How to Plan the Perfect One Day in Acadia National Park Itinerary
Discover the best coastal trails, lighthouse views, and cozy places to stay on Mount Desert Island with this one day in Acadia National Park itinerary. If you’re visiting the Maine destination for the first time, this Acadia guide will help you to plan the perfect trip.
Discover the best coastal trails, lighthouse views, and cozy places to stay on Mount Desert Island with this one day in Acadia National Park itinerary.
Waves crashing against the highest rocky cliffs on the Atlantic coast, lakes reflecting vibrant forests on the banks, lighthouses perched above the sea — Acadia National Park is an absolute dream.
If you’re visiting the coastal Maine destination for the first time on a short trip, you may be wondering how to plan an itinerary for Acadia National Park in one day when there is so much to see. I’ve put together the guide below to help you maximize your time for a quick weekend in Acadia.
Did you know that Acadia is one of the 10 most popular national parks in the country? Over 4 million people flock to Maine’s Mount Desert Island each year to hike the 158 miles of trails, cruise along the famous Ocean Drive, and explore the historic carriage roads with their stone bridges.
It’s truly a bucket-list destination that any nature lover should make a point to visit. While you could easily spend a whole week exploring the park and other nearby islands, sometimes you have to find a way to squeeze just one day in Acadia National Park into a packed road trip. Luckily, that is enough time for a scenic drive and a short hike or two along the coast, mountains, and lakes.
Since most of the park is on Mount Desert Island, I recommend sticking to this region for a short visit of one or two days. The one day Acadia National Park itinerary below suggests the best route to follow and some trail options of varying difficulty. If you have two days in the park, fill the extra time with more hiking or biking on the carriage roads.
Acadia National Park Map
Use this map of Acadia attractions to plan your route. All of the activities on this 1 day in Acadia National Park itinerary are pinned for reference. Just click the square at the top right corner of the image to open a Google Map that you can save and edit as you plan your trip.
One Day in Acadia National Park Itinerary
Follow the route on this itinerary for Acadia National Park in one day to maximize your time and sightseeing in the park. We’ve included options for a morning and afternoon hike covering a variety of difficulty levels.
Sunrise at Cadillac Mountain
The highest peak on the Atlantic Coast, Cadillac Mountain is one of the most spectacular places to watch the sunrise — but it’s also one of the most popular things to do in Acadia National Park. The 3.5-mile Cadillac Summit Road winds up to the top, where a short loop trail offers views of Bar Harbor, the coastline, lighthouses and offshore islands.
During the high season, roughly late May through October, you need a vehicle reservation to drive to the top, and options are available for either sunrise or daytime visits. These permits go quickly in the summer, so grab one as soon as possible.
If you don’t want to deal with sunrise crowds at the summit, there are other spots where Park Loop Road traces the coastline with views over the sea. But make sure you drive up Cadillac Mountain at some point throughout the day for the panoramic vistas.
Drive Park Loop Road
The 27-mile Park Loop Road is Acadia’s main scenic drive and the access route to many of the most popular things to do in the park. If it’s your first visit and you only have one day in Acadia National Park, it makes sense to spend most of your time along this route.
Since several miles of the road is one-way, you have to be a bit strategic to avoid wasting time backtracking throughout the day. If you’re coming down from Cadillac Mountain, you’ll want to take a right onto Park Loop Road to start the driving tour, or if you’re entering the park through the Cadillac Mountain entrance station near Bar Harbor, it’s a sharp left U-turn onto the drive before you reach Cadillac Summit Road.
Along the drive, plan to stop at Sieur de Monts for the Wild Gardens of Acadia and the Nature Center, Sand Beach for golden sand and access to several trailheads, and Thunder Hole to see waves crashing into the cliffs.
The section of Park Loop Road between Sand Beach and Otter Cove known as Ocean Drive gets very busy in the middle of the day, so aim to arrive here early in the morning to sightsee and park for a hike before driving the second half of Park Loop Road later in the afternoon.
Morning Hike in Acadia
If you’d like to incorporate a morning hike into your scenic drive, there are several trailheads along the first section of Park Loop Road. Choose from the options below for an easy, moderate or difficult trail.
Ocean Path Trail
The Ocean Path Trail is an easy walk along the coast between Sand Beach and Otter Point. From the trailhead at Sand Beach and back, the entire route is 4.4 miles, round trip and takes at least two hours to complete.
You can shorten the hike by just walking the section between Sand Beach and Thunder Hole for about 1.4 miles, round trip, or from Thunder Hole to Otter Point, about 3 miles, round trip. This is the perfect easy morning hike for your one day in Acadia National Park.
Great Head Trail
Starting from Sand Beach, the Great Head Trail is a moderately challenging hike along the rocky coast. With a 1.3 or 1.9-mile loop option, the path features views of Sand Beach, the Beehive, some ruins, and the ocean. At the highest point, you’ll stand 145 feet above the sea. Allow a couple of hours for this trail.
Beehive Loop
The Beehive Loop is an Acadia staple, but not for the faint of heart (or height). The challenging, 1.4-mile trail with 450 feet of elevation gain includes sections where you’ll climb up iron rungs and steep rocky steps along exposed cliff edges.
The payoff, though, is sweeping views of the Ocean Drive coastline. If you’re up for the challenge, this is a can’t-miss for a first-time in Acadia National Park itinerary. I recommend doing this one first thing in the morning as parking at the trailhead fills up fast.
Lunch at Jordan Pond House
If you only have one day in Acadia National Park, I don’t recommend driving back to Bar Harbor for lunch, especially since the town gets crowded at peak times. A picnic lunch at Jordan Pond is a great option, or you can check out Jordan Pond House, a waterfront restaurant in the national park that’s been around since 1893.
The cafe is famous for its popovers with jam but also serves sandwiches, stews, and seafood. The outdoor lawn seating has views of the lake.
Because it’s a popular spot, you’ll either want to make a priority seating reservation ahead of time or line up to put your name down before it opens at 11 a.m. The Jordan Pond area has some beautiful hiking trails and carriage roads to check out while you wait.
Afternoon Acadia Hike
There are so many incredible trails in Acadia, so I recommend squeezing a second one into your afternoon in the park. Even with just one day in Acadia National Park, you should have time for a couple of hikes as long as you get started early. Especially in summer when the days are longer.
Eating lunch at Jordan Pond puts you in the perfect location to resume your Acadia National Park itinerary in the afternoon with one of the nearby trails. The suggestions below for an easy, moderate and difficult hike are all close to Jordan Pond.
Jordan Pond Path
The 3.3-mile trail around Jordan Pond is one of my favorite hikes in Acadia, especially in fall when the lush foliage on the banks of the lake reflects reds and oranges into the water. The loop around the pond starts near Jordan Pond House and includes a couple of cute wooden bridges, a section on a boardwalk that weaves through the trees, and a walk across a boulder field. It’s a lot of fun for an easy hike.
Plan to spend about 2 hours on this trail.
Bubble Divide Trail
The hills above Jordan Pond are called the Bubbles for their rounded shape. The Bubble Divide Trail takes you up the summits of North Bubble, South Bubble, and Bubble Rock with views of Jordan Pond below.
The moderate, 1.5-mile hike starts from the Bubbles Divide trailhead off Park Loop Road, but you can do a combo hike from the Jordan Pond trailhead for about 4 miles (longer if you continue around the whole lake). This is the perfect afternoon hike for one day in Acadia National Park!
Jordan Cliffs Loop
If you’re looking for a challenging Acadia hike near Jordan Pond, the Jordan Cliffs Loop is a great option. Starting from the lakeside and following carriage roads and a path on Penobscot Mountain, the trail eventually climbs to the summit of Sargent Mountain, for views above Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake.
The difficult, 5-mile trek takes 3 to 4 hours and has a climb on exposed iron rungs.
Sunset at Bass Harbor Head Light Station or Cadillac Mountain
Just like the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, sunset from the Bass Harbor Head Light Station is a classic on a first-timers itinerary for Acadia National Park. Be warned, though, that this is an extremely popular sunset spot and the parking lot is very small (with no overflow or street parking options nearby). If you want to claim a spot at sunset, be prepared to arrive a couple of hours ahead of time and patiently wait.
That said, the classic white lighthouse perched on the edge of rocky cliffs is a beautiful sight, and if you have the time to see it on your 1 day in Acadia National Park, the 20-mile drive over to the west side of Mount Desert Island is worth it.
Located near the town of Tremont, the 1858 Bass Harbor Head Light Station is managed by the national park and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can’t go inside, but you can take in the views from a paved walkway and the rocks below.
For an alternative sunset spot, consider skipping sunrise from Cadillac Mountain and finishing the day there instead. Route-wise, it fits perfectly into this Acadia National Park itinerary.
Tips for Visiting Acadia National Park
This planning guide for one day in Acadia National Park includes the best places to stay, tips for when to go, and information about tickets and reservations.
How to get to Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is located primarily on Mount Desert Island, on the rocky Atlantic coastline of Maine. The closest international airport is in Bangor, Maine, about an hour from the park. Since it’s a smaller airport served by just a handful of airlines, many visitors choose to fly into Boston instead and take a 5-hour Boston to Maine road trip up the coast.
What towns are near Acadia National Park?
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While it’s the most convenient place to stay to access the park’s Hulls Cove Visitor Center, Park Loop Road, and the most popular destinations in Acadia, the town is very busy during the summer season with traffic congestion and crowds. For some alternate options, consider the quieter Northeast Harbor or Southwest Harbor on Mount Desert Island, or Ellsworth on the mainland. On my last visit, I stayed at the Kimball Terrace Inn in Northeast Harbor, which has views of boats on the water.
This guide has even more towns near Acadia National Park.
How long do you need in Acadia National Park?
I recommend spending a minimum of two to three days in Acadia National Park to see the main sights on Mount Desert Island and hike a few trails and carriage roads.
Since the park is so far north in Maine away from major cities, it’s worth it to spend more than just one day in Acadia National Park. With more time, you’ll even be able to visit the less crowded Schoodic Peninsula on the mainland.
If you really need to squeeze in a visit to Acadia National Park in one day, it can definitely be done by following the Acadia itinerary above. While you won’t have time for much hiking, you can still drive Park Loop Road, summit Cadillac Mountain, and take on a scenic trail or two.
How Long Does it Take to Drive the Loop at Acadia?
Park Loop Road in Acadia is only 27 miles. However, you should allow at least a couple of hours to drive it, depending on how many scenic stops you want to make.
Several stretches of the road are one-way traffic, so it’s best to plan out your stops in advance so that you don’t miss anything and have to circle back. When in doubt, pull over and park.
What is the best season to visit Acadia National Park?
The park is open year-round, but Acadia’s primary tourist season is between May and October when the weather is warm enough for roads and trails to be cleared of snow. Peak visitation occurs during summer vacation and fall leaf-peeping weeks, but the park stays pretty busy throughout the season.
If you book a trip in summer, be sure to reserve your accommodations well ahead of time and be prepared for crowds. Coming at the beginning or tail end of the season, like early May or late October, will often yield better prices.
During the winter season, roughly November through mid-April, many park facilities and local businesses close. You can still visit for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and other winter fun, but it will be a much different experience than visiting when the trails are thawed. Be aware that most of Park Loop Road also closes by the first of December.
Acadia National Park tickets
Acadia National Park requires an entrance pass, which is valid for 7 days. Vehicle passes cover up to 15 passengers. Annual passes are also sold. Check current fees here.
You do not need to make a reservation to enter the park, but vehicle reservations are required to drive up Cadillac Summit Road during the high season. Check the current dates and details here.
10 Best Cities and Towns Near Acadia National Park
Looking for the best towns near Acadia National Park? The stunning coastal destination on Mount Desert Island in Maine is known for its cliffs, lakes, mountains and lighthouses. Many Acadia towns and villages are located along bays and harbors, with views of offshore islands. Whether you’re looking for the best campground in Acadia, a charming historic hamlet, or a larger city with amenities, this list of towns close to Acadia National Park lays out the pros and cons of different options.
These cities and towns near Acadia National Park are some of the best places to stay on a trip to the coast of Maine.
Looking for the best cities near Acadia National Park? The stunning coastal park on Mount Desert Island in Maine is known for its cliffs, coves, mountains, and beaches. Many of the best towns near Acadia National Park are located along bays and harbors, with views of bobbing boats and offshore islets.
Whether you’re looking for the best campground in Acadia, charming fishing villages, or a larger city with amenities, this guide to towns close to Acadia National Park lays out the pros and cons of different options.
I’ve also included recommendations for the best places to stay near Acadia National Park, from hotels with a view and cozy lodges to Acadia camping cabins and glamping tents.
Keep reading for where to stay at Acadia National Park on vacation!
Best Towns Near Acadia National Park
The towns close to Acadia National Park are mostly villages and harbors spread across both sides of Mount Desert Island. This is the largest island off the coast of Maine and where the majority of the national park is located.
I’ve also included a couple of towns near Acadia National park that are on the mainland, where you’ll find quicker access to the nearest airport and a few bigger city amenities like chain stores and hotels.
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island is the closest town to Acadia National Park. Fronting Frenchman Bay, the downtown grid along Main Street and Mount Desert Street is packed with seafood restaurants, ice cream shops, gift stores and taverns.
A collection of inns and bed and breakfasts ring the commercial district, many with a coastal flair. More hotels and cottages line Eden Street and Main Street heading in and out of town.
This is by far the most popular place to stay near Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor offers easy access to Acadia’s Hulls Cove Visitor Center and Park Loop Road.
Many popular destinations in the national park like Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Cadillac Mountain and Jordan Pond are only about 5 miles away. From town, you can also walk the Shore Path along the bay or cross the Bar Island Trail at low tide to an offshore island.
While it may be the most convenient town near Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor has some drawbacks. Since the national park has over 4 million visitors annually, the small town tends to get very crowded during the short tourist season (roughly May through October) and accommodation prices are high.
Where to Stay in Bar Harbor
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Northeast Harbor
Northeast Harbor juts into the bay on a mini peninsula, with views of the Cranberry Islands just offshore. Originally settled in the 1760s, the village is is part of Mount Desert town, which also includes Seal Harbor, Otter Creek, Pretty Marsh, Hall Quarry and Somesville.
There are only a few places to stay here, and a small dining and shopping district along a picturesque Main Street a couple of blocks from the harbor, where you can join seasonal scenic boat rides and sunset cruises from the local marina.
Northeast Harbor is one of the closest towns near Acadia National Park’s Park Loop Road, 6 miles away. It’s also just a couple of miles from one of the only two historic gate lodges in the park and an access point to the carriage roads, quiet hiking and biking paths that meander along the mountains. The local Asticou Azalea Garden and Thuya Garden display colorful flora throughout the summer.
This is where I chose to stay, because it is still close to the national park, but not as busy and pricy as Bar Harbor. While there are way fewer amenities, I still prefer it to the crowds. Plus, Bar Harbor is only 20 minutes away if you want to go there to eat.
Where to Stay in Northeast Harbor
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Southwest Harbor
Located on the west side of Mount Desert Island fronting the Somes Sound, Southwest Harbor has views of the Cranberry Islands. The town near Acadia National Park has a compact commercial district on Main Street with cafes and restaurants less than a mile from the marina.
Most of the small inns, B&Bs, and vacation rentals here ring the harbor, but there are a few outlying options in other nearby villages like Seawall, which also has an Acadia national park campground.
While Southwest Harbor is at least a 30-minute drive from popular spots like Cadillac Mountain and Jordan Pond, there are some other Acadia activities on this side of the island. The coastal Wonderland Trail, the Flying Mountain Loop, the St. Sauveur and Acadia Mountain Loop, the Bass Harbor Head Light Station, and Echo Lake Beach and swimming area are all less than 5 miles away.
Where to Stay in Southwest Harbor
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Tremont and Bass Harbor
Tremont, one of the best towns near Acadia national park on the southwestern end of Mount Desert Island, also encompasses the village of Bass Harbor, both located on an isle-dotted inlet. The 1858 Bass Harbor Head Light Station, a popular Acadia landmark, is located here.
This part of Mount Desert Island is often called the “quiet side” as it’s much less crowded than the Bar Harbor area (with the exception of the aforementioned lighthouse). There are only a few inns and cottages to rent here, and a few eateries scattered around the harbor.
Aside from things to do in Acadia National Park like the nearby Wonderland Trail, Long Pond and Echo Lake, Tremont and Bass Harbor are just a water taxi away from Swans Island, where you can hop on boat tours to see lighthouses and puffins.
Where to Stay in Tremont
Trenton
Trenton is a small town near Acadia in mainland Maine just before the bridge to Mount Desert Island. This is a great area to look for places to stay near Acadia if Bar Harbor is too full or expensive. The tiny Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport is also located here.
With just a couple of small hotels, a camping resort, and limited restaurants, this isn’t the most amenity-rich town close to Acadia National Park, but Bar Harbor is only 20 minutes away and Ellsworth on the mainland 15 minutes. The Hulls Cove and Cadillac Mountain entrances to the national park are also about 10 miles from Trenton.
Where to Stay in Trenton
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Winter Harbor
While Winter Harbor, Maine, is about an hour's drive from Mount Desert Island, it sits just across the Frenchman Bay from Bar Harbor and offers access to a less-visited part of Acadia — the Schoodic Peninsula.
A few small inns, cottages, bakeries and cafes are scattered around the coves near Winter Harbor, and the town is about 30 minutes from more amenities in the small city of Ellsworth.
The Schoodic Peninsula is the only section of Acadia on the mainland, with granite cliffs jutting into the gulf. There is a 6-mile driving loop with scenic overlooks of lighthouses and islands, over 8 miles of bike paths, a campground, and hiking trails along the coast and up Buck Cove Mountain and Schoodic Head.
Where to Stay in Winter Harbor
Cities Near Acadia National Park
If you’re looking for the closest city to Acadia National Park, there are a couple within an hour or so of Mount Desert Island. Cities near Acadia National Park are pretty small — Ellsworth has less than 10,000 residents and Bangor a little more than 30,000. Nonetheless, you’ll find more amenities in these larger hubs.
Ellsworth
Ellsworth is one of the closest cities near Acadia National Park, located on the mainland about 20 miles from Bar Harbor and the Cadillac Mountain entrance of the park. Named after a founding father, the small historic city has a downtown Main Street district with shops and restaurants just steps from the Union River, plus the nearest chain stores and fast food options to Mount Desert Island.
Ellsworth offers several accommodations options, from a couple of chain hotels to small inns to an Under Canvas glamping resort. More hotels and an international airport are also just 30 miles away in the larger hub of Bangor.
Where to Stay in Ellsworth
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Bangor
The third-largest city in the state, Bangor is a gateway to the remote reaches of northern Maine, with a small international airport and access to Interstate 95. A bustling downtown district with boutiques, global cuisine, and a giant statue of Paul Bunyan gives way to parks and forests on the outskirts, in a region with a long legacy in timber.
One of the biggest cities near Acadia National Park, Bangor is about 50 miles from Bar Harbor. While the distance is a bit much for driving back and forth to the park, the town makes a great base in the region paired with a visit to Acadia. Aside from outdoorsy activities, you can visit the Maine Discovery Museum for interactive science and nature exhibits and the Zillman Art Museum for contemporary pieces.
There are a wide selection of hotels in Bangor, including several national chains as well as smaller inns and lodges.
Where to Stay in Bangor
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Acadia National Park Campgrounds
The best campgrounds in Acadia National Park include four options managed by the National Park Service and locations just outside park boundaries. Some are easily accessible on Mount Desert Island and others in the more remote reaches of the park.
The campgrounds in the national park are typically cheaper and more basic with fewer comforts like showers. RV camping resorts and Acadia camping cabins nearby on Mount Desert Island or on the mainland may have amenities like hot showers, clubhouses, swimming pools, and more.
Camping in Acadia National Park is a great way to spend more time in nature!
Reservations are required for all of the national park campgrounds and they open two months in advance. If you plan to camp, it’s best to make your reservation as early as possible as the sites do often fill up.
Blackwoods Campground
Blackwoods Campground is on the east side of Mount Desert Island, near popular Acadia destinations like Sand Beach and Cadillac Mountain. The 281 tent and RV sites in the woods are just a 10-minute walk to the sea. Amenities include fire rings and grills, flush toilets, a dump station, and running water, but no showers. It’s typically open from early May to mid-October.
Seawall Campground
On the west side of Mount Desert Island, Seawall Campground has 202 tent and RV sites. Located along the coast, it’s about 4 miles south of Southwest Harbor and a couple of miles from the Bass Harbor Head lighthouse. Campground amenities include a dump station, grills and fire pits, flush toilets and potable water. The season runs from late May to early October.
Schoodic Woods Campground
On the Schoodic Peninsula, across the bay from Bar Harbor, Schoodic Woods Campground is less than 2 miles from the town of Winter Harbor. The 89 tent and RV sites here include drive-up and walk-in options. Vault and flush toilets, potable water, and dump stations are available. Grills and fire rings are available at some sites, but campfires are prohibited at the hike-in sites. Schoodic Woods is open from late May to early October.
Duck Harbor Campground
The most remote Acadia National Park campground, Duck Harbor is located on an island only reachable by ferry and inaccessible to vehicles. To get here, campers have to drive to the town of Stonington, about 1.5 hours from Bar Harbor and take the mailboat to Isle au Haut.
The rustic camp has just five sites in lean-to shelters on the coast, and reservations at this location go quickly. Amenities are limited to hand-pumped potable water and composting toilets, but fire rings and food storage lockers are available for cooking. Trash must be carried out.
While the campground is typically open from mid-May to early October, the mailboat ferry only travels to Duck Harbor from mid-June to late September. If you camp outside of that time frame, the drop-off point is at the town landing on Isle au Haut, a 4-mile hike to Duck Harbor.
Other Campgrounds Near Mount Desert Island
Aside from the campgrounds on national park land, you can find some of the best campgrounds in Acadia on both sides of Mount Desert Island and near Bar Harbor, Trenton and Ellsworth. In many cases, these campgrounds have more amenities than the national park campgrounds, like shower facilities, swimming pools, sports courts, laundry rooms, and Acadia camping cabins.
12 of the Best National Parks in the USA for This Fall
Autumn in the national parks brings vibrant fall foliage, cooler weather, and fewer crowds at popular spots like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. That’s why a fall national parks trip is the perfect chance to see some of these natural gems in the United States. These are our top picks for the best national parks for fall.
The best national parks for fall travel feature colorful forests, cool hiking weather, and fewer crowds.
Autumn in U.S. national parks brings vibrant foliage, cooler weather, and fewer crowds at popular spots like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. That’s why a fall national parks trip is the perfect chance to see some of these natural gems of the United States.
While not all of the parks below are known for their fall colors, they make perfect options for the season for a few different reasons. At spots like Death Valley and Joshua Tree, the temperatures start dropping from fiery hot to comfortable weather for hiking and camping. And super popular parks like Yosemite see dips in visitors during the shoulder season, which makes for a more enjoyable and often cheaper vacation.
Leaf-peepers will get the chance to soak up the crisp air and orange shades in forested settings like Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and Maine’s Acadia, too.
Keep scrolling for our top picks for which national parks to visit in the fall!
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Mesa Verde National Park
By Oksana and Max of Drink Tea & Travel
Located in the southwest corner of Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park holds the dwelling remains of the Ancestral Pueblo people. The park makes an excellent stop on a Colorado road trip to national parks in fall.
In autumn, the weather is perfect for hiking. Daytime temperatures can soar to the upper 80s in the summer months but drop to the 60s and 70s in September to October.
Petroglyph Point Trail is one of the best hiking paths at Mesa Verde National Park and features rock carvings along its 2.4 miles. Another great trail is the Step House loop. It is about 1 mile long and leads to a ruin that visitors can enter through mid-October.
Stop by the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center when you arrive. There is an adjacent museum which offers insight into the history of the park. There are also regular activities and guided ranger walks to dwellings within the park, though most end for the season by mid-October.
Grand Canyon National Park
By Nicole of American SW Obsessed
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is one of the busiest in the country, so fall at the Grand Canyon is an excellent time to visit for fewer crowds along the popular South Rim. Autumn also means cooler temperatures that make hiking safer and more enjoyable.
The South Kaibab Trail is a scenic option to reach the floor of the Grand Canyon in about 7 miles. You can day hike to spots like Ooh-Aah Point or Cedar Ridge before turning back the way you came. Just remember, it can take about twice as long to climb back up as it did to walk down. The views along the hike into the canyon are incredible and different from the lookouts along the rim.
For the best views from the top, follow portions of the Rim Trail or hop on the free park shuttle to reach vistas along Hermit Road — this route on the western end of the park only opens to private vehicles from December through February.
The South Rim is one of the best places to stay in the Grand Canyon, either in Grand Canyon Village or just outside the park in Tusayan, which is only six miles from the entrance.
Acadia National Park
By Tegan and Alex of Why Not Walk
Maine’s Acadia is a true gem at any time of year, but autumn is extra special — the weather is beginning to get a bit chillier, the air is crisp, and fallen leaves crunch beneath your feet. Acadia National Park in fall is a famous “leaf-peeping” destination and this is certainly something to experience at least once in your travels.
The area sees a lot of tourists during the season, though, so it’s imperative that you start your day early to avoid crowds.
While you’re here, you can’t miss visiting the top of Cadillac Mountain, especially to see the sunrise. Make sure you drive or hike up well ahead of dawn, as it can get rather busy. Other great trails and vistas include Bubble Rock, Sand Beach, Jordan Pond, and the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.
Scenic drives perfect for leaf-peeping can be found on Park Loop Road and Carriage Road.
Last, but not least, for a delicious slice of Maine blueberry pie (with ice cream, of course), check out Jordan’s Restaurant in Bar Harbor, and spend an afternoon exploring the quaint seaside town.
Everglades National Park
By Paula of Paula Pins the Planet
Everglades National Park in South Florida offers an incredible opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the only subtropical preserve in North America. The epic destination is full of things to do, from boating and biking to hiking and camping.
One of the highlights of the Everglades is the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge on the Gulf Coast. You can go on a boat or kayak to view crocodiles and dolphins or walk the trails to see turtles and a variety of birds.
Late fall national park visits are ideal here because the temperatures are milder and humidity lower than in summer. Outdoor activities become much more pleasant when the dry season begins in November, and animals become more visible as they gather around wet patches.
Yosemite National Park
By Erin of The Gal On The Go
Yosemite is one of the best U.S. national parks for fall due to fewer crowds and pops of yellow and orange foliage mixed with the forests of evergreen. The weather in this part of California is also ideal, with temperatures dipping to the 70s and below.
Though the park’s famous waterfalls, including Bridalveil and Nevada, tend to slow down this time of year, there is still so much beauty to see. Cook’s Meadow has an easy walking path that is perfect to take in the scenery.
Mirror Lake Trail is a 5-mile round-trip loop that shows nature lovers a different side of Yosemite in fall with its pristine lake. For a more challenging hike, take the Mist Trail which brings you up close to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall.
One of the best lookouts and photo spots of the park is Tunnel View, which is an easy drive up and has a convenient parking lot.
Death Valley National Park
By Katalin of Our Life Our Travel
Death Valley National Park on the border of California and southern Nevada is a unique place worth a visit in October or November. Although the park is more crowded in fall than during the summer heatwave, it is also more pleasant to explore.
Death Valley is one of the hottest places in the world, with a recent high clocked in at 130 degrees at Furnace Creek in August 2020. After the long, sweltering and dry summer, daytime temperatures finally drop below 90 degrees by October and average in the upper 70s in November, suitable for camping and hiking in the park.
There are plenty of places to visit in the Death Valley National Park in the fall. The lowest point of the continental U.S. lies in the Badwater Basin of salt flats. You can walk across the sand mountains of the Eureka Dunes or explore the Ubehebe Crater formed by volcanic steam. Those who are up for a hike can explore the hilly badlands at Zabriskie Point.
Yellowstone National Park
By Sean of LivingOutLau
With over 10,000 geysers, hot springs, mud pots and other hydrothermal features, Yellowstone National Park stands out among the finest landscapes in the United States. It is no surprise why Yellowstone receives millions of visitors annually.
While most come in summer due to school vacations and warm weather, travelers in the autumn will find a pleasant surprise in this nearly 3,500-square-mile wilderness recreation. Yellowstone in fall is off-peak, with fewer visitors to diminish the beauty of the natural wonders in Yellowstone and Yellowstone accommodations that are much cheaper and less likely to be booked out.
Fall is also one of the best times for observing wildlife as it is the rutting (mating) season for many of the animals, such as elk and bison. During this time, their activity level is high and visitors have a good chance to spot them. If you get lucky, you might also see a bear foraging to prepare for winter hibernation.
Joshua Tree National Park
By Dhara of Roadtripping California
Fall is a wonderful time to visit Joshua Tree National Park, located in Southern California’s Mojave and Colorado deserts. October begins the busy season, as temperatures start cooling down enough that you can enjoy all the epic things to do in Joshua Tree National Park.
Known for its enormous rock formations, the park is a mecca for climbers of all levels. In fall, climbing season gets into full swing and you will see pros scaling vertical walls and other visitors scrambling over easier rock piles.
Hiking trails here come in all lengths and difficulty levels. If you are visiting just for the day, you may wish to attempt a couple of shorter ones like the popular Hidden Valley Nature Trail, which offers both boulders and Joshua trees in abundance. More challenging paths become feasible as fall weather sets in.
You can also drive through the park, stopping to take closer looks at the major sights and the diverse flora and fauna. The nearby towns of Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms have an Old West feel, and are worth exploring if you have the time.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
By Noel of Travel Photo Discovery
Of all the fantastic places to explore and enjoy fall colors, Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeastern Ohio really surprises. The only national park located in the state, Cuyahoga is full of fantastic trails and beautiful waterfalls. In autumn, the entire park’s forests turn shades of orange, red and yellow, making the walking paths a magical experience.
One of the most iconic places to visit is Brandywine Falls, a 60-foot bridal-veil style cascade. The Brandywine Gorge Loop goes through a native forest above the creek until you reach the falls viewpoint.
Take the steps down to the bottom of the falls for a closer look and fantastic photo ops. The stream canyon area is also fun to explore if you have free time to walk along the river bed.
The landscape surrounding the national park is full of scenic Akron and Cleveland Metro parks in the rolling Cuyahoga River valley that connects the two cities.
Zion National Park
By Megan of Red Around the World
Zion National Park is great year-round but particularly wonderful in fall. Not only do you get to see the same amazing canyon landscapes as you would in summer, but you can do so with fewer people around and much more enjoyable temperatures (think 70s and 80s instead of 100-plus).
You can also see some fall colors if you're in the right spots. Head up Kolob Terrace Road just outside of the park near the town of Virgin to get above the main Zion Canyon. Here, you'll have views of the park below with leaves changing on the drive to the top.
The cooler weather will allow you to comfortably do a lot more awesome things in Zion in fall. Make sure you hike one of the iconic trails, like Angels Landing or The Narrows. but make time for some lesser-known ones as well, like Hidden Canyon or Canyon Overlook.
While you're in the area, consider day trips to Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument for even lower temps and more fall foliage, especially near Cedar Breaks.
