Grand Canyon to Zion National Park Road Trip: Itinerary, Stops & Tips

The drive from the Grand Canyon South Rim to Zion National Park takes about 4 hours without stops, via Page, AZ and Kanab, UT.

However, if you include my recommended stops along the way (Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and the Kanab area) plan on at least 2 days for this leg of your road trip.

For the full loop from Las Vegas through Grand Canyon and Zion, 7–9 days is ideal.

After living and traveling in my campervan for several years, I’m incredibly familiar with road trips across Arizona, Utah and Nevada. In this article I’m sharing my favorite places with you – including a few hidden gems!

In this article:

• Best route for a Grand Canyon to Zion National Park road trip
• Must-see stops along the way
• Recommended 5- and 9-day itineraries

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Best Route: Grand Canyon To Zion National Park

The route you take depends on which rim of the Grand Canyon you’re starting from. Here’s a quick breakdown:

South Rim to Zion National Park

4.5 hours via Page, AZ and Kanab, UT
✨Best Route✨

This is the most common starting point, and the route this itinerary is built around. From the South Rim, you’ll head northeast on US-89 through Page (Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are right on this road), then north through Kanab before dropping into Zion’s east entrance on UT-9.

Total drive time without stops is about 4.5 hours, but plan on two days to do it justice.

North Rim to Zion National Park

2 hours via Jacob Lake and Kanab, UT

If you’re visiting the North Rim, the drive to Zion is significantly shorter (about 2 hours.)

You’ll take AZ-67 north to US-89A through Jacob Lake, then pick up US-89 to Kanab and follow UT-9 west into the park.

NOTE: the North Rim is only open mid-May through mid-October. It closes for the season once the first major snowfall hits, typically in mid-October, and doesn’t reopen until spring. If your trip falls outside that window, the North Rim isn’t an option.

West Rim to Zion National Park

The West Rim (home of the Skywalk) isn’t really a practical starting point for a Zion road trip.

It’s out of the way, adds significant driving time, and the route back through Las Vegas doesn’t make geographic sense unless you’re beginning and ending in Vegas anyway. If that’s your situation, just start with the loop itinerary below instead.

NOTE: West Rim Grand Canyon is not actually part of the National Park. It has limited services and hiking trails.

Best Starting Location: Las Vegas

There are several airports along the route between Grand Canyon and Zion National Park, and you can start this loop trip at any of them.

✨ Las Vegas To Grand Canyon: 4.5 hours ✨
Phoenix To Grand Canyon: 4 hours
Flagstaff To Grand Canyon: 1.5 hours

Phoenix and Flagstaff are decent options, but I personally think Las Vegas is the best airport for a road trip from Grand Canyon to Zion National Park.

Phoenix and Flagstaff take you off-route, so even though they’re closer to Grand Canyon, they’re much farther away from Zion and overall add more driving time to your road trip.

I typically find cheap flights to Vegas compared to other airports, and rental cars tend to be cheapest from Las Vegas, too. Plus, Vegas has a huge airport with many convenient flight options, including direct flights from most US cities.

Grand Canyon To Zion National Park Itinerary

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 two weekends to bookend a full week is ideal, and won’t leaving you feeling so rushed.

If you’re short on time, you can condense this trip into 5 days by focusing on the highlights.

Due to the drive time (11 hours), I wouldn’t recommend tackling this road trip in fewer than 5 days — you’ll just end up spending most of your time behind the wheel.

Below is my recommend 9-day itinerary, how I would abbreviate it for a 5-day trip, how to reverse it if you’re driving from Zion to Grand Canyon, followed by more detailed sections for each stop on this road trip.

Recommended 9-Day Itinerary

This is the day-by-day itinerary outline I recommend for a 9-day Grand Canyon to Zion National Park road trip.

Day 1: Las Vegas → Grand Canyon (with a stop at Emerald Cave)

Fly into Las Vegas and hit the road. The distance to Grand Canyon South Rim is about 4.5 hours, but I’d strongly recommend breaking up the drive with a kayak tour to Emerald Cave about an hour outside of Vegas.

The water is an almost unreal shade of green, and it’s a genuinely fun way to start the trip before you’re deep into National Park mode.

This kayaking tour was one of my favorite activities on this road trip!

Plan to arrive at the South Rim in the early evening. Check in, then walk to Mather Point for sunset if you have the energy.

⛽ TIP: Wait to get gas in Arizona, where it’s about $1 cheaper per gallon than Nevada. As soon as you pass Hoover Dam, you’ve officially entered Arizona!

Day 2: Grand Canyon South Rim

Spend your first full day on the South Rim. Start the morning on the Rim Trail, which is flat, paved, and covers 12.8 miles (you can do as much or as little as you want and catch the shuttle back.)

