This route will be a lower elevation route and be open all year round. Turn east on Highway 12 and travel through Red Canyon and up to the turn for Bryce Canyon heading south to the park gate. 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. This section of I-15 is particularly scenic and shows where we drove through the Virgin River Canyon. For some of the best (and most accessible) views, take the one-mile walk up the Canyon Overlook Trail, which works for most abilities, and ends with beautiful vistas over Zion Canyon. Dinner was the surprise hit of the trip - takeout from Arriba Mexican Grill in Bryce, which Id noted on our way to Bryce Canyon Pines. The view was spectacular (of course), but low clouds meant we didnt get the full effect of the sun lighting up the hoodoos. The 1,400-mile road trip from Las Vegas around Utah takes 24 hours to drive all-in, passing Valley of Fire State Park, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, Salt Lake City, Moab and Dixie National Forest, plus Utah's Mighty Five' National Parks. After spending some time exploring Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, rejoin I-15 and continue heading north. If you have never been through Zion but your final destination is Bryce Canyon that is a great route to go. Some are more of a short cut, but you will need to take into consideration the time of year and weather. Click on any scenic byway or backway listed below for complete information. Our kids loved climbing into lava tubes, rolling down sand dunes, and hiking slot canyons. Its a quick 45 minute drive from St. George and as one of the most beautiful national parks in the U.S., its one of the best things to do near St George. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. If you have some more time, or wish to expand this into a 2-day tour and visit the state parks just north of town, to enjoy some gorgeous Utah views. *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. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Tours generally depart from Las Vegas, Cedar City and St. George, Utah. A short section of the Interstate is a bridge that goes above the Virgin River. Your next stop is Kamas. A relaxing scenic drive through the Mojave desert from Las Vegas, NV to St. George, Utah north on Interstate 15. They were out of pizza, and nearby CraftHaus had temporarily closed its kitchen to new orders because they were slammed, so we were forced to go elsewhere for dinner. The best Utah national parks itinerary from Las Vegas will take you on an adventure from the hustle and bustle of Sin City to the serenity of nature and some of the most unique scenery you may ever be surrounded with in your life. The shortest, and one of the most family-friendly, is Weeping Rock, which is a quarter-mile walk on a paved road that ends at a weeping rock that drips with water. Utah has hot, dry summers while the winters are cold. Once you leave the park you will reach highway 89 and turn north. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. We took the shuttle (no wait) to its last stop (Temple of Sinawava), then did the Riverside Walk, which was honestly less of a hike and more of a stroll down a busy sidewalk (albeit in a beautiful setting). What Is There to Do in Zion National Park? You can fly into St. George Airport (SGU), which is 30 minutes from Red Mountain Resort, or Las Vegas McCarran International Airport and enjoy a scenic two-hour drive. 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. The narrowest section of Zion Canyon, with many portions completely within the Virgin River, is hailed as the quintessential Zion experience. If youre arriving from Las Vegas, please note that Utah is one hour ahead of Nevada. There is, however, precious little public transportation between Vegas and all the gorgeous national park areas that lie just across the border in Utah. Please check out ourdisclosure policyfor more details. September is when temperatures start to drop. Other nearby ghost towns to explore include Old Iron Town and Silver Reef. Artist : RiverwornMusic : Cafe BossaReleased : 2011Artist : LopeMusic : Cruising With YouReleased : 2013Artist : LopeMusic : In the SummerReleased : 2013Inte. What Is the Fastest Way to Get From Las Vegas to Zion National Park? There are three different viewpoints along Inspiration Point, each higher than the last. Wildlife is abundant in this area, allowing photographers the chance to catch a grazing elk or deer, or a soaring falcon in their camera lens against the backdrop of the setting sun. First stop in Kanab was the Jackson Flats reservoir for a bit of birding (pipits, Franklins gulls). Scenic drives to consider in Pennsylvania are listed below. They are known for their super large portions and delicious farm food. Ranger guided tours steer you through approximately 2 miles of the twists and turns, pointing out interesting sites and teaching guests about the process of erosion and how it forms the landscape seen in every direction. Red Rock Canyon State Park | Scenic Drives Near Las Vegas (30 Minutes) Just 16 miles west of Las Vegas, you will find the Red Rock Canyon National Conservational Area and Scenic loop drive. Still, with car rental rates hovering around $35 per day, you can pile a few people into the car and easily beat the prices of any bus tour or shuttle service serving Las Vegas. Consider a detour along the Valley of Fire Scenic Byway through the Valley of Fire State Park to see the iconic Elephant Rock, a natural sandstone arch resembling one of the massive mammals, with a unique appearance of multiple chunks of rock stacked together. It's an International Dark Sky Park, and you can join a guided astronomy tour if you want to learn more about the stellar night sky views. