cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

Grand Canyon to Zion

Grangrey4
Explorer
Explorer
I know this has probably been asked a lot. However if you are not experienced with mountain driving, what is best route from Grand Canyon to Zion with the least big curves and steep grades? I am not that experienced on steep grades up or down and my wife actually has a nervous disorder and I try to make it easy on her. Don't mind going a few miles out of the way. Zion hwy9 looks a little rough. Any help appreciated!!!
19 REPLIES 19

2gypsies1
Explorer II
Explorer II
There's a simple way and very scenic. If you're staying in Grand Canyon South Rim then exit via Hwy 64 east to Hwy 89 at Cameron. Take Hwy 89 north to Page, AZ and continue on 89 West to Kanab, Utah. This would be a good stop to tour Best Friends Animal Sanctuary if you're an animal lover. It's a no kill facility in awesome surroundings and you won't find anything similar.

From Kanab, Ut. take 89 south a little way into Arizona at Fredonia, AZ. Then take 389 west which becomes 59 in Utah to Hwy 9 in Utah at Hurricane. (This part of Hwy 9 is just about flat.) Then either find a park on east Hwy 9 all the way to Springdale or stay in the park at Watchman campground. If staying in Springdale the park's free shuttle stops at various places in this small town.

You didn't say where you're heading after Zion but I'd recommend Bryce Nat'l Park. To get there backtrack on Hwy 9 west to I-15 and head north to Hwy 20. Take that east to Hwy 89 and go a little south to Hwy 12 taking you to Bryce. Stay in the park or just outside the park entrance at Ruby's RV. Hwy 12 from 89 to Bryce is again, just about flat. Hwy 12 from Bryce to Torrey? You probably won't like it although many, including us, do. ๐Ÿ™‚ However, if you want to get to Torrey to tour Capitol Reef Nat'l Park there's an easy way - from 12 take 22 north to 62 to 24 east to Torrey. Lovely drive.

When leaving Zion you don't want to take Hwy 9 east to 89. That's a big climb with switchback leading you through the tunnels. You won't like it!

All of the above are very doable with an RV with no major climbs or switchbacks. It's the easiest route. Have a great trip! By the time you do these parks you'll be a pro.
Full-Timed for 16 Years
.... Back in S&B Again
Traveled 8 yr in a 40' 2004 Newmar Dutch Star Motorhome
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

agesilaus
Explorer III
Explorer III
Oh as for Hwy 9 into Zion, likewise I don't recall any major grades or switch-backs. The one problem is the tunnel for which you may have to have an escort depending on the size of your RV.
Arctic Fox 25Y Travel Trailer
2018 RAM 2500 6.7L 4WD shortbed
Straightline dual cam hitch
400W Solar with Victron controller
Superbumper

BarabooBob
Explorer III
Explorer III
I took 89 last summer with a Toyota RV w/22Re engine. Nothing too steep or scary.
Bob & Dawn Married 34 years
2017 Viking 17RD
2011 Ford F150 3.5L Ecoboost 420 lb/ft
Retired

agesilaus
Explorer III
Explorer III
enblethen wrote:
Only real way to avoid hills and crooked road is the long way around.
I-40 to Kingman, north on US 93 to Las Vegas then north on I-15 to Utah 9 into Zion.


Yeah the extremely long way around. I don't recall any major grades on US 89 which is the normal route and the one you have to take to get to I-40 anyway. But I am insensitive to anything other than extreme grades.
Arctic Fox 25Y Travel Trailer
2018 RAM 2500 6.7L 4WD shortbed
Straightline dual cam hitch
400W Solar with Victron controller
Superbumper

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
Only real way to avoid hills and crooked road is the long way around.
I-40 to Kingman, north on US 93 to Las Vegas then north on I-15 to Utah 9 into Zion.

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker