Southern Utah in three days: a self-drive loop out of Las Vegas into Zion Canyon for an afternoon on the Riverside Walk, an early wade up the Zion Narrows before the crowds, the switchback drive up Highway 9 through the Zion–Mt Carmel Tunnel and Red Canyon to catch sunset over Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos, and a sunrise walk down into the amphitheater before the drive back — with real trailheads, roadside restaurants, and 2026 park fees for every stop.
Day 1
Las Vegas to Zion Canyon
The drive out of Las Vegas gives way to red rock within two hours — check into Springdale, catch the free shuttle into Zion Canyon, and get your first look at the canyon walls before sunset.
🚗 Drive — Las Vegas to Springdale, UT
~2.5 hours, 165 miles · self-drive, rental car
I-15 north through the Virgin River Gorge and Utah’s red-rock canyon country delivers you to the park’s south entrance by early afternoon — stop in St. George for gas and groceries, the last full-size supermarket before Springdale.
🏞️ Zion Canyon Shuttle & Riverside Walk
~2.5 hours round-trip, self-guided · park entrance $35 USD/vehicle (7-day pass)
Zion’s main canyon runs shuttle-only March through November — park at the visitor center and ride to Zion Lodge for the flat, paved Riverside Walk along the Virgin River to the mouth of the Narrows, or detour up to the Lower and Middle Emerald Pools for canyon-wall waterfalls.
🍽️ Dinner — Whiptail Grill, Springdale
~1 hour · entrees $14–24 USD
A converted 1930s gas station turned patio restaurant serving Mexican-inspired plates and margaritas a five-minute walk from the park’s south entrance — arrive early, the wait grows fast in peak season.
Whiptail Grill · (435) 772-0283 · whiptailgrillzion.com
🏨 Overnight — Cable Mountain Lodge, Springdale
From $260–320 USD/night, for 2 people
A canyon-view hotel at the edge of town with a rooftop pool deck looking straight up at the Watchman formation — walkable to the park’s pedestrian entrance and Springdale’s restaurant strip.
Cable Mountain Lodge · (435) 772-3366 · cablemountainlodge.com
Day 2
The Narrows to Bryce Canyon
An early start into the Zion Narrows before the crowds, then the drive up and over Highway 9 through the Zion–Mt Carmel Tunnel and Red Canyon to catch sunset over Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos.
🥾 Zion Narrows — Bottom-Up Hike
~3–6 hours round-trip (to Big Spring), self-guided · gear rental from $30 USD/person
Wading up the Virgin River between thousand-foot sandstone walls is Zion’s signature hike and needs no permit if you start at the Temple of Sinawava and turn around before Big Spring; a canyoneering-shoe and dry-pants rental from a local outfitter makes the river crossings far easier. Angels Landing is the park’s other marquee hike, but it now requires winning a $6 USD lottery permit through recreation.gov the day before — worth entering if you have a backup plan for when it doesn’t come through.
Zion Adventure Company · (435) 772-1001 · zionadventures.com
🚗 Scenic Drive — Zion–Mt Carmel Tunnel to Red Canyon
~1.5 hours, 55 miles · self-drive via UT-9 & UT-12
Highway 9 switchbacks up past Checkerboard Mesa and through the 1.1-mile Zion–Mt Carmel Tunnel (built in 1930) before dropping into open high desert; past Mt Carmel Junction, Highway 89 and then Highway 12 climb through Red Canyon’s crimson rock arches on the final approach to Bryce.
📸 Sunset — Sunset Point & Inspiration Point, Bryce Amphitheater
~1 hour, self-guided · included with park entrance ($35 USD/vehicle, 7-day pass)
The rim trail between these two overlooks is a five-minute walk and delivers the postcard view of Bryce’s hoodoo amphitheater lit orange and pink as the sun drops — arrive 30 minutes early for a spot along the rail.
🏨 Overnight — Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn, Bryce Canyon City
From $190–240 USD/night, for 2 people
A sprawling lodge a mile from the park entrance that has operated as Bryce’s original gateway hotel since 1923, with a steakhouse, general store and its own shuttle stop into the park.
Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn · (435) 834-5341 · rubysinn.com
Day 3
Bryce Sunrise & the Drive Home
Catch the hoodoos lit up at sunrise, walk down into the amphitheater on the park’s best short loop, then retrace Highway 12 and I-15 back toward Las Vegas or St. George.
📸 Sunrise — Sunrise Point, Bryce Amphitheater
~30 minutes, self-guided · included with park entrance
Bryce sits at 8,000 feet and the morning light through the hoodoos is sharper and less crowded than sunset — walk the short paved path from the Sunrise Point parking area and bring a jacket even in summer.
🥾 Navajo Loop – Queen’s Garden Combination Trail
~2–3 hours, 2.9 miles round-trip · self-guided, moderate
Bryce’s best short hike drops through the switchbacks of Wall Street’s slot-canyon-like corridor, loops past hoodoos named Thor’s Hammer and Queen Victoria, and climbs back out to the rim — start early to beat both the heat and the crowds at the trailhead.
🚗 Drive — Red Canyon & the Return to Las Vegas / St. George
~2.5–3 hours to Las Vegas, 105 miles to St. George · self-drive via UT-12 & I-15
Highway 12 rejoins Highway 89 through Red Canyon’s natural stone arches — pull off at the Red Canyon Visitor Center for one last photo stop before the drive back through St. George and the Virgin River Gorge to Las Vegas.
✈️ Departure
Self-guided
Three days that ran from a river-carved slot canyon in Zion to a sunrise over Bryce’s hoodoo amphitheater, closing out with one last red-rock overlook on the drive home.
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