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Length Under 30 miles 30 to 75 miles Over 75 miles. Twin Lakes in the Poconos. This route will cost you the park daily $25.00 entrance fee so please be prepared for that, but if you have time you can see great amounts of Zion National Park along the way to highway 89. I-15 is the most scenic section of interstate you'll encounter. Kids Are A Trip 2023. If you're feeling really active, you can even join a group canyoning trip. Start the trip by getting on I-15 heading north out of Las Vegas. However, it's worth considering that driving in the winter months might be challenging and smaller roads may close. At the east entrance/exit of Zion National Park, is the Checkerboard Mesa, a white colored plateau with a distinctive checkerboard pattern surrounded by cliffs covered in white and amber striations and swirls. There are several good places to stay in St. George. It is not walker nor wheelchair friendly unless there is a side trail Im missing. 1130 Brickyard Road . Google confirmed that I was right. If you are in the area in the future, make reservations for the Cliffisde Restaurant at Inn on the Cliff. Since the city is located in the Mojave Desert, it doesnt have the cold weather found in other parts of the state. The Bryce Canyon Amphitheater is one of the most convenient parts of the park to get to with the most famous structures, making it the most visited site within the park each year. Highway 9 will take you through Hurricane, Utah and right to Springdale (just . in 4 reviews George to Vegas, on that small corner patch in Arizona, may have, earlier that day, been inundated with the grandeur of Zion. Available once daily, the flight leaves St. George daily at 6:40am and lands 90 minutes later in L.A . Taste some Americana at Route 66, AZ (2 hours) A couple of hours' drive from Las Vegas will get . ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. The Grand America Hotel adds vintage 5-star luxury to your road trip and is a favorite Salt Lake City hotel for its regal design. The Fiery Furnace section of the park is full of twisting caverns, slot canyons, and gorges full of interesting rock formations like stone passageways and slender sandstone arches. Fairyland Canyon is a scenic overlook just north of the park entrance, allowing park guests to view the hoodoos up close. When big conventions are in town, prices go up. Famous for its national parks, dubbed the Mighty Five, you'll enjoy outstanding scenic vistas as you travel between some of the country's most spectacular natural landmarks. At highway 12 turn East and follow that through Red Canyon and up to the Bryce Canyon turn heading south. Zion National Park is the perfect spot for kids with many family friendly hiking and biking trails. It seemed to be a problem of both staffing and inventory. This road trip takes you through mountains, canyons, forests and deserts so there's plenty to enjoy along the way. If youre at Bryce, eat here! We went as far as Escalante before reluctantly turning around. We may also have ordered wrongI always try to give places the benefit of the doubt, because I know how hard the restaurant business is. There are three levels of pools, Lower, Middle and Upper, amid the trails, each a bit harder to get to than the last. in Mesquite. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 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. If you would like to link to my images, please email me [email protected]. Day 3 (Kolob Canyon section of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Take I-40 east to Highway 64. Looking for other Utah posts? Expect hotel prices to rise for these events because of demand. Day 6 ((ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Day 2 (Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Travel North on 89 until you reach highway 12 that will take you east through red canyon and up to the turn to the gate of Bryce Canyon. As it's so far out of the city, Zion is an amazing place for stargazing. The Zion Mount Carmel Highway is the second major route through the park. The St. George area offers many opportunities for adventurous families. Return to Route 89 and head south through Glendale then at Mt Carmel Junction turn onto UT-9 towards Zion National Park. This section is just desert country, but after you cross the state line, it's not far to the Virgin River canyon. The best place to capture the beauty of the setting sun reflecting off the hoodoos and slot canyons is at Paria View. