Salt Lake City, UT to Zion National Park, UT Road Trip

A 3-day itinerary from Salt Lake City, UT to Zion National Park, UT. Embark on a scenic 300-mile road trip from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park, featuring red rock vistas, mountain passes, and iconic Utah landscapes.

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 Itinerary

- **Pacing:** High-energy exploration with 6h 6m of driving and 6h 25m of activity; this is a full day of transitioning from the city to the red rocks. - **Vibe:** A scenic immersion into the less-traveled northern sections of Zion. - **Focus:** Nature and hiking are the priorities; ensure you have your National Park pass ready for the Kolob Canyons entrance. - **Tip:** The Taylor Creek Trail involves multiple stream crossings, so waterproof hiking boots are highly recommended for comfort. - **Tip:** Since you arrive at your lodging late (8:30 PM), enjoy the stargazing at Under Canvas Zion to unwind from the long drive.

Cedar Canyon Scenic Drive - 621-601 E Center St, Cedar City, Utah 84721, United States
Kolob Canyons Visitor Center - 3752 E Kolob Canyon Rd, New Harmony, Utah 84757, United States
Taylor Creek Trail - Virgin, Utah 84779, United States
🍽️ Lunch at Fire + Smoke BBQ - 240 South Main Street, Kanarraville
Timber Creek Overlook Trail - New Harmony, Utah 84757, United States
🍽️ Dinner at Black Sage - 3405 Dalton Washington Road, Virgin
Under Canvas Zion
Kolob Terrace Road - Virgin, Utah 84779, United States

Day 2 Itinerary

- **Pacing:** Balanced exploration with a low drive time of 1h 43m and a deep dive into the park with 9h 25m of visit time. - **Vibe:** A mix of iconic canyon views and historical discovery. - **Focus:** Sightseeing and photography; the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway offers some of the most photogenic switchbacks in the country. - **Tip:** Visit Grafton Ghost Town during the golden hour before dinner for the best lighting and a quieter, eerie atmosphere. - **Tip:** Use the Zion Canyon Shuttle system to access the Emerald Pool Trailhead, as private vehicles are restricted in the main canyon.

🍳 Breakfast at Red Rock Grill - 1 Zion Lodge, Virgin, Utah 84767, United States
Lower Emerald Pool Trail - Emerald Pools Trail, Virgin, Utah 84779, United States
Zion–Mount Carmel Highway - Springdale, Utah 84767, United States
Junior Ranger program - Springdale, Utah 84767, United States
🍽️ Lunch at Red Cliff Lodge Restaurant - Springdale, Utah, United States - Located inside the park at Zion Lodge, this historic dining room provides the unique experience of eating surrounded by the park's towering red cliffs.
Canyon Coffee - 358 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, Utah 84767, United States
Zion Canyon Visitor Center - Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah 84767, United States
Lion Rock - 800 E Main St, Rockville, Utah 84763, United States
Grafton Ghost Town - Rockville, Utah 84763, United States
🍽️ Dinner at Hoku Lani - Hawaiian Shaved Ice, Dirty sodas, Matcha foam Lattes & Cold Brew Coffee - 725 Utah 9, Virgin
Under Canvas Zion
Grafton Ghost Town - Rockville, Utah 84763, United States

Day 3 Itinerary

- **Pacing:** Leisurely and focused with only 1h 27m of driving and 6h 15m of visit time, allowing for a relaxed conclusion to the trip. - **Vibe:** High-altitude geological wonders and iconic landmarks. - **Focus:** Geological appreciation; the East Entrance features unique sandstone formations like Checkerboard Mesa. - **Tip:** Parking at the East Rim Trailhead can be limited; aim to arrive during your early 7:00 AM start to secure a spot. - **Tip:** Keep your binoculars handy at The Great Arch stop to spot climbers or bighorn sheep often found on the cliffs.

