1 Week Out West: Exploring the Utah National Parks- One week, 7 day, schedule for the out west National Parks in Utah, Arizona and Nevada. Self- driving tours of Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon National Park. Finishing with the Red Rock Canyon and Vegas. This schedule will take you on the best hikes, places to go, where to stay and what to pack.

Overview

This route will take you to see the following areas:

Zion National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Red Rock Canyon
Las Vegas Strip
Old Las Vegas

A Short Outline By Day

1: Arrive to Las Vegas Airport
2: Zion National Park
3: Zion National Park
4: Bryce Canyon National Park
5: North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park
6: Red Rock Canyon
7: Las Vegas Strip
8: Old Vegas and Fly Home

When To Go

We went at the end of July, and man was it hot! Summer months will be more crowded and warmer. We didn’t have much flexibility in our travel time. But if I did it again I would of choose a shoulder season, April/May or September/October.

Where To Stay

For this route we choose to stay mostly in one place, near Zion National Park. There are a few reasons behind this, instead of driving to be closer to each park. One, is because we dislike having to re-pack and check in every day, so we typically try to plan for staying in the same area for at least 2 nights. Another reason is, one of the main reasons we wanted to go on this trip is to be able to hike The Narrows. This hike depends a lot on the river height and flow rate to be allowed to go on it. So we wanted some flexibility in finding the best weather window. Staying in this area let us be flexible to change which day we wanted to go to each park.

We chose Zion because we wanted at least 2 days there, other parks we only needed one. Zion also is a very small park, which leads to crowded trails and filled parking lots. So we want to make sure we always got there super early to get a parking spot and on the trails before it got too crowded.

In Zion most people stay in the town right outside of the entrance, Springdale. Springdale has plenty of places to stay and places to eat. But, if you don’t book ahead of time many hotels and AirBnB’s sell out quickly, or are very pricey. So we choose to stay in La Verkin, about a 30 minute drive to the park entrance. Hurricane is another town many people stay in to access Zion National Park.

Where We Stayed:

We stayed in this rented home in La Verkin through AirBnB. La Verkin doesn’t have a ton to offer. So most of the time we got food in Springdale while leaving Zion, or made food in the house when we were ready to just go back, shower and rest our feet.

Booking.com

Day 1 (Arrive)

We had an evening flight, so we arrived at Las Vegas Airport and immediately picked up our car and got on the road to check into our AirBnB late at night. We planned to get up super early so after some unpacking to bed we went.

*Read 2 Days in Zion National Park for more details for our time in the park. And also my article on What To Pack for Zion National Park.

Day 2 (Zion)

Observation Point

Our first hike at Zion was Observation Point. The trail is 8 miles and takes most 4-6 hours to complete a round trip. You can read all about the hike on My Guide To Hiking Observation Point. The warm climb to the top is very much worth it. I would recommend this trail over Angel’s Landing if weary of heights and wanting to stay away from the crowds on Angel’s Landing.

Weeping Rock

On the way back we just hit the small trail connected at the bottom of Observation Point, Weeping Rock. Weeping Rock is only 0.5 miles round trip, and visited by many day visitors. You can walk behind a slow running waterfall here.

Watchman Trail

We planned for the Narrows in the evening but the water was too high and they closed the entrance off. So we saved the Narrows for our 2nd day in the park. Exhausted but wanting to see more of Zion National Park we ended our day on the Watchman Trail. This hike is 3.3 miles round trip, and takes more 2 hours.

Other great trails in the park:

Hidden Canyon

0.4 miles round trip
30 Minutes

Emerald Pools

Riverside Walk (to The Narrows)

2.2 miles round trip
1.5 hours

The Narrows

Out and back as far as you want to. We did this on day 4, more information there.

Dinner at Brewery

We ended out day at Zion Canyon Brew Pub. They had many options of beers to choose from, we got a flight, and great food with a view!

Day 3 (Zion or Bryce)

Water was still too high for the Narrows so we set off early to Bryce Canyon National Park. The drive from Le Verkin to Bryce Canyon was about 2 hours. Again leaving very early in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat.

When we arrived we parked right away, parking wasn’t filled up by now. So we got a spot right by the trail. Once the parking fills up they have buses to take people into the park just like Zion does when their parking fills.

