The Best Zion Bryce Grand Canyon Itinerary for 4 to 7 Days

This Zion Bryce Grand Canyon itinerary leads you to the best views and hikes in the parks on the Utah and Arizona border.

Rocks, cliffs, and gorges in every shade of orange, red, and pink fill the landscapes of the Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion national parks. The three destinations on the border of Utah and Arizona are some of the most popular national parks in the country and draw huge crowds to admire their big boulders and bucket list hikes.

If you’re planning a Grand Canyon Zion Bryce Canyon itinerary, it helps to map out which activities you’d like to do in advance, so that you can maximize your time in the region. I’ve been to each park two or three times and crafted the guide below to help you plan your trip. I’ve also suggested a few different routes you can take depending on how long you have.

I recommend saving the map of significant points below and adding this post to your bookmarks so that you can refer back to it as you plan the details of your trip. I’ve included a handy tips section at the bottom with ideas for where to stay, how long to spend at each park, and what to pack for a hiking trip.

I hope you fall in love with this beautiful region, as I have. Keep reading for a guide to Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Grand Canyon national parks.

Bryce Canyon Zion and Grand Canyon Map

This Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Canyon map has pins for all of the activity locations from the itinerary below. You can open it and save a copy to help with your trip planning.

Zion Bryce Grand Canyon Itinerary Options

There are so many different ways to arrange a Grand Canyon Bryce Zion road trip. The best path depends on how long you have and which direction you are coming from. The Zion Bryce Grand Canyon itinerary options below for 4, 5, and 7 days cover a few of the routes you could take flying into either Salt Lake City, Utah, or Las Vegas, Nevada.

On short trips, it’s usually best to drive round-trip from Las Vegas or one-way between Salt Lake City and Vegas. Visiting the Grand Canyon North Rim instead of the popular South Rim also usually saves a couple of driving hours, since it’s closer to the Utah parks.

Drive time for a Salt Lake City or Vegas to Bryce, Grand Canyon North Rim, and Zion trip returning to Vegas is roughly 12 hours, not counting scenic drives in the park. A Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, Bryce Canyon, and Zion road trip loop, is about 14 hours.

Follow this Grand Circle road trip itinerary to see all of the Utah parks!

4-Day Grand Canyon Bryce Zion Itinerary

Day 1: Las Vegas or Salt Lake City to Bryce Canyon National Park
Day 2: Bryce Canyon National Park to Grand Canyon North Rim
Day 3: Grand Canyon to Zion National Park
Day 4: Zion National Park to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City

5-Day Grand Canyon Zion Bryce Itinerary

Day 1: Las Vegas to Zion National Park
Day 2: Zion National Park
Day 3: Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park
Day 4: Bryce to Grand Canyon North or South Rim
Day 5:  Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

7-Day Itinerary Zion Bryce Grand Canyon

Day 1: Vegas to Zion National Park
Day 2: Zion National Park
Day 3: Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park
Day 4: Bryce to Page, Arizona
Day 5: Page to Grand Canyon
Day 6: Grand Canyon South Rim or North Rim
Day 7: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

Things To Do at Zion National Park

Time in the park: 1 to 3 days
Where to stay: Springdale for the nearest access, Kanab for cheaper options

If you’re on a short road trip and only have a day in Zion National Park, then you’ll have to pick between the two most popular challenging hikes, Angels Landing and the Narrows, or do a few shorter ones like the Emerald Pools, Riverside Walk, and Canyon Overlook.

With two days in Zion, you could either attempt both longer hikes and add a scenic drive on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, or head to the Kolob Canyons section of the park for the second day. 

The activities and hikes below could fill up to three or four days in the park if you attempt all of the trails.

Angels Landing Trail

The hike to Angels Landing is not only one of the most popular Zion National Park hikes, but it’s also a bucket list trek known around the world. Named for the narrow rock fin at the end of the trail that provides breathtaking views of the canyon, Angels Landing is a challenging hike that gains 1,488 feet of elevation and also includes a narrow and steep ascent with chain assists to the final lookout.

