Las Vegas to Zion National Park Road Trip & Itinerary
This Las Vegas to Zion National Park road trip is one of my favorite routes. I traveled the US full-time in my campervan for many years and love returning to the Southwest – there are so many incredible things to see.
There are tons of things to do between Las Vegas and Zion National Park, like several gorgeous state parks and lesser known hikes.
Whether you have a whole week, or only enough time for a day trip you’ll find the perfect road trip itinerary below!
In this article:
- Things to do between Las Vegas and Zion National Park
- Las Vegas to Zion National Park day trip distance & itinerary
- What to do & where to stay in Vegas and Zion
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Las Vegas To Zion National Park Drive Time & Distance
Las Vegas is a great starting point for several road trips through the Southwest. This is because flights to Las Vegas are usually less expensive, offer more direct flight options, and rental cars from Vegas are often less expensive.
TIP: I recommend booking your rental car with Discover Cars. As one of the largest rental car companies, they negotiate the best rates to save you money. They also let you cancel for free up to 48 hours before your pickup, so you can grab a good rate now without stressing if your plans change.
Las Vegas to Zion National Park Drive Time
Direct Route: 2 hours
Scenic Route: 4 hours
The direct route follows I-15 and is about 115 miles. However, I recommend taking a scenic detour along RT-167, which will allow you to include Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Valley of Fire.
Planning a Las Vegas to Zion National Park day trip? Skip down to read more.
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Las Vegas To Zion National Park Road Trip Map
Use this map to plan your road trip from Las Vegas to Zion National Park. I’ve labeled items location (noted by color) as well as by activity type (noted by icon).
How To Use This Map:
1. To open in a new tab, click [] in the top right corner of the map.
2. To save to your Google Maps account, click ☆ (you must be signed in to Google).
3. To use during your trip, open Google Maps on your phone, select “You” from the bottom bar, scroll down and click the maps icon for a list of your saved custom maps.
Things To Do Between Las Vegas And Zion National Park
If you only have one day to visit Zion National Park from Las Vegas, I recommend spending your time in Zion and skipping these stops along the way.
If you have a few days, these are the best things to do between Las Vegas and Zion National Park. I recommend planning one full day (or more!) for exploring these great stops between Vegas and Zion.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Cost: $25 per vehicle (free with America The Beautiful Park Pass)
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is just outside of Vegas. This will take you on a slight detour – driving through Lake Mead instead of the more direct route along I-15. It adds 2 hours to your drive, but means you can see Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and Valley of Fire State Park.
First, head directly to Hoover Dam, located on the south end of Lake Mead. You can take a guided tour of the dam, or choose to see it from the viewpoint instead.
From there, take Lakeshore Road (a scenic route through Lake Mead). There are several viewpoints along the road and opportunities for a picnic lunch.
Valley Of Fire State Park
Cost: $15 per vehicle
Valley Of Fire State Park entrance is just outside of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Its Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, known for its stunning red sandstone formations, ancient petroglyphs, and unique desert landscapes.
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)
Valley of Fire is also home to Mouse Tank Road, a famous 6.5-mile scenic road with plenty of beautiful photo spots.
Lost City Museum
Cost: $6 per adult, free for 17 & under
The Lost City Museum, also known as the Lost City of Anasazi State Museum, offers a glimpse into the ancient Ancestral Puebloan culture (commonly referred to as the Anasazi).
The museum is built on an actual archaeological site that was part of a larger complex of Ancestral Puebloan villages that existed over 1,000 years ago, between 200 and 1200 AD.
It is the first known permanent residence in Nevada and showcases artifacts and exhibits highlighting the daily lives, culture, and craftsmanship of ancient Ancestral Puebloan people.
When the Hoover Dam was built, it flooded much of the original site. The museum was constructed in order to preserve the ancient artifacts that would be submerged when the reservoir filled.
Virgin River Gorge
Cost: free
After leaving the Lost City Museum you’ll pick up I-15 N and head across the northwest corner of Arizona and into Utah. This route takes you straight through the Virgin River Gorge and it’s beautiful.
