Taking a trip across Australia in an RV is a once in a lifetime experience. A lot of tourists swear by the pleasures of RV travel, but travelling in one across the Australian continent offers a whole new level of experience on the road and even at the campsite. 

Australia in general is one of the most interesting places in the world to visit, but Australia is an especially big draw for folks who love van life because you can cover a lot of ground with relative ease. Regardless of the time of year, you can explore a ton of places with an RV, whether in bustling cities, laid-back towns or far off the beaten track. 

RV Travel Tips

If this is your first time planning an RV trip, you have come to the right place. Below are some useful tips on how to have the best possible trip while traveling with an RV. 

Do a Trial Run Before You Leave

If you’ve never travelled by RV with your loved ones before, it’s smart to do a test run in your home country to figure out how much space your family will actually use and how large an RV you’ll need to rent to keep everybody happy.

The size of an RV should depend not just on how many people you’re travelling with, but on what your itinerary is and how much time you’ll spend in the RV. 

To choose the best RV for your trip, look for additional amenities like a shower, toilet and cooking facilities. Choose a van with more space for greater comfort and storage.

Learn the Rules of the Road

Learning the different road rules that you’ll encounter on the continent is a good idea before you even leave home. Road rules aren’t consistent across states and territories, so when you do your research, look into the exact state or territory you plan on visiting.

Depending on where you’re coming from, you might need to learn not just different road signs, but different driving laws and customs. You might even need to prepare yourself to drive on the other side of the road! 

You won’t be able to prepare for driving on the opposite side of the road, but knowing what to expect can make the transition smoother. Reach out to local auto clubs and other RVers to learn about local road conditions before heading into a new area.

Make the Most of Good Weather, But Be Prepared 

Each of Australia's many territories has its own climate, and you’ll get great opportunities to head to places that suit you best. You could travel to the north and take advantage of warmer weather or head to Tasmania’s cooler climes and get in some ideal camping time.

The differing weather patterns also mean you’ll need to be prepared for anything. When traveling through Australia's hot regions, for example, running your AC with a generator is a must. Travelers are advised to check the local weather before they head to a new location.  Bushfire is among the possible risks you can avoid by getting weather updates. 

Use Caution Around Wildlife 

Australian wildlife can be harmed by road traffic if you are not careful. Therefore, RV travelers to the Outback must exercise extra caution to enjoy wildlife at a safe distance. 

By driving your RV at the required speed and keeping an eye out for animals like snakes sunning themselves on the road, you can avoid putting wildlife in danger. 

Take Advantage of Australia’s Numerous Parking Areas 

It is usually safe to park an RV overnight in more secure parking lots. To avoid having to pay fines, check to see if RVs can be left in a particular spot legally. 

Australia is expensive to visit, and parking in a lot can be a huge money saver, especially if you want to visit larger towns and cities. Campgrounds and resorts offer more amenities, certainly, but sometimes you don’t need much and you can get by in a basic parking area. 

Bring Extras of Things You Need 

Bring more of the essentials than you think you might need if you’re heading to any remote areas. The Australian heat can be quite dangerous, and you’ll need plenty of water to stay hydrated. 

You’ll also want plenty of food and basics like toilet paper in case you get stuck somewhere and need to wait for help to arrive.

Van life doesn’t require a lot of stuff, but if you want to go adventuring, keep comfortable clothes and walking shoes handy—you might need to layer up or down as the day warms and cools. And remember to bring extra sunscreen because, as stated earlier, some parts of Australia can get very hot. 

Find Locations and Make Reservations in Advance

Find potential destinations months before the trip, and book accommodations early if you find someplace you really want to visit. The states of Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales are just a few of the stunning places in Australia that can accommodate RVs, but campgrounds and resorts in stunning places fill up fast. 

RV camping is a really popular way to see the country, so RVs and campers tend to get scooped very early, especially in peak seasons. Make your rental reservation as soon as you can so you won’t be disappointed.

