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Planning a visit from Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park? I’ve bought you lined! It’s a drive I’ve taken a couple of occasions myself, and can share all the most effective stops in between.
A street journey from Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park is a journey that gives a number of the most breathtaking surroundings within the Southwestern United States. This iconic journey spans over 400 miles and can take you thru rugged desert landscapes, towering purple rock formations, and pristine nationwide parks.
Photograph Credit score: Deposit Pictures
Alongside the best way, cease and discover historic cities, hike by gorgeous canyons, and witness awe-inspiring pure wonders. Whether or not you are an avid adventurer or just in search of a scenic escape from metropolis life, this unforgettable street journey will go away you with lasting recollections.
get to Zion Nationwide Park from Phoenix?
The drive immediately from Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park spans about 400 miles and takes roughly 6 hours. However when you have further time to spare, I extremely recommend making a couple of stops alongside your approach!
You’ll drive alongside two main highways throughout your route from Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park: I-17 North and US-89 North.
How a lot time do you want on a street journey from Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park?
You might drive straight by from Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park in sooner or later, however when you have extra time, make a street journey out of it! There’s SO a lot to see and do in between these locations.
To hit each single cease I’ve listed beneath, you would wish a stable two weeks, however clearly, all of us do not have the luxurious of spending a considerable amount of time.
I believe with three full days to spare, you possibly can hit most of the main stops to sightsee and do some mountain climbing. Decide a couple of locations that enchantment to you most from the listing beneath and see the way it matches into the period of time you’ve gotten!
As somebody who has traveled extensively all through the Southwest, regardless of how a lot time you’ve gotten budgeted for, you’ll most likely want you had extra time! There’s simply one thing in regards to the desert that leaves you wanting extra.
What’s there to do between Phoenix and Zion Nationwide Park?
It appears like there’s a near-endless listing of issues to do in your drive from Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park.
A few of the highlights are the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Web page, Arizona, and Kanab, Utah. These are the preferred stops alongside the route, and there may be a lot to do in every place.
However there are additionally some epic sights to see hidden down lengthy, rutted dust roads. Hold studying beneath for all the most effective stops!
17 of the most effective stops on a street journey from Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park
Situated lower than 2 hours from Phoenix is the small city of Prescott, Arizona. With Wild West vibes and an exquisite lake to discover, Prescott is definitely worth the cease when you have the time.
The perfect issues to do in Prescott with a restricted time is to stroll down Whiskey Row, a essential strip of Previous West-style saloons and bars, and kayak or paddle board on Watson Lake. Head to El Gato Azul for unbelievable meals. They serve tapas, entrees, and extra in an exquisite creekside setting.
If you happen to’ve taken the detour to Prescott and are headed to Sedona subsequent, take the scenic route by the use of Jerome. A as soon as flourishing mining city that was partly destroyed by many fires and landslides within the nineteenth century become a ghost city.
Now you may discover the ruins of the forgotten elements of city or cease on the many artwork galleries that occupy the primary strip. Eat on the Haunted Hamburger, a well-known cease in Jerome. This eatery is rumored by its homeowners, employees, and friends to be haunted!
Sedona deserves a full day of your time in case you’ve bought it. And in case you’ve by no means been right here earlier than, you’ll most likely want you had much more time.
This little city will encourage you with its towering purple rocks with so many secret caves, arches, and unbelievable views. You’ll be able to simply soak within the views from the city’s heart, however attempt to hit some trails or go on a pink jeep tour.
My favourite hikes are: Merry Go Spherical Rock, Keyhole Cave, Bell Rock, Subway Cave by way of Boynton Canyon, Shaman’s Cave, Crimson Rock Crossing for sundown, and Cathedral Rock for dawn.
Sedona can also be identified for its vortexes. These particular areas of supposedly excessive power set off many emotional, religious, and emotional breakthroughs and transformations. A few of the main vortexes in Sedona are Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon, and Airport Mesa.
Are the power vortexes actual? I suppose you’ll should go and discover out for your self! The one factor I do know is that each time I’m in Sedona, I all the time really feel at peace.
Taking the scenic route from Sedona to Flagstaff, you’ll move by Oak Creek Canyon. There are a couple of vistas to drag over and cease alongside the best way.
When you’ve got further time and are up for a hike, the West Fork Path is a shocking, distinctive hike that takes you thru tall canyon partitions alongside a river. You’ll wish to put aside a couple of hours for this path.
Flagstaff is a very cute city that sits on the base of Arizona’s San Francisco peaks. There’s a cute downtown space with many nice native outlets, eating places, and breweries.
If you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to be right here through the month of October, you can be handled to the Aspen timber’ leaves, altering to golden and yellow. Hikers will benefit from the difficult climb as much as Arizona’s highest point- Humphrey’s Peak.
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Meteor Crater Pure Landmark
Meteor Crater is price a cease for these which can be concerned with area and science. It’s situated about 37 miles East of Flagstaff, so you’ll have to take a little bit of a detour to get right here.
The meteor crater is huge- nearly 4,000 ft throughout! There’s a expensive admission payment right here, although, at 27$ for every grownup.