The West Rim Trail to Angels Landing totals 5.4 miles out and back. Climbing the final section from Scout Lookout to Angel’s Landing requires a permit. You can apply for the permit lottery seasonally and one day in advance. All of the details are in this guide to hiking Angels Landing.

The trailhead for Angels Landing is near the Grotto, stop number 6 on the Zion shuttle. Allow at least 3 to 4 hours to hike Angels Landing.

The Narrows and Riverside Walk

The second of Zion’s pair of famous hikes, the Narrows is a unique trail in the Virgin River, where the canyon walls close in around the water. The path starts with the Riverside Walk Trail (2.2 miles round trip) at the end of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. If you don’t want to get wet on the longer trail, this short and easy route is a nice taste of what’s to come, since it follows the river with the walls of rock soaring overhead.

Where the Riverside Walk ends, the Narrows hike begins. The trail leads into the river for a walking and wading combo into the constricting canyon. You can continue for a few miles (9.4 out and back) or turn around earlier for a shorter adventure. 

This is a hike that you need to prepare well for. Local outfitters in Springdale have rental boots, hiking poles, and wet gear to help you navigate the river. Flash flooding can make this trek dangerous, so it’s important to check the conditions before taking off.

The trailhead for the Narrows is at the Temple of Sinawawa, the last stop on the free park shuttle. This hike can take a few hours to complete, depending on how far you go.

Emerald Pools Trail

The Emerald Pools are a series of waterfalls with lower, middle, and upper levels you can hike to. It’s a nice trail to round out a day of hiking in Zion National Park or for visitors looking for something a little less challenging than the Narrows or Angels Landing hikes.

The route to Lower Emerald Pools is only 1.2 miles roundtrip and easy. It leads to the bottom tier where you can cross under the waterfall. After that, you can climb up to the Middle Emerald Pools Trail for a total of 2.2 miles. The Upper Emerald Pool Trail adds another mile. You can also make a loop with the Kayenta Trail for a little over 3 miles total. The last two options are moderately challenging.

Allow a couple of hours to do the full hike. The trailheads can be reached from the Zion Lodge shuttle stop, number 5, or the Grotto, stop number 6.

The Watchman Trail

Located near the visitor center, the Watchman Trail climbs up to a view of the lower Zion Canyon and cliffs. Way less popular than Angels Landing, you can get some great vistas here without crowds or the challenging ridge climb. In addition, you can reach the trailhead without having to wait for a shuttle ride.

The moderately challenging trail is 3.3 miles out and back, with 368 feet of elevation gain. You should allow about 2 hours for this activity. 

Pa’rus Trail

If you’re looking for an easy and family-friendly hike in Zion National Park, the Pa’rus Trail is the perfect option. Starting from the visitor center, the trail runs alongside the Virgin River to the Canyon Junction shuttle stop. There are also educational exhibits along the way. It’s 3.5 miles to walk the whole thing and back, but you can turn around earlier to shorter it. 

The path is paved and handicap accessible with some wheelchair assistance. Leashed pets and bicycles are also allowed on this trail.

Canyon Overlook Trail

One of the best hikes in Zion, the Canyon Overlook Trail has a huge payoff for minimal effort. Located along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, the hike is about a mile roundtrip and moderately challenging. It leads to a sweeping view of the Pine Creek and Zion canyons. 

You can’t ride the shuttle to this trailhead, and parking is limited. Be prepared to park in designated roadside pull-offs a half mile or more from the trailhead if the lot is full.

Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway is my favorite scenic drive in the national park, connecting Mount Carmel, Utah, on U.S. Route 89 to the floor of the canyon. The road weaves around cliffs and rocky hills in shades of yellow and pink, crosses through a 1.1-mile tunnel, and winds down switchbacks into Zion Canyon. There are a few spots where you can pull over to hike and take pictures of landmarks like a huge arch that’s forming in a cliff and the Checkboard Mesa, a unique rock formation with straight lines crisscrossing the surface.

The highway and tunnel, built in the 1920s and 30s, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If you’re in an RV or another large vehicle, you need a permit from the entrance station to cross the tunnel.

