Grand Circle Road Trip

Driving from Zion to Grand Canyon

Driving from Zion National Park to Grand Canyon means picking a rim first. Here is what each route involves and how to plan the leg.

Route
Drives Between Parks
Mapped

Why drive from Zion to Grand Canyon?

Zion National Park is in southwest Utah. Grand Canyon National Park is in the northwest corner of Arizona.

The Colorado River divides Grand Canyon National Park into a north rim and a south rim. That split shapes your whole plan. The two rims are far apart by road, so you pick one and drive to it.

Distance and drive time overview

Zion's page gives one number for this drive. The Highway 59 route to Grand Canyon's North Rim is roughly 128 miles and takes just over 3 hours. That route ends at the North Rim.

The South Rim is the other option. Check the park's own website to plan a drive from Zion to the South Rim.

Route option 1: the South Rim entrances

The South Rim has two visitor entrances. There is the South Visitor entrance and the East Visitor entrance at Desert View.

The South Entrance to the park is 6 miles north of the town of Tusayan, Arizona. The East Entrance at Desert View is 25 miles west of the Navajo Nation town of Cameron, Arizona.

South Rim locations run from west to east: Hermit Road, Grand Canyon Village, Desert View Drive and Desert View.

Route option 2: Zion to the North Rim

The North Rim has one visitor entrance. The North Rim Entrance Station is 30 miles south of Jacob Lake, Arizona, on State Route 67. The North Rim itself is 14 miles south of the entrance station.

Zion's page says the Highway 59 route to the North Rim is roughly 128 miles and takes just over 3 hours. Zion's East Entrance is 13 miles west of Mt. Carmel Junction.

There is no airport or rail service to the North Rim, so it can only be reached by road.

South Rim or North Rim?

The drive between South Rim Village and North Rim Village is about 212 miles and takes about 4 1/2 hours. Seeing both rims means adding that drive to your trip.

The South Rim averages 7000 feet above sea level and has two visitor entrances, where the North Rim has one. Pick one rim for this trip and save the other for next time.

To drive from the South Rim to the North Rim, take State Route 64 to Cameron. Then take Highway 89 to Bitter Springs, Highway 89Alt to Jacob Lake, and Highway 67.

Trip planning tips

Zion National Park has a Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway with vehicle size limits. Vehicles that are too large cannot drive between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance. If you drive a large RV or a big rental, check the park's website before you plan to exit this way.

Flying in? Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is in Las Vegas, Nevada, 170 miles from Zion. St. George Regional Airport (SGU) is in St. George, Utah, 49 miles from Zion. Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC) is in Cedar City, Utah, 60 miles from Zion. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is in Salt Lake City, Utah, 300 miles from Zion. Many visitors to Zion National Park come from Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, or nearby parks.

For a longer loop that ties these parks together, see the Las Vegas, Zion and Bryce Canyon itinerary or the Grand Circle road trip itinerary. You can also read about a Utah national parks road trip.

Before you go

Pick your rim first, since that choice sets your route. Then check both parks' own websites for current road news before you set out.

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