Zion vs Bryce Canyon National Park: Which Should You Visit?

Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are two of the most unique and beautiful national parks in Utah. They have some of the best views in Southern Utah and should be on every bucket list! Although Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National are in the same state, only a few hours apart, they offer different experiences and landscapes.

So which should you visit? This guide has everything you need to know about the similarities and differences between Zion vs Bryce Canyon National Park, allowing you to figure out which should be a priority on your bucket list! Although, I recommend visiting both!

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Zion vs Bryce Canyon National Park: Park Overviews

Zion National Park Overview

Zion National Park was the first national park in Utah and is among the most visited national parks in the United States for good reason! It sits in the southwest of Utah and has some of the most beautiful and iconic views. You can enjoy the views of its huge sandstone cliffs from a scenic drive or along its 90 miles of hiking trails.

Bryce Canyon National Park Overview

Bryce Canyon National Park may be the smallest national park in Utah, but it is one of the most unique because of its hoodoos. Hoodoos are tall and thin spires of red rock and are found everywhere within the park. You can enjoy the hoodoo views in Bryce Canyon National Park from various overlooks or get an up-close and personal experience with them on its hiking trails.

Zion vs Bryce Canyon National Park: The Similarities and Differences

Although Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park are within a few hours of each other, they are not the same in every aspect. Let us dive into the similarities and differences between Zion vs Bryce Canyon National Park!

Location and Closest Airport

Zion and Bryce Canyon are in the southwestern corner of Utah. The closest airports are Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City in northern Utah. Both airports are about 3-4 hours from Zion and Bryce Canyon.

Entrance Price

Zion and Bryce Canyon have an entrance price of $35 for one vehicle. If you plan on visiting multiple national parks in one trip or within the year, you can purchase the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass allows you into any national park and federal recreation land for a year! It is a great option if you plan to visit multiple national parks during your trip.

Size

Although Zion National Park is not the largest national park in Utah, it has over 148,000 acres. On the other hand, Bryce Canyon National Park is the smallest national park in the state, with over 35,000 acres.

Landscape

Although Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are within a few hours of each other, they have different landscapes. Zion National Park has huge sandstone cliffs and plateaus. Bryce Canyon National Park has the largest collection of hoodoos in the world and the Grand Staircase of rock layers.

Southern Utah's unique landscapes are not limited to Zion and Bryce Canyon. Each national park in the state is different than the other, making it the perfect place to visit and see a variety of landscapes.

Crowds

Zion National Park has over five million visitors each year, and Bryce Canyon National Park has over two million. They are among the most visited national parks in the United States and are almost always crowded, especially in the summer.

Tip: Because Zion and Bryce Canyon are busy, I recommend starting your day early to avoid traffic congestion getting into the parks and on the shuttles. It will also allow you to see the popular attractions before most people enter the parks.

Where to Stay

Zion National Park has many accommodations in nearby towns, but I recommend staying in Springdale because it has everything you need. It was our favorite town we stayed in while we were in Utah. There are a lot of great hotels, restaurants, and cute shops you will want to visit!

If you want to stay in a unique accommodations, Zion has many nearby! You can stay in a glamping tent, cute cabin, or stunning tiny home.

Hotels:

Campgrounds:

Bryce Canyon National Park has many accommodations in nearby towns, but I recommend staying in Bryce since it is just outside the park entrance and has a few hotels. Bryce has a grocery store and restaurants, so you do not need to travel far for anything you need.

If you want to stay in a unique accommodations, Bryce Canyon has many nearby! You can stay in a glamping tent, cute cabin, or stunning tiny home.

Hotels:

Campgrounds:

Park Transportation

Both Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park have shuttles operating seasonally. These shuttles bring you to most of the popular attractions in each park. Since most parking lots are small, the free shuttles are great ways to avoid stress and easily see all the beautiful sights!

The shuttle in Bryce Canyon National Park operates from April to October, bringing you to most must-see attractions. If you do not want to take the shuttle, you can still drive throughout the park and access the attractions with your private vehicle.

The shuttle in Zion National Park operates from March to November and during the holidays, bringing you into Zion Canyon. When the shuttle is operating, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles. You must use the free shuttle to access the attractions along the drive.

If you are interested in renting a campervan, I highly recommend renting from Escape Campervans! It allows you to stay in campgrounds and access everything you need while you drive.

Time Needed

The time you need to visit Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon National Park depends on what you want to do! I recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Zion National Park and 1-2 days in Bryce Canyon National Park. It will give you plenty of time to explore everything the parks offer and hike their beautiful trails. But, if you are short on time, you can see most must-see attractions in one day.

Best Time to Visit

One of the best things about Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park is they are perfect year-round destinations! Although the summer and fall are popular times to visit because the weather is beautiful, winter is a great time to enjoy the parks with fewer crowds.

