I injured my back and can't walk without pain right now. I will probably be a bit better tomorrow and much better in 2 days.Which of Bryce and Zion will require less walking?

Zion has dedicated buses and that would be your best choice. Bryce has lots of walking, although you can drive to many of the view points.Gary Haupt

Both have shuttles. Bryce has less to see if you aren't hiking. There is nothing to see driving, and a fairly short rim trail. Zion, on the other hand, has many beautiful spots to sit and look. Driving through the East side is amazing too.

Both of these Parks require a good amount of walking. Of the two Parks,its my feeling that Bryce NP will allow you to see more of the Park until you are more mobile.You can see many attraction area's in Bryce if you drive to overlooks, many are short walks to see a view. I suggest you speak to a Ranger on arrival, they are quite helpful. Zion NP does not allow cars drive thru access. It requires significant walking to see many of the park features. However,it is well worth the effort. There is an area to park your car and take shuttle service into the Park Area where you can ride and see portions of the Park without walking but you would miss so much by riding the bus only. In my mind, it will not be as great an impact. Zion is an outstanding Park.Feel better and ENJOY!

Sorry to hear about your back. Both park's real glory is in the hiking, so those trail hikes are out.Knowing you have walking issues, I would focus on Bryce. That assumes you can drive ok. Most of the Bryce overlook parking areas are very short walks to the overlooks. Bryce has outstanding features which are so unique. Seeing the colorful hoodoo's is one of natures treats. Now at Bryce, you are at the top of the canyon looking down into it.At Zion, you are on the floor looking up. The main area has park service buses that transport you. Great scenery but not as spectacular if you could hike. Zion has some of the world's outstanding trails. However many are very steep, like the hike to Angels Landing ( can't be afraid of heights on that one).I love Bryce and it would be my first choice for you. I would save Zion for when your back is better and you can get into Zion's back country.

I would pick Zion. If you think walking with bad back is hard. You won't like to walk very far when you're at elevation of 8000 feet and have 70% of the air. That where you would be if you choose Bryce.

Bryce or Zion first? Which has less to walk? | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jul 30, 2014
Good point Bubba, Zion is HOT right now!
BubbaChris
Explorer
Jul 30, 2014
This time of year I'd pick Bryce, in part because of the weather. Zion is running around 100-degrees for a high and Bryce in the 80's.

Like most, I'd pick Bryce for what you can do from the parking for the multiple view spots. Zion could wear you out just getting from parking to the shuttle bus station.

If going to Zion and doing non-traditional visiting, consider the following options.
1) Enter at the Kolob visitor center off I-15. An out-and-back road that is much less traveled.
2) Kolob Reservoir. Truly adventurous folks can start just East of Cedar City and go up the mostly dirt road to the reservoir and down the paved road into Virgin. This area is used to get to The Subway (not recommended for this trip), and is very lightly visited. Just don't try the Northern access if there are T-storms predicted or have happened recently.
txdutt
Explorer
Jul 29, 2014
We did both last year along with the North Rim GCNP. Zion had more walking needed to see the sites-still pretty impressive just driving thru & doing some minor hiking. Bryce was much more "developed" to park & then short hike to see the canyons. Enjoyed both immensely..
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jul 28, 2014
I, too, would recommend that you do both since they're so close together. Both have shuttle buses so really they are both equal as far as walking. They are completely different looks. If you do both then you decide - and let us know your choice!! Have a good trip!
ReneeG
Explorer
Jul 26, 2014
Why pick, they're fairly close together so go to both! Don't forget that I suggested Cedar Breaks, in between the other two.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jul 26, 2014
Been to both several times and I vote for Zion and take the shuttle. More to see IMO, even from the shuttle. Lots of fabulous stops along the way.
ncrowley
Explorer II
Jul 26, 2014
I would go to Bryce. You can see a lot of Bryce right from the road along the top. The shuttle for Zion is very nice but you really need to get out and go on some of the trails in order to see some of the nicer parts of Zion. Zion is also much larger.
Lauren
Explorer
Jul 26, 2014
I find this thread interesting as - although been to both more than once - we have preferred Bryce over Zion and gone there more.

Let me see if I can answer tragusa3 - give a comparison of the two from our perspective.

Keep in mind I am a serious / professional photographer (did not do it for a living but now people want to buy canvas and print pictures, I am published and do one person gallery exhibits) so I might look at things differently. But Barbara, my wife and chief critic, is in full agreement with this assessment.

Zion ...... the drive up and down on Hwy 9 to the tunnel is the best part of the whole thing. Also like the northern, Kolob, section.

Yes, if you are into pretty serious hiking (we used to be and did some there) you are limited.

Once you park near the V C (if you can find a spot) you ride shuttle bus up and back looking high up at canyon walls. You can get out and wait for the next one. And look up at high canyon walls. It is a pain in the neck - literally. How many canyon walls can you look up at? They are all about the same. There is a nice park near the beginning but you really don't see much. At the end of the shuttle ride where it turns around and comes back, there is a walk which is pretty and gets to an area where you can slosh up the canyon in high priced rental equipment (not there, arrange ahead of time back someplace). We have seen a lot of national parks and give it about a 6 on a comparison scale. And limited RV places in the area...would avoid Zion River (ethics issues) and use the one in Springdale.

Bryce ... here you are looking down, not up, many varied configurations. First thing is you get full light over what you see; not shadow'd in by walls. As a photographer I always like the early morning and late afternoon lighting for color and shadows (not completely satisfied with my pictures to date want to get back there - was to be there for a shoot last fall by mechanical issues with truck / 5er meant cancellation. On the agenda, God willing, is Bryce for Fall 2015).

We have also hiked down and that can be as tough as you want to make it. Have also done mule rides. Give it a 9 on the scale. Several places to stay in the area and we prefer Ruby's Inn.

Hey, this is just MHO. Each has their own concepts and desires.

In any case, enjoy!
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Jul 26, 2014
I like the idea that Bryce is cooler, and higher elevation. I would try to recover there, and then take in Zion later in the week.

I hope that you get to feeling better.

There is a hot tub at Ruby's inn, if you are camping at that full hookup campground! Spend some time there if you like them.

Fred.
bsinmich
Explorer
Jul 26, 2014
We chartered a small plane and pilot, and flew past Bryce one time, we then landed, and rented a car to see it from the top. The plane view was terrific. Zion takes walking but we didn't have a bus option when we were there.