best routes for Zion and Bryce

Another CG option for Brice is Wagon Wheel in Panguich. Very "in town" but you are going to be touring during the day and it is convenient for Restaurants, Groceries, etc.

Sounds like 59 to 389 to 89 for us. I like easy while towing, I can do the scenic routes while unhitched. Thank you everyone for your help, Dave

If you don't want to use the tunnel at Zion (or can't because of tunnel restrictions - read the national park's site on the tunnel), then your best bet is to do each park separately. Otherwise you'll be doing long, slow drives and you probably won't want to do that more than a day at each, which isn't enough. Each park is worth three nights stay.

So, for Zion, take I-15 to Hwy 9 near St. George, Utah, There are RV parks in Hurricane and Springdale which is just outside the park's entrance. This is a flat drive. The free shuttle bus stops in Springdale. Or..stay inside the park. Watchman Campground has electric sites and a water fill and dump station. It's in a very scenic area and you can walk to the Visitor Center and pick up the free shuttle.

Then leaving Zion go through the tunnel or go to Hurricane and pick up Utah 59 which becomes 389 in Arizona which will take you to Fredonia on AZ89. This is also a fairly flat drive. Head north on UT89 to Hwy 12 to Bryce. There you can stay in the park or just outside at Ruby's. There are other RV parks in the area but Ruby's is convenient.

Tour Bryce (definitely do a hike or two down in the canyon. It's like a fairyland down there - quite different from just viewing from above.) Then it depends where you want to go from there.

You can head north on 89 and if you want to get back on I-15, take Hwy 20 to do it. Don't drive Hwy 14. Also from Bryce, Hwy 12 is a gorgeous drive if mountains don't bother you. Many RVers do it - including us - but you'll hear lots of warnings on not doing it. Just be aware that it's a 2-lane paved mountain road so yes, you'll have ups and downs..just depends on YOUR comfort level. Don't let anyone talk you into doing it or talk you out of doing it. Decide when you get to Bryce - a very easy drive to Bryce.

Have a great trip. Each park is completely different so spend some quality time in each.

To get to the area from Vegas use 15 north to exit 16 to Rt. 59 to 389 to 89 near Fredonia, Az. Take 89 north to the area you want to be in. No tunnels, no switchbacks. There are many campgrounds in the area. We stayed at Bauer's Canyon Ranch in Glendale which served our purposes well. It is between Bryce and Zion.

There is no longer escorts. There is flag personnel at the tunnels. Switch backs are on your own.

Lauren wrote:
Would avoid Hwy 9 with the rig but definitely drive it with the truck - not only the tunnel but it is steep and curvy.

I'm in that area now and considered a drive through Zion with my dually TV. According to the park web page, they regard a dually as a large vehicle and charge $15 to escort you through the switchbacks on route 9.

Here is information on the Hwy 9 east entrance to Zion. It is not only the tunnel but the switch backs dropping down into the canyon. There is height, width and length restrictions.
Zion Hwy 9
You neeed to post your basic plan. You may want to come up or down US 89 and stay in Mt. Carmel and day trip into zion.

Do be aware that the eastern entrance to Zion has a tunnel that will not accommodate large rigs. I don't know how big your 5er is, but many of them will not fit through the tunnel.

You want to avoid the 14. Coming that way the 9 is fine to Springdale / Zion. If you want to get the the 89 you want the 20.

Coming from Vegas, interstate 15. How is rt 14 to 89?