Kolob Canyons

If you have more than two days in Zion, I recommend checking out the Kolob Canyons section of the park. Located about 45 minutes from Springdale and Zion Canyon, this area is much less crowded and has a short hike with a fantastic view.

Start your time here with a drive up the 5-mile-long scenic Kolob Canyon Road. At the end of the road, there’s a lookout and a trailhead for the Timber Creek Overlook Trail. The 1-mile, roundtrip hike leads to a stunning panoramic view into the canyon and surrounding landscape, which is shockingly green.

If you want to spend more time in this section, check out these longer Kolob Canyon day hikes.

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Things To Do at Bryce Canyon National Park

Time in the park: 1 to 2 days
Where to stay: Bryce Village for the closest access or Tropic for more options

Bryce Canyon is such a beautiful park with a unique landscape. But, you can easily see a lot of it in just a day on your first trip. If you aren’t a hiker, allow half a day for the overlooks and the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive. Set aside at least a full day to hit the trails and start early on a hike down into the canyon.

The best overlooks and routes are listed below.

Bryce Canyon Overlooks

While there are several canyons located within the national park. The main Bryce Canyon bowl full of orange hoodoos is the most popular and easy to access. Four main overlooks offer different vantage points of the amphitheater — Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunrise Point, and Sunset Point. 

Each overlook has parking, but it can fill up during busy times. A free park shuttle also stops at the four points. 

Rim Trail

The Rim Trail connects the four Bryce Canyon overlooks, so you can walk between points with views along the way. The entire hike is 5.5 miles each way between Fairyland Point and Bryce Point. You can walk the nearly 3-mile one-way section from Bryce Point to Sunrise Point and ride the shuttle back, or take the short accessible path between the Sunrise and Sunset overlooks, about a half-mile each way. 

Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop Trails

If you have at least a half day in Bryce Canyon National Park, I recommend trying out one of the trails below the rim to see the hoodoos up close. The two shortest options are the Navajo Loop Trail (moderate, 1.3 miles) and the Queen’s Garden Trail (easy, 1.8 miles). Both pass by famous rock formations like Queen Victoria and Thor’s Hammer.

Since the Queen’s Garden trail goes out and back on the same path, most people combine it with the Wall Street switchbacks section of Navajo Loop, forming a moderate 2.9-mile hike. On this combo, you’ll pass through tunnels and next to hoodoos on Queen’s Garden and walk between soaring canyon walls on the Navajo Loop. You can either walk down the Wall Street section and back up the Queen’s Garden for a less steep climb out of the canyon or go the opposite direction for the best views of the Bryce Amphitheater and a safer decline into the canyon. 

The Wall Street portion of the Navajo Loop closes when the trail is icy, but you can still hike the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop combo by using the Two Bridges half of the Navajo trail instead.

Peekaboo Loop and Figure 8 Trails

For a more challenging trail into the canyon, consider hiking either the Peek-a-boo Loop or the Figure 8 Combination. The latter adds the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop to the Peekaboo Loop.

The strenuous Peek-a-boo Loop starts from Bryce Point and drops 1,500 feet into the canyon along a 5.5-mile, roundtrip path through the hoodoos and bristlecone pines. Mule riders also use this path, so you have to follow a clockwise route and yield to the animals.

At the bottom of the canyon, the Peek-a-boo Loop intersects with the Queen’s Garden and Navajo trails. You can add a second loop to make a challenging 6.4-mile hike called the Figure 8 Combo. Other options utilizing these paths include the Figure 8 Loop on the Peek-a-boo and Navajo trails (4.9 miles) or the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater Traverse, a one-way 4.7-mile option on the Peek-a-boo and Queen’s Garden trail (use the shuttle to return to the start).

Fairyland Loop Trail

The Fairyland Loop is a less popular trail along sections of the rim and into the Fairyland Canyon. This is a great option to avoid some of the crowds in the Bryce Amphitheater. The 8-mile trek starts at Fairyland Point and is rated strenuous. Along the way, you’ll see hoodoos like the China Wall and Tower Bridge. It takes most people 4 to 5 hours to complete the hike.

Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive

After a morning hike, consider exploring the park further with a trip down Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive. The park shuttle doesn’t go down this 17-mile road, so it’s not as crowded as the Bryce Amphitheater area. There are more than a dozen overlooks to check out along the route, including Bryce Natural Bridge and Rainbow Point. 

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Things To Do at the Grand Canyon South Rim

Time in the park: 1 to 3 days
Where to stay: Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan for the easiest access, Williams for more options

The Grand Canyon South Rim is the most popular section of the national park and is full of trails, scenic views, and history. On a short visit, you can spend just a day hopping around to different vistas and hiking along the rim. Two or more days will allow time to try out one of the trails that goes down into the canyon, visit museums, and check out less crowded viewpoints.

The South Rim has three different sections along the rim. The central area (blue and orange shuttle route) includes the Visitor Center, Grand Canyon Village, and several popular overlooks and trailheads. Hermit Road to the west (red shuttle route) includes nine overlooks on the way to Hermits Rest. And Desert View Drive to the east (no shuttle) runs to the Desert View Watchtower and the eastern park entrance.

The most popular things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim are detailed below.

Mather Point and the Grand Canyon Visitor Center

The Grand Canyon Visitor Center is a great place to start your visit, grab a map, and take in your first canyon view. This is also the central transit area, where free park shuttles pick up riders for a few different routes. This area has the largest vehicle lot you’ll find anywhere in the park. It’s the best place to leave your car and ride the shuttle to different trailheads and overlooks.

In the plaza, you’ll find a cafe, indoor exhibits, a park movie, a bike rental counter, and a gift shop. Beyond the buildings, it’s a short walk out to Mather Point, one of the most popular vistas. It can get crowded here, but the view is incredible and you can always walk away from the main overlook to take in the panoramas from different spots along the rim. This is also one of the best spots to watch the sunrise and sunset!

Yavapai Point and Yavapai Geology Museum

From Mather Point, ride the orange shuttle or walk 0.7 miles to Yavapai Point, with views along the way. This is one of the shortest walks between designated viewpoints if you’re looking for an easy stroll. 

The Yavapai Geology Museum is close to the overlook and has educational exhibits about the formation of the canyon. The Trail of Time that traces the geological canyon history also starts from here.

Trail of Time

The Trail of Time is one of the easiest and most accessible hikes in the park, along a flat and paved path that traces the rim for 1.3 miles between Yavapai and Grand Canyon Village. Each meter of the walk represents a million years of geological history, and exhibits display different eras of the canyon. Starting at the Yavapai Geology Museum takes you backward in time and starting in the village takes you forward.

The Trail of Time is a section of the longer Rim Trail, which we’ll cover in more detail below.

Rim Trail

Covering about 13 miles, the Rim Trail connects Grand Canyon Village, about a dozen viewpoints, and several South Rim trailheads. From east to west, it runs between the South Kaibab trailhead and Hermits Rest. 

Some parts between the visitor center and the village are paved but most of it is a dirt path. A section on the western end is also open to bikes. Since the entire path is along shuttle routes, you can do a combo of walking and riding to see more.

Historic Grand Canyon Village

The steam train’s arrival at the edge of the canyon in 1901 established the beginnings of Grand Canyon Village. Several early buildings remain, including the Verkamp Visitor Center (1906), which displays village history, the Kolb Studio (1905) for art and photography exhibits, the Hopi House (1905), made to look like a Hopi Tribe pueblo, the El Tovar hotel (1905), a European-style luxury lodge and National Historic Landmark, and the Railway Depot (1901), which still connects the village to Williams, Arizona, via train.

The village is both a place to stay and to visit. If you check in at one of the Grand Canyon hotels here, you’ll be sleeping just steps from the rim! Otherwise, you can stop by to check out the shops, restaurants, galleries, and visitor center.

Hermit Road

With two days in the park, you should have time to hop between the overlooks on Hermit Road. Running for 7 miles to the west of Grand Canyon Village, the route has nine named viewpoints where the shuttle stops, but plenty of other vistas if you hike the rim.

