Its about a two hour drive to St George. Southern Utah road trip report - Las Vegas to Bryce, Kanab. This road trip takes you through mountains, canyons, forests and deserts so there's plenty to enjoy along the way. Full of red rocks, fabulous vistas, and pink cliffs, this national park is also home to the largest concentration of hoodoos in the world. They just quickly drive from LA to Las Vegas and then from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City not having an idea how much lies on this stretch of the road. VIRGIN RIVER GORGE - 125 Photos & 10 Reviews - Yelp Please make your arrangements with Reservations byemailor calling 877.246.4453. Missionaries show you around the Brigham Young Winter Home, where the religious leader and politician spent winters between 1870 and 1877. Follow Highway 91 all the way to Ivins, Utah, and on to St. George. Once you've checked in, head over to the lakeshore to admire the stunning sunset at the biggest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. That turned out to be to our advantage, as it led us to Penns Thai House for fantastic Thai food (khao soi and nam kau tod). How can I see Southwestern Utah in 8 days? The Most Scenic Drives in Pennsylvania - Guide to Philly We peered up at their cliffside roost, where 1 or 2 were supposedly tucked in, but saw only streaks of guano. This is the Most Legendary 3-Day Road Trip You Can Add to Your Vegas To get there, exit onto US-189, then turn off towards Deer Mountain, keeping Jordanelle Reservoir on your right-hand side. Highs average 72 degrees Fahrenheit so this is a good time for outdoor exploration. I have traveled this route several time It is Highway 15. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Your next stop is Kamas. Yes it will include the Park Fee but the drive might be one of the best scenic drives in the Western United States. Temple Square is home to the Salt Lake Temple, an impressive building which dominates the city. The most famous arch in this immediate area is the Landscape Arch, accessible via an easy hike from the Trailhead. We are going to St. George in a week. The St. George Shuttle operates between Las Vegass McCarran Airport and St. George, and then between St. George and Springdale. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Id hiked this trail once before, so knew in general what to expect: beautiful, not too strenuous, and a lot of stream crossings. Head north out of Las Vegas, taking Interstate 15 (I-15) north to St George. 4K. The snow melts from the ski resorts and May brings pleasant weather. The drive took us through Jacob Lake, where Id stayed on a past trip to the North Rim (closed now, of course). These unique structures aid in creating a landscape that looks like something out of a science fiction movie. You can visit Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, check out Monument Valley, and explore White River National Forest, Vale and Aspen in the Rockies. This section is just desert country, but after you cross the state line, it's not far to the Virgin River canyon. To see all the attractions with travel between, we recommend at least 5 days. Just past St George, turn left onto Cottonwood Springs Road, which will take you to Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, your first stopping off point in Utah. Balanced Rock can be seen from the parks road, but is an easy, .3 mile walk from the parking area for a closer view. While there are a number of good restaurants in Kanab, and I remember eating well there on a past trip, many places were closed that evening. Flint Stephens 15 of 15 Each week, thousands of Utahns travel to or from Las Vegas on Interstate 15. Alltrails you need to make some adjustments to this trail usages. Most make multiple stops along the Strip, so you can be picked up right where youre staying. This path spans 400 miles and offers a diverse . If youre looking for fun things to do in St George with kids, look no further. It's around 2 hours and 20 minutes from Las Vegas. We've come up with the perfect road trip which takes you across the Nevada desert, then makes a loop through all five of the state's national parks, with plenty more to see and do in between. One of the rangers informed us that the condors had been very active a few hours earlier, but hadnt been seen in a while. The 1,400-mile road trip from Las Vegas around Utah takes 24 hours to drive all-in, passing Valley of Fire State Park, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, Salt Lake City, Moab and Dixie National Forest, plus Utah's Mighty Five' National Parks. We've done it twice, once from Las Vegas to Zion NP, and once from Zion to the Virgin River Casino - a scenic oddity and treat in itself, being part of a large manmade golf oasis in the middle of the desert. After an appropriate interval for condor admiration, we followed a sign for river access, which led to a dirt trail. It was a little after 7am when we reached the Canyon Overlook trailhead, and snagged one of the last parking spots. Taste some Americana at Route 66, AZ (2 hours) A couple of hours' drive from Las Vegas will get . St. George, Utah which is the closest city in proximity to Zion National Park also has . There is no marked trail in the Fiery Furnace, so caution is advised when exploring without a guide. This day was all about scenic drives (and a bit of birding) - no hiking. Although not many people know about it. Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum has over 300 animals on display, showcasing species from every continent. This iconic sign, built in 1959, sits in the meridian at 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South otherwise known as the very southern end of the Las Vegas Strip. Once you leave the park you will reach highway 89 and turn north. The Flight exhibit is a popular attraction where you can try your hand at flying in a flight simulator and jump aboard a plane. Sitting 128-feet above the ground, this boulder estimated to be 3,000 tons is attached to its pedestal in a natural balancing act. The Queens Garden Trail is an easy hike leading past the Queen Victoria hoodoo towards the Fairyland Loop. The drive from Las Vegas to St George. Once at Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, to cover all the best attractions Utah has to offer, it'll take 20 hours and 50 minutes. Also nearby, Hamblin Home is a historic stone house with 1860s-style furnishings, and you can learn about Jacob Hamblin and his dedication to native American Indians in the region. Driving distance: 304 km (189 miles) Driving time: 3 . If you dont mind a tour bus, there are many Zion National Park day trip options from the Las Vegas Strip. Scenic Drive through a narrow, winding canyon between St. George, UT and Mesquite, NV. It went very well with takeout pizza (and Succession!) Made of many layers of colored rocks beginning with the pink cliffs under your feet, with striations of grey, white, vermillion, and chocolate winding into the distance. Any way you get to Bryce Canyon National Park your travel will be well worth the efforts and time you invest. We went as far as Escalante before reluctantly turning around. Complimentary airport transportation is provided for guests flying into St. George. The 1,150-mile drive takes you to the state capital Salt Lake City and famous national parks such as Zion and Bryce Canyon. Sandy Hollow Reservoir meets the red sand dunes and provides for some amazing ATV adventures. Youll have the freedom to stop in all of the funky little spots between Las Vegas and the entrance to Zion in the town of Springdale, Utah. Red Rock Canyon State Park | Scenic Drives Near Las Vegas (30 Minutes) Just 16 miles west of Las Vegas, you will find the Red Rock Canyon National Conservational Area and Scenic loop drive. Theres also a scenic drive along the Virgin River and many opportunities to spot local wildlife. At some point I realized that buying beer on a Sunday night in St George might not be easy, or even possible. Whichever way you look at it, you will be mostly driving from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon on the first day. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is home to the most well-known sites of interest in the park. Show only these on map 1 Coyote Gulch Art Village Save On1list Art gallery Shopping Also in St. George is one of our all time favorite restaurants, Hash House A Go Go. Many points of interest are within the Amphitheater, including Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point. St. George and the Greater Zion area just might be the answer. For travelers visiting Las Vegas from more concentrated urban areas, the 160 miles that separate Vegas from Zion National Park might seem a daunting journey. The best Utah national parks itinerary from Las Vegas will take you on an adventure from the hustle and bustle of Sin City to the serenity of nature and some of the most unique scenery you may ever be surrounded with in your life. Which are best national parks to see in Utah? Located only 168 miles from Las Vegas, Zion National Park is most well-known for the expansive Zion Canyon, a gorge . The Mighty 5 national parks in Utah are Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Zion National Park. Please keep in mind that this (highway 14) route can be closed during some wintertime periods do to extreme snowfall. Best part was listening to the cacophony of voices and languages. The city is the religious center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Mormons, and also hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 2002. We loved the Lemonade Mint Supreme and their burgers were delicious. So, what to do with the rest of the day? Andrea Bennett is TripSavvy's Las Vegas expert. You can fly into St. George Airport (SGU), which is 30 minutes from Red Mountain Resort, or Las Vegas McCarran International Airport and enjoy a scenic two-hour drive. The narrowest section of Zion Canyon, with many portions completely within the Virgin River, is hailed as the quintessential Zion experience. As you leave Zion National Park, you'll be on the home leg of your road trip. Rooms have extra-large beds for a good night's sleep - perfect to prepare you for a day of outdoor exploration. There is, however, precious little public transportation between Vegas and all the gorgeous national park areas that lie just across the border in Utah. Place to Eat Between Las Vegas and Zion National Park There are no shuttles along this route, but there are many overlooks, including some along the popular Canyon Overlook Trail, an easy one-mile round-trip hike through towering pine trees. Famous for its red rock landscapes and amazing trails, and you can take your pick from accessible 2-mile walks here to more challenging hikes through the wilderness. Several view points! The most recognizable site in the park, thanks to Utahs license plates, the Delicate Arch is hidden in a sandstone bowl, standing majestically alone on the expansive vista.