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. Once you've checked in, head over to the lakeshore to admire the stunning sunset at the biggest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. Theres also a scenic drive along the Virgin River and many opportunities to spot local wildlife. In St. George be sure to stop at Kayenta Art Village and have lunch at Xetava Gardens. I dragged my daughter out of bed to catch the sunrise from Sunset Point (recommended by someone here and also by a ranger). 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. There are several great options as shown below. Head north out of Las Vegas, taking Interstate 15 (I-15) north to St George. We hadnt packed provisions beyond water (preparation fail, a picnic would have been nice), so lunch was fast food in Cedar City. The on-site restaurant is a high-class dining experience serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, but as the hotel is located in the center of town you can also take your pick of nearby restaurants. It wasnt a full day, but it was a full day, if that makes sense. 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. Double Arch, the arch containing the tallest opening in the park, is easily visited via a half-mile hike from the road. Re: Place to Eat Between Las Vegas and Zion National Park 4 years ago Save The best food will be in the town of Springdale, Utah right at the entrance to Zion NP. St. George, Utah which is the closest city in proximity to Zion National Park also has . Many will recognize it from several movie scenes that were shot here, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. There's plenty to see in St George even if you're not a keen hiker. brews and fun conversation at the bar. Be careful driving. A final honorable mention to include on the best Utah national parks itinerary from Las Vegas is a quick stop at Goblin Valley State Park. Here, moving rocks coupled with erosion have left thousands of interesting sandstone shapes and rock formations all along the valley floor. Driving in your own car is the fastest way. When you hit highway 89 you will turn north and continue up highway 89 until you reach highway 12. The bus journey time between Las Vegas and St. George is around 1h 55m and covers a distance of around 118 miles. Follow Highway 91 all the way to Ivins, Utah, and on to St. George. Plus the staff were so kind and welcoming, we regretted not eating in. The 1,400-mile road trip from Las Vegas around Utah takes 24 hours to drive all-in, passing Valley of Fire State Park, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, Salt Lake City, Moab and Dixie National Forest, plus Utah's 'Mighty Five' National Parks. Once at Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, to cover all the best attractions Utah has to offer, it'll take 20 hours and 50 minutes. Outdoor fans should also head to Pioneer Park, 52 acres of red-rock landscapes where the star attraction is the St George Narrows. Some companies, such as Adventure Photo Tours, do chartered SUV tours from Las Vegas to Zion. Virgin River Gorge Scenic Drive Easy 4 (33) St. George, Utah Photos (65) Directions Print/PDF map Length 24.2 miElevation gain 1,079 ftRoute type Point to point Experience this 24.2-mile point-to-point trail near St. George, Utah. Operated by Greyhound USA, the Las Vegas to St. George bus service departs from Las Vegas and arrives in St George. To get a decent breakfast, we backtracked a bit to Panguitch, where we had eggs with accompaniments at the Desert Grill diner: two thumbs up, & hearty enough to fuel us through the day. Visiting this Utah state park is one of the best things to do on a Utah road trip. Yes, food at Bryce is mediocre at best - food for the masses. Yoga classes are available, and the rooftop sun terrace is relaxing in the sunshine. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Located a quick ninety minute drive from Las Vegas, St. George lies within striking distance of four state parks and Zion National Park. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Do not try this during high season or a weekend or holiday - or if you do, have a fallback - but for us it worked out just fine. Seeing the view from the car is one thing, but I had the opportunity to see it from a bus window as well, so I could also see into the canyon from that height. The Snowbird OktoberFest, which attracts 60,000 visitors, is one of the standout festivals of the year. Please be advised that several of the shuttle services go to central location requiring additional transportation fees to Red Mountain Resort. From there, we made a spur-of-the-moment decision to head for Vermillion Cliffs in AZ to see if we could spot condors. Important travel note:The St. George Airport (SGU) will be temporarily closed for renovations starting on May 29 through September 26, 2019. During this time, car traffic is disallowed on this stretch of road. The first is a relatively brief interstate drive which takes you across the Nevada desert before arriving in Utah at St