In the afternoon, drive Desert View Drive. It’s a scenic 23 mile road along the canyon rim with spectacular viewpoints and much lighter crowds compared to the village area.

In the evening, watch sunset from Hopi Point on Hermit Road; it extends farther into the canyon than any other viewpoint and the view is unobstructed.

Day 3: Grand Canyon South Rim (Below the Rim)

If you have a second day at the canyon, get an early start to beat the heat and head below the rim.

South Kaibab Trail reaches Ooh-Aah Point in just under a mile. The views from there at sunrise are stunning and hard to beat.

For a longer hike, Bright Angel Trail descends to the Havasupai Gardens at 4.5 miles, though turning around at the 1.5-mile resthouse is a decent option for a shorter hike.

In the afternoon, rent a bike or take the shuttle along Hermit Road to catch any viewpoints you missed on Day 2.

Day 4: Grand Canyon → Page, AZ (Horseshoe Bend + Antelope Canyon)

This is one of the best driving days of the whole trip. Head northeast out of the park toward Page, Arizona. It’s about 2.5 hours without stops.

Head to Antelope Canyon to explore the slot canyons. Guided tours are required in order to access Antelope Canyon and I recommend booking in advance because they sell out, especially in summer.

After, drive to Horseshoe Bend for sunset. Parking costs $10 per vehicle, and there’s a short 0.8 mile hike to the overlook.

Spend the night in Page so you’re positioned to continue north in the morning.

NOTE: Arizona doesn’t observe Daylight Saving Time (except the Navajo Nation). During DST, Grand Canyon time syncs with Las Vegas and falls an hour behind Page, AZ. Make sure you’re booking the right tour times!

Day 5: Page → Zion (via Monument Valley detour or Kanab stops)

Today you have options. If Monument Valley is on your bucket list, it’s about a 2-hour detour each way from Page, so budget the full morning for it.

The 17-mile scenic loop road is unpaved and a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. You’ll also want to double check that your rental car agreement allows driving on unpaved roads (it’s not uncommon for rental agreements to forbid this! Optional guided tours are also available.)

If you skip Monument Valley, use the extra time for stops closer to Zion: Toadstool Hoodoos near the Utah border is a quick 1.5-mile hike through mushroom-shaped rock formations worth stretching your legs for, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a fun stop with the option to rent a sandboard.

Arrive in Zion by evening and check in to your lodging in Springdale or inside the park.

Day 6: Zion National Park

Start your day with Angels Landing (a permit is required for this hike!) The first mile follows the river and is pretty mild, then you start gaining elevation and hit Walters Wiggles (a series of switchbacks) just prior to Scout Lookout.

Past Scout Lookout is the famous “chains-section” which tightly follows the ridge line to the summit.

In the afternoon, take the Zion shuttle or an e-bike tour through Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Stop at Court of the Patriarchs, Weeping Rock and Emerald Pools.

End the day at Canyon Overlook Trail for sunset. It’s a short 0.9-mile hike and one of the best views in the park.

NOTE: Permits are required to hike Angels Landing. See my Zion permit guide for tips on securing one.

Day 7: Zion National Park

Start early for The Narrows. I recommend hiking at least a mile upstream from the Temple of Sinawava trailhead, where the canyon narrows dramatically and the crowds thin out.

In the afternoon, consider Observation Point via the East Mesa trail (requires a high-clearance vehicle or a shuttle from East Zion Adventures.) The views over the canyon are arguably better than Angels Landing.

NOTE: The trail to Observation Point from inside the canyon is closed indefinitely due to a rock slide. Make sure you’re looking at the East Mesa trail details so you don’t end up at the wrong trailhead!

Round out the evening with dinner in Springdale. I liked Camp Outpost (try the Prickly Pear Margarita!), and Oscar’s Cafe (try the chicken and chorizo burrito!) 

Day 8: Zion → Las Vegas (Valley of Fire)

This is the easiest driving day of the trip! Zion to Vegas is just over 2 hours, but Valley of Fire State Park adds another hour and is 100% worth it.

Fire Wave & Seven Wonders trail (1.9 miles) is the best hike at Valley of Fire State Park. There are white and red sandstone formations that look like something from another planet.

NOTE: Valley Of Fire hiking trails over 1 mile are closed seasonally from May 15 – Sept 30 due to extreme heat.

If you have more time, Petroglyph Canyon via Mouse’s Tank is another short 0.7 mile trail with ancient petroglyphs carved into the canyon walls. Elephant Rock is also a very quick 0.3 mile loop trail to a rock that eerily resembles an elephant.

You’ll be back in Las Vegas by early evening, with enough time to catch a show.

Day 9: Las Vegas

Use your final day however it fits your pace. If you’re flying out in the evening, this is a good day for the Bellagio gardens and fountains, or a walk through The Venetian.