This is where you’ll get a sneak peak at what’s to come in Zion. The gorge is just as stunning as Zion Canyon, in my opinion.
Virgin River Gorge is over 500 million years old and spans 29 miles. I think it’s one of the most scenic roads in the entire United States.
There’s not much to do here, and almost no pull-offs along the highway, but the scenic drive is quite beautiful.
Snow Canyon State Park
Cost: $15 per vehicle
Snow Canyon State Park is a slight detour between Las Vegas and Zion National Park. It’s about 15 minutes north of St George, Utah, but definitely worth the drive.
There are several great hiking trails, lava caves and slot canyons to explore.
Jenny’s Canyon is an easy half mile loop through slot canyons.
Lava Tube Trail is 2.5 miles and takes you through three lava caves.
Scout Cave Trail is the best hike in Snow Canyon. It’s 3.5 miles to the cave, and I think it resembles some of the hikes in Sedona.
Sand Hollow State Park
Cost: $35 per vehicle
Sand Hollow State Park is sandwiched between St George and Hurricane on your way to Zion. It’s a smaller park and it boarders the Sand Hollow reservoir with crystal clear blue water and red sand beaches.
Water activities are very popular here, like boating, kayaking and paddleboarding. It’s even possible to snorkel or scuba dive to a submerged bus, skeleton, and airplane in the reservoir.
The park offers a ton of rental options, including jet skis, pontoon boats, paddleboards, kayaks and canoes.
It’s also a great spot for ATVing and rental ATVs are available for up to 4 people.
TIP: There are several campgrounds in Sand Hollow State Park and it’s a great backup option if campgrounds in Zion are full. It’s about 30-minutes from Zion’s main entrance.
Grafton Ghost Town
Cost: free
Just prior to arriving in Springdale (located just outside of Zion’s main entrance) is the last stop on this route – Grafton Ghost Town.
Grafton Ghost Town is a well-preserved ghost town and is one of the most iconic and photographed ghost towns in the American West, thanks to its scenic backdrop and fascinating history.
It was established in 1859 by Mormon settlers. In 1866, after a series of difficulties, including conflicts during the Black Hawk War, many settlers abandoned the area.
Some returned later, and the town remained inhabited until around 1921. After that, Grafton was eventually abandoned, and its buildings began to deteriorate.
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.
What To Do In Zion National Park
Zion National Park is one of my favorites, and I’ve been many times. As it’s fairly close to Las Vegas it’s a pretty easy side quest, even if you only have one day in Zion.
Zion National Park Highlights
These are the best things to do in Zion. I recommend adding these to your itinerary regardless of how much time you have. You won’t want to skip them!
- Angels Landing (permit required — more details on Zion permits here)
- Bike or ride the free shuttle along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (the main section of the park)
- The Narrows & Riverside Walk
Not into hiking? Check out the best things to do in Zion National Park besides hiking here.
Additional Things To See In Zion With More Time:
- Canyon Overlook for sunrise or sunset – 1 mile out-and-back
- Observation Point – 7 miles out-and-back and a great alternative to Angels Landing
- The Watchman – 3.5 miles out-and-back
- Pa’rus Trail – 3.5 miles out-and-back, mostly paved, flat and dog friendly
- The Subway – 7.5 miles out-and-back, permit required and a great alternative to The Narrows
- Emerald Pools – 3 mile loop, pools are best in spring
TIP: These hike guides are available through AllTrails, a hiking app I’ve used for many years and love. The paid version ($35/year) allows you to download trails and navigate even when you’re out of service. You can get 30% off your subscription with discount code everywhere30.
Tips For Hiking Angels Landing
Most importantly, Angels Landing requires a permit. This system was implemented a few years ago as a way to manage the crowds along the narrow ridge. It can be dangerous when overly crowded, so while getting permits is challenging it’s necessary for visitor safety.
Permits are based on a lottery system. There’s a new lottery for each season, with dates opening 2-5 months in advance.
