In this first stage in our trip around the South-West of U.S. we visited two national parks in Utah state. We left Las Vegas early in the morning and drove 160 miles (260 Km.) towards Zion National Park (it will take two hours and a half taking the Interstate 15 N). Once you arrive in Springdale, you can drop your car on the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and take the shuttle bus to visit different places of the park.
Zion National Park price and annual pass
The price for the park is $30 per vehicle, $25 motorcycle… However, we strongly recommend “the America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass- Annual pass” that only cost 80$ and you can access to several National Parks in the country. If you are going to visit more than 2 National Parks in your trip, then it is worth it (in our trip we visited with this pass places such as Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, Death Valley National Park…). This annual pass can be usually obtained on the National Parks and many Federal recreation sites (see below for further information). Each Annual Pass admits pass owner and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas; and pass owner + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults.
In our visit we just cross Zion Park using the Route 9 – East; we stopped by “The Great Arch” that you can see on your way on this road. But if you would like to spend more time here, from the Zion Canyon Visitor center you can take the shuttle and go for Hiking to the different suggested routes: Emerald pools, the Grotto trail, Temple of Sinawava. The easy and medium trails can last one or two hours.
Bryce Canyon the most beatiful national park of Utah
Once we left Zion National Park we took the US-89 N towards to Bryce Canyon National Park (72 miles/115Km.). I highly recommend to spend more time on the Bryce Canyon as you can enjoy of one of the most amazing landscapes views (Photo illustrating this post at the top). The entrance fee is the same $30 per vehicle… or you can use the Annual pass.
Bryce Canyon has the largest collection of hoodoos in the world ‘formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rocks‘(1). You must visit the sunset point and the inspiration point where you can see the amphitheatre of hoodoos and Thor´s hammer. You can approach to these places by car and just walk ten or fifteen minutes.
You will be amazed with the views and it will be possible to enjoy the different options for hiking depending on the distances and elevation changes that you would like to walk. Bryce Canyon also offers two camp-ground sites (one in winter) and also guided horse rides.
In our visit we could also see some deer around the place. Do not forget your camera and if you need to choose just one park (between Zion and Bryce) to spend the day, I will suggest Bryce Canyon National Park, as you can easily spend hours walking by the tall rock formations.
Just after sunset, we left the National Park and we drove to Arizona towards the city of Page so we could spend the night there and be ready for our next stage in Arizona. In our second day we will visit Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley (Arizona).
Other National parks to visit in Utah
There are other parks in Utah like Arches National Park and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument where you can spend more time on this state. Unfortunately for us, we had to chose and Zion and Bryce Canyon National parks where our preferred election.
Official Websites where you can find further information:
How to get to Zional national Park and Bryce canyon
Notes:
(1): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryce_Canyon_National_Park
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