From Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park: 5 Best Ways to Get There
Bryce Canyon National Park is an easy trip from Las Vegas but there are some considerations to take into account when planning your excursion. Since most people are taking a car or RV, the descriptions below focus mainly on how to drive from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon.
The drive from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon is less than 300 miles and will take four to five hours. You can drive yourself, do a guided tour, or even visit the park from above on a helicopter adventure.
Once you're at Bryce, a car isn't always necessary, as the Bryce Canyon Shuttle is a free service that operates throughout the park and the immediate area outside the park. The service, which operates from April through mid-October, runs every day from 8am to 6pm (8am to 8pm in the summer).
If you are up for a long day, you can even do this as a day trip from Las Vegas. If you leave Vegas early, about 5am, you'll be at the park by 10am and can spend the whole day here. Then you can head back to Vegas to arrive in time for a late dinner.
Keep in mind that Las Vegas is on Pacific Standard Time and Bryce Canyon is on Mountain Daylight Time, meaning you will lose an hour on your drive. If you are taking an oversized vehicle like a large RV and you want to go through Zion National Park, you will need to be at the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel before it is closed to RV traffic for the day.
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Driving from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park by Car
Highlights: Self-paced drive with scenic views
A few different routes will take you to Bryce Canyon National Park from Las Vegas, but these all start out with a long drive on I-15 north. From here you can transit through Zion National Park or go around Zion to the north and approach Bryce from the north. Both routes offer outstanding scenery. The most hassle-free way to get to Bryce is to avoid Zion, which can sometimes involve heavy traffic and unexpected delays, but it is the more scenic route.
Driving Route to Bryce Canyon Avoiding Zion National Park
This drive from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park is about 260 miles and will take about four hours. Most of the drive is on the big I-15 interstate. Take the I-15 north from Las Vegas into Utah until exit 95 (about 200 miles), where you turn onto UT-20 eastbound for 20 miles. From here, catch US-89 South to US-12, which you will take to UT-63, and then follow the signs for Bryce Canyon National Park.
This drive is relatively easy and scenic. I-15 is mostly straight and flat with a bit of interesting scenery just past Mesquite when the road enters a canyon and takes a few turns. The best scenery on this route is along US-12, known as Scenic Byway 12, which runs through Red Canyon in Utah. Red rock spires and arches set the scene for what you are about to experience at Bryce. The absolute best time to drive this section is late afternoon when the sun is turning the rocks orange and red.
Driving to Bryce Canyon Through Zion National Park
If you are in Las Vegas and you enter Bryce Canyon National Park into Google Maps, it will likely show you a route that takes you through Zion National Park. The drive time is often the same as that for the route described above. If you are driving in a car this can be a good option and certainly the most scenic. If you are in an RV, you'll have to consider some other factors and you may want to avoid this route. See our section below on getting to Bryce Canyon in an RV.
To transit through Zion on your way to Bryce, you'll start out on I-15 for about 120 miles until you reach UT-9 E towards Hurricane. This will take you to Zion National Park and to UT-89 North, which will lead you through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. You can't beat this route for scenery, this section of Zion is stunning.
Driving Considerations
You may encounter some snow on the Utah roads if you make the drive during wintertime (December through February). The area around Bryce Canyon is on a high plateau, several thousand feet above sea level, and gets snow. The roads are well-maintained, but it's a good idea to have a car equipped for winter driving (FWD, AWD, all-season tires, etc.) and a driver prepared for driving in snow. It's not necessary to have chains or a 4WD vehicle.
If you are flying into Las Vegas, rental cars are available at the Las Vegas airport or consider using an off-site (non-airport) rental car location in or around Las Vegas, as the rates may be cheaper. Some companies will pick up car rental customers at no charge. Even if you have to take an Uber or Lyft to the rental car office, it still may be cheaper than an airport rental.
Where to Stop for a Break or Have Lunch
About an hour and 20 minutes from Las Vegas on I-15 is the Eagles Landing Flying J Mesquite, which is a good place for a quick stop along the way to get gas, lunch, and snacks, or to use the restroom. This is a large complex with everything you might need.
Right outside Bryce Canyon National is Bryce Canyon City, which is a tiny community. The main establishment here is Ruby's Inn, which is more than just an inn. They offer everything from accommodation and camping to dining and even helicopter flights. You can grab a meal at Cowboy's Buffet and Steak Room.
