Road Trip From Grand Canyon to Zion National Park: Travel Tips

You're out on vacation and wondering which national parks let you see the Southwest in all its glory. A quick search will have your mind settling on Zion National Park. Soon, you're imagining you're standing at the rim of the Grand Canyon, taking in all the scenic views your road trip allows you. 

Playing the scenario in your head feels nice, and planning the perfect Grand Canyon to Zion National Park journey is just as great an experience.

After driving this route more times than we can count, it's clear that the road between these two iconic destinations lets you discover why this stretch of the American Southwest is one of the best locations for a road trip. 

The canyon views alone will spoil you for good, and that's before you consider those red rock formations that make Arizona and Utah look like they're showing off.

This guide covers everything you need to know about planning your first Zion to Grand Canyon adventure. We’ll show you tips seasoned national park hoppers can use to optimize their route.

Key Takeaways

Further into this guide, you’ll come away with the following takeaways:

• An overview of route options between Grand Canyon and Zion National Park, complete with the timing and drive variations based on your path choice
• Tips on selecting the optimal route that lets you in on the most scenic views while fitting into your specific travel timeline and priorities
• Insights into the weather situation in the desert region and ways you can pack right.
• Useful cost-saving tips for budget-conscious travelers on park entrance fees and accommodation choices
• An outline of world-class attractions beyond the two main destinations.

Planning Your Journey: Key Considerations

From our experience, the difference between a good Grand Canyon to Zion trip and an absolutely legendary one comes down to three critical decisions you'll make before you set out. Get these right, and you'll be telling stories about this road trip for years: 

Route Duration and Scenic Views

Sometime while preparing for this trip, you must have searched online, "How long does it actually take to drive from Grand Canyon to Zion National Park?" We know the answer: it's 2-5 hours, but you'll need more context for that. 

The distance from the Grand Canyon to Zion National Park will depend on which rim of the Grand Canyon you're starting from and which entrance to Zion you choose at the other end. 

Say you started from the South Rim Grand Canyon to Zion National Park, the distance sums up to 230 miles on the fastest route – give or take. But from our experience, the fastest route isn’t the best route. We’ll break it down for you: 

• The Fastest Route (2-2.5 hours): If you started on Highway 64 west to I-40, then north through Flagstaff to I-15, you'd make it to Highway 9 into Zion. You'll be making a beeline to the national park with this route, essentially missing some of the Southwest's most spectacular scenery. We've done this drive when time was tight. It's efficient, though you're rushing the journey a bit.
• The Best Route (4-5 hours with stops): Naturally, our favorite route and recommendation to anyone with the flexibility. You set out from the Grand Canyon South Rim, then take Highway 64 east to Highway 89 north to finally link up with Highway 9 through Hurricane, Utah. This route adds roughly 2 hours to your drive time, but don't worry; It's an extra 2 hours you get to spend with some of the most photographed landscapes in North America.

The second route takes you through the famous red rock country in southern Utah. You get to pass through Fredonia, Arizona - another tiny town that serves as an excellent pit stop - and then climb through the stunning landscapes that transition from Arizona's high desert to Utah's iconic red rock formations.

Managing Budget and Amenities

First-time visitors, pay attention here, you could save some serious money. The Grand Canyon National Park to Zion National Park corridor isn't exactly known for its budget-friendly options, but there are ways you could manage costs without sacrificing the experience.

• Park Entrance Fees: This is your first decision point, and it's more complex than it appears. A single park pass costs $35 for Zion and $35 for Grand Canyon, but if you're planning to visit any other national parks within 12 months, the America the Beautiful Annual Pass at $80 pays for itself immediately. We suggest you buy one and see it as an insurance policy against spontaneous national park adventures.
• Fuel Strategy: Gas prices rise to their peaks in the Southwest, and you’re bound to find that out between the Grand Canyon and Zion, particularly near park entrances. So, we recommend that you fill up in Flagstaff if you're taking the direct route, or in Fredonia if you're on the longer route.
• Lodging Options: Here's where local knowledge becomes invaluable. Zion park accommodations take booking months in advance and come with premium prices to boot. If you’d like to save some, consider staying in Hurricane, Utah. It’s only 15 minutes from Zion's main entrance, and 2.5 hours from Las Vegas (if you don't mind the drive). We've seen excellent hotels in Hurricane that cost half the price of anything near the park.

Accommodations at the Grand Canyon include lodge options inside the park. Those are spectacular, but you've got to book 6-12 months ahead. Alternatively, you could check out Flagstaff for its variety and more reasonable prices. You'd still get to choose between the direct or scenic route to Zion from there. Sweet.

Weather Conditions and Seasonal Considerations

The weather situation on this trip requires you to be properly prepared. Luckily, we can help you with that:

The weather between Grand Canyon and Zion National Park can be unpredictable and changes often, even during a single drive. In our experience, it’s not unusual to see temperature swings of 40 degrees in one afternoon, depending on the season..