Here is what to expect during each season in Zion National Park:

Winters in Zion National Park are peaceful since most people visit during other seasons. You can also access the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive with your private vehicle rather than depending on the shuttle. Although Zion is in southern Utah, it still receives snow. December through March are among the wettest months in the park.
Spring in Zion National Park is beautiful as everything begins to bloom and the days become longer. But winter conditions can linger in the higher elevations, making it crucial to hike with the proper gear. Also, the Narrows may close if the water levels become too high after the snow melts.
Summer is the best time to visit Zion National Park because the weather is beautiful, and the hiking trails are usually in great shape. Because it is the best time to visit, it has the most crowds.
Fall is another of the best times to visit Zion National Park as the temperatures begin to drop. It is one of my favorite times to hike in the park since it is not as hot as the summer!

Here is what to expect during each season in Bryce Canyon National Park:

Winter is stunning in Bryce Canyon National Park, making it an underrated time to visit. And it has fewer crowds! The snow against the red rock creates a stunning contrast and is perfect for photographing. If you do not mind the cold temperatures and snow, you will love visiting Bryce Canyon National Park in the winter!
Spring is a great time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park as the snow begins to melt and the days become longer. Snow can linger on the trails throughout spring, making it crucial to hike with the proper gear.
Summer is the best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park because the weather is beautiful! It is a great time to hike and take advantage of the long days. Because it is the best time to visit, the park receives the most visitors and becomes very crowded.
Fall is another one of the best times to visit Bryce Canyon National Park. It is one of my favorite seasons to hike because of the cooler temperatures.

Activities

One of the best things about Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park is they offer something for everyone! Both parks offer many trails for all levels, allowing the entire family to hike! You can hike to beautiful viewpoints and waterfalls.

If you do not want to hike, do not worry! Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park have scenic drives with stunning overlooks. You do not need to hike to enjoy the beautiful views.

Zion and Bryce Canyon also have other fun activities nearby, like UTV and horseback riding tours.

Hiking

Zion National Park has over 90 miles of trails offering breathtaking views. Whether you want to hike to a waterfall, slot canyon, or beautiful viewpoint, Zion National Park has a trail for everyone. And the best part? It has trails for all levels!

Here are some great trails in Zion National Park:

Easy:

Moderate:

Emerald Pools - 3 miles
The Watchman Trail - 3 miles

Strenuous:

Angels Landing - 5.4 miles (*permit required)
Observation Point - 7 miles

easy hikes in zion national park

Bryce Canyon National Park has hiking trails for all levels! Although it does not have as many trails as Zion National Park, it has hiking trails for everyone. You can enjoy an easy hike to a viewpoint of hoodoos or hike into the canyon floor to get an up-close and personal experience with the hoodoos.

Here are some great trails in Bryce Canyon National Park:

Easy:

Sunset Point to Sunrise Point - 1 mile
Navajo Loop - 1.5 miles
Mossy Cave - 1 mile
Bristlecone Loop - 1.3 miles

Moderate:

Navajo and Queen’s Garden Loop - 3 miles
Peekaboo Loop - 5 miles

Strenuous:

Fairyland Loop - 8 miles

easy hikes in bryce canyon national park

Scenic Drives and Overlooks

If you do not want to hike, do not worry! Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park have stunning scenic drives with easy-to-get-to viewpoints. You can still enjoy the beautiful views without hiking!

Zion National Park Viewpoints:

Canyon Junction Bridge
Zion-Mount Carmel Hwy Viewpoints
Checkerboard Mesa View Area
Court of the Patriarchs Viewpoint
The Grotto Picnic Area
Big Bend Viewpoint
Temple of Sinawava

Bryce Canyon National Park Viewpoints:

Sunrise and Sunset Points
Inspiration Point
Bryce Point
Farview Point
Natural Bridge
Rainbow Point
Yovimpa Point
Fairyland Point

What to Pack

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

Should you visit Zion vs Bryce Canyon National Park?

So, should you visit Zion or Bryce Canyon National Park? Hopefully, this breakdown of the similarities and differences between Zion vs Bryce Canyon gave you a better idea of what park would be better for you! Both are fantastic options to enjoy beautiful views and hiking trails.

If you want to enjoy a unique landscape, Bryce Canyon National Park may be better for you. If you want to enjoy more hiking trails and epic views, Zion National Park may be better for you.

Both national parks are stunning, so you really cannot go wrong with either! And if you want to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon during your trip, you can explore them both within a few days! You can also visit all five of the national parks in Utah in a week if you want to go on an epic road trip.

If you are unsure whether to visit Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon National Park, you are in the right place. This guide has everything you need to know about the similarities and differences between Zion vs Bryce Canyon to help you decide which to visit!