Road Trip from Las Vegas to Zion National Park
Even though this road journey from Las Vegas to Zion National Park isn’t very long, it’s full of breathtaking views. This tour is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts as it provides plenty of chances for trekking and experiencing some of the most stunning scenery in the US West.
Driving 300 miles (around 5 hours) gets you to Zion National Park from Las Vegas. Valley of Fire State Park, Elephant Rock, Dixie National Forest, Hoover Dam, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park are among the area’s highlights.
We’ve included the top routes, spectacular sights, and recommendations for certain fantastic overnight stops to help you organize your trip. So read on to escape the glamour of Las Vegas.
What is the approximate travel duration and distance between Zion National Park and Las Vegas?
| Route | Distance | Driving Time |
| The Direct way | 160 miles | 2 hours 40 minutes |
| The Parks and Forests Route | 300 miles | 5 hours 20 minutes |
| The Grand Canyon way | 530 miles | 9 hours |
Our Forests and Parks Route is the quickest route for an amazing road trip with stunning scenery. It takes five hours and twenty minutes to drive 300 miles. The Valley of Fire and Red Cliffs National Conservation Area are two of the trip’s marvels.
On the contrary, driving the 530 miles on our Grand Canyon Route takes about nine hours. You can make a diversion via Arizona that includes a trip to the Grand Canyon.
We may drive all of our routes in a single day. But we suggest the Grand Canyon Route or the Forests and Parks Route for three to five days. This is because there are a lot of locations to explore, walk, and trek while traveling to Zion National Park.
Undoubtedly, you can mix our route suggestions to create the ideal round-trip if you have the time.
The ideal route from Las Vegas to Zion National Park
There are plenty of opportunities to take in the breathtaking scenery that includes rivers, lakes, canyons, deserts, forests, and mountains on both of our longer itineraries. Which route you take will depend on how much time you have to dedicate to this amazing road trip, as the length of the routes is the primary difference.
There is a significant amount of interstate travel on the shorter Forests and Parks Route. But it also involves a trip through the Valley of Fire State Park and a detour into the Dixie National Forest once you get to Utah. Along the route, there are stops at Cedar Breaks National Monument and the Red Mountains.
In the meantime, the Grand Canyon Route—which passes through Nevada, Arizona, and Utah—can unquestionably be called the “scenic route”.
The Grand Canyon, Lake Mead, and Hoover Dam add distinctive elements to the trip.. You can also take pleasure in visits to cities like Kingman and Boulder City.
You’ll need to make a reservation and obtain a permit if you want to trek up to Angels Landing.
The Parks and Forests Road
Leave Las Vegas on Interstate 15 (I-15) North to start this trek. Take the next right off the highway and follow the Valley of Fire Highway until you see the sign for Valley of Fire State Park. This will lead you on a stunning tour of the park, and stop-overs at locations like Elephant Rock and Fire Cave. Rejoin the Valley of Fire Highway and proceed northward after it finishes.
Take in the vistas of Mount Bangs as you briefly cross into Arizona just past Mesquite. After crossing into Utah, you’ll soon come to the Red Cliffs and Mountains National Conservation Area.
Proceed on the interstate from Red Cliffs, traveling past Cedar City until arriving in Parowan. Drive south off the freeway at Parowan. This will lead to the Dixie National Forest and Cedar Breaks National Monument.
Lastly, take in yet another gorgeous stretch of road as you head south to Mount Carmel Junction and Springdale. This is the entryway leading to Zion National Park, your destination.
The route to the Grand Canyon
Take I-515 South out of Las Vegas for this route. Once you reach Henderson, take I-11 South. Drive through Boulder City towards Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam, passing the Colorado River to cross the state boundary into Arizona.
Proceed southward into Kingman, where you will intersect I-40 East heading towards Williams, which is situated on the outskirts of the Coconino National Forest.
After Williams, continue north toward the Grand Canyon and Kaibab National Forest. After your time at the Grand Canyon is over, head back north to the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument and the village of Bitter Springs. Enjoy your time at Wahweap Overlook as well, which provides breathtaking views of Wahweap Bay.
Proceed on US-89 North toward Kanab and the Mount Carmel Junction vacation resort after crossing into Utah. To get to Springdale and Zion National Park after a short drive.
