Would it be worth the trip going through southern Utah to see Bryce Canyon and Zion if I would only have a few hours in each park? I thought that I might leave early in the morning, spending what time I had left that day in Bryce Canyon, spending the night there. I would then leave early the next morning, spending the afternoon in Zion before heading for Las Vegas. Am I wasting my time? Too much in too little time? I would personally rather have less time in each park and get to see both than take such a long journey for just one.

I'd do it, and tell myself that I could always come back later for a more leisurely trip.

Go for it. Be prepared for a long drive on day one. What you're doing isn't the best way to see the parks, but you'll at least get an idea of what they look like and you can go back later for a more leisurely look.

Have fun.

Hi Gina,
I'm leaving Vegas early a.m., driving to and spending the afternoon at Zion, then heading to Bryce. Will spend the night at Bryce. Will then have half the day at Bryce before the drive back to SLC for our flight home the next day. Hoping to go on a morning horseback ride while at Bryce.
Now, that's about the same amount of time you would have at each park.
You now know my opinion: go for it!
P.S. Have you considered seeing the Grand Canyon from the North Rim? That would be much less driving for you.

Thanks to eveyone for the help. Tricia, I had considered the North Rim, but I am going in late April and didn't know if it would be open yet. Also, I was coming from Las Vegas to Sedona (I have relatives in that area) before going to the Grand Canyon. After reading another recent post about the weather then, I'm thinking I might just wait and visit the southern Utah area some summer aand maybe hit the North rim then. I don't know with the short time I have if I should risk some possible bad weather. Any suggestions on someplace in Arizona that I might use the extra night?

Gina:
FYI~we have friends that ran into some serious snow en route to the south rim of the Grand Canyon in April of last year. No kidding, be prepared for anything!
The one visit I had to the south rim was in May of 1980. It was rainy, very windy, and about 50 degrees.
It's so tempting to try and see all that you can while "out west". There are just far too many choices!
Tricia