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Zion or Bryce Canyon
Posted on 1/30/20 at 11:08 am
Posted on 1/30/20 at 11:08 am
We are going skiing in Southern Utah in 3 weeks and we have a free day to go to one of these parks. Which of these is worth a day trip over to see in late February?
This post was edited on 1/30/20 at 11:36 am
11
Posted on 1/30/20 at 12:01 pm to cassopher
Haven't been but planning to go--possibly later this year.
I did find this article The Comparison Posts: Bryce Canyon and Zion for folks who can only hit one of them on a trip.
Post your experiences after you go!
I did find this article The Comparison Posts: Bryce Canyon and Zion for folks who can only hit one of them on a trip.
Post your experiences after you go!