These are the best lodges and hotels near Zion National Park.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
By Kay of The Awkward Traveller
Fall is the perfect time to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California. While it is already one of the least visited national parks in the state, Lassen is even more peaceful without the normally buzzing summer tourists. The weather is also usually mild, dry but a little chilly, with ample sunlight to enjoy the various orange speckled trails.
One of the most beautiful things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park in the fall is to walk along the Pacific Crest Trail, where the trees are an array of autumn colors and evergreen.
If you want a break from forest trekking, there are also dozens of bubbling mud pools and geothermal areas to explore.
Besides hiking, you can visit the park museum through October on limited days. You are also more likely to snag a time slot for activities like horseback riding at Drakesbad Guest Ranch on the park’s outskirts, though the lodge closes by mid-October.
Shenandoah National Park
By Erin of Go Hike Virginia
There's nothing better than motoring along Shenandoah National Park's famed Skyline Drive in the fall for vibrant bursts of fiery amber and golden yellow leaves. Dozens of viewpoints, including Range View Overlook (mile 17.1) and Jewell Hollow Overlook (mile 36.5) implore park-goers to pause for sweeping vistas across the Shenandoah Valley.
Hikers too will be awed by gram-worthy scenery aplenty as they crisscross the park on hiking trails that wow with waterfalls, rock scrambles, historic sites and summit views. Among Shenandoah National Park hikes, the fully-accessible Limberlost Trail allows everyone, regardless of age or abilities, to revel in the multi-colored forested setting.
See the Shenandoah fall foliage in another way – from atop a horse – by arranging a guided horseback trail ride within the park at Skyland Stables. Or, book a rock climbing adventure in the park with Shenandoah Mountain Guides.
The Best Great Smoky Mountains Itinerary for 3 Days in the National Park
This 3-day Great Smoky Mountains itinerary features gushing waterfalls, misty mountains, scenic drives, and the best hikes in the popular national park. Located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, the park offers over 800 miles of trails, dozens of falls, and historic settlements in areas like the Cades Cove valley.
This Great Smoky Mountains itinerary for 3 days features waterfalls, scenic drives, and the best hikes in the national park.
Babbling brooks, sweeping mountain views, gushing waterfalls — it’s all in store for this 3 days in Smoky Mountains National Park itinerary. The popular destination on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina is known for its misty mountains in the southern Appalachians, drawing over 14 million visitors each year.
With some 500,000 acres split between the neighboring states, the park offers over 800 miles of trails, dozens of waterfalls, 2,000-plus miles of streams and tributaries, and the remnants of historic settlements in areas like the Cades Cove valley. It’s also a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve.
A 3-day itinerary in the Smoky Mountains can be as adventurous as hiking the Appalachian Trail and climbing Mount LeConte or as family-friendly as picnicking by the river and playing at amusement parks in nearby Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
The Great Smoky Mountains itinerary below falls somewhere in the middle, with waterfall hikes, scenic drives, and some of the best views in the national park. I’ve included a few trail options each day so you can tailor the outdoorsy time to match your travel style. Keep reading to the end for Smoky Mountains travel tips, like where to stay and how to avoid the crowds.
Where to Stay Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Glamping in the Great Smoky Mountains
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Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is one of the closest towns to the Great Smoky Mountains and a whole experience on its own. It’s very touristy if you stay near the downtown strip, but has tons of restaurants, shops, and family-friendly attractions.
Search for the best deals in Gatlinburg on Booking.com
Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge is just north of Gatlinburg and is famous for the Dollywood theme park. Like Gatlinburg, there are tons of hotels, restaurants, and family-friendly attractions in the town.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Map
This national park map shows the Great Smoky Mountains itinerary actitivies color coded by day. Click to open a Google Map that you can save and edit to start planning your trip.
3 Day Smoky Mountain Itinerary
This Great Smoky Mountains 3 day itinerary highlights some of the best trails, scenic drives and mountain views in the national park. I’ve included a few suggestions each day to level the adventure up or down to suit your style.
Day 1 — Cades Cove and Little River Gorge Road
A drive through the historic Cades Cove valley is a must for any 3 day Smoky Mountains itinerary. If you’re arriving into the park from the west or the Knoxville airport, you can start in Cades Cove before heading towards Gatlinburg on Little River Gorge Road. Otherwise, start on the Gatlinburg side with a hike at Laurel Falls first thing in the morning before driving to Cades Cove. I recommend spending time in Cades Cove around either sunrise or sunset for the best chance at spotting wildlife.
Sugarlands Visitor Center
Pop by the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg before heading out for the day to grab a trail map and browse the gift shop. The building has natural history exhibits and rangers on staff to answer any questions.
If you’re looking for an easy, family-friendly hike to start the day, you can hop on the Fighting Creek Nature Trail from here. The 1.4-mile loop meanders through the woods to a historic cabin.
Laurel Falls Hike
Named for the flowering mountain laurel plants that bloom near the trail in spring, Laurel Falls is an 80-foot waterfall that drops in an upper and lower cascade with a pool in between. The hike to the base is 2.6 miles round trip, and moderately difficult with some elevation gain on the way.
This trail is extremely popular with limited parking, so plan to hike here first thing in the morning or at the end of the day to avoid some of the crowds.
Little River Gorge Road
Little River Gorge Road follows the banks of the Little River, running 17 miles between Townsend, Tennessee, on the west end and the Sugarlands Visitor Center on the east. While it only takes about 30 minutes to drive the whole route without traffic, you should plan to make some stops to see waterfalls and listen to the trickling streams.
From the east side, one of your first stops should be for the Laurel Falls hike before continuing on. There are several parking pullouts with views of the river, but keep a lookout for the Sinks, a short but gushing waterfall, and Meigs Falls, which you can see in the distance from the roadside.
If you have extra time, Little Gorge Road provides access to several trailheads, like the moderate 6.5-mile Meigs Creek Trail that traces the stream or the easy 1.5-mile Metcalf Bottoms Trail to a historic schoolhouse. The Metcalf Bottoms picnic area is a great spot to stop for lunch, with tables fronting the river and restrooms with running water.
Cades Cove Scenic Loop
Situated in a lush valley with the mountains as a backdrop, Cades Cove has the perfect blend of scenery, history, wildlife watching and adventure. The area was settled in the early 1800s and a wide collection of old homesteads and churches still stand.
Along a one-way, 11-mile loop road, you can stop at several log cabins and barns, a trio of clapboard churches, and an operational gristmill. About midway through the drive, the trailhead to Abram Falls leads to a picturesque 20-foot waterfall. Nearby, the Cades Cove Visitor Center offers restrooms, water fill-up stations, an information center, and a large collection of historic buildings.
As you drive by the open valley, keep an eye out for black bears, white-tailed deer, coyotes, wild turkeys, and more. Bear sightings frequently cause traffic jams, so plan to spend at least half a day driving the loop, or more to add in hikes. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to spot wildlife.
At the start and end of the drive, the Cades Cove Campground area has a small shop and deli with ice cream, sandwiches and snacks. There is also a bike rental shop — the Cades Cove Loop is closed to vehicles on Wednesdays throughout the summer so pedestrians and cyclists can sightsee safely.
Abram Falls Hike
Abram Falls is one of the most popular waterfall hikes in the park, located in Cades Cove. The moderately difficult trail is 5 miles round trip, following a creek to a 20-foot drop with a pool at the base. If you plan to hike here, you should add about 3 hours to your Cades Cove agenda.
Day 2 — Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Foothills Parkway
Waterfall hikes and scenic drives are in store on day two of this Great Smoky Mountains itinerary. You can max out the adventure by taking on all the recommended trails or have a more low-key time with a morning walk to Grotto Falls and more time in Gatlinburg in the late afternoon.
Rainbow Falls Hike
The 80-foot-high Rainbow Falls is named for the blur of colors you can see when the afternoon sun hits the mist off the water. A moderately difficult 5.4-mile trail (round trip), traces a creek and crosses the water several times, climbing some 1,700 feet.
Plan for about three to five hours for the hike. You can also make it a full-day excursion by continuing on a 13.4-mile (round trip) path to the Mount Le Conte summit or even stay overnight in log cabins at the LeConte Lodge near the peak.
The trailhead is just 5 miles from Gatlinburg, so it’s a popular hiking destination. Plan to arrive early in the morning to secure a parking spot, as the lot often overflows at busy times.
Grotto Falls
Located along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, the hike to Grotto Falls on the Trillium Gap Trail is just a couple of miles past the Rainbow Falls trailhead. You can walk behind the 25-foot-tall destination waterfall, which is located in a cave-like setting.
The moderately challenging hike is 2.6 miles (round trip) with a couple of easy stream crossings and 600 feet of elevation change. To stretch this out into a longer adventure, keep following the Trillium Gap Trail through lush forests to the summit of Mount Le Conte. The path up and back down the Rainbow Falls Trail is about 15 miles total.
Parking at the Trillium Gap trailhead is extremely limited, so arrive here early in the morning if you don’t want to risk parking a half mile or more away along the shoulder of the road. Roaring Fork Road is one-way for 5.5 miles, so looping back around to look for parking is not ideal.
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Starting just past the Rainbow Falls trailhead, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail traces rushing streams with verdant trees hugging the road. You can stop at 1800s settlements along the path to see old log cabins and a historic gristmill.
The road is 5.5 miles and runs one way, with a few parking spots at significant stops like the Ephraim Bales House and Alfred Regan Tub Mill. Near the end, keep an eye for the roadside Place of a Thousand Drips, where mini falls weave together into a larger water display on the rocks.
At the end of the drive, you’ll find a small gift shop and some old cabins at the 1920s Ely’s Mill.
Foothills Parkway
If you have time for another excursion, the Foothills Parkway on the Tennessee side of the park is the perfect scenic drive to end the day. A 72-mile corridor commissioned in the 1940s traces the length of the park a few miles to the north, but less than 40 miles have been constructed to date in a couple of different sections.
For a short drive, follow the 5 miles on the northeast end from Interstate 40 to Crosby. Or, for a longer option, drive the 33 miles between Wears Valley and U.S. Route 129 at Chilhowee Lake with views of the Great Smoky Mountains from overlooks.
Day 3 — Newfound Gap Road
The main highway through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Newfound Gap Road runs for about 35 miles between Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina. Winding along rivers and streams on both ends, the route climbs some 3,000 feet in the middle through pine and spruce forests. On the way, spots like the Ben Morton and Newfound Gap overlooks offer views of the mountain peaks for miles.
There are several trailheads along this route, so you’ll have to decide whether to spend a few hours hiking in the morning or to devote the entire day to sightseeing. Keep reading for the most notable stops and hikes on this route.
Chimney Tops Hike
Climbing 1,400 feet to the Chimney Tops pinnacles for sweeping mountain views, this trail is 3.5 miles roundtrip and strenuous. Hikers once could follow a ridge up onto the pinnacles, but damage from a wildfire has closed the last quarter mile of the hike. Instead, the end destination is an observation area just below the summit. The trailhead is about 7 miles past the Sugarlands Visitor Center on Newfound Gap Road.
Alum Cave Bluffs Trail
One of the most popular mountain hikes in the park, the Alum Cave Bluffs Trail climbs all the way to the summit of Mount Le Conte, a 10-mile, round-trip route. Many hikers only do half, though, turning around after reaching the massive Alum Cave Bluffs, for a 5-mile trek.
On the way, the path gains 1,200 feet of elevation while passing through old forests, over log bridges, and into a tunnel made by the Arch Rock. There are a pair of large parking areas at the trailhead, but they often overflow onto the side of the road, so plan to start the hike first thing in the morning.
Newfound Gap and the Appalachian Trail
The Newfound Gap mountain pass sits on the Tennessee and North Carolina border near the center of the park. A large parking lot and viewing deck are about midway along Newfound Gap Road.
In addition to the sweeping views, this stopping point also provides access to the Appalachian Trail. A little over 70 miles of the famous 2,190-mile trail passes through the national park. Day hikers can hop on shorter sections from here to points like the Charlies Bunion outcrop, an 8-mile, round-trip hike.
Clingmans Dome
The highest mountain in the park at 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome has an observation deck at the peak with views for over 100 miles in clear conditions. A short but steep paved trail leads up to the tower.
The 7-mile road up the mountain diverts off of Newfound Gap Road and is only open seasonally (typically April through November). Near the parking area, you’ll also find a visitor center with a small store.
I recommend coming for sunrise or sunset if it fits into your plans. If you’re on a round-trip drive from Gatlinburg, you can stop here for sunset on the return to town.
Mingus Mill and Mingus Creek Trail
Less than a mile north of the southern entrance to the park and the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, the 1886 Mingus Mill is a water-powered gristmill. Between mid-March and mid-November, demonstrations are given by a miller and you can purchase cornmeal.
The 5.9-mile, round-trip Mingus Creek Trail also departs from here, following the waterway before climbing into the high country. It’s an out-and-back path, so you can walk partway and turn around for a shorter experience.
Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Mountain Farm Museum
The Oconaluftee Visitor Center is at the southern entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Inside exhibits about the Smokies tell stories of the native residents, the early settlers, and the formation of the park. Just outside, the Mountain Farm Museum has a collection of log structures in a village setting. You can walk around a self-guided path to see the barn, corn crib, smokehouse and more. Demonstrations also take place in the high season.
The visitor center has a gift shop, park information and maps, restrooms, and water stations.
Mingo Falls
While it’s just outside the national park on Cherokee land, Mingo Falls is a must-see while you’re in the area. The 120-foot waterfall is one of the tallest in the state, and you can walk right up to the base on a short but steep quarter-mile trail.
The trailhead is 6 miles from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and about the same distance from the town of Cherokee.
Cherokee
Cherokee, North Carolina, is the gateway to the southern entrance of the national park, about 5 miles away. You can either stop by to visit a couple of museums, make it your base for the park, or just stay for a night or two before continuing on a road trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which starts near here.
A few of the best things to do in Cherokee include the Museum of the Cherokee Indian for art and culture exhibits, the Oconaluftee Indian Village for living history reenactments and performances, and the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort for nightlife and events.
Tips for Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Use this Great Smoky Mountains National Park guide to plan out when to go, where to stay, and how to avoid the crowds.
How to get to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
In Tennessee, the nearest airport to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is in Alcoa, just south of Knoxville. It’s about 25 miles from Townsend and 40 miles from Gatlinburg.
In North Carolina, Asheville Regional Airport is 60 miles from the town of Cherokee and the southern entrance to the park.
Here’s how to plan an Asheville itinerary
What towns are near Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Many people stay on the Tennessee side of the park in Gatlinburg, which is built up with tons of touristy amenities and close to the Sugarlands park entrance. Pigeon Forge is about 10 miles north, with some cheaper hotel options and the popular Dollywood theme park.
West of Gatlinburg and about 10 miles from the park entrance near Cades Cove, Townsend is quieter but has fewer restaurants and shops. This is a great spot to look for cabins and RV parks. Wears Valley is another option between Townsend and Gatlinburg.
Over on the North Carolina side, Cherokee is about 5 miles from the Oconaluftee visitor center and national park entrance. The small town has a strip of touristy shops, budget-friendly hotels and campgrounds, and a huge casino resort full of amenities. About 10 miles west, Bryson City is on the Tuckasegee River and is home to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.
These are the closest towns near the Smoky Mountains
How many days do you need in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Like most national parks, you could spend just a day glimpsing the scenery at Smoky Mountains while passing through on a road trip or stay for a week full of hiking, camping and scenic drives. I recommend a minimum of 2 to 3 days in the Smoky Mountains to get a decent overview.
For your first visit on a short Great Smoky Mountains itinerary, I suggest touring the Cades Cove valley and driving Newfound Gap Road, with a short waterfall or mountain hike each day. If you have 4 or 5 days, you should have time for a couple of longer hikes, for sightseeing in Gatlinburg or Cherokee, or for visiting Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.
What are the best things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
With more than 800 miles of trails and dozens of waterfalls, there are endless opportunities for hiking and sightseeing on a Great Smoky Mountains National Park itinerary. For your first visit, don’t miss the Cades Cove loop, a drive on Newfound Gap Road, a waterfall hike like Grotto Falls or Rainbow Falls, and the view from Clingmans Dome.
If you’re a hiker, some of the most popular options include the trails to Alum Cave Bluffs, Rainbow Falls, Charlies Bunion, Andrews Bald, Laurel Falls and Chimney Tops.
What is the best season to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Every season at Great Smoky Mountains National Park has its pros and cons. The park gets more than 14 million annual visitors, so summer, holidays, weekends and leaf-peeping season all bring crowds.
Winter can be a great time to avoid the crowds, and conditions in the lower elevations around Gatlinburg range from highs in the 50s to lows below freezing. The snowy higher elevations, though, mean closed roads and icy trails. January and February have monthly snowfalls of about 20 inches.
Spring conditions can swing from snowy in March to highs in the 70s and 80s by May and June. The park may not be as crowded in this season if you avoid weekends and spring break holidays.
Summer gets hot and humid in the lower elevations, with highs hitting 90 degrees. Up in the mountains though, it can be 10 degrees or more cooler, perfect for warm hikes. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer.
Fall sees a surge of visitation when the leaves begin to change, which varies from mid-September in the high country to as late as early November in the lower regions.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tickets
There is no entrance fee for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but you will have to pay for things like backcountry permits, camping reservations, and parking.
A parking tag is required throughout GSMNP for vehicles parked for 15 minutes or more. You can purchase a daily tag, weekly tag, or annual tag, with the longer periods offering a greater discount.
12 Best Towns and Cities Near Smoky Mountains National Park
These cities and towns near Smoky Mountains National Park range from buzzing tourist hot spots to quiet creekside communities. The national park on the Tennessee and North Carolina border is the most popular in the country, so picking the right place to stay in the Smokies can mean the difference between traffic and bright lights or the sounds of birds chirping and streams rushing. This list of towns and cities near Smoky Mountains National Park includes a wide variety of ideas for exactly where to stay.
These towns and cities near Smoky Mountains National Park range from buzzing tourist hot spots to quiet communities in Tennessee and North Carolina.
Creekside cabins, glamping tents, resort hotels — you can find them all in the best towns near Smoky Mountains National Park. Located on the Tennessee and North Carolina border, the national park is the most popular one in the country, so picking the right place to stay in the Smokies can mean the difference between traffic and bright lights or the sounds of birds chirping and streams rushing.
This list of towns and cities near Smoky Mountains National Park includes large hubs with airports and chain hotels and small towns in the Smoky Mountains with mom-and-pop shops and elk for neighbors.
In addition to a round-up of locations and all the details on proximity to the park, I’ve included ideas for exactly where to stay, from Tennessee cabins for rent in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to bed and breakfasts in North Carolina. I prefer to stay in a quiet spot surrounded by nature, but there are also bustling tourist towns full of amenities that may suit you better!
Keep scrolling for Smoky Mountains cities and villages you should consider on your next vacation.
Cities and Towns In Smoky Mountains National Park
These towns near Smoky Mountains National Park include gateway hubs like Gatlinburg, cities with airports like Knoxville, and small communities nearby like Waynesville in North Carolina and Townsend in Tennessee.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campgrounds
If you want to camp in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are 10 front country campground locations, including spots in Cades Cove just south of Townsend and Deep Creek near Bryson City. Park campgrounds have running water and flush toilets, but no shower facilities or water and electrical hookups.
Since Great Smoky Mountains is the most popular national park in the country, it’s best to make a camping reservation ahead of time to secure your spot.
There are also several campgrounds on the outskirts of the park around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Cherokee. Typically these options will have hookups for Great Smoky Mountains RV camping, shower facilities, and even resort-style amenities like swimming pools and sports courts.
Gatlinburg
Perhaps the most well-known city near Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg and the Smokies have long been synonymous. The gateway town in Tennessee is just minutes from a visitor center and several waterfall hikes in the national park.
Aside from the outdoor activities nearby, Gatlinburg is packed with kitschy tourist attractions, including the Gatlinburg Space Needle and a skylift for elevated views, mini golf and laser tag for family fun, and adventure parks with activities like zip lining and mountain coasters nearby.
With all these amenities come crowds, though. Over 14 million people visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year, and many of them stay in Gatlinburg. This means inflated hotel prices, crazy traffic, and long lines at the chain restaurants downtown.
If you want the convenience of staying here without the hassle, look for cabins for rent in the Great Smoky Mountains outside the city. Or, head further away to towns near Gatlinburg, TN, like Cosby and Newport on the east side or Townsend on the west.
Where to Stay in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg has tons of hotel options in a wide variety of price ranges. These are some of the top-reviewed options on my favorite hotel booking platform.
The Appy Lodge is also convenient to downtown with indoor and outdoor pools, free parking and a complimentary breakfast. Some of the rooms here have mountain views, fireplaces and balconies!
Old Creek Lodge has a cozy feel with a fireplace and balcony in each room. It’s along the Gatlinburg trolley route so you don’t have to worry about parking downtown and it has a swimming pool.
Pigeon Forge
Best known for the Dollywood theme park, the Smoky Mountains city of Pigeon Forge is about 10 miles north of the national park entrance in Tennessee. Like Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge is set up for action-packed family vacations and is one of the best cities near Gatlinburg for a wide range of amenities and activities.
Restaurants, shops, and amusements (think go-karts, arcades, mini golf) here are located along a large highway, so it’s less walkable but also less packed than Gatlinburg. The Dollywood resort area is just a couple of miles from downtown.
Where to Stay in Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge has over 14,000 lodging units, so you can find hotels and rentals in a variety of price ranges, from budget-friendly inns downtown to pricey resorts and lodges with views on the outskirts.
Twin Mountain Inn and Suites has fireplace and balcony rooms on the river, a seasonal pool, and an outdoor fire pit with rocking chairs.
Music Road Resort is perfect for families with an outdoor water park, hot tub, game room and continental breakfast.
Sevierville
A statue of Dolly Parton and her guitar sits in the courthouse square of Sevierville, Tennessee, birthplace of the country music legend. The city near Smoky Mountains National Park is just north of Pigeon Forge and about 30 minutes from the park entrance.
While there are still a few attractions here, including a waterpark and aviation museum, the city is noticeably less touristy than Gatlinburg and has a restored historic district downtown with local shops and eateries.
Sevierville is a great option if you’re looking for affordable places to stay near the Smoky Mountains or prefer towns and cities near Pigeon Forge that are a bit less busy.
Where to Stay in Sevierville
Central Hotel is the best place to stay near historic downtown Sevierville. The contemporary property has city views and family rooms and is a short walk to local shops and cafes.
Berry Springs Lodge is a lux option outside of town perfect for Smoky Mountains honeymoons or couples getaways. Rooms and suites have private balconies and some feature fireplaces and spa tubs.
Wears Valley
Towns near Smoky Mountains National Park like Wears Valley offer the convenience of tourist hotspot amenities without the constant noise and activity. The small town near Gatlinburg is about 15 miles west of the Sugarlands Visitor Center for Great Smoky Mountains. But, it’s just 3 miles off Little River Gorge Road, a popular drive in the park to see waterfalls.
A handful of local eateries and shops are scattered along Wears Valley Road, and accommodation options include RV parks, small hotels, and cabin rentals tucked in the woods. Wears Valley is best for those looking for towns in the Smoky Mountains that are less crowded and more connected to the natural surroundings.
Where to Stay in Wears Valley
Townsend
Known as the “peaceful side of the Smokies,” Townsend, Tennessee, is the place to be for riverside cabins and small town charm. It still has everything you need for a mountain vacation — coffee shops, restaurants, outfitters — but with far less of a kitschy and commercial vibe than Gatlinburg.
While Townsend is about a 45 minute drive from the Gatlinburg entrance to the park, it’s one of the closest cities near Smoky Mountains’ Cades Cove, a scenic driving loop with historic homesteads and wildlife. It’s also just 20 miles from the airport in Knoxville.
Where to Stay in Townsend
Dancing Bear Lodge is a large resort-style property with rooms and private cabins. An on-site restaurant, gardens, dog park and coffee shop are among the amenities.
Highland Manor Inn is a budget-friendly option with an outdoor pool, playground and breakfast buffet.
Maryville and Alcoa
The Maryville and Alcoa area is home to McGhee Tyson Airport, one of the best gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains. Since it’s about 45 minutes to Cades Cove and Little River Gorge, and well over an hour to Gatlinburg, you probably shouldn’t make this your base Smoky Mountains city. But, it might be convenient to stay here a night on your way in or out or stop for groceries at one of the bigger markets.
Where to Stay in Maryville and Alcoa
Knoxville
Similar to Maryville, this bigger city near Smoky Mountains National Park doesn’t make the best base for day trips into the park — it’s about 40 miles to the Sugarlands or Cades Cove entrances. But, as the third largest city in Tennessee, Knoxville is worth a stop on it’s own accord if you’re road tripping to the park.
Located on the Tennessee River, Knoxville hosted the 1982 World’s Fair expo and today the World’s Fair Park is home to an observation tower, the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial, the Knoxville Museum of Art, and an amphitheater performance space.
Where to Stay in Knoxville
Knoxville has hundreds of accommodations to pick from, but if you’re looking for a unique place to stay, these are a few standouts.
The Tennessean is a lux property downtown with an on-site restaurant and rooms with views.
Cherokee
Located on the south side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee is less than 5 miles from the Oconaluftee entrance and visitor center. One of the best Smoky Mountains towns in North Carolina, it’s on Cherokee Nation land and preserves the heritage at attractions like the Oconaluftee Indian Village, a replica of an 18th century Cherokee community, and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, with art and culture exhibits.
Cherokee is also just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and has a short hike to 120-foot-high Mingo Falls nearby that you shouldn’t miss. While it takes an hour or so to drive over to Gatlinburg and Little River Gorge Road from here, several other GSMNP destinations are along the route, including the Mountain Farm Museum, Clingman’s Dome, popular hikes at Alum Cave Bluffs and Chimney Tops, and several scenic mountain lookouts.
While it’s not a big city near the Smoky Mountains, Cherokee is set up for tourists, with plenty of budget-friendly hotels, shops and restaurants, and a casino resort.
Where to Stay in Cherokee
Cherokee has a selection of budget motels and inns, including well-known chains and a few local properties.
Stonebrook Lodge is across the road from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, so you can easily pop over to check out the entertainment and dining.
On my last visit I stayed at the Bay Mountain Inn, a low-cost, low-frills hotel with a seasonal pool and a fridge and microwave in the room.
Bryson City
Neighboring Cherokee, Bryson City sits along the Tuckasegee River and is one of the closest towns near Smoky Mountains on the North Carolina side. From here, it’s less than 15 miles to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and park entrance.
Aside from the nearby national park attractions, one of the best things to do in Bryson City is a train ride with the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Routes venture into gorges, through tunnels, and to historic mountain towns.
A walkable commercial district here has diners and gift shops, and a selection of small inns and chain hotels are scattered around the Smoky Mountain town.
Where to Stay in Bryson City
McKinley Edwards Inn is a small guesthouse with a garden and daily continental breakfast.
Stonebrook Lodge has an indoor pool and is in walking distance to downtown shops and restaurants.
Nantahala Village has rooms with mountain views and onsite amenities like a pool, fitness center and game room.
Asheville
With the Biltmore Estate, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and tons of waterfalls and parks nearby, Asheville is one of the cities near the Smoky Mountains on the North Carolina side with the most things to do.
While it’s not the most convenient for day trips into the park — about 40 miles from the Cataloochee Valley and 55 miles from the Oconaluftee entrance — Asheville is a vacation destination of its own that can easily be paired with the Smokies. Plus, it has a fast-growing regional airport.
Downtown Asheville has tons of options for dining and shopping, but with a much more homegrown small business vibe than Gatlinburg. Make sure to stop by the River Arts District for tacos and street art and drive out of town on the the Blue Ridge Parkway for scenic overlooks and waterfall hikes.
Where to Stay in Asheville
Asheville has so many amazing places to stay, from modern downtown hotels in walking distance to shops and restaurants, to cozy bed and breakfasts in historic districts.
Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate has a heated pool, on-site dining and a nearby winery.
Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville has rooms with views of the mountains and is in the perfect spot to walk to local shops and restaurants.
Waynesville, Lake Junaluska and Maggie Valley
Waynesville, Lake Junaluska and Maggie Valley are neighboring towns near the Smoky Mountains about midway between Cherokee and Asheville. If you’re looking for somewhere a little less crowded and budget-friendly to stay on the North Carolina side of the park, this area makes a great option.
From Waynesville, it takes about 35 minutes to reach the quiet Cataloochee area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park or 50 minutes to the Oconaluftee entrance. The Blue Ridge Mountains loom over the valley here, and in less than 20 minutes, you can drive up onto the Blue Ridge Parkway to view the towns from above.
There’s also lots of mom-and-pop restaurants in this area dishing everything from barbeque and southern cuisine to pizza, pasta and seafood.
Where to Stay in Waynesville, Maggie Valley and Lake Junaluska
Between the three Smoky Mountains towns you’ll find an assortment of waterfront inns, bed and breakfasts, and low-cost chain motels.
Four Seasons Inn on a creek in Maggie Valley is highly reviewed. Some rooms are on the waterfront with spa tubs!
The Terrace Hotel at Lake Junaluska is a large conference-center property with a seasonal pool, continental breakfast, tennis court and fitness center. Rooms on the lakeside have a view!
Hot Springs
Hot Springs isn’t an obvious choice of towns near Smoky Mountains, but the small community in North Carolina is one of the best gateways to the remote Cataloochee section of the park. Located along the French Broad River and Spring Creek, it’s named for the natural mineral waters that local resorts pipe into bubbling tubs.
The town has a few inns and bed and breakfasts, as well as a small commercial district for dining. This is a great option for a place to stay near the Smoky Mountains for a more relaxed and less crowded vacation.
Where to Stay in Hot Springs
Tips for Where to Stay in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
These are a few of the things you need to know when deciding where to stay in the Smokies, plus frequently asked questions.
Which City is Closest to the Smoky Mountains?
There are a few cities on either side of the national park, but Gatlinburg is one of the nearest cities to the Smokies and a great choice for family vacations.
What City Do You Fly Into for the Smoky Mountains?
On the Tennessee side, the closest airport to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is McGhee Tyson Airport, just south of Knoxville. It’s about 20 miles from Townsend and 45 miles from Gatlinburg.
On the North Carolina side, Asheville Regional Airport is about 60 miles from Cherokee and the south entrance to the national park.
Is Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge Closer to the Smokies?
Gatlinburg is just outside of an entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so it is the closest city of the pair. However, Pigeon Forge is just 7 miles north, so it’s also a great place to stay in the Smokies.
8 of the Best Places to Stay in Death Valley National Park
The best places to stay in Death Valley National Park include desert villages and campgrounds on the border of California and Nevada. At 3.4 million acres, Death Valley is the largest national park in the Lower 48, so it can be hard to figure out exactly which hotels are the closest. We’ll weigh the pros and cons of each location to help you figure out where to stay at Death Valley National Park.
The best places to stay in Death Valley National Park includes small villages with mining history and desert campgrounds under the stars.
Wondering where to stay at Death Valley National Park on your next trip? The remote desert park is on the border of California and Nevada, about two hours from the closest major city of Las Vegas.
