Road Trip Itinerary: Grand Canyon To Zion National Park

In this post, I’m assuming you’re going in a counter-clockwise direction. However, you can easily reverse this road trip itinerary to head clockwise, instead.

From Vegas it’s about 4 hours to Grand Canyon south rim. The trip from Grand Canyon to Zion is about 4 hours as well, but there are many stops along the way so I recommend taking at least two days to drive to Zion.

From Zion it’s just over 2 hours back to Vegas. However, there’s a short detour I recommend instead, because there are several great thing to see along the scenic route. This route is 4 hours, and I recommend taking a full day to drive it so you have time to see the stops along the way.

I’ll share more details on these route options below.

Road Trip Map: Grand Canyon To Zion

Use this Grand Canyon to Zion National Park road trip map to plan your itinerary! I’ve labeled items by location (noted by color) as well as by activity type (noted by icon).

Tip: Open this map in your browser (click the square expand button on the top right), then click the star icon on the left-side bar. This saves the map to your google maps app on your phone so you can easily reference it during your trip. Locate this map in your Google Maps Phone App by selecting ‘you’ at the bottom of the app and then scroll down and click ‘maps’ to find your saved trip maps.

Recommended Itineraries

I think the best itinerary for this road trip is 9 days. That assumes you arrive Friday night and leave the following Sunday. There’s a lot to see on this road trip so having a full week and two weekends is ideal.

However, if you’re short on time, running low on PTO days, or want to combine a few other itineraries on your southwest road trip you can condense this trip into 5 days by focusing on the highlights.

9 Day Grand Canyon To Zion Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive and explore Vegas.
Day 2: Drive to Grand Canyon, explore stops along the route.
Day 3-4: Spend 2 days in Grand Canyon.
Day 5: Drive to Page, AZ. Explore Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon. Stay overnight.
Day 6: Drive through Monument Valley, head to Kanab, UT. Explore Toadstool Hoodoos, The Wave and Coral Pink Sand Dunes. Stay overnight.
Day 7-8: Spend 2 days in Zion.
Day 9: Drive to Vegas, explore stops along the route.

5 Day Grand Canyon To Zion Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Vegas and drive to Grand Canyon.
Day 2: Spend 1 day in Grand Canyon.
Day 3-4: Drive to Zion early. Spend 2 days in Zion.
Day 5: Drive to Vegas and depart.

Of course, if you’re completing this road trip loop clockwise you can just reverse the order of these suggested itineraries.

One Day In Vegas

There’s a lot to do and see with 24 hours in Vegas! Of course, gambling. But if you’re looking for a different Las Vegas experience these are my favorite things and top recommendations.

See A Show

My favorite shows in Vegas are Cirque Du Soleil and the Blue Man Group.

And of course, no trip to Vegas is complete without a little bit of magic by David Copperfield.

Take A Canal Ride At The Venetian

The Venetian is full of shops and world renowned restaurants, and the ambiance is incredible even if you’re not looking to buy luxury goods. The canal running through the center of the shops is so unique and you can even take a canal ride like you’re in Venice.

Sightsee By An Open-Top Bus

If gambling isn’t your thing (I don’t blame you) spend your evening sightseeing by bus. Vegas really shines at night, literally! This is the perfect way to see it.

Where To Stay In Vegas

There are two areas I recommend staying in Vegas – the strip and Fremont Street.

The strip is an iconic place with great hotels and easy access to shows and restaurants. I’ve stayed at the Cosmopolitan and The Venetian and had an incredible time. Encore and the Bellagio are also great choices.

Fremont Street has a more relaxed vibe. It’s a 6 block area of pedestrian only traffic. Staying here means you can still walk to dinner and shops, but it won’t be quite as wild as the strip. Two good options here are Downtown Grand Las Vegas and The Plaza Hotel.

Driving From Vegas To Grand Canyon + Best Stops

Get an early start the next morning – there’s a lot to do on your way to the Grand Canyon! The drive from Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park is 4.5 hours (to the south rim), but I recommend taking a full day to enjoy some of the sights along this road trip.

Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam is located just outside of Las Vegas. In fact, you’ll drive right past it and you can see it from your car. I wasn’t expecting to get such a good view of it from my windshield on my road trip and was surprised by how impressive it is.

If you’d like to take a tour, tickets can be purchased on-site for $30 per person. On the tour, you can check out the tunnels and take the original elevator to the top of the dam.

Emerald Cave

Kayak the Colorado River where it divides Nevada and Arizona to Emerald Cave. This was one of my favorite activities along this road trip. It’s a gentle river and paddling is easy. We even spotted some big horn sheep on our way to the cave!