Driving From Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park in an RV
You might think this is the same as driving a car (as described above) but if you are planning on driving through Zion National Park to get to Bryce Canyon National Park, there are some additional factors to consider.
The simplest option for driving an RV to Bryce is to avoid the route through Zion and take the first method described above. This means taking I-15 north for about 200 miles to UT-20 East and then catching UT-89 south to UT63, which will take you into Bryce Canyon National Park. This takes you around Zion to the north and is an easy drive.
Driving Through Zion National Park in an RV (Permit Required and Restricted Hours)
If you want to take the route through Zion to get to Bryce you will take the second route described above (I-15 North from Las Vegas for 120 miles until you reach UT-9 Eeast towards Hurricane, through Zion to UT-89 North.) This route involves going through the narrow Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and if your RV is over a certain size, you'll need a permit to get through the tunnel.
When you reach Zion, you'll need to stop and have your vehicle measured in order to obtain a permit. There is a fee. Also, the tunnel is only open to RVs with permits during certain hours. At the time of writing that was 8:00 to 4:30. Outside of these hours you will not be able to get through. When you leave from Las Vegas you lose an hour due to the change in time zones, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Renting an RV in Las Vegas to Take to Bryce Canyon National Park
Several RV rental companies can be found in Las Vegas. The most well-known brands are Roadsurfer, Cruise America, and El Monte.
First, consider the size of the RV you need. You may find a camper van is all you need if you are solo or with one other person. A large RV is also good for two people or a family.
Some companies offer unlimited mileage although most charge per mile. I went with Roadsurfer, which does not charge per mile. I wasn't sure how much driving I would be doing, so this felt like the best option in my situation. I was traveling with my husband and we got the Family Freedom model, which is a standard RV, and it turned out to be perfect for the two of us.
Most of these companies open at 9am to pick up your RV. If you're planning on driving from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon the day you pick up your RV, the safest option is to avoid going through Zion. You will need to spend some time at the rental agency going over the functions of the vehicle, you may have to then go fill the water tank, get groceries, and anything else you need on day one.
You'll likely find you are driving more slowly in an RV than you would in a car. And, with the time change working against you, it can be a race to get to the tunnel before it closes. If you don't make it, you will have to do a lot of backtracking and extra driving.
From Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park by Tour
Highlights: A full-day tour of two parks, including transportation, park fees, and light refreshments
Another way to experience Bryce Canyon National Park from Las Vegas is to do a guided tour, which takes you to see two parks in one day. The Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks Day Trip from Las Vegas allows you to spend a full day exploring both parks. The tour includes round-trip transportation from all major Las Vegas resorts and entrance fees to the parks.
This tour involves a scenic drive through Zion National Park and a stop at the visitor center. It then continues on to Bryce Canyon National Park where you can walk along the rim and gaze out at the hoodoos lining the amphitheatre.
These are both big parks and taking a tour just gives you a taste of what each is like. It's designed for sightseeing. If you want to do hiking or other activities this is not a good option.
This tour is approximately 13 hours.
From Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park by Bus
Highlights: Budget-friendly convenience, option to visit other stops en route
You can get from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park by on the National Park Express bus. This private company operates a shuttle bus service connecting many national parks and tourist destinations in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California. The buses have free Wi-Fi and charging outlets at every seat. National Park Express bus offers a full-day, semi-guided trip to both Bryce Canyon and Zion Canyon with pickup from your Las Vegas hotel.
From Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park by Helicopter
Highlights: Charter flights that offer convenience and spectacular aerial photography opportunities
It's possible to get from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park by helicopter. There are a few helicopter companies that operate in Las Vegas, and while they don't offer regular flights to Bryce Canyon (like they do to the Grand Canyon), they will do a charter flight for you. Most flights would include visits to both Bryce and Zion Canyons, as they are relatively close to each other.
Bryce Canyon Airlines, based at the historic Ruby's Inn in Bryce Canyon City, Utah, offers a range of sightseeing flights by both helicopter and small plane to Bryce Canyon. All the flights are narrated and specially planned for great photography. For an extra charge, you could arrange Las Vegas pickup and drop-off with the tiny airline.
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