At 3.4 million acres, Death Valley is the largest national park in the Lower 48, so it can be hard to figure out exactly which small towns near Death Valley National Park are the closest. When I was deciding where to stay on my solo trip, I compiled a lot of research to figure out which spots had the easiest park access and amenities.
Below I’ll cover your options and go into more detail about the best places to stay near Death Valley National Park and which cities near Death Valley should be on your radar.
Should You Stay in Death Valley National Park?
While there is some lodging in Death Valley National Park, there are pros and cons to staying inside the park versus on the outskirts. With just a handful of places to stay in Death Valley in the communities of Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells, reservations can be pricey and book out quickly.
Plus, amenities like restaurants and markets are limited and gas stations in the park can cost twice as much as those outside. But, you will have a shorter drive to some of the more popular destinations on a Death Valley itinerary, so this can work out best for a quick trip.
Since Death Valley is so big, even if you stay in the park, you may drive an hour or more to reach certain destinations. For this reason, it’s worth looking into small towns on the outskirts, where there are more hotels and restaurants and lower gas prices.
Best Death Valley Camping
Looking for the best camping in Death Valley? The national park maintains nine Death Valley campgrounds, and some of the more remote ones are even free.
The campgrounds are some of the best places to stay in Death Valley if you want to spend a lot of time outdoors and enjoy the night skies.
The best campground in Death Valley to reserve ahead of time is Furnace Creek, which is open year-round for tent and RV camping and has hookups, water, flush toilets, and a dump station. Close by, the seasonal Sunset and Texas Springs campgrounds are first come, first served with similar amenities but no RV hookups.
Stovepipe Wells is one of the best places to camp in Death Valley near the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. It’s open late fall through spring but can’t be reserved and has no RV hookups. Water and flush toilets are available and there is a general store and restaurant nearby. There is another Stovepipe Wells campground and RV park in this area run by a vendor.
The rest of the Death Valley campgrounds are a bit more remote, don’t take reservations, and have fewer sites and amenities. A couple are down gravel roads that are only accessible in a high-clearance vehicle and don’t have water or flush toilets.
Furnace Creek
Sitting some 190 feet below sea level, Furnace Creek, California, is a small town in Death Valley National Park that’s home to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, a gas station, a few campgrounds and a pair of hotels. This is the best place to stay in Death Valley for quick access to Zabriskie Point and the top park highlights along Badwater Road.
The family-friendly Ranch at Death Valley neighbors the golf course and offers a pool, sports courts, a playground, an ice cream parlor and an old-timey saloon. In addition to patio rooms, the historic property has brand new private cottages.
Stovepipe Wells
Also located within park boundaries, Stovepipe Wells, California, is one of the best places to stay in Death Valley in a central location. The small community located along Route 190 neighbors the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Mosaic Canyon and is about 30 minutes from Furnace Creek.
In addition to some of the best camping in Death Valley, there is a market, gas station, restaurant, saloon, RV park and hotel with a pool. This area is usually a little cheaper than the Furnace Creek options while still keeping you within the park.
Beatty
Just 10 miles from the park entrance and 40 miles from Furnace Creek, Beatty, Nevada, is one of the closest towns near Death Valley National Park. It’s the best place to stay in Death Valley for easy access to the park but with more amenities and lower prices. And, you may even spot a wild donkey wandering around town.
Beatty has a few restaurants and hotels, a market, a local history museum, and gas stations that are much cheaper than the ones in the national park. Just outside of Beatty, you can also visit the Rhyolite ghost town, Goldwell Open Air Museum, and Tom Kelly’s Bottle House, a well-preserved structure built with glass bottles in 1906.
Amargosa Valley
South of Beatty, Amargosa Valley, Nevada, is an unincorporated community off of U.S. Route 95 with not much more than a gas station, market, and hotel. The town near Death Valley is also between two other nature reserves — the Big Dune Recreation Area, a sand dune playground with peaks up to 500 feet high, and Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, which has a boardwalk, a bright blue spring, and a water cavern of unknown depth that’s home to rare pupfish.
Death Valley Junction
Just across the state line in California, Death Valley Junction is about 25 miles southeast of Zabriskie Point. While there aren’t many amenities here, it’s one of the best places to stay in Death Valley for access to attractions along Route 190 and Badwater Road.
Shoshone
Pahrump
If you’re looking for places to stay in Death Valley for more amenities, Pahrump, Nevada, is your best bet. The small town is about midway between Las Vegas and Death Valley, right on the California border.
Las Vegas
For big cities near Death Valley, Las Vegas is your best option. About 120 miles from the park, Sin City can work as a place to stay near Death Valley if you just visit on a day trip. It takes between two to three hours to reach the park.
If you want to take a day trip from Vegas to Death Valley, there are lots of tour providers that pick you up in the city and guide you to the best sites in the park, like Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin and Artists Palette. This can be a great way to get a quick overview of Death Valley while you’re visiting Las Vegas.
In addition to the casinos and nightlife on the famous Las Vegas Strip, there are other gorgeous parks right outside the city, like Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
How to Plan the Perfect One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary
This one day in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary includes the best things to do in the famous Colorado park. With more than 100 mountain peaks and lakes and 300-plus miles of hiking trails, it takes some planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in one day. I’ve put together this Rocky Mountain itinerary for first timers who want to see a little bit of everything, from reflective lakes to the tallest peak in the park.
This one day in Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary includes all the best places to see and things to do in the famous Colorado park.
Alpine lakes, gushing waterfalls and sky-high drives along the Continental Divide are all in the cards on this itinerary for Rocky Mountain National Park. The Colorado park is about 70 miles outside of Denver, so it’s perfect for a quick outdoorsy road trip.
This is one of my favorite national parks, and the itinerary below is full of activities I’d recommend for your first visit.
With more than 100 mountain peaks and lakes to see and some 300 miles of hiking trails, it takes some planning to see Rocky Mountain National Park in one day. I’ve put together this Rocky Mountain itinerary for first timers who want to see a little bit of everything, from reflective lakes to the tallest peak in the park.
While you won’t have time for every single hike on this list, I wanted to provide a variety of options for different types of travelers. From the trail list below, you can find anything from a wheelchair accessible lake loop to a family-friendly waterfall hike to more adventurous treks with incredible views of the mountains.
The park isn’t only for hikers though, so I’ve also featured three of the best scenic drives you should consider on a Rocky Mountain National Park 1 day itinerary. If you stick around for a second day, you may be able to do all of them heading in and out of the park!
Where to Stay Near Rocky Mountain National Park
If you only have one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, I recommend staying close by so that you can get an early start to maximize your time. The closest town to Rocky Mountain National Park is Estes Park, and this is the best place to stay for a short Rocky Mountain itinerary.
Some other highly reviewed hotels in Estes Park include the The Inn on Fall River on the outskirts of town and Silver Moon Inn near the business district.
Rocky Mountain National Park Map
This Rocky Mountain itinerary map includes all of the stops on this guide. Click to open it in Google Maps and save the destinations.
One Day in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary
If it’s your first trip to the park, the ideal one day in Rocky Mountain National Park itinerary would look something like a hike in the morning, a picnic lunch by a lake, and an afternoon scenic drive with stops. Below, I’ve included a few different options to fit into your day, but you’ll have to narrow down which trails and scenic routes you want to cover as they may not all fit your agenda.
If you’re spending the night in Estes Park, I would recommend doing the Trail Ridge Road option, but if you have to return toward Denver on the same day, drive the Peak to Peak Highway in that direction instead.
Bear Lake Corridor Hikes
The Bear Lake Corridor refers to all the trails and destinations along Bear Lake Road, just past the Beaver Meadows entrance on U.S. Route 36. This is one of the most popular areas to spend one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, and you’ll need a reservation for the Bear Lake Corridor to enter here between late May and early October.
There are tons of trails along the nearly 10-mile route and offshoots like Moraine Park Road and Fern Lake Road, but the bulk of the hikes below can be accessed at the very end of the pavement at the Bear Lake Trailhead. The parking here fills up early in the morning, but there is a park and ride lot and shuttle stop about halfway down Bear Lake Road.
Keep reading for suggested trails in the Bear Lake Corridor to pick one or two that work for your group and check out the trail guide here.
Bear Lake Loop
The Bear Lake Loop is one of the easiest trails in this section of the park, encircling the body of water for about half a mile. Even though it’s quick and simple, the views are spectacular, especially on the north and east side where you can see Longs Peak and Hallett Peak in the distance.
Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lake Trail
The trail to Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lake is my favorite, with a 3.6-mile out-and-back path featuring a trio of alpine lakes. It takes about two hours to hike the whole thing, but allow extra time to sit and enjoy the views at each.
Nymph Lake has a gorgeous mountain reflection and is a pretty easy 1 mile out and back trail, so you can just hike here if you’re short on time or don’t want to continue on the moderately difficult uphill path to the other two. If you make it to Dream Lake (2.2 miles), you should continue all the way to Emerald Lake at the end to see the peaks towering overhead around the water.
Alberta Falls Trail
Alberta Falls is another popular hike to a gushing waterfall on Glacier Creek. The quickest access is from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead for an easy 1.6-mile out-and-back hike, but you can also get here from the Bear Lake Trailhead, which makes it about 1.8 miles.
If you want a less-crowded lake trail, you can continue on from Alberta Falls to Mills Lake for a moderate, 5.6-mile hike.
Bierstadt Lake Trail
The trailhead for Bierstadt Lake is about 7 miles down Bear Lake Road. It leads out to and loops around Bierstadt Lake for a moderate, 3.2-mile hike. In the right conditions, the lake reflects the mountain peaks behind it.
Sprague Lake Loop
The Sprague Lake Loop is an easy and family-friendly hike of about 1 mile. The path is hard-packed and pretty flat with benches along the way, so it’s accessible and suitable for most ages and abilities. The mountain views and reflections are gorgeous here around sunrise, and you might even spot some wildlife.
The turn-off to the trailhead is about 6 miles down Bear Lake Road.
Moraine Park Discovery Center
If you have a little extra time, pop by the Moraine Park Discovery Center before leaving the Bear Lake Corridor. Surrounded by pines, the historic building holds a national park museum with geology exhibits. There’s also an amphitheater, ranger programs, and beautiful views over the valley below.
This visitor center is about a mile down Bear Lake Road. Aim to wrap up in the Bear Lake Corridor by mid afternoon at the latest to save enough time for a scenic drive in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Old Fall River Road and Trail Ridge Road Scenic Drive
Trail Ridge Road is one of the best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park in one day. If you’re exiting the park on the west end toward Grand Lake, you can do the whole thing as a one-way drive.
Otherwise, make the Alpine Visitor Center or Farview Curve Viewpoint your final destination for about a 2-hour drive, with extra time needed for stops. You can either come back on the same route, or make a loop by driving west to Alpine Ridge on Old Fall River Road (gravel and one way) and back east on Trail Ridge Road.
Keep reading for more info on this route and what to see on Trail Ridge Road.
Old Fall River Road
About 11 miles long, this one-way drive takes a good 45-plus minutes on a gravel road with switchbacks leading up the Fall River Pass to an elevation of 11,796 feet. Along the way, you can stop to see Chasm Falls and look for elk grazing around Willow Park.
Alpine Visitor Center and Alpine Ridge Trail
At an elevation of 11,796 feet, the Alpine Visitor Center sits near the top of Trail Ridge Road about an hour from Estes Park to the east and Grand Lake to the southwest. In addition to the visitor center, this spot has a gift shop, cafe and indoor restrooms.
While you’re here, take a few minutes to climb the steps up the Alpine Ridge Trail for a panoramic view over the park at 12,005 feet above sea level. The path climbs 209 feet over 0.3 miles for a round trip distance of 0.6 miles.
Trail Ridge Road
Stretching nearly 50 miles between Grand Lake and Estes Park, Trail Ridge Road crosses the Continental Divide and climbs up to 12,183 feet on tight switchbacks. There are tons of viewpoints and trailheads along the way, so you could easily spend a full day just on this route.
With a Rocky Mountain National Park 1 day itinerary, try to set aside three or four hours to drive up to the Alpine Visitor Center and back with scenic stops. If you want to hike or drive all the way to Grand Lake and back, you’ll need even more time.
Some of the best overlooks on this route include the Farview Curve Viewpoint, Medicine Bow Curve Overlook, Forest Canyon Overlook, Rainbow Curve Overlook, and Many Parks Overlook.
Peak to Peak Highway Scenic Drive
If you’re just doing a day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park and need to head back toward Denver or Boulder by nightfall, you might need to skip Trail Ridge Road and end the afternoon by driving the Peak to Peak Highway instead.
About 55 miles long, the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway runs between Estes Park and Blackhawk. While most of it is outside the national park, a few Rocky Mountain destinations are just off the road. It takes at least 1.5 hours to drive the 60 miles one way, but add in extra time for the stops below.
Lily Lake Loop
Lily Lake is part of Rocky Mountain National Park and just 7 miles south of Estes Park. An easy and flat 0.8 mile loop trail encircles the lake for mountain views and picnic benches are located near the parking lot.
Saint Catherine’s Chapel on the Rock
Just a quick stop on the route, Saint Catherine’s Chapel on the Rock is a pretty stone structure that holds mass and weddings. When it’s open, you can pop inside to look around, or just pull over to snap a couple of pics of the photogenic structure with a mountain backdrop.
Wild Basin Trails
The Wild Basin section of Rocky Mountain National Park is about 15 miles south of Estes Park off the Peak to Peak drive. This area is known for its lakes and waterfalls, and you can hop on several different trails from here. The shortest is a 0.6 mile round trip jaunt to Copeland Falls but the others will require more time than you likely have with just one day in Rocky Mountain National Park. You can read the trail guide here.
Rocky Mountain Itinerary Tips
Use these tips to help plan your day in Rocky Mountain National Park. I’ve included everything from reservation information to where to stay and what to pack so you can arrive prepared.
Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park
Late spring through early fall is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, when the days are long, the weather is perfect for hiking, and trails and roads are all open. From late May through early October, the park requires a timed entry reservation — more details on that below.
Spring can be a great time to avoid crowds, but the weather is somewhat unpredictable. Snowfall can occur in April and May, and many trails will still have wintry conditions, but at the lower elevations, highs typically average in the 50s and wildflowers begin blooming. Trail Ridge Road usually opens by late May.
In summer, temperatures average in the upper 70s for highs and 40s for lows in the Estes Park region. Wildflowers bloom in the alpine regions during this time and afternoon rain is common. This is the busiest time, so be sure to book campgrounds, accommodations, and entry reservations as far in advance as possible since Rocky Mountain is one of the most popular national parks in the U.S.
Fall is a particularly scenic time to visit, when the aspen trees turn golden in September and the elk rut (listen for the males bugling, it sounds like a scream). As the season progresses, average highs drop into the 60s and 50s, with lows in the 30s. Pop up snow storms are possible even in September at the higher elevations and Trail Ridge Road typically closes for the season by mid-October.
These are the best national parks to visit in fall
If you visit in winter, you’ll need snowshoes, crampons or microspikes for many trails and the higher elevations have extreme conditions with blizzards, deep snow, and sub-zero temps. In the Estes Park area, winter highs average around 40 and lows in the teens.
How Many Days in Rocky Mountain National Park
You may be wondering, is one day enough for Rocky Mountain National Park? With over 300 miles of hiking trails and dozens of mountain peaks and lakes, you could visit the park for weeks and never see it all.
While I would recommend staying for at least two or three days if possible, with one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, you can still get some incredible views and enjoy a hike or two.
For a one day Rocky Mountain itinerary, I recommend focusing on the Bear Lake Corridor for your first trip and driving part of Trail Ridge Road. With more days, you can add in longer hikes, drive the entirety of Trail Ridge Road and the Peak to Peak Highway, explore Estes Park, and devote time to wildlife watching at dusk and dawn.
What Should You Not Miss in Rocky Mountain National Park?
If it’s your first trip to Rocky Mountain, you definitely don’t want to miss the Bear Lake Corridor, which has some incredible lake and waterfall hikes on a range of trail difficulties. The first few on your list for a day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park should be Bear Lake, Emerald Lake and Alberta Falls.
With a Rocky Mountain National Park one day itinerary, you can also squeeze in a scenic drive on Trail Ridge Road, which offers incredible elevated views of the park along the continental divide.
If you’re unable to get a timed reservation ticket to the Bear Lake Corridor, you can also access waterfall and lake hikes in the Wild Basin area of the park along the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway and visit Lily Lake just outside of Estes Park.
Rocky Mountain National Park Passes
Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours a day all year, but some roads, trails and services are only available during the summer tourist season.
To access the park, you will need a park pass or entrance fee plus a timed entry reservation if you are visiting between late May and October (the exact dates change each year). The entrance fee is either $30 per vehicle for one day in Rocky Mountain National Park, $35 for 7 days, or $70 for an annual pass to the park.
Rocky Mountain Timed Entry Reservations
For the timed entry reservation, you can select either park access WITH Bear Lake Road, or park access WITHOUT Bear Lake Road. To see everything on this itinerary for Rocky Mountain National Park, you will need the reservation with access to Bear Lake Road, which sells out the fastest.
Reservation tickets operate in two-hour entry windows, with times from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the Bear Lake Corridor and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the rest of the park. Outside of those windows, you can enter without a reservation. You must enter the park during your two hour reservation window, but once your reservation has been scanned, you can exit and reenter throughout the day.
You need a reservation for each day you plan to enter the park, and in outlying areas (like Lily Lake and Wild Basin), you are supposed to print and display your reservation on your dash.
May and June reservations open on May 1, and the following months open on the first of the month for the next month (June 1 for July, July 1 for August, etc.). A few permits are held back and released at 7 p.m. MDT the day before the reservation for last-minute planners, but they go quickly.
Each reservation requires a nonrefundable $2 processing fee. You’ll have to make an account on recreation.gov to purchase the reservation, so I recommend doing that ahead of time so that you’re ready to go when the slots open up.
Click to learn more and reserve your time slot
Rocky Mountain National Park Guided Tours
What to Pack for Rocky Mountain National Park
What do you wear to Rocky Mountain National Park? This will largely depend on what season you are visiting in and whether or not you plan to hike. The packing list below is based on a trip in the summer season that follows the Rocky Mountain itinerary above.
Activewear | Comfortable outfits are ideal for Rocky Mountain National Park sightseeing so you’re ready to hop out for a hike. Just be sure to layer sweaters and jackets for temperature fluctuations depending on the season.
Jacket | Layers are necessary throughout the year, especially if you’re going out on an early morning hike.
Backpack | A day pack is useful to carry your gear while you’re walking and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Hydro flask | Bring a reusable bottle to carry around the park and always hike with plenty of water.
First aid supplies | A small first aid kit is alway handy when visiting a national park, especially if you’re hiking.
Which Rocky Mountain National Park Entrance is Best?
Rocky Mountain National Park has four different entrances on two sides of the park. Beaver Meadows is probably the most popular, just 3 miles west of Estes Park and right by the Bear Lake Corridor. There is a visitor center here.
The Fall River entrance is 5 miles northwest of Estes Park and less busy than Beaver Meadows. Use this one to access Trail Ridge Road or Old Fall River Road. The Fall River Visitor Center is located near here as well.
The Wild Basin entrance is about 15 miles south of Estes Park. If you’re driving from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park, you can take the Peak-to-Peak Highway to this section of the park for a less crowded Rocky Mountain itinerary.
Grand Lake is the only Rocky Mountain National Park entrance on the west side of the park, at the beginning of Trail Ridge Road. There is a visitor center here as well. Trail Ridge Road is the most scenic route to drive in Rocky Mountain National Park, so if it fits your itinerary, try to arrive or exit from this side.
10 of the Best Cities and Towns Near Rocky Mountain National Park
Looking for cities and towns near Rocky Mountain National Park for your next vacation? We’ve rounded up 10 places to stay in Colorado near the popular park, ranging from the bustling Denver metro to old mining villages in the mountains.
These cities and towns near Rocky Mountain National Park are the best places to stay for your trip to Colorado.
Looking for the closest towns near Rocky Mountain National Park for your next vacation? I’ve rounded up 10 Colorado cities, towns, and mountain villages that are the perfect place to stay on your next trip.
The stunning national park in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado is one of my absolute favorite places to visit, with breathtaking lakes, adventurous hiking trails, and scenic drives along curving alpine roads.
When you’re looking for where to stay, you’ll find that cities near Rocky Mountain National Park with hotels range from the bustling Denver metro to old mining communities in the foothills that nearly hit ghost town status. Using the list below, you can decide which side of the park you want to be on, what amenities are important to you, and where to find budget-friendly hotels.
We’ve also included ideas for the best places to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park, whether you prefer a cozy cabin in the woods, a luxury lodge, or a simple motel with great access to the outdoors.
Keep reading for where to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park.
Towns Near Rocky Mountain National Park
Click to open this Google Map with pins for cities and towns near Rocky Mountain National Park. I’ve also marked where all of the national park entrances are located so that you can see how far away each town is.
Rocky Mountain National Park Campgrounds
Before exploring towns close to Rocky Mountain National Park, you may want to look into campgrounds. Rocky Mountain National Park campgrounds include Aspen Glen near Estes Park, Glacier Basin and Moraine Park along Bear Lake Road, Timber Creek on the west side of the park, and Longs Peak south of Lily Lake. All except the last one can be booked ahead of time and sell out quickly.
Estes Park
The closest town near Rocky Mountain National Park is Estes Park, less than 5 miles from the Beaver Meadows entrance. Many popular trails are easily accessible from here, as well at the national park’s Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, Fall River Visitor Center, and Moraine Park Discovery Center.
In town, you can stroll the shopping and dining district along Elkhorn Avenue, tour the Stanley Hotel to see Stephen King’s inspiration for “The Shining,” and take the Estes Park Aerial Tramway up to a scenic valley view at the top of Prospect Mountain. There are also a couple of golf courses in town where elk herds like to congregate around dawn and dusk.
Hotels in Estes Park cover a range of prices, but do tend to fill up during the summer tourist season. You may want to look for other towns near Estes Park CO if you’re on a tight budget or planning at the last minute.
Where to Stay in Estes Park
Some of the top-rated properties in town I haven’t tested yet include the The Inn on Fall River on the scenic outskirts and Silver Moon Inn downtown.
Boulder
Home to the University of Colorado, Boulder sits in the foothills of the Rockies, about 40 miles from the Beaver Meadows entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park and 30 miles from Denver. This is a great spot to base yourself for bigger city amenities and access to incredible hiking and biking trails on the outskirts of town.
Aside from day trips to Rocky Mountain, you can shop and dine downtown in the Pearl Street Mall district and visit the Museum of Natural History and Fiske Planetarium on the university campus. The Colorado Shakespeare Festival is also held here in the summer.
As one of the closest cities to Rocky Mountain National Park, Boulder has everything from chain hotels to smaller bed-and-breakfast to cozy cabins. Prices tend to be higher downtown and near the university, so look to the outskirts for cheaper options.
Where to Stay in Boulder
Nederland
A teeny town buried in the foothills of the Rockies just south of the park, Nederland is a great place to stay to get a feel for the mining history of the area. A small downtown zone has gems like the Nederland Mining Museum, the restored 1910 Carousel of Happiness, and an old covered wooden bridge on a creek.
While you won’t find a wealth of amenities, there are several unique boutiques and cafes. One of Nederland’s best features is its location along the bucket list Peak to Peak Scenic Byway into Rocky Mountain National Park, a road that stretches about 55 miles between Black Hawk and Estes Park.
Nederland is one of the closest towns to Rocky Mountain National Park, located just 30 miles from the Wild Basin section, a less-popular zone with incredible lake and waterfall hikes.
There aren’t a lot of options for places to stay here, but you may get lucky and find space at the lodge in town or a nearby campground.
Where to Stay in Nederland
Black Hawk and Central City
One of the least-populated cities in the state, historic Black Hawk is known for its casinos and is at the southern end of the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. While it takes at least 1.5 hours to reach Estes Park from here, the panoramas along the drive are stunning and some Rocky Mountain sites like the Wild Basin trails and Lily Lake are along the way.
Black Hawk is one of the best cities near Rocky Mountain National Park if you’re into gaming and nightlife with some outdoorsy activities and day trips mixed in. Neighboring Central City also has a historic and picturesque downtown district dating to the late 1800s.
Black Hawk is just 10 miles off Interstate 70 and about 40 miles west of downtown Denver.
Where to Stay in Black Hawk
Golden
While it’s a bit far for driving into Rocky Mountain Park every day, Golden makes a great vacation destination on the west side of Denver at the foothills of the mountains. Once a gold rush town, Golden is home to the Colorado School of Mines and the Coors Brewery.
The historic downtown district along Washington Avenue is full of coffee shops, eateries and boutiques. The Golden History Museum and Golden History Park showcase life in the early 1800s. The Colorado Railroad Museum has over 100 vintage trains. And the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave pays tribute to the Old West era.
Clear Creek running through Golden has spots to raft and canoe. Around the town, outdoor activities abound, from the trails at Lookout Mountain Preserve, North Table Mountain Park, and Dinosaur Ridge to the stone cliffs at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater. Golden Gate Canyon State Park is also less than 15 miles away.
The town is about 60 miles from Estes Park, 20 miles south of Boulder and 15 miles west of downtown Denver. I’ve visited Golden a couple of times now and love finding cute bed and breakfasts to stay in.
Where to Stay in Golden
Longmont
While it’s not the most obvious choice of towns near Rocky Mountain National Park, Longmont is just 35 miles from Estes Park and 15 miles north of Boulder. You might consider this option if you’re looking for something a little less busy and more budget-friendly.
Staking a claim as an agritourism destination, Longmont has a popular farmers market, the Agricultural Heritage Center, and a Brewhop Trolley that drops riders off at the local craft cidery, distilleries and breweries. Like most Colorado towns, a host of outdoorsy activities are just beyond the city center.
All the big hotel brands are represented here, and you’ll find a hub to the east of the city on Interstate 25, which is a straight shoot down to Denver. For something a little closer to the park, look on the west side along U.S. Route 36 and in the tiny town of Lyons.
Where to Stay in Longmont
Loveland
North of Longmont, Loveland is another one of the towns near Estes Park to the east, on the outskirts of Denver. From here, it’s about 30 scenic miles through the Big Thompson Canyon to reach Rocky Mountain National Park.
Nature trails, open spaces, golf courses and a handful of lakes make it easy to get outdoors here, while a downtown district with pubs and cafes has an old-timey look. Don’t miss the big love lock sculptures, where you can fasten engraved locks to immortalize your visit.
Like the other Denver suburbs, Loveland has all the major 2- and 3-star hotel and motel chains at a variety of price levels. You can also look for cabins, campgrounds and lodges along U.S. Route 34 heading toward Estes Park.
Where to Stay in Loveland
Denver
While it’s 60-plus miles from the park, Denver is the biggest city near the Rocky Mountains a has a busy international airport. It’s a great launching point for a trip to the national park and you might even consider staying here a night or two to explore Colorado’s capital. I like to stop into Denver for some touristing before and after spending time in the Rockies.
Known as the Mile High City, Denver has professional sports teams, multiple art museums, and a fun shopping and dining scene on the historic Larimer Square. While you’re here, you can visit the 1881 Denver Union Station, check out the United States Mint, look for bison at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, and catch a concert at the famous Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater.
Plentiful accommodations and vacation rental units include luxury downtown stays, budget-friendly hostels, and familiar hotel chains covering a wide swath of prices. For the quickest access to the mountains, pick something on the west side of town. Or, for the airport, something on the northeast.
Where to Stay in Denver
Grand Lake
Of the towns around Rocky Mountain National Park, the village of Grand Lake is closest to the west side, just outside an entrance gate with the same name. The park’s Kawuneeche Visitor Center and gift shop are also located near here.
A compact town center here with shops, cafes and hotels is on the banks of a pair of lakes, with the mountains looming overhead in the background. A little oasis by a less-busy side of the park, Grand Lake has basic amenities but unbeatable access to beautiful trails.
The stunning Trail Ridge Road into Rocky Mountain National Park also starts from here, climbing to an elevation of 12,183 feet along hairpin curves. While there are tons of hikes and scenic views along the way, it does take a couple of hours to slowly drive the 50 miles to Estes Park, so this isn’t the best base for popular park activities in the Bear Lake Corridor. But if you’re looking for something a little different, this is the perfect Rocky Mountain National Park town for exploring the west side.
Where to Stay in Grand Lake
Granby
About 15 miles south of Grand Lake along U.S. Route 40, Granby has a few more amenities and is a great place to look for hotels near Rocky Mountain National Park on the west side.
Aside from hikes in the Rockies, you can also spend some time on Lake Granby, which is surrounded by recreation areas and campgrounds. Most accommodations in this area are small motels, inns and lodges.
Where to Stay in Granby
What Town is Close to the Rocky Mountains?
While there are a lot of towns near the Rocky Mountains, Estes Park is the most convenient to the national park. It’s set up well for tourists, with plenty of lodges, hotels, and cabins. Plus, the commercial district has shopping and dining.
What is the Best Town to Stay in For Rocky Mountain National Park?
Estes Park is less than 5 miles from an entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, so it’s usually considered the most convenient. The Beaver Meadows gate and visitor center, plus the Fall River Visitor Center and Moraine Park Discovery Center are all nearby. Many popular trailheads in the park are also easy to get to from the town.
Rocky Mountain National Park Trip Planning Guides
Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary
Texas and Colorado Road Trip Itinerary
Utah and Colorado Road Trip Itinerary
Grand Teton and Yellowstone Itinerary: 4 Days in the National Parks
This 4 days in Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary wraps the best of both national parks into one epic road trip. Use the guide to plan what to do, when to go and where to stay.
This Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary wraps the best of both national parks into one epic road trip.
Gushing geysers, pointy peaks and stunning lakes and waterfalls are all a part of this 4 day itinerary for Yellowstone and Grand Teton. The two popular national parks are located in the northwest corner of Wyoming and pair perfectly together for a road trip.
Since there are more than 2.5 million acres to explore between the two destinations, it’s important to arrive with a game plan to maximize your time. This Yellowstone Grand Tetons itinerary will help you make the most of each day and hit all the highlights along the way.
I spent over a week hiking and sightseeing in the parks last fall to uncover the best things to do and craft the ultimate Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. This guide will show you what to do with 4 days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton, but you could also combine this 3 day Grand Teton and 4 day Yellowstone itinerary for a longer trip.
Where to Stay at Yellowstone and Grand Teton
There are a few towns near Yellowstone and Grand Teton to consider for your time in the national parks.
Outside of the park, West Yellowstone makes the most sense for this itinerary and has a blend of historic hotels and contemporary accommodations to suit every taste. A few top rated options downtown include the Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone and Faithful Street Inn
For Grand Teton, you’ll want to look for hotels around the town of Jackson. There are several highly rated options to chose from downtown or on the outskirts, like the Western-style Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole or the log cabins at Cowboy Village Resort.
4 Day Grand Teton and Yellowstone Itinerary
This 4 day Grand Teton Yellowstone Itinerary works best if you are flying into Bozeman and out of Jackson, but you can also reverse it or do it as a loop from either airport with some minor adjustments. I suggest using the map below to craft a route most logical for your flying or driving plans.