Make Your Itinerary as Detailed as You Can

First-time RV travelers must rely on a detailed itinerary. It should include not just the places you want to see, but gas stations, powered sites, parking areas and supermarkets.

Avoid unplanned routes unless you have to use them or unless you have excellent guidance from a local. Not sticking to the itinerary may ruin the whole experience, so make plans ahead of time and keep them. 

Conclusion

With these travel tips, your Australian RV trip will be amazing. You can treat the van like your second home wherever you go. Just plan your itinerary early, be prepared for emergencies and get ready to enjoy this incredible country.

Written by: contributor

Feature image: Nubia Navarro; Image 1: Iván Lojko

Custom Destinations 

Custom Accommodation 

Want a short road trip that packs in a ton of adventure? The drive from Horseshoe Bend to Zion National Park will get you there. The 106-mile drive takes about an hour and 50 minutes through incredible country, and with world-class destinations on either end, this manageable trip will surprise you with its beauty on every front.

We’ll start your whirlwind adventure at Horseshoe Bend.

Horseshoe Bend

This incredible spot is probably one of the most dramatic river bends on Earth. We’ve all seen the pictures of this sweeping sandstone landscape and the Colorado river that curves through it, and as breathtaking as they are, the pictures do not do it justice.

It’s a photographer’s dream and a tourist favourite, being just an easy, accessible walk from a well maintained parking lot.

Horseshoe Bend is just 2 hours north of Flagstaff, in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Coming from the Grand Canyon will take you about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Only 8 minutes away, Page, Arizona is the closest town and makes a good jumping-off point for exploring the area. 

Visitors access Horseshoe Bend from the parking lot located at mile 544 on Highway 89, on the west side of the highway. Note that during very busy times the lot can fill up and in that case, you’ll be asked to come back or to use a shuttle from Page.

Mornings and later afternoon/early evenings are the most popular times to see the Bend, since that’s when its spectacular colours are most on display. To avoid the crowds, consider heading there to watch the sun rise. Early afternoons are less busy, as well, but during the summer, heat becomes an issue.

The hike to the Horseshoe Bend lookout is 1.5 miles round-trip. There’s a viewing platform with railings, but the path to the sides of the platform give you an unimpeded view, if you prefer. 

How long you spend here gaping at the beauty of nature is up to you, but most folks spend about an hour and a half. Again, crowds can be a factor. If you go during a busy period, you’ll be lining up to take your pictures, so plan some time for that.

Things to Do Around Horseshoe Bend

If you want to linger around the area, there are plenty of other things to do. Lake Powell is located within Glen Canyon, as well, and offers a wealth of outdoor activities. People flock to the lake for boating and water sports, but there are miles of shoreline walks and reasonable day hikes for those who like to stay on land.

Antelope Canyon is a must while you’re in the area. It’s only 10 minutes east of Page and once you’re there, you’ll see why it’s an internationally renowned spot for nature photographers. 

There are a few spectacular hikes to take through this sandstone slot canyon, each affording visitors with opportunities for snapping unforgettable pics of the canyon’s famed pink, gold and orange walls: You can only access it with a tour guide, but the price (which runs between $40 and $90, depending on the season) is well worth it. 

You can also take a tour at Horseshoe Bend to see some cool ancient Anasazi petroglyphs. The petroglyphs are accessible from the Colorado river itself, so you’ll need to either have a boat, rent a boat or take a tour. Once you’re at the trailhead, however, the hike is easy and there are some neat interpretive signs at the site to help you understand what you’re looking at.

The Drive from Horseshoe Bend to Zion National Park

You’ll take Highway 89 from Page to get to Zion. There are few towns between Horseshoe Bend and Zion National Park, but there are some fantastic hikes and lookouts that are well worth stopping for. 

As a caution, some of these spots are off-road excursions which should definitely not be attempted if it’s rained or if rain is in the forecast. Check local weather updates and ask a knowledgeable local before attempting them.