The best locations to make a stop between Zion National Park and Las Vegas
Even though this is not a very long road trip, there are still several stunning spots along the way that deserve a stop for the night. On every one of our routes, we have selected one that provides the ideal rationale for a longer deviation off the road.
Comfortable and lavish in the Red Mountains
The Red Mountains of Utah are about two hours and forty minutes down the Forests and Parks Route. It’s a great idea to spend the night exploring the area surrounding the breathtaking cliffs and canyons. Once you leave Valley of Fire State Park, it’s a great place to stay the night.
You can travel Jenny’s Canyon or other popular routes, enjoy a stroll along Snow Canyon Road, or just take a drive to observe the petrified flora and trees as well as the Red Mountains’ dinosaur footprints.
Our recommendation for an overnight stop when you’re tired of driving and climbing is the lavish Red Mountain Resort. This wonderful motel, which is a few miles off the road, provides all you need for a comfortable night’s sleep.
You may expect a restful stay thanks to the spacious accommodations, breathtaking views, and wonderful outdoor pool. A fantastic restaurant is located on the premises, and there is plenty of visitor parking
The hotel is perfect for exploring neighboring Snow Canyon State Park and Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, which is fantastic for mountain biking, in addition to being an amazing starting point for seeing the Red Mountains.
A magnificent visit to the Grand Canyon
Naturally, this well-known natural wonder is our advised stop on the Grand Canyon Route. About halfway through the journey, you’ll arrive at the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon, which stretches over 200 miles along the Colorado River, provides amazing scenery and incredible exploring experiences. There are many more ways to take in the natural beauty of the area if hiking is not your lifestyle.
You can take a daring rafting adventure on the Colorado River, drive the breathtaking Desert View Drive, explore the canyon on horseback or mule, or visit the canyon from the air by helicopter.
A panoramic view of Zion National Park
Situated just a mile from the park’s entrance, Springdale’s cozy Bumbleberry Inn is the perfect starting point for exploring.
The hotel features large rooms with patios or balconies and breathtaking views of the mountains. You can also enjoy the complimentary breakfast every day and take a plunge in the outdoor pool or hot tub. Many more dining establishments are easily accessible within a short walk from the hotel.
Use the free-of-cost on-site parking and shuttle service to explore Zion National Park and the surrounding town of Springdale if you’re looking for a true refuge from the stress.
Sceneries during a road journey from Las Vegas to Zion National Park
We’ve selected some of the attractions along each of our routes to assist you in creating the ideal itinerary for your road trip.
The Parks and Forests Path
In Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park, hikers can discover ancient petroglyphs and Fire Cave amid breathtaking Aztec sandstone.
Valley of Fire Highway
Enjoy breathtaking views of the state park along the beautiful byway that crosses through Highway, Nevada. Just before you get to the end of the byway, you’ll notice the striking Elephant Rock.
The Overton Museum in Nevada’s Lost City Museum houses artifacts and information on the ancient sites and abandoned settlements that were submerged during the construction of the Hoover Dam.
Mesquite, Nevada: The town is well-known for its top-notch golf courses, and the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum offers an insight into the town’s history.
Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, Utah: Hiking routes twist through dramatic red rock gorges and alongside the Virgin River can be found in this reserve on the edge of the Mojave Desert.
Parowan, Utah: Established by Mormons in 1850, Parowan is the oldest settlement in the area. Petroglyphs can be seen in Parowan Gap, just outside of town, or you can go on a guided horseback ride into the hills.
Cedar Breaks National Monument Take a stroll around the edge of this striking natural rock canyon in Utah to take in the breathtaking scenery.
Dixie National Forest, Utah’s largest national forest, offers breathtaking views of the state’s brilliant red sandstone scenery and lush green forest. You may hike through the forest or take an appealing drive through it.
Mount Carmel, Utah: Open May through October, the Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts is housed in the same building as artist Maynard Dixon’s studio.
Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park You can take a short diversion from the main path to Bryce Canyon, where the climate has sculpted the sandstone rock into breathtaking hoodoos (tall, thin rock spires).
The route via the Grand Canyon
Boulder City, Nevada: Take a few days to see this charming little town that provides Grand Canyon helicopter tours. Another choice is the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum.