On the route below, I’ve divided the main Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone into two smaller circles (upper and lower), while Grand Teton’s Teton Park Road can also make a driving loop with Highway 191 into Jackson.
To save this Google Map for reference, click on the square in the top right corner.
Day 1 — Yellowstone Upper Loop
With a full day at Yellowstone, you should be able to fit in all of these activities on the upper Grand Loop Road in the park. If you’re arriving mid-day, you may have to stick to the ones on the route to your first hotel or bump the long hike at Mount Washburn to save time.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Located at the north entrance to Yellowstone, the Mammoth Hot Springs area has hydrothermal features on two terraces. Boardwalks crisscrossing the lower terrace allow you to get up close to the steaming orange and white travertine tiers. At the upper terrace, a 2-mile road loops around the hot springs and walkways provide sweeping views over the landscape.
At the base in the small village of Mammoth, you can tour historic Fort Yellowstone, an Army post from 1886 to 1918 during the early years of the national park.
Lamar Valley
The Lamar Valley is one of the best spots to watch for wildlife in Yellowstone. Located on the Lamar River on the northeast side of the park, the valley is home to bison, wolves, bears, coyotes and bald eagles.
Dawn and dusk are the most active times for most of the animals, but you can sometimes spot bison herds in the distance even if you don’t make it here for the prime hours. Pullouts along the road allow you to safely observe wildlife from your car. Remember to stay 100-plus yards away from bears and wolves and at least 25 yards from bison, elk and other large animals in the park.
Tower Fall
At 132-feet high, Tower Fall surrounded by pinnacle rocks is one of the most popular waterfall views in Yellowstone. An easy walk from a general store and parking area leads to a lookout point where you can snap photos.
Mount Washburn Hike
If you’re up for a moderate hike, Mount Washburn is one of the top treks in the park with stunning panoramas from a fire lookout at the 10,243-foot-high peak.
To reach the top, you can either follow a nearly 7-mile round-trip trail from the Dunraven Pass Trailhead or a 5.8-mile route from Chittenden Road. Both paths take a good 3 hours or more with the incline. Bikers can also use the Chittenden Road option.
Grizzly bears frequent the area, so the National Park Service recommends staying away in fall when they are most active. Carrying bear spray for protection is also advised.
Canyon Village
Canyon Village and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone are the next big destination, but I recommend saving the Grand Canyon’s waterfalls for the next morning, as it won’t be as crowded and the light will be better for photos.
At the village, you can pop into the Visitor Education Center for a park film and exhibits or stop for food at the restaurant and general store.
Norris Geyser Basin
While it’s not as famous as the Upper Geyser Basin with its Old Faithful, the Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest and oldest one in the park. Steamboat Geyser here is the world’s tallest active geyser at 300-feet, but eruptions are unpredictable.
You will be able to spot smaller spouts, bubbling springs, acid geysers, steam vents and more along the walking paths here. The Porcelain Basin has a 0.6-mile boardwalk with open views over the thermal landscape, while the more wooded Back Basin offers 1 or 1.6-mile loops packed with geysers.
Day 2 — Yellowstone Lower Loop
This full day in Yellowstone is the perfect time to drive the big lower loop, which encompasses the most famous destinations in the national park. It is a bit tight to squeeze it all into one day unless you start super early, but you can save a couple of activities for the following morning on your way to Grand Teton National Park.
If you’re staying in Canyon Village, you could bump the Lamar Valley, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone or West Thumb Geyser Basin to the following day. If you’re in West Yellowstone or the Old Faithful area, save the Upper or Midway Geyser Basin for the next morning.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Carved by the Yellowstone River, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is about 20 miles long and features two gushing cascades — the 109-foot Upper Falls and the 308-foot Lower Falls.
A handful of overlooks along South Rim Drive and North Rim Drive offer different vantage points of both waterfalls and trails along the rim and down into the canyon. The South Rim is the quickest route to see both with a stop at the Upper Falls view and famous Artist Point, where you can sometimes spot a rainbow on the Lower Falls.
The North Rim has even more lookouts, like the Brink of the Upper Falls and Brink of the Lower Falls, where you can hike to the top of each waterfall to see it gushing loudly down. Lookout Point offers an easy-to-reach vista of the Lower Falls, or you can hike down a short and steep trail from here to the Red Rock overlook — my favorite up-close view.
Hayden Valley
Hayden Valley on the east side of the park is known as a top wildlife-watching spot. If you’re an early riser, get here around dawn before visiting the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for a chance to spot wolves and bears. Otherwise, you might still catch some of the large bison herds throughout the day. There are several pull outs along the road for easy spying.
Yellowstone Lake
While you probably won’t have time for fishing and boating on a short 4 day itinerary for Yellowstone and Grand Teton, you’ll at least be able to take a peek at Yellowstone Lake as you drive the lower loop.
With 141 miles of shoreline, Yellowstone Lake is the largest in the national park. While most of the lake is super cold at an average 41 degrees, it also has extreme hot spots with underwater springs and geysers hitting up to 252 degrees.
For a quick lake visit, take the side route on Gull Point Drive off Grand Loop Road that runs right along the water.
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Located on the banks of Yellowstone Lake, the West Thumb Geyser Basin is worth a quick stop. A 0.6-mile boardwalk loop passes by boiling pools and steaming cones, some actually in the lake.
Make sure you stop for photos at the turquoise Black Pool and the Fishing Cone geyser, where fishermen once would cook up what they caught from the lake before the practice was banned.
Midway Geyser Basin
Midway Geyser Basin’s claim to fame is Grand Prismatic Spring. You can get up close to it and a few other hot pools on a crowded boardwalk loop (be prepared to wait for parking midday).
The best view of Grand Prismatic Spring, though, is from above at the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook, where you can see the whole turquoise pool ringed with orange and white. To reach this lookout, start at the Fairy Falls trailhead and take the short spur trail less than a mile in. It’s about 1.6 miles roundtrip with a steep climb up to the viewpoint.
Lower Geyser Basin
The Lower Geyser Basin is the largest one in Yellowstone, covering about 18 square miles along the Firehole River. There are a few different spots to focus on here, but you can touch on the highlights pretty quickly if you’re short on time.
Start by turning onto Firehole Lake Drive, a 3.5-mile loop where you can pull over at the Great Fountain Geyser (it erupts every 10 to 14 hours), White Dome Geyser (frequent but unpredictable), and a couple of steaming lakes.
For a quick stroll by some fumaroles and mud pots, stop at the Fountain Paint Pots. The boardwalk trail here passes the Fountain Geyser which erupts every 4.5 to 7 hours.
If you have extra time, add a drive on Firehole Canyon Road, a tight one-way route along the Firehole River and Firehole Falls.
Day 3 — Yellowstone to Grand Teton
If you stay in West Yellowstone or the Old Faithful area, you can spend part of the morning finishing up at the geyser basins on this side of the park before heading toward Grand Teton by early afternoon.
Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin
Since Old Faithful is most likely on your Yellowstone bucket list, plan to stop at the Upper Geyser Basin to watch it erupt 100-feet high about every 68 to 94 minutes. Check the current predictions here.
The Upper Geyser Basin has miles of boardwalks to explore, but if you’re short on time, stick to the loop of Geyser Hill (under a mile) or hike the 1.6 mile round-trip route to Observation Point overlooking Old Faithful. Both trails are close to the geyser so you can walk them while you wait for the next eruption.
This area is one of the most developed in the park, so it’s a great place to stop for snacks, fill up the tank, use the restroom, or grab a bite. The Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Lodge and Old Faithful Snow Lodge are also here but book up months ahead.
Yellowstone to Grand Teton Drive
The Yellowstone to Grand Teton road trip will likely take at least a couple of hours, depending on where you start from in Yellowstone. The national park boundary lines are actually only a few miles from each other, though.
The drive from West Yellowstone to Grand Teton is about 2 to 2.5 hours. On that route, you’ll be able to stop at the Lower, Midway or Upper Geyser Basin for any activities you didn’t get to the day before. Old Faithful is 60 miles from Colter Bay Village, where you’ll find the first Grand Teton visitor center.
Canyon Village to Grand Teton National Park is closer to 2 hours, passing by the Lamar Valley and Yellowstone Lake on the way. If you’re staying in Canyon Village, I recommend including Old Faithful in the day with the full lower loop and bumping the West Thumb Geyser Basin and Lamar Valley wildlife watching to this morning instead.
Colter Bay
Located on Jackson Lake, Colter Bay Village is the first developed area in Grand Teton National Park as you approach from the north with a visitor center, gas station, restaurants, campgrounds and cabins.
You can pause here for a quick picnic or spend a little more time following the Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail, a 2-mile loop along the waterfront.
U.S. Highway 191/26/89
While many Grand Teton National Park hikes and activities are along Teton Park Road, the highway that runs through the Jackson Hole valley actually has some of the best views of the mountains behind the Snake River. This U.S. Highway is an overlap of 191, 26 and 89, but I’ll refer to it as 191 for simplicity.
I recommend spending your half day in the park driving this route toward Jackson while stopping at as many overlooks as you have time for. I’ve included some of the best ones below, but you’ll spot plenty of others as you go (Glacier View Turnout, Teton Point Turnout, etc).
Oxbow Bend
The Oxbow Bend of the Snake River is one of the first scenic overlooks you’ll want to pause for on Highway 191. It’s a popular sunrise photography spot, but any time of day you can watch the birds and look for a mountain reflection when the water is still.
J.P. Cunningham Cabin
This quick stop has a 0.3-mile loop trail around the J.P. Cunningham Cabin. Built in 1888, the ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and makes a pretty photo against the mountain backdrop. If you’re short on time, you’ll get even better rustic ranch scenes at Mormon Row.
Snake River Overlook
From the Snake River Overlook, you can see the waterway winding below along the base of the Teton Range. It’s one of the most recognizable landmarks of the national park thanks to a famous photo taken here by Ansel Adams. A large parking lot just off the highway here makes this one very easy to access.
Schwabacher Landing
Schwabacher Landing is my favorite spot to see the Teton Range reflecting in the Snake River and another photographer hotspot.
It does require a bit more effort to reach this view than most of the others along 191 as you have to drive 1 mile downhill on a bumpy, unpaved road. I was able to make it in a regular car in dry conditions. From the dirt parking lot, a short path leads to the river and multiple reflective vantage points.
Mormon Row
Established by settlers in the late 1800s, the Mormon Row historic district holds the remnants of 27 homesteads. A few barns and homes are still standing and make for a bucolic scene with a backdrop of the Tetons.
If you run out of daylight to stop here, you can tag it onto the next morning as it’s not too far from the park entrance at Moose.
Day 4 — Grand Teton National Park
With a full day in Grand Teton National Park, focus on Teton Park Road and a hike or two from the list below that matches your interest level. If you need to make it all the way back north to West Yellowstone of Bozeman today, you’ll still have time to drive the road and stop at Jenny Lake, but you may need to limit the hiking.
Teton Park Road
Teton Park Road is the main drive through the national park, following the base of the mountains for about 20 miles between park headquarters in Moose and the Jackson Lake Dam.
Along the road are scenic stops like the Mountain View and Potholes turnouts, trailheads for lake and mountain hikes, a couple of rustic chapels, and a scenic drive up Signal Mountain Road. A few of the most popular highlights you can squeeze into one day are below.
Taggart and Bradley Lake Loop
This 5-mile loop trail wraps in a pair of alpine lakes set against a mountainous backdrop. If you don’t have time to do the whole thing to Taggart and Bradley lakes, you can make it to just Taggart Lake on a 3-mile, round-trip hike.
With just a day in Grand Teton, you may have to pick between this activity and the Jenny Lake trail below, but early risers and fast movers may be able to squeeze both in.
Jenny Lake Scenic Drive
The short loop drive on Jenny Lake Road leads to a scenic lookout right on the water. It’s a pretty spot to see the lake if you aren’t heading to the hiking trails, but you could skip it if you’re short on time and already made a stop at the lake.
Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point
The Jenny Lake area is one of the most popular destinations in the park, with waterside walks, boat rides, and trails to waterfalls and overlooks. If you enjoy hiking, the trek to Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls should be on your Grand Teton National Park bucket list.
In summer, you can ride a shuttle across the lake to the trailhead for a 2-mile, round-trip hike. Without the boat ride, add on another 4 miles round trip to walk around the lakeside to the trailhead.
The path to reach Hidden Falls is uphill but short and easy. A rocky and moderately difficult trail continues from there to Inspiration Point for a view over the lake.
Signal Mountain Road
The summit of Signal Mountain has one of the best views over the Jackson Hole Valley, and luckily, you can drive straight up to the top.
The 5-mile long Signal Mountain Road climbs and winds up about 800 feet to a small parking area with a short climb to an overlook. The panoramic valley vista includes forests, lakes, rivers and occasional sightings of tiny elk or bison below.
Jackson Lake Dam
If you have extra time, make a quick stop at Jackson Lake Dam at the end of Teton Park Road. Jackson Lake meets the Snake River here, and when conditions are right, you can catch the mountains reflecting in the water.
Exiting Grand Teton National Park
As you wrap up Teton Park Road, you can either loop back down Highway 191 to Jackson (about 35 miles), stopping at any viewpoints you missed the day before), or exit north back through Yellowstone National Park toward West Yellowstone (90 miles) and Bozeman (180 miles).
Planning a Trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park
Use these tips to plan where to stay, when to go, and what to pack for aYellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary.
Grand Teton or Yellowstone
If you’re short on time and trying to decide on Yellowstone vs Grand Teton for your national park vacation, I highly recommend doing both. The two national parks are neighbors and visiting them at the same time makes sense.
Despite the proximity, the landscapes of the pair are pretty different, though, which may help you narrow down your choice.
Yellowstone is best known for its hydrothermal features like geysers, hot springs, mud pots and steam vents. The national park is 2.2 million acres, though, so you also get a ton of other landscapes, including waterfalls, rivers, lakes, mountains and valleys.
Yellowstone is very diverse and accessible for a variety of activities, whether you’re looking for family-friendly boardwalks, wildlife photography, challenging mountain trails or scenic drives.
Grand Teton National Park is much smaller at about 310,000 acres, but the mountain vistas here are some of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. The park is in the valley of the 40-mile-long Teton Range, with rivers and alpine lakes.
There are some fun and challenging hikes, but you can also just cruise along the Teton Park Road and Highway 191 loop for easy sightseeing close to the car.
Tickets for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
The entrance fee is $35 per private vehicle for 7 days at Yellowstone or Grand Teton. You pay a separate admission to each park.
Best Season for Yellowstone and Grand Teton
Summer is by far the busiest time to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, since the weather is mild, in the 70s during the day and cool overnight. Since both destinations are among the top 10 most visited national parks in the U.S., crowds hit the millions in summer.
If you can only visit between June and August, be sure to book your hotel months ahead of time and be prepared for surge pricing, traffic, and full parking lots.
If your schedule is more flexible, late spring and early fall can be a great time for fewer crowds and lower prices. Some tourist amenities and hotels do shut down after September and reopen in May, but typically you can still visit into October before roads in Yellowstone start to close for wintry weather.
Winter (which can start by early to mid fall) is a more challenging time to visit Yellowstone independently, as most park roads are closed to cars. But, you can book snowmobile tours to see the winter wonderland and watch for wolves.
Jackson Hole remains popular in winter since there are a few ski resorts in the mountains, but many park services close at the end of September. Teton Park Road closes to vehicles from November through April, but during this time, you can hike, ski and snowshoe on the road.
Check the national park website for the latest updates on road closures and weather.
Distance from Yellowstone to Grand Tetons
The South Entrance Station for Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park’s northernmost entry sign are only about 10 minutes apart, but it will take much longer to make the Yellowstone to Grand Teton drive.
Depending on where you’re starting, plan for at least 2 hours between the pair. West Yellowstone to Grand Teton takes about 2.5 hours, while it’s closer to 2 hours from Canyon Village in Yellowstone.
The shortest route from Bozeman to Jackson is 4 to 5 hours.
How Many Days in Grand Teton and Yellowstone
You may be wondering how many days to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Is a 4 day Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary enough time to see both parks? While I do think 5 to 7 days would be more ideal if you don’t want to rush, you can still see plenty of both parks with only 4 days.
As suggested in this itinerary for Yellowstone and Grand Teton, I would split it up for about 2 to 3 days in Yellowstone and 1 to 2 days in Grand Teton to be able to quickly drive and sightsee through the major roads in both parks. With this kind of itinerary, you have to pick just a couple of hikes to focus on or start scratching out some major sights to carve out more time.
For an overview 4 day itinerary in Yellowstone and Grand Teton, I’d focus on the lower loop in Yellowstone and the upper loop if you have enough time, and the Teton Park Road and Highway 191 loop in Grand Teton.
Yellowstone and Grand Teton Tours
This 4 day nature tour to Yellowstone and Grand Teton focuses on the wildlife in both parks. It includes 3 nights of accommodation and dawn and dusk safari-style drives to look for bison, bears and wolves.
This 4 day trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton includes a guided tour to the top attractions in both national parks, 3 nights of hotels, and transportation.
This 2 day tour of Yellowstone from Jackson is the perfect add-on to a Grand Teton vacation. It includes Old Faithful, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and other popular attractions on the lower and upper park loops.
What to Pack for Yellowstone and Grand Teton
What to pack for Yellowstone and Grand Teton should include comfortable outfits with layers for colder nights and rain, hiking sneakers or boots, a daypack, camping supplies (if applicable), a water bottle, binoculars, and photography gear.
You should also buy or rent bear spray when you get to the park, or bring your own if you’re driving. Airlines do not allow bear spray in checked luggage or carry-ons.
10 Cities Near the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
These cities near the Grand Canyon are the best places to stay during your national park vacation. They range from a historic village on the South Rim to a remote ranch on the canyon floor to cities full of shopping and dining. We’ve also included recommendations for the best places to stay near Grand Canyon National Park, whether you’re looking for rustic lodges, campgrounds or hotels with a pool.
These towns and cities near the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim are the best places to stay during your vacation.
If you’re looking for the closest city to the Grand Canyon National Park, this list has you covered. I’ve included Arizona cities, communities, and towns near the South Rim Grand Canyon that are convenient to stay in for your national park vacation.
The closest towns to Grand Canyon National Park with hotels range from a historic village on the South Rim to a remote ranch on the canyon floor to gateway cities full of shopping and dining.
I’ve visited Grand Canyon National Park several times over the past 20 years and stayed in hotels and cabins inside and outside the national park on the South Rim. Below are my recommendations for the best places to stay near the Grand Canyon, whether you’re looking for rustic lodges, campgrounds, or hotels with a pool.
Keep reading to find where to stay at the Grand Canyon.
Cities and Towns Near the Grand Canyon
This is my quick list of cities near the Grand Canyon! Scroll down for the pros and cons of each and to find out which ones I recommend for your first visit!
Phantom Ranch (in the park)
Grand Canyon Village (in the park)
Tusayan (2 miles from South Entrance Station)
Grand Canyon Junction (24 miles from South Entrance Station)
Williams (55 miles from South Entrance Station)
Cameron (32 miles from East Entrance Station)
Tuba City (58 miles from East Entrance Station)
Flagstaff (74 miles from South Entrance Station)
Sedona (109 miles from East Entrance Station)
Page (109 miles from East Entrance Station)
Map of Cities Near Grand Canyon
This map shows the proximity of towns and cities near the Grand Canyon South Rim. You can click on it to open a larger map and zoom in on different locations.
What is the Best Town Near the Grand Canyon?
Phantom Ranch
For a unique place to stay in Grand Canyon National Park, you can try to get a reservation at Phantom Ranch, the historic lodge at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
The property has both cabins and dormitory bunks, but space is extremely limited. A lottery system is used for reservations over a year in advance.
The lodge has a canteen that serves breakfast and dinner. You need to reserve your meals in advance since supplies are brought in by mule.
To get to Phantom Ranch, you can hike down from the North or South Rim, ride a mule, or raft in.
Grand Canyon Village
Grand Canyon Village in the national park is the closest town to the Grand Canyon South Rim. The historic district on the rim has five hotels built in the early to mid-1900s — Bright Angel Lodge, El Tovar Hotel, Thunderbird Lodge, Kachina Lodge, and Maswik Lodge. This area also has a few restaurants and gift shops, plus canyon views right outside the accommodations.
Near the Grand Canyon Park Headquarters, you’ll find the Yavapai Lodge, Mather Campground, and Trailer Village RV Park. In this zone, you’ll be within walking distance to the Market Plaza with its grocery store, post office, and bank, plus a restaurant and coffee shop at the lodge.
The only other place to stay on the South Rim in the national park is the Desert View Campground, about 20 miles from the Visitor Center and right by the park's east entrance. This area has sites for tents and small RVs, plus a gas station, market, coffee and ice cream shop, and viewing tower on the canyon edge.
While the village is one of the most convenient towns near the Grand Canyon South Rim, accommodations do fill quickly and are more expensive than staying outside the park.
Where to Stay in Grand Canyon Village
I stayed at Yavapai Lodge and loved how the hotel buildings were surrounded by trees. It’s also convenient having a walk-in dining hall onsite for quick meals.
Tusayan
Tusayan is the closest city to the Grand Canyon, located just 2 miles outside the park’s south entrance station. A shuttle route typically runs between the town and the Visitor Center for the summer season so that you don’t need to drive and park at the rim.
A few different lodgings are available here, including popular hotel chains, but prices are definitely inflated for the convenient location. There is also a general store, gift shops and restaurants in the small town.
Where to Stay in Tusayan
Grand Canyon Junction
Valle, or Grand Canyon Junction, is a small community about 25 miles south of the national park’s south entrance at the intersection of two routes leading in from Flagstaff and Williams.
While there’s only a single hotel, a couple of gas stations and very few amenities, more camping and glamping sites are starting to pop up in this area. Plus, it’s generally much cheaper to stay here than in Tusayan but much closer to the Grand Canyon than Williams or Flagstaff.
Where to Stay in Grand Canyon Junction
Williams
One of the biggest cities near Grand Canyon National Park, Williams has just over 3,000 residents. The town is located on Historic Route 66 and is full of retro diners and kitschy souvenir shops with a blend of mid-century and Old West vibes.
While Williams is about 55 miles from the south entrance, there is a much larger selection of restaurants, affordable hotels and other amenities than in Tusayan or Grand Canyon Junction.
Where to Stay in Williams
Cameron
Cameron is a small community about 30 miles from the east entrance station of the Grand Canyon South Rim. Amenities are scarce, but you’ll find a place to eat, fill up the tank, and stay the night. This town near Grand Canyon National Park is best if you need a place to stay on the way in coming from the east.
Where to Stay in Cameron
The only hotel in town, the Cameron Trading Post and Motel dates to the early 1900s and is decorated with Native American and Southwest-inspired fabrics and art.
Tuba City
If you’re looking for cities near Grand Canyon National Park’s east entrance, Tuba City is a little under 60 miles from the Desert View Watchtower on the South Rim and 80 miles from the Visitor Center on the South Rim.
It’s a small community, but larger than Cameron with a few more hotel options near the Grand Canyon plus fast-food drive-throughs for quick bites.
Where to Stay in Tuba City
Flagstaff
Flagstaff is the closest major city near the Grand Canyon, located about 80 miles from both the south and east entrance stations to the South Rim.
You’ll be spoiled for choices of Grand Canyon hotels here, with many major chains represented. Most accommodations are located along Interstate 40 and Historic Route 66, which passes through the downtown core.
Flagstaff is a great place to stay for a blend of big-city amenities and a walkable downtown district with shops and cafes in old brick buildings.
The city is also just 30 miles from Sedona and a couple of hours from Page, Phoenix and Petrified Forest National Park. It makes a great base for Arizona road trips.
Where to Stay in Flagstaff
What City is Closest to the Grand Canyon?
Tusayan is the closest town to the Grand Canyon, just 2 miles outside of the national park boundaries. Though it’s very small, Williams is the closest city to the Grand Canyon, about 55 miles from the South Entrance.
What is the Biggest City Near the Grand Canyon?
With a population of about 75,000, Flagstaff is the nearest major city to the Grand Canyon South Rim. It’s about 75 miles away and it takes around an hour and half to drive from the city to the Grand Canyon South Entrance.
What City Should I Stay in to Visit the Grand Canyon?
If it’s your first trip to Grand Canyon National Park, I recommend staying in Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan. Both options are very close to the views and activities in the park and offer shuttle transit options.
My next recommendation would be Williams. Even though it’s a little further away, it has a fun Route 66 and Western vibe and it’s connected to the national park via a fun train ride.
Grand Canyon Airports: Is Las Vegas or Phoenix Closer?
Phoenix is 225 miles from the Grand Canyon South Rim and the drive takes about 3.5 hours. The Las Vegas airport is nearly 275 miles away and it takes about 4 hours to drive to the Grand Canyon.
The best city to fly into for visiting the Grand Canyon might depend on where you can get a better direct route or deal. If you plan to visit other nearby national parks or towns, you can also pick an airport that makes the most sense for your whole road trip.
If you’re also visiting Sedona, for example, it would make more sense to fly into Phoenix. If you plan to go to Zion National Park after the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas would be a shorter return trip.
Grand Canyon Trip Planning Guides
3 Days at the Grand Canyon Itinerary
2 Days at the Grand Canyon Itinerary
1 Day at the Grand Canyon Itinerary
Zion and Grand Canyon North Rim Itinerary
Grand Canyon Packing Checklist
10 Best Towns and Cities Near Yellowstone National Park
These towns and cities near Yellowstone National Park are the best places to stay to access all the wilderness and wildlife in the famous park. We’ve broken down how to pick the best Yellowstone entrance, which towns near Yellowstone National Park have hotels and lodges, and what nearest cities to Yellowstone National Park you should fly into.
These towns and cities near Yellowstone National Park are the best places to stay to access all the wilderness and wildlife in the popular park.
Famous for its geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and wildlife, Yellowstone National Park is a bucket-list vacation spot. But with more than 2.2 million acres to explore and five different park entrances, you may be wondering, what is the best place to stay near Yellowstone?
This guide has you covered! I’ve broken down how to pick the best Yellowstone entrance, which towns near Yellowstone National Park have hotels and lodges, and what nearest cities to Yellowstone National Park you should fly into.
I’ve visited the park a few times and stayed in several of these Yellowstone towns, so you’ll see my hotel recommendations as well as some of the other top-reviewed options I found while researching.
If you’re visiting Yellowstone for a few days, I suggest picking a couple of hotels in different locations to cut back on your driving time in the vast park. The lists below will show you the entrances to Yellowstone National Park and the nearest towns to Yellowstone to help with your planning.
Use this Yellowstone guide to plan your route before you pick your hotels.
Where are the Entrances to Yellowstone National Park?
The Yellowstone map below displays the entrances to the national park and the closest cities to each one. You can click on the square in the top right corner to open and save a Google Map for your own planning reference.
The five entrances to Yellowstone National Park are miles apart from each other in Montana and Wyoming. You may end up using just one or two during your vacation, or making your way around to several of them.
Yellowstone North Entrance
The North Entrance Station is by Gardiner, Montana, near the Mammoth Hot Springs section of the park. It’s home to the 1903 Roosevelt Arch, built as a grand entrance to the first national park. Gardiner is one of the closest towns to Yellowstone’s north side.
Yellowstone West Entrance
Located in West Yellowstone, Montana, the West Entrance Station is one of the busiest and often gets backed up with traffic during the summer season. If you’re staying in this area, it’s best to drive into the park before 8 a.m. or later in the afternoon to avoid long lines at the west entrance to Yellowstone. One of the closest cities near Yellowstone National Park, West Yellowstone is a very popular place to stay.
Yellowstone Northeast Entrance
Near the tiny community of Cooke City-Silver Gate, the Northeast Entrance Station is housed in a 1935 log building on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s very remote — the closest towns are Gardiner, 50 miles west, and Red Lodge, Montana, 70 miles east through the Beartooth Mountain Pass.
Yellowstone East Entrance
The East Entrance Station is close to Yellowstone Lake, about an hour from Cody, Wyoming. From this one, you can access slightly less busy sections of the park like the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Old Faithful is about 1.5 hours from this entrance and Canyon Village is about an hour away.
Yellowstone South Entrance
Yellowstone’s South Entrance Station is just a few miles from Grand Teton National Park and a little over an hour drive from Jackson, Wyoming. Jackson Lake and Colter Bay Village are only about 30 minutes away. You will pass through this entrance station if you do a Grand Teton and Yellowstone road trip.
2 DAY GUIDE TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Towns Near Yellowstone National Park
If you’re looking for towns near Yellowstone to stay in, these are your best options. The first three make the most sense for a base and the rest as road trip stops on the way in.
If you’re visiting for a few nights, I recommend staying in a couple of different bases (like West Yellowstone and Gardiner) during your trip to decrease driving time each day.
Yellowstone National Park Lodges and Campgrounds
While this isn’t a town, lodging inside the national park is something you will probably consider when deciding where to stay near Yellowstone. The benefit to staying inside the park is the proximity to some attractions, though others will still be over an hour away. You also won’t have to wait at the park entry booths in the morning since you’ll already be inside the boundary.
For accommodations inside the park, you can check the availability here. Yellowstone hotels book out months ahead and are pretty expensive. Most hotels are located in Canyon Village, by Lake Yellowstone, at Mammoth Hot Springs, and around Old Faithful.
There are also 12 Yellowstone campgrounds, and the eight that take reservations also book up months ahead of time.
West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone, Montana, is one of the most popular places to stay outside the park, given its proximity to several top attractions in the park. The town is just outside the West Entrance Station, and within about 30 miles you can reach the Upper and Lower Geyser Basins, Old Faithful, and the Norris Geyser Basin. Other destinations like the Lamar Valley and Yellowstone Lake are a couple of hours away, though.
West Yellowstone has more amenities than most of the other towns on this list, including a small regional airport, a supermarket, souvenir shops, several restaurants and hotels, a movie theater, a museum, and the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. The downtown streets are walkable and the buildings have an old-timey Western look.
The town is 90 miles from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.
Where to Stay in West Yellowstone
A few top rated hotels and lodges in downtown West Yellowstone include the Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone and Faithful Street Inn. Or, outside of town you can glamp at spots like Under Canvas Yellowstone to enjoy the dark night skies and sounds of nature.
Gardiner
Gardiner, Montana, is just outside the park, near the North Entrance Station and its historic Roosevelt Arch. This is the closest town near Yellowstone for access to the northern attractions like the Mammoth Hot Springs, Lamar Valley and Tower Fall.
The Northeast Station is also the only park entrance open year-round to cars, since many roads in the park close down to vehicular traffic for the winter season. A compact downtown area here has a few shops, restaurants, and hotels on opposite banks of the Yellowstone River, with select accommodations offering water views.
Gardiner is about 80 miles from the airport in Bozeman.
Where to Stay in Gardiner
Top rated hotels in Gardiner include the Yellowstone Riverside Cottages, the Roosevelt Hotel and the Yellowstone Gateway Inn.
Cody
Cody, Wyoming, is the nearest town to Yellowstone National Park on the east side, about 50 miles from the entrance. While it doesn’t make sense to stay here for a multi-day visit to Yellowstone, if you’re road-tripping in from that direction or just visiting Yellowstone Lake, you should consider spending a night here.