Only 10 minutes down the road is Wahweap Overlook. It’s much less visited than some of Arizona’s other overlooks, which is strange because it’s a stunning vista taking in a sweep of Lake Powell, as well as Glen Canyon Dam. There’s a shaded picnic bench if you want to stop and have a bite on the road.

A further 8 minutes down the highway is Stud Horse Point, a much less-visited spot with some lovely views, fascinating hoodoos and rock formations and a slot canyon. You’ll need to travel west down a gravel and dirt road for about 2½  miles before starting out on the trail. A GPS is essential. The trail itself is 5 miles, round trip. This isn’t a well-marked trail, so be ready to find your own route. FYI.

If that’s not enough adventure for you, consider doing some off-roading to visit Skylight Arch, a natural stone arch with fantastic views of Lake Powell. You’ll need a suitable off-road vehicle, a GPS and good maps of the area to find the trailhead. Even then you still might get lost, but maybe that’s part of the adventure??

2 minutes down the road from the Skylight Arch/Stud Horse Point area is Blue Pool Mesa lookout. If you’ve been bombing around the backcountry, this might be an excellent place to stop and enjoy the views. 

That said, Blue Pool Wash is accessible from the parking lot if you’re in the mood for some canyoneering. Those without climbing gear can explore part of this slot canyon, which runs underneath the highway. If you want to explore the entirety of it, get ready to rappel. 

Head another 15 minutes down the road to the Toadstool Hoodoos trailhead for an easy, 1.8-mile total trail through dramatic scenery and impressive rock formations. Again, the trail is unmarked, but it’s pretty simple to find your route.

At Milepost 31, 11 minutes further along the highway, you’ll find the Paria River Valley Road. If you have an off-road vehicle, you can take it up to the ghost town of Paria. While little remains of the 19th-century town, it’s set amidst some amazing multi-coloured cliffs and since it’s less well-known, you might even have the views all to yourself.

The next point of interest is the town of Kanab, an hour and 11 minutes from Page. Kanab makes a great place to base yourself if you have some time to explore the area. It’s close to an almost unfair number of brilliant national and state parks, geological attractions and outdoor adventure possibilities. 

Aside from that, you can visit the Kanab Heritage Museum, the Red Pueblo Museum and a variety of heritage sites and galleries if you want to soak up the southwestern American culture.

From Kanab, you can make a pit stop in Mt. Carmel Junction, 19 minutes north, before taking Highway 9 west on into the Park.

Zion National Park

Zion is the kind of park it takes days to really appreciate. There’s a ton of things to do, and breathtaking scenery around every corner. We’ll just highlight a few top attractions that you should consider putting on your itinerary. 

The Narrows is one of the park’s most popular and versatile hikes. It can be a one-mile paved excursion from the Temple of Sinawava, a natural amphitheater at the opening of the canyon, along the river. Or it can be a ten-mile hike to Big Spring or even a 16-mile trek from Chamberlain’s Ranch back to the Temple of Sinawava. Exploring the Narrows will mean venturing into the river, unless you take the paved Riverside Walk, so bring waterproof shoes and a hiking pole. If you’re not a fan of crowds, plan to go early. 

Angel’s Landing is another hike that’s a favourite with visitors. Not for the faint of heart, trekkers will need to navigate challenging switchbacks and steep ascents with grasping chains. Once you reach the top, however, you’ll be very glad you made it. Give yourself at least a half-day for this 5.4-mile round trip journey. 

The Canyon Overlook Trail is a much easier walk that ends with incredible views of Zion Canyon. The trail itself is a mile, round-trip, although there are some sections that could be challenging for young kids.

If hiking isn’t your speed, you can still enjoy the scenery from the road along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. It’s a 54-mile drive that passes park attractions such as Angel’s Landing and the Court of the Patriarchs. During peak season, the drive is accessible by shuttle. From December to February, however, visitors can take their own cars. It’s open to cyclists year-round. 

Those, of course, are just a few of many possibilities. And from Zion, you could be off on your next adventure. Have fun and travel safe!

Written by Anne Elliott

A big summer deserves a big adventure, and there are few bigger adventures than trekking across West Texas.

