Road Trip Itinerary: Las Vegas to Zion National Park (+ Map)

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.

See some magic. No trip to Vegas is complete without seeing what David Copperfield has up his sleeve.

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

I recommend flying into Vegas in the morning, spending the day exploring, and then staying overnight before getting an early morning start to your drive to Zion National Park the following day.

There’s an abundance of hotel options in Vegas.

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!

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. Downtown Grand Las Vegas and the Plaza Hotel are great options here.

Stops Between Las Vegas And Zion National Park

If you’re taking a quick road trip, you may not have time for all of these stops. Instead, you can quickly get from Las Vegas to Zion National Park in 2 hours by taking I-15 N.

However, if you have more time, I recommend getting an early start out of Vegas so you can explore these stops on your way to Zion along the detour route through RT 167.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

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 will add 1.5-2 hours to your drive to Zion, but means you can see Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and Valley of Fire State Park.

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. It’s visible from the road and quite impressive.

From there, take Lakeshore Road (a scenic route through Lake Mead). There are several viewpoints along the road and opportunities for a picnic lunch.

Lakeshore Road drops onto Northshore Road (the second scenic route in Lake Mead). Just a few miles down the road is Government Wash – a great place to boondock and camp for free! I spent a few nights here in my campervan – it can get a little windy but otherwise I really enjoyed it and the sunsets are stunning.

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

The America The Beautiful Park Pass is $79 annually. I’ve had this pass for several years and really like it – it saves me money on park admission fees, and some parks have “express lanes” for pass holders which is really handy because lines to get into busy parks can be more than 2 hours long during the summer.

Zion National Park’s entry fee is $35. So for this road trip you’ll spend $25 at Lake Mead + $35 at Zion for a total of $60. If you plan to visit any other National Parks in the next 12-months the America The Beautiful Pass will pay for itself.

Valley Of Fire State Park

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)

Unfortunately, Valley of Fire is a state park, so the America The Beautiful Park Pass is not accepted. The entrance fee is $15 per vehicle for non-residence and $10 for Nevada residence.

Lost City Museum

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.

The area was once inhabited by these early Native American groups, and the museum showcases artifacts and exhibits highlighting their daily lives, culture, and craftsmanship.

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

Virgin River Gorge

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 river gorge is just as stunning as Zion Canyon.

Personally, I’m shocked they put a major highway through this area instead of making it a National Park.

Grafton Ghost Town

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.

Zion Itinerary

Your road trip from Las Vegas to Zion National Park ends at the most beautiful stop (in my opinion) – Zion! This is one of my favorite National Parks, and I’ve visited multiple times.

Whether you have only one day in Zion, or your Zion itinerary includes more time, I have the perfect recommendation for how to optimize your time in the park.

Highlights to see in one day At Zion:

These are the best hikes and things to do in Zion if you’re short on time.

• Angels Landing (permit required)
• Explore Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (bike, drive or ride the shuttle)
• Canyon Overlook for sunrise or sunset

Additional Things To See In Zion With More Time:

• The Narrows & Riverside Walk
• The Watchman
• Observation Point
• Pa’rus Trail
• The Subway / Left Fork
• Emerald Pools

Hike Angels Landing

Ideally, spend at least two days in Zion National Park. I highly recommend getting permits to hike Angels Landing.

This can be tricky to do and advance planning is needed, but it’s well worth it! For tips on how to get Zion permits check out this article.

Depending on what day and time you are issued a permit for Angels Landing (before 9am, 9am-noon, after noon), you may need to adjust your itinerary around.

Angels Landing is one of the most iconic hikes in the United States. The first half mile of trail follows the Virgin River and is relatively flat before picking up elevation gain.

At 1.5 miles in you’ll hit the famous Walters Wiggles – a section of steep (but short!) switchbacks.

At 1.7 miles you’ll reach Scout Lookout, where the official trailhead for Angles Landing begins. Up until there you’ve been on West Rim Trail.

There is no permit required to hike the West Rim Trail to Scout Lookout.

The remaining 0.4 miles of the trail is Angels Landing, which requires a permit. This is the famous “chains section”, with narrow paths on top of a sheer drop off on either side. It’s harrowing, but a very manageable hike.

When I hiked Angels Landing I was with a friend who has a mild fear of heights. We had a bit of a pep talk at Scouts Landing prior to tackling the chains section. Ultimately, she decided she wanted to do it. It wasn’t nearly as bad as she expected and after she said she was really glad she did!

Hike 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.

It’s a slot canyon hike, so occasionally they will close The Narrows if there is a threat of flash flooding in the area.

If you hike The Narrows during the hot summer months you may not need to rent gear, but during 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 Narrows is an out-and-back hike, so you can do as much or as little of it as you’d like, depending on how much time you have.

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.

Where To Stay Near Zion

There are a few options when it comes to places to stay near Zion: in the park, right outside the park in Springdale, or a 20-45 minute drive away in nearby towns of Hurricane and St George.

Staying In Zion National Park

There is only one lodging option in Zion National Park – Zion Lodge. This is the most convenient and comfortable place to stay in Zion, but it also books up quickly so you’ll need to make reservations far in advance.

There are also 3 campgrounds in Zion: Watchman, South and Lava Point campgrounds.

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.

Hotels In Springdale

Springdale is the next best option for where to stay near Zion National Park.

Options like the Bumbleberry Inn, The Lodge At Zion Country, Cable Mountain Lodge, and Flanigan’s Resort & Spa provide comfortable stays with amenities like pools and shuttle service to the park entrance.

Vacation Rentals In Springdale

You can find cozy cabins, luxury homes, or budget-friendly options for vacation rentals near Zion through platforms like VRBO – like this 2 bedroom/2 bathroom house, this 1 bedroom/1bathroom apartment, this luxury apartment that sleeps up to 16 just steps from the main entrance to Zion.

Staying In Towns Near Zion National Park – Hurricane & St George

Hurricane is about a 20-30 minute drive from Zion and offer more budget-friendly options compared to Springdale.

Hotels like Wingate by Wyndham and Econo Lodge in Hurricane are popular choices.

St. George is about a 45-minute drive from Zion. This larger town has a wider range of accommodations, from budget to luxury, and more dining options.

Best Western Coral Hills, Comfort Suites and Hampton Inn are good places to stay when visiting Zion National Park.