A walkable downtown strip with an old-West vibe is full of shops, eateries and hotels, with more accommodations on the outskirts. The biggest attraction in Cody is the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a museum full of Wild West history and memorabilia.
Cody has a small airport with flights to hubs in a couple of larger cities in the region. It’s about 110 miles from the Billings-Logan International Airport.
Where to Stay in Cody
The highly rated Chamberlin Inn is located near the historic center while the Cody Cowboy Village has log-cabin style suites on the edge of town.
Red Lodge
Red Lodge, Montana, is another spot that’s best for a stay on the way into Yellowstone, but doesn’t make a great base to return to each night since it’s 2 hours from the Northeast Entrance and even farther from most attractions in the park.
In summer, this town is the gateway for driving the Beartooth Highway through a stunning mountain pass into Yellowstone and in winter, a base camp for skiing in the Beartooth Mountains. A walkable downtown strip with historic Western buildings hosts a collection of eateries, saloons and shops.
Red Lodge is about 60 miles from Billings and 150 from Bozeman.
Where to Stay in Red Lodge
I stayed at the Beartooth Hideaway Inn and Cabins, a budget-friendly hotel with an indoor pool and hot tub.
Cooke City-Silver Gate
Cooke City-Silver Gate, Montana, is too small to even be called a town, but it is in a prime location at the Northeast Entrance Station to Yellowstone. It’s also the first blip of civilization you’ll hit after driving the famous Beartooth Pass route from the east or the Lamar Valley from the west.
A couple of downtown blocks in Cooke City have a handful of hotels and cafes, a trading post and a gas station. There’s also a welcome center with a small museum.
Due to the remote location, it doesn’t make sense to stay more than a night here on the way into Yellowstone unless you want to spend some time hiking in the mountains. Cooke City is about a 3-hour drive from Billings or Bozeman.
Where to Stay in Cooke City
Jackson
Jackson, Wyoming, is the best option if you’re looking for towns near the South Entrance of Yellowstone. How close is Jackson Hole to Yellowstone?
The town of Jackson is about 60 miles from the entrance and over 2 hours to southern park attractions like Old Faithful and Yellowstone Lake, so it’s not a great base for spending multiple days in Yellowstone. But, if you’re just popping in for a day trip while visiting Jackson Hole, or heading north on a road trip, the town is a fantastic vacation destination.
Jackson is a hub for the nearby Grand Teton National Park and for a handful of ski resorts in the surrounding mountains. A bustling commercial zone has plenty of shops and restaurants around a park square, while just outside the town, you can visit the National Elk Refuge, National Museum of Wildlife Art, and Mormon Row Historic District.
Jackson has its own small airport with flights on a few major carriers. The international airports in Salt Lake City and Bozeman are both about 5 hours away.
This is how to plan a 3 day itinerary in Jackson Hole.
Where to Stay in Jackson
There are tons of highly rated options to pick from, like the Parkway Inn of Jackson Hole with an indoor pool and hot tub, the Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole with Western-style decor and a cozy fireplace, or the Cowboy Village Resort with log cabins.
Cities Near Yellowstone National Park
These cities near Yellowstone don’t make the best base, but you might want to stay the night in one on your way in or out of the park.
Bozeman
If you’re looking for the best city to fly into to visit Yellowstone, Bozeman, Montana, typically makes the most sense. While you wouldn’t want this to be a base for Yellowstone trip, you may stay here a night or two on either end of your trip. At about 90 miles to the West Entrance or North Entrance, Bozeman is the closest city to Yellowstone National Park.
Bozeman has just about any amenity you would need for your trip, from an international airport, to hotel chains, to mega retailers and sporting goods stores. Montana State University is also located here. A walkable downtown strip on Main Street has boutique hotels and local cafes and shops.
With the Rocky Mountains for a neighbor, Bozeman is also a great spot for an outdoorsy vacation.
Where to Stay in Bozeman
Idaho Falls
While it’s not the most common place to stay for the park, Idaho Falls is one of the nearest cities to Yellowstone, and might make sense as a road trip stopping point. The small city is about 110 miles from the West Entrance to Yellowstone and about the same distance to Grand Teton National Park.
With a regional airport, big supermarkets and retailers, and chain hotels, it’s an easy and convenient place to stay near Yellowstone before heading closer to the park. There’s also a few things to check out in the city, like a small waterfall on the Snake River, history and art museums, and waterfront trails and parks.
Where to Stay in Idaho Falls
Billings
Billings is the largest city in Montana and the biggest city near Yellowstone, though it’s at least 3 hours from the Northeast Entrance. Given the distance, it’s not a great place to stay while visiting Yellowstone, but you may stop here on a road trip or fly into the Billings-Logan International Airport.
In addition to the standard shopping, dining, and accommodations you would expect in a small to mid-sized city, Billings has some great museums and parks, including the Moss Mansion Museum, the Yellowstone Art Museum, and Pictograph Cave State Park. The Yellowstone River also runs by the town.
Where to Stay in Billings
Tips and Questions About Yellowstone Towns
What is the closest big city to Yellowstone?
Montana and Wyoming aren’t exactly full of big cities. With a population of roughly 120,000, Billings in Montana is the biggest city near Yellowstone and the largest one in the state. It’s about 3 hours away from the park, though.
Where are the closest airports to Yellowstone?
Bozeman in Montana is one of the nearest cities to Yellowstone with a major airport, about 90 miles to a park entrance. Jackson in Wyoming also has an airport and is about 60 miles from the South Entrance to the park.
Where should I stay for visiting Yellowstone National Park?
There are lots of great options of where to stay near Yellowstone. The park is massive, though, so no matter which town or resort you pick, you will still have to drive quite a bit to explore Yellowstone.
If you can get a reservation, staying at one of the historic park lodges within Yellowstone is a great choice. The areas of Canyon Village and around Old Faithful are close to a lot of popular attractions.
Outside of the park, West Yellowstone is ideal, since it’s close to an entrance and has tourist amenities.
Best 4 Days in Yellowstone Itinerary for Your First Time at the National Park
This 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary features the best geysers, waterfalls, lakes and valleys of the first national park in the U.S. Yellowstone National Park covers more than 2.2 million acres of wilderness in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, and is known for its hydrothermal features like hot springs, mud pots and boiling rivers. This guide highlights the best spots to include on a Yellowstone itinerary for 4 days, with tips for where to stay each night, what to pack, and more.
This 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary features the best geysers, waterfalls, lakes and valleys of the first national park in the U.S.
Bubbling hot springs, gushing waterfalls, bison roaming in river valleys — it’s all in store on this Yellowstone 4 day itinerary. Yellowstone National Park spreads out over more than 2.2 million acres of wilderness in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, and is known for its hydrothermal features like geysers, mud pots and boiling rivers.
With five different park entrances spread far apart and more than 900 miles of trails and boardwalks, it’s important to arrive with a plan like this 4 day Yellowstone itinerary to make sure you hit all the highlights and avoid the crowds whenever possible. As one of the top-visited parks in the nation, Yellowstone gets very busy at top spots like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring, and along roadways whenever bison are around (it’s called a “bison jam”).
After a couple of trips to this bucket list park, I’ve put together what I think is the ideal itinerary for your first visit. The Yellowstone itinerary for 4 days hits all the scenic highlights with time for some hiking and exploring, too.
Below, I’ve highlighted the best spots to visit in the park and ideas for where to stay each night. This route works best for flying in and out of Bozeman, Montana, or traveling between Bozeman and Jackson, Wyoming, and the south.
Keep reading for my favorite 4 day Yellowstone itinerary!
Yellowstone Itinerary 4 Days
This 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary includes the park's top trails, sights, and drives. The Google Map below has all the activities pinned and color-coded by day for easy planning.
Day 1 — Mammoth Hot Springs and the North
From Bozeman, I recommend starting this Yellowstone 4 day itinerary by driving to Red Lodge, Montana, and taking the breathtaking Beartooth Highway though the mountain and into the park. If you’re short on time or arriving in the afternoon on Day 1, you can head straight to Gardiner, Montana, and just visit the Mammoth Hot Springs area today.
Beartooth Highway
Even though it’s outside the park boundaries, I highly recommend including a drive on the Beartooth Highway in your Yellowstone plans. This is my favorite scenic drive in the area!
Spanning about 70 miles of Route 212 between Red Lodge, Montana, and Yellowstone’s historic Northeast Entrance Station, the route traverses the Beartooth mountain pass to a peak at 10,947 feet above sea level. On the way, you’ll wind along hairpin turns and pass scenic overlooks where you can stop to soak in the views of mountains, glaciers and alpine lakes.
The road typically opens sometime in May or June and closes for the season around October. You can add it to your 4 days in Yellowstone road trip on the way in or out of the park. Red Lodge is about 150 miles from Bozeman.
Lamar Valley
One of the best wildlife-watching zones of Yellowstone, the Lamar Valley is in the northeastern end of the park along the Lamar River. Driving through here around dawn and dusk, you may spot bison, bears, bald eagles, wolves and coyotes. Pullouts are located along the road so you can safely watch wildlife from your car.
Plan to hit this spot in the late afternoon if you arrive via the Beartooth Highway through the Northeast Entrance Station, or make a special trip early in the next morning if you’re staying in Canyon Village or Gardiner. It’s about an hour drive from either location.
It’s very important to keep at least 100 yards away from wolves and bears and 25 yards away from other large animals like bison and elk at all times.
Undine Falls
Undine falls is one of the most picturesque and easy to access waterfalls in Yellowstone, with three tiers cascading down Lava Creek. You don’t need to spend much time here, as it’s easy to walk to a lookout from a paved parking area off Grand Loop Road about 5 miles from the Mammoth area.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs is a collection of hydrothermal features near the northern entrance to Yellowstone.
Boardwalk paths and stairs wind through the landscape of a lower terrace, up close to the travertine terraces in shades of white and orange that sort of cascade down in tiers or steps with pools of steaming water. The upper terrace has a 2-mile loop road with a couple of spots to park and walk along the flatter white top of the formation to see milky turquoise hot springs.
The small village of Mammoth is home to historic Fort Yellowstone, occupied by the Army between 1886 and 1918 in an effort to protect the land before the National Park Service was established.
The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is also located here. Public flush toilets and running water are available near the lower terrace, though parking is competitive in this area.
Where to Stay
I recommend staying in Gardiner or Mammoth on this night, but Canyon Village would work as well. West Yellowstone is a pretty far drive for the morning activities scheduled on day 2 of this 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary.
Day 2 — Northeast Yellowstone and Norris Geyser Basin
Day 2 of this Yellowstone 4 days itinerary mainly covers the northeast section of Yellowstone. If you want to watch wildlife in the Lamar Valley, early morning is the best time. But, you could also slightly rearrange this to visit around sunset for another opportunity.
Lamar Valley at Dawn
If you’re an early riser, get out for a dawn driving tour of the Lamar Valley when wildlife are most active. The valley is about an hour from the Gardiner-Mammoth area and a few minutes farther from Canyon Village.
Tower Fall
The 132-foot Tower Fall is one of the stunning landmarks that instigated Congress to initiate Yellowstone as the first-ever national park in 1872. Visitors can view the cascade surrounded by pointy pinnacle rocks from an easy-to-reach lookout a short stroll from a parking area and general store.
Dunraven Pass-Mt. Washburn Trail
At 10,243 feet, Mount Washburn is a famous hiking destination for its incredible panoramic vistas stretching miles into the distance. At the summit, a fire lookout still in use has a shelter with exhibits.
There are two options to reach the top — a nearly 7-mile round-trip route from the Dunraven Pass Trailhead and a 5.8-mile path from Chittenden Road for bikers and hikers. Both trails are moderately difficult with incline and typically take at least 3 hours to hike.
Grizzlies are known to hang out in this area in fall, so the NPS does not recommend the trail in September and October. Carrying and knowing how to use bear spray while hiking in Yellowstone is also wise.
Canyon Village
If you need lunch or a snack, pop over to the restaurant or general store at Canyon Village. The complex also has a Visitor Education Center with a film and exhibits about the park and restrooms.
This area is also where you’ll find the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and its waterfalls, but I put that on the agenda for the next day as the lighting is best and crowds lower in the morning.
Norris Geyser Basin
The Norris Geyser Basin is both the oldest and hottest in Yellowstone, and home to Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest active geyser with 300-plus foot unpredictable eruptions.
Boardwalks and dirt paths meander around dozens of acid geysers, steam vents and boiling springs. You can follow a 0.6-mile loop in the Porcelain Basin, which is wide open and tree-less, or a 1 or 1.6-mile loop in the Back Basin, a more wooded area with a ton of geysers, including the famous Steamboat.
This section of the park has a large paved parking lot that fills up, toilet facilities with running water, a small museum and bookstore, and a tent and RV campground nearby.
Gibbon Falls
Gibbon Falls on the west side park is an easy roadside stop between the Norris and Lower Geyser Basins. The waterfall drops 84 feet over the Yellowstone Caldera rim in a fanned out cascade.
There is a paved parking area and walkway along the top so you can get different angles of the falls.
Where to Stay
Canyon Village would be the most convenient, but West Yellowstone makes a good base for the next couple of nights and has cheaper hotel options.
Day 3 — Grand Canyon, Yellowstone Lake and the South
Your 4 days Yellowstone itinerary should include a day on the southwest side of the park, where the massive Yellowstone Lake shapes the landscape. If you’re an early riser, head to the Hayden Valley first for wildlife watching at dawn before backtracking to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Otherwise, you can drive through the valley closer to midday and possibly still spot herds of bison in the distance.
With extra time on this day, you can complete the lower loop road and pop by Old Faithful to watch an eruption or hike to the Grand Prismatic overlook since you’ll be driving right by them. Otherwise, save these activities for the final day in Yellowstone.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The Yellowstone River flows through the colorful Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, dropping a pair of waterfalls viewed from north and south rims. The Upper Falls are 109 feet tall and the more impressive Lower Falls 308 feet tall.
For a quick overview, follow South Rim Drive and pause at the Upper Falls view (there are also flush toilets here) before heading to famous Artist Point, where you may catch a rainbow against the Lower Falls mid-morning on a sunny day.
The North Rim Drive has the most overlooks, but the best view of Lower Falls is from the bottom of the Red Rock trail at Lookout Point. You have to hike down and back up a short and steep 500 feet of elevation on switchbacks and steps, but it’s worth it for the up-close vista.
Another very steep hike for an interesting vantage point is at Brink of the Lower Falls, where you can watch and hear the water thunder over the edge from a platform right at the top.
If you want to spend more time in this area, there are hiking paths along both the north and south rims and lookouts like Grand View, Inspiration Point and Point Sublime (2.7 mile hike) that highlight the river weaving through the canyon beyond the waterfalls.
Hayden Valley
The Hayden Valley is one of the top spots for wildlife watching in Yellowstone, particularly around dawn. If you don’t mind backtracking, you could do this drive in the early morning hours before visiting the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Located along Grand Loop Road between Canyon Village and Yellowstone Lake, the valley is home to large herds of bison. You might also spot bears and wolves. Remember to keep at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves and 25 yards away from elk, bison and other wildlife.
As you drive through, you can stop at overlooks and walk the 0.6-mile Mud Volcano Trail loop.
Yellowstone Lake
The largest lake in the U.S. at an elevation over 7,000 feet, Yellowstone Lake is notable for its frigid temps (41 degrees on average) with extremely hot underwater geysers and springs (252 degrees in one spot).
If you’re short on time, you can just check out the views as you cruise down Grand Loop Road and take a side route on Gull Point Drive to roll right alongside the water. To spend more time on the lake, you can boat, kayak, fish and more in summer.
The park’s Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Lake Lodge Cabins, and Grant Village are all on the shores of Yellowstone Lake and a great base if you want to spend more time here.
West Thumb Geyser Basin
West Thumb Geyser Basin is an underrated gem, with steaming pools and cones on the banks of Yellowstone Lake at the southern end of the park.
The boardwalk here is an easy 0.6-mile loop, with highlights including the Black Pool (it’s actually turquoise and stunning) and the Fishing Cone, a geyser in the lake where anglers used to cook their catches on the hook before the practice was prohibited.
Where to Stay
West Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lake and Old Faithful hotels are the best options for this night. Canyon Village could work as well.
Day 4 — West Geyser Basins and Old Faithful
The final activities on this 4 day itinerary in Yellowstone are some of the most famous, but I put them last because they’re along the route driving south out of the park (toward Grand Teton National Park). If your Yellowstone road trip is taking you back to Bozeman instead, you can add the Upper Geyser Basin onto the end of Day 3 and just do the Midway and Lower basins today for a quicker exit from the west side of the park.
Lower Geyser Basin
Located along the Firehole River, the Lower Geyser Basin is the largest geyser basin in the park, covering some 18 square miles.
There are a few different areas you should check out here. Start with a short but often crowded one-way drive on Firehole Canyon Road. It’s only about 2 miles and passes Firehole Falls and the Firehole River swimming area (check current conditions to see if swimming is allowed).
Next, the Fountain Paint Pot zone has a short boardwalk trail to see hot springs, geysers, fumaroles and mud pots. Fountain Geyser on this path erupts about every 4.5 to 7 hours, so you may get lucky and catch it spouting.
You definitely don’t want to miss the Firehole Lake Drive in the Lower basin, which runs in a one-way loop for about 3.5 miles. Along the route, stop to see the Great Fountain Geyser, which erupts about 100 feet high every 10 to 14 hours from a reflective pool.
A little further down the road, White Dome Geyser shoots up more frequently (at unpredictable times) but less dramatically. Toward the end of the drive, you can stroll short boardwalks over a pair of steaming lakes.
Midway Geyser Basin and Grand Prismatic Spring
The Midway Geyser Basin is home to Grand Prismatic Spring, one of the most photographed features in Yellowstone. A boardwalk loop also includes three other impressive pools — the dormant Excelsior Geyser, the Opal Pool and the Turquoise Pool.
The parking lot here is very busy, so it’s best to arrive early in the morning or late in the day to avoid waiting in long traffic lines for a spot. The boardwalk loop is pretty short though, so there is a constant flow of cars exiting.
While you’ll be able to walk right alongside Grand Prismatic Spring from the trail, the best view is actually from above, where you can see the entire blue pool ringed by vibrant orange. To get this vantage point, you have to hike to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook from the Fairy Falls Trail Parking Lot.
The trail is 1.6 miles roundtrip, with a steep climb toward the end. You can combine it with a hike to Fairy Falls, less than 6 miles roundtrip.
Fairy Falls
The 200-foot tall Fairy Falls is one of the most popular Yellowstone waterfalls, but you have to hike to see it. The shortest path is from the Fairy Falls parking area to the south, a 5.4-mile hike with a short spur trail along the way to the Grand Prismatic Overlook of the Midway Geyser Basin.
Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful
The Upper Geyser Basin is home to the famous Old Faithful, a predictable geyser that shoots 100-plus feet into the air every 68 to 94 minutes on average. The National Park Service publishes eruption predictions that are accurate about 90 percent of the time within a 10-minute window before and after.
While the viewing area around Old Faithful can get crowded around eruption times, the Upper Geyser Basin is actually quite large, with miles of boardwalks winding through the steaming and bubbling landscape. For a quick walk while you wait for Old Faithful, you can make a loop of Geyser Hill (less than a mile) or hike up to Observation Point (1.6 miles) for an elevated view of the basin and Old Faithful.
The historic Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, and Old Faithful Lodge surround the Old Faithful viewing area. There are also a lot of amenities here, including restrooms, a general store, a service station, a visitor center, restaurants and plenty of parking.
Tips for Visiting Yellowstone National Park
The Yellowstone National Park planning guide below has tips for where to stay, what to pack, and how to find the different entrance points to the park.
When is the Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park?
When you’re planning your 4 days in Yellowstone National Park itinerary, you want to make sure you know what to expect as far as weather, crowds and prices.
Summer is by far the busiest season, with visitation in July and August approaching 1 million a month in recent years. Because of this, hotels and campgrounds book up early, popular destinations are crowded, and some parking lots and roads are full of traffic. The weather in summer is mild in the day, averaging in the 70s, with cooler nights.
The shoulder months in spring and fall are a great time to visit Yellowstone for lower crowds and prices. You do need to keep an eye on the current weather and road and business closures though, especially before May and after October. Temps in these seasons can vary from the 30s to 60s in the day and well below freezing at night.
Winter is a more challenging season to visit independently, as almost all roads are closed to automobiles and many hotels and businesses shut down. But, you’ll get to see a deserted winter wonderland if you do choose this time.
You can book snowmobile tours, wolf-watching excursions, and other unique experiences during winter in Yellowstone. Prepare for frigid weather, though, with highs peaking around 20 and lows below 0 (the record is -66 degrees).
Check the National Park Service website for the most up-to-date information on the status of park roads.
How to Get to Yellowstone National Park
There are five different Yellowstone entrances spread far apart.
From Bozeman, Montana, you’ll likely head for the West or North access points. The busiest is the West Entrance Station, located in West Yellowstone in Montana. The North Entrance Station is known for the grand Roosevelt Arch, built in 1903, and is near the Mammoth Hot Springs area just outside of Gardiner, Montana. It’s also the only station open year-round.
The Northeast Entrance Station is one of the most remote, with the Beartooth Mountain Pass to the east. The nearest town is the tiny Cooke City-Silver Gate community about 5 miles away. This station is a log building from 1935 listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The South Entrance Station to Yellowstone is less than 60 miles from Jackson, Wyoming, and just a few minutes from the entrance to Grand Teton National Park. The East Entrance Station near Yellowstone Lake is about 65 miles from Cody, Wyoming. This is where you’d enter road tripping from places like Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, or Badlands National Park in South Dakota.
Use this 3 days in Jackson Hole itinerary to plan a trip to Grand Teton National Park.
What Airports are Near Yellowstone National Park?
There are a few different options for where to fly into Yellowstone. Generally, the closer you land, the smaller the airport, which often means expensive flights and more layovers on the way.
The absolute closest option is the West Yellowstone Airport in Montana, just 5 miles from the West Entrance Station. Routes here are seasonal and limited.
Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming is about 50 miles from the South Entrance. This is a great option if you also plan to visit Grand Teton National Park on the same trip.
The Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody, Wyoming, is about 55 miles from the East Entrance and connects to a couple of big cities in neighboring states.
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Montana is a popular choice about 80 miles from the North Entrance Station and 90 Miles from the West Entrance Station. Nonstop routes from a couple dozen destinations (and growing) are available from most major U.S. carriers and a few budget airlines as well.
For more routes and better prices, you can also look at Salt Lake City International Airport, less than 5 hours from West Yellowstone, and Denver International Airport, close to 9 hours from the South and East entrances.
How Many Days Do You Need at Yellowstone National Park?
Is 4 days in Yellowstone enough time? While you could spend endless amounts of time exploring the 2.2 million acres of parklands and 900 miles of hiking trails in Yellowstone, a 4 day Yellowstone itinerary is the perfect amount of time for your first trip to see the major sites, hike some shorter trails, and drive the upper and lower circles of Grand Loop Road.
If you’re passing through on a road trip and only have one or two days in Yellowstone, I’d recommend focusing on the lower loop first, as that will get you to Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, several major thermal basins, and Yellowstone Lake. This itinerary for Yellowstone and Grand Teton includes just a couple of days in each park.
With more than 4 days in Yellowstone National Park, you can add in longer hikes, avoid midday visits at the busy spots, drive the Beartooth Highway, and slow down at spots like Yellowstone Lake and the Lamar Valley.
Where to Stay Near Yellowstone National Park
The first thing to decide when looking for places to stay near Yellowstone National Park is whether you’d prefer to base yourself in one place or change locations to cut down on driving time. The park is huge, so if you stay in just one hotel, you may end up driving a couple of hours each way to get to some of the places on this Yellowstone itinerary. I recommend picking two hotels and staying a couple of nights in each one.
The next thing to consider is whether you’ll stay inside or outside the park. The benefits to staying in a Yellowstone hotel include not having to wait at the entry booths in the morning and quicker access to some attractions, though you’ll still have a far drive to others. The huge con is the high price and lack of availability at the Yellowstone park hotels, as they tend to book out months in advance.
Gardiner
Some of the top rated places to stay in Gardiner include the Roosevelt Hotel, Yellowstone Gateway Inn and Yellowstone Riverside Cottages.
West Yellowstone
There are tons of options for where to stay in West Yellowstone, including top rated accommodations like Faithful Street Inn and Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone, as well as glamping accommodations outside town like Under Canvas Yellowstone.
Yellowstone Hotels and Campgrounds
A few of the properties date to the early 1900s, including the historic Old Faithful Inn, one of the largest log buildings in the world. Even if you don't stay, you can pop into the lobby to see the stone fireplace, shop in the gift store, or book a reservation at the restaurant.
The National Park Service manages seven campgrounds in Yellowstone, some that you must reserve ahead and others that are first come, first served. Campground reservations are also competitive, so reserve one as soon as you know your travel dates.
What to Pack For Yellowstone National Park
These are a few of the top items I recommend packing for Yellowstone. For apparel, make sure you have layers, comfortable shoes or hiking boots, and a daypack.
Binoculars are a must for wildlife watching. I also suggest investing in a good zoom lens for your camera to capture wildlife shots. A mini tripod with a remote is great for taking photos of you and your travel buddies at all the bucket list places in Yellowstone.
Do not forget to pick up bear spray when you arrive. You cannot fly with it in your carry on or checked luggage, but you can buy it from local sporting stores or rent it from the Canyon Village Visitor Center.
Yellowstone Tickets and Passes
The entrance fee for Yellowstone National Park is $35 per car and is good for seven days, so you’ll just need to pay once on for Yellowstone 4 days itinerary.
If you plan to visit another couple of national parks within a year of your Yellowstone trip, you may want to invest in the America the Beautiful Pass, which gets you annual entry to more than 2,000 national parks and federal recreation areas for $80.
Grand Teton National Park entry is also $35, so the annual parks pass would almost pay for itself if you’re going to Yellowstone and Grand Teton on the same trip.
These are the most popular national parks in the United States.
Yellowstone National Park Tours
Sometimes it is easier to have someone else take care of the details of your trip so you don’t have to deal with annoying issues like parking and traffic. These guided tours will help make your trip to Yellowstone a breeze.
This 2 day guided tour of Yellowstone from Jackson includes both the upper and lower park loops for a scenic overview of all the geysers, waterfalls and wildlife.
This guided day trip to Yellowstone from West Yellowstone highlights the lower park loop attractions like Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley and Grand Prismatic Spring.
The Best Grand Canyon to Zion National Park Road Trip Itinerary for This Year
Soaring pink cliffs, gushing rivers and breathtaking hikes along canyon rims and ridges are all a part of this Grand Canyon to Zion National Park itinerary that combines two of the best places to visit in southern Utah and northern Arizona into one unforgettable road trip. Keep reading for a Grand Canyon Zion road trip guide to help you plan your route and hikes and find the best places to stay.
This Grand Canyon to Zion National Park itinerary combines two of the best places to visit in southern Utah and northern Arizona into one unforgettable road trip.
Soaring pink cliffs, gushing rivers and breathtaking hikes along canyon rims and ridges are all a part of this Zion to Grand Canyon National Park itinerary. The two bucket list destinations are just across state lines from each other — Zion, the most visited national park in Utah, and the world-famous Grand Canyon in Arizona.
While both parks are worthy of a few days exploring and hiking, it’s possible to squeeze the pair into one long weekend flying in and out of Las Vegas in Nevada or St. George in Utah.
I recommend aiming for the North Rim of the Grand Canyon on this trip as it’s closer to Zion National Park and will save at least two hours of driving. It’s also less busy than the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, which gets 90% of national park visitors. If you have your heart set on the South Rim, we’ve included an option for that, too.
I’ve visited Zion National Park twice and both rims of the Grand Canyon a few times, and these are the recommendations I share with friends and family for their first trip!
Keep reading for a Grand Canyon Zion road trip guide to help you plan your route and hikes and find the best places to stay.
Grand Canyon to Zion National Park Map
Use this Zion to Grand Canyon National Park map to find your route and pinpoint the top activities in each destination.
Learn more and reserve your travel dates
Zion to Grand Canyon National Park Road Trip
This four-day Zion to Grand Canyon itinerary begins and ends in Las Vegas, the closest major airport to the parks. If you need to condense this trip into a long weekend, you can spend just half day at the Grand Canyon North Rim checking out a few viewpoints. Reserve at least one full day for Zion to take the free park shuttle into the canyon and hike one or two bucket-list trails.
For longer trip to northern Arizona and Southern Utah, check out this 7 or 8 day Utah national parks itinerary and this 10 day Arizona and Utah road trip.
Day 1 — Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park
Aim to make the long drive to Grand Canyon National Park on arrival day so you can maximize the rest of your time in the national parks.
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon North Rim
From Las Vegas, it’s about 4.5 hours (270 miles) all the way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you aren’t staying at the Grand Canyon Lodge and don’t have enough time to visit the North Rim on this day, you’ll only need to drive as far as your hotel somewhere like Kanab (205 miles from Vegas) or Jacob Lake (230 miles from Vegas).
The North Rim is very remote and aside from the Lodge, the closest places to stay are a good 45 minutes to an hour away. It’s not really worth driving all the way into the park and back out again unless you have a least half a day to spend there.
If you have extra time on the way to the North Rim, you can stop at Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada or take the route through Zion National Park and squeeze in a quick hike. Keep reading for more details on both of those options.
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim
The drive from Vegas to the Grand Canyon South Rim also takes about 4.5 hours (280 miles) or 5 hours if you divert onto historic Route 66. If you’re spending the night somewhere close like Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan, you can aim to arrive in time to catch the sunset from Mather Point or one of the lookouts along Hermit Road.
With extra time, you can stop at the Hoover Dam on the way or spend some time driving old Route 66 to Williams, stopping at a couple of retro diners and gas stations along the way.
Where to Stay
The best places to stay near the Grand Canyon South Rim are in Grand Canyon Village, Tusayan and Williams.
Day 2 — Grand Canyon National Park
If you pick the Grand Canyon South Rim as your destination, use this one-day South Rim guide to plan out your hikes and sightseeing. The itinerary below is for the Grand Canyon North Rim. You should be able to fit all of these activities into one day.
North Kaibab Trail
There are several short hikes you can do throughout the day at various lookouts, which I’ll detail below, but if you want to experience hiking down into the canyon, the North Kaibab Trail is where to go.
The trail runs for 14.2 miles one way to the canyon floor and is used by super fit hikers who do the rim to rim hike between the North and South rims. For a day hike, you can just travel a mile or two down and back up or aim for a turn-around point like the Supai Tunnel (3.4 miles round trip) rest stop, which has drinking water and a toilet. Remember that hiking up is much more difficult than going down and can take twice as long.
Parking at the trailhead fills quickly, so do this first thing in the morning.
Bright Angel Point
Bright Angel Point Trail and lookout is most people’s first glimpse at the North Rim. The short and steep paved path (0.5 mile round trip) is near the Grand Canyon Lodge and North Rim Visitor Center and leads to a panoramic view. This is also a great spot to watch the sunset or sunrise if you’re in the park for either.