Figure 8 Loop

We spent our time here mostly on the Figure 8 Loop. The “Figure 8” trail in Bryce Canyon National Park combines both the Peek-a-Boo, Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden trails. You can read my post about the Figure 8 Trail to get all the details. But this trail is 6.4 miles long and takes about 4 hours. It is really the best way to see the hoodoos. From all angles, and to see the park both from the top and deep inside the canyon.

Other great options for shorter hikes:

Queens Garden/Navajo Loop

2.6 Miles
hours
Trail Link

Wall Street

3.1 mile loop
Trail Link

Peek a Boo Loop (off navajo)

5.5 mile loop
Trail Link

Day 4 (Zion or Bryce)

Today was our day, we were in the clear to hike the Narrows. But first we arrive right at opening to catch the first bus for Angel’s Landing.

Angels Landing

Angel’s Landing is one of the more popular and more dangerous hikes in the park. It is 5 miles out and back, about 4 hours. The hike not only does take you to an amazing overlook of Zion’s canyon but it is a true adrenaline rush. The last part of this hike will be using chains and rope to help guide you along the 800-1000 foot drop edges. Definitely a little nervous racking and best to go when there is not a crowd. Get the first bus if you can, it will be well worth the early alarm clock time.

The Narrows

Now on to what I was so excited for, The Narrows. This hike can be completed one way with a permit. We didn’t plan for that so we did the out and back hike. The get here hike the Riverside Walk (0.9 mile) to the water entrances. Here get all your valuables in the dry bag and have your hiking poles handy. And enjoy your experience through the slots canyons.

Day 5 (Grand Canyon)

Grand Canyon North Rim

For our last day in this area we headed out to the Grand Canyon. We went to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Not only was it much closer, about 2 hour 15 minutes, it also was on the less crowded side of the canyon. The South Rim had many more amenities if looking for more places to stay and eat at. Might be an area worth driving and stay in.

Short Hikes along the North Rim:

Bright Angel Point

0.8 miles
Trail Link

Transept Trail

2.9 miles out and back
Trail Link

28 miles out and back ( so go as far as you would like a turn around)
Trail Link

Uncle Jim Trail

4.7 mile loop
Trail Link

Point Imperial

2.6 miles out
Trail Link

Roosevelt Point

4 miles out
Trail Link

Before heading back to La Verkin we checked out the small shops at the Lodge. We grabbed lunch with some locals craft beers before we headed back.

Day 6 (Red Rocks)

Ending our time in the National Parks we drove back to the Vegas area. Before going to the Vegas strip we got one last hike by visiting the Red Rocks Canyon, just a 20 minute drive outside of the strip.

Hikes in the Red Rocks Canyon:

Calico Hills Stop (short loop)

0.8 miles
Trail Link

Calico Tank Trail

2.2 miles
2-2.5 hours
Trail Link

Ice Box Canyon Trail

2.4 miles
2-3 hours
Trail Link

Don’t forget an In and Out Burger while on this side of the country.

Check into Hotel

Clean up and head into town. We went out for a show at night and did just a few slots.

Day 7 (Las Vegas)

Our flight was not until 10:00pm. We had the whole day to explore the strip, since we saw a lot the previous day we took our rental car to Old Vegas (Fremont street) and walked the area grabbing cool drinks at Banger Brewing. Being that Vegas was so expensive for mediocre food. We drove off the strip for dinner. Eating some great okonomiyaki we felt like this was worth the drive off the strip.

What To Bring

You can check out my What To Pack for Zion list. But this list is what I found to be essential.

Daypack– something light and small, you won’t need much on these hikes and don’t want to be loaded down. But also make sure that it can hold a hydration bladder. I really like the Osprey Daylite Daypack for summer months.

Hydration Bladder– in July is was HOT, we went through several liters a day. There are only a certain areas to refill in the parks.

Hiking Poles– you will definitely need them if hiking the Narrows.

Snacks/packed sandwiches for the long hike days.

Dry Bags– We used this backpack dry bag for my camera equipment but smaller ones like this one and this one for small electronics in a day-pack would be sufficient.

Hiking Shoes– my favorites for the summer months are my Ahnus and Vasques.

Extra pair or gym shoes– It will take a few days for you hiking shoes to dry out from the Narrows. So it was good to have an extra pair for the follow days.

Hiking Socks– I never thought these did much difference until I tried a pair. I like the longer ones for chillier weather and the short ones for hot days.

Quick Drying Clothes my favorites below:

Sunscreen

Battery Pack

Hat/Sunglasses

Hydration Tablets