It takes an hour and a half to drive from Marfa to Big Bend National Park, but there’s no really good reason to rush the drive. Instead, might we suggest some stops along the way, stops that will turn an already impressive trip into an unforgettable experience.

We’ll show you two possible ways to get to Big Bend from Marfa, including a few highlights you can expect to find along the way.

Marfa, Texas

By the time you get to your starting point in Marfa, you will have already driven a fair bit. You can fly into El Paso or Midland and drive to Marfa in about 3 hours. Marfa is 6 hours from San Antonio by car, 7 hours from Austin, 8 hours from Dallas and 9 hours from Houston. So you will be ready for a rest when you arrive.

If you get in in the evening, you can enjoy an incredible sunset and drink in the dark, starry skies as you rest up for the next day. Marfa is small, but you can easily spend an entire day in this quirky town of 2000 people.

The town is best known for its art galleries. Make some time to visit the Chinati Foundation for contemporary art exhibits that stress the relationships between art and land. Check out Exhibitions 2d if you’re into minimalism, the Ayn Foundation if you prefer large-scale projects and Ballroom Marfa for site-inspired contemporary work. 

If time permits, Prada Marfa, a 2005 sculpture by artists Elmgreen & Dragset, is a visitor favourite. It’s on Highway 90, 37 miles northwest near Valentine.

Many other galleries dot the town—call ahead for opening hours. Some spots are still shut down over Covid. 

If contemporary art isn’t your speed and you want something more active, try a gliding tour with Marfa Gliders. If you want something with a little less action, you could spend your entire day eating at Marfa’s many fun restaurants and finding new treasures at unique shops. 

Architectural Digest even voted Marfa’s The Wrong Store the most beautiful independent store in Texas. Well worth checking out.

However you spend your day, your evening should include a trip to the Marfa Lights Viewing Area to see the mysterious (or not, depending on the level of childhood wonder still left in your heart) Marfa Lights. 

Many visitors have seen these strange lights floating on the horizon in the distance. Explanations of what causes them ranges from ghosts to aliens to car lights. The viewing area is 9 miles east of Marfa on Highway 90.

Route 1

Fort Davis

When you’re ready to head out from Marfa, you can immediately take a detour by going north on the 17 for 45 minutes to visit the McDonald Observatory, located outside Fort Davis. Visitors can access daytime, evening and nighttime programming. Some nights, the Observatory even allows the public to view the stars through their big research telescopes. 

If you’re more into history than astronomy, the Fort Davis National Historic Site is a well-preserved frontier military post where you can learn about America’s colonialist past. 

On the Road

And if none of that sounds inviting, just head east on Highway 90 out of Marfa until you get to the town of Alpine. The drive takes 30 minutes. In Alpine, you can find the Museum of the Big Bend, where you can learn about local history. Or take part in a local tradition and hike up beautiful Hancock Hill to the desk at the top, leaving a message for other travellers in the notebook in the desk drawer before you go.

From Alpine, head south down Highway 118 for roughly an hour and 15 minutes and then west on FM 170 to hit Big Bend River Tours. This outfitting company specializes in local guided rafting and canoe trips, hikes and backroad tours. 

Float down the Rio Grande on a half-day raft trip, or go all-in for a multi-day canyoning adventure—the company offers tours of many types and lengths. You can also rent canoes for a self-guided tour.

From the junction of Highway 118 and FM (Farm to Market) 170, you’re just a 7-minute jaunt west to Terlingua, an old mining town most famous for its chili cook off (which you will miss, unless you’re there the first Saturday in November). Terlingua also boasts a ghost town, a trading company post and a saloon.

There are plenty of places to stay in the area, from camping to lodges and guest houses to more traditional hotels. If you have the time, it’s an excellent way to really take in the flavour of the area.

From Terlingua, head back out to the 118 for a short, 12-minute drive east to Big Bend National Park.

Big Bend National Park

This is one of the most remote national parks in the U.S., but folks love it for the stunning desert and mountain topography. You could spend one day or many here in the Park and remain astonished by it all. We’ll outline just a few highlights.