Pro Tip: Wait to fill up your gas tank until you cross into Arizona. Gas in Arizona tends to be at least $1/gallon cheaper than Nevada.

Grand Canyon Skywalk

A lot of people like the Grand Canyon Skywalk, so I’m including it on this list. My personal opinion is that it’s overhyped and overpriced – and that you can get a very similar experience by walking the Rim Trail at the Grand Canyon.

Skywalk is not actually part of Grand Canyon National Park. It’s located in Grand Canyon West, which is a detour from the primary route and adds about 2 hours of driving.

It’s a U-shaped bridge which overlooks the west rim of the Grand Canyon with a glass floor. The bridge protrudes 70 feet from the canyon rim so you’re hovering 4,000 feet above the canyon floor with unobstructed views.

You’ll need two tickets: one to enter Grand Canyon West ($51+ pp), and one to enter the Skywalk ($28 pp). Tickets can be bought in advance, or on-site.

Bearizona

Bearizona is another fan favorite, but something I had to scratch from my list because of limited time. It’s located just before you reach Grand Canyon National Park.

You can drive your own vehicle through the park (do not get out) and see bears, wolves, bison and mountain goats up close. Admission is $30-35 per adult, depending on whether you’re visiting during the week or weekend.

Where To Stay At Grand Canyon National Park

I recommend driving all the way to Grand Canyon National Park and staying in, or just outside of the park entrance.

For the purposes of this road trip I’m focusing on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. The south rim is where most people visit, and it has the best things to do in Grand Canyon.

With more time you can also visit the north rim. It’s about a 4 hour drive in nice weather, but during the winter the road closes due to snow.

The park entrance fee is $35 per vehicle (good for 7 days), or free with an America The Beautiful Park Pass.

I recommend buying your America The Beautiful Park Pass before your trip. Lines to get into Grand Canyon can exceed 2 hour wait times during the summer. If you already have your park pass you can use the express lane (Lane 1, on the right side)

Grand Canyon Highlights Include:

• Rim Trail
• Desert View Drive
• Bright Angel Trail
• Hermit Road

Getting Around The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon gets more than 6 million visitors per year – most of them during the summer. If you’re visiting between April and October expect crowds.

Parking can be tricky, but the Grand Canyon has a great shuttle system that helps you move easily around the park.

I recommend getting to the park before 10am if you want to be able to park at the Visitors Center. Otherwise, there are additional parking lots through the park where you can park and pick up the shuttle.

Once you’re in the park I recommend relying on the shuttle so you don’t have to hassle with relocating your vehicle.

Day 1 Itinerary

• Morning: Rim Trail
• Afternoon: Desert View Drive
• Evening: Explore Grand Canyon Village & Sunset at Hopi Point

Walk the Rim Trail. It’s an easy and paved flat trail that totals 12.8 miles. You can do as much, or as little of it as you’d like. It also has several shuttle stops along the route so you can hop-on and hop-off as needed. Walk it in one direction, then take the shuttle back.

Along the trail you’ll find several scenic overlooks where you can look out into the canyon. If you’re hiking this trail in the morning, I recommend starting at South Kaibab Trailhead and heading west so you’re not walking into the sun.

It’s just under 5 miles from South Kaibab Trailhead back to Grand Canyon Village. Past the village, the trail starts to follow Hermit Road. I recommend stopping at the village so you can explore Hermit Road on day 2.

In the afternoon, drive Desert View Drive. This road heads east and there is no shuttle service. It’s much less crowded than the village and visitors center areas.

The viewpoints are stunning along this road. Most of them have ample parking lots, and even when they’re full the turnover is quick (most people are only spending 5 minutes at the viewpoint) so it’s easy to circle around and find an open spot.

Desert View Drive is just 23 miles long, and it’s an easy two-land road with wide shoulders.

In the evening, head back to Grand Canyon Village to explore. There are several options for dinner restaurants.

• Arizona Steakhouse (traditional steakhouse)
• Harvey House Cafe (American cuisine)
• The Fountain (grab and go meals)
• El Tovar (fine dining)

I also recommend taking the shuttle to Hopi Point to watch the sunset over the Grand Canyon. This viewpoint juts out farther into the canyon than the others so the sunset views are incredible and unobstructed.

Day 2 Itinerary

If you’re on an abbreviated 5 day road trip, skip the second day in Grand Canyon and head straight to the next section (Grand Canyon to Zion + Best Stops).

