We passed through on our way from Zion to Las Vegas. Flights from Los Angeles to St. George: United Express through Skywest. Las Vegas McCarran Airport (LAS) is the next closest airport during this time. This day was all about scenic drives (and a bit of birding) - no hiking. Back in town, we did a grocery run for picnic provisions for the next day and then had mediocre takeout back at our lodging (the charming Red Canyon Cabins). Re: the Bryce View Lodge, which gets mixed-tilting-negative reviewsthe room was certainly dated (one might even say shabby), outlets were lacking/inconvenient, and there was a bit of a gap in the doorbut it was clean & quiet and the beds were comfortable, which was all we asked. Salt Lake City is Utah's state capital, and it's around 6 hour and 30 minutes' drive from your starting point in Las Vegas. You could do a detour to Valley of Fire state park outside Vegas near Moapa.. If you are in the area in the future, make reservations for the Cliffisde Restaurant at Inn on the Cliff. Drive Route 6 for yourself to see why it's deserving of the "one of America's most scenic drives" title from National Geographic. At one point, my daughter said I think I see something. Sure enough, one of the condors - previously hidden - was moving and stretching a bit. Stops and things to do on Page to Las Vegas drive or road trip - Wanderlog During the summer, Zion (and Las Vegas, for that matter), reaches punishing heats of well over 100 degrees. It doesn't take long for shops and fast-food restaurants to give way to expansive red rock vistas. Reset. We took the shuttle (crowded now) back to the Visitors Center, where cars were now circling in search of parking spaces. If youre arriving from Las Vegas, please note that Utah is one hour ahead of Nevada. The city is the religious center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Mormons, and also hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 2002. From Las Vegas to Zion National Park: 4 Best Ways to Get There On the way from Vegas to Zion, with a stop in St. George. Here's how to get there: From Las Vegas, you have to get to St. George on the usual I-15. There are more than 2,000 natural stone arches and thousands of stone pinnacles, rock fins, and red-rock formations throughout Arches National Park. ), Weather in Early October - Southern Utah's National Parks, Confused about tubing in Zion (Virgin River), Super 8 by Wyndham Salina / Scenic Hills Area, Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel. If you have never been through Zion but your final destination is Bryce Canyon that is a great route to go. The on-site restaurant is a high-class dining experience serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, but as the hotel is located in the center of town you can also take your pick of nearby restaurants. (My fondness for pie is a running joke between my daughter & me.). We skipped the museum/tour, which Id been to before and know to be excellent. The best place to capture the beauty of the setting sun reflecting off the hoodoos and slot canyons is at Paria View. This route is going to take at least 5 days to enjoy in full with so many majestic national parks, forests and attractions, so here are some of our top picks for places to stay along the way. You can pay a small fee for day use or overnight camping if spots are available. The Riverside Walk, a paved trail that follows the Virgin River, leads through more hanging gardens and waterfalls, and is home to an array of birds and wildlife. Keep the bird info coming too. Families will love exploring the 38 miles of hiking trails within the park. If your driving from Las Vegas to St George Utah this is a beautiful view of the Virginia river Gorge. Alltrails you need to make some adjustments to this trail usages. Just past St George, turn left onto Cottonwood Springs Road, which will take you to Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, your first stopping off point in Utah. Southern Utah's oldest Receptive Tour Operator offering regularly scheduled and customized tours of Utah's Zion, Bryce, Capital Reef, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, and Colorado's San Juan Mountains. It went very well with takeout pizza (and Succession!) Scenic Drive through a narrow, winding canyon between St. George, UT and Mesquite, NV. The first is a relatively brief interstate drive which takes you across the Nevada desert before arriving in Utah at St George, near Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. Road Trip From Las Vegas To Denver - LazyTrips It is the fastest and only route to be suggested in all reality. (Its just another hours drive from Zion to the wild red hoodoo rock formations of Bryce Canyon National Park, and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Kanab.). Be sure to select Red Mountain Resort as your destination. Virgin River Gorge Scenic Drive - Utah | AllTrails We both loved the way the landscape changed as we drove, from desert to mountain pine forest and back to desert. The trail took us to the next shuttle stop, which we hopped on and took to the Grotto area, where we picnicked before walking to the Lodge & Emerald Pools trails (we did the Lower Pool only). Very beautiful drive. Destination Poconos. Wait, make that two condors! 