Abbreviated 5-Day Itinerary

Driving from Zion to Grand Canyon National Park

If you’re starting in Zion and ending at the Grand Canyon here’s how the 9-day itinerary looks in reverse.

Grand Canyon To Zion National Park Map

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).

The best things to see at the Grand Canyon are along the south rim. During your Grand Canyon visit you definitely want to make time to walk along Rim Trail, bike along Hermit Road and explore Desert View scenic drive.

There are also some incredible guided tours of Grand Canyon. I recommend this jeep tour or splurge a bit on this helicopter tour for some truly spectacular views (especially great for sunset!)

With more time, hike below the rim. Bright Angel is 16.4 miles total, but I recommend shortening it to 9 miles so you can hike down to Havasupai Gardens (previously named Indian Gardens), which is 4.5 miles below the rim.

South Kaibab trail is also a good option. A mile below the rim is Ooh-Aah Point (which is stunning!) and makes for a much shorter <2 mile hike.

There’s a few things to keep in mind about hiking either of these trails. First, temperatures will increase as you descend into the canyon by as much as 10℉ so layers are necessary.

Second, there is no water along these trails (except seasonally at Bright Angel resthouses.) Bring all the water you need with you. If you’re planning to refill along Bright Angel confirm water availability with a ranger before you hike.

💧 TIP: I prefer to hike with a water reservoir. These allow you to carry more water, but distribute the weight so it doesn’t feel so heavy. The integrated straw makes it easy to sip without stopping so you stay hydrated more easily. I’ve linked all of my favorite hiking essentials on my Amazon Storefront.

Stops Between Grand Canyon And Zion

The drive from Grand Canyon to Zion National Park 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.

On the first day, head to Page, AZ and see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.

On the second day, drive the final 2 hour stretch to Zion via Kanab, UT, with short stops at Toadstool Hoodoos and Coral Pink Sand Dunes.

Grand Canyon To Page, AZ: 2.5 hours
Page, AZ to Zion National Park: 2 hours

More Stops Between Grand Canyon and Zion

• Toadstool Hoodoos – short 1.5 mile hike through unusual sandstone formations that look like giant mushrooms
• The Wave – A difficult 7-mile hike through rolling hills of swirling red striped sandstone. A permit is required
• Coral Pink Sand Dunes – a great scenic drive with short hikes and sand surfing
• Kanab Sand Caves (Moqui Caves) – quick stop along the highway with a series of man made caves to explore
• Monument Valley – a 2-hour (each way) detour to an iconic 17-mile loop through towering rock formations

NOTE: Make sure your rental car allows driving on unpaved roads before taking the Monument Valley loop. You’ll need a high-clearance vehicle or a guided 4×4 tour for this stop.

This is one of my favorite parks! There are so many things to do in Zion, including some bucket list hikes and plenty of epic views.

I highly recommend prioritizing Angels Landing or The Narrows. Both hikes are very unique and have stunning views. I would not label either as a beginner hike, but they’re not extremely challenging either.

Angels Landing is just over 4 miles round-trip, and has nearly 2,000 feet in elevation gain. The first mile and a half is not very steep, and the path is wide and flat.

After you climb Walters Wiggles (you’ll know it because it’s a series of switchbacks) you’ll round the corner to Scouts Landing.

Scouts Landing is a large, flat open-area just before the famous “chains section”. Permits are only required past Scouts Landing, so if you aren’t able to secure one this is still a great option for full canyon views.

NOTE: If you’re nervous about heights or have trouble with balance, I recommend turning back at Scouts Landing.

The Narrows is another great hike in Zion. It’s even more unique because you’re hiking through the Virgin River. For most of the year, the water level will be knee to hip deep.

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.

The secret to hiking the Narrows is to go at least 1 mile upstream, where the crowd thins substantially.

Alternate option: hike The Narrows with a guide.

TIP: If your trip is during spring or fall the water can be chilly. Stop by Zion Outfitters to rent neoprene socks and hiking boots to keep your feet warm for around $30. They’re located right next to the visitors center.

I also recommend taking a half day to explore the viewpoints and short hikes along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. This is the main road through the park and private vehicles are not allowed (except for in December & January.)

There is a free shuttle, or you can take a guided e-bike tour through the valley.

Stops along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive worth seeing include:

• Court of the Patriarchs – 0.1 miles
• Emerald Pools – 2.5 miles
• Weeping Rock – 0.3 miles
• Big Bend Viewpoint
• Riverside Walk – 2.1 miles (skip if hiking The Narrows, it’s the same trail)
• The Watchman – 3.1 mile trail behind the visitors center with great 360° sunset views

TIP: Download this self-guided audio tour of Zion National Park for your trip. It’s just like having your own tour guide to point out landmarks, interesting history and geological explanations, except for a fraction of the cost (less than $20), and on your own schedule.