Otherwise, get an early start to your day so you can squeeze in a hike into the canyon and have time to explore Hermit Road.

• Morning: Bright Angel Trail
• Afternoon: Hermit Road
• Evening: Drive to Page, Arizona

I recommend an early start to hike Bright Angel Trail. The temperatures inside the canyon are warmer than on the rim, so as the day goes on it can get quite hot on this hike.

Bright Angel is a 15.8 mile round trip hike. However, you do not need to complete the entire trail if you are short on time, or if you do not want to climb 5,000 feet back out of the steep canyon.

There are several stops along this route: you’ll come across a resthouse at 1.5 miles and 3 miles, and Havasupai Gardens around 4.5 miles down. You can find water at these locations (usually – but always check with a ranger prior to hiking).

In the afternoon, rent a bike and explore the western portion of Rim Trail along Hermit Road. The shuttle also services these stops from May – November. If you’re visiting Grand Canyon in December through February you’re allowed to take your own vehicle to these viewpoints.

In the evening, I recommend driving to Page, Arizona so you can get an early start the next day. Or, if you’re hiking the entire Bright Angel Trail, you’ll have a very busy day and it may make sense to stay one more night in Grand Canyon.

Driving From Grand Canyon To Zion + Best Stops

The drive from Grand Canyon to Zion is just over 4 hours. However, there are so many things to do on this route that I highly recommend breaking this into two days and staying overnight near Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona.

Hike To Horseshoe Bend Viewpoint

Horseshoe Bend is 2.5 hours from Grand Canyon National Park. There are a few things in this area (Page, AZ) that are all really close by, so you can rearrange these to best fit your schedule.

I think sunset or sunrise is the best time to hike to Horseshoe Bend. It’s a mostly flat 1.5 mile trail. Because you’re facing west, sunset will be the most beautiful, as you’ll be able to watch the sun dip below the horizon over the bend.

Antelope Canyon

You have likely seen the photos of the beautiful deep red slot canyons in Antelope Canyon. This is one of the most unique places to explore in the southwest, but it requires a tour to access (unless you’re kayaking in).

The land belongs to the Navajo Nation, and tours are run by Indigenous guides to help protect the land. This means if you plan to hike Antelope Canyon you’ll need to buy a tour package.

The alternative option is to rent a kayak and paddle about 2 miles to Antelope Canyon, where you’re allowed to explore on your own. The best place to start is from Antelope Point Marina.

Antelope Canyon actually consists of multiple slot canyon locations. This was surprising to me because I had always assumed “Antelope Canyon” referred to one specific place, but it doesn’t.

There are multiple different slot canyons you can explore:

Antelope Canyon X has the tallest slot canyons, and it tends to be the least crowded. Because it’s such a deep slot canyon it tends to be pretty dark, which means it’s not the best one for taking photos.

Upper Antelope Canyon is wider at the bottom and narrower at the top. It makes it more accessible. Additionally, it’s much taller than Lower Antelope Canyon. If you visit during mid-day you’ll be able to get shots of sunbeams cascading down into the slot canyon.

Lower Antelope Canyon is the opposite of Upper Antelope Canyon – its narrower at the bottom and widens out towards the top. This means you’ll have to squeeze through some tighter areas and it can feel more congested. It’s also brighter than Upper Antelope Canyon because more sunlight can enter from the wider canyon opening.

• Antelope Canyon X (book tour)
• Upper Antelope Canyon (book tour)
• Lower Antelope Canyon (book tour)

You can expect to pay anywhere between $70 and $125 for a guided tour of Antelope Canyon.

If you’re hoping to have a Forest Gump moment, take a detour to Monument Valley. This is a very scenic drive and it’s quite famous. It does take you 2 hours (one way) off the route to Zion.

This area can get really remote, so I recommend packing a picnic lunch and making sure you’re topped up on gas.

Toadstool Hoodoos

Toadstool Hoodoos is along the route to Kanab. It’s a short 1.5 mile hike where you’ll be able to see unusual sandstone formations that look like giant mushrooms. It’s a great opportunity to pull off and stretch your legs.

The Wave

It’s a 6 mile hike to get to The Wave, and permits are required. There are only 64 permits issued per day. 48 permits are issued by lottery 3 months in advance, and the remaining 16 permits are issued the day prior.

Unfortunately, it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll win the day-before lottery, so I recommend planning in advance to secure permits.

This is a more difficult trail. It can be extremely hot during the summer and there is no shade. Additionally, the trail is not well marked so you should be familiar with route finding and have a GPS navigation device.