George, near Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. These unique structures aid in creating a landscape that looks like something out of a science fiction movie. The extremely delicate, spiderweb pattern of the Landscape Arch stands 290 feet tall and is the largest natural arch anywhere in the world. Absent such consent, users of this website, including any third parties accessing the website through automated systems, are prohibited from using any of the content on the website for Artificial Intelligence Purposes. This drive also gives you some insight into Virgin River flooding and geologic challenges. The Human History Museum will be one of the first stops, telling the cultural history of Zion through interactive displays and a large model of the park. Drivers; those who want freedom on the cheap, Those who like a little luxury and don't want to drive. The famous Grand Staircase can be seen from this vista. Take the I-15 north and get off at exit 8 in Littlefield. This is also a paved mountain road so there is steep elevation changes and windy roads. I was braced for mediocre, but this was anything butthe pork in chile verde, in particular, was outstanding. If you are absolutely anti-tour bus, this is one option for you. Typically 11 buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. If your driving from Las Vegas to St George Utah this is a beautiful view of the Virginia river Gorge. At highway 20 you will turn east and take this highway until you reach highway 89. Brigham Young, the second president of the LDS Church maintained a winter home in St. George and today it is available for local tours. Other popular stops include Las Vegas Strip, Hoover Dam, and Valley of Fire State Park. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Directions from St. George, UT to Grand Canyon South Rim Take Highway 9 to Hurricane. This tightly packed maze of hoodoos is a natural marvel and example of erosion that begs to be explored and appreciated. One more option for your travels would be to Head north on i-15 until you get to highway 9 going to Hurricane. There is no public bus that goes from Las Vegas to Zion National Park. Sign up for our free travel guide to help plan your next trip! That said, there are some amazing optional detours along the way, including Valley of Fire State Park. After around 300 miles on the interstate, you'll arrive in Salt Lake City. (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. Any way you get to Bryce Canyon National Park your travel will be well worth the efforts and time you invest. Road Trip From San Francisco To Las Vegas, Road Trip From Los Angeles To Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, Start your trip in comfort and style with a stay at the Advenire, Autograph Collection, The Grand America Hotel adds vintage 5-star luxury to your road trip, Bumbleberry Inn is the perfect hotel choice while you're in Zion National Park. Since birds will be a recurring theme in this report, Ill just add: Gambels Quail! Your email will not be provided to third parties. Zion National Park is on Mountain Time, one hour ahead of Las Vegas, which is in the Pacific Time Zone. Pack your hiking boots and backpack as they're sure to see some use. How to Travel From Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by Car, Plane, and Helicopter, How to Travel from Las Vegas to Arches National Park, How to Travel From Las Vegas to Mesa Verde National Park by Car and Bus, How to Travel From Denver to Las Vegas by Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel from Denver to 5 National Parks by Car and Plane, The 12 Best US Hiking Trails with Waterfalls, How to Travel From San Francisco to Las Vegas by Bus, Car, and Plane, Valley of Fire State Park: The Complete Guide, How to Travel from Los Angeles to Denver by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, How to Travel From Las Vegas to Death Valley by Bus, Car, and Helicoper. There's also a scenic drive along the Virgin River and many opportunities to spot local wildlife. This iconic sign, built in 1959, sits in the meridian at 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South otherwise known as the very southern end of the Las Vegas Strip. Experienced hikers will want to set off on the narrow trail to Angels Landing, offering one of the best views of the surrounding Zion Canyon, while hikers of all abilities will want to experience at least some time in The Narrows. It was, of course, a highlight of the trip. These canyons are a large chunk of the Mohave Desert, and here you will find stunning naturally occurring rock formations. Not for the faint of heart, but a seriously glorious climb. Keep the bird info coming too. During the summer, Zion (and Las Vegas, for that matter), reaches punishing heats of well over 100 degrees. You will be booking a trip to Southern Utah in no time! We've come up with the perfect road trip which takes you across the Nevada desert, then makes a loop through all five of the state's national parks, with plenty more to see and do in between. Thank you for your support! Bonus scenic drive: out and back along the paved portion of Johnson Canyon Rd for more scenery (and meadowlarks). Still, try to pull over and get a photo when there's a patch of pavement or gravel. You can fly into St. George Airport (SGU), which is 30 minutes from Red Mountain Resort, or Las Vegas McCarran International Airport and enjoy a scenic two-hour drive. Along the canyon are a multitude of opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, canyoneering, and rock climbing. On day two driving from Las Vegas to Zion National Park, towns become increasingly smaller. Show on Map. 