Transept Trail
From Bright Angel Point, you can continue along the rim a little ways on the Transept Trail to a less-busy lookout that juts into the canyon. The Transept Trail follows the rim of a side canyon for a couple of miles (4 miles round trip), but you can turn around at any point for a shorter walk.
Point Imperial and Cape Royal Scenic Drive
Set aside half a day for a scenic drive in the park to several lookouts with different vantage points of the canyon. The route spans about 30 miles round trip along Point Imperial Road and Cape Royal Road, which lead to their namesake viewpoints.
Point Imperial is the highest North Rim overlook at 8,803 feet, with views of the Painted Desert and Marble Canyon. On Cape Royal Road, you’ll want to pull over at the Vista Encantada lookout to picnic, Roosevelt Point for a short forested trail, Walhalla Overlook for ancestral Puebloan ruins, and Cape Royal to walk a paved path (0.8 miles round trip) with views of the Angel’s Window rock feature and Colorado River.
This is how to spend 2 days at Grand Canyon National Park
Where to Stay
Day 3 — Grand Canyon to Zion National Park
If you stay in Kanab, you’ll only have about a 30-minute commute to the east entrance of Zion National Park, but it’ll take over an hour to get all the way to the canyon floor and visitor center. Luckily, the drive from Grand Canyon to Zion on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway has some of the best scenery in the park.
Just be sure to arrive super early if you plan to do a long and popular hike like Angels Landing or the Narrows, as you have to ride the free shuttle and parking at the visitor center fills up early in the morning. Paid parking is available in the neighboring town of Springdale, but you may need to ride a bus to the national park if parking near the entrance is full.
Here’s how to spend one day at Zion National Park.
Zion-Mount Carmel Highway
The eastern route into Zion National Park, the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and its 1.1-mile tunnel are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The road cuts around pink cliffs and swerves along switchbacks as it descends to the floor of the canyon. There are a few spots to pull over along the way to snap photos of checkerboard hills, a canyon overlook, and a giant arch forming in a cliff.
Canyon Overlook Trail
The Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile) starts from the east side of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and leads to a breathtaking view of Zion and Pine Creek canyons. It’s a moderate but short uphill climb with a big payoff at the end. This is one of few Zion hikes that don’t require a ride on the shuttle, but parking is limited near the trailhead and it’s often challenging to find a spot.
Angels Landing Hike
Angels Landing is one of the most famous hiking destinations in Zion. The West Rim Trail to Angels Landing (5.4 miles) gains 1,488 feet of elevation, with a famous narrow ridge with chain assists leading to the final canyon overlook.
Since the trail gets crowded, you need to have a permit to hike the final section up the ridge. Angels Landing reservations are distributed through a seasonal lottery system.
With just a day in Zion, you’ll probably have to choose between this hike or The Narrows, but you can squeeze in both with a half-day more. The trailhead is at the Grotto, stop 6 on the free park shuttle.
The Narrows and Riverside Walk
Another bucket-list Zion hike, The Narrows begins where the Riverside Walk (2.2 miles) footpath ends, literally in the Virgin River. On the hike, you’ll walk, wade and swim in the river as the soaring canyon walls close in tighter and tighter.
The entire strenuous hike is about 9.4 miles roundtrip, but you can turn around at any point for a shorter option. Local outdoor outfitters in Springdale have boots, hiking poles, and other gear you can rent for the trek.
Flash flooding and river conditions can make this hike dangerous, so be sure to check the Zion National Park website for alerts before you take off. The trailhead is at Temple of Sinawava, the final stop on the park shuttle route.
Emerald Pools Trails
Consisting of lower, middle and upper tiers, the Emerald Pools and waterfalls are a popular excursion to fill the remainder of your day or for folks looking for a hike a little less intimidating than Angels Landing or The Narrows.
The easy Lower Emerald Pools Trail (1.2 miles) leads to a waterfall you can walk under. The Middle Emerald Pools Trail (2.2 miles) is just above it, but the climb gets much steeper. The upper pool adds another mile onto the hike. The trails also connect to the Kayenta Trail (2 miles), so you can make a loop to see all three in a little more than 3 miles. The Zion trail maps will help you plot the right course.
Access the Emerald Pools path from the Zion Lodge, shuttle stop 5, or the Kayenta Trail from The Grotto, stop 6.
These are the 5 Utah national parks you have to visit
Where to Stay
Day 4 — Zion to Las Vegas
The drive from Zion to Las Vegas takes about 3 hours, so if you’re flying home on this day, take that into account. You could also spend the night somewhere like St. George to cut the drive time down a little. If you have extra time or a full day, consider adding on a few of the activities below.
Extra Zion Activities
If you have an extra couple of hours for Zion but don’t want to ride the shuttle again for any hikes you missed yesterday, you could explore a couple of the trails close to the visitor center instead. Some options include the Pa’rus Trail (3.5), an easy and paved walk along the river that’s perfect for all ages and abilities, and the Watchman Trail (3.3) is a moderate uphill hike to a lookout of the lower canyon.
Kolob Canyons
The less-crowded Kolob Canyons section of the park is about 45 minutes from the Springdale-Zion area. With half a day, you could head up here to drive the scenic 5-mile Kolob Canyon Road and hike the Timber Creek Overlook Trail (1 mile).
Valley of Fire State Park
Valley of Fire State Park is just off the route heading back to Vegas, about an hour outside the city. It’s known for its striking red and orange landscape and is the perfect spot to spend a couple of hours to half a day.
For a quick visit, you can just pass through the park on the Valley of Fire Highway and take an hour or so to drive the scenic Mouse’s Tank Road through the red rock landscape. With half a day in the park, add in a couple of short hikes like the White Domes Loop (1 mile), Rainbow Vista Trail (1 miles) or Fire Wave Trail (1.5 miles). My favorite is the White Domes Loop, where you’ll hike through a short slot canyon and see huge rock features in shades of yellow, pink and orange.
This is how to plan a trip to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park
Zion to Grand Canyon Road Trip Tips
Use this Grand Canyon to Zion National Park guide to plan out the details of your trip. We’ve included tips for where to stay, what to pack, and when to visit these bucket list parks.
Where to Stay Near Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks
If you don’t mind switching hotels, the closest you can get to the North Rim is the Grand Canyon Lodge or North Rim Campground in the park. Outside the park, there are only a couple of scattered accommodations in the 80 mile stretch between the national park and Kanab.
For Zion, the nearest hotels are in Springdale, just outside the park entrance. For more options, check out these closest towns to Zion National Park.
Where to Fly Into for a Grand Canyon to Zion Road Trip
The closest major airport to the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park is in Las Vegas. It’s about 3 hours from Zion and 4.5 from the North Rim. The St. George Regional Airport is even closer, an hour from Zion and less than 3 from the North Rim, with flights on a few major airlines.
Zion National Park to Grand Canyon National Park Drive
The drive between the visitor centers in Zion to Grand Canyon North Rim takes a little under 3 hours. On the way, you can take the breathtaking Zion-Mount Carmel Highway for colorful rock hills and canyon views.
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Zion National Park is closer to 5 hours, and you can either take a scenic route by Marble Canyon and Vermillion Cliffs National Monument or go through Page, Arizona, to stop at Horseshoe Bend and tour Antelope Canyon.
This Arizona Utah road trip idea squeezes Zion, Grand Canyon, Page and Bryce Canyon into four days. It’s the perfect itinerary to see other national parks while driving this Grand Canyon to Zion route.
What to Pack for Zion and the Grand Canyon
Pack seasonally appropriate outfits for a Zion and Grand Canyon trip that are comfortable for long drives in the car and walking or hiking in both parks. Layers are a good idea in every season, as temperatures can swing 30 degrees in a day. The rim of the Grand Canyon can be surprisingly cool on summer evenings, especially if it is windy.
This packing list with national park and camping necessities will help you prepare for your trip to the Grand Canyon and Zion.
How Many Days to Spend at the Grand Canyon and Zion
Because of the driving distance from the Grand Canyon to Zion National Park, I would recommend at least 3 or 4 days to be able to spend a full day in each park. On a short trip, visiting the Grand Canyon North Rim will save you a couple hours of driving.
Of the two, give more time to Zion National Park if you enjoy hiking. You could visit the Grand Canyon North Rim in half a day if you just want to check out a couple of the viewpoints. It is possible to visit the Grand Canyon and Zion on a long weekend if you only spend a day in each park.
If you have extra time on your trip, you can also spend a day in Las Vegas.
Can You See Zion and the Grand Canyon in One Day?
Because of the driving distances, I don’t recommend trying to see Zion and the Grand Canyon in one day. If you just want to quickly stop at a few overlooks while passing through the area on a road trip, it’s definitely possible to make it to Zion and the Grand Canyon North Rim, but you won’t have time for much hiking in either park.
If you do only have one day, I would recommend the first half in Zion hiking the Riverside Trail and Canyon Overlook Trail before driving to the Grand Canyon North Rim to watch the sunset from a viewpoint.
Grand Canyon and Zion National Park Tours
These tours between the Grand Canyon to Zion National Park make it easy to sit back and enjoy the scenery as you leave the driving to someone else. Plus, you’ll get to see the best spots in both the Grand Canyon and Zion with a professional guide.
This Zion, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon tour from Las Vegas squeezes a ton of bucket list activities into 3 days.
This small group Zion and Bryce Canyon day trip leaves from Las Vegas.
Grand Canyon and Zion Weather and Seasons
At Zion National Park, daytime summer temps average in the 90s to 100, with lows in the 60s. Monsoon season starts in late summer and brings a threat of flash floods in the canyon. Fall and spring have highs that average in the 60s to 80s and lows in the 40s to 50s. Average winter temperatures top out in the 50s and lows in the 30s.
The Grand Canyon North Rim is only open with full services between May 15 and October 15. Summer highs average in the mid-70s and lows in the 40s. The spring and fall shoulder months average about 10 degrees cooler for highs and lows.
10 of the Best Towns Near Bryce Canyon National Park
These towns near Bryce Canyon National Park get you close to the famous orange hoodoos and stunning sunsets at the popular Utah destination. If you’re looking for the closest town to Bryce Canyon for your next trip to the national park, this list has all the best retro motels, budget inns and cozy cabins.
These cities and towns near Bryce Canyon National Park get you close to the famous orange hoodoos and stunning sunsets at the popular Utah destination.
If you’re looking for the closest town to Bryce Canyon for your next trip to the Utah national park, this list will help you narrow down your options. It has all the best places to stay near Bryce Canyon National Park for hiking, hoodoos and sunrise colors.
Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its orange rock stacks and unique formations that fill a big basin. At the park, you can hop between lookouts, walk along a rim trail, or trek down into the canyon to get up close to the hoodoos.
After a few Utah national park road trips, I’ve compiled this list of where to stay when visiting Bryce Canyon that includes both towns and very small cities near Bryce Canyon. On my last trip, I stayed in Tropic while I visited Bryce Canyon — read on to find out why!
Cities and Towns Near Bryce Canyon National Park
These towns near Bryce Canyon have the closest hotels, cabins, and campgrounds to the national park. You can click to open and save the Google map below that shows where each one is located in proximity to the park.
Bryce Canyon National Park Campgrounds and Lodge
Bryce Canyon has just one hotel and two campgrounds within the national park, but if you can secure a reservation, you’ll wake up steps from the scenic overlooks.
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon has rooms, suites and cabins near Sunrise and Sunset viewpoints, plus a seasonal restaurant and general store.
The North Campground near the visitor center and Sunset Campground near Sunset Point both have tent and RV sites but limited amenities with no sewer, water or electric hook-ups and no showers.
Bryce Canyon City
Bryce Canyon City, or just Bryce on some maps, encompasses the hotels right next to the national park and is the closest town to Bryce Canyon. Staying in Bryce Canyon City provides the quickest and easiest transit to the national park. Accommodations here do tend to be pricier than in towns a few miles outside the park, though.
A little commercial district near the park entrance has a couple of restaurants, shops, a general store and gas station. The park-and-ride lot and shuttle pickup for the national park are within walking distance from most hotels, so it’s a convenient place to stay near Bryce Canyon.
Where to Stay in Bryce Canyon City
Tropic
Tropic is the next closest town near Bryce Canyon National Park, about 10 miles from the entrance. With a few small inns, bed-and-breakfasts and cabins to choose from, it’s pretty easy to find a budget hotel near Bryce Canyon in Tropic.
While the town is very small, there are a few restaurants and a grocery store along Main Street, so you’ll be able to pick up supplies if you’re road-tripping or camping.
This is where I stayed on my last trip to Utah, since the prices were lower a few minutes outside the park. I still found it really quick and easy to get to the entrance and park and ride.
Where to Stay in Tropic
Cannonville
Cannonville is one of the most convenient towns near Bryce Canyon National Park, just 15 miles from the entry. It’s also 7 miles from Kodachrome Basin State Park, where you can hike amongst towering red rock formations.
There are just a handful of places to stay here and even fewer amenities, but the larger town of Tropic is just 5 miles up the road for restaurants.
Where to Stay in Cannonville
Panguitch
If you’re looking for the closest cities near Bryce Canyon, Panguitch is less than 30 minutes away from the national park. Less than 2,000 people live here, so it definitely has more of a small-town feel.
The old-timey Main Street district in Panguitch has a few places to eat and shop. The retro motels and small inns here tend to be more affordable than spots just outside the national park.
Where to Stay in Panguitch
Escalante
For small cities near Bryce Canyon, Escalante is worth a look. It’s nearly an hour east of the park, but it’s a great midway point if you’re driving in from Capitol Reef National Park or a base for exploring Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
There’s a Main Street that runs through the center of town with a inns, shops, eateries and outdoor outfitters. A few popular sights nearby include Lower Calf Creek Falls, the slot canyons along Hole in the Rock Road, and Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Where to Stay in Escalante
Hatch
Hatch is one of the best towns near Bryce Canyon, located just 25 miles west of the national park and 50 miles from Zion. Amenities are limited, but you’ll find hotels and a couple of cafes along the highway, and ranches and retreats in the nearby countryside. You’ll really feel far from the crowds in this spot.
Where to Stay in Hatch
Glendale
The teeny town of Glendale is about 50 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park and 20 from the Zion National Park east entrance station, so it’s a great base if you’re looking for towns near Bryce Canyon and Zion. The hotel supply is pretty limited, though.
Where to Stay in Glendale
Orderville/Mount Carmel Junction
Orderville spans several miles of the U.S. Route 89 west of Bryce Canyon and includes small, unincorporated communities like Mount Carmel and Mount Carmel Junction. If you’re looking for towns near Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park, it’s one of the best central locations.
Accommodations and amenities are scarce and scattered, though. Orderville is about 55 miles from Bryce Canyon and less than 20 miles from the east entrance to Zion.
Where to Stay in Orderville
This is How to Plan a Zion and Bryce Canyon Trip
Kanab
While Kanab is about 75 miles from the national park, it’s a great base for exploring famous destinations in southern Utah and northern Arizona. The small town near Bryce is also centrally located to Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon North Rim, and Page and Lake Powell — all less than 80 miles away.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Buckskin Gulch slot canyon, the Toadstool Hoodoos, and tons of other adventures and hiking trails are even closer.
The town is set up for tourists, with restaurants, shops and an array of lodging near Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, including some national chains, small hotels, and local inns and hostels.
Where to Stay in Kanab
How to Plan the Best Zion to Bryce Canyon Road Trip Itinerary
This Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary features the best hikes and views at the two most popular Utah national parks. If you’re planning a road trip to see the pink cliffs and orange hoodoos at Bryce Canyon and Zion, this map and guide will point you to the best trails, activities and places to stay.
This Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary features the best hikes and views at the two most popular Utah national parks.
Pink cliffs, orange hoodoos, river gorges, rock tunnels — some of the best natural wonders and national parks of Southern Utah are all a part of this Zion and Bryce Canyon itinerary.
Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park is a bucket-list road trip for lovers of Southwest scenery. The region is packed with jaw dropping feats of nature like canyon walls that soar hundreds of feet overhead and rock stacks that magically balance in strange formations.
I’ve been to the pair of parks twice now and have sent family and friends using this exact Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park itinerary. Below you’ll find a map and day-by-day guide featuring the best trails and overlooks at Bryce Canyon and Zion, plus tips like when to go, where to stay, and what to expect from the Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip.
Keep reading to get started on the Bryce Canyon Zion National Park vacation of a lifetime!
Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park Map
This Zion and Bryce Canyon road trip map pinpoints the best things to do in each park. Click on the image to open a Google Map and save the suggested activities.
Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park Itinerary
This Zion and Bryce Canyon itinerary for four days could start from the airport in either Las Vegas, which is about 4 hours from Bryce Canyon and less than 3 from Zion, or Salt Lake City, which is also 4 hours from Bryce Canyon but closer to 4.5 from the Springdale side of Zion National Park. If you do a one way road trip, you could fly into Salt Lake City, visit Bryce Canyon and Zion, and fly out of Las Vegas.
If you only have a long weekend in Utah, you can squeeze Bryce Canyon into a half day by sticking to the four main viewpoints on the shuttle route and doing a short hike like the Navajo Loop. You’ll need at least one full day in Zion to ride the shuttle into the canyon to the famous hikes.
For longer visit to Southern Utah, check out this 7 to 8 day Utah road trip or this 10 day Utah and Arizona itinerary — both include time for Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks.
Day 1 — Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park
This suggested Zion and Bryce road trip itinerary route starts in Las Vegas, a popular major airport close to the national parks. For more ideas of where to begin this journey, scroll down to the tips section.
The most direct drive from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon is about 4 hours, and you should plan to arrive by late afternoon if possible to watch the sunset from the rim of Bryce Canyon.
Kolob Canyons
If your flight lands early in the day and you have enough time, make a stop at Kolob Canyons about midway on the drive. The orange canyons are a part of Zion National Park, but this section is almost an hour away from Springdale so most people skip it on their first trip to Zion.
On a short visit, you can drive the 5-mile scenic Kolob Canyon Road and hike the Timber Creek Overlook Trail (1 mile) at the end to an elevated view of valleys and canyons. For a longer visit, more remote day hikes include the Taylor Creek Trail (5 miles) to a box canyon and the Double Arch Alcove, and the La Verkin Creek Trail (14 miles) to the Kolob Arch, one of the largest natural arches in the world at 287 feet.
After this pit stop, keep driving from Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park.
Bryce Canyon National Park Sunset
If you arrive to Bryce Canyon National Park by late afternoon, you should have time to hop around to the four most popular viewpoints — Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunrise Point and Sunset Point. The lookouts are connected via the Rim Trail (about 3 miles each way) but you can also drive or ride the shuttle between them. Any of these make a great spot to watch the sunset, but it’s hard to beat the sweeping views from the rim between the Sunrise and Sunset overlooks.
Day 2 — Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park
On this day of your Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip, you’ll explore the trails of Bryce Canyon before embarking on a scenic drive from Bryce Canyon National Park to Zion National Park. This Bryce Canyon itinerary highlights the best things to do in a day. When you arrive at the park, you can either leave your car at the park and ride just outside the gates and take a free shuttle (mid April to mid October) to the four main viewpoints, or drive yourself. The parking lots at the more popular lookouts can get full at busier times, so it’s best to arrive early to hike if you want to bring your car into the park.
Bryce Canyon Hikes
Start with an early morning hike into the canyon at Bryce. The best moderately difficult Bryce Canyon trails for a shorter visit are Navajo Loop Trail (1.3 miles), the Queen’s Garden Trail (1.8 miles), or the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop (2.9 miles).
I recommend doing the loop, as you’ll get to experience a larger section of the canyon and pass by some really cool rock features like the Queen Victoria hoodoo and Thor’s Hammer. You can do either start at Sunrise Point to hike down on the Queen’s Garden Trail for sweeping views or from Sunset Point to go down the steeper Two Bridges or Wall Street sections of the Navajo Loop. I chose to hike clockwise down from Sunrise Point as the National Park Service recommends because descents are safer on the less steep side and you get wider views of the amphitheater in front of you. On the way back up, the steep Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop has switchbacks between narrow canyon walls that tower overhead.
For a longer and more strenuous hike in the main amphitheater, you could do either the Peekaboo Loop (5.5 miles) from Bryce Point to the canyon floor, or the Figure 8 Combo (6.4 miles), which includes all the hikes mentioned above.
Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
With the rest of your time at Bryce Canyon National Park, head down the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive, a 15-mile (each way) route to Rainbow Point. There are 9 overlooks along the way that you can stop at, like the Natural Bridge, Agua Canyon and Yovimpa Point.
The scenic drive is not on the main shuttle route, but you can book a free guided tour down this road between mid-April and mid-October. It takes about 3 hours and you have to reserve a spot ahead of time. You can also drive yourself. This road closes when conditions are icy.
Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park
If you’re doing this as a 3 or 4 day trip, I recommend leaving by mid-afternoon to drive to Zion National Park. The route from Bryce Canyon to Zion is about 2 hours, with breathtaking scenery like the Red Canyon and pink sandstone Checkerboard Mesa along the way. As you enter Zion National Park from the east, you’ll drive on the historic Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
Just before the tunnel, the Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile) heads uphill for an elevated vista of Zion Canyon and Pine Creek Canyon. With any extra time at the end of the day, you can hike paths near the visitor center like the Watchman Trail (3.3 miles) up to a lookout of the lower canyon or the family-friendly Pa’rus Trail (3.5 miles) along the river. Longer hikes in the Zion Canyon are best saved for your full day in the park.
Day 3 — Zion National Park
This one day in Zion National Park guide will help you narrow down the best things to do during the next part of your Zion to Bryce Canyon itinerary. Plan to ride the shuttle into the Zion Canyon today. The Floor of the Valley Road is closed to private vehicles for most of the year so free park shuttles transport guests from the visitor center to various trailheads. Transit usually starts at 6 a.m. during the summer season (late spring to early fall), and you’ll want to catch one of the first few buses to avoid waiting in super long lines later in the morning.
There are two super famous hikes in Zion National Park — Angel’s Landing and the Narrows. If you start early enough, you could do them both in one very exhausting day. But, if you have a second day to spend in the park, I recommend splitting them up so you have more time to enjoy them. You can flesh out the rest of this first day in Zion with some of the easier trails along Floor of the Valley Road or near the visitor center.
Angel’s Landing Hike
Many people visiting Zion National Park have the famous Angel’s Landing hike on their bucket list. You need a permit to hike the final portion of Angel’s Landing, where you climb up a narrow ridge with chain assists for sweeping views over the canyon. The West Rim Trail to Angel’s Landing (5.4 miles) starts from the Grotto shuttle stop (number 6) and you can hike all the way to Scout Lookout without the permit. It takes about 4 hours for the whole hike, which includes 1,488 feet in elevation gain.
Riverside Walk and The Narrows Hike
Where Floor of the Valley Road ends, the canyon starts closing in on the Virgin River. The Riverside Walk (2.2 miles) is a pretty easy paved path along the water to get to the start of the Narrows, the narrowest part of Zion Canyon. On The Narrows hike (up to 9.4 miles), you have to hike and wade in the Virgin River where the towering canyon walls squeeze closer and closer together. You can only go as far as Big Spring and back without a permit, but you can turn around earlier for a shorter hike.
Emerald Pools Trails
The Emerald Pools trails cover varying levels of difficulty to lower and upper waterfalls from shuttle stop 5 at Zion Lodge or 6 at the Grotto. The Lower Emerald Pool Trail (1.2 miles) is an easy walk to a waterfall and pool. The moderately difficult Middle Emerald Pools Trail (2.2 miles) continues on up a sandstone ledge from the same trailhead near the Zion Lodge. For the Upper Emerald Pools Trail, start on the Kayenta Trail at the Grotto for a moderate 3-mile hike up about 200 feet to a pool at the base of a cliff.
Day 4 — Zion to Las Vegas
On your final day of this Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip, you can either head straight to the airport if you’re flying out, do another of the Zion National Park hikes, or stop at the Valley of Fire State Park on the way back to Vegas. The drive from the Zion-Springdale area to the airport in Las Vegas takes a little under 3 hours, while driving to Salt Lake City will be at least 4.5.
Valley of Fire State Park
If you have time on the way between Zion and Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park is about an hour outside Sin City and has a striking orange and red rock landscape. Just driving through on the Valley of Fire Highway adds about an hour to the trip, but most of the good stuff is along Mouse’s Tank Road in the park, which you’ll need at least another hour for just for some window sightseeing.
If you have a couple of hours, add on short hike, like the Fire Wave Trail (1.5 miles), White Domes Loop (1 miles) or Rainbow Vista Trail (1 mile). My favorite is the White Domes Loop at the end of Mouse’s Tank Road, where you get to cross through a short slot canyon and see huge sandstone formations in shades of pink, orange and yellow.
Read Next: These are the Best Utah National Parks to Visit
Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park Tips
Our Zion and Bryce Canyon road trip guide has tips for where to stay, what to pack, and when to go to Southern Utah.
Where to Stay Near Zion and Bryce Canyon
When embarking on a short Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip, I recommend staying in two different places near each national park to avoid any excess commuting.
For Zion, check out this post that breaks down the closest cities to Zion National Park since there are a variety of options and prices. Springdale is by far the closest, just outside the south entrance station, but it is pricey and the best spots book up early.
Where to Fly Into for Zion and Bryce Canyon
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas is the closest major airport for a Zion and Bryce road trip, about 3 hours from Zion and a little over 4 to Bryce Canyon. Salt Lake City International Airport is about the same distance from Bryce but close to 5 hours from Zion National Park.
St. George Regional Airport, about an hour from Zion and 2.5 from Bryce, has flights on a few major carriers.
Distance from Bryce Canyon to Zion
The drive between Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park is about 85 miles or 2 hours from visitor center to visitor center. It takes about 1.5 hours to get from Bryce to Zion’s east entrance on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway.
Bryce Canyon and Zion are a part of this Colorado to Utah road trip
How Many Days to Visit Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park
You could do this Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip in a weekend, though a full three or four days is ideal if you plan to hike. To keep it short, devote about half a day to see the main lookouts at Bryce Canyon and hike a part of the Rim Trail or the Navajo Loop. Allow a full day at Zion to ride the shuttle into the canyon, hike a trail, and drive the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway.
This 4 day road trip in Utah and Arizona includes Bryce Canyon, Zion and the Grand Canyon and this one focuses on just Zion and the Grand Canyon.
What to Pack for Bryce Canyon and Zion
Seasonally appropriate outdoorsy outfits are perfect for both parks on this Zion and Bryce Canyon itinerary. Dress comfortably and bring layers as both parks can see temperature swings of 30 degrees in a day. If you plan to hike, boots with ankle support are recommended for some of the trails, but make sure you at least have a pair of hiking sneakers with good traction.
This packing list will help you with national park and camping necessities.
Zion and Bryce National Park Weather
Although they’re close to each other in Southern Utah, you may notice a difference in the weather at Bryce and Zion. Even within the same parks as you move between higher and lower elevations in the canyons, the temperature changes.
At Zion, summer highs average in the 90s to 100 and while lows drop to the 60s to 70. Late summer is also the monsoon season with a chance of flash floods in the canyon. Spring and fall here see high temps change from the 80s to 60s moving away from the summer months with lows often in the 40s and 50s. Average winter temps peak in the 50s and lows drop to the 30s.
At Bryce, summer temperatures are more comfortable, with daytime highs averaging in the 70s and 80s and lows in the 40s and 50s. In spring and fall, you can comfortably hike even in the middle of the day, since highs are typically in the 50s and 60s, but overnight temps can drop below freezing in these seasons. Winters are even chillier with highs in the 30s and lows in the teens and an average of 14 to 18 inches of snow monthly.
2 Day Grand Canyon Itinerary: The Best Adventures at the National Park
With just 2 days at the Grand Canyon, you’ll have time to see quite a bit of the national park if you plan ahead. That’s where this handy guide comes in. We’ve broken down the top things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim for your first visit, from the best sunset views to hikes you don’t want to miss.
This 2 days at the Grand Canyon itinerary packs in the best hikes, views, and adventures at the Arizona national park.
When you finally get to spend 2 days at the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona, you don’t want to leave any scenic vista or epic hike off your bucket list. The canyon is a mile deep and 277 miles long, so there is a ton to see and do here.
Miles of rim overlooks stretch along the top and trails run all the way down to the Colorado River at the canyon floor. It’s helpful to plot out a Grand Canyon in 2 days itinerary ahead of time to make sure you don’t miss the best parts.
That’s where this handy guide comes in. It’s focused on the section of the South Rim that falls within Grand Canyon National Park, the perfect spot for your first visit.
I’ve been to the Grand Canyon several times now, including visits to both the South Rim and North Rim and trips with family and solo. It’s absolutely breathtaking every time, and I always find a new vista or hike to check out.
Below, I’ve broken down the top things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim from my experiences traveling there. Since everyone has different priorities, I want to make sure your 2 days in Grand Canyon National Park fit your needs and interests, whether that’s challenging hikes, family-friendly activities or geological history. This itinerary has a bit of all three, with ideas to level the adventure up or down.
2 Days at the Grand Canyon Itinerary
The 2 days at the Grand Canyon map below will help you to plot out your adventures. You can click on the little square to open a Google map that you can save to help with your trip planning.
Day 1 at the Grand Canyon — Grand Canyon Village and Hermit Road
The Grand Canyon Village area of the South Rim is a hub of activity. It’s the first place you’ll encounter entering from the south through Tusayan or on the Grand Canyon Railway and hosts the vast majority of the park’s amenities, from hotels and campsites to museums and visitor centers. It’s also the historic core, with some cool early 1900s buildings to check out if that interests you.
Hermit Road runs to the west of Grand Canyon Village and is full of lookout points. You can hike the whole 7 miles along the Rim Trail for an adventurous activity or ride the shuttle between a few for something more low-key. Be sure to stay out long enough to catch the sunset!
Walk the Rim Trail
The Rim Trail connects viewpoints, tourist amenities and other hiking paths along the South Rim between the South Kaibab trailhead on the east side and Hermits Rest on the west. All of the attractions for Day 1 are along this route, so you can walk as much of it as you’d like. The total length is about 13 miles, but since shuttles run the same track, you can hop on and off to walk smaller sections.
Check in at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and See Mather Point
Stop by the Grand Canyon Visitor Center on your way in to grab maps and check out a few amenities. The site has a cafe, gift shop, bike rental counter, indoor exhibits and a 20-minute park movie. You can park your vehicle here to ride the shuttle to hiking trails or lookout points as this is a central transit hub, too.
Just beyond the visitor center is one of the first glimpses of the Grand Canyon at Mather Point. Since the ridge here juts pretty far into the canyon, the sunrise views are particularly scenic. It gets pretty crowded though, so don’t spend too long in this one spot.
Visit the Yavapai Geology Museum and Yavapai Point
The Yavapai Geology Museum is an educational hub, full of exhibits and ranger programs about how the canyon was formed. The Trail of Time tracing the geological history along the rim also starts from here, and we’ve added details about that below. The museum is about a mile from the visitor center heading toward Grand Canyon Village.
The Yavapai Point lookout is just outside the museum.
Walk the Trail of Time
One of the easiest Grand Canyon walks, the Trail of Time is a short, flat and paved path along the rim that traces the canyon’s geological history. Each meter of the 1.3 miles represents a million years of history, with rocks exhibits and plaques showing different eras of development.