There’s an alternative wave you can hike near Page, AZ if you’re unable to get permits, check out The New Wave Trail.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

The final stop on the route to Zion is Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. If you’ve ever wanted to see pink sand, this is the stop for you!

For $25 you can rent a sand board or sand sled and ride the dunes. There are also several great hiking trails in the park like the Coral Pink Sand Dunes Trail (0.8 miles) or you can extend your hike to 2.2 mile loop trail.

Even if you just drive through Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park it’s worth seeing.

Zion National Park is one of my favorite parks and I’ve visited many times. There is so much to do, including some bucket list hikes, that I recommend you spend 2 days in Zion.

The park entrance fee is $35 per vehicle (good for 7 days), or free with an America The Beautiful Park Pass.

Zion Highlights Include:

• Angels Landing
• Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
• Canyon Overlook
• Observation Point
• The Narrows
• The Watchman

Getting Around Zion

There are several areas within Zion. The most popular (and the area I’m focusing on in this itinerary) is Zion Canyon.

During the summer months (and one week around Christmas), there is a free shuttle along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. No private vehicles are allowed on the road while the shuttle is operating.

If you arrive at Zion visitors center before 9am you should be able to find parking, and you can pick up the shuttle from there. Otherwise, you’ll park in one of the overflow lots just outside the main entrance in Springdale.

There is a shuttle in Springdale which takes you into Zion, and then you can use the Zion shuttle to get around.

Day 1 Itinerary

• Morning: Angels Landing
• Afternoon: Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
• Evening: Sunset at Canyon Overlook

Start day 1 with a hike to Angels Landing. This is a bucket list hike with insane views of Zion Canyon. You must have a permit to complete this trail – get more info about Zion permits and tips for securing them here.

Even if you can’t get a permit, I still recommend hiking to Scout Lookout. The trail to Scout Lookout does not require a permit, but the 0.4 miles past it to Angels Landing does. Even from Scout Lookout you can still see some beautiful views of the canyon below.

In the afternoon, head back towards the visitors center and either take the Zion shuttle along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, or rent bikes from Zion Outfitters and explore that way. If you’re visiting between December and February you may be able to drive your own vehicle on the road.

There are several stops along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive worth seeing, including Court Of The Patriarchs and Emerald Pools.

For lunch, I recommend stopping at Castle Dome Cafe or Red Rock Grill next to Zion Lodge.

At night, take the short 0.9 mile hike up to Canyon Overlook to watch the sun set over Zion Canyon.

Day 2 Itinerary

• Morning: Sunrise at Observation Point
• Afternoon: The Narrows
• Evening: Explore Springdale & Sunset at The Watchman

Get an early start on day 2 so you can watch the sunrise from Observation Point. I recommend bringing a headlamp because you’ll be hiking up in the dark.

The trailhead is only accessible via North Fork Road to Zion Ponderosa Ranch Road. These roads are unpaved and can be tricky to access after heavy rains and without a high-clearance or 4wd vehicle.

The Zion Shuttle doesn’t go to the trailhead, but during the summer season it’s possible to get a private shuttle through East Zion Adventures. Unfortunately, the earliest shuttle is 8am, so if you go with this option you will have to skip sunrise.

After, head to Zion Outfitters to rent neoprene socks and hiking boots for The Narrows. It’s a 45-minute shuttle ride from the entrance of Zion to Temple Of Sinawava, where you’ll pick up Riverside Walk to the trailhead of The Narrows.

The Narrows is a very popular hike in Zion, and it can get a bit crowded. The secret to hiking the Narrows is to go at least 1 mile upstream, where the crowd thins substantially.

In total, The Narrows is an 8.9 mile trail, but most people do not complete the entire thing. You can do as much or as little as you’d like.

For dinner, check out some of the restaurants in Springdale. I liked Camp Outpost (try the Prickly Pear Margarita!), and Oscar’s Cafe (try the chicken and chorizo burrito!) 

For sunset, hike to The Watchman viewpoint. This is a 3.1 mile trail behind the visitors center with great 360° views.

Recommendations For More Time

If you have 1 or 2 more days on your road trip, I recommend detouring up to Bryce Canyon from Zion National Park before returning to Las Vegas. Bryce is a great National Park, but it’s on the smaller side so it’s very possible to see Bryce Canyon in one day.

With even more time on your road trip, I recommend driving from Zion up to Arches National Park, and seeing Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands on the way. From Arches you can return to Vegas (loop trip), or complete your road trip in Salt Lake City (point-to-point road trip).

