Angels Landing
Zion's most famous hike — switchbacks, Walter's Wiggles and a final half-mile of chains along a knife-edge fin of sandstone, 1,488 feet above the Grotto. The chains section needs a lottery permit; Scout Lookout does not.
Utah
Zion & Bryce Canyon
Southern Utah packs two of America's most dramatic national parks into a two-hour drive: Zion, where the Virgin River has cut a canyon of cream-and-crimson Navajo sandstone half a mile deep, and Bryce Canyon, where an amphitheater of orange hoodoos glows beneath a rim that sits more than a mile and a half above the sea.
This guide books them properly — the permit lottery that now governs the chains of Angels Landing, the river walk up The Narrows and the flow rules that close it, the shuttle that controls Zion Canyon most of the year, the tunnel and Canyon Overlook on the east side, the quiet finger canyons of Kolob, and Bryce's Rim Trail, Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden. Then it follows Scenic Byway 12 to Red Canyon, Kodachrome Basin and the waterfalls of Grand Staircase-Escalante, slips south to Snow Canyon near St. George, and matches you to the right base — from the only lodge inside Zion to Springdale's riverside inns and the hotels of Bryce Canyon City and Tropic — because in canyon country, where you sleep decides which sunrise you catch.
Don't miss
Angels Landing
Zion's most famous hike — switchbacks, Walter's Wiggles and a final half-mile of chains along a knife-edge fin of sandstone, 1,488 feet above the Grotto. The chains section needs a lottery permit; Scout Lookout does not.
The Narrows
Hike up the Virgin River itself between walls a thousand feet high — a mile of paved Riverside Walk, then as far upstream as you like in the water. No permit to Big Spring; closed above 150 cfs or in a flash flood warning.
Bryce Amphitheater and the Rim Trail
The view that defines Bryce Canyon — a vast bowl of orange and white hoodoos seen from Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration and Bryce Points, linked by a 5.5-mile rim path with a paved, dog-friendly stretch between Sunrise and Sunset.
Bryce Canyon Astronomy Programs and Full Moon Hikes
One of the darkest night skies in the national park system, interpreted by rangers and volunteer astronomers: around 100 astronomy programs a year, a four-day summer festival, and ticketed full moon walks among the hoodoos, on snowshoes in winter.
Things to do in Zion & Bryce Canyon
The Narrows
Hike up the Virgin River itself between walls a thousand feet high — a mile of paved Riverside Walk, then as far upstream as you like in the water. No permit to Big Spring; closed above 150 cfs or in a flash flood warning.
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and Shuttle
The road into the heart of Zion, served by a free shuttle with nine stops from the Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava. Shuttle-only most of the year; open to private cars only in the quiet weeks before Christmas and in deep winter.
Canyon Overlook Trail and the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel
A short, thrilling ledge walk just east of the 1930 tunnel, ending at a fenced viewpoint over Pine Creek and lower Zion Canyon. One mile round trip, tiny parking lot, bighorn sheep often on the slickrock.
Emerald Pools Trails
A family-friendly network of trails from Zion Lodge to three tiers of pools beneath seasonal waterfalls and towering cliffs — Lower, Middle and Upper Emerald Pools, linked to the Grotto by the Kayenta Trail.
Kolob Canyons
Zion's quiet northwest corner — a five-mile scenic road off I-15 into crimson finger canyons, with Taylor Creek's Double Arch Alcove, the short Timber Creek Overlook and one of the world's longest natural arches.
Bryce Amphitheater and the Rim Trail
The view that defines Bryce Canyon — a vast bowl of orange and white hoodoos seen from Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration and Bryce Points, linked by a 5.5-mile rim path with a paved, dog-friendly stretch between Sunrise and Sunset.
Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden
The best hike in Bryce — down among the hoodoos from Sunrise Point through Queen's Garden, up the Navajo Loop past Thor's Hammer to Sunset Point. About 2.9 miles; the Wall Street side closes for winter.
Kodachrome Basin State Park
A small state park of startling color south of Cannonville — red and cream cliffs, white sand pipes up to 50 feet tall, a nearly level Panorama loop and a quiet campground, surrounded by Grand Staircase-Escalante.
FreeRed Canyon
The free, vivid-red gateway to Bryce on Scenic Byway 12 — two rock tunnels, short trails through orange hoodoos and ponderosa pine, and a paved bike path, all in Dixie National Forest with no entrance fee.
1-3 hoursDetails →
Lower Calf Creek Falls, Grand Staircase-Escalante
The signature hike of Grand Staircase-Escalante — six sandy miles round trip up a lush canyon past rock art and granaries to a 126-foot waterfall plunging into a cold green pool. Small per-vehicle day-use fee.
Snow Canyon State Park
Red and white Navajo sandstone, black lava flows and explorable lava tubes ten miles from St. George — a warm, quiet winter alternative to Zion with 38 miles of trails, a paved path and certified dark skies.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$Zion Lodge
Inside Zion Canyon
The only lodging inside Zion National Park — lodge rooms, suites and historic 1920s cabins on a cottonwood-shaded lawn in the middle of Zion Canyon, with the Emerald Pools across the road and the canyon to yourself after dark.
Check rates →Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton
Springdale, near the park entrance
Springdale's most polished resort, set in riverside gardens on the Virgin River a short walk from the park entrance — a resort pool and hot tubs, the Five Petals spa, Anthera restaurant and villa suites with kitchens.
