best routes for Zion and Bryce
information for roads around Zion and Bryce for towing a fifth wheel. Any info would be appreciated, thanks, Dave
Forum Discussion
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.
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.
