Total drive time: 1 hour, 35 mins. Zion means "the Promised Land" in Hebrew and this iconic park certainly lives up to its name. This road trip is a must-do for lovers of the great outdoors or anyone who's looking for an action-packed driving adventure. Then, to add a little variety to your epic adventure, take the Charles Hall Ferry across Bullfrog Bay, to Lake Powell. Depending on the stops you make, the drive will take between 2.5 and three hours. However, half way through there is an exit for Virgin River Canyon Campground. Close to Zion in Springdale, we would recommend Zion Pizza & Noodle Co. with delicious pizza, calzones, and salads. After the bright lights of Las Vegas, a road trip around Utah is a real contrast. Sitting 128-feet above the ground, this boulder estimated to be 3,000 tons is attached to its pedestal in a natural balancing act. What is a central location from which to tour Zion and Bryce? Its tranquil, beautiful and teeming with birds - a niche interest, I know, but for any birders reading this, its a must do. I checked it out, then went back to the hotel to collect my sleepy-head travel companion and came back with her so that she, too, could see the hummingbirds, waterfowl and avocets. It wasnt a full day, but it was a full day, if that makes sense. We are unable to pick guests up or take guests to the shuttle station. We've done it twice, once from Las Vegas to Zion NP, and once from Zion to the Virgin River Casino - a scenic oddity and treat in itself, being part of a large manmade golf oasis in the middle of the desert. We peered up at their cliffside roost, where 1 or 2 were supposedly tucked in, but saw only streaks of guano. If youre arriving from Las Vegas, please note that Utah is one hour ahead of Nevada. Instead we just walked the dam and marveled at the views, both manmade & natural. Located only 168 miles from Las Vegas, Zion National Park is most well-known for the expansive Zion Canyon, a gorge . The best part is that it'll only add a few minutes to your drive time since this area is right on the edge of St. George. First, typing your starting point and final destination into Google Maps will help anyone get to your destination with the fastest route or alternatives, but having driven all of these routes before during all the seasons, I can see my insight giving you much more than just a map. Missionaries show you around the Brigham Young Winter Home, where the religious leader and politician spent winters between 1870 and 1877. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-117395788', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kanab and beyond - Wednesday). We've added some extra driving time to visit these landmarks towards the end of your trip around Utah, but if you're not planning on driving the whole loop, we'd definitely recommend heading to see these first so you don't miss out. The drive between Las Vegas and St. George is not that interesting, but you can take the 54-mile Zion Park Scenic Byway at the intersection of Highway 9 and I-15, about 9 miles east of St. George. Las Vegas McCarran Airport (LAS) is the next closest airport during this time. It's one of the most scenic drives in PA. Our disappointing meal was at Wood Ash Rye downtown; we were debating it vs Cliffside and chose wrong, I guess. Oh well - the fact that these things arent command performances is what makes them special. Follow along for ideas on planning the best Utah national parks itinerary from Las Vegas! If you decide to arrive between May and September, consider visiting early in the morning. Located only 168 miles from Las Vegas, Zion National Park is most well-known for the expansive Zion Canyon, a gorge reaching depths of almost 3,000 feet in some areas. With so many things to see and do, your itinerary can be customized to include a smattering of highlights, or an in-depth exploration of one or more of the treasures to be found in the almost 92,000 square miles of national parks in Utah. George is so beautiful. In September we will drive from Las Vegas to Springdale, Utah for 2 nights to visit Zion NP. Another great choice in Springdale is MeMes with the best Cubano sandwich Ive ever eaten! Day 3 (Kolob Canyon section of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you are a parent looking for unique travel inspiration, youve come to the right place. Since the city is located in the Mojave Desert, it doesnt have the cold weather found in other parts of the state. There are a few trails to walk here, several go to the river. Just past St George, turn left onto Cottonwood Springs Road, which will take you to Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, your first stopping off point in Utah. The hotel is right in the center of Springdale, the main jumping off point to explore Zion National Park, and you can pick up the free visitor shuttle into the park from here. Google confirmed that I was right. As you leave Zion National Park, you'll be on the home leg of your road trip. To continue on your route towards Utah, turn left onto Northshore Road and follow it through Moapa Valley