The Window Trail is a favourite—it’s a 5.5-mile hike through the Oak Creek Canyon, which leads to a panoramic view of the desert below. This is a popular hike, but the views are well-worth any waiting you have to do to get them.

The Chimneys Trail is a 4.8-mile out and back desert hike that takes hikers to the impressive volcanic dike formation the trail is named for. You can find Native American pictographs on the southernmost formation.

The Santa Elena Canyon is not to be missed. Santa Elena itself is a 1,500-foot canyon that straddles the border between the U.S. and Mexico. The Rio Grande runs through it. The trail is an easy 1.4-mile out and back trail that crosses Terlingua Creek before heading up to a stunning vista and back down to the edge of the Rio Grande.

If hiking isn’t your speed, you can still enjoy the breathtaking views along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Or check out the Hot Springs Historic Area, including a short (1 mile total) trip past the remains of an old resort and a soak in the hot springs themselves.

Route 2

From Marfa, you can also do a road trip that includes both Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, a park that’s equally beautiful but lesser well-known than the National Park. 

Drive south down Highway 67, making sure to stop at the ghost mining town of Shafter, about 25 minutes out from Marfa. From Shafter, continue on the 67 south to Presidio, which is an hour’s drive from Marfa. 

Presidio borders the larger Mexican town of Ojinaga, and while these are quiet towns, they’re also fantastic spots to eat and take in the friendly border culture.

From Presidio, head east into the State Park. The drive is about an hour and 15 minutes, but you can stop along the way at Fort Leaton State Historic Site to learn about the natural and archaeological history of the area.

Big Bend Ranch State Park

Like the National Park, this State Park is an exceptional destination for adventurers keen on hiking, biking, paddling and general exploration. There’s more to do here than we could ever get into, but we’ll outline a few highlights.

The Closed Canyon Trail is 1.4-mile round trip trek into a slot canyon. It’s possible to use the trail to access the Rio Grande, but only if you have vertical climbing gear.

The Hoodoo Trail is a fantastic short hike, as well. It’s a 1.1-mile loop that leads hikers past the hoodoos and along the Rio Grande. There’s an overlook that rewards hikers with amazing views of the Park and the river.

Mountain bikers should go for the annual Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest in February. It features a 3-day, 54-mile loop through the desert, an adventure the International Mountain Bicycling Association has designated an “Epic” ride.

The FM 170

You can then take the FM 170, also called the River Road, to get to Terlingua and then on to Big Bend National Park.

The FM 170 is one of the highlights of a trip to this part of the world. It winds along the Rio Grande, with spectacular views of the river, the mountains and the desert. 

There are some trails leading off the road if you want to explore more of the countryside, but you can also just stay on the 170 and stop at any of the number of outlooks for panoramic vistas of Mexico and Texas. 

Conclusion

We hope we’ve given you some inspiration to take the slow road from Marfa to Big Bend National Park. There’s certainly enough to capture anyone’s interest and make for a once in a lifetime road trip.

Sunrise, Shenandoah National Park is a highlight of any trip to the Appalachians. It’s also a fantastic way to start off the day’s adventures while you visit the park. 

There are a few different ways you can enjoy what might be the most spectacular sunrise you’ll experience: you can drive to one of the park’s many overlooks or get ambitious and head out for an early hike. Below are the best spots to watch the sun rise from a parking area or a mountain summit.

Watch the Sunrise from a Road Lookout

This, obviously, is the sensible option. You can sleep in later, drink your coffee and in some cases, sit on the hood of your car looking out over some of the most majestic scenery Virginia has to offer.

Many travellers feel like roadside lookouts are overdone, and that you can only get a really spectacular view if you scale a cliff or go off-roading somewhere, but that’s absolutely not true in Shenandoah.

Skyline Drive, the main road through the park, is your best bet for a sunrise-watching spot. It runs the length of the park from north to south along the ridge, and many of its beautiful roadside turnouts face east over the mountains. There are 75 overlooks to choose from and they all take in magnificent views, so you’re really spoiled for choice.