🍳 Breakfast at Ponderosa Eats - 220 N Fork County Rd, Orderville, Utah 84762, United States
Checkerboard Mesa - Orderville, Utah 84762, United States
East Rim Trailhead, Zion National Park - E Rim Trail, Orderville, Utah 84762, United States
The Great Arch - Zion – Mount Carmel Hwy, Springdale, Utah 84767, United States
🍽️ Lunch at Kiki Dees Taqueria - 220 West Twin Knolls Road, Mount Carmel
Emerald Pools Trailhead - Virgin, Utah 84779, United States
🍽️ Dinner at Red Rock Grill - 1 Zion Lodge, Springdale
Zion Lodge
Main Street - Cedar City, Utah 84720, United States

Utah's Dixie

From: Salt Lake City

Essential Gear

Smart recommendations tailored to your specific itinerary and season.

Top Pick

Timberland Men's White Ledge Mid Waterproof Ankle Boot

4.5(85,000)

Est. Price

$89.99

Amazon REI

Top Pick

BALEAF Men's UPF 50+ Long Sleeve Moisture Wicking Hiking Shirt

4.6(38,000)

Est. Price

$19.99

Amazon REI

Offline GPS Maps

Suggested gear for this trip.

Search on Amazon

High-Traction Gloves

Suggested gear for this trip.

Search on Amazon

Top Pick

Unigear Hydration Bladder 3L Water Reservoir

4.4(3,100)

Est. Price

$17.99

Amazon REI

Top Pick

MERRY'S Unisex Polarized Aluminum Sunglasses

4.4(44,690)

Est. Price

$15.98

Amazon REI

Top Pick

Anker Nano Power Bank (10,000mAh)

4.5(19,500)

Est. Price

$21.99

Amazon REI

Top Pick

Columbia Unisex Bora Bora Booney Sun Hat UPF 50+

4.6(20,000)

Est. Price

$24.00

Amazon REI

Daypack with Rain Cover

Suggested gear for this trip.

Search on Amazon

Lip Balm with SPF

Suggested gear for this trip.

Search on Amazon

▼

Day 1

🗺️ Google Maps

•Pacing: High-energy exploration with 6h 6m of driving and 6h 25m of activity; this is a full day of transitioning from the city to the red rocks.
•Vibe: A scenic immersion into the less-traveled northern sections of Zion.

🏠

Start Origin

Salt Lake City, UT

🚗

6h 38 min • 288.5 miles

Cedar Canyon Scenic Drive

2:45 PM

621-601 E Center St, Cedar City, Utah 84721, United States

60m • Leave at 3:45 PM

🚗

34 min • 24.3 miles

🌲

Kolob Canyons Visitor Center

4:15 PM

3752 E Kolob Canyon Rd, New Harmony, Utah 84757, United States

30m • Leave at 4:45 PM

🚗

5 min • 3.3 miles

Taylor Creek Trail

4:45 PM

Virgin, Utah 84779, United States

150m • Leave at 7:15 PM

🚗

9 min • 6.5 miles

🍴

🍽️ Lunch at Fire + Smoke BBQ

7:30 PM

240 South Main Street, Kanarraville

50m • Leave at 8:15 PM

🚗

13 min • 9.7 miles

Timber Creek Overlook Trail

8:30 PM

New Harmony, Utah 84757, United States

45m • Leave at 9:15 PM

🚗

26 min • 19.0 miles

🍴

🍽️ Dinner at Black Sage

9:45 PM

3405 Dalton Washington Road, Virgin

50m • Leave at 10:30 PM

🚗

5 min • 3.9 miles

Under Canvas Zion

🌙 Evening: Check-in

Find a place to stayCheck availability and exact pricing

View Deal

▼

Day 2

🗺️ Google Maps

•Pacing: Balanced exploration with a low drive time of 1h 43m and a deep dive into the park with 9h 25m of visit time.
•Vibe: A mix of iconic canyon views and historical discovery.
•Focus: Sightseeing and photography; the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway offers some of the most photogenic switchbacks in the country.