until you meet I-15. The snow melts from the ski resorts and May brings pleasant weather. Otherwise, a really nice drive. Las Vegas car rental rates are notoriously low (although the ancillary fees on car rentals are often quite high). After around 300 miles on the interstate, you'll arrive in Salt Lake City. Pack your hiking boots and backpack as they're sure to see some use. Best part was listening to the cacophony of voices and languages. That turned out to be to our advantage, as it led us to Penns Thai House for fantastic Thai food (khao soi and nam kau tod). Users or automated systems that fail to respect these choices will be considered to have breached our Terms of Service. Southern Utah's oldest Receptive Tour Operator offering regularly scheduled and customized tours of Utah's Zion, Bryce, Capital Reef, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, and Colorado's San Juan Mountains. Whether because of the labor shortage thats plaguing the area or because it was still the off season, or both, they had limited hours & a limited menu. Daily trips between Las Vegas, St. George, Springville (Provo Area), and Salt Lake City. Then, you can enjoy your lunch on the bus, or have a picnic when you get to the park. There are a number of ways to make the trip easily and economically. If you're feeling really active, you can even join a group canyoning trip. Zion is all about the hikesand the variety is endless. When big conventions are in town, prices go up. Take a Jeep tour with one of the local companies and head off road. The extremely delicate, spiderweb pattern of the Landscape Arch stands 290 feet tall and is the largest natural arch anywhere in the world. All photos are property of Kids Are A Trip, Inc., unless otherwise noted. She's been writing for the site since 2020. We both loved the way the landscape changed as we drove, from desert to mountain pine forest and back to desert. With a plethora of outdoor and historic attractions to explore, St George is the perfect place to spend the first night of your road trip. Sign up for our free travel guide to help plan your next trip! Direct flights from Phoenix (PHX), Salt Lake City (SLC), and Denver (DEN) to St. George (SGU) are available through Skywest/Delta Connection. Re: Southern Utah road trip report - Las Vegas to Bryce, Kanab. (Dinner, at a place that was supposed to be creative/fancy, and was certainly expensive, disappointedwe wanted to treat ourselves, but in retrospect wed have been better off picking up another 6-pack and ordering takeout again.). What Is the Fastest Way to Get From Las Vegas to Zion National Park? In general, expect to pay from $99 per person for the day, which usually includes a box lunch, admission fee, and drop-off at the gates. It seemed to be a problem of both staffing and inventory. From Kamas, you'll make the 250-mile drive south to Moab. The drive from Las Vegas to St Bryce Point is the best spot within the park during sunrise, as the rays of light reflect off the hoodoos, lighting the valley ablaze in warm colors. Please be advised that several of the shuttle services go to central location requiring additional transportation fees to Red Mountain Resort. Along the way these travelers pass within 15 miles of a park that offers arches, petroglyphs, red rocks, petrified wood, spectacular geologic formations and beautiful desert scenery. The town was originally settled in 1859 by five Mormon families, but three years later, the Virgin River flooded and wiped out the town. Plus the staff were so kind and welcoming, we regretted not eating in. Please keep in mind that this (highway 14) route can be closed during some wintertime periods do to extreme snowfall. Take I-40 east to Highway 64. (For instance, you wont want to miss all the hand-dipped chocolates and homemade ice cream at the Springdale Candy Company about a mile from the entrance. You can find our Privacy Policyhere. This route will take you thorugh Colorado City, Ferdonia AZ. Back in town, we did a grocery run for picnic provisions for the next day and then had mediocre takeout back at our lodging (the charming Red Canyon Cabins). Turn east on Highway 12 and travel through Red Canyon and up to the turn for Bryce Canyon heading south to the park gate. Rangers are on hand to answer questions and offer advice for your time in the park. Since birds will be a recurring theme in this report, Ill just add: Gambels Quail! During the summer, Zion (and Las Vegas, for that matter), reaches punishing heats of well over 100 degrees. But in fact, a three-hour drive is no time at all for those of us who live in the desert. After spending some time exploring Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, rejoin I-15 and continue heading north. The snow starts to fall in Utah in October, and as it builds around the mountain, the ski resorts start to open for business. Take your time to enjoy the incredible views you'll get from this fabulous highway. It parallels the Virgin River in many areas, and cuts through the towns of Hurricane, Virgin, Rockville, and Springdale before ending the