The central and northern parts of Skyline Drive are the best vantage points for mountain scenery. Farther south, the views become less showstopping, although it’s also less crowded, which might be a draw for you depending on how much of a morning person you are. 

The spots we highlight below are all in the Central District, between the Thornton Gap Entrance, east of Luray, and the Swift Run Gap Entrance, east of Elkton. 

Note that the mileposts start at zero at the Front Royal Entrance Station at the north end of the park and go up to 105 at the southern end. 

These, for our money, are the best scenic lookouts for a sunrise:

Buck Hollow Overlook

Buck Hollow is a smaller overlook with world-class views of forested mountain ranges stretching into the distance. It only has room for half a dozen vehicles, go early to get a spot. It faces east-northeast at an elevation of 2,710 feet.

Find it at Mile 32.8 

Hazel Mountain Overlook

A few minutes’ drive further on is Hazel Mountain Overlook. It’s blessed with a large outcropping of rock that gives the views of Hazel Mountain an especially rugged feel. This turnout looks southeast and sits at an elevation of 2,770 feet.

Find it at Mile 33 

Hemlock Springs Overlook

An east-facing turnout at an elevation of 3,380 feet, Hemlock Springs Overlook encompasses Nicholson Hollow and Pinnacle Ridge, with Hazel Mountain in the background. The overlook gets its name from the Eastern hemlock trees that were once abundant in the park, and you can still spot a few on the ridge.

Find it at Mile 39.7 

Spitler Knoll Overlook

This is a sweeping overlook that faces west-northwest at a 3,285-foot elevation. While you won’t see the sun rise over the Blue Ridge, you will see a wide swath of sunrise in the mountains, thanks to the bend in the road at this location. You’ll also see fewer crowds at this spot.

Find it at Mile 48

Thorofare Mountain Overlook

Thorofare Mountain Overlook is the highest in the park, at 3,595 feet. Located close to Skyland Resort, this east-facing turnout is a convenient sunrise-watching spot for guests. Its convenience makes it popular, so if you want a little solitude with your sunrise, skip this lookout and head to one of the quieter options.

Find it at Mile 40.5

Tunnel Parking Overlook

This overlook takes in incredible views of Oventop Mountain, as well as Skinner Ridge. It faces east and sits at 2,510 feet. Tunnel Parking is a large turnout. There’s plenty of parking, which makes it a great option if you’re off to a late start.

Find it at Mile 32.5

Watch the Sunrise from a Mountain Trail

If you want to get up even earlier, there are many hikes in the park that will take you to phenomenal viewpoints where you can watch the sun crest the ridges. Not all summits are great candidates for a pre-dawn hike, but there are two in particular that are bucket-list level experiences.

Bearfence Mountain 

This is a short hike, which is nice first thing in the morning, but it’s a tough uphill climb, which is less than ideal in the dark. The panoramic, 360-degree vista is its own reward, however, and since it’s less well-known than hikes like Old Rag and Hawksbill, you might even have the summit to yourself. 

The trail is a mile total, out and back, with a 350-foot elevation gain. Although it’s short, there’s quite a precarious scramble, so it’s not considered suitable for children.

Start at the Bearfence Mountain Trailhead at Mile 56.4, north of Lewis Cabins.

Hawksbill Mountain

The highest peak in the park, Hawksbill is the best place to take in the wide, sweeping views that have made Shenandoah so beloved. There are a few ways to ascend the mountain. There’s a moderately challenging 2.1-mile (total) trek, a longer 2.8-mile loop trail or a more intense 1.7-mile out-and-back trip, with an elevation gain of 690 feet.

From the top, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Virginia Piedmont and the Shenandoah Valley. It’s nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Start from the parking area at Hawksbill Gap at Mile 45.5 for the challenging hike and the loop or from the Upper Hawksbill lot at Mile 46.7 for the easier, 2.1-mile route.