Once you download it to your phone, the guide uses your GPS signal to automatically play whenever you’re near a landmark, so it works even without cell service. You can listen from your own vehicle, or while biking or riding the shuttle.

Another great scenic drive in Zion is Zion-Mount Carmel Drive. There is no shuttle service on this route, so you’ll need your own vehicle.

Along this route you’ll find Checkerboard Mesa viewpoint and Canyon Overlook trail. Canyon Overlook is incredible at sunset, and the hike is only 0.9 miles round-trip so it’s very accessible.

TIP: Parking at Canyon Overlook is limited. Arrive early so you can find a spot.

Stops Between Zion And Las Vegas

From Zion National Park, it’s a 2 hour drive back to Las Vegas, or you can add an hour detour through Valley Of Fire State Park.

Zion to Las Vegas (direct): 2 hours
Zion to Las Vegas via Valley Of Fire: 3 hours

More Stops Between Zion And Las Vegas

• Grafton Ghost Town – an abandoned ghost town just outside of Springdale
• Virgin River Gorge – not truly a stop, but a gorgeous scenic section of highway
• Lost City Museum – Outdoor exhibits include an ancient Ancestral Puebloan pit house and reconstructed pueblos
• Valley Of Fire State Park – 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)

Best Things To Do In Las Vegas

If you have an extra day to add to your Grand Canyon and Zion National Park itinerary, spending it in Las Vegas is a great way to end your trip!

Of course, Vegas is known for gambling, but if you’re looking for a different Las Vegas experience these are my favorite things to do that aren’t gambling.

• See the Bellagio fountain – free and especially magical at night
• Stroll through the Bellagio gardens – free and incredibly whimsical themed displays
• Take a gondola ride at The Venetian – the canal runs through the shopping center and closely resembles Venice, Italy
• Visit Lake Mead – a kayaking tour at sunset with a campfire dinner and s’mores under the stars is a great way to relax and escape the city noise
• See a show – Vegas is famous for them! My favorites are Cirque Du Soleil and the Blue Man Group
• Go sight-seeing – this open-top bus tour is great for first-timers and is a perfect way to see the Vegas lights at night

Tips For Your Grand Canyon To Zion Road Trip

Rent a car with DiscoverCars. They have a massive inventory and the best rates, plus you’ll have flexibility to cancel for free up to 48 hours before pick-up in case your plans change.

Want more adventure? I highly recommend renting a campervan for this trip! I lived and traveled in my campervan for several years and think Arizona and Utah are the best places for van life. Plus, you’ll save money on the cost of hotels!

I also recommend picking up an America The Beautiful National Park Pass prior to your trip. They’re $80 and get you into all the National Parks (plus 2,000+ other national recreation areas) for FREE!

Entrance for Grand Canyon and Zion National Park are both $35, so you’ll nearly break even and still have a full year of free access to other parks.

NOTE: The pass covers admission for all passengers in your vehicle, so you only need one for your group.

TIP: Buy the pass before your trip. Pass-holders are frequently waived through the priority entrance at Grand Canyon (especially when lines are 1-2 hours long in the summer)

When To Do This Road Trip

The Grand Canyon to Zion National Park road trip is beautiful in every season, but each time of year comes with tradeoffs worth nothing.

• 🌱 Spring (March–May) Spring is one of the best times for this road trip. Temperatures in both parks are comfortable (typically 50–70°F at the South Rim and slightly warmer in Zion) and the crowds haven’t peaked yet. The Narrows can be cold in early spring, so gear rentals are necessary.

• 🌻 Summer (June–August) Summer is the busiest season and also the hottest. Temperatures inside Zion regularly hit 100°F+ in July and August, and the Grand Canyon canyon floor can reach 110°F or higher. Some advantages to summer include the longest daylight hours, and the North Rim is fully open.
  • NOTE: Valley of Fire trails over 1 mile close May 15–September 30 due to extreme heat. Plan your Valley of Fire stop for short trails only, or save it for a fall trip.

• 🍂 Fall (September–November) Fall is my personal favorite season for this road trip. The summer crowds have thinned, temperatures are dropping to more comfortable hiking ranges, and fall foliage in Zion Canyon peaks in late October with cottonwood trees turning gold along the Virgin River.

• ❄️ Winter (December–February) Winter is the quietest season by far, and both parks are stunning with snow on the canyon rims. However, the Grand Canyon North Rim is closed, and some Zion trails and the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway can close temporarily after heavy snow or ice. Private vehicles are allowed on Hermit Road in December and January, which is actually a bonus because you can drive it yourself instead of waiting for the shuttle.

Grand Canyon To Zion National Park FAQs

More Road Trip Resources

• Las Vegas to Grand Canyon Road Trip
• Grand Canyon Itinerary
• Zion National Park Itinerary
• Best Things to do in Zion (Besides Hiking)