Utah has always been one of my dream destinations in the US. Its dramatic landscapes intrigued me, appearing almost otherworldly. From stunning arches to gorgeous hoodoos and miles of salt flats, the Beehive State seemed like a land of endless wonders. In 2023, I finally made it to Utah to explore two of its “Mighty Five” national parks.
Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks are renowned for their breathtaking rock formations and challenging hikes. However, we weren’t in the mood for strenuous activities, so we planned a relaxing, slow-paced getaway to soak in the beauty and marvel at the geological wonders.
Our adventure was a 3-day road trip from Las Vegas to Utah. It began on a Friday night (to make the most of our time) and wrapped up on Monday at noon.
Reaching Zion & Bryce Canyon National Park
The closest city to Zion National Park is St. George, Utah, which has a regional airport connecting to a few major cities across the US. However, ticket prices are typically quite high. While the national park is accessible by bus from St. George, the journey is time-consuming and involves multiple transfers, making a car the most convenient choice to reach the park.
Additionally, there is no shuttle service connecting Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. However, both parks offer shuttle services within their boundaries, which can save time otherwise spent searching for parking.
We chose Las Vegas as our starting point because it’s the closest airport city and offers affordable flights and rental car options. We rented a car from Avis, near Harry Reid International Airport, for a total cost of $287 for three days.
Our Itinerary Summary
We wanted to keep this trip as relaxing as possible, so we limited our daily driving to no more than 4 hours. This gave us ample time to explore each park and discover hidden gems along the way.
- Day 1: Arrived in Las Vegas at night, drove halfway (1h 20m), and stayed overnight in Moapa Valley.
- Day 2: Explored Zion National Park (2h 3m) and continued to our stay in Bryce Canyon City (1h 54m).
- Day 3: Explored Bryce Canyon National Park (10m drive to visitor center) and stayed overnight in Hurricane (2h 21m).
- Day 4: Drove back to Las Vegas (2h) to catch our return flight to Seattle.
Zion & Bryce Canyon National Park FAQs
Before diving deeper into our itinerary, let me answer a few commonly asked questions based on my experience.
Can you visit both parks in one day?
Yes, it’s possible, but it can be quite tiring. The drive itself takes time (4-5 hours one-way), and exploring the parks—especially Zion, which involves more walking and hiking—requires energy. You might also feel rushed, which could take away from the experience. I recommend dedicating a full day to each park to truly enjoy their beauty and make the most of your visit.
Which one is better, Zion or Bryce Canyon?
Honestly, both! Each park has its own unique charm and is absolutely worth visiting. Zion captivates you with its towering cliffs, riverwalks, tiny spring-fed waterfalls, and hanging gardens. On the other hand, Bryce Canyon leaves you in awe with its surreal rock formations, known as hoodoos. If you ask me, don’t choose—visit both!
What is the best time to visit Zion Y Bryce Canyon National Park?
The summer months are the best time to visit these national parks, with mild temperatures ideal for hiking. We visited Zion and Bryce Canyon in July, and the weather was perfect! The days were moderately warm, making outdoor activities enjoyable, while the nights were pleasantly cool.
Is there an entrance fee?
Both parks have ticketed entry, which can be bought at the visitor center. I recommend buying the America the Beautiful NPS Annual Pass to save money. The pass covers up to 4 visitors per vehicle and is very convenient if you love exploring national parks.
Here’s our complete itinerary including details about our spendings to help you plan your Ultimate Zion & Bryce Canyon getaway.
Zion National Park Guide
Zion National Park was a two-hour drive from our hotel in Moapa Valley. We wanted to make the most of our time at the park, so we opted for the park shuttle to explore different points. For that we parked our car in Springdale, the closest shuttle stops to Zion National Park and boarded the Park Shuttle. Here’s a list of spots we explored within the park:
Zion Canyon Visitor Center
Our first stop was the visitor center, where we bought our NPS pass and gathered information about the best spots to visit. We were also hoping to spot California Condors, so we kept an eye out for rangers who could guide us to the right locations.
The visitor center is located near Springdale and offers stunning views of the mountains and the Virgin River. You can also explore interpretive displays and visit the gift shop for souvenirs.
Riverside Walk from Temple of Sinawava
We boarded the shuttle from the visitor center, which dropped us at the Temple of Sinawava—the starting point of the Riverside Walk trail that leads to the famous Narrows. The walk along the riverside was delightful, allowing us to immerse ourselves in nature. We spotted plenty of squirrels scurrying around, several native birds, beautiful hanging gardens, and tiny streams trickling down the rocky cliffs.
