Zion & Bryce Canyon

be happy · 08-01-2019, 09:39 AM

I am in the early planning stages of a two week stay next late April to early May. I would like to see as much as possible in that two week stay, do not hike so most will be by car etc.

My question is am I better off staying close to Zion see all the area and then move to area near Bryce. Or find a mid spot to stay for the two weeks.

Any RV park recommendations would be helpful. I do not think the NPS campgrounds will work as I need 50amp FHU

**ThomB** · 08-01-2019, 09:53 AM

We were in Southern UT in 2017 and stayed in a small park in Kanab, UT. (Kanab RV Corral) right in the center of town basically. It allowed us access into Bryce (about 80 miles) Zion (about 40 miles) and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (about 70 miles). It worked well for us that year.
In a few weeks we'll be back at Bryce because we want to hike down into the canyon. Kanab was just a bit too far for us to not get up super early and still be able to do a hike but it worked well as a landing spot to get to all the parks during the day. We're booked into a KOA for this trip which is about 10 miles outside the park.

If you're an early riser or just interested in getting into the parks and taking their bus-tour that park in Kanab may work for you for a place that doesn't require you to relocate. The town is pretty cool as it was where a lot of the old westerns were filmed and there are plaques all through the town with stars that have been there for filming.

Americanrascal · 08-02-2019, 06:52 AM

We did Bryce first as we were traveling south from Capitol Reef NP. Set up camp at Ruby's. We did both the bus and our own driving at Bryce as either work well Unfortunately we fought weather for the three days we were there but finally it eased up juts before we left southbound to Xion in a snow storm.

We stayed at a nice RV park in Hurricane when we got to Zion as we needed to take care of some supply/parts needs. It was a good ride into the park from there (in spite of our GPS going crazy)but we had to use the bus for a good bit of the park which was fine. There were other nice campgrounds further in towards the park entrance which we will probably use on future visits.

Not sure we would have considered a mid way stay set up as its a bit of a hike between the two.

Phil-T · 08-02-2019, 07:18 AM

Last June we stayed in Fredonia, AZ for 10 days at the Wheel-Inn RV Park. Simple, no frills sites with full hookups. We were only there at night, so it worked for us. We visited Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon North Rim from there in our toad.
If you want the early morning thing in the parks (we don't) it's not a good choice because of the distances, unless you want to get up "early".

be happy · 08-03-2019, 04:41 AM

Thank you all, your answers have been a great help.

Sue46 · 08-07-2019, 06:24 PM

Bryce is at 9000' so you may encounter snow, I don't know if they close the park for winter or if they plow the road. FYI.

jeb · 08-07-2019, 06:30 PM

We stayed at the Zion River Resort RV park when we visited that area. It's only a few miles west of Zion, and convenient to Bryce and the north rim of the GC. It has been a few years since we've been there, though.

skyking · 08-07-2019, 06:50 PM

I highly suggest staying at or near each location, if you will be out for 2 weeks. The drive from midway might be ok once or twice, but not more. At Bryce, the place to stay is "Ruby's". We used to be able to RV inside Zion, but I think that is gone. Not sure.
A few hours east of there, in Page, AZ. you can see "Antelope Canyon". I have heard some say it is the the best experience of their trip out west. I agree it is fascinating If you can, take the horse ride through Bryce. otherwise you don't really see Bryce Canyon from just the overlooks. If you travel through Cameron (west of Grand Cyn) stop in at the "Cameron Trading Post" and order the "Navajo Taco". Just order one and split it.
I hope you have great weather.
Richard

Shedboy · 08-07-2019, 07:10 PM

FYI - Its been a while since I have been there but check-out the vertical height restrictions. I think that is was Zion NP that has at least one low clearance tunnel on the road through the park.

armullis59 · 08-07-2019, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by be happy

I am in the early planning stages of a two week stay next late April to early May. I would like to see as much as possible in that two week stay, do not hike so most will be by car etc.