4K. Explore the state parks near St George, Where to eat in St George and Greater Zion, Advenire Autograph Collection boutique hotel, Things to Do in Cedar City Utah with Kids, Top 7 Things Not to Miss in Tokyo with Kids, 18 Best Lake Vacations in the US for Families, 12 Must See Places on a California Road Trip with Kids, 15 Amazing Adventures to Have in Yucatn with Kids, 15 Best Things to Do in Belfast Northern Ireland. There are two pools here, one outdoor and the other indoor, and the wellness center has spa packages, including everything from a relaxation area to body treatments. If you're feeling really active, you can even join a group canyoning trip. Show only these on map 1 Coyote Gulch Art Village Save On1list Art gallery Shopping Another great choice in Springdale is MeMes with the best Cubano sandwich Ive ever eaten! Be careful driving. The museum features dinosaur footprints and swimming tracks, hands-on activities, and fossils. Thank you for your support! Older kids wont want to miss this! Visiting St George can provide an urban experience that's mind-bogglingly different from Vegas. To see all the attractions with travel between, we recommend at least 5 days. Taste some Americana at Route 66, AZ (2 hours) A couple of hours' drive from Las Vegas will get . Vegas To St. George and back, things to see along the way. The closest national park to Las Vegas, Zion National Park is the first stop on your Utah national parks itinerary from Las Vegas. Top cities between Page and Las Vegas Best stops along Page to Las Vegas drive. There are three different viewpoints along Inspiration Point, each higher than the last. This iconic sign, built in 1959, sits in the meridian at 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South otherwise known as the very southern end of the Las Vegas Strip. The most popular hike, and a must-do for avid hikers, is Angels Landing, a 5.4-mile hike that involves chain-assisted rock scrambles, crazy heights, and scaling a narrow ridge. Highway 9 will take you through Hurricane, Utah and right to Springdale (just . Users or automated systems that fail to respect these choices will be considered to have breached ourTerms of Service. Day 2 (Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? :). I was braced for mediocre, but this was anything butthe pork in chile verde, in particular, was outstanding. We consider June to August as the high season, this is when hiking trails are most popular. The Human History Museum will be one of the first stops, telling the cultural history of Zion through interactive displays and a large model of the park. In Ferdonia you will turn northbound on highway 89 and take this up to highway 12 through Red Canyon and the turn to Bryce Canyon. It's easy driving: straight, open roads and scenic terrain. Pack your hiking boots and backpack as they're sure to see some use. Things to Do in Heber Valley Utah with Kids, 1. Its about a two hour drive to St George. Awe Inspiring Scenic Drives Near Las Vegas - The Daily Impressions Zion National Park is the perfect spot for kids with many family friendly hiking and biking trails. One more option for your travels would be to Head north on i-15 until you get to highway 9 going to Hurricane. To continue on your route towards Utah, turn left onto Northshore Road and follow it through Moapa Valley until you meet I-15. Youll have the freedom to stop in all of the funky little spots between Las Vegas and the entrance to Zion in the town of Springdale, Utah. Soon, you'll find yourself back on I-15 heading south, and from here it's a simple drive back to Las Vegas to complete this amazing road trip. The best Utah national parks 3-day itinerary from Las Vegas would incorporate a mix of attractions and sites from Zion National Park and the next location on our list, Bryce Canyon National Park. There are three levels of pools, Lower, Middle and Upper, amid the trails, each a bit harder to get to than the last. A post shared by Kirsten Maxwell (@kidsareatrip). You can plan accordingly by checking the citys official convention schedule. Dinner was the surprise hit of the trip - takeout from Arriba Mexican Grill in Bryce, which Id noted on our way to Bryce Canyon Pines. Best part was listening to the cacophony of voices and languages. The famous Grand Staircase can be seen from this vista. There are several good places to stay in St. George. Yes, food at Bryce is mediocre at best - food for the masses. They are known for their super large portions and delicious farm food. What Is the Fastest Way to Get From Las Vegas to Zion National Park? We've done it twice, once from Las Vegas to Zion NP, and once from Zion to the Virgin River Casino - a scenic oddity and treat in itself, being part of a large manmade golf oasis in the middle of the desert. Oh