Zion and Bryce Trip early September - Where to stay?

Where ever you decide, get your reservations soon.

I had a hard time getting a tent site last Sept.

We've stayed at both... and both are just fine. Virgin is a few miles from the Zion entrance, but the park is A-1. Ruby's is not quite as nice, but better location.

Ron

We've stayed at Ruby's Inn @ Bryce. You will be fine there but unless you're an avid hiker a couple days there will suffice.

Njmurvin wrote:
We're from SoCal and will be towing our 5th wheel to Las Vegas in early September where we will meet up with friends from Minnesota who are renting a small MH. Our plan is to drive to Zion on Saturday for a few days' stay and then move on to Bryce for a few days there.

We'd like to stay in RV parks with full hookups if possible. So far I have found Zion River Resort and Ruby's Inn Campground in Bryce. Are these OK or are there better campgrounds we should consider? We're thinking it will be a Saturday check-in in the Zion area and Friday checkout from the Bryce area campground.

For those who have made a similar trip, how many days in each place are recommended given our overall schedule (1 week)?

I recommend the campground right inside Zion located next to the visitors center. If you can get in there, you will have power but no water, but it's a great little campground and has awesome views right out of your camper door. Just like a postcard. There is another campground inside the park, but it's not as beautiful as far as the scenery is concerned. Go online now and see if you can get a campsite. it's very popular. We stayed a week in a 30' motorhome. We used 5 gal jugs to refill our water. That's the only inconvenience.

While I have not stayed at the Zion River Resort there are several fine campgrounds in and on the way into Springdale, I have always stayed in the park but they do not have full hookups only elec in a couple loops. Ruby's is fine as well.
As far as length of time it depends on what you want to do. I have hiked virtually every mile of trail in Bryce in few days. Otherwise a couple days in Bryce is probably more than plenty. Surrounding area could add more time for sure again depending on what you like to do and how far you are willing to day trip. Zion I have not hiked all it's trails but it is a much larger park. If not hiking a couple days in Zion would be plenty to do the pullouts and view points without rushing and some short hikes as well. Probably another day if you went up into Kolob Canyon area of the park.