park. Each one offers visitors something new to see and explore, from sweeping canyons and monuments to red rocks and alpine forests, all working together to create the breath-taking landscape of the Colorado Plateau. I was nervous about parking, seeing as how it was after 9am by the time we got to the Visitors Center lot, but I neednt have been. Take Highway 59 which turns into Arizona Highway 389 to Highway 89. However, it's worth considering that driving in the winter months might be challenging and smaller roads may close. This was honestly my favorite hike of the day: it wasnt a name trail, and so we had it pretty much to ourselves. The Riverside Walk, a paved trail that follows the Virgin River, leads through more hanging gardens and waterfalls, and is home to an array of birds and wildlife. It's easy driving: straight, open roads and scenic terrain. You will be booking a trip to Southern Utah in no time! And it wasnt just a one-time fluke: on our return a week later, we also noted that Dollar was the only brand with a line. Dinner at Rubys, where they were out of all their interesting-sounding beers and the food was mediocre at best. The people around me were driving so fast and there was no way to stop and take a picture but it is beautiful and breathtaking. RVs Trailer and some oversized loads and trucks are limited and restricted along this Zion route so please check with the park for details and restrictions of the Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel. We flew into (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? However, there is often construction along the very narrow stretch of I-15 between Mesquite, Nevada and St. George, Utah, in the Virgin River Gorge, which passes through the northwestern corner of Arizona. This video also includes the complete drive through the breathtakingly beautiful Virgin River Gorge in Arizona.You can support AdventureEveryDay on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/AdventureEveryDayShortcuts:1:03:22 Mesquite, Nevada1:07:50 Entering Arizona1:16:37 Entering the Virgin River Gorge1:32:11 Entering Utah and St. GeorgeClick here for our 4K Zion National Park Snowstorm Scenic Drive video:https://youtu.be/mKL8vXTbY7AClick here for our 4K scenic drive on Utah Scenic Byway 128 Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway to Moab:https://youtu.be/n6Di1pFchrsHere's the standalone Virgin River Gorge video link with bonus footage from another viewpoint:https://youtu.be/ISq-Rc3k7XQMusic Credit:FluidscapebyKevin MacLeodis licensed under aCreative Commons Attributionlicense (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Source:http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100393Artist:http://incompetech.com/Fractal Man - The Glow of All Thingshttps://fractalman.bandcamp.com/https://soundcloud.com/fractalmanmusic/ AdventureEveryDay - Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this work is illegal.AdventureEveryDay does not own or claim to own any of the music contained in this work. We have tips for all stages of trip planning, from how to prevent jet lag before flying to how to find the best spots when you arrive at your destination. How can I see all the parks in Southern Utah? Many will recognize it from several movie scenes that were shot here, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. A 10-day trip means you'd only be driving for 2 or 3 hours per day to see the top attractions, making the drive much more laid back. Balanced Rock can be seen from the parks road, but is an easy, .3 mile walk from the parking area for a closer view. Drive Route 6 for yourself to see why it's deserving of the "one of America's most scenic drives" title from National Geographic. The drive took us through Jacob Lake, where Id stayed on a past trip to the North Rim (closed now, of course). Looking forward to when the construction is finished. Staying right on the edge of the park was a big plus. Check out The Advenire Autograph Collection boutique hotel or try glamping near Zion National Park at Zion Wildflower Resort where you can try staying overnight in a covered wagon. From here, we've plotted the best route around Utah, which lets you travel around the state's most popular landmarks and cities. From Francis follow State Road 32 until you reach the Victory Highway, which you'll follow south past Strawberry Reservoir. Zion means the Promised Land in Hebrew and this iconic park certainly lives up to its name. At one point, we looked up and saw, not birds, but shadows of birds, silhouetted against the cliffs. The interstate here runs through the spectacular Virgin River Gorge, before taking you from Arizona into Utah a few miles later. We were, of course, thrilled. 3.9 miles, Stay right and follow signs towards Ivins, Turn left at Snow Canyon Parkway and drive 3.3 miles, Take I-15 Southbound following signs to Las Vegas, NV (approx 300 miles) to St. George, Utah. Rather than racing from Las Vegas to Zion as quickly as possible, slow down and enjoy the drive. Those who have plenty of time and don't love a tour bus. Start your trip in comfort and style with a stay at the Advenire, Autograph Collection, where the rooms combine both vintage grandeur and contemporary design. Likewise, the Sundance Film Festival is a large independent film festival in Park City, usually held in January. ), Weather in Early October - Southern Utah's National Parks, Confused about tubing in Zion (Virgin River), Super 8 by Wyndham Salina / Scenic Hills Area, Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel. Please make your arrangements with Reservations byemailor calling 877.246.4453. The St. George Shuttle operates between Las Vegass McCarran Airport and St. George, and then between St. George and Springdale. The Natural History Museum of Utah is a go-to attraction, where you can find out about the dinosaurs that roamed the state millions of years ago. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Day 6 ((ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-117399795', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');St. George. Yoga classes are available, and the rooftop sun terrace is relaxing in the sunshine. At highway 12 turn East and follow that through Red Canyon and up to the Bryce Canyon turn heading south. St. George, Utah which is the closest city in proximity to Zion National Park also has . Reply to: Southern Utah road trip report - Las Vegas to Bryce, Kanab. *Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. I-15 is the most scenic section of interstate you'll encounter. Any way you get to Bryce Canyon National Park your travel will be well worth the efforts and time you invest. If youre looking for fun things to do in St George with kids, look no further. Twin Lakes in the Poconos. Rooms have extra-large beds for a good night's sleep - perfect to prepare you for a day of outdoor exploration. Other options are a solid choice and safer but will add some time on to your travels. Limber pine trees dot the landscape, with their exposed roots clinging to the eroding, tilted ground. Brigham Young, the second president of the LDS Church maintained a winter home in St. George and today it is available for local tours. Spend some time getting to know Utah's state capital, then leave the city heading east on I-80 towards Summit County. This 130 complete journey was filmed in August, 2020 in a Ford Mustang and plays at normal (real time) speed (playback speed can be adjusted in the video settings). We had enjoyed our time in St George and the drive back to Vegas was easy with little traffic en-route.Our Yesnomads channel offers regular video updates from our travels and life. January, February and December are when Utah is at its coldest. With the Zion Mount Carmel Highway offering a parallel experience to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, and with so many unique sites to explore between the two, you will want to devote at least two days during your Utah national parks itinerary within Zion National Park. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The Utah mountains are prone to heavy snowfall, and as such, the area is a top skiing destination. To see all the attractions with travel between, we recommend at least 5 days. Salt Lake City is Utah's state capital, and it's around 6 hour and 30 minutes' drive from your starting point in Las Vegas. It's about 160 miles, and the drive usually takes between two and three hours. We stopped to hike the Mossy Cave trail, but mostly we just soaked in the scenery. more. The closest national park to Las Vegas, Zion National Park is the first stop on your Utah national parks itinerary from Las Vegas. These shapes resemble alien lifeforms, giving the park its name. Try this 38.9-km point-to-point trail near St. George, Utah. In Ferdonia you will turn northbound on highway 89 and take this up to highway 12 through Red Canyon and the turn to Bryce Canyon. There are more than 2,000 natural stone arches and thousands of stone pinnacles, rock fins, and red-rock formations throughout Arches National Park. The Most Scenic Driving Route to Bryce Canyon: The Zion National Park route would be the most scenic route to Bryce Canyon from Las Vegas. The Virgin River Gorge when going from St George to Las Vegas is awe inspiring. Courses and equipment rentals for canyoneering are available just about year-round, and horseback riding tours along the Virgin River can be booked from March through October. This famous scenic drive along I-15 features canyon walls that stretch high above you on both sides as you make your way to Zion. We loved the Lemonade Mint Supreme and their burgers were delicious. Also nearby, Hamblin Home is a historic stone house with 1860s-style furnishings, and you can learn about Jacob Hamblin and his dedication to native American Indians in the region. Hoodoos are columns or pinnacles of weathered rock, generally formed within sedimentary and volcanic rock formations. I've never had a bad experience there. There are so many diverse landscapes at Snow Canyon, it feels like several parks in one. If you have never been through Zion but your final destination is Bryce Canyon that is a great route to go.