The route is a section of the Rim Trail between the Yavapai Geology Museum and Grand Canyon Village. Starting at the museum will take you backward in time while a village start will move forward from the earliest rocks and carvings. There are also incredible views along the way.
Explore the Historic Grand Canyon Village
Built along the canyon edge, the historic Grand Canyon Village started popping up when the steam train arrived here in 1901.
Several buildings from that era remain, including the Railway Depot (1901) that connects routes to Williams, the Verkamp Visitor Center (1906) with its village history displays, the Hopi House (1905) designed to resemble a pueblo of the Hopi Tribe, Kolb Studio (1905) with art and photography displays, and the European-style El Tovar (1905), a National Historic Landmark still operating as a luxury lodge.
Check Out the Hermit Road Overlooks
Hermit Road runs for about 7 miles west of Grand Canyon Village, packing in nine official viewpoints. Private vehicles are only allowed down the road between December and February, so you have to use the free shuttle, ride a bike, walk the Rim Trail, or do a combo of the three.
An easy section to walk or cycle is the paved and accessible Hermit Road Greenway Trail that connects nearly 3 miles between the final three lookouts — Monument Creek Vista, Pima Point and Hermits Rest. The last one, Hermits Rest, has restrooms and a snack and gift shop housed in a 1914 stone building modeled after a miner’s cabin.
Hopi Point and Mohave Point are popular for sunrise and sunset views, as they jut far into the canyon. They can get crowded at those times, but it’s easy to find a less-busy spot by strolling between the two.
Read Next: Don’t Miss These Other Fun Adventures in Arizona and Utah
Read Next: These are the Best National Parks to Visit in Fall
Day 2 at the Grand Canyon — Canyon Hike and Desert View Drive
Consider waking up early to catch a Grand Canyon sunrise today. Mather Point is a stunning, but crowded, lookout and will make it easy to catch a shuttle from the visitor’s center to get an early start on hiking.
If you’re able, we recommend tackling at least part of one of the hikes below to get a better view into the Grand Canyon below the rim. The first two are steep but not as difficult as the final option. For more adventure, you could spend your whole 2 days at the Grand Canyon hiking down to the floor and back up to the top. For less adventure, substitute in a bike ride or walk along the Greenway Trail on Hermit Road today.
After hiking, take it easy with a cruise down Desert View Drive to check out some uncrowded lookouts and an old stone tower.
Hike Option 1: Bright Angel Trail
This 9.3-mile trail leads all the way to the Grand Canyon floor, BUT day hikers should stick to the first 6 miles or less of the Bright Angel Trail, depending on the season. The National Park Service recommends turning around by the Indian Garden lookout in summer for a 9-mile round trip hike or Plateau Point in milder conditions for a 12-mile hike.
Like all trails to the bottom, this one is steep and full of switchbacks. Since you’ll have to hike back up the way you came down, allow twice as long for the return to the top.
Rest stops with basic amenities are located about every 1.5 miles up to mile 6, each with water (when the pipes are functioning) and a couple with toilets. You can turn around at any point along the trail, though.
Hike Option 2: South Kaibab Trail
Like Bright Angel, the South Kaibab Trail leads to the bottom of the canyon, just on a shorter and less shaded path. If you’re staying at Phantom Ranch or camping at the canyon floor, you can combine the two routes, heading down one way and back up the other.
The whole South Kaibab Trail spans 6.8 miles but the NPS says to turn around by Skeleton Point at 3 miles (for 6 miles total) or Cedar Ridge at 1.5 miles in summer. You’ll at least want to go as far as Ooh-Aah Point at .9 miles for the first open view into the canyon.
There is a rustic toilet at Cedar Ridge, but no water is available along the trail.
Hike Option 3: Hermit Trail
Only experienced hikers should attempt a day trek on the Hermit Trail, a steep, 7-mile round trip route down to Dripping Springs, a hanging garden. It’s an out-and-back trail, so you can turn around at any point if the rocky path becomes too difficult.
Located at the far west end of the shuttle bus routes, this part of the park is a lot less busy than the area around Grand Canyon Village. Even if you don’t hike the trail, you can pop into the nearby Hermits Rest snack and gift shop, built in 1914 in the style of a miner’s cabin.
This guide is extremely detailed if you do decide to hike Hermit Trail.
Read Next: This is Why Antelope Canyon Should Be on Your Bucket List
Cruise Down Desert View Drive
Desert View Drive runs from Grand Canyon Village to the East Entrance of the national park for nearly 25 miles. Most of it is beyond the free park shuttle routes, making the viewpoints along the way much less crowded than the rest of the South Rim.
Half a dozen official lookouts are along the drive. The first two, Pipe Creek Vista and Yaki Point, are just a couple of miles past the visitor center and along a shuttle route. The rest are located every few miles, with most offering stunning views of the Colorado River contrasting in shades of turquoise against the orange and red rock layers.
Explore the Tusayan Ruin
Near the end of the route, the Tusayan Ruin has a short trail around the remains of an Ancestral Puebloan village with a plaza and ceremonial chamber. A museum displays artifacts and more information about the site and the people who once lived here. The ruin and picnic area about 20 miles down the road from the visitor center.
See the Vista From Desert View Watchtower
Desert View is the most built-out area on the east end of the park, with a market, ice cream shop, gas station and campground. The gem of the site, though, is the stone Desert View Watchtower, built in 1932. From the 70-foot high observation deck, you can see miles of canyon views.
Tips for 2 days in Grand Canyon National Park
Getting to Grand Canyon National Park
The closest major airports to the Grand Canyon are in Phoenix (230 miles) and Las Vegas (280 miles), with a smaller one in Flagstaff (90 miles). I recommend renting a car and doing a road trip to the Grand Canyon, but there are plenty of tour providers that will take you there as well.
Where to Stay Near Grand Canyon National Park
Where is the best place to stay at the Grand Canyon? Grand Canyon Village has the closest hotels to the South Rim, but they are a bit pricey. There are also campgrounds at the South Rim.
Escape Campervans rents fully-equipped vehicles that come with kitchenettes and sleep up to five people. Just reserve a site at one of the national park campgrounds, park your van, and you’re good to go! There are 13 pickup locations around the country, but the closest ones to the Grand Canyon are in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Denver.
Click to learn more and reserve your dates.
Should I Book a Grand Canyon Tour?
Some options like this Grand Canyon daytrip from Las Vegas include transportation and a guide, while longer multi-day tours include other national parks along the Arizona-Utah border.
Another epic experience you can book is a Grand Canyon helicopter tour that lands inside the canyon!
Tickets and Passes
How do you get tickets for the Grand Canyon? You’ll have to pay a fee to enter Grand Canyon National Park, but the ticket will be good for 7 days and is valid at the North and South Rim. Check the current prices here. You can purchase admission at the South, North and Desert View entrances to the park.
If you plan to visit any other parks nearby in Utah, like Zion or Bryce Canyon, you can purchase an annual America the Beautiful Pass for all national parks. It typically pays for itself if you visit three or more parks within a year.
When Should I Visit the Grand Canyon?
The South Rim is open year-round with most amenities fully operational, though a couple of shuttle routes don’t run in winter. Summer is by far the most popular time to visit, but it can get quite busy and hot in this season. The temperature increases heading down into the canyon, which can often be above 100 in summer.
Since this is one of the most popular national parks in the U.S., spring and fall offer a nice chance to visit with fewer crowds and milder weather.
This is everything you need to know about visiting the Grand Canyon in spring.
How Many Days at the Grand Canyon?
We recommend between one to three days at the Grand Canyon, though you could stay for longer for a relaxed visit.
With only one day at the Grand Canyon, you can check out a few viewpoints, hike into the canyon or on the Rim Trail, and catch the sunset. A Grand Canyon itinerary for 2 days allows extra time for a longer hike or bike ride and more lookout points. With 3 days at the Grand Canyon, you could do the famous Rim to Rim hike or try a different shorter trail each morning with afternoons reserved for relaxed sightseeing and picnics.
This itinerary includes the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park.
What to Pack for the Grand Canyon
This Grand Canyon packing list breaks down the outfits and gear you will need at the national park for each season.
Mighty 5 Utah Road Trip: the Best Utah National Parks Itinerary for 8 Days
This Utah national parks road trip itinerary includes incredible scenery and hiking in the Southwest. Southern Utah is home to Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands national parks, also known as the Utah Mighty 5. This guide has the ultimate Utah parks road trip to see it all, plus a map and itineraries for 7, 8 or 9 days.
This Utah national parks road trip itinerary includes incredible scenery and hiking in the Southwest plus a Utah Mighty 5 road trip map.
Canyons stretching as far as the eye can see, soaring sandstone cliffs, fire-colored rock hoodoos, thousands of arches — this is just a taste of the breathtaking scenery on a Utah national parks itinerary.
The southern part of the state is home to Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands national parks, also known as the Utah Mighty 5. And a Utah parks road trip is the best way to see it all!
This 8-day Mighty 5 Utah road trip from Las Vegas or Salt Lake City wraps in all the national parks plus a few other must-sees on the way. We’ve included the best trails, views and scenic drives for your first visit. If you aren’t into hiking, you’ll be able to get through this itinerary faster or slow down at some of your favorite spots.
Looking for a shorter or longer trip? Use the index below to jump to different itinerary options. We’ve also included tips like when to go, what to pack, and where to stay.
Index
Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip Map
Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
4 Day Utah and Arizona Road Trip Option
7 Day Utah National Parks Road Trip Option
8 Day Utah National Parks Road Trip Option
9 Day Utah National Parks Road Trip Option
10 Day Utah and Arizona Road Trip Option
Utah Road Trip Tips
Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip Map
Renting a campervan is a great way to explore this region and camp in national parks without sleeping on the ground. Escape Campervans offers built out vans and jeeps that sleep up to five people and have kitchenettes. You can pick one up in Salt Lake City, Phoenix or Las Vegas and drive it round trip or drop it off at a different location.
Check availability and reserve your dates here
8 Day Utah National Parks Road Trip
This Utah national parks road trip itinerary includes the best things to do in the Mighty 5 national parks in Utah. We’ve included a day-by-day itinerary full of scenic drives, bucket-list hikes, and jaw-dropping scenery.
Day 1 — Salt Lake City or Las Vegas to Moab, Utah
Drive time: 4 to 7 hours
Whether you arrive in Salt Lake City or Las Vegas, I recommend starting this Mighty 5 Utah road trip with one of the longest drives to get it out of the way at the beginning. Salt Lake City is the nearest major hub to Moab, the first destination on this trip and home to two incredible national parks.
The drive between Salt Lake City and Moab is a little under 4 hours. Las Vegas will be a longer drive to Moab but closer to the last park on this itinerary. It takes nearly 7 hours to get from Las Vegas to Moab.
If you do have a full first day, you can add a scenic drive into Moab on Utah State Route 128, also known as the Upper Colorado Scenic Byway. The nearly 45-mile route traces the Colorado River around bends and between soaring cliffs. Along the way there are riverside parks and rocky trails away from the crowds.
Any extra time at the end of this day can be spent watching the sunset in Arches National Park or Dead Horse Point State Park, which we’ll cover over the next few days.
Where to Stay in Moab
Some of the highest reviewed Moab hotels on Booking.com include the Red Cliffs Lodge, Moab Springs Ranch, Sunflower Hill Inn, and Hideout at the Rim.
Day 2 — Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park
Drive time: 2+ hours
Use this guide to Canyonlands National Park to plan your activities.
Start your Utah national parks road trip with a visit to Canyonlands. There are four different districts of the park, but the Island in the Sky area is easily accessible and perfect for your first visit. It’s located about an hour from downtown Moab. Arrive early to beat the crowds and maximize your day.
You can start with an easy half-mile hike to Mesa Arch, perched on a cliff edge. This spot is very popular at sunrise, so expect crowds for a dazzling show of sunbeams peaking through the arch.
Next, check out some of the best scenic lookouts in Canyonlands, like the Shafer Canyon Overlook, Buck Canyon Overlook and Green River Overlook.
If you’re up for some hiking, my favorite trail is at Grand View Point, where you can take a short walk to a vista point or follow a 2-mile path to an edge of the mesa with panoramic views of the Green and Colorado rivers.
Other popular short hikes include Upheaval Dome (1 to 2 miles) for crater views, the moderate climb up Whale Rock (1 mile), and the easy walk to the White Rim Overlook (1.8 miles), best in the late afternoon. You can read more about Canyonlands trails here.
For sunset, head about 20 minutes out of Canyonlands to Dead Horse Point State Park, where you can watch the sky change colors over a gooseneck of the Colorado River. Check park admission fees and info. There are trails along the rim here if you have a couple of hours to spend in the park, but the best view is a short walk from the parking lot at the end of the road.
Have an extra day for Canyonlands? Head to the Needles section of the park for more hikes, scenic drives, and canyon overlooks. The Needles section is about 75 miles south of Moab.
Where to Stay Near Canyonlands National Park
Day 3 — Arches National Park
Drive time: 2+ hours
Use this Arches National Park guide to plan the perfect itinerary for this day.
This national park has more than 2,000 arches, so there is lots to see and do in a day. The main road through this park is the 17-mile-long Arches Scenic Drive, where you can stop at lookouts like Park Avenue, the Courthouse Towers, Balanced Rock, Panorama Point, the Salt Valley Overlook, and the Fiery Furnace Overlook.
If you plan to hike, we recommend first heading for the Devil’s Garden section at the end of the drive, for trails to Landscape Arch (1.9 miles), the longest in North America, and Double O Arch (4.1 miles, difficult). You can actually hike 7.8 miles of paths here if you have extra time.
There are several arches with shorter trails you can see in the hotter middle of the day. Plan to stop at Skyline Arch (0.4 miles), Sand Dune Arch (0.3 miles), and Broken Arch (2 miles).
One of the most popular sections of the park is at the Windows, where you can follow an easy path to Double Arch (0.5 miles) or the North and South Windows and Turret Arch loop (1 mile).
You don’t want to leave the park without seeing the famous Delicate Arch, a 46-foot high freestanding arch on a sandstone hill. You can view the iconic arch from afar from a lower viewpoint on a short walk or an upper viewpoint on a hilly half-mile hike.
To get up close, there is a 3-mile trail with a 480-foot climb that takes you right to the base of the arch. This hike is best around sunrise or sunset, as there is little shade on the challenging path.
Have an extra day in Arches? You can add in difficult and longer hikes like the Devil’s Garden primitive trail (7.8 miles), the Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers trail (2 miles), Tower Arch (2.6 miles), or the Fiery Furnace (permit or ranger guide required).
Important note for Arches: You need a timed reservation ticket to visit Arches National Park between April and early October. Reservations open three months in advance for a month block (February 1 for May dates, March 1 for June, April 1 for July, and so on). A limited number of slots are released one day ahead at 6 p.m. MDT, but these will go quickly. Reserve your entry here.
Where to Stay Near Arches National Park
Day 4 — Moab to Capitol Reef National Park
Drive time: 2 to 3 hours
Start this day of your Utah Mighty 5 road trip with a two-hour drive to Capitol Reef National Park. If you have extra time on your Utah national parks road trip, you can add a quick stop at Goblin Valley State Park to see a unique landscape full of mushroom-shaped rock spires and hoodoos. This will add about an hour onto the drive plus an hour or two to wander around the park.
As you enter Capitol Reef National Park, you’ll see a couple of roadside trailheads. Hickman Bridge (1.8 miles) is a moderately difficult hike to a long natural bridge, and Grand Wash (up to 4.4 miles) leads to a narrow canyon after about a mile on an easy path.
Next up is Fruita, a historic district with a turn-of-the-century wooden schoolhouse and the Gifford Homestead, where you’ll want to grab a fresh-baked pie before they sell out (sometimes in the a.m.).
Just past an old-timey barn at the homestead, you can continue down Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, a 7-mile road full of breathtaking scenery and trails. Some of the more noteworthy hikes on this route include the moderate Cohab Canyon (3.4 miles) for views over Fruita, another access point to the Grand Wash trail, the difficult climb up to Cassidy Arch (3.4 miles), and Capitol Gorge (1 to 2 miles), an easy path to see historic rock inscriptions down a gravel road at the end of the scenic drive. Read more about Capitol Reef hikes here.
The sunset lookouts from Panorama Point, Goosenecks Overlook (0.2 miles) or Sunset Point (0.8 miles) are perfect to end the day.
Have an extra day for Capitol Reef? The Cathedral Valley drive is a remote excursion on a rugged road full of unique rock formations. It takes about 6 to 8 hours to make a loop and you’ll need a vehicle with high ground clearance.
Where to Stay Near Capitol Reef National Park
I've stayed at the Broken Spur Inn and Steakhouse and absolutely loved the restaurant and indoor pool surrounded by windows. You can pick from covered wagons at a little campground site or spacious hotel rooms with Western themed decor.
I've had family recommend the Red Sands Hotel, which has rooms and suites with a contempory Western design. The Capitol Reef Resort is also highly reviewed and has teepee, wagon, and luxury cottage accommodations in addition to hotel rooms.
Day 5 — Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon National Park
Drive time: 2.5 hours
Before heading out of the Capitol Reef area, you should have time to squeeze in any hikes you missed or a visit to the Gifford Homestead for some pie.
The Utah road trip route you MUST take to Bryce Canyon National Park is Scenic Byway 12. This won’t come up as the fastest route on your GPS, but the extra 30 minutes or so is absolutely worth it for the incredible scenery of deep gorges, red rocks, steep cliffs, and green pastures and forests.
Along the way, you’ll pass Anasazi State Park and Museum, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Kodachrome Basin State Park, plus tons of side roads and hiking trails.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to fit all of these into one day. I picked the scenic Burr Trail Road and drove about 12 miles one way to Singing Canyon, a roadside slot canyon, before stopping for lunch at the Burr Trail Grill. Other popular activities are the unpaved and bumpy Hole in the Rock Road near Escalante, which leads to several adventurous slot canyon hikes, and the hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls (about 6 miles).
Arriving at Bryce Canyon National Park in the late afternoon is perfect for hopping around to the four main viewpoints into the canyon — Inspiration Point, Bryce Point, Sunset Point and Sunrise Point. You can drive, ride the shuttle, or hike along the Rim Trail (3 miles each way) to get between the lookouts.
Have an extra day? Add in a park or long hike along Scenic Byway 12. Hole in the Rock Road is a great option for slot canyon adventures.
Where to Stay Near Bryce Canyon National Park
I stayed in the Red Ledges Inn in Tropic, which is an affordable motel with handy in-room amenities like a microwave, fridge and coffee maker. Other highly reviewed properties in Tropic include Bryce Valley Lodging, with family cottages and rental homes, Bryce Canyon Log Cabins, and Bullberry Inn Bed and Breakfast.
For more options, these are the nearest cities and towns to Bryce Canyon.
Day 6 — Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park
Drive time: 2 hours
Use this one day in Bryce Canyon guide to plan the perfect itinerary in the park.
Get an early start on this morning of your Utah road trip if you want to hike Bryce Canyon National Park. There are several trail combos you can do that go down into the canyon depending on how long you want to hike for — try the Navajo Loop Trail (1.3 miles) for a quick moderately difficult trip down the popular Wall Street switchbacks or the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop (2.9 miles) for a moderate hike to explore some of the canyon floor before climbing back up.
For a challenging hike, you can do the Figure 8 Combination, which merges the Queen’s Garden, Navajo Loop and Peekaboo Loop into a 6.4-mile trek with over 1,600 feet of elevation change along the way. Check out the Bryce Canyon trail guides here.
If you aren’t up for hiking, you can spend the first half of the day exploring the farther reaches of the national park beyond the shuttle route down Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive, which runs 17 miles one way to lookouts like Farview Point, Bryce Natural Bridge and Rainbow Point.
When you’re done sightseeing at Bryce, it’s about a two-hour drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park, and on the way, you’ll pass the Red Canyon and take the scenic and winding Zion-Mount Carmel Highway around pink sandstone hills, through tunnels, and down switchbacks to the floor of the valley.
If you have time for one more hike today, stop just before the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel for the Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile), a moderate route to a view of Zion Canyon and Pine Creek Canyon. It’s very popular and parking is limited, so you might need to park down the road and walk to the trailhead.
Have an extra day? You could squeeze in a very quick visit to the Grand Canyon North Rim between Bryce and Zion visits. It’s about two hours out of the way (each way) when you reach Mount Carmel Junction.
Where to Stay Near Zion National Park
For more affordable hotels, you can try the town of Kanab, 30 miles from the east entrance to Zion. I've stayed there a couple of times, at budget properties like Aikens Lodge.
Day 7 — Zion National Park
Drive time: Minimal
Use this one day in Zion National Park guide to maximize your time in the park.
Zion is the most popular destination on this Mighty 5 Utah road trip. Most of the action in the park is along the Scenic Drive, which is closed to private vehicles, so plan to spend most of your day riding the shuttle to different trailheads in the canyon.
Many people come to Zion National Park to hike the famous Angel’s Landing and The Narrows trails. If either or both of these are on your agenda, you need to be at the park at the crack of dawn to catch one of the first shuttles into the canyon. Shuttles start running at 6 a.m., visitor center parking fills up before 8 a.m. most days, and you may have to wait for hours for the shuttle.
Important note for Zion: Permits are required to hike the last section of the Angel’s Landing hike. To get one, you have to enter a lottery, which is done for three-month blocks at a time a couple of months ahead of the earliest dates. Read more about Angel’s Landing permits here.
Some of the hikes to consider for today include The Narrows (up to 9.4 miles), a strenuous hike in the Virgin River between soaring canyon walls, West Rim Trail to Angel’s Landing (5.4 miles), a strenuous path ending in a daring climb up a narrow ridge with chain assists, the Emerald Pools trails (1.2 to 3 miles) to lower and upper waterfalls, and Riverside Walk (2.2 miles), a paved path leading to the Narrows.
If you aren’t big into hiking or don’t want to wait for the shuttle, the Pa’rus Trail near the visitor center follows the river for a couple of miles on an easy paved walkway. There’s also a Nature Center, the Zion Human History Museum, and a massive visitor center complex to end the day.
Have an extra day for Zion? Consider doing both the Narrows and Angel’s Landing if you’re an avid hiker. Or, visit the Kolob Canyon section of the park if you’re more into scenic drives and sightseeing.
Where to Stay
These are 10 of the best towns near Zion National Park with hotels and campgrounds. You may want to stay in the same place for two nights for convenience or leave the Zion area at the end of day 7 to get a head start on your journey home.
Day 8 — Zion National Park to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City
Drive time: 3 to 5 hours
If you fly out early on day 8, you may want to get a head start on your drive the night before. Or, if you have a long final day, there are a couple of stops on the routes back to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City to wrap up your Utah national parks trip.
The drive from Springdale or Zion to Las Vegas takes about 3 hours without any stops. On the way about an hour outside of Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park has a dramatic landscape of red and orange sandstone formations.
Just driving through to see it on Valley of Fire Highway adds less than an hour to your trip. If you have time to hike, some popular short trails include Fire Wave (1.5 miles), Rainbow Vista (1 mile), and the White Domes Loop (1 mile).
Driving from Zion to Salt Lake City takes nearly 5 hours, but if you have extra time, the lesser-visited Kolob Canyon section of Zion National Park is on the route just off of Interstate 15. On a quick visit, you can drive the 5-mile scenic Kolob Canyon Road and hike the Timber Creek Overlook Trail (1 mile) to a panoramic canyon and valley view from a ridge.
7 Day Mighty 5 Utah Road Trip
Day 1 — Las Vegas or Salt Lake City to Moab, Utah
Day 2 — Arches National Park
Day 3 — Canyonlands to Capitol Reef
Day 4 — Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon
Day 5 — Bryce Canyon to Zion
Day 6 — Zion National Park
Day 7 — Zion National Park to Salt Lake City or Las Vegas
8 Day Utah National Parks Road Trip
Day 1 — Salt Lake City or Las Vegas to Moab
Day 2 — Canyonlands & Dead Horse Point State Park
Day 3 — Arches National Park
Day 4 — Moab to Capitol Reef
Day 5 — Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon
Day 6 — Bryce Canyon to Zion
Day 7 — Zion National Park
Day 8 — Zion National Park to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City
9 Day Utah National Parks Itinerary
Day 1 — Las Vegas or Salt Lake City to Moab
Day 2 — Arches National Park
Day 3 — Canyonlands & Dead Horse Point
Day 4 — Natural Bridges National Monument & Monument Valley
Day 5 — Monument Valley to Capitol Reef
Day 6 — Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon
Day 7 — Bryce Canyon to Zion
Day 8 — Zion National Park
Day 9 — Zion National Park to Salt Lake City or Las Vegas
Utah National Parks Trip Tips
This guide will help you plan your Utah national parks itinerary. We’ve included tips for when to go, what to pack, and how to save money on your admission.
When is the Best Time to Visit Utah?
You could do this Mighty 5 Utah road trip in any season as long as the road conditions are safe, but spring and fall are the best times to travel in the region.
The weather in southern Utah will vary depending on the elevation you’re at, but generally you can expect comfortable daytime temps for hiking in spring and fall and cold nights and mornings. Spring and fall are increasingly popular at the national parks, so expect crowds from April through October.
Summer can get hot in the desert, with average highs around 100 in July and August in Zion, Arches and Canyonlands. Capitol Reef highs are typically in the upper 80s and lower 90s in the middle of summer and Bryce is quite a bit cooler in the mid-70s to low 80s. Summer is also the monsoon season, which can produce dangerous flash floods.
Which Airport Should I Fly Into for a Utah Road Trip?
If you’re following this road trip route, you can fly into Las Vegas or Salt Lake City to start. Salt Lake City is a much shorter drive to Moab for the start of the trip but farther from Zion at the end. The most time-effective way to do this route would actually be to fly into Salt Lake City and out of Las Vegas, but one-way car rentals are often more expensive.
You could also fly into Denver for this Colorado to Utah road trip itinerary.
How Many Days For a Utah National Parks Road Trip
If you’re planning a Utah Mighty 5 road trip, I recommend at least 7 days in Utah to visit all the parks. While you can see quite a bit with one day in each park, there’s a lot of driving to get from one to the next which will cut into your visits if you try to squeeze this trip into 5 or 6 days.
With a 7 day Southwest road trip, you can visit all the national parks quickly, while 8 days in Utah allows enough time to squeeze in a couple of extra activities on your drive. With 9 or 10 days in Utah, you can either spend more time hiking in the national parks or take a longer route that includes destinations along the Utah-Arizona border like Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend and Grand Canyon National Park.
What to Pack for a Utah Parks Road Trip
Our Grand Canyon packing list and road trip packing list have most of the things you’ll need to bring along on this trip. Use the free checklists to make sure you don’t forget anything.
Should I Buy a National Parks Pass?
You should absolutely buy the annual America the Beautiful pass from the National Park Service for this Mighty 5 Utah road trip. Admission to most of these parks is around $30 to $35 per vehicle, and the national park pass is just $80 for a whole year of admission.
10 of the Best Towns and Cities Near Zion National Park in Utah
Looking for the best town to stay in when visiting Zion National Park? These cities near Zion National Park range from small scenic communities to larger hubs full of hotels and restaurants. We’ve also added recommendations for exactly where to stay near Zion for camping under the stars, sitting fireside at a cozy lodge, or enjoying modern hotel amenities.
These towns and cities near Zion National Park are the best places to stay during your Utah vacation.
Road tripping through Utah and looking for the closest city to Zion National Park? I’ve rounded up all the best communities and towns near Zion that are most convenient to the park.
Towns near Zion National Park range from gateway villages in the shadow of the canyon to small cities full of hotels and restaurants. Overall, there are more options on the south side of the park, but the east side can be a great base for getting to other attractions in Southern Utah.
Below are my recommendations for exactly where to stay near Zion, whether you’re hoping to camp under the stars, sit fireside at a cozy lodge, check into a modern hotel full of amenities, or horseback ride at a rustic ranch.
Keep reading for my favorite Zion towns and cities.
Cities and Towns Near Zion National Park
Zion Lodge and Campgrounds
Did you know you can actually stay inside the national park at a hotel or campground? The Zion National Park Lodge is in Zion Canyon, with views of the walls towering overhead. The South and Watchman Campgrounds are located near the visitor center and the remote Lava Point Campground is about an hour north of Springdale.
Reservations for the Watchman campground are available a few months ahead, but the South campground can only be booked within a couple of weeks of your stay. Lava Point is typically only open May through September with a few primitive, first-come, first-serve sites.
The Zion lodge opens reservations 13 months ahead and is popular, so make sure you reserve well ahead of time. There is a restaurant and seasonal cafe onsite and accommodations in cabins, rooms and suites.
Escape Campervans has fully-equipped vans and jeeps with kitchenettes that can sleep up to five people. The closest pickup locations to Zion are in Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Denver, Phoenix and Los Angeles.
Springdale
If you’re looking for the closest town to Zion National Park, Springdale wins, hands down. The small town is just outside the park boundaries at the south entrance gate and is full of hotels, restaurants and outdoor recreation vendors.
The national park operates a shuttle between the park entrance and nine stops in Springdale. When the visitor center lot in Zion National Park is full (which happens most mornings during tourist season), Springdale is the overflow parking zone, with paid parking in lots and along the road.
While Springdale is definitely the most convenient place to stay near Zion, accommodations here fill up fast and are expensive. On the plus side, though, you may not have to pay for Springdale parking if your hotel has private parking included.
Where to Stay in Springdale
Rockville
Rockville is one of the next closest towns near Zion National Park, just 5 miles from the south entrance. Located along the Virgin River, Rockville only has a few inns and bed-and-breakfasts. It is less crowded and has a more residential feeling than Springdale.
While you won’t find much here in the way of dining or entertainment, the town is less than a 10-minute drive from the shops and restaurants of Springdale.
If you’re looking for a hidden gem near Zion, you can drive across the river from Rockville to the Grafton ghost town. The late 1800s-era village down an unpaved road has a handful of original wooden buildings, a cemetery, and orchards and farmlands with a canyon backdrop.
Where to Stay in Rockville
Virgin
A little further down the river, Virgin is a town near Zion with hotels and glamping accommodations along State Route 9 and the scenic and remote Kolob Terrace Road.
The main part of the sleepy town is about a 20-minute drive from Springdale and the national park. There are just a couple of eateries and shops in Virgin, but more amenities are in La Verkin and Hurricane, about 10 miles away.
Where to Stay in Virgin
La Verkin
Located at the intersection of routes 9 and 17, La Verkin is one of the closest cities to Zion National Park, and a great base if you’re looking for more affordable hotels near Zion.
Along with neighboring Hurricane, La Verkin has a selection of accommodations and amenities to rival Springdale, just without the crowded bustle of the gateway town. Here, you’ll find a mix of well-known chains and smaller local properties.
La Verkin is about 20 miles from the south entrance to Zion.
Where to Stay in La Verkin
Hurricane
Just a couple miles south of La Verkin, Hurricane is a bigger town near Zion and has golf courses, a wide selection of restaurants, and a pair of waterfront state parks on the outskirts of the city.
