If you're a fan of stunning scenery and incredible natural wonders, then the short but sweet road trip from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park is a real back to nature adventure. Leave the bustling city behind and embark on this epic journey through Utah's best forests and landmarks. Show
The 310-mile road trip from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park takes over 4 hours to drive. Stops include Dixie National Forest, Cedar Breaks National Monument, plus Capitol Reef, Canyonland, Bryce Canyon National Park and Arches National Park. To help you make the most of your adventure, we've set out the best routes and places to stop overnight, as well as our favorite things to see and the best time of year to make the trip from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park. How far is Zion National Park from Salt Lake City and how long will the road trip take?Comparison of road trip routes between Salt Lake City and Zion National Park
A straightforward road trip from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park will take 310 miles. If you stick to the interstate, this can easily be done within 5 hours without making any stops. It isn't a long trip but there are so many amazing places to see along the way. Another option is to follow our longer route. Spanning a distance of 650 miles, this option will instead take 12 hours of non-stop driving to complete. Though the extra miles will more than make up for it in terms of additional attractions and views en route. While you could complete the Direct Route in a single day, our recommendation would be to stretch your journey over at least three days. This will give you the opportunity to have a couple of overnight stops along the way, and to explore all the breathtaking forests and parks through Utah. The epic road trip to Zion National Park takes you past Calf Creek Falls where you can discover two perennial waterfalls.Tedi S Photography/Shutterstock.com Best road trip route from Salt Lake City to Zion National ParkThere's no single best road trip route from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park. Instead, the preferred option will vary greatly depending on how long you have to spend on the drive, and which attractions are yet to be ticked off your bucket list. Our Direct Route is the quickest drive of the two. Taking you more or less directly south from Salt Lake City, you'll mostly follow one interstate before reaching your destination. That said, the most direct option still promises to take you on an exciting adventure. You'll pass through Provo and Beaver, as well as alongside the Twin Peaks and Dixie National Forest. If you have a little extra time to spend on this great road trip, then you should consider following our Scenic Route. Though longer in both distance and time spent on the road, it will provide you with the most awe-inspiring sights. The extra miles will offer you more views of the beautiful Utah landmarks and exciting attractions, including the Midway Crater, Canyonland National Park, Arches National Park and Capital Reef National Park. If you really can't decide between the two, there's always the option of following one to Zion National Park, and then taking the alternative route the final leg back to Salt Lake City. That way you'll get to experience both routes without compromising on sights along the way. Arches National Park is instantly recognisable thanks to its sandstone arches and bridges.Audrey Huang/Shutterstock.com The Direct RouteTake Interstate 15 (I-15) South out of Salt Lake City, passing through Murray and alongside Twin Peaks. Follow the road between Mt. Timpanogos and alongside Utah Lake. The road will take you through Provo, a small city that's worth a stop to explore its museums and art collections. You can also take a hike up nearby Provo Peak. Continue heading south on I-15, making stops along the way to visit Spanish Fork Peak or Loafer Mountain. You'll pass through several more towns along the way, before reaching Mt Nebo and Salt Creek Peak. Still heading south, you'll pass Mine Camp Peak and Joseph Peak. It's worth taking a detour at this point to stop to visit Fishlake National Forest for some breathtaking views. Take your time and enjoy all the forest has to offer before taking Route 25 and then Route 100 which will lead you back onto I-15. Next, take Exit 112 to drive through Beaver before continuing to head south. From here you can make your way to Cedar Breaks National Monument, stopping along the way at Dixie National Forest, before taking Exit 27 to join UT-9 east which will take you to Zion National Park. The Scenic RouteThe longer and more scenic option of the two begins by leaving Salt Lake City on I-15, heading south. At Exit 297 follow