Check rates →Desert Pearl Inn
Springdale, on the Virgin River
A family-built riverside inn in Springdale with spacious rooms, balconies facing the cliffs, convenience kitchens, a big pool yard and a hot tub by a waterfall — and a shuttle stop out front.
Check rates →Cable Mountain Lodge
Zion Canyon Village, Springdale
The closest hotel to the Zion entrance — studios and suites with kitchenettes in Zion Canyon Village, a footbridge from the Visitor Center, a seasonal pool with canyon views and barbecues by the river.
Check rates →Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
Bryce Canyon City
The most comfortable all-round base just outside Bryce — a modern hotel in Bryce Canyon City about a mile from the park, with an indoor heated pool, a summer outdoor pool and hot tub, and a free hot breakfast.
Check rates →Bryce View Lodge
Bryce Canyon City
The budget pick in Bryce Canyon City — simple king and two-queen rooms with breakfast, use of the indoor pool and whirlpool across the street at Ruby's Inn, a free airport shuttle and pets welcome for a fee.
Check rates →Stone Canyon Inn
Tropic
A secluded retreat outside Tropic with views back to Bryce's Pink Cliffs — two-bedroom cabins with private hot tubs, bungalows with fireplaces, treehouses, adults-only king rooms, dark skies and the Stone Hearth Grille.
Check rates →SpringHill Suites Springdale Zion National Park
Springdale
An all-suite Marriott about a mile from Zion's South Entrance, with free hot breakfast, an outdoor pool and hot tub facing the cliffs, room to spread out and a pet-friendly policy. The practical, comfortable Springdale pick.
Check rates →Hampton Inn and Suites Springdale Zion National Park
Springdale, on Zion Park Boulevard
A reliable Hilton-family hotel on Zion Park Boulevard about a mile from the park, with free hot breakfast, an outdoor pool facing the red cliffs, a fitness center and king suites with sofa beds for families.
Check rates →Wingate by Wyndham Hurricane Zion National Park
Hurricane
A budget-friendly base in Hurricane, about 40 minutes from Springdale: free breakfast, a heated outdoor pool and jetted hot tub, modern rooms with Roku TVs, and easy access to Sand Hollow, Quail Creek and St. George.
Check rates →Hyatt Place St George Convention Center
St. George, near the Dixie Center
A modern, good-value hotel in St. George near the Dixie Center, with free parking, free breakfast, roomy sofa-sleeper rooms and a pet-friendly policy: a smart first or last night between Las Vegas and Zion.
Check rates →Best Western East Zion Thunderbird Lodge
Mount Carmel Junction, east of Zion
A classic roadside lodge at Mount Carmel Junction, where the road from Zion's East Entrance meets US-89: halfway between Zion and Bryce, with a seasonal pool, a 9-hole golf course next door and a diner known for hearty breakfasts.
Check rates →Best Western Red Hills
Downtown Kanab
A well-reviewed, walkable base in downtown Kanab: free hot breakfast with a waffle station, a heated outdoor pool, dog-friendly rooms and Little Hollywood's film history on the doorstep, about 30 miles from Zion.
Check rates →Parry Lodge
Kanab, on historic Highway 89
Kanab's historic movie-star motel, opened in 1931 on old Highway 89: John Wayne, Frank Sinatra and Clint Eastwood slept here while filming Westerns, and the lodge still screens classic films in its Old Barn Theater in season.
Check rates →Econo Lodge Panguitch near Bryce Canyon
Panguitch
A simple, low-cost motel in historic Panguitch, about 22 miles from Bryce Canyon: two-queen rooms with fridge and microwave, small-pet friendly, and a quiet pioneer brick town with Red Canyon on the way to the park.
Check rates →Zion & Bryce Canyon guides
Zion and Bryce Canyon for First-Timers: Shuttles, Permits, Fees & the Rules Nobody Tells You
Everything a first visit needs before the canyon walls start glowing — how the Zion shuttle works and when it stops, the Angels Landing lottery, Narrows closures, the 2026 nonresident surcharge, altitude, weather and how to fit both parks into a short trip.
Where to Stay for Zion and Bryce Canyon: Springdale, Inside the Park, Bryce Canyon City & Tropic
A clear guide to the bases that matter — Zion Lodge inside the canyon, Springdale's riverside inns and resorts, Bryce Canyon City at the park gate and quiet Tropic below the rim — with who each suits and what to book first.
Three Days in Zion and Bryce Canyon: The Perfect Itinerary
A realistic three-day plan for both parks — The Narrows and Zion Canyon on day one, Angels Landing or Scout Lookout, the tunnel and Canyon Overlook on day two, and Bryce's sunrise, Rim Trail and hoodoo hike on day three.
Angels Landing Permits and The Narrows: How Zion's Two Great Hikes Really Work
The seasonal and day-before lotteries for Angels Landing, what the chains ask of you, the flow and flash-flood rules that close The Narrows, gear, winter conditions and the backups when you lose the lottery or the river rises.
When to Visit Zion and Bryce Canyon: Seasons, Winter Closures and the Quiet Months
Season by season through both parks — spring snowmelt, summer heat and monsoons, fall color, and the quiet winter with snow on the hoodoos, the shuttle-free weeks in Zion Canyon, the Bryce Canyon Winter Festival and what closes.
Zion to Bryce and Scenic Byway 12: The Road Trip Guide
The drive that links the parks and keeps going — through the Zion tunnel and Mount Carmel Junction to Red Canyon and Bryce, then east on Scenic Byway 12 via Tropic and Kodachrome Basin to Escalante and Lower Calf Creek Falls.