The trail was easy, with little to no elevation gain, making it enjoyable and relaxing. After almost reaching the Narrows entrance, we decided to turn back. On our way, we found a serene spot by the river to dip our feet—it was incredibly soothing. I didn’t want to leave this magical spot, but Abhi eventually had to drag me back to the shuttle stop. 😭
Big Bend Viewpoint
Our next stop was Big Bend Viewpoint, one of the best spots for non-hikers to marvel at the towering cliffs as they curve along the river’s flow. From here, you can also catch a glimpse of the thrilling Angels Landing and might even spot climbers and hikers enjoying their adventure.
This viewpoint is also a prime location to spot California Condors. We decided to sit here for a while, hoping to catch sight of one. However, after waiting for about 30 minutes without any luck, we decided to head to our next stop for the day.
The Zion Grotto
We made a quick stop at the Grotto to admire the stunning view of Angels Landing rising majestically above the Virgin River. It is the starting point of the Angels Landing Trail (West Rim Trail) and is also a great spot for picnics.
Zion National Park Lodge
Our final stop in the park was the Zion National Park Lodge, one of the park’s most iconic historic landmarks. The lodge offers unparalleled views of the majestic sandstone cliffs, making it the perfect spot to unwind.
We rested under the shade of a tree, soaking in the breathtaking scenery while indulging in some delicious cakes we bought from the food cart at the entrance. After a relaxing break, we took the shuttle back to Springdale, retrieved our car, and headed to our stay for the night in Bryce Canyon City.
Driving to Bryce Canyon City from Zion National Park
The drive from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon was absolutely breathtaking, and we chose the perfect time to do it—during the Golden Hour! We ascended via the Mt. Carmel Highway Scenic Drive, where every turn revealed jaw-dropping views.
One of the highlights was the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, a long tunnel connecting the two parks. Both entrances to the tunnel had several pullout spots for pictures, but our favorite was the East Tunnel Entrance.
We also stopped at the Checkerboard Mesa View Area to admire the incredible rock formations. Another viewpoint we loved was the Red Canyon Arch in Dixie National Forest, which looked even more stunning bathed in the golden hour light.
Stay at Bryce Canyon City
We stayed in Bryce View Lodge in Bryce Canyon City for the night. This historic lodge is one of the best places we’ve stayed in the US. You can read my complete stay experience and honest review here.
Our hotel was just a 10-minute drive from the Bryce Canyon National Park Visitor Center, and we had an exciting activity planned for the night. Bryce Canyon is one of the top stargazing destinations in the USA and is officially recognized by the International Dark Sky Association.
Dark Ranger Telescope Tours
At 9:30 PM, after checking into our hotel, we headed to the Dark Ranger Telescope Tours to experience the magic of the night sky. For over three hours, we marveled at millions of stars, constellations, and distant galaxies. Seeing the Milky Way River with our naked eyes for the first time left us utterly speechless. It was an unforgettable experience! You can read all about our stargazing adventure here.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is perched on the high plateau of the Grand Staircase and is home to the largest concentration of hoodoos on Earth. This stunning park features several viewpoints that are easily accessible by car or via the FREE park shuttle. Here are the overlook points and top spots we explored during our visit.
Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive Overlooks
Here’s a list of scenic overlooks we visited in Bryce Canyon, each offering unique perspectives of the hoodoos within the Bryce Amphitheater. From the northernmost Sunrise Point (8,100 feet) to the southernmost Rainbow Point (9,115 feet), every stop was mesmerizing.
- Sunrise Point – Our first stop after the visitor center, this viewpoint offered incredible views of the Bryce Amphitheater.
- Sunset Point – At our second stop, we took a short hike to the entrance of the strenuous Wall Street trail. From here, we spotted many iconic hoodoos, including the famous Thor’s Hammer.
- Inspiration Point – This viewpoint featured two perspectives. The Lower Inspiration Point was located right next to the parking area. The Upper Inspiration Point was a short hike from the parking, offering an unobstructed view of the hoodoos below.
- Natural Bridge – This stop featured a breathtaking view of an 85-foot arch carved out of red sedimentary rock over millions of years.
- Rainbow Point – The final stop on our scenic drive, this is the park’s highest point. It provided a bird’s-eye view of the Bryce Amphitheater and the vast Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Bryce Canyon Visitor Center
Our final stop at Bryce Canyon was the Visitor Center, where we took a leisurely stroll around the prairie and did something truly special—we adopted a prairie dog and named it Dexter, after my beloved guinea pig Dexter. We also browsed the gift shop and picked up souvenirs for our family.