Whereas there, you may take a guided tour across the crater’s rim, take within the view from varied viewpoints, stroll by the museum, and watch the 4D film.
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Grand Canyon Nationwide Park
The Grand Canyon is an apparent must-stop in your approach from Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park!
Situated 3 ½ hours from Phoenix and 4 ½ hours from Zion, the Grand Canyon is nearly midway between the locations.
See the finest viewpoints of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim together with Mather Level, Hopi Level, Yavapai Level, Lipan Level, and Yaki Level.
Sunrises and sunsets on the Grand Canyon can’t be overwhelmed, so I extremely suggest planning your day round catching both one.
When you’ve got half a day to spare, hike down into the canyon a bit. The perfect half-day hikes are the South Kaibab path to Cedar Ridge and the 1.5 or 3-mile Resthouse by way of the Shiny Angel path. You should definitely not hike in the course of the day because of excessive warmth, and carry a number of water.
Driving from the Grand Canyon to Zion, you can also make a slight detour to go to Lees Ferry earlier than hitting Web page, Arizona.
Lees Ferry is off the radar however nonetheless very accessible, making it a improbable hidden gem.
From Lees Ferry, you may kayak alongside the Colorado River to camp round on the backside of the notorious Horseshoe Bend.
Or hike the 3-mile path, Cathedral Wash, that leads you thru a slot canyon onto the shores of the Colorado River.
Make a fast cease in your approach from Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park by mountain climbing to Horseshoe Bend in Web page, Arizona.
This hike is 1.5 miles roundtrip and incorporates a picture-perfect view of Glen Canyon and the Colorado River.
Antelope Canyon can also be situated in Web page, Arizona. Most of this slot canyon is on Navajo land so you need to go on a guided tour to see it.
You’ll be able to select between Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon; they’re each equally as stunning!
These excursions sometimes final about 1 hour so it makes the right pit cease in your drive from Phoenix to Zion.
I’ve explored many slot canyons all through Arizona, Utah, and California, however Antelope Canyon stands in a league of its personal.
It actually appears like an artwork piece that has been hand sculpted as a substitute of created by the weather.
You too can kayak to part of Decrease Antelope Canyon by way of Lake Powell, that’s open to the general public. It is a improbable and distinctive expertise that I extremely suggest.
Lake Powell is a spot of magnificence and surprise. The way in which the canyon partitions glow orange and yellow subsequent to the lake’s blue and inexperienced waters is spectacular.
When you’ve got an additional day to spare in your street journey, renting a ship for the day on Lake Powell is the right solution to spend it. These on a good funds will wish to lease a kayak or paddleboard for the day as a substitute, because the boats can get expensive.
Lone Rock Seashore alongside the shores of Lake Powell makes for an epic tenting spot and is first come, first serve. It’s a great place for stargazing, so go away the rainfly off your tent and search for on the sky earlier than going to sleep!
Heading out to Alstrom Level requires a 4×4 high-clearance automobile. Alstrom Level is an unbelievable overlook of Lake Powell.
To get to Alstrom Level, you’ll come from Web page by way of US- 89 North and get to the city of Huge Water. Then take Glen Canyon Leisure Street to Recreation Roads 230 & 264. It’s a tough drive with massive boulders and ruts. The previous couple of miles to the overlook, additionally, you will be driving alongside slick rock.
The drive from Web page out to Alstrom Level will take 1-2 hours, relying in your driving pace and familiarity with driving off street.
You’ll be able to camp without spending a dime out right here and get up to essentially the most wonderful dawn over Lake Powell!
Discover the Buckskin Gulch trailhead 1 hour Northwest of Web page, Arizona. The path is 2 hours away from Zion Nationwide Park. The hike begins on the Wire Go trailhead.
This hike is a complete of 11 miles spherical journey with 1,200 ft of elevation acquire, however you don’t must hike the total 11 miles to get your fill of this path.
The Buckskin Gulch path to Wire Go actually has all of it. See rock formations that resemble The Wave, a slot canyon, and petroglyphs. You’ll need to put aside half a day in case you plan to do that hike.
Bear in mind that the street will get impassible when moist, and by no means hike in slot canyons when there may be rain within the forecast.
The Wave, or Coyote Buttes North, is a extremely coveted hike that requires a allow. The path for the Wave begins on the similar car parking zone that the above Buckskin Gulch path does at Wire Go trailhead.
You’ll be able to enter an advanced lottery or a daily lottery in case you’re within the space. Permits to The Wave are notoriously arduous to get. Nonetheless, I utilized for the primary and solely time for a January date and bought it, so there are months that the permits are simpler to get. Or I’m simply actually fortunate!
When you’ve obtained your permits, the hike to the Wave is about 7 miles spherical journey with 1,200 ft of elevation acquire.
The Wave options sandstone rock formations with purple, orange, and yellow striations that just about look hand painted. One in every of nature’s many unbelievable pure phenomena!
Enterprise additional off-road by visiting the hidden gem of White Pocket. This cease requires a 4×4 excessive clearance automobile and a driver snug going by deep sand.
