We will begin our journey by leaving Springdale and heading east on UT‑9, leaving Zion National Park through its East Entrance corridor. Almost immediately, the landscape begins to shift, as the sheer canyon walls along the Virgin River give way to broader formations etched with softer lines and layered colors. The road climbs toward the Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel before emerging onto the park’s quieter east side, where slickrock and open terrain begin to replace the enclosed canyon. Continuing to Mt. Carmel Junction, we transition onto US‑89, where the landscape opens further into rolling high desert and small rural communities. Turning onto UT‑12, the route begins to rise again, colors deepen, and red rock formations reappear—signaling our approach to Bryce Canyon.

Zion Canyon Overlook Trail

As we exit the Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel notice a small, busy parking area on the right-hand side of the road. If you can, pull in, park and cross the road to reach the trailhead. Otherwise, look for parking along the roadway.  The start of the Canyon Overlook Trail is clearly marked, with stone steps leading upward into the rock. From here, the shift is immediate—you leave the road behind and step directly into the landscape, beginning a short but memorable climb toward one of the best vantage points in Zion.  At the overlook, the full scene comes together. You will be looking out over Zion Canyon, with the Towers of the Virgin rising prominently in the distance and the road below tracing the path you just traveled. It’s a sweeping, elevated view that feels earned, despite the relatively short hike. Take your time here. The perspective is different from anything you see from the canyon floor, and the light tends to shift beautifully across the rock formations. When ready, we will return the way we came and continue our journey east.

Checkerboard Mesa

We will soon arrive at one of the most recognizable formations in this part of the park: Checkerboard Mesa.  From the roadside pullout, you can clearly see the grid-like pattern etched into the rock face. These cross-hatched lines were formed by a combination of wind, water, and freeze-thaw cycles, creating a natural pattern that feels almost designed This is an ideal quick stop. The view is immediate, the parking is usually manageable, and the formation photographs well from a relatively short distance.

As we continue east, the canyon gradually softens into wider terrain. The colors begin to shift—more pale sandstone, touches of cream and light orange—and the vegetation becomes slightly more prominent.  This is where Zion transitions into something quieter and less dramatic, but no less interesting. The road stretches a bit more, and the sense of space increases.  There are occasional roadside pullouts here that offer long views back toward the formations you’ve just passed through. If the light is right, this is a beautiful place for a final look before leaving the park.

Mt. Carmel Junction – A Natural Transition

As we arrive at Mt. Carmel Junction, the journey takes on a different rhythm. Here, UT‑9 meets US‑89, and the landscape opens into the wider desert, marking a clear transition from Zion’s canyon walls to the broader terrain beyond. At the junction, turn left onto US‑89 toward Bryce Canyon. A right turn would lead to Kanab, with access to Coral Pink Sand Dunes, the Grand Staircase, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, along with the nearby Belly of the Dragon. Today, we head north, where the road stretches out and the horizon begins to widen.

Red Canyon Arch

As we continue along UT‑12 toward Bryce Canyon, we’ll pass through the Red Canyon Arch, a striking red rock formation that spans the roadway itself. The arch sits directly over the highway between mile marker 10-11, so you’ll drive beneath it—an unmistakable landmark and a clear signal that you are nearing Bryce. There are small pullouts nearby if you wish to stop for a closer look or a photo, but even from the road, it’s a memorable moment. Consider it a natural gateway, marking the transition from the open landscape into the distinctive red rock environment that leads into Bryce Canyon.

Bryce Canyon National Park feels different the moment you arrive—especially coming from Zion. You are no longer moving through a canyon but standing at the edge of one. The landscape opens into a vast natural amphitheater filled with thousands of sculpted rock spires known as hoodoos. We’ll spend the remainder of the day exploring from the rim and below it—combining easy walking paths with a short descent into the canyon. This approach allows you to experience both the scale of Bryce from above and the texture of it up close. The elevation is higher, the air cooler, and the light plays differently here. As the day unfolds, the colors shift across the formations—from softer morning tones to deeper reds and oranges—giving the landscape a constantly changing feel.

Rainbow Point & Yovimpa Point

We will begin at the far southern end of the park, about 18 miles from the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center, where the main road ends at Rainbow Point.  Parking is easy with a large lot just steps from the viewpoints, and from here a short, clearly marked path leads onto a paved rim trail with a gentle incline toward Rainbow Point before continuing a bit farther to Yovimpa Point, where the surface becomes slightly more natural but remains wide and manageable; at this higher elevation, the air feels cooler and the views open dramatically, offering a broad perspective not only across Bryce Canyon’s amphitheater but also toward the surrounding plateaus and distant horizons, making this less about individual hoodoos and more about understanding the full scale of the landscape; this is an out-and-back walk of about 0.5–1.0 miles round trip with roughly 100 feet of elevation gain, returning us to the same starting point, and you should allow about 30–45 minutes to take it in at a relaxed pace; when you are ready, we will return to the car and begin driving back north through the park, where the views gradually shift from wide, elevated perspective to more defined formations.

Natural Bridge

Continuing north for about 1–2 miles, watch for Natural Bridge Viewpoint, one of the more prominent pull-offs along this stretch; it will be clearly marked, and you’ll make a left turn into the parking area, where a short walk leads to the viewpoint; this is an out-and-back walk of about 0.1–0.2 miles round trip with minimal elevation gain, returning you to the same starting point, and you should allow about 10–15 minutes.

Bryce Canyon Lodge

Continuing north about 3–4 miles from Bryce Point, follow signs for Bryce Canyon Lodge, then take the clearly marked left turn off the main park road into the lodge area.  Follow this road to the main parking areas, which are shared with the lodge, Sunrise Point, and nearby trailheads; park here and orient yourself—the lodge sits just beyond the parking area among the trees, while the rim is a short walk away; this is a natural place to pause and reset, whether for a relaxed lunch, a break after the drive, or simply to take in the setting before beginning your main hike; from this central location, you can access Sunrise Point to the northeast (a short walk or very quick drive) and Sunset Point to the south along the rim, making it an ideal staging area for the next phase of the day; allow about 45–60 minutes if stopping for a meal or a shorter break before continuing on foot. 

Queen’s Garden → Navajo Loop

This will be our longest hike of the day. From the Bryce Canyon Lodge parking area, walk along the Rim Trail toward Sunrise Point, located about 0.5 miles to the northeast; this is an easy, mostly flat path along the canyon edge and a natural way to begin the transition from lodge to trailhead; upon reaching Sunrise Point, begin the descent on the clearly marked Queen’s Garden Trail, which provides the most gradual and approachable entry into the amphitheater; continue down to the canyon floor and follow signs to connect with the Navajo Loop Trail, then take the Wall Street route back to the rim—the most dramatic option, with tight switchbacks through narrow rock walls; if Wall Street is closed, continue on the alternate Navajo route (Two Bridges), which climbs more gradually but returns to the same destination; both routes bring you up to Sunset Point, passing formations such as Thor’s Hammer along the way; from Sunset Point, follow the Rim Trail north for about 0.5 miles to return to Sunrise Point and the lodge area; this is a loop hike of about 2.7–3.0 miles round trip with roughly 600–650 feet of elevation gain, returning you to the starting area, and you should allow about 1.5–2.5 hours. AllTrails Link.