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Tour Details:Transport: SUV or Tour Van depending on number of participants, inquire at time of booking. Solo Travelers: See Pricing Above. Accommodations: N/A This is NOT an overnight tour. Optional Activities: N/A Trip Documents:
Pricing:
2022 Departure Dates:Departs from Salt Lake City Monday-Saturday, Check for Availability. Call to book for more than 4 From the BlogIf you're looking for adventure, the road trip from Salt Lake City to Bryce Canyon National Park is the one for you! If you love rugged terrains and have been waiting to visit Utah's legendary national parks, this journey will check all the boxes on your list. The 730-mile road trip from Salt Lake City to Bryce Canyon will take you 13 hours to complete. Notable stops are Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Oljato-Monument Valley, Moqui Cave, Zion National Park and Dixie National Forest. We have outlined many attractions and places to stay along the way, so that whichever route you choose, your trip to Bryce Canyon National Park will be one to remember. Take a look at our suggestions to start planning your trip. How far is Bryce Canyon from Salt Lake City, and how long will the road trip take?Comparison of road trip routes between Salt Lake City and Bryce Canyon
The Direct Route is a distance of 340 miles and takes roughly 6 hours and 30 minutes of driving time without accounting for any stops or detours you might want to make. The Scenic Route is more than double the distance, stretching 730 miles and taking an estimated 13 hours to complete. No matter what route you choose, you will want to explore the beautiful landscape Utah has to offer on this road trip. We suggest sparing at least 3 days for this trip, especially if you are following our Scenic Route suggestion. Take in the sweeping views at the famous Mesa Arch, an iconic symbol of the American West.jlrphoto/Shutterstock.com Best road trip route from Salt Lake City to Bryce CanyonBoth of our recommended routes will present you with views of the rugged Utah landscape, which is known as one of the most beautiful terrains in the world. So, the best route will depend on how much time you have and what you'd like to see. On the Direct Route, you will be going due south for most of the trip, passing by Mount Pleasant. It will take you to the charming city of Boulder before you reach Bryce Canyon. The Scenic Route will take you towards Moab and through three of the legendary "The Mighty 5" national parks of Utah, namely, Arches, Canyonlands and Zion, before you reach Bryce Canyon National Park, which also belongs to this list. A perk to the long bursts of driving are amazing views of the landscape. You will pass through many of the United States' protected green and red spaces and the Oljate-Monument Valley on this route. Both trips will immerse you in the beautiful Utah terrain, but the choice is yours depending on how much time you have and which sites you prefer to see. The Direct RouteYou'll be following US-89 South for most of the trip until you reach Sabina. Then you'll get onto UT-24 East and follow that all the way to Torrey. Here you can make a detour to visit Capitol Reef National Park if you have the time. Otherwise, head towards Boulder on UT-12. The final leg of this journey is to head south until you reach the town of Bryce, outside Bryce Canyon. The Scenic RouteFollow Interstate 15 (I-15) from Salt Lake City to Provo. A little bit further down, you'll veer onto US-89 first and then onto US-6, which you will follow south all the way into Moab. From Moab, you can easily make detours to visit the famous Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. After you visit, head south and cross the border into Arizona on your way to Oljate-Monument Valley. Continue on US-163 until a little after the town of Kayenta, when you will want to turn west onto US-160 and exit onto UT-98 northbound. Cross back into Utah after it turns into US-89. Follow this highway northbound until you reach Bryce Canyon. Best places to stop between Salt Lake City and Bryce CanyonThe scenic route will take you through various smaller cities along the way, so there are more places to stop and explore. The direct route allows you to drive most of the way to your destination before a possible detour at Capitol Reef National Park. Wonder at the Red Landscapes of Capitol ReefOn the Direct Route, you can stop off at the charming town of Torrey, best known for being the best gateway to Capitol Reef National Park. It's located a little after the halfway mark on the way from Salt Lake City to Bryce Canyon, so you will have put most of your driving behind you. Enjoy a good night's sleep in the unique teepees at Capitol Reef National Park.Patrick+E+Planer/Shutterstock.com A great place to stay overnight in Torrey is the luxurious Capitol Reef Resort. In addition to chic rooms with views of the beautiful national park, you will also find unique accommodation options such as teepees and Conestoga wagons in this beautiful resort. To relax after your drive, you can have a dip in the scenic outdoor pool or unwind at the hot tub. Alternatively, if you worked up an appetite on the road, you can head to the barbecue facilities to have a homey meal. The best part about the lodge is that it's located at the entrance of Capitol Reef National Park, where you can walk along the Hickman Natural Bridge. The property is also a short