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). Or rent a UTV with Southern Utah Adventure Center in nearby Hurricane and head off to the dunes of Sand Hollow. I have lived in Utah and specifically Southern Utah my entire life so I have explored just about every road, highway, interstate of dirt road. Its about a two hour drive to St George. How can I see all the parks in Southern Utah? Complimentary airport transportation is provided for guests flying into St. George. But count on at least a two-hour layover and stops along the way. After a day exploring the great outdoors, you can soak in the view of the national park while you relax in the outdoor hot tub or end the day with a few laps of the outdoor swimming pool. We were, of course, thrilled. Here's how to get there: From Las Vegas, you have to get to St. George on the usual I-15. If you leave St George at 4 , you would be at Zion by 5.There is a shuttle at Zion that takes about 1.5 hours to go from the visitor center to the end of the canyon and back.You will be very limited on time coming that late in the afternoon.You may want to skip a night at . This stunning natural area is just waiting to be explored, so take plenty of time to enjoy the views and trails here before making your way west onto Route 89 and following it south a few miles. 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). Next stop: Hoover Dam, an interest of my daughters since childhood. At highway 89 you will turn South and head through Panguitch, Utah continuing until you reach highway 12. There are no shortcuts between Las Vegas and Springdale. From mid-March through November, there is a complimentary shuttle bus that takes visitors on an approximate 8-mile route through the park, with several stops along the way. Running across the park in a southeastern direction above the valley, cooler air can be enjoyed in the higher elevations as the road winds along the side of the cliffs and through a very narrow tunnel through the stone. Highway 9 will take you through Hurricane, Utah and right to Springdale (just outside of Zion National Park). Thanks for joining us! John Atlantic Burr Ferry - Bullfrog to Hall crossing, Best place to ski in late March/early April (Help! You'll leave Nevada, skirt through the northwest corner of Arizona, and then quickly enter Utah. Show only these on map 1 Coyote Gulch Art Village Save On1list Art gallery Shopping You can often save yourself some timeand a possible headache of a traffic jamby detouring through the Shivwits Paiute land. This is a notorious (and expensive) speed trap, as we've learned the hard way. Generally considered an easy route. 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. Just after Mesquite, the interstate crosses into Arizona. The trail took us to the next shuttle stop, which we hopped on and took to the Grotto area, where we picnicked before walking to the Lodge & Emerald Pools trails (we did the Lower Pool only). Welcome to Kids Are A Trip. The Dinosaur Discovery Site is a must see for dinosaur lovers. (A shuttle takes you into the park along the 6-mile Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.). With the creek so high, some of the crossings were rather challenging. Wildlife report: one young bighorn sheep. Directions from Las Vegas, NV to Grand Canyon South Rim Take Highway 93 south to I-40. (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.). This day was all about scenic drives (and a bit of birding) - no hiking. In Hurricane you will turn towards the UT-59, which becomes AZ 389-A. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. The nearby town of Springfield is the best place for gathering supplies and booking guided tours. Along the way, you can take a detour on the Valley of Fire Highway, a scenic drive which has amazing trails and canyons to explore. Spend some time getting to know Utah's state capital, then leave the city heading east on I-80 towards Summit County. 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. If you were wowed by what you saw going to Escalante, you would probably have your mind blown driving the next section. You could easily extend the trip to 10 days so that you can spend more time at the places you'll pass along the way. Day 5 (Bryce to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Temple Square is home to the Salt Lake Temple, an impressive building which dominates the city. Full of red rocks, fabulous vistas, and pink cliffs, this national park is also home to the largest concentration of hoodoos in the world.

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