Zion National Park vs Bryce Canyon National Park
Both Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are spectacular, memorable experiences – totally worthwhile, but which is better? I get this question a lot and you guessed it – there’s no right or wrong answer. It all depends on your preferences, travel party, time and which season you’re going.
Majestic Neighbors
First off, it’s very possible to visit Bryce Canyon and Zion in the same trip, even the same day! The distance from Zion to Bryce Canyon is 72.4 miles (116.5 kilometers), or, a 1 hour and 20 minute drive and it’s a beautiful drive! Both Parks are found in the picturesque landscape of Southern Utah. Now, if you’re limited on time or want to dedicate your trip to one park or whatever your reason be, here’s the quick comparison of Zion National Park vs Bryce Canyon National Park.
Zion & Bryce Comparison
Zion National Park sits at about 4,000 feet in elevation (in the town of Springdale) and climbs up to 6,500 feet whereas Bryce Canyon ranges from 9,000 down to 7,000 feet in elevation. Zion National Park is a long, deep canyon cutting through steep sandstone cliffs. Different layers of sandstone like Navajo sandstone, offer varying pastel colors of rock. Contrary to it’s name, Bryce Canyon National Park is not really a canyon, but distinctly eroded cliffs and hoodoos on the east side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. During the height of national park visitation (May-August), Zion’s temperature reaches a high of 100 degrees and a low of 50 degrees and Bryce Canyon’s temperature rises to 80 degrees and falls to 40 degrees.
So, Zion National Park is more of a desert climate and Bryce Canyon is high-desert. This means that Zion is usually quite a bit warmer than Bryce Canyon. The difference between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park is also found in it’s vegetation. Vegetation in Zion offers enormous, shady Cottonwood trees, Pinyon Pines, Juniper, Cactus of many varieties, Desert Willow and many other desert plants. Bryce Canyon is much more forested than Zion,covered in Ponderosa Pine trees, Sagebrush, Manzanita bushes and occasionally Quaking Aspens and Blue Spruce Pines.
Activities
Both of these Parks offer great outdoor activities for all ages. For canyoneering and rappelling, Zion beats Bryce. You’ll find world-class hiking in either Park, but in Zion you can find yourself hiking through streams or on sandstone ledges, like Angels Landing – one of the scariest hikes in the world! Nearby Zion, in St. George, Utah, you’ll find many golf courses, mountain biking trails, climbing and more. If you or a friend has a boat, go wakeboarding or cliff jumping at one of the nearby reservoirs. Outside of Bryce Canyon you can fish in streams or lakes, explore some of the endless ATV trails in central Utah and if you’re visiting Bryce Canyon in the winter, speed through the mountains on a snowmobile, go skiing & snowboarding, or ice fishing! There’s lot’s to do in and around Bryce Canyon.
Springdale vs. Bryce Canyon City
I’d say equally as cool as the Parks themselves are their character-filled towns. Springdale, Utah, adjacent to Zion National Park, is one of the neatest little towns in the country. Bryce Canyon City (also called “Bryce”), Utah, is also a very neat, tourist-trap town. Each of them offering their own unique style, you’ll want to make these towns part of your National Park experience. The population of Springdale is about 530 people and the population of Bryce Canyon City is around 225. Bryce Canyon City was officially incorporated as a city in 2007, however, it’s beginnings date back to 1916, when Reuben “Ruby” Syrett built a lodge and some cabins to accommodate tourism. Springdale was settled and founded in 1862 by Mormon pioneers as a farming community.
Springdale boasts colorful, cultural restaurants, antique shops, lodges & hotels, rock shops and even a little candy shop! Bryce Canyon City claims rustic, western style restaurants, hotels, cabins, even a little small western town! Every night in Bryce Canyon City, the banjos & guitars are tuned up for a hootin-n-hollerin’ show at Ebenezer’s Barn & Grill – what an experience! Springdale is home to one of the worlds most brilliant outdoor amphitheaters, the O.C. Tanner Amphitheater. Plan to see a concert while you’re at Zion! It’s hard to describe it, but both of these towns have a theme or a feeling in the air – unique to themselves and so complimentary to the Parks they sit next to.
Conclusion
Both Parks are incredible and honestly, must-see destinations. I myself can’t choose a favorite between the two. Bryce Canyon offers more of an Old West feeling, with mazes of coral colored hoodoos stretching out from the tall ponderosa pine forests. Zion offers more of a desert rose atmosphere, with massive red & white sandstone cliffs towering up from a cool, sandy desert floor decorated with cactus, cottonwood trees and occasional pines. Bryce Canyon is usually 10 to 20 degrees cooler than Zion. Bryce Canyon is at a higher elevation, although Zion National Park spans a greater distance from top to bottom than Bryce Canyon does. Like I said before, it depends on what you’re looking for, but if you can, visit both Parks while you’re here!
