I'm leaving for Vegas and Grand Canyon tomorrow and am having some last minute thoughts about changing our plans. We'd planned to leave the Grand Canyon and go to Zion for a night and day. However, I was just looking over some of my guidebooks tonight and noticed that it said "if you only visit one national park in your life, it should be Bryce." Is it that great? If so, maybe I should go there instead of Zion. I will only have a day and a half there, whichever I decide to do. I will be driving there from the Grand Canyon and going to Vegas after Zion or Bryce. Which would you choose and why? How long does it take to drive to Bryce from GC South Rim?

We were on the South rim of the GC this summer then spent 2 days in Page before going to Bryce and Zion for 2 days each and ending in Las Vegas. Bryce was interesting and very different w/ its hoodoo formations from any other NP I've been to, but given the choice of Bryce or Zion, I would choose Zion. At the GC and Bryce you are at the top and must hike/mule ride down into the canyons to experience them which is fun and interesting to do. Zion is like Yosemite NP where you drive into the valley and the mountains surround you. Lots more trails at Zion, hike the Narrows, tube the Virgin - if possible this time of year, or just enjoy some easy trails and all the fabulous scenery surrounds you. The bus system at Zion I found to be very good getting you to different points efficiently. I know it was about 3 hrs from Zion to Vegas, but I can't remember how long from GC to Zion if you bypass Bryce. Look on posts from Utahtea since she is the best at giving distances and time from point to point. Have a wonderful time!

I agree with momof3boys,,,I loved both GC and Bryce, but Iliked Zion the best of the 3. I will go back there again. Mom your comparison to Yosemite is spot on IMO and I adore Yosemite.

I definitely agree with Judy. We stayed at the Grand Canyon and Zion and also visited Bryce. Zion by far was my favorite. Although, the drive to Bryce from Zion is beautiful. Enjoy your trip!

Amanda, we did the same trip as you are going to do, only we saw both Bryce & Zion. My husband & I much preferred Bryce...the colors & formations were absolutely breathtaking. Either way I'm sure you will enjoy your trip.

This might be to late, but if you go to Bryce you can drive to Las Vegas thought Zion so you can at least get a little taste of it.

You will get really different votes on which is better...Bryce or Zion and usually people are pretty passionate about the one they like. I'm in the Zion camp.

Utahtea

Bryce!!! Drive through Zion and go to Bryce. Zion is amazing but I thought Bryce was outstanding.

Go with your first instinct. Everyone, including the guidebooks, have their own opinions. There is no right or wrong. I can guarantee you will not hate either one. You'll just want to see more of the area, and you'll do that on your next trip.

My suggestion is that you use the pictures and descriptions of the parks that appear in guide books and on the Internet to influence your decision more than the preference of any particular individual or group of people. Only you know which park you might prefer.

Perhaps most important, it's difficult to imagine that you wouldn't thoroughly enjoy both parks. You probably can't go wrong with either park. So, going to one this year simply means that you can enjoy the anticipation of going to the other one in the future.

Skip Vegas and see Bryce AND Zion.

Seriously, they are both so different, it's impossible to say which is "better". Go to the NP website and research both and then decide which fits your tastes better. I find perusing photos of places, as well as reading about them, goes a long ways towards finding a suitable destination. Whichever you choose, you will NOT be disappointed - they are both spectacular.

Regards, Bruce
American Southwest Travel Photos - http://www.brucegcollier.com/galleri...level2_all.htm