well - the fact that these things arent command performances is what makes them special. Halfway through the drive, your dedicated driver and guide will pick up your fresh deli lunch on the way from Las Vegas to Zion. Tip: Las Vegas car rental rates, like hotel rates, fluctuate with the citys convention schedule. The Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum features historical artifacts, photos, and stories of the pioneer families who settled in Utah. This route will take you thorugh Colorado City, Ferdonia AZ. The top place to see hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park is along the northern section of the park along the higher regions of the Colorado Plateau. Zion means "the Promised Land" in Hebrew and this iconic park certainly lives up to its name. Next stop: Hoover Dam, an interest of my daughters since childhood. Looking for a sunny destination with numerous activities for kids? It's an International Dark Sky Park, and you can join a guided astronomy tour if you want to learn more about the stellar night sky views. Highs average 72 degrees Fahrenheit so this is a good time for outdoor exploration. The nearby town of Springfield is the best place for gathering supplies and booking guided tours. The reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout, bullhead catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass so bring a pole and head out fishing any time of year. Start your trip in comfort and style with a stay at the Advenire, Autograph Collection, where the rooms combine both vintage grandeur and contemporary design. The hotel is right in the center of Springdale, the main jumping off point to explore Zion National Park, and you can pick up the free visitor shuttle into the park from here. Its a quick 45 minute drive from St. George and as one of the most beautiful national parks in the U.S., its one of the best things to do near St George. How to Get From Las Vegas to Zion National Park - TripSavvy Try this 38.9-km point-to-point trail near St. George, Utah. 4K video filmed with Go Pro Hero 8. RVs Trailer and some oversized loads and trucks are limited and restricted along this Zion route so please check with the park for details and restrictions of the Zion-Mt Carmel Tunnel. It is not walker nor wheelchair friendly unless there is a side trail Im missing. After breakfast (the less said about breakfast in the cavernous Ebenezers space, the better - it was the undrinkable coffee that really hurt), we went back to tbe park - SunRISE Point this time - to hike the Queens Garden trail. Seeing the view from the car is one thing, but I had the opportunity to see it from a bus window as well, so I could also see into the canyon from that height. But that was just a previewthe scenery as we drove on to the Visitors Center wowed us. So, what to do with the rest of the day? Seeing the landscape through her eyes made it seem even more spectacular. Along the way these travelers pass within 15 miles of a park that offers arches, petroglyphs, red rocks, petrified wood, spectacular geologic formations and beautiful desert scenery. Day 3 (Kolob Canyon section of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Sign up for our free travel guide to help plan your next trip! Along the way, we made a quick stop at the citys Sunset Park, for a short walk through its desert habitat areajust to get into the swing of things. This is also a paved mountain road so there is steep elevation changes and windy roads. Scenic drives to consider in Pennsylvania are listed below. Sand Hollow State Park is 20,000 acres of pure recreation. Dinner at Rubys, where they were out of all their interesting-sounding beers and the food was mediocre at best. Getting Here to St. George Utah | Red Mountain Resort An in-park shuttle system operates to help visitors easily reach all the main points of interest within the park while helping to reduce car traffic and its effects on the natural surroundings. 2015.07.12, We had a late night flight that brought us to Las Vegas, NV. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-117399669', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kanab to Zion to St George - Thursday). Las Vegas to Saint George drive - plan a road trip The most famous arch in this immediate area is the Landscape Arch, accessible via an easy hike from the Trailhead. There is no fee and has no travel restrictions for RVs or trailers. The view was spectacular (of course), but low clouds meant we didnt get the full effect of the sun lighting up the hoodoos. On day two driving from Las Vegas to Zion National Park, towns become increasingly smaller. After an OK lunch we continued on Scenic Byway 12. Wildlife is abundant in this area, allowing photographers the chance to catch a grazing elk or deer, or a soaring falcon in their camera lens against the backdrop of the setting sun. This was honestly my favorite hike of the day: it wasnt a name trail, and so we had it pretty much to ourselves. Sign up to receive our monthly email offers. Flint