You’ll discover White Pocket off of the identical street you must drive to get to the Wire Go trailhead, however you must hold going one other 26 miles. Anticipate the drive to take 2 hours from the primary street.
Whereas you must put in some work and time to get on the market, White Pocket is really an implausible place. Pastel colours of the sandstone are swirled throughout the rocks portray a really magical scene.
I extremely recommend setting apart a whole day for this adventure and going to White Pocket for both a dawn or sunset- or each! You’ll be able to camp without spending a dime proper on the trailhead.
Seeing White Pocket throughout dawn or sundown means these true pastel colours of the rocks gained’t be washed out from the solar.
The Kanab Sand Caves are discovered proper on the aspect of the freeway, immediately in your route from Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park.
This distinctive cave options two arches with a view of purple rocks within the background, which makes for the right fast picture cease.
The path is just one.2 miles roundtrip with 100 ft of elevation acquire. Park alongside the pullouts on the street or on the Moqui Cave Museum to entry the path.
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Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
The final cease on the drive from Phoenix to Zion to contemplate is Coral Pink Sand Dunes, State Park. This state park is situated 25 minutes outdoors of the city of Kanab.
You’ll be able to hike and stroll alongside the dunes right here or let the adrenaline junkie within you unfastened on an ATV tour. You too can sandboard right here! Lease a sandboard for $20 on the customer heart.
Tip: To get that ‘coral pink’ shade at these sand dunes, go to throughout sundown. That’s when the colour actually pops!
The drive from Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park to your last vacation spot of Zion Nationwide Park is simply 1 hour.
drive from Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park on a funds
- Go tenting: There’s a ton of free, dispersed camping in Utah and Arizona. These areas don’t have any facilities the place you may arrange camp without spending a dime. If you happen to do that a couple of occasions in your journey, you’ll reduce loads of prices! Discover dispersed campsites on apps such because the Dyrt and iOverlander. Even campgrounds which have facilities like showers, bathrooms, and laundry shall be less expensive than staying in a resort.
- Make your personal meals: Aside from lodging and fuel, meals shall be your different largest price issue on a street journey. Strive shopping for groceries as a lot as potential and making ready your personal meals and snacks. My favourite street journey meals and snacks are PB&Js, protein bars & shakes, apples, bananas, nuts, chips, dried fruit, granola, jerky, pretzels, and rice muffins.
- Plan forward: Final-minute journeys are all the time going to be dearer than these deliberate out forward of time. To get the most cost effective costs on excursions and lodging, make your reservations as far prematurely as you may.
- Guide your journey on the shoulder or low season: On the whole, the height vacationer season in Arizona and Utah is March- October. If you happen to can e-book your journey on the shoulder season or low season, your lodging costs shall be less expensive. However be mindful some excursions and actions might not be out there within the low season.
- Restrict your excursions: Fortunately, many of the actions on this listing are free, corresponding to sightseeing and mountain climbing. However if you wish to do some further actions corresponding to kayaking, renting a ship, or guided excursions, decide 1 or 2 of your ‘musts’ and miss the remainder!
Planning ideas in your street journey from Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park
- Keep updated on path and street situations: The desert is filled with extremes so issues like flash meals, rockfall, and excessive warmth could cause path and street closures.
- Hold your fuel tank full: Whereas driving from Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park there could also be occasions if you gained’t see a fuel station for 100+ miles. I all the time strive my finest to make sure the fuel tank is at the least half full always throughout a drive like this.
- Have a primary support package & roadside package: It’s all the time a good suggestion to have these kits readily available, particularly when touring by the desert. If you happen to’re down a dust street with out mobile phone reception, having some provides on you in a pinch will show useful.
- Reservations & permits: Reserve your tenting & lodging lodging far prematurely, particularly throughout peak season. Permits are required for some hikes, so be ready on the right way to receive them.
- Know the street situations earlier than driving & your automobile’s capabilities: Does this street require 4×4, AWD, or excessive clearance? Additionally, pay attention to rain within the desert. These dust roads can turn out to be mud rapidly and be fully impassible, even in essentially the most outfitted autos. And flash floods could make slot canyons lethal.
Wrap up: Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park
In conclusion, Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park is an unbelievable street journey that gives vacationers an opportunity to discover a number of the most gorgeous pure wonders within the American Southwest.
From the towering purple rocks of Sedona, the rim of the Grand Canyon, and the shores of Lake Powell & the Colorado River; this street journey is bound to please anybody.
Whilst you may simply spend two weeks hitting every cease, select a couple of ‘musts’ in your journey with the time you’ve gotten.
So pack your luggage, hit the open street, and prepare to expertise the great thing about Phoenix to Zion Nationwide Park for your self!
Writer’s Bio:
Kate did journey nursing for 2 years all around the West Coast, taking many street journeys in between assignments. She’s lived in California, Colorado, Arizona, & Washington. Now she’s primarily based out of Philadelphia however nonetheless travels each probability she will get. When she’s not touring or working as a nurse, she writes for her journey weblog, Kate Roams the World.
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