Private vehicles are only allowed on the road from December to February. For the rest of the year, you have to take the park shuttle (red route), hike the Rim Trail, ride a bike, or do a combination of two or three.

There are lots of different routes to walk along the rim here. One of the most accessible sections is the paved Hermit Road Greenway Trail, a multi-use path connecting the last three overlooks along 3 miles. The final stopping point on the trail and road is Hermits Rest, where you’ll find toilets and a snack and gift shop combo located in a stone house from 1914 designed to resemble a miner’s cabin.

The nine lookouts on this route from east to west are Trailview Overlook, Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, The Abyss, Monument Creek Vista, Pima Point, and Hermits Rest. If you’re riding the shuttle and want to hop out at all of the overlooks, it’s best to do this on the westbound route, because the eastbound return does not stop at all of them.

Bright Angel Trail

The 9.3-mile Bright Angel trail leads to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. For a day hike, though, you shouldn’t attempt the whole thing unless you’ve gone through training and preparation. This trail, like all others to the canyon floor, is full of switchbacks and thigh-burning climbs. 

Since the steep climb back up can take twice as long as the ascent, the National Park Service advises turning around by the Indian Garden Lookout in summer for a 9-mile hike or Plateau Point in cooler weather for 12 miles total. You can also just walk down a mile or two for a shorter hike.

About every 1.5 miles until mile 6, there are rest areas with rudimentary amenities. All have running water when the pipes are functional (ask ahead before you go), and a couple have pit toilets. 

South Kaibab Trail

The South Kaibab trail is another option for hiking into the Grand Canyon. This one runs for 6.8 miles all the way to the floor, but you can do a day hike on part of it and come back up on the same path. 

This trail is shorter, steeper, and less shaded than the Bright Angel, so it’s more exposed and hot in the summer months. There is also no water along the trail. The National Park Service recommends turning around at Cedar Ridge in summer for a 3-mile hike roundtrip or at Skeleton Point in milder weather for a 6-mile hike. For a shorter option, walk down to Ooh-Aah Point and back to clock in just under 2 miles. 

Hikers doing the Rim-to-Rim trek on the South Rim usually use both the South Kaibab and Bright Angel paths to go down and back up to mix up the scenery.

Desert View Drive and Watchtower

Nearly 25 miles, Desert View Drive connects Grand Canyon Village with the park’s East Entrance. Taking a drive on the route is a great way to escape the crowds and check out some breathtaking vistas of the Colorado River, which contrasts in turquoise tones with the layers of red and orange rocks.

Most of the six overlooks along the way are significantly less busy than the remainder of the South Rim since the free park shuttle only stops at the first two, Yaki Point and Pipe Creek. 

Towards the east end of the road, park at the stone Desert View Watchtower, built in the 1930s. You can see for miles in every direction of the canyon from the 70-foot-tall observation platform. The site also has a campground, gas station, ice cream counter, and grocery store.

Things To Do at the Grand Canyon North Rim

Time in the park: 1 to 2 days
Where to stay: The Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge and the North Rim for easy access, Jacob Lake Inn for a few more options

Bright Angel Point

Bright Angel Point is the perfect spot to get your first view of the North Rim. Located at the end of a short and steep paved path, the lookout has panoramic views for miles. It’s located near the North Rim Visitor Center and Grand Canyon Lodge. Come here for sunrise if you get an early start.

Transept Trail

Taking off from Bright Angel Point, the Transept Trail follows the rim for about 2 miles, with overlooks that stick out into the canyon. You can walk part way for the views or do the whole trail out and back for a 4-mile hike.

North Kaibab Trail

The North Kaibab Trail may be the most popular hike at the North Rim. It leads all the way to the canyon floor. If you want to hike here, it’s best to arrive first thing in the morning, since the parking usually fills up early.

The entire path is 14.2 miles each way, but you can walk a mile or two for the views. The Supai Tunnel makes a great day hike turnaround for a 3.4-mile roundtrip route, and the rest point has a rustic toilet and drinking water.