Top Tips for Seeing the Sunrise in Shenandoah National Park

You probably don’t need to be told this but be sure you know what time sunrise is. In the summer, it might be earlier than you think. Check a reliable weather service beforehand. 

Give yourself plenty of time to get to your chosen spot. Keep in mind that the most dramatic moments often come right before the sun breaks over the horizon. And after all, you’ve made the effort to get there—you don’t want to miss a second of it.

If you’re driving, bring a blanket. The mornings are cold in the mountains, even in the summer, and it can detract from the magic if you’re shivering while you wait for it.

If you’re hiking, carry your bear spray—Shenandoah has a thriving population of black bears. Also bring a flashlight or headlamp; water; a compass, in case you stray from the trail in the dark; a physical trail map, in case your phone doesn’t work; sensible hiking boots; a phone or watch so you can keep an eye on the time; trekking poles; a phone or camera, obviously, and a delicious beverage to enjoy at the top. You will have earned it.

Keep an eye out for wildlife. Deer, wild turkey and black bear are the most spotted animals in the park, and dawn is one of the best times to spot them. Keep your distance from all wildlife, but especially bears.

For hikers, check up-to-the-minute weather forecasts, regardless of the season—weather can play havoc with trail conditions.

Be kind and courteous to other early risers. As with other national parks, viewing the sunrise is a popular attraction in Shenandoah, and you might have to contend with people walking into your pictures or with having to execute complicated manoeuvres  to stay out of other people’s shots. Try to stay in a good humour, even if you haven’t finished your coffee.

Best Time to Go

Any season is lovely, but fall is a prime time of year to visit the park, especially for sunrise watching. The weather is cooler, but the views of the sunlight coming over the colourful trees are unparalleled. 

Feature image: Taylor Wright; Image 1: sally9258

Written by: Anne Elliot

These two incredible destinations are a short hop from each other, so it’s a popular choice to do both together in one vacation. If you go direct from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon, the trip is a distance of 72 miles and takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete. 

That’s if you go direct, though. There are really two ways to get from Zion to Bryce Canyon—the fast way and the scenic way. The fast way might seem highly appealing to you, depending on how much you hate the driving part of a road trip, but we think we can talk you into the scenic route. Or at least, we’re going to give it a shot.

First, Though, the Fast Route

To get from Zion to Bryce Canyon quickly, leave Zion from the East entrance, using UT-9E. This will take you Mt. Carmel Junction. You’ll hit a T-intersection, where you’ll head left onto State St./Highway 89 N. 

After 43 miles, you’ll veer right onto Scenic Byway 12, which will take you past the Bryce Canyon Resort. Head south on UT-63/Main St. You’ll go through Bryce and enter Bryce Canyon National Park about 2 minutes further on. Easy peasy.

What’s to See Between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon?

But, what you’ll miss if you drive straight from one national park to the other are astounding lookouts; out-of-the-way hikes; opportunities for adventure; caves, caverns and canyons that are a little less travelled than the most popular tourist spots; and, of course, the chance to spot some elusive desert bighorn sheep. 

You could easily spend a few days in this area and still feel astonished at every turn. There are hidden gems spread out all along the main highways, let alone the smaller backroads. Many of these gems involve hiking, but some are museums, viewpoints and short, accessible trails, so don’t discount the area if mobility is a challenge for you.

Are There Amenities on the Road?

There are lots of places to eat, sleep and get gas and supplies in the areas between the two parks if you do decide to make a longer trip of it. 

Mt. Carmel Junction is closest to Zion (it’s 12 miles east) and largely serves as a jumping off point to explore the park. You can find gas stations, RV parks, hotels and a few gift shops. You can also find gas, cafés, restaurants, lodgings, a dollar store, a grocery store and souvenir shops further down the highway in Orderville. 

Another 5 minutes east is Glendale, which has a few different options for lodgings. Hatch, a town half an hour east of Glendale, offers a range of accommodations, as well as a saloon. The final stop outside Bryce Canyon is, appropriately, Bryce. There you’ll find hotels and lodgings, restaurants and a laundromat. 