signs for Veterans Memorial Park, before switching to Interstate 215 (I-215) East, before taking Exit 2 to join Interstate 80 (I-80) through Summit Park. Next take Exit 146 for US-189 where you can enjoy the beauty of the Wasatch Mountains, before arriving at the Midway Crater. From here you'll take UT-113 south, before switching to US-189 all the way to Provo. Merge onto I-15 a short distance, before taking US-6 east, taking you alongside Spanish Fork Peak and Loafer Mountain. Continue heading east, through Price Canyon Recreation Area, before switching to US-181 and several small towns. Merge onto Interstate 70 (I-70) East to Exit 182, where you'll take US-191 south to visit both Arches National Park where you can see geological wonders like Delicate Arch. Once you are done enjoying the breathtaking views, you can take a short drive on UT-313 to Canyonland National Park where you can go for a hike and try to spot some desert animals. Retrace your drive back to I-70 to Exit 149 where you'll take UT-24 west. Follow this road past a couple of towns before making a stop to visit Capitol Reef National Park for some more amazing views. When you leave, you'll continue on UT-24 to Lower Calf Creek Falls where you can enjoy the beauty of the perennial waterfalls, before continuing to head west. Past the town of Tropic, you can take a short detour to visit the spectacular Bryce Canyon National Park, before taking US-89 south and then UT-9 to your final destination of Zion National Park. The Scenic Route will take you past many incredible landscapes, including Bryce Canyon National Park.Nature's Charm/Shutterstock.com Best places to stop between Salt Lake City and Zion National ParkDespite this not being the longest road trip you might ever embark on, given the sheer number of great places to visit and stunning scenery you'll pass, it's a great idea to plan at least one overnight stop to help break up the journey. There might not be many cities between Salt Lake City and Zion National Park, but there are still some great hotel options. Here are a few of our recommendations for a great night in Utah: A desert stay in MoabAlmost halfway on the Scenic Route and ideally positioned just over 7 hours from Zion National Park, a stop at Moab is a great way to break the trip into a couple of days, as well as giving you the chance to enjoy everything the desert atmosphere has to offer. La Sal Mountains in Moab are just one of the spectacular places to visit when you're in this part of Utah.Wesley Aston/Shutterstock.com Known as the gateway to the massive rock formations in Arches National Park, Moab is also well placed to explore Canyonlands National Park, as well as to discover dinosaur tracks at Bull Canyon Overlook. The town itself offers plenty for the visitors, especially the mountain bikers who take to the Slickrock Trail. Aside from the famous red rock formations surrounding the landscape, you can take to the river on the Colorado River. After a day of hiking and exploring, an ideal hotel for rest is the Springhill Suites by Marriott Moab. Here you'll be spoiled with beautiful mountain views, a hot tub, and a fabulous swimming pool to relax after your adventures. Ideally situated just a short drive from Mesa Arch, this hotel also offers free parking, comfortable and modern rooms and a buffet breakfast. Given its popular location, we'd recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. After a relaxing night, you can then explore Arches National Park where you can see a variety of natural sandstone arches, bridges, windows and balanced rocks. Discover hot springs in FillmoreIf you've opted for the Direct Route, then a great halfway point and just 3 hours and 40 minutes from Salt Lake City is the small town of Fillmore. Given that you'll be driving through this city anyway, it's an ideal place to rest and enjoy more of this epic trip. If you're stopping in Fillmore on the Direct Route, then a visit to Fishlake National Forest is a must.Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock.com The small city of Fillmore was once the territorial capital of Utah. Its original Statehouse building still stands today as the oldest existing government building in Utah. It's now maintained as a historic site and museum. An ideal place to rest for the night is the Best Western Paradise Inn and Resort. This hotel offers a welcome outdoor pool and spa centre. The hotel itself is centrally located in Fillmore, making it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area. Nearby you can enjoy a swim at Meadow Hot Springs, a stunning place with three pools which are situated in the middle of a cow pasture and open to the public to enjoy. You're also just a short drive from Fishlake National Forest where you can spend a whole