My question is am I better off staying close to Zion see all the area and then move to area near Bryce. Or find a mid spot to stay for the two weeks.

Any RV park recommendations would be helpful. I do not think the NPS campgrounds will work as I need 50amp FHU

Knowing what I know about each park.....you want to stay close to each! Bryce has a great RV Park at Ruby's and there are a couple RV parks in Springdale area outside of the south entrance to Zion.

Skyhawker · 08-07-2019, 07:51 PM

I spent 10 days in southwestern Utah in May and another 21 days touring all of Utah in June. Those three Parks (Bryce, Zion and GC) are pretty far apart. for day trips, but it could be done from a central location if you have a Toad.

Kanab is probably best for that. When I was in Mountain Valley RV Park in Heber City, the staff there told me they would be opening a new RV park in Kanab either later this year or early next. MV in Heber is the nicest facility I've ever stayed in, and if the facility in Kanab they open is up to those standards it should be outstanding.

Zion, there are a couple of RV parks just south of Zion. I spent several days at Willowwind in Hurricane. Excellent park. My first choice in that general area. I was in Zion in May, and there was some RV camping just inside the park. I think it was two small locations, but not very many spots.

I then spent 3 nights in Panguich west of Bryce, but If you are focused on Bryce, then Ruby's is probably better.

If you try Kanab, the key would be whether you are parking and using the toad or moving your rig. The tunnel into Zion from just north of Kanab is restricted in height and you have to have a permit and a NPS escort to take an RV through there even if you can clear the height.

There is nothing closer to GC except Fredonia, AZ which is just a few miles south of Kanab. Not much there, so if I wasn't going to get a spot at or just outside the North Rim of GC - I'd choose Kanab.

thataway4 · 08-07-2019, 09:49 PM

We have always stayed at Zion River RV park for Zion and taken the shuttle to the park. For Bryce, we stay at Ruby's. I think better to stay near each feature. We also spend a lot of time on Lake Powell. Several options there--and you need reservations for the National Monument camp ground at Wahweep.

If you are over length or height, remember that there is a tunnel as you leave Zion. If a Towed is involved it may have to be driven. (over length). There is one way traffic for a period for over height vehicles. Zion Mount Carmel tunnel: Any vehicle that is 7 feet 10 inches (2.4 meters) in width and/or 11 feet 4 inches (3.4 meters) in height or larger is required to have a tunnel permit (cost $15). Prohibited Vehicles
Vehicles over 13 feet 1 inch tall, vehicles weighing more than 50,000 pounds, single vehicles over 40 feet long, combined vehicles over 50 feet long.

Plan accordingly

AzLady · 08-07-2019, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by be happy

I am in the early planning stages of a two week stay next late April to early May. I would like to see as much as possible in that two week stay, do not hike so most will be by car etc.
My question is am I better off staying close to Zion see all the area and then move to area near Bryce. Or find a mid spot to stay for the two weeks.
Any RV park recommendations would be helpful. I do not think the NPS campgrounds will work as I need 50amp FHU

We love going to the Southern Utah "Big 5" on a regular basis. Since you will be coming West from Missouri I'd suggest that you not miss seeing Arches and Canyonlands while you're in Utah. We stay in Moab at the Spanish Trail RV Park to see both of those. (www.spanishtrailrvpark.com)
We stay in Panguitch at the KOA campground(www.KOS.com/camp/panguitch) to see Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks National Monument. (https://www.nps.gov/cebr/index.htm), and then go on to Kanab and stay at the RV Corral (Kanab RV Corral) to see Zion and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Once we didn't get our reservations in early enough and had to stay at different RV parks than our chosen parks and were sorely disappointed in them (so I won't mention them)
You will absolutely love the Big 5 and the North Rim (if you get there) They are all 'jaw dropping' beautiful... and like nothing you've ever seen before.
Have a wonderful time!!