Accommodations of various kinds are sprinkled along the highway, and other, larger urban centres are fairly close by, as well, so resting, restocking and refueling shouldn’t be difficult. Just make your hotel or campground reservations well ahead—these are popular destinations and rooms and sites book up quickly.

The Scenic Route from Zion to Bryce Canyon

Unless you have somewhere you absolutely need to be, we can’t recommend the scenic route enough. The landscape here is nothing short of spectacular and it would be a shame to miss some of the amazing highlights. 

Here are just a few of them.

East of Zion

The first place to stop as you exit Zion is the Canyon Overlook Trail. Located just east of the Mt. Carmel tunnel, this is an easy hike that’s 1-mile in total but whose view would be worth a 100-mile slog. 

Mt. Carmel Junction has some fun hikes, canyons and caves. Belly of the Dragon is a short tunnel (that used to be a water culvert) that’s a half-mile hike round trip. You can extend it with a further 4-mile hike into a slot canyon.

If instead of turning left at the T-junction you head south on the 89 for 3 miles, you’ll find the trailhead for Elkheart Cliffs Slot Canyon. This is a 3-mile hike, but those miles are challenging, so it’s better for adults than young kids. The rewards, however, are great if you love wide vistas and dramatic landscapes. And we think you do.

If caves are more your jam, keep driving south on the 89 until you come to the Sand Caves, 11 miles out of Mt. Carmel Junction. These caves were made by sand mining operations in the 1930s and ‘40s, and are a lovely way to get into the shade and enjoy some beautiful views. You can see the caves from the road, so it’s not a long jaunt, but there is a scramble up to the caves themselves. 

Moqui Cave is just north of the Sand Caves, and is a great spot to learn about the paleontological and anthropological history of the area. It’s a natural history museum with a large collection of Native American artifacts and dinosaur footprints.

Red Hollow Canyon in Orderville is about a 25-minute drive from Zion. The trailhead is just south of town. This is another short (1.2 miles roundtrip), relatively easy hike that gives you disproportionately rewarding scenery for your efforts.

Dixie National Forest

Head into Dixie National Forest, on UT-14 W between Glendale and Hatch. There’s a lot to see and do here, with activities ranging from the accessible to the challenging. 

Duck Creek Ice Cave is a small cave that got its name because it used to remain cold enough that the floor would stay iced over, even in summer. With climate change upon us, you may or may not get that experience.

The hike to Cascade Falls is a little more than a mile round-trip, and it makes for a great side-adventure. The hike goes along the rim of a canyon and ends at the falls themselves. Don’t get excited about the Falls—despite the promising name, they are not the highlight of this walk. They are very small. Do get excited about the adventurous trail and the majestic views of the surrounding areas. 

Mammoth Cave is a slight detour off the 14, but worth your time if you have an interest in caves or little future spelunkers in the car with you. 

Cedar Breaks National Monument is a 45-minute drive from the junction of the 89 and the 14. It’s one of the real treasures of this area and if you can get there, you should go. A geologic amphitheater sitting 10,000 feet above sea level, the monument offers spectacular hiking, including multi-day treks, a geological wonderland of colours and rock formations and a dark sky park for stargazing.

Once you turn onto Scenic Byway 12, keep an eye out for roadside lookouts for the Red Canyon. There’s an extensive trail system that give travellers opportunities to get up close to the canyon’s iconic red sandstone formations and ponderosa pines. 

One such short trail is the half-mile Arches trail. There are only so many adjectives one can use to describe the extraordinary scenery of this place, but know that whatever adjectives I could put here, the views would surpass them. 

The Red Canyon Visitor Center, located on the 12, will give you many more ideas for area hikes, as well as for biking spots and spots where you can just plain marvel at it all.

And then you’ll be pretty much there at Bryce Canyon, your destination, having hit up two stunning national parks, gotten off the beaten path a little and explored an area so rich that every turn could be a destination in itself.