vegas to zion

howdy folks
could anyone please tell me if a trip from vegas to zion national park and back can be done in a day, if so what good points of interest would be worth a look in that time frame.
regards
wiggy

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/20hour.jpg It's only about 160 miles so it's easily a day trip, about 2.5-3 hours. Valley of Fire is on the way. Fascinating rock formations like Elephant Rock.

Are you planning on driving there, seeing Zion, and returning to Las Vegas in one day? If so, I'd leave Vegas at the crack of dawn and not plan on returning until later at night. And, if that's your plan, I wouldn't stop at Valley of Fire on the same day. It will cut into Zion.

Valley of Fire is about 50 miles from Vegas. I'd save that for a short trip on another day.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wiggy

could anyone please tell me if a trip from vegas to zion national park and back can be done in a day, if so what good points of interest would be worth a look in that time frame.

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We have done such trips several times over the last five years. The tricky part is that during summer months access to the Zion Canyon is via the park bus system only and so waiting for a shuttle can sometimes delay the process. You should certainly drive the main "drag" -- that is route 9 through the park. I would also suggest taking the scenic drive to Kolob resevoir (the road goes north from route 9 just east of Virin, Utah -- before you get to the park boundary).

It is impossible to spend "too much" time in Zion and so it is a good idea to get up reasonably early and zip up there -- spend as much time as you can in the park and zip back. We generally leave Las Vegas about 8:00 am and return about 10:00 pm the same day. The best is, of course, to stay over-night at one of the cabins.

Mark

I agree that Zion can be done as a day trip from Las Vegas if it has to be done that way. I would just head out as early as possible for Zion and just visit Zion. The shuttle buses in Zion take 90 minutes to do a full run if you don't get off. It is worth the time...even if you don't get off!

BTW, did you hear about all the wildfires in Southern Utah that were started by lightning?

http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_179094034.html

http://www.hvjournal.com/articles.ph..._in_the_Valley

Utahtea

Ta very much, this site is just wonderful...