🚗

16 min • 11.5 miles

🍴

🍳 Breakfast at Red Rock Grill

8:15 AM

1 Zion Lodge, Virgin, Utah 84767, United States

30m • Leave at 8:45 AM

🚗

1 min • 0.7 miles

Lower Emerald Pool Trail

8:45 AM

Emerald Pools Trail, Virgin, Utah 84779, United States

60m • Leave at 9:45 AM

🚗

5 min • 3.6 miles

Zion–Mount Carmel Highway

9:45 AM

Springdale, Utah 84767, United States

45m • Leave at 10:30 AM

🚗

2 min • 1.3 miles

Junior Ranger program

10:30 AM

Springdale, Utah 84767, United States

120m • Leave at 12:30 PM

🚗

3 min • 1.9 miles

🍴

🍽️ Lunch at Red Cliff Lodge Restaurant

12:30 PM

Springdale, Utah, United States

50m • Leave at 1:15 PM

🚗

1 min • 0.8 miles

📸

Canyon Coffee

1:15 PM

358 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, Utah 84767, United States

60m • Leave at 2:15 PM

🚗

1 min • 0.6 miles

Zion Canyon Visitor Center

2:15 PM

Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah 84767, United States

60m • Leave at 3:15 PM

🚗

6 min • 4.3 miles

Lion Rock

3:15 PM

800 E Main St, Rockville, Utah 84763, United States

30m • Leave at 3:45 PM

🚗

6 min • 4.1 miles

Grafton Ghost Town

3:45 PM

Rockville, Utah 84763, United States

60m • Leave at 4:45 PM

🚗

13 min • 9.2 miles

🍴

🍽️ Dinner at Hoku Lani - Hawaiian Shaved Ice, Dirty sodas, Matcha foam Lattes & Cold Brew Coffee

7:00 PM

725 Utah 9, Virgin

50m • Leave at 7:45 PM

#10

🚗

1 min • 0.9 miles

Under Canvas Zion

🌙 Evening: Check-in

#11

Find a place to stayCheck availability and exact pricing

View Deal

▼

Day 3

🗺️ Google Maps

•Pacing: Leisurely and focused with only 1h 27m of driving and 6h 15m of visit time, allowing for a relaxed conclusion to the trip.
•Vibe: High-altitude geological wonders and iconic landmarks.

🚗

32 min • 23.4 miles

🍴

🍳 Breakfast at Ponderosa Eats

8:30 AM

220 N Fork County Rd, Orderville, Utah 84762, United States

30m • Leave at 9:00 AM

🚗

6 min • 4.3 miles

Checkerboard Mesa

9:00 AM

Orderville, Utah 84762, United States

20m • Leave at 9:15 AM

🚗

1 min • 0.9 miles

East Rim Trailhead, Zion National Park

9:15 AM

E Rim Trail, Orderville, Utah 84762, United States

120m • Leave at 11:15 AM

🚗

7 min • 5.3 miles

The Great Arch

11:15 AM

Zion – Mount Carmel Hwy, Springdale, Utah 84767, United States

45m • Leave at 12:00 PM

🚗

10 min • 7.1 miles

🍴

🍽️ Lunch at Kiki Dees Taqueria

12:15 PM

220 West Twin Knolls Road, Mount Carmel

50m • Leave at 1:00 PM

🚗

8 min • 6.1 miles

Emerald Pools Trailhead

1:15 PM

Virgin, Utah 84779, United States

60m • Leave at 2:15 PM

🚗

1 min • 0.2 miles

🍴

🍽️ Dinner at Red Rock Grill

7:00 PM

1 Zion Lodge, Springdale

50m • Leave at 7:45 PM

🚗

1 min • 0.1 miles

Zion Lodge

🌙 Evening: Check-in

Find a place to stayCheck availability and exact pricing

View Deal

Book Your Trip

Your itinerary is ready! Book your accommodations and grab essential gear.

Hotels3 nights in Zion National Park, UT

View Deals

GearEssentials for Zion National Park, UT

Amazon

Loading map...