distance from the famous Prehistoric Petroglyph, meaning that you will have all the attractions that bring thousands of people in this area annually at your doorstep. Small Town Charm with Big-Impressive ViewsAfter driving for about 6 hours on the Scenic Route, you will find yourself halfway along this trip in Moab. Stopping here overnight is a great idea for some rest, and it will give you a chance not only to explore the interesting town of Moab but to see the natural sights nearby. Moab sits right on the Colorado River where there are lots of exciting water sports to try if you feel adventurous. It is also located close by to two stunning national parks of Utah, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. Grab the opportunity to show your adventurous side by rafting on The Colorado River in the Gran Canyon.Jim+Mallouk/Shutterstock.com You might want to stay in town, try a few restaurants, and see the culture it has to offer. One great activity in town is to head to the Moab Museum and learn about the history of geology, paleontology, and mining in the area. After you're tuckered out by all the excursions, you can rest your head at Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton. This chic hotel has stunning exteriors and interior decoration, and it's centrally located just one block from Moab's main street. Treat yourself to the full-service spa or relax in the outdoor swimming pool before heading back on the road the next day. Where to stay when you reach Bryce CanyonOnce you finally reach Bryce Canyon National Park, we recommend staying at the Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Hotel. It's situated right among the red rock cliffs. This lodging is affordable and includes many amenities, such as a free hot breakfast and an outdoor swimming pool. Did you know that Bryce Canyon is actually not one, but many canyons lined up along the rocky red cliffs of the plateau? The best part about this hotel option is that it's located just a 4-minute drive from this majestic natural landscape. Things to see on a road trip from Salt Lake City to Bryce CanyonThere are plenty of fun things to see on the way to Bryce Canyon, whether you journey on the short route or the longer and scenic one. We have compiled a list of route-specific attractions to aid your sightseeing along the way. You'll find a great mountain range and some hot springs on the short route, whereas you'll get a chance to check out a beach and a cave on the long route! The Direct Route
Jeremy+Christensen/Shutterstock.com The Scenic Route
manueladurson/Shutterstock.com Both Routes
Best time to go on a road trip from Salt Lake City to Bryce CanyonDue to the extreme cold at Bryce Canyon during the winter, a result of its very high elevation, the most popular time to visit is between May and October. This is when the weather is the warmest, and the natural landscapes are greenest. Temperatures in the Spring are mild, sitting between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the daytime. Summer is Bryce Canyon National Park's peak season, meaning that you should book your stays in advance due to limited accommodation options. Temperatures during this season typically range between 35 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with the occasional showers during the months of July and August. If you do want to visit in the fall or winter, expect much cooler temperatures. While fall is particularly beautiful due to the transformation of the Canyon's foliage, temperatures range between 18 and 71 degrees Fahrenheit, and this is typically the most precipitous season of the year in this park. Bryce Canyon is perhaps even more spectacular in the winter, with snow capping the jagged red rocks.Wisanu Boonrawd/Shutterstock.com During the winter months, the canyon sees under 100 inches of snow and the temperature can drop to -27 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to bundle up during this season and avoid staying out past sundown when it can be the coldest. Bryce Canyon National Park is host to many festivals and events throughout the year, with most of them falling during the peak season. If you visit during June, make sure to check out the Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival or the Bryce Canyon Geology Festival. What major city is closest to Bryce Canyon?Located in Cedar City, Utah, about 1.5 hrs from Bryce Canyon National Park. The Cedar City Regional Airport has a connection to the Salt Lake City International Airport. You can fly to Salt Lake City from most cities in America and many throughout the world.
What city is closest to Bryce National Park?Panguitch. If you're looking for the closest city to Bryce Canyon, Panguitch is less than 30 minutes away from the national park.
What is the closest national park to Salt Lake City?Arches National Park is the closest National Parks to Salt Lake City. Located in the town of Moab in Utah, Arches is home to over 2,000 natural stone arches. One of its most famous arches, Landscape Arch, is the longest natural stone arch in the USA.
Is Salt Lake City close to Zion National Park?Zion National Park is located 300 miles (4.5-hour-drive) from Salt Lake City. Most of the drive is along Interstate 15, which has some beautiful sights and attractions along the way. Rather than racing from Salt Lake City to Zion as quickly as possible, slow down and enjoy the drive.
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