Point Imperial

You don’t want to miss a visit to Point Imperial, the highest overlook at the North Rim at 8,803 feet. From the lookout, you can see all the way to the Marble Canyon and Painted Desert. There are also spots to picnic in this area, so it makes a great mid-day rest point.

Cape Royal Road

Combine Point Imperial Road with Cape Royal Road for a scenic drive of about 30 miles. Cape Royal Road has several pull-offs for views on the way to the namesake vista at the end. 

Stop at Vista Encantada and Roosevelt Point lookouts and the Walhalla Overlook to check out the ancient Puebloan ruins. At the Cape Royal lookout, a paved path of less than half a mile each way leads out to views of the Colorado River and a cool rock feature called Angel’s Window that appears as though part of the cliff has been cut out.

Tips for Visiting Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyon

Use this travel guide for Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion to plan out your trip. We’ve included helpful tips like where to stay, when to go, and what weather to expect in southern Utah and northern Arizona.

Getting to Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion National Parks

The nearest major airports to Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon are in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Phoenix. The airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, makes the most sense if you’re doing a loop to the three parks because it’s the closest airport to most of them. The smaller St. George Regional Airport is only an hour from Zion and has flights on a few major airlines.

Harry Reid International Airport in Vegas is roughly 3 hours from Zion and 4.5 hours from Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon’s North and South rims. Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah is about 4.5 hours from Bryce Canyon, 5 hours from Zion, 7 hours to the Grand Canyon North Rim, and 9 hours to the South Rim. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is 4 hours from the South Rim, 6 hours from the North Rim, 7 hours from Zion, and 8 hours from Bryce.

The drive from the Zion Visitor Center to the Grand Canyon North Rim takes about 3 hours and it’s about 2 hours to Bryce Canyon. Going to either one, you can take the magnificent Zion-Mount Carmel Highway for vistas of colorful rocky hills.

The drive from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim to Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon is around 5 hours, and you can take a picturesque route through Marble Canyon and Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. Or, you can go through Page, Arizona, to stop at Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.

Where to Stay Near Bryce, Grand Canyon, and Zion National Parks

I recommend staying close to each of the parks and switching locations throughout your trip to save on driving time. Aside from staying in a campground or lodge with the parks, which all four locations have, the closest towns to each are Springdale for Zion, Bryce Canyon City or Tropic for Bryce, and Tusayan for the Grand Canyon South Rim. The Grand Canyon North Rim is not near any towns, but Jacob Lake has accommodations an hour from the park. 

For one central location, Kanab is your best bet near Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon North Rim. The town is roughly an hour from Zion’s visitor center and 1.5 from Bryce Canyon and the North Rim. 

What to Pack for a Utah and Arizona National Parks Trip

What to pack for Bryce Canyon, Zion, and the Grand Canyon depends on the season and hiking or camping plans. At a minimum, you will need some comfortable sightseeing clothes and layers for cooler nights and mornings. If you plan to hit the trails, bring activewear and hiking boots or shoes with good traction and ankle support.

The 10 essentials are necessary for any backcountry hikes and smart to bring on day hikes, too. This packing list will help you prepare for your trip.

Weather and Seasons in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona

Even though they are geographically close, there are some variations in the climate at the three parks.

Grand Canyon Weather

The Grand Canyon North Rim is only open to the public from May 15 to October 15. Summer highs in the mid-70s and lows in the 40s are typical. Highs and lows are around 10 degrees colder in the spring and fall shoulder months.

The Grand Canyon South Rim is open year-round. The weather here varies by location with the inner canyon about 20 degrees warmer than the rim. This means that as you hike down, things heat up quite a bit, which makes summer hiking dangerous. Average summer highs are in the 80s at the rim but rise to the low 100s in the inner canyon. In spring and fall, average highs at the rim are usually in the 70s, 60s, and 50s as you move away from the summer months. Nights in the desert often cool off from daytime highs by about 30 degrees.

Zion Weather

Summer temperatures at Zion average in the 90s to 100s midday with lows in the 60s. The monsoon season begins towards the end of summer, bringing the possibility of flash floods to the canyon. Highs in the 60s to 80s and lows in the 40s to 50s are typical in the spring and fall. Winter temperatures average in the 50s with lows in the 30s.