day there, taking in all the scenic beauty the forest has to offer. You can hike around the great expanse and even do some fishing and kayaking. As well as offering great location, Best Western has free parking, exceptional breakfast and a beautiful garden surrounding the property. It's also conveniently placed to rejoin the interstate and continue with your drive the next day. Mountain views in SpringdaleZion National Park is one of the most popular parks in the US, and it's easy to see why. Offering fantastic hiking opportunities through its park and swimming in its river, the highlight of the natural wonder is its expansive canyon which averages 2,000 feet deep. There are so many stunning views you can enjoy while exploring Zion National Park, including this one at Observation Point.Pat Tr/Shutterstock.com Given the fact that you could easily spend up to a week exploring Zion National Park, an ideal base to make the most of this fantastic destination is Springdale. There are so many great hotels you can choose from, but our favorite has to be Cliffrose Springdale, Curio Collection by Hilton. With incredible mountainous views, stunning balconies, an outdoor pool and free parking, this resort has everything you could possibly need. Situated a short drive from Zion National Park, you can hike or just take a leisurely stroll around the hotel's own gardens, before enjoying a relaxing drink by the pool or taking a soak in the hot tub. The 4-star hotel also offers relaxing, modern rooms and an excellent view to enjoy a sunset or two. Things to see on a road trip from Salt Lake City to Zion National ParkThere's so much to see on the road trip from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park, that you could easily spend a month visiting them all along the way. But if you are pressed for time, here are some of the highlights of this trip: Both Routes
Aneta Waberska/Shutterstock.com The Direct Route
LenzTherapy/Shutterstock.com The Scenic Route
Dmitry Pichugin/Shutterstock.com Best time to go on a road trip from Salt Lake City to Zion National ParkThe best time to go on a road trip from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park depends on what you are looking to do along the way. Zion National Park is accessible during the winter and although it might get a bit chilly, it is an amazing time to hike and enjoy all the park has to offer. The average temperature in this part of Utah in summer is an impressive 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the fact that there are numerous national parks where you swim, scuba dive and kayak, the high temperatures will likely make this an unpleasant time to visit. Instead, the best time to visit Zion National Park is generally considered to be between the months of April and November, when the weather is slightly more comfortable at 65 degrees Fahrenheit. You'll also avoid the June and July crowds and the busiest hotel months. Spring is an excellent time to take in the pretty wildflowers in the forests along the way, while Zion frequenters will insist that fall is the best season, as you'll get to enjoy stunning colors and cool temperatures. You could plan your trip in winter when the park is quieter. With temperatures averaging between 50 and 60 degrees, you'll still be able to enjoy the outdoor attractions along the way, including Fishlake National Park which is stunning in the winter. If you'd like to combine your trip with an event or two, there's Zion Canyon Music Festival held in September or America's Freedom Festival, held in Provo. Is the drive from SLC to Zion pretty?A road trip from Salt Lake to Zion National Park is undoubtedly an amazing experience. It only takes a few hours, but with the stunning landscapes, beautiful countrysides and exquisite cafes, it may end up being one of your favorite road trips ever. While there are many stops along the way, some are better than others.
How far is Zion and Bryce Canyon from Salt Lake City?(4.5 hours from Salt Lake City) Here we enter this beautiful canyon with towering red and white sandstone cliffs and enjoy our first stop at the Human History Museum.
What is the closest major city to Zion National Park?Because Springdale is the closest town near Zion National Park, many accommodations are expensive, but if you want to be close to the park, this is the best town!
What is there to see between Salt Lake City and Zion National Park?Salt Lake City to Zion National Park Road Trip. Start: Salt Lake City. Temple Square in Salt Lake City. ... . Fishlake National Forest. Widgeon Bay on the Fish Lake, Fishlake Scenic Byway, UT. ... . Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. ... . Bryce Canyon National Park and Kanab. ... . Zion National Park. ... . Cedar Breaks National Monument.. |