regardless of where you stay.

jcurtisis · 08-07-2019, 11:56 PM

You Absolutely should stay near Zion and then near Bryce (or vice-versa). Too much wasted driving time otherwise. In Springdale (the city right outside the South Entrance of Zion) there is a free shuttle bus that goes right to the pedestrian entrance to Zion, so if you stay at the Zion Canyon Campground (479 Zion Park Blvd
Springdale, UT 84767) you have a short walk to the shuttle bus, a short walk to the gate, and then take the free shuttle bus in the park that takes you to all the main spots. If you aren’t hiking, then you can see all the main things in two days easy. Ruby’s at Bryce is also a good suggestion. Again, if you are not hiking then you can see all the main things there in one day.

nova 42qd · 08-08-2019, 08:51 AM

We just visited Bryce and Zion last month. We stayed somewhat midway between the two and it worked out fine. We stayed at a small RV park called Bauer Canyon Ranch and RV Park - Untitled Document in Glendale, Utah.

It was not a long drive to either park. The RV park is not fancy but it is nice enough and the owners were very nice. If you go be sure to stop at the German Bakery just down the road.

blueridge-fl · 08-08-2019, 04:52 PM

We made the same trip in April/May of this year.

First, we stayed at the Kaibab Paiute Band Tribal Campground. Its a bit remote but very nice if you don't want to be in the thick of things. If you want to be in town then I would look for something in Kanab. Went went to Zion from this location as well as Toadstools and Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. It's also reasonable for accessing the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. When going to Zion, I highly recommend going to the North entrance on Rt 9 and drive down through the park to the south entrance. This is definitely a bucket list drive and the North-South direction gives you the best views.

We then drove up to Kodachrome Basin State Park and stayed there while we visited Bryce. Kodachrome is fantastic and worth a visit all on its own. Kodachrome has a mix of full hookups and dry camping spots. We were unable to get a spot with hookups and ended up dry camping. We were a little apprehensive about it but it worked out great and our camp site was the absolute nicest one I have ever been in anywhere. We were in Bryce on May 9th and got snowed on. Plan accordingly.

We used RV Trip Wizard to plan out the trip and can highly recommend it.

skyking · 08-09-2019, 07:12 AM

"be happy" is likely overwhelmed with our responses, but here is another.

Two weeks is too long for just Bryce and Zion with no hiking, as you mentioned. If getting there and back is a week in itself, then yes, just two parks and maybe one short one somewhere.
If no hiking is the rule and you want to stop at Grand Canyon, I suggest the crowded South Rim. It is best for viewing with no hiking.
Don't forget that horse trail ride at Bryce.

Enjoy.

legolas · 08-09-2019, 08:03 AM

As others have opined, stay in or near each park. In 2014 we started at Capital Reef and went to the Grand Canyon(north and south rims), did Escalante, Bryce, Zion, North Rim and then South Rim. If you are not hiking I would say two days is sufficient to see the major sights in Bryce or Zion. We stayed at Rubys campground while at Bryce and at Zion RV Resort while in Zion. April and May will be somewhat cold so be prepared. Don't forget about the tunnel on the way to Zion. We chose to go around it. Enjoy the trip, they are great parks.

be happy · 08-10-2019, 04:25 AM

skyking, thanks for the concern, there is a lot to take in. Its info like this that makes planning easier. One of the biggest things is I have to loose a few pounds so I can enjoy the horse rides.

Thank you all for the inpute

Morich · 08-10-2019, 09:19 AM

Much depends on how you feel about looking at things as we find it doesn't take all that much time before one rock begins to look pretty much the same! We like the first hundred miles or so but like the scene to change, so I might throw in a double vote for Antelope Canyon and doing one of the tours as it is totally different. Then for a route back, dropping down to Sunset Crater North of Flagstaff may get you a totally different view of fresh volcanic action as it is only 900 years old!
Me? I miss Table Rock!