Zion & Bryce National Parks

[Diannat60]

Suggestions for rv parks between the two National Parks.

Thanks

[DaveG39]

The times I have visited the parks I stayed at Watchman in Zion and Ruby's at Bryce. I would not want to navigate between the parks in one site. I recommend staying at each location.

[Ron3rd]

Gonzo42 wrote:
We came up from the south and went north on the 15 until exit #15 for county road 20, which is an easy drive. This gets you to the 89, where you can go into either park.

Only caveat is that going thru tunnel to Zion has sericus restrictions on the size of your rig so you have to know about that or you will get turned around.

https://www.nps.gov/zion/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-zion-mt-carmel-highway-and-tunnel.htm

Like Gonzo said, if you plan on going through the tunnel at Zion, which I highly recommend as a way to get to Bryce, do your homework and know the restrictions. RV's and Trailers have to basically be escorted down the center after traffic is stopped. Lots of fun though!

[Gonzo42]

We came up from the south and went north on the 15 until exit #15 for county road 20, which is an easy drive. This gets you to the 89, where you can go into either park.

Only caveat is that going thru tunnel to Zion has sericus restrictions on the size of your rig so you have to know about that or you will get turned around.

https://www.nps.gov/zion/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-zion-mt-carmel-highway-and-tunnel.htm

[Ron3rd]

Diannat60 wrote:
Well Watchman is booked when we wanted to go. Now on to plan b, whatever that is!!!

We stay at Watchman too when at Zion, but it has electric only, no water or sewer, though I heard they were putting in some full hookup sites.

But moot point since Watchman is booked; you might look at the private campground right outside the entrance in Springdale. Don't know the name but it's right on the Virgin river right across from Watchman. They have full hookups.

[Diannat60]

Well Watchman is booked when we wanted to go. Now on to plan b, whatever that is!!!

[TrailerTravele1]

Kodachrome Basin State Park was a great base for us to explore Bryce - and surrounding areas. It was a bit of a drive to Bryce, but alot of the campgrounds around the area (including the nat'l park) were closed when we went in late April.

In Zion, we stayed at Watchman Campground - amazing experience, but you have to get reservations almost the minute they're available. Here's a blog post from Kodachrome Basin - with lots of photos.

Lessons Learned in Kodachrome Basin State Park

Having said that, I wouldn't want to stay there to enjoy Zion -- too far. Enjoy!

[VeroWing]

We stayed at Baurers Rv campgrounds in Glendale, Utah just two weeks ago, while visiting Bryce and Zion. Nice clean friendly place centrally located right on rte 89.

[Bumpyroad]

RedRocket204 wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
I stayed at a KOA midway between them and took the toad around.

Just a minor update that it is now the Bryce Zion Campground.

thank you, that new name says it all. 🙂
and taking the toad eliminates one hassle with taking the RV to zion.
bumpy

[2gypsies1]

I guess we explore our national parks differently than others seem to do. We stay in or close to each one and spend at least 5 days; many times a week or more hiking and checking out each nook and cranny.

If you stay mid-way, how many times do you think you'll make the drive to each? I'd recommend you stay at each one. It's not a big deal to move.

[agesilaus]

You really need to get out and walk the trails in Bryce to appreciate the park. The same is true to a lesser extent in Zion. If you mainly drive around and stop at the turnouts then you won't appreciate Bryce very much.

[Lauren]

Gonzo42 is right on.

We have been to both and would take Bryce over Zion without question. Best part of Zion is the drive in from the east.

So much more to see and so different all around at Bryce.

[RedRocket204]

Bumpyroad wrote:
I stayed at a KOA midway between them and took the toad around.

Just a minor update that it is now the Bryce Zion Campground.

[Desert_Captain]

Get on line, the further in advance the better and make a reservation for the Watchman CG "in" Zion NP. For $18 a night you get 30 amps, two lane dump station and are just a few hundred yards from the visitor center and the trams that take you throughout the park... for free. The RV parks out side of Zion are expensive, crowded and come with some very dubious reviews... beware.


The drive from Zion up to Bryce is very nice, scenic and not too far. Frankly you can see most of what Bryce has to offer in a not so long day. Zion offers so much more to see and do than Zion and with the trams it is so easy to access any part of the park.

If you had to choose between Bryce and Zion {and hopefully you won't}, it would be an absolute no brainer to select Zion. If you are headed north and/or east out of Zion {up 89}, make the time to get over to Capitol Reef NP through be advised SR12 is one seriously narrow, twisty, dangerous....{how about 4 miles of 18 per cent narrow winding grades}, as in not suited for the faint of heart or large of RV, but you can get to CRNP via SR 24 which is a very good road. We stayed just outside of Torrey, 10 miles west of CRNP, at the 1,000 Lakes RV Park {nope, no lakes to found there... go figure}, but a very nice park.

We were there a few weeks ago and are already planning a return trip for this fall.

:C

.

[GordonThree]

Is the Quality Inn RV Park and Resort open again?

They were out of business when I visited December 2015. It seemed like a good location, right across the river from the federal campground, only a mile or so walk to the entrance station.