Driving From Zion To Vegas + Best Stops

The final leg of this road trip from Grand Canyon to Zion is a 2 or 4 hour drive to Las Vegas. If you’re in a hurry you can take the direct route along I-15 and get to Vegas in around 2 hours.

However, I recommend taking the scenic route, which will add about two hours to your drive time, but means you can stop by some additional places, including Lost City Museum, Valley of Fire State Park and Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Personally, I think visiting Valley of Fire State Park is well worth the detour.

Grafton Ghost Town

Grafton Ghost Town is just outside of Springdale as you begin your final leg of this road trip. It’s an abandoned ghost town that’s in considerably good condition, considering it was established in 1859.

Grafton was built by Mormon settlers. In 1866 it was abandoned due to a series of difficulties, including conflicts during the Black Hawk War. Some settlers returned, and the town remained inhabited until 1921.

There are 5 buildings that remain from the 1800’s, including a school and church (one structure that was used for both purposes), a cemetery, and several homes and barns.

Virgin River Gorge

The Virgin River Gorge is one of the most scenic sections of road I’ve seen (and I’ve seen a lot – I lived in a campervan for several years and traveled the US, Canada and Mexico!).

Keep your eyes peeled on this section of road because it is s-t-u-n-n-i-n-g. You’ll leave Utah, and as you travel across the Northwest section of Arizona I-15 takes you right through the Virgin River Gorge.

In my opinion, this area is just as beautiful as the Zion Canyon. It’s a shame they stuck a highway in the middle of it, but at least you’ll get some up-close and beautiful views.

Lost City Museum

About 1.5 hours into your road trip you’ll come to the town of Moapa, Nevada. This is where the two route options split. The fastest way back to Vegas is to stay on I-15. Or, you can detour to RT 169 which will take you through Lost City Museum, Valley of Fire and Lake Mead.

The Lost City Museum (also called Lost City of Anasazi State Museum) showcases ancient Ancestral Puebloan culture.

Outdoor exhibits include a Native American pit house and reconstructed pueblos. The Museum houses ancient artifacts, many of which were recovered from archeological digs before the Colorado River was dammed and flooded in order to create Lake Mead.

The admission fee is $6 per adult, and anyone under 17 is admitted for free.

I would plan to spend 45-minutes to an hour here, it’s an interesting museum to walk through but it’s not very large.

Valley Of Fire State Park

This is one of the coolest places I’ve seen, and it’s really fun to explore the variety of trails.

Valley of Fire State Park is located just outside of the North entrance to Lake Mead National Recreation Area. You’ll find ancient petroglyphs, slot canyons, and swirly, striped red rock formations.

There are several great options for short hikes in Valley of Fire:

• Fire Wave and Seven Wonders Loop (1.9 miles)
• Petroglyph Canyon via Mouse’s Tank Trail (0.7 miles)
• Elephant Rock Trail (0.3 miles)

The entrance fee is $15 per vehicle.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mead is located just outside of Las Vegas. It’s actually a reservoir that was created when the Hoover Dam caused the Colorado River to flood and fill in the lake.

There’s a ton of ways to spend time on the water – you can rent a boat, pontoon, kayak, paddle board or take a sightseeing cruise.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area charges $25 per vehicle. If you have an America The Beautiful Park Pass your entry is free.

Additional Tips For More Time On Your Southwest Road Trip

If you have more time for your southwest road trip, I recommend adding the Utah Mighty 5 National Parks to your itinerary.

There are 5 National Parks in Utah: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion.

These are additional resources to help with your trip planning:

• Arches Travel Guide & Itinerary
• One Day In Arches National Park
• Places To Stay Near Arches & Canyonlands
• Capitol Reef To Bryce Canyon
• Bryce Canyon Travel Guide & Itinerary
• One Day In Bryce Canyon National Park
• Tips For Getting Zion Permits

Tip To Save Money

I recommend buying an America The Beautiful National Park Pass prior to your trip. This pass is $80 and good for 12 months. It gets you free access to all 63 National Parks as well as over 2,000 recreation areas.

The pass is good for everyone in your vehicle, you don’t need one per person.

On this road trip, entrance fees for parks which accept the America The Beautiful Pass total $95 ($35 at the Grand Canyon, $35 at Zion, and $25 at Lake Mead).

By buying the America The Beautiful National Park Pass in advance you’ll not only save money ($15 on this road trip + any additional entrance fees for another 12 months) but you’ll also be able to use the priority line to enter the Grand Canyon (lines can be longer than 2 hours during peak times).