On our way out of the park, we couldn’t resist stopping at the iconic park entrance sign for some memorable photos with the welcome signboard.
We spent nearly five hours exploring every nook and cranny of the park. The scenic drive through Bryce Canyon was smooth and stunning, and I was amazed at the elevation we gained in just a few miles. With a long drive ahead of us, we made our way to Hurricane, where we stayed for the night.
On our way from Bryce Canyon to Hurricane, we stopped to explore a few unique spots that deserve their own spotlight. I’ve shared all the details about these hidden gems in a separate guide. You can check out my
Lynnwood is the first major city you’ll come across as you enter Snohomish County from Seattle. Its downtown is the opposite of a quiet residential neighborhood, and it has a lot to offer. Lynnwood has become one of our go-to spots since the light rail expansion, which has also made it so much easier to reach other places in Snohomish County. In this blog post, I’ll share all the cool spots you can visit in and around Lynnwood. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list to get notified when more guides like this one go live. The best part about this guide is that you can reach most of these spots by bus, making it great for car-free travelers. Before you hop on a bus, here’s a quick look at where Lynnwood came from, how to get here, and how to get around once you arrive. Lynnwood didn’t start as a city at all. In 1917, the Puget Mill Company turned its logged-over timberland into Alderwood Manor, a planned farming community of small “ranchettes” that became one of the country’s big egg-producing areas. The Seattle-Everett Interurban trolley (1910 to 1939) was what made it all work, carrying city folks north to try their hand at chicken farming. The name came later. In 1937, Seattle real estate developer Karl O’Beirn platted land near Highway 99 and 196th Street SW and named it after his wife, Lynn, adding “wood” as a nod to neighboring Alderwood Manor. Businesses picked up the name, the crossroads kept growing, and Lynnwood officially incorporated in 1959. So yes, a city now known for a mall and a light rail station was once chicken country. I find that oddly comforting. The game changer is the Link 1 Line, with the openning of Lynnwood City Center Station on August 30, 2024 as the line’s northern end. The ride from Westlake Station in downtown Seattle takes about 32 minutes. No I-5 traffic, no parking hunt. Note: Every bus time in this guide starts from Lynnwood City Center Station, so think of it as your home base. Getting around Lynnwood is easy thanks to Community Transit’s local routes like 102, 117, 166, and 901 and Sound Transit Express bus route 512 to Everett. If you tap an ORCA card (or use the Transit GO Ticket app on Community Transit), transfers within two hours are covered up to the fare you already paid. That means Seattle to Alderwood Mall is $3 each way. Steal deal, right? Tip: Bus times below are approximate. Check the Transit app or Google Maps before heading out, especially on weekends when buses run less often. Lynnwood works year-round since many attractions are indoors and even the outdoor ones are great for a winter stroll if it’s not raining. However, for the lake and the waterfront sunsets, late spring through early fall is the sweet spot, with long evenings and the best chance of clear skies. If you’re planning around the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, aim for April. These two are the easiest wins: both are under 20 minutes from the station, and both work for a quick afternoon. Alderwood Mall is one of the key spots in the area. It opened on October 4, 1979, and today it’s the largest shopping center in Snohomish County. In the early 2000s it added The Village, an open-air section with shops, restaurants, and outdoor plazas, so it feels less like a big box and more like a place to wander. This is where you go to indulge in fun entertainment and shopping. Catch a movie at the AMC Alderwood Mall 16, browse the stores, and grab a bite in The Village. Fair warning: a “quick errand” here has a habit of turning into a three-hour outing. Just north of the busy downtown, Martha Lake Park is the calm you didn’t know Lynnwood had. This small Snohomish County park sits right on the lake with a wetland boardwalk, a fishing dock, a small beach, and a boat launch for non-motorized boats only. Come here for a peaceful stroll, a kayak session, or some bird watching along the boardwalk. If you have your own kayak or paddleboard, the launch makes it easy to get on the water. On a sunny weekend the parking lot fills up quickly, which is one more reason to take the bus. Good to know: The restrooms are typically closed from mid-October through mid-April, and the park follows a pack-it-in, pack-it-out policy. I have a newfound love for escape rooms, so much so that I’ve now tried six of them in and around Seattle (here’s my ranked Seattle escape rooms guide). So if you’re in Lynnwood and looking for a fun group activity, there are two escape rooms close to each other: KryptoScape Escape Rooms and Escapology (Alderwood Mall). KryptoScape has four 60-minute