All submissions during the open lottery dates receive an equal chance at permits. You don’t need to be the first to register, you just need to make sure you register before the lottery dates close.
You will receive an email from Recreation.gov once the lottery closes letting you know whether you won a permit or not.
If you weren’t lucky enough to snag one, you can still try to get an Angels Landing permit in the day-before lottery. On my last trip to Zion, I had to submit the day-before lottery 3x before we finally got one! I recommend building flexibility into your itinerary for this.
|
Registration |
Hike Date |
Advanced Lottery |
Day-Before Lottery |
|---|---|---|---|
|
March 1 – May 31 |
Feb 13 – 25 |
Feb 28 – May 30 |
|
|
June 1 – Aug 31 |
April 1 – 20 |
May 31 – Aug 30 |
|
|
Sept 1 – Nov 30 |
July 1 – 20 |
Aug 31 – Nov 29 |
|
|
Dec 1 – Feb 28 |
Oct 1 – 20 |
Nov 30 – Feb 27 |
NOTE: April 20 – 23, 2026, Angels Landing will be closed for trail maintenance. No permits will be issued.
While I’d consider this trail to be mostly easy, the final section is where it becomes more difficult. The trail leading up to Walters Wiggles is a slow incline with a wide path.
Once you make it to Walters Wiggles you have a steep, but short, climb. Right after, you’ll reach Scout Lookout.
Scout Lookout is the plateau just before the famous chains section along the ridge. Permits are only required past Scout Lookout, but without a permit you can make it this far.
Tips For Hiking The Narrows Slot Canyon
I also highly recommend trying to fit in time to hike The Narrows. This hike is upstream through the Virgin River and surrounded by tall canyon walls.
If you hike The Narrows during the hot summer months, when the water is warmer, you may not need to rent gear. However, for any other time of the year I recommending renting Neoprene socks and hiking boots from Zion Outfitters ($32 per person) to keep your feet warm in the cold water.
The full trail is 8.9 miles but most people don’t do the entire thing. In fact, a majority of park visitors only hike about a half mile in and turn around.
For this reason I recommend you hike at least a mile in so you can experience the slot canyon without the crowds.
<< Read More: Hiking The Narrows >>
Where To Stay Near Zion National Park
One of the things I love most about visiting Zion National Park is how easy it is to find convenient hotel stays. There are plenty of options for any budget, and unlike other National Parks you don’t have to drive an hour outside the park to find them.
Where To Stay In Zion National Park
There is only one lodging option in Zion National Park – Zion Lodge. They offer private cabins, suites and traditional-style rooms.
It’s the most convenient place to stay in Zion and gives you easy access to hiking trails without relying on the shuttle. However, it books up quickly so you’ll need to make reservations far in advance (up to 13 months prior to your trip).
There are also 3 campgrounds in Zion. I recommend staying at Watchman Campground – it’s next to the main entrance and Visitors Center, and has easy access to the Zion Shuttle.
South Campground is currently closed for longterm renovations, and Lava Point is in a more remote area of the park that’s over an hour drive from the main entrance.
Stay In Springdale
just outside Zion’s main entrance with access to shuttle services
Stay In Hurricane Or St George
Las Vegas To Zion National Park Day Trip
It’s possible to get from Vegas to Zion National Park and back in one day, but you’ll spend at least 4 hours driving. I recommend booking a group tour to Zion instead and letting someone else handle the driving.
This guided tour will pick you up from your Vegas hotel.
It’s a full day and takes you to all the highlights in Zion, including 6 hours of “free” time in Zion Canyon (the free shuttle stops at popular trails like Angels Landing, Emerald Pools and The Narrows) and a drive through Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel to see Checkerboard Mesa (not on the shuttle route).
NOTE: With only 6 hours free on a guided tour I would prioritize Angels Landing, The Narrows (you don’t have to hike the full trail, but I’d recommend at least 1-mile upstream to get the full experience) and Emerald Pools or Court Of The Patriarchs. Emerald Pools can dry up in late summer, but is fantastic in the spring.