Stephens 15 of 15 Each week, thousands of Utahns travel to or from Las Vegas on Interstate 15. After nearly 22 hours on the road since leaving Las Vegas, spend the last night of your road trip in the stunning Zion National Park. We are unable to pick guests up or take guests to the shuttle station. Being from the east, we don't have a jaded view of the desert, rocks, hills, mountains and passes that comprise a route like this. After an appropriate interval for condor admiration, we followed a sign for river access, which led to a dirt trail. Take your time to enjoy the incredible views you'll get from this fabulous highway. Vegas to St George - St. George Forum - Tripadvisor This is the Most Legendary 3-Day Road Trip You Can Add to Your Vegas Uniquely formed by water erosion from above instead of from the sides like most arches, the large arches share the same stone foundation, which can be climbed and walked upon for close inspection of this famous landform. (both north and south bound). Travel Safe. Whether because of the labor shortage thats plaguing the area or because it was still the off season, or both, they had limited hours & a limited menu. Virgin River Gorge Scenic Drive Easy 4 (33) St. George, Utah Photos (65) Directions Print/PDF map Length 24.2 miElevation gain 1,079 ftRoute type Point to point Experience this 24.2-mile point-to-point trail near St. George, Utah. Directions from St. George, UT to Grand Canyon South Rim Take Highway 9 to Hurricane. However, for outdoor exploration, keep in mind the humidity will make it difficult. We happily relinquished ours. Then turn off towards Ducks Creek Village and stop to explore Dixie National Forest and Cedar Breaks National Monument. This section of I-15 is particularly scenic and shows where we drove through the Virgin River Canyon. Which are best national parks to see in Utah? Bad Beat offered tasty (and unusual - blood orange ale, anyone?) September is when temperatures start to drop. However, there is often construction along the very narrow stretch of I-15 between Mesquite, Nevada and St. George, Utah, in the Virgin River Gorge, which passes through the northwestern corner of Arizona. I was nervous about parking, seeing as how it was after 9am by the time we got to the Visitors Center lot, but I neednt have been. Day 3: Zion National Park - Las Vegas. After checking in at the Bryce View Lodge (more on that below), we still had plenty of daylight left, so we took the scenic drive & stopped at various points to ooooh and ahhhh the otherworldly landscape. I-15 is the most scenic section of interstate you'll encounter. St. George has many kid friendly museums. For something a bit more relaxing, take a hot air balloon ride and see all of the parks from above. Going on Los Angeles to Salt Lake City drive can be one of the most adventurous road trips in the Western USA. Las Vegas To Zion: 7 Amazing Stops Along Interstate 15 If youre at Bryce, eat here! The Snowbird OktoberFest, which attracts 60,000 visitors, is one of the standout festivals of the year. Our disappointing meal was at Wood Ash Rye downtown; we were debating it vs Cliffside and chose wrong, I guess. The iconic formation aptly named Balanced Rock is a must-see and one of the most photographed sites within the park. These shapes resemble alien lifeforms, giving the park its name. But in fact, a three-hour drive is no time at all for those of us who live in the desert. If youre looking for fun things to do in St George with kids, look no further. Please be advised that several of the shuttle services go to central location requiring additional transportation fees to Red Mountain Resort. Follow along for ideas on planning the best Utah national parks itinerary from Las Vegas! There are a few trails to walk here, several go to the river. This drive also gives you some insight into Virgin River flooding and geologic challenges. Begin your exploration of Zion National Park by driving the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which begins outside of the park at the intersection of Highway 9 and Interstate 15. . Courses and equipment rentals for canyoneering are available just about year-round, and horseback riding tours along the Virgin River can be booked from March through October. Ranger guided tours steer you through approximately 2 miles of the twists and turns, pointing out interesting sites and teaching guests about the process of erosion and how it forms the landscape seen in every direction. Other nearby ghost towns to explore include Old Iron Town and Silver Reef. Daily trips between Las Vegas, St. George, Springville (Provo Area), and Salt Lake City. in 3 reviews Location & Hours Suggest an edit Interstate 15 Littlefield, AZ 85603 Get directions Ask the Community Ask a question Take Highway 64 north directly to the South Rim. The absolute fastest way is chartering a helicopter, which you can do with well-established Las Vegas companies like Sundance Helicopters, which will take you over Utahs incredible canyon country right from the Las Vegas Strip.