rooms, ranging from the beginner-friendly Steam-Powered S.O.S (4/10 difficulty) to the much tougher BioNova Breakout (8/10). It’s $45 per person, and every booking is private, so you won’t get paired with strangers. Escapology is inside The Terraces at Alderwood Mall, so it’s easy to add to a shopping day. Its themes include Batman: The Dark Knight Challenge, A Pirate’s Curse, and Haunted House, and its rooms are private too. If you have a little more time, these spots take 30 minutes to an hour by bus and feel like proper little getaways. Pick one, or come back and do both. Each one gives you a front-row seat to a Puget Sound sunset, with ferries gliding past and the Olympics glowing in the distance on a clear day. Brackett’s Landing in Edmonds is the closer option. It’s named after George Brackett, the logger who rowed up this shoreline in 1870 and went on to found Edmonds. Right next door is the Edmonds Underwater Park, created in 1970 as one of the first underwater parks on the West Coast, so don’t be surprised to see scuba divers heading into the water while you’re waiting for the sun to set. If you visit this place during low tide hours, you can also spot marine animals like anemone, ochre sea star, shore crabs and more. Plus, it’s a great spot for birding and whale watching. Mukilteo Lighthouse Park is the history lover’s pick. The wooden Mukilteo Lighthouse was built in 1906 to guide ships to Everett, and it’s still an active navigational aid. The ground here matters even more: in 1855, the Treaty of Point Elliott was signed at this spot between Governor Isaac Stevens and leaders of Puget Sound tribes, including Chief Seattle. Look for the public art honoring that heritage as you walk the beach. The lighthouse itself opens for tours seasonally. Tip: You can pick coffee or a scoop from Diamond Knot Brewery & Alehouse (small to-go order window) and enjoy it with the sunset at the beach. Also get a light jacket even in summers as it gets breezy on the water as soon as the sun dips. Funko, the company behind those big-headed Pop! vinyl figures, started in nearby Snohomish and moved its headquarters to downtown Everett. The flagship store there is less “toy shop” and more pop-culture playground, with larger-than-life Pop! statues from Marvel, Star Wars, Disney, Harry Potter, and more. Bring your camera for the photo ops, look for store exclusives, and check out the Pop! Yourself station where you can design a custom figure. I’ll admit, this is where my “just looking” promises go to die. Learn about aviation history at the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum at Paine Field. The collection began with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and it focuses on rare 20th-century military aircraft, tanks, and armored vehicles, many restored to flying or driving condition. Here’s the best part for budget travelers: general admission has been free since January 2025. You just need to fill out a quick waiver, which you can do on your phone before you arrive. There’s no café on site, so eat before you go. This one takes the most effort to reach without a car, but it’s worth it if you’re into history or engineering. Snohomish County has an abundance of farms you can visit. The county comes to life in the fall with fun pumpkin patches, but you can also visit farms year-round to pet animals, shop, and try farm-to-table food. These are easiest by car or rideshare, but they’re close enough to pair with a Lynnwood day. Flower World began in 1968 as a small four-acre wholesale nursery started by John and Marijke Postema, who emigrated from the Netherlands. In 1994 it moved to its current home, a former dairy farm, and today it’s one of the largest nurseries on the West Coast. Even if you’re not shopping for plants, it’s a lovely place to wander: a five-acre display garden with ponds and a waterwheel, free-roaming ducks and geese, and acres of greenhouses full of tropical plants (and turtles!). It’s free to walk around, which makes it an easy add-on. Holly Farm is a 17-acre working farm in Bothell that has been home to horses and farm animals for more than 100 years. Today it has around 40 horses, along with chickens, goats, sheep, llamas, and alpacas. The farm is best known for its riding lessons and kids’ camps, but it also runs farm tours on select Sundays where you can meet the animals, walk through the barns, and watch a lesson in progress. Visits are by appointment only, so sign up ahead of time. Country Farms is the closest one to Lynnwood, just down Highway 99 in Edmonds, and it’s a farm market rather than a farm you can tour. There are no animals here, but it’s a great stop for fresh, local fruits and vegetables from March through November, plus herb starts, flowers, and garden supplies. Look for asparagus in the spring and pumpkins and squash in the fall, and come winter the lot turns into a Christmas tree stand. Luckie Farms is a family-run farm in the Snohomish River Valley in Lake Stevens, known for its guided farm tours where you can meet (and cuddle!) baby Highland calves, along with yaks, reindeer, donkeys, and bunnies. The property has history too, with barns built in 1907 and 1922 and ongoing habitat restoration