If you elect to drive on your own, this is the itinerary I recommend for a day trip from Las Vegas to Zion National Park:
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Best Things To Do In Las Vegas
There is a wide variety of things to do in Vegas. Some of my favorites include catching a show, walking through the Bellagio Fountains and the Venetian, and seeing the city at night with a bus tour.
Get Tickets To A Show
Cirque Du Soleil and the Blue Man Group are some of my favorite shows in Vegas.
And of course, no trip to Vegas is complete without seeing what David Copperfield has up his sleeve.
Check Out The Bellagio Fountains
This is one of the best free activities to do in Vegas. The Bellagio has incredible fountains that are synced to music, it’s a great way to spend an hour people watching and getting the true Vegas experience. It’s especially beautiful at night.
Stroll Through The Venetian
This is one of my favorite free things to do in Las Vegas. The Venetian is full of shops and restaurants, and the ambiance is incredible even if you’re not looking to buy luxury goods. The canal running through the shops is so unique and you can even take a gondola ride.
Tour The Sites 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 a ton of options for where to stay in Las Vegas. Depending on your interests, I recommend either the Strip or Freemont Street.
The Vegas Strip
If you’re looking to be in the thick of it all, stay on the strip.
I really enjoyed the Cosmopolitan (a swanky vibe). Other iconic options include the Bellagio, Encore and The Venetian – another resort I’ve personally stayed at and really enjoyed, the rooms are spacious!
Freemont Street
Fremont Street is a 6-block, pedestrian only area in downtown Vegas.
There are a lot of things to do and see within walking distance, which makes it a perfect spot to spend the night. This area has more of an artsy vibe and doesn’t feel as chaotic as the Strip.
Downtown Grand Las Vegas and the Plaza Hotel are great options here.
Other Las Vegas Road Trip Ideas
In my experience, Las Vegas is the best place to start a road trip in the US. There are so many great day trips from Las Vegas by car you could easily spend months exploring.
Two of my favorite road trips are the Mighty 5 Utah National Parks (Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion), and the Grand Circle.
The Grand Circle is a loop road trip that starts in Las Vegas and hits 6 National Parks – the Utah Mighty 5 plus Grand Canyon in Arizona.
Other top trips from Las Vegas include Valley of Fire, Joshua Tree, Moab and Death Valley.
Check out these additional resources for planning your trip from Las Vegas to Zion National Park and beyond:
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Travel Planning Resources
These are the resources I use and recommend for planning your next trip:
Accommodations: Expedia (hotels), VRBO (vacation rentals)
Flights: Skyscanner
Rental Cars: DiscoverCars and Outdoorsy
Tours & Excursions: Viator and GetYourGuide
Travel Insurance: SafetyWing
Credit Card With Travel Points: Chase Sapphire Preferred
What a great article . Thanks
Thanks Kenny! Have a great trip!
Very helpful article. Thank you!! Are there interesting stops along the way if we do the I-15 N?
Thanks Frances! There are fewer stops along I-15 – mostly just highway and gas stations. You could still visit Valley of Fire if you drop in from Crystal along 15N on your way from Las Vegas to Zion. Both route options follow I-15N from Glendale though, so the only real difference between the two options is the first 50-60 miles after you leave Vegas.
This has some wonderful information. Can you recommend the best place to pick up a cooler and snacks and some water on our way from Las Vegas to Zion to begin our park tour?
Thanks Jenny
Hi Jenny! There’s not much from Las Vegas to Zion National Park so I recommend picking up supplies in Las Vegas. If you’re flying in, there’s a Bass Pro Shop next to the airport. There’s also a Target nearby – and a Grocery Outlet next to it (I just recently discovered Grocery Outlet and am obsessed!). There’s also an REI in Vegas, but it’s a bit out of the way, and Vegas traffic can be awful so I wouldn’t recommend that unless you’re already planning to be on the West side of the city for something else. If that doesn’t work out, there are also shops in Springdale (but more limited), or you can swing through Hurricane on your drive in, which is a larger city.