Several budget chain hotels are represented here, and prices are much cheaper than in Springdale. From here, it’s about a 30-minute drive to either the Zion Visitor Center or the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center in the less crowded northern section of the national park. This is a great place to stay near Zion if you’re driving in and out from Las Vegas.
Where to Stay in Hurricane
St. George
Of all the cities near Zion National Park, St. George is the largest and has a small airport with flights from a handful of major airlines. If you’re looking for where to stay near Zion National Park for bigger city amenities, St. George is a great choice.
There are tons of options for hotels here, so this is where to look when the other towns are mostly sold out or just for having a base to explore the southwest corner of Utah. Options range from modern chains downtown near shops and restaurants to resorts on the scenic outskirts.
Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and Snow Canyon State Park are just north of the city with beautiful cliffs and places to hike, climb and horseback ride. The Zion south entrance is 40 miles east, while the Kolob Canyons section of the national park is about 35 miles north.
Where to Stay in St. George
Orderville/Mount Carmel Junction
The town of Orderville stretches for several miles along U.S. Route 89 to the east of the park, wrapping in the unincorporated communities of Mount Carmel and Mount Carmel Junction. This is a highly trafficked zone connecting Zion and Bryce national parks, but amenities are scarce and spread out beyond a tiny downtown in Orderville.
To get to the park from this town near Zion, you take an incredibly scenic drive down State Route 9 that turns into the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway.
After passing the East Entrance Station to the park, the road twists and turns around pink and orange sandstone hills before passing through a 1.1-mile tunnel and then winding down switchbacks into the canyon. The 1930 tunnel and highway are on the National Register of Historic Places.
From Mt. Carmel Junction, it’s about 15 miles to the east park entrance and 25 miles to the visitor center. Hotels, motels, cabins and lodges are scattered along routes 89 and 9.
Where to Stay in Mount Carmel Junction
Glendale
There aren’t many places to stay in Glendale, just north of Orderville, but the tiny town near Zion is convenient if you want a base between the national park, 30 minutes to an hour west, and Bryce Canyon National Park, about an hour northeast.
Where to Stay in Glendale
Kanab
Kanab is one of the largest cities near Zion on the east side, even though it only has a population of around 5,000. It makes a great base for southern Utah and northern Arizona adventures, centrally located between Bryce Canyon, 75 miles north, the Grand Canyon North Rim, 80 miles south, Zion Canyon, 40 miles west, and Page and Lake Powell, 75 miles east in Arizona.
Other popular destinations like Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, the Toadstool Hoodoos and Buckskin Gulch slot canyon are even closer, as well as miles of and miles of hiking trails.
Downtown Kanab has shops, restaurants and an array of hotel choices, including national chains and smaller inns. Prices here are comparable to the towns a few miles away from the south entrance to Zion, and much cheaper than Springdale.
These are the closest towns to Bryce Canyon National Park
Where to Stay in Kanab
How to Plan a 3 Days at Grand Canyon National Park Itinerary
This 3 days at the Grand Canyon itinerary includes the best hikes, viewpoints and adventures along the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Following switchbacks into the canyon, riding bikes along the rim, hopping between lookouts to find the best sunset views — it’s all in the plan with this Grand Canyon itinerary for 3 days.
This 3 days at the Grand Canyon itinerary includes the best hikes, viewpoints and adventures along the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and beyond.
Hiking down into the canyon, riding bikes along the rim, hopping between lookouts to find the best sunset views — it’s all in the plan with this Grand Canyon itinerary for 3 days.
While you can see quite a bit of Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park South Rim in one or two days, a Grand Canyon 3 day itinerary really starts to open up more options. My suggested plan below sticks to the South Rim and incorporates more time for hiking and relaxed sightseeing that will get you to just about every viewpoint.
I’ve taken a few trips to the Grand Canyon over the years, and the options below are some of my favorite things to do and to recommend to first-timers. I’ve also added alternate itinerary options at the bottom that mix in more adventures or family-friendly activities that will take you beyond the South Rim for part of the time.
Whether you’re hoping to soak up the scenery with relaxed strolls and sunset dinners or craving adventurous treks from rim to rim, this 3 days Grand Canyon vacation guide has you covered. Scroll to the end for tips on where to stay, when to go, and what to pack!
Ultimate Grand Canyon Itinerary 3 Days
Use this map to help plan your 3 days at the Grand Canyon trip. I’ve pinned all the locations on this Grand Canyon guide and color-coded the suggested daily itinerary. Click to open a Google map that you can save to your own account to use on your trip.
Day 1 — Grand Canyon Visitor Center & Hermit Road
Your first of three days at the Grand Canyon is the perfect time to get acquainted with all the viewpoints along the rim, starting with a brief orientation at the Visitor Center.
If you have a full day, you can devote the morning hours to the first few lookouts below and the Trail of Time, but be sure to save a full afternoon to hop along the Hermit Road route to some breathtaking views of the Colorado River cutting through the canyon.
You can keep the adventure low by riding the shuttle between most of the lookouts or walk between them for easy hiking along several miles of the rim.
Grand Canyon Visitor Center
The Grand Canyon Visitor Center is the easiest access point to the South Rim, with the largest parking area, maps and guides, and a beautiful lookout point about a 5 minute walk away.
The complex has a gift shop, bike rental counter, cafe, educational exhibits and a 20-minute intro park movie. It also serves as a transit hub, with shuttles to Grand Canyon Village as well as overlooks and trailheads.
I recommend stopping in at the visitor center when you first arrive for your 3 days at the Grand Canyon to grab maps, familiarize yourself with the shuttle routes, and check out any special programming or announcements during your stay.
Mather Point
A short walk from the Visitor Center, Mather Point is most people’s first glimpse at the Grand Canyon, and it’s an epic one — wide sweeping views in both directions from a natural ledge that juts into the gorge.
It can get a bit crowded at the ledge, especially around sunrise and sunset, but the views along the rim in this area are also pretty spectacular and there are a few benches to sit on and soak in the scenery. If it’s too crowded at Mather Point, you can always walk a little ways along the rim until the crowds clear.
Yavapai Point
Walk west along the rim from the Mather lookout for a little over half a mile and you’ll arrive at Yavapai Point. Similar to Mather Point, Yavapai has wide-open views in both directions and makes the perfect sunrise and sunset destination.
I recommend visiting here at least once during your 3 days at the Grand Canyon.
Yavapai Geology Museum
Pop into the Yavapai Geology Museum for educational exhibits and ranger programs. The small stone building is perched on the rim of the canyon with picture windows and displays below them explaining the rock layers.
There is also a souvenir and bookshop inside.
Trail of Time
One of the easiest and most accessible paths at the Grand Canyon, the Trail of Time is a 1.3-mile paved walk between the Yavapai Geology Museum and Grand Canyon Village. Each meter along the way has a marker representing a million years of Grand Canyon history, and you’ll go backward in time starting from Yavapai. Geological plaques and exhibits on the route show the eras of canyon development.
The Trail of Time is a great introduction at the beginning of your 3 days at the Grand Canyon and also one of the easiest walking paths with a beautiful view.
Hermit Road Overlooks and Rim Trail
From Grand Canyon Village, you can continue to follow the Rim Trail all the way to the westernmost point of the South Rim at Hermits Rest. Or, you can ride a shuttle or bike the route. Private cars can only drive on the road in December, January and February.
On the outbound western route, the Hermit Road shuttle (red road) stops at all nine official viewpoints along the 7.8-mile path — Trailview Overlook, Maricopa Point, Powell Point, Hopi Point, Mohave Point, The Abyss, Monument Creek Vista, Pima Point and Hermits Rest. The inbound east shuttle only stops at Hermits Rest, Pima, Mohave and Powell, though, so it’s best to hop on and off on the outbound bus.
If you only want to walk parts of the trail, the first five viewpoints have shorter distances between them, but the final three are the smoothest walk along the paved and accessible Hermit Road Greenway Trail. The initial climb up to Trailview Overlook is one of the toughest sections to walk.
On a 3 days at the Grand Canyon itinerary, I recommend taking some time to walk the rim along Hermit Road. Since most people just ride the shuttle, the spots between official lookouts are nice and quiet for enjoying the scenery.
Hermits Rest
Located at the end of Hermit Road, Hermits Rest is a 1914 stone building by Grand Canyon architect Mary Colter, designed to look like a miner’s cabin. Inside, a giant fireplace fills the back wall and a small shop sells gifts and refreshments (drinks, candy, snacks and basic sandwiches).
There are also pit toilets, a water refill station, and picnic tables a short walk from the building.
Sunset Along Hermit Road
If you do the Hermit Road path in the afternoon, stick around to watch the sunset from Pima, Mohave, Hopi or Powell Point. These lookouts jut into the canyon with views to the east and west, so you can watch the sky and canyon change colors as the sun dips below the horizon.
Hopi is very popular at sunset and can get a bit crowded, but if you walk along the rim away from the main viewing area, you’ll find your own little spot.
The inbound shuttle picks up from each of these points except Hopi, but it’s just 0.3 miles to the stop at Powell Point.
Check the sunset times for the month you’re visiting, and keep in mind that shuttles are crowded around this time, so you’ll want to head to your chosen lookout point an hour-plus in advance so you don’t miss the changing colors leading up to sunset.
Day 2 — Hike into the Grand Canyon
If you are even a little adventurous, a hike into the Grand Canyon is a one-of-kind experience that offers an up-close look at the soaring walls and layers of rock. There are four trails on the South Rim that drop into the canyon, with two leading all the way down to the Colorado River (it is not advisable to do this as a day hike).
Since all the trails are out and back, you can spend as much of the day hiking as you wish on one trail, or do a shorter version of two trails over the next two mornings. You will not be able to do all four trails listed below on the same day; we’ve only included them as options.
If you’re hiking twice, we recommend Bright Angel on this day combined with a visit to Grand Canyon Village at the trailhead after and South Kaibab with a road trip down Desert View Drive the next day.
Bright Angel Trail
The Bright Angel Trail is the most popular route into the canyon and starts near the village. It runs for 9.3 miles to the Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon, but the National Park Service recommends day hikers attempt no more than the first 6 miles of this steep path.
Common turn-around points include the 1.5 Mile Resthouse (3 miles round trip), the 3 Mile Resthouse (6 miles round trip) and Indian Garden (9 miles round trip). All three destinations have seasonal water and the first and last have toilets.
The challenging trail is full of steep switchbacks but even just walking the first half mile or so will lead you to a rock tunnel and cool views looking up at Grand Canyon Village on the rim.
Remember, the return trip back up the canyon is the hardest part and you should allow twice as long to make the hike as it took to come down.
Hermit Trail
Heading down the canyon from Hermits Rest at the far western end of the park, the Hermit Trail has a couple of destination options — Santa Maria Spring (5 miles round trip) or Dripping Springs (7 miles round trip), a hanging garden.
This trail is more challenging and rocky than Bright Angel and South Kaibab, so it is only recommended for experienced hikers. Remember that it typically takes longer and is much more difficult to climb out of the Grand Canyon than it is to descend, so plan accordingly and be careful!
South Kaibab Trail
The trailhead for South Kaibab is east of the Visitor Center off of Desert View Drive, and you’ll need to take a shuttle to get there. The trail run 6.8 miles to the canyon floor on a steep path with little shade.
Day hikers can aim for Ooh-Aah Point (1.8 miles round trip) for the first open views into the canyon, Cedar Ridge (3 miles round trip) for a big plateau to rest on with toilets, or Skeleton Point (6 miles round trip) for the first views of the river below.
No water is available along the trail, so you’ll need to bring enough to last the whole hike.
Grandview Trail
This unmaintained and very steep trail is not recommended for your first trip to the Grand Canyon and only experienced desert hikers should attempt it. The path starts from Grandview Point, about 12 miles east of the Visitor Center along Desert View Drive.
Some day hike destinations on the path include Coconino Saddle (2.2 miles round trip) and Horseshoe Mesa (6 miles round trip), where you can camp with a permit.
Grand Canyon Historic Village
After a long hiking day, the late afternoon is the perfect time to casually check out the Grand Canyon Historic Village, which is located near the Bright Angel trailhead.
Historic hotels built between 1905 and the 1960s line the rim in the village, with a few eateries and shops between them. You can also pop into the Lookout Studio and Kolb Studio for viewing decks on the edge of the canyon, the Hopi House for Native American art and gifts, and the Verkamp’s Visitor Center for a bookshop and museum.
Day 3 — Rim Trail and Desert View Drive
On day 3 at the Grand Canyon, you can either tackle another trail below the rim if you’re looking for adventure or walk one of the easier sections of the Rim Trail to discover even more stunning views. Be sure to save at least two or three hours for Desert View Drive, though. The 20-mile route from the Visitor Center to the east entrance/exit of the park is one of the least crowded sections of the South Rim and full of lookouts where you can see the Colorado River.
Sunrise at Mather Point
If you spend three days at the Grand Canyon, you should make a point to wake up early to catch the sunset at least once. The Hermit Road and Kaibab Rim shuttles both start running at 4:30 a.m. for early hikers and sunrise watchers, but the easiest spot to catch the sky lighting up is from Mather Point by the Visitor Center.
It does get a bit crowded at the lookout, but you can easily stroll away from the crowds toward Yavapai Point to find a quiet little spot to watch the sun come up.
Rim Trail
Depending on how sore you are from hiking into the canyon, today you can tackle either another of the trails listed on day 2 or a portion of the mostly flat and easy Rim Trail.
The Rim Trail runs for about 13 miles between the South Kaibab trailhead to the east and Hermits Rest to the west. If you’ve already visited the viewpoints along Hermit Road, and walked the Trail of Time, today is the perfect time to head east from Mather Point and hike 2.2 miles to the South Kaibab Trailhead, stopping for the views from Pipe Creek Vista along the way.
While the Rim Trail ends at South Kaibab, there is one more lookout along Yaki Point Road, which is closed to private vehicles. Hop on the Orange route from South Kaibab to get to Yaki Point. The same shuttle will take you all the way back to the Visitor Center if you don’t want to walk back along the rim.
Bike the Greenway Trail
Alternatively, you could rent bikes today from Bright Angel Bicycles located in the Visitor Center complex to explore some of the park on two wheels (traditional and pedal-assist bikes are available). Popular cycling routes include the Greenway Trail east from Mather Point to Yaki Point and the Hermit Road and Greenway Trail route to the west, which includes some roadway shared with shuttles and paved trail shared with hikers.
Shuttles have bike racks, so you can plan a path that incorporates a drop-off or return if you don’t want to bike all the way to your destination and back.
Desert View Drive
Desert View Drive is one of the most scenic and least crowded sections of the park, and we’ve only saved it for last because it heads east out of the park, which might wrap up your visit if you’re on a Grand Canyon road trip. If you’re arriving at the East Entrance Station, this activity can start your itinerary instead.
Spanning a little over 20 miles from the South Entrance Road to the East Entrance Station, Desert View Drive has half a dozen official lookouts and a handful of other scenic stops. Most of the viewpoints on this route have clear vistas of the Colorado River cutting its turquoise pattern through the soaring canyon walls.
Along the way, you’ll also want to pull over for the Tusayan Ruin, a former Ancestral Puebloan village, and the Desert View Watchtower, a 70-foot-tall stone observation building designed by Mary Colter. The surrounding complex has a campground, gas station, market and ice cream shop.
Grand Canyon 3 Day Itinerary Options
Below we’ve put together a few different 3 day Grand Canyon itineraries so that you can pick the one that fits you best.
Adventurous Grand Canyon in 3 Days Hiking Trip
Day 1
Take the Trans-Canyon Shuttle from the South Rim to the North Rim (arrive midday or the evening before)
Visit the North Rim viewpoints — Bright Angel, Point Imperial and Cape Royal
Spend the night at the Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge or campground
Day 2
Hike the North Kaibab Trail to the Bright Angel Campground on the canyon floor (14 miles)
Spend the night at Phantom Ranch (advanced reservations necessary)
Day 3
Hike up Bright Angel Trail to the South Rim (9.5 miles)
Check out the South Rim viewpoints for sunset
Kid-Friendly 3 Day Grand Canyon Trip
Day 1
See the view from Mather Point and Yavapai Point
Visit the Yavapai Geology Museum
Walk the Trail of Time to Grand Canyon Historic Village
Get an ice cream from Bright Angel Fountain
Stay overnight in a Grand Canyon Village hotel or campground
Day 2
Rent bikes or ride the shuttle down Hermit Road
Walk or bike the Hermit Road Greenway Trail (stroller friendly)
Have a picnic at Hermit’s Rest
Ride the Grand Canyon Railway back to Williams if you spent the night
Day 3
Drive to the park
Hike part of the Bright Angel Trail
Road trip down Desert View Drive
Visit the Tusayan Ruin
Climb the Desert View Watchtower
North and South Rim Grand Canyon 3 Day Road Trip
Day 1
Hike the Bright Angel Trail into the canyon in the morning
Walk along the rim in Grand Canyon Historic Village
Ride, bike or hike to the Hermit Road viewpoints
Spend the night in the Village or Tusayan
Day 2
Sunrise at Mather Point or Yavapai Point
Follow Desert View Drive and stop at the viewpoints
Visit the Tusayan Ruin and Desert View Watchtower
Exit the park from the east and drive toward the North Rim
Spend the night at the Jacob Lake Inn or Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge
Day 3
Hike the North Kaibab Trail into the canyon
Drive to Point Imperial and Cape Royal, stopping at viewpoints
Watch the sunset from Bright Angel Point or the Transept Trail viewpoints
Spend the night at the Jacob Lake Inn or Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge
This 4-day itinerary combines the Grand Canyon North Rim and Zion National Park.
Tips for 3 Days in Grand Canyon National Park
This Grand Canyon National Park planning guide has tips for where to stay, what to pack, and how to get tickets for the Grand Canyon.
Where to Stay at Grand Canyon National Park
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Outside the park, Tusayan is less than 2 miles away from the entrance and typically runs a free shuttle into the park.
Other towns near the Grand Canyon include Valle (30 miles south), Williams (60 miles south), Flagstaff (80 miles south), and Cameron (35 miles east of the east entrance).
Search for Grand Canyon hotel deals near the South Rim on Booking.com
When to Visit the Grand Canyon
While the Grand Canyon North Rim is only open May 15 to October 15, the South Rim stays open all year, with many amenities fully operational. Some shuttle routes don’t run in winter, but you can drive private cars in those areas between December and February instead.
Fall and spring at the Grand Canyon are the best times to visit for mild weather ideal for hiking and fewer crowds than the busy summer months. Summers can be quite hot and crowded at one of the busiest national parks in the country, with temps above 100 as you hike into the canyon.
How Long to Spend at the Grand Canyon
If you’re only visiting the South Rim, three days at Grand Canyon National Park is plenty of time, though you can see several viewpoints and hike into the canyon with even just one or two. Three days allows enough time for a couple of hikes, longer hikes into the canyon or along the rim, or time to see the North Rim too if you’re visiting between May and October.
Here’s how to spend 2 days at the Grand Canyon!
How to Get to the Grand Canyon
Most travelers to the Grand Canyon fly into Phoenix (230 miles away) or Las Vegas (280 miles). There’s a smaller airport in Flagstaff, too (90 miles). There are guided tours you can book to the rim, but I highly recommend renting a car and road tripping Arizona for maximum flexibility.
Grand Canyon Tickets and Passes
There are entrance fees for the Grand Canyon South and North Rim. Admission includes 7 days and both rims of the park (check current prices). You can pay at the South Entrance Station, East Entrance Station, and North Entrance Station.
If you plan to visit other national parks nearby, it’s typically a much better deal to purchase the America the Beautiful pass, which includes a year of admission to all National Park Service managed sites. If you purchase it online, you’ll pay extra for shipping and handling. Most national parks sell it at the entrance stations.
What to Pack for the Grand Canyon
What to pack for Grand Canyon National Park depends on when you plan to visit and what you want to do. Even if you won’t be hiking, wear comfortable shoes and clothes for strolling along the rim. Check out our Grand Canyon packing list for everything you may need.
Summers are very hot, so think lightweight shorts and t-shirts or sleeveless tops, especially if you hike into the canyon where temperatures increase as you drop lower. Evenings on the rim can be cool and windy even in summer, so light layers are useful.
For early spring and late fall, long pants and long sleeve tops will be appropriate most days, with a jacket for the evening and morning. When it’s windy on the rim, it can feel a lot colder than you’d expect!
Winter temps fall below freezing, so warm clothing and boots are necessary. If you’re hiking icy trails, you may also need crampons for your shoes. Check with the Grand Canyon backcountry office for advice on specific trails.
For hiking, you’ll want sturdy shoes with good traction or hiking boots if you plan to go a few miles into the canyon. Fill your daypack with water bottles or a hydration system, salty snacks, a shady hat, sunscreen, and a bandana to block the dust.
Best One Day in Zion National Park Itinerary for Your First Visit
Pink sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, a gushing blue river — this one day in Zion National Park itinerary is packed with the breathtaking landscapes of southern Utah. For adventure seekers, Zion offers heart-pumping treks through the Virgin River and up ridges with sweeping views. There’s also nature trails, scenic drives, bike paths, ranger programs, and much more. Check out the top things to put on your Zion National Park bucket list.
This one day in Zion National Park itinerary will help you plan the perfect vacation to Utah’s most popular national park.
Soaring canyons in shades of pink and orange, gushing waterfalls and rivers, epic hikes packed with stunning scenery — this one day in Zion itinerary has it all. The breathtaking landscape in southern Utah consists of towering sandstone cliffs and a slot canyon sliced through by the Virgin River.
If you’re up for some adventures in Zion, the park has a couple of heart-pumping treks through the river and up ridges with sweeping views. And for everyone else, there’s nature trails, scenic drives, bike paths, ranger programs for kids, a museum, and much more.
While you won’t be able to do it all with just a day in Zion National Park, you should have time for a couple of trails, a sightseeing shuttle ride, and a picnic in the shadow of the mighty cliffs.
I’ve visited Zion National Park twice now and the activities below are my favorites that I always recommend to others planning a trip. Keep reading for the top things to put on your Zion National Park bucket list and scroll to the end for tips for visiting.
One Day in Zion National Park Itinerary
These are the best things to do on a one day in Zion National Park itinerary. We’ve included the top hikes, scenic drives and views on this Zion bucket list!
The Narrows Hike in Zion
With the Virgin River narrowing to just 20 to 30 feet in some parts, and canyon walls soaring hundreds of feet above, this epic hike certainly belongs on every Zion National Park bucket list. The most popular route is the Bottom Up hike which starts with the easy Riverside Walk trailhead. At the end of that, you’ll be hopping right into the water for the rest of the hike.
A little walking, a little wading, and some swimming are required for the entire 9.4-mile roundtrip, strenuous hike. But, since it’s an out-and-back path, you can turn around at any point if you don’t want to spend your whole day in Zion National Park here.
Since river conditions and flash flooding can make The Narrows dangerous, be sure to check conditions before taking off. It’s mostly recommended only for late spring through summer when the water isn’t as frigid, but even then you’ll want the right gear for a safe trip.
Read up about it on the NPS website before penciling this one into your Zion National Park itinerary. Local outfitters in Springdale rent the gear you’ll need, like canyoneering boots, dry pants, waterproof backpacks, and hiking sticks.
The Narrows is one of the most popular things to do in Zion National Park, but if you’re only visiting for a day, this can take up a good chunk of time. If your heart is set on this hike, I recommend setting aside no more than 3 to 4 hours for the hike so you have time to do other things as well. Just hike in as far as you can for half the time and then turn around to start making your way back.
Trail to Angels Landing
You’ve likely seen photos of the daring final climb of Angels Landing on Instagram, and the dramatic heights and narrow footpath certainly make this hike one for the most adventurous of spirits. With one day in Zion National Park, you’ll probably want to pick between either this hike or the Narrows if you’re looking for a strenuous trek since both take a few hours.
The West Rim Trail to Angels Landing is about 5.4 miles roundtrip, with 1,488 feet of elevation change and switchbacks. The most heart-pumping section is at the end, where a skinny little ridge with big drops and only a chain to cling to guides hikers up to a canyon lookout.
You need a permit to hike the final portion of the trail on Angel’s Landing. Permit lotteries are done seasonally, so check here for how to apply.
Emerald Pool Trails
With lower, middle and upper tiers, the Emerald Pools and their waterfalls make for a fun and scenic hike that can be easy to moderately challenging, depending on how far you trek.
The paved Lower Emerald Pools Trail is just 1.2 miles round trip and leads to a waterfall that you can walk under. The middle pool sits just above the lower, but it takes a bit of a steep climb to reach.
The upper is some 200 feet higher and turns the whole thing into about a 3-mile excursion. It also connects to the Kayenta Trail, which means you can make a loop instead of climbing back down the exact same way. Check the park maps to plot your course.
Canyon Overlook Trail
For a quick walk with a pretty viewpoint, hop on the Canyon Overlook Trail. Unlike the other paths on this list that start from spots along the canyon floor, this one is higher up, so you won’t have to do much climbing for the vista.
Spanning just a mile round trip and considered moderately difficult, the route leads to a lookout of lower Zion Canyon and Pine Creek Canyon.
The trailhead is just before the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel on the east side, but parking is limited and the shuttle doesn’t come up this way, so it might be hard to find a spot during busy times.
Riverside Walk
This easy trail runs alongside the Virgin River with canyon walls rising above. A total of 2.2 miles out and back, the Riverside Walk is at the last shuttle stop on Floor of the Valley Road, so you’ll get to do some sightseeing along the way.
The Riverside Walk is a family-friendly option, with a paved and mostly flat route and restrooms and water at the trailhead. If you continue past the end of the trail into the river, you’ll be on the Narrows hike, detailed above.
Pa’rus Trail
The paved, multi-use Pa’rus Trail is the only one in the park to allow leashed pets and bikes. It runs alongside the Virgin River for 3.5 miles roundtrip, though you can turn back at any point for a shorter jaunt.
Along the way, there are some exhibits, but the main attraction is the multi-hued canyon walls hovering overhead in the distance and the river gushing by.
Ranger Walks and Talks
The Zion park rangers offer a few different programs that visitors might want to check out, especially with family in tow. Most happen primarily through the summer months.
Rangers lead daily walks along the riverside Pa’rus Trail in summer, give short presentations outside the Zion Human History Museum, and narrate Floor of the Valley Road shuttle tours.
For kids, there are youth programs daily in summer at the Nature Center and a few of the trailheads to learn about the park’s rocks and wildlife, and fun games and stories at the Zion Lodge. Children can also earn a Junior Ranger badge by completing certain Zion National Park activities.
Zion Human History Museum
The Zion Human History Museum near the park’s south entrance is full of exhibits on the people, plants and animals native to this part of Utah, and displays about the power of water and how it’s shaped the canyon. There’s also a video presentation shown throughout the day and rangers on hand to answer questions.
Scenic Drives in Zion National Park
There are a couple of spots in and around the park where you can take in the beauty of Zion while cruising down the highway.
The six-mile Zion Canyon Scenic Drive in the park follows the Virgin River through the canyon before ending at the Temple of Sinawava and the trailhead for the Narrows hike. Also known as Floor of the Valley Road, the route offers unparalleled views of the sandstone mountains rising up overhead to either side.
Private vehicles can only access this road between December and February when the park shuttles aren’t running, or with a special pass for overnight guests of the Zion Lodge. The rest of the time, you’ll either have to hop on a Zion shuttle or cycle down the road.
The best sightseeing drive for private vehicles is along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, the eastern route into the park from Highway 89 and the community of Mt. Carmel. Completed in 1930, the 25-mile road is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features a 1.1-mile tunnel through the cliffs with cut-out windows offering views into the canyon. The road also includes a series of switchbacks and hairpin turns as it descends to the floor.
The east entrance to the national park is about midway along the drive, so you will have to pay admission even if you’re just passing through on a Utah road trip. There are a few places to stop and hike along the way, including the Canyon Overlook trail detailed above, but you’ll see plenty of colorful sandstone formations without ever leaving the car.
Zion Camping and Stargazing
Since most park-goers filter out after sunset, staying for nightfall in Zion can be a peaceful and rewarding experience, when the dark skies fill with stars. The park works to prevent light pollution with LED bulbs and shaded lamps.
One of the best ways to experience the scenery after dark is by staying overnight at one of the Zion National Park campgrounds. There are two options in the canyon zone. The Watchman Campground near the visitor center has tent, group and RVs sites with electric hookups, plus toilets, drinking water and a dump station.
The South Campground by the Zion Nature Center is more primitive. There are additional campgrounds and RV resorts in Springdale.
Tips for Visiting Zion National Park
Read over these tips before heading out on your one day in Zion National Park itinerary. I’ve included my recommendations for where to stay, what weather to expect, and how to save on admission.
Where to Stay Near Zion National Park
This guide has 10 of the best towns near Zion National Park with hotels, lodges and vacation rentals.
Within the park, visitors can stay at a pair of campgrounds near the south entrance or the Zion Lodge inside the canyon. The Watchman Campground has tent, electric and group sites, plus restrooms, while the South Campground is more bare-bones, with no facilities or hookups, just potable water.
Zion Lodge is tucked into the canyon, surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs and hiking trails. The property has cozy rooms with balconies, larger suites with sitting areas and wet bars, and cabins with fireplaces and porches. A restaurant and cafe are also on site.
Check out this Zion and Bryce Canyon road trip and this Zion and Grand Canyon itinerary to combine the most popular parks in Utah and Arizona.
How to Get to Zion National Park
The nearest major airport to Zion National Park is Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport, about 175 miles away. Since getting here requires a bit of a drive, it fits perfectly into a short Utah road trip or a longer Arizona and Utah road trip.
Traffic is typically heavy and parking busy in Zion, even outside the prime summer season. The park’s website says that spots are often full by 8 or 9 a.m. The neighboring town of Springdale has paid lots and a free shuttle into Zion National Park.
Zion Tickets and Passes
Zion National Park sells tickets by the week, with 7-day admission per person or vehicle ranging from $20 to $35. If your travel plans include other national parks in Utah or nearby Arizona, like Grand Canyon National Park, consider purchasing an America the Beautiful pass instead for entrance to more than 2,000 parks and federal recreation sites. Find more details on the annual pass here.
If you plan to hike the Angel’s Landing trail, you need to have a permit. Permits are distributed through a seasonal lottery system.
Zion Seasons and Weather
Zion is the most popular national park in Utah and one of the top visited national parks in the U.S., with a busy season from May through September. The hottest summer days can be over 100 degrees. All park programs, services, shuttle routes and campgrounds will be open, but crowds can be high and parking lots full by mid-morning.
Spring and fall are a bit calmer (apart from spring break), with daytime highs in the 60s and 70s and lows in the 30s and 40s in Zion in April, March, November and October.
Shuttles run during this time to access the Zion Scenic Drive and the Human History Museum will be open, but some services and amenities operate under more limited hours in these seasons, so be sure to check and plan ahead. Spring snowmelt also means the famous Narrows hike may be off-limits.
In winter, the park and Zion Canyon Visitor Center remain open but services are severely limited and some trails closed. Highs in these months typically average in the 50s and lows below freezing, with snow accumulating at the higher elevations but melting quickly at the floor.
The pros to a winter visit are far fewer crowds and private vehicle access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive when the shuttle isn’t running.