Lake Mead, Nevada/Arizona: End the day at Sunset View Scenic Overlook or enjoy water sports and swimming off the rocky beaches of this huge reservoir.
Nevada’s Hoover Dam The dam was built during the Great Depression in the 1930s, therefore it has a long history. Visit the museum, go on a tour through the inspection tunnels, or just enjoy the views from the viewing platforms to find out more.
Kingman, Arizona: The city is situated on the historic Route 66; the devoted museum has further information. The Mohave Museum of History and Arts is well worth a visit.
Williams, Arizona: Situated on the famous Route 66, Williams has structures that date back to the route’s mid-20th century heyday. Take a ride on the Grand Canyon Railroad to see Arizona from a new perspective. Unique sandstone formations, such as the Wave and Coyote Butts, may be seen in Arizona
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. This distant natural wonder is worth visiting. Expert hikers will love it, but because of the severely limited number of visitors to protect the delicate ecosystem, make sure to plan.
Utah’s Glen Canyon Recreation Area is a sizable recreation area where visitors may take in the breathtaking views of Lake Powell, go on a boat to see Rainbow Bridge National Monument, or just stroll about the many paths.
Kanab, Utah: The surrounding area has served as a Wild West backdrop for movies for many years. Some fascinating artifacts are on display in the Little Hollywood Movie Museum.
The ideal time to go by road from Las Vegas to Zion National Park
Even though we are on this road journey all year round, it’s crucial to remember that the typical summer temperatures can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit
This could be a problem if you intend to walk a lot. In fact, because of the potential for high temperatures—more than 120 degrees—some trails at Valley of Fire State Park are frequently closed for safety. During this time of year, Grand Canyon and Zion National Park are also at their busiest.
In Zion National Park, winters can bring snowfall, a lot of rain, and extremely cold nights along our routes. The average daytime temperature is about fifty degrees.
As Zion National Park reopens after the winter, springtime there is breathtaking, with displays of wildflowers and temperatures above fifty degrees.
Autumn brings with it vibrant foliage and chilly temperatures that can drop below zero on gloomy evenings. Hiking is excellent at this season, particularly in the middle of the day. It is advised to dress in layers to accommodate the changing weather and temperature.
During National Parks Week in April, visit Zion National Park for a few days at no cost. In the meantime, the yearly Grand Canyon Star Party takes place in June, offering the chance to take in the night sky’s beauties with other stargazers.
The ideal time to go by road from Las Vegas to Zion National Park
Even though we are on this road journey all year round, it’s crucial to remember that the typical summer temperatures can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit
This could be a problem if you intend to walk a lot. In fact, because of the potential for high temperatures—more than 120 degrees—some trails at Valley of Fire State Park are frequently closed for safety. During this time of year, Grand Canyon and Zion National Park are also at their busiest.
In Zion National Park, winters can bring snowfall, a lot of rain, and extremely cold nights along our routes. The average daytime temperature is about fifty degrees.
As Zion National Park reopens after the winter, springtime there is breathtaking, with displays of wildflowers and temperatures above fifty degrees Fahrenheit.
Autumn brings with it vibrant foliage and chilly temperatures that can drop below zero on gloomy evenings. Hiking is excellent at this season, particularly in the middle of the day. It is advised to dress in layers to accommodate the changing weather and temperature.
During National Parks Week in April, visit Zion National Park for a few days at no cost. In the meantime, the yearly Grand Canyon Star Party takes place in June, offering the chance to take in the night sky’s beauties with other stargazers.
For more details on Zion National Park kindly visit https://roadtozion.org/
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a shuttle service from Las Vegas to Zion National Park?
Indeed, several shuttle services, including those run by private businesses like Salt Lake Express and St. George Shuttle, are available between Las Vegas and Zion National Park. They provide several daily trips.
How can I travel from Las Vegas to Zion National Park?
If you follow I-15 straight through without stopping, the quickest route from Las Vegas to Zion National Park is about 160 miles.
Is the route to Zion National Park from Las Vegas scenic?
The trip from Las Vegas to Zion National Park promises to be an amazing experience. This gorgeous 155-mile drive winds through some of the most recognizable regions of the American Southwest and takes around 2:30 hours without stops.
In Zion, how many days are required?
To truly visit Zion National Park, allow two to three days. to see all the attractions and have a hike on longer trails on Angels Landing.
