P.M. to 10 P.M. $10 to $35. New American.
The National Park Service’s “Healthy Parks, Healthy People” initiative has inspired this establishment to provide as many healthy, sustainable, and organic food options as possible. That’s definitely led to a more interesting and dynamic menu than is found in most national park dining restaurants.
Breakfast and lunch offer both buffet and à la carte options. Breakfast includes eggs, French toast, oatmeal, yogurt, and fresh fruit. During lunch, the buffet consists of soups, salads, and sandwiches. The elk chili is a house specialty and available daily.
More adventurous items appear at dinner, like the chile-lime baked game hen and the Utah trout topped with prickly pear cactus. Utah honey and local, seasonal vegetables are highlighted throughout the menu.
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Hoodoo in Bryce Canyon National Park. |
Early geologists named the columns and pinnacles of towering sandstone hoodoos, thinking the rock formations contained magical powers.
Bit and Spur Restaurant and Saloon
1212 Zion Park Boulevard, Springdale, UT 84767. bitandspur.com; 435-772-3498. 5 P.M. to 12 A.M. $15 to $30. Mexican fusion.
A local favorite, this restaurant puts a spin on the standard Mexican fare found in most places. The quesadilla appetizer is stuffed with Brie, walnuts, apples, and jalapeños, and the coconut shrimp is served with tomato chutney. Entrées feature sweet potato tamales and chile-rubbed rib eye.
Be sure to take home a bottle of house-made fire lizard sauce or chile ketchup.
ATTRACTIONS
Zion Outback Safaris
Springdale, UT 84767. zionjeeptours.com; info@zionjeeptours.com; 435-668-3756. 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. $45 to $65.
Get off the beaten path, and drive deep into the heart of Zion. Explore the west side of the park on a 2- or 3-hour tour, or book a private tour you can tailor to suit your fancy.
The guides are well versed on regional geography and history—and where to get the best pictures.
Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 84764. nps.gov/brca; 435-834-5322. Shuttle runs April to September 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. 7-day vehicle pass $30. Shuttle free with admission.
Bryce Canyon’s scenic road is a round-trip journey of 38 miles (61km) with 13 viewpoints along the route. A quick trip takes at least 3 hours, so plan for longer if you’re going to explore any of the stops more extensively.
The shuttle at Bryce Canyon isn’t mandatory (unlike at Zion), but seriously consider taking it because the congestion in the park during the summer season can put a serious strain on the motorist.
Whether you take the shuttle or drive, go all the way to Rainbow Point and then stop at the viewpoints on your way back so you don’t cross traffic to take in the scenery.
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
Zion National Park, Springdale, UT 84767. nps.gov/zion; 435-772-3256. Shuttle runs March to October 7 A.M. to 8 P.M. 7-day vehicle pass $30.
To travel the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, you must use the park shuttle system. Shuttles run continuously during the day, and many visitors park in Springdale and avoid driving into the park at all.
Start your visit at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, where you can map out a plan for the day. The next stop is Zion Human History Museum, which in addition to being educational, offers great views of the Bridge Mountain Arch and the Altar of Sacrifice.
If you’re planning on hiking Emerald Pools Trail, you’ll find the entrance at the Zion Lodge stop. If you want to hike Angels Landing or the West Rim Trail, get off at the Grotto. Weeping Rock offers a welcome water feature.
ITINERARIES
If you have 1 week …
In Bryce Canyon, catch sunrise at Sunrise Point and then drive the entire scenic drive, stopping at all 13 viewpoints. In Zion, take a ranger-led hike on the Watchman Trail, and hike the West Rim Trail to Angels Landing. Go off-roading.
If you have 2 weeks …
All the above, plus hike the Rim Trail to Inspiration Point and the Silent City in Bryce Canyon. Also try the Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail full of twists and turns. In Zion, hike the Emerald Pools Trail from Zion Lodge. Take an ATV tour. Visit the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site.
If you have 3 weeks …
All the above, plus hike the Bristlecone Loop Trail and Mossy Cave Trail in Bryce Canyon. In Zion, hike Weeping Rock Trail and Observation Point Trail. Take a 1-hour horseback riding tour from Zion Lodge. Visit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Shop in the galleries of Springdale.