A Zion to Grand Canyon road trip can be done in a quick weekend or stretched into a full week of exploration, with iconic hikes, sweeping canyon views, and some of the most dramatic scenery in the American Southwest along the way.
Key Takeaways
- A weekend trip is enough time to hit the highlights of both Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon North Rim, since they’re only about 2.5 to 3 hours apart by car.
- A 7-day road trip from the Grand Canyon to Zion National Park opens up time to visit hidden gems like Vermilion Cliffs, Navajo Bridge, Horseshoe Bend, and Kanab.
- Both Zion and Grand Canyon deliver world-class experiences, but they feel very different from each other, making them an ideal pairing on a single Southwest road trip.
Two of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest sit about three hours apart. A Zion to Grand Canyon road trip can fit a busy weekend or unfold over a full week of exploration, depending on how much time you have.
This road trip guide covers both the Grand Canyon and Zion, including their must-see stops, a few detours worth the extra miles, and answers to the most common questions travelers ask before making the trip.
How To Plan a 2-Day Zion to Grand Canyon Road Trip
Taking a weekend road trip between Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon North Rim is more doable than most people expect. The North Rim is about 2.5 to 3 hours from Zion by car, which leaves enough time for a meaningful visit to both parks, even if you only have two days off.
Day 1: Explore Zion National Park
The Narrows is Zion National Park’s most iconic hike and takes you directly into the Virgin River as sandstone walls rise hundreds of feet overhead on both sides. The trail begins at the Temple of Sinawava and can be as short or as long as you want, which makes it a good fit for most fitness levels.
If your energy allows in the afternoon, Angels Landing delivers some of the most dramatic views in the park. The trail is strenuous, with steep switchbacks and chain-assisted sections near the top, and it requires a permit.
Plan ahead if hiking the Narrows is on your list. At the end of the day, there are plenty of interesting places to stay near Zion before you head off to the Grand Canyon.
Day 2: Drive South to the Grand Canyon
The most direct route from Zion to the Grand Canyon North Rim heads south through Kanab, Utah, then continues toward Jacob Lake before turning onto Highway 67. The drive usually takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, making the North Rim the most accessible part of the Grand Canyon when you’re coming from Zion. Just keep in mind that the North Rim is seasonal, so check opening dates and road conditions before you go.
Start with Bright Angel Point for a short walk to a sweeping canyon overlook. From there, spend the afternoon exploring scenic stops like Point Imperial and Cape Royal for wide canyon views and a great look at the Colorado River.
For a short hike below the rim, start down the North Kaibab Trail and turn around whenever you’re ready. If you have more time, consider expanding the route into a Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce road trip so you can add Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos, overlooks, and scenic drives to your itinerary.
How To Plan a 7-Day Grand Canyon to Zion Road Trip
If you have a full week to travel, consider starting at the Grand Canyon and heading north toward Zion. This route also works well if you’re coming from Las Vegas and adds several stops in between that many road-trippers never get to see.
Days 1 and 2: Explore the Grand Canyon South Rim
The Grand Canyon South Rim opens with unforgettable views. Arrive in time for sunset on day one at Mather Point or Hopi Point, then spend day two getting below the rim. The Bright Angel Trail and the South Kaibab Trail are the two most popular options for hiking into the canyon. Bright Angel has water and shade; South Kaibab is more exposed but offers wider, more panoramic views with every switchback down.
In the afternoon, the free Hermit Road shuttle runs west of Grand Canyon Village and stops at viewpoints like Mojave Point and Pima Point that are harder to reach on foot. The shuttle runs seasonally from March through November, so check the schedule before you go.
Spending two days at the South Rim still feels rushed, but it’s enough to see the canyon from multiple angles and at two different times of day.
Day 3: Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon
From the Grand Canyon South Rim, head east on AZ-64 before connecting with US-89 north toward Page, Arizona. The trip takes about 2.5 hours and offers wide-open views along the way.
Horseshoe Bend sits just outside Page and requires only a short walk from the parking area to reach a dramatic overlook of the Colorado River curving 270 degrees through a deep sandstone gorge.
Antelope Canyon is also located near Page and is one of the most visited slot canyons in the country. The canyon is located on Navajo Nation land and requires a guided tour to enter.
Beams of light that filter through the narrow sandstone opening above are what the canyon is known for, and the best light typically falls midday. Book your tour well in advance, especially for spring or summer visits.
Day 4: Navajo Bridge, Vermilion Cliffs, and Kanab
Driving northwest from Page on US-89A brings you to Marble Canyon and Navajo Bridge, where two bridges span the Colorado River side by side. The historic pedestrian bridge offers a direct view straight down into the river gorge below, and California condors are frequently spotted perched on the cliff walls nearby.
The road continues northwest into the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, where layers of deep red, orange, and cream-colored rock line the highway for miles. This is one of the most dramatic roadside drives in the entire Southwest, and it passes quickly if you’re not paying attention.
End the day in Kanab, Utah, which sits at the intersection of several remarkable natural areas and makes a comfortable overnight base.
Day 5: A Day Around Kanab
Kanab’s location puts it within reach of a few destinations worth a full day of exploring. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, one of the largest national monuments in the country, starts just east of town and offers slot canyons, mesa hikes, and desert backcountry for those who want to explore. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, about 12 miles northwest of Kanab, is a quieter and less-visited spot with rolling pink sand dunes set against red cliffs. The Wave in Coyote Buttes North is the most famous landmark near Kanab, but access requires winning a lottery.
Days 6 and 7: Finish the Trip in Zion National Park
Zion National Park is about 40 miles north of Kanab and makes a fitting end for a Grand Canyon to Zion National Park road trip. Day six is the right time for The Narrows, the park’s signature river canyon hike. Starting at the Temple of Sinawava, the trail follows the Virgin River into a slot canyon where the walls narrow to just 20 to 30 feet across. It’s one of the most memorable hikes in any national park and is worth taking slowly.
Day seven works well for Angels Landing if you have a permit, or for some of the park’s less-trafficked trails like the Canyon Overlook Trail just past the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. If you plan to camp in Southern Utah, book your spot well ahead of time because campsites fill up quickly during spring and fall.
Make Settler’s Junction Your Base for a Zion to Grand Canyon Road Trip
Settler’s Junction RV Resort is located in Toquerville, Utah, just a short drive from Zion National Park and well-positioned for road trips through Southern Utah and northern Arizona. Our resort offers full hookup RV sites, pet-friendly accommodations, and easy access to the region’s best drives and trailheads.
Whether you’re traveling from Zion to the Grand Canyon or anywhere in between, Settler’s Junction is a comfortable and well-positioned home base. Book your stay at our RV resort near Zion and get your Southwest road trip started on the right foot.
Zion to Grand Canyon Road Trip FAQ
How Far Is Zion National Park From the Grand Canyon?
Zion National Park is about 2.5 hours from the Grand Canyon North Rim and about 4.5 hours from the South Rim.
Is the Grand Canyon or Zion Better?
Zion and the Grand Canyon are both incredible, but neither is truly better than the other. Zion offers close-up canyon scenery and immersive trails, while the Grand Canyon delivers massive panoramic views. Visiting both gives you the best of both Southwest landscapes.
Can You Do Grand Canyon and Zion in One Trip?
Yes, you can do the Grand Canyon and Zion in one trip. A weekend gives you enough time to see the highlights, while spending 5 to 7 days traveling lets you get more time in each park and add extra stops.
Which Part of the Grand Canyon Is Closest To Zion?
The North Rim is the closest part of the Grand Canyon to Zion National Park. Depending on your exact starting point, they’re about 110 miles away.