• Spring (March-May): Spring is our favorite time for the Grand Canyon to Zion National Park drive, and for good reasons. The weather is mostly mild, and the crowds are manageable. The caveat here is the notoriously unpredictable weather changes that only occur when spring comes in the high desert.
• Summer (June-August): Summer is peak road trip season in the Southwest, which means peak crowds and peak temperatures around the Canyon as well.
• Fall (September-November): The fall weather is generally more stable than spring, though you’d have to deal with a fuller crowd.
• Winter (December-February): We won't recommend making the trip in winter. Yes, the national park remains accessible and relatively mild, but the Grand Canyon may get significant snowfall and ice. Also, you can expect the road conditions between the two parks to change rapidly, and some scenic detours temporarily closed. In all, if you must travel in the winter, plan more rigorously.

You wouldn’t want to get caught unprepared in the fickle weather situations on what’s supposed to be a memorable trip – trust us. 

Which is why you need high-performance outdoor clothing that transitions seamlessly from trail conditions to town settings, perfect for your desert adventures. Browse versatile clothing for your adventure at KÜHL.

Points of Interest Along the Way

Some of our most memorable moments from this route happened at places we could just as easily have driven right past. The following are our top picks:

• Horseshoe Bend: This one's probably on your Instagram feed already, but experiencing it in person is entirely different. The overlook sits about 10 minutes off Highway 89, and the short hike to the viewpoint is deceivingly easy until you realize you're standing on a cliff edge with no barriers. The Colorado River meanders along to form this perfect horseshoe curve 1,000 feet below, the scale of which doesn't hit you until you're actually there.
• Antelope Canyon: This slot canyon lies along the scenic route through Page, Arizona. It’s worth the detour and the tour fee. The way light filters down through the narrow openings creates these incredible beam effects that photographers travel across the world to capture. Just know that you'll need a guided tour (it's on Navajo land), and popular time slots book up weeks in advance.
• Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park: This one's our recommendation for families traveling with kids who are getting tired of "just looking" at scenery. It's a small detour off Highway 89, where your kids can sandboard down actual pink dunes.
• Pipe Spring National Monument: Pipe Spring offers you a quaint glimpse into frontier life. It's what you’d expect from a historic ranch and fort, and then some interesting stories of early Mormon pioneers and Kaibab Paiute people.

For time-crunched travelers, we recommend prioritizing Horseshoe Bend and one other stop of your choice. If you've brought the kids, it's got to be the dunes, while Antelope Canyon is non-negotiable for all you shutterbugs.

Activities and Experiences

The trip from the Grand Canyon to Zion National Park is so memorable, every stop has its unique experience. There’s something for everyone, whether you prefer adventure, quiet contemplation or anything in between.

At the Grand Canyon

• Rim Trail: You can start the sightseeing sessions from the 13-mile Rim Trail, which follows the south rim of the Canyon. The walks won't feel very casual, but it's helpful to know that you can get on and off the trail at different places.
• Bright Angel Trail: Next is the Bright Angel Trail that descends into the Grand Canyon itself. The particularly adventurous among you can have a go at it. Note that things could get rigorous on this trail, so start early and carry way more water than you think you need.

Between the Parks

• Valley of the Gods: This is a 17-mile dirt road loop that would genuinely feel like driving through a Western movie set. The road is usually fine for regular cars (unless there's been recent rain), and the rock formations have names like "Setting Hen Butte" that will make you smile.
• Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel: This isn't exactly an activity, but driving through this 1.1-mile tunnel, which was carved through solid rock in 1930, is a unique experience. Large vehicles need an escort. Regular cars, however, can pass through and admire the engineering feat and the Canyon views from the windows carved into the tunnel walls. The tunnel offers a totally different view from the main canyon area and connects to Zion's east entrance.

At Zion

• Riverside Walk: You can find this paved trail following the Virgin River and ending at the start of the popular Narrows hike. Even if you don't plan to play around in the river itself, you can still take a leisurely stroll, lapping up the stunning views of the hanging gardens and the tall canyon walls.
• Emerald Pools Trails: Three distinct pools are connected by well-kept paths here. Families will find the Lower Pool to be the most convenient for walks, while the Upper Pool demands more work. You get a much better view and fewer crowds for your troubles, though.
• Angels Landing: Angels Landing is the most famous hike in Zion. So popular it is, it requires permits now. The final half-mile involves chains bolted into rock faces with thousand-foot drop-offs on both sides.

Packing for Your Adventure

We’ve come up with a system that can help you around the unique challenges of a trip from the Grand Canyon to Zion National Park:

• Layer Strategy: Use moisture-wicking materials for your base layer. Keep some insulating mid-layers and weather-resistant outer shells with you as well.
• Shoes: Comfortable hiking boots will be just fine for the national park's trails. Bring sandals or quick-dry shoes if you’d like to wade in Zion's river.
• Sun Protection: It's crucial to wear wide-brimmed hats, high-quality sunglasses, and sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. The relentless Southwest desert sun requires it.
• Hydration: We generally recommend that you carry more water than you think is reasonable. A good number is one gallon per person per day for any hiking, plus extra for the car.

Final Thoughts

A road trip from the Grand Canyon to Zion should be about enjoying the journey as much as the destinations. You could visit both parks in a weekend if you're short on time, but we believe you'd prefer not to rush. The landscape often surprises you with its beauty when you least expect it.

This guide equips you with the stuff that matters on a trip from the Grand Canyon to Zion National Park – the good routes, budget tips, and proper gear – so you get to prepare for a trip that might have you regretting you didn't plan for more days. 

Featured image by: RuslanKphoto.