along a salmon-bearing stream. Note: Visits are by appointment only, so book a tour online before you go. Lynnwood sits right on I-5, which makes it a great jumping-off point for some of Washington’s best day trips. You’ll need a car for these, but each one is worth the drive. If you’re traveling to Washington for any of the events I’ve mentioned below, I highly recommend staying in Lynnwood as it’s connected to the airport and rent a car from Lynnwood to avoid traffic. Every April, the fields around Mount Vernon turn into stripes of color for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, which started as a small three-day event in 1984 and grew into a month-long celebration. Peak bloom depends on the weather, so keep an eye on bloom reports. We’ve covered it in detail in our Skagit Valley Tulip Festival guide. If you’re coming early, you can see the daffodils in full bloom and also the migratory Snow Geese. There’s lot to do in this area no matter what season you visit. 🚗 Drive time: 1 Hour The tiny mountain town of Index sits along US 2 under the granite cliffs of the Index Town Wall, a famous rock climbing spot. Watch climbers, walk along the Skykomish River, hike the short trail to Heybrook Lookout (about 2 to 2.6 miles round trip) for wide views of the surrounding peaks or challenge yourself hiking to the Bridal Veil Falls. Don’t forget to stop by the famous coffee spot Espresso Chalet for coffee and baked goods and enjoy them with a view of the waterfall from a distance. 🚗 Drive time: 1 Hour The star here is the Deception Pass Bridge, completed in 1935 and sitting about 180 feet above swirling tidal water. The Civilian Conservation Corps helped build much of the park during the Great Depression. You’ll need a Discover Pass to park. Here’s our full Deception Pass day trip guide to help you make the most of your time. 🚗 Drive time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes Head up SR 20 for the glacier-fed, turquoise water of Diablo Lake and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the state. You don’t need to be a hardcore hiker to enjoy it. Our North Cascades non-hiker’s guide has everything you need. 🚗 Drive time: 2 Hour On the southern side of Mount Baker, this area is reached via Baker Lake Road and forest roads off SR 20. It’s home to trails like Park Butte and the Railroad Grade, with close-up views of the mountain. You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass to park at the trailheads, and the higher trails are usually snow-free only from mid-summer to early fall. 🚗 Drive time: 2 Hour Lynnwood is easy to overlook, and plenty of people just drive through on their way somewhere else. Since the light rail opened, though, it has become our favorite starting point for exploring Snohomish County without a car. If you’re looking for more car-free adventures, check out how we visited Snoqualmie Falls from Seattle without a car. Have you been to Lynnwood, or is there a spot near the light rail I should add to this list? Let me know in the comments! Subscribe to our email list to get the next guide straight to your inbox, and follow along on Instagram @backpackingwithmylens The Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic and recognizable landmarks in New York City. Located on Liberty Island, it is a… On my two separate trips to Tennessee, I got a chance to experience what true southern hospitality means. From the cuisine to their massive… The first time I walked behind a waterfall, I was in the Columbia River Gorge, standing in a rocky alcove while a curtain of…
A Quick History of Lynnwood
Getting to and around Lynnwood Without a Car
Best Time to Visit
Things to Do in Lynnwood
Alderwood Mall
Martha Lake Park
Escape Rooms
Easy Half-Day Trips from Lynnwood by Bus
Brackett’s Landing, Edmonds
Mukilteo Lighthouse Park
Funko HQ, Everett
Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum, Everett
Farms Near Lynnwood
Flower World
Holly Farm
Country Farms
Luckie Farms
Beyond Lynnwood: Day Trips Within a 1 to 3 Hour Drive
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Index
Deception Pass State Park
North Cascades National Park
Mount Baker National Recreation Area
Final thoughts
My final thoughts and budget
Overall, our goal was to enjoy a relaxing getaway and explore the beauty of the area at our own pace—and we succeeded! From soaking in a hot tub while surrounded by nature to marveling at jaw-dropping natural wonders, Bryce Canyon and Zion proved to be the perfect destinations for a slow and rejuvenating vacation.
Our total expenses for the trip came to approximately $1,500 for two people. This included round-trip flights, accommodations, car rental, fuel, and food. The food was quite affordable, and we also packed a few ready-to-eat meals to save time during our park visits. For the best deals, we booked our hotels through Booking.com and secured the best car rental rates with Avis.
If you’re looking for a day-trip tour recommendation, here’s one I recommend that covers all the top spots in the two national parks.
Leave me a comment or DM me on Instagram if you have any questions about the two national parks. I’ll be thrilled to help you plan your ultimate getaway. 😍
