Most cities have a good round trip routes in Las Vegas
Bryce Canyon National Park offers fantastic views and hiking. Fun fact: Bryce Canyon is not technically a canyon. The park is known for large, natural amphitheaters with colorful pinnacles called hoodoos.
Zion National Park was Utah's first national park. You will be in awe of the sandstone cliffs in pink, red and cream. Zion National Park partners with the town of Springdale to run free shuttles to the park and then throughout the park. There's a tunnel there that was built through the mountain in the 1920s that is an amazing feat of engineering and definitely worth the drive through it. A park pass is good for multiple days and allows you to either drive the trail or walk in and use the shuttle system. Be sure to be prepared for changes in temperature and pack lots of water when hiking. Desert heat can be sneaky if you are used to a more humid climate.
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1 Head to Bryce Canyon
- Fly to Las Vegas to arrive in the early afternoon.
- Pick Up Rental Car
- Drive to Bryce Canyon - about 4 hours
- Check in to the Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Hotel for three nights
Day 4 - Head to Zion National Park
- Drive to Springdale, Utah – 2 hour drive
- Check into the Hampton Inn Zion Springdale for 3 nights
Day 7 - Return to Las Vegas
- Drive to Las Vegas – 2 ½ hour drive
- Check into Golden Nugget – I chose the Golden Nugget because it has a great pool at a low price point
Day 8 - Fly home
If this type of trip intrigues you, email me.
**Affliate links included in this post.**