These are the best national parks to visit in January and February.

Bryce Canyon Weather

At Bryce Canyon’s higher elevation, things are a bit cooler, though it does warm up if you hike down into the canyon. At the rim, summer highs average in the upper 70s and low 80s while lows cool to the 40s and 50s. Highs in the 50s and 60s are typical in spring and fall, or even the 40s in March and November. Average low temps stay at or below freezing usually until May and after September. When the park is snowy and frozen, some of the roads and trails close for safety.

How Many Days to Spend on a Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon Trip

I’ve done this road trip loop from Las Vegas in as few as four days, including a stop in Page, Arizona. That length of time gives you a quick overview of each park but doesn’t allow time for more than one or two short hikes in each park.

If you’re able to, I recommend around a week to have enough time to explore a few different spots in Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon. The itinerary options at the top of this post will help you plan out a 4 to7 day trip.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon

How far are Bryce and Zion from Grand Canyon National Park?

Using directions from the main visitor centers at each, Zion and Bryce Canyon are about 4.5 to 5 hours from the Grand Canyon South Rim and 3 hours from the Grand Canyon North Rim.

Can you do Zion and the Grand Canyon in one day?

If you drive between Zion and Grand Canyon North Rim, you could technically see both parks in one day, but you wouldn’t have time to do much more than take in the view. Many of Zion’s famous attractions are in the canyon on the shuttle route, and it can take a couple of hours just traveling in and out, not to mention hiking time.

If you have to squeeze them into a day, I’d also recommend starting with an early morning drive from the bottom of the canyon at Zion to the top, a hike at the Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile), and a drive on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway on the way to the Grand Canyon North Rim. At the North Rim, drive the scenic route to the Point Imperial and Cape Royale lookouts before heading to the visitor center area to watch the sunset from Bright Angel Point.

Can you do Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon in one day?

I recommend at least two days for Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon. If you need to fit them into one, start early with a hike along the rim of the Grand Canyon before the scenic midday drive between the two. You can end the day by enjoying the sunset from one of the main overlooks at Bryce Canyon such as Sunset Point or Bryce Point.

Which is better to see, Bryce Canyon or Zion?

It’s impossible to pick a better park since everyone’s tastes and travel styles are different. Between the pair, Zion is more popular, but Bryce isn’t too far behind. Zion has the most adventurous hikes, but Bryce has more easy-to-reach overlooks with a view. I would recommend visiting both if you can, as the drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon only takes about 2 hours and is incredibly scenic.

How much time should you spend in Zion vs. Bryce?

How much time you should spend in Zion or Bryce will depend on how much hiking you plan to do. I would recommend spending more time in Zion if you like to hike but set aside at least 4-6 hours to hike into the canyon at Bryce and visit the overlooks at the top.

Which is better, Zion or Grand Canyon?

It’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite between Zion and Grand Canyon as the two parks are so different. Last year, Grand Canyon was the second most visited national park in the country and Zion was the third, so most agree that both destinations belong on your bucket list.

How many days do you need in Bryce Canyon?

I would recommend spending at least a full day on your first trip to Bryce Canyon. You can start with sunrise at Sunrise Point before heading down into the canyon for a hike on the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop trail. At midday, drive to the end of Bryce Canyon Road to escape the crowds at lesser-visited viewpoints, before ending back at Bryce or Sunset Point.

How many days do you need in Zion?

If you want to hike, I recommend at least 2 days in Zion National Park, or longer if you want to do both of the bucket list trails here (Angel’s Landing and the Narrows). On a one-day trip, you can take an early shuttle into the canyon for one of the longer trails or a couple of short ones before spending the last few hours before sunset driving the scenic Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and hiking the Canyon Overlook Trail.

How many days do you need at the Grand Canyon?

I would also recommend at least a couple of days at the Grand Canyon for your first visit to explore a few different overlooks and hike a trail partway into the canyon. But, if you just want to stop to see the view and walk along the rim a little way, you can do that in a couple of hours.