FAQs
We wouldn't really recommend spending more than two days in Bryce Canyon, but you could easily be in Zion for a week. Zion is also more developed than any of the other parks in Utah. It gets the most funding, and has the most infrastructure, and is the most accessible.
How many days do you need to see Zion and Bryce Canyon? ›
Short answer: You can see both parks in one day if necessary. Long answer: To really see what these amazing Southwest parks have to offer, it's best to dedicate at least one day to each, or two days for Zion and one day for Bryce. The amount of time you need depends on how much you want to experience in each location.
Why is Bryce Canyon colder than Zion? ›
Climate Difference Between Zion and Bryce
Zion National Park ranges from 3,700 to 8,726 feet in elevation, while Bryce's elevation begins at 6,620 feet and rises to 9,115 at the highest points. Because Zion sits at overall lower elevations than Bryce, its climate is milder in winter and hotter in summer.
Which entrance to Zion is better? ›
The drive into Zion Canyon (the main part of the park) from I-15 on the park's western side, following Utah 9 or Utah 17, and then Utah 9 to the south entrance at Springdale, is by far the more popular, with two-thirds of park visitors arriving there.
Should I do Bryce or Zion first? ›
A Utah roadtrip route
If you're only doing these two parks then it doesn't matter which you do first. If you're going over to the other Utah national parks (on the east side of the state), then it makes sense to do Zion first, then Bryce and head on east.
Can I do Zion and Bryce in one day? ›
If you have just one day for both Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, it is possible to see them both, but I highly recommend spending longer in Zion if possible. It would work best if you spent the night before in Springdale, visit Zion in the morning, drive to Bryce in the afternoon, and spend that night near Bryce.
Is the drive from Zion to Bryce Scenic? ›
Even though it's a short drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon–less than two hours–the journey offers a treasure trove of roadside marvels and picturesque landscapes worth a stop. With this guide, you can explore the vibrant transition from Zion to Bryce Canyon, highlighting scenic views, adventures, and where to stay.
Is Bryce Canyon less busy than Zion? ›
Crowds and wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park
Crowds are common at most scenic overlooks and a number of trails, especially in summer, but the atmosphere is quieter than at Zion.
Can you drive through Zion to Bryce Canyon? ›
The drive from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon is just under two hours. From Springdale, head east on UT-9 through Zion to Mt. Carmel Junction where you'll then go north on US-89. Eventually, take UT-12 east, then turn onto US-63 to the Bryce Canyon park entrance.
Why is Bryce Canyon so popular? ›
Bryce Canyon National Park in Southwestern Utah is famous for the largest collection of hoodoos—the distinctive rock formations at Bryce—in the world. Bryce Canyon is also home to horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, scenic vistas, and the dark night sky.
"Kanab is coined 'the Golden Circle,' centrally located between Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and Lake Powell.
What is the busiest month in Bryce Canyon? ›
It depends.
Sixty percent of our visitors come to Bryce Canyon from June through September, but October through May is a fantastic time to enjoy the park. In fall and spring, there are fewer people, cooler temperatures, and spectacular fall foliage and wildflower displays.
What is the busiest day in Zion? ›
Despite the hot temperatures — and 100-degree days are common — summer draws the biggest crowds. According to park officials, the park's busiest time is Memorial Day weekend, Easter week, Labor Day weekend and Utah Education Association break (which is in October, and you can find the dates each year at myuea.org).
Can you walk in Zion instead of shuttle? ›
Zion Hikes From the Visitor Center
While the Watchman Trail has you winding through the canyons to the final panoramic viewpoint of lower Zion Canyon and the town of Springdale. Since these trails are not along the Scenic Drive, you don't need to take the Zion shuttle to hike the Pa'rus Trail or Watchman Trail.
Is Zion more crowded than Bryce? ›
Crowds and wildlife at Bryce Canyon National Park
Crowds are common at most scenic overlooks and a number of trails, especially in summer, but the atmosphere is quieter than at Zion. More than 170 bird species and 59 species of mammals, including mule deer and prairie dogs, call Bryce Canyon home.
Is it worth going to Bryce Canyon? ›
We've been to Bryce twice before, many years ago. Still one of the most amazing places to visit, but it's at an high elevation (8,000-9,100ft), and this is troublesome for those with respiratory problems. Numerous trails are present. We stayed at Bryce Canyon Lodge, which is fantastic, but no TV.
How much time do you need to see Bryce Canyon? ›
Though it's a smaller park and some people will spend less than a full day in Bryce Canyon, I recommend spending one to two full days here to really explore all that the park has to offer.
Is Bryce Canyon worth going to? ›
Bryce Canyon is definitely amazing and beautiful. The hoodoos, the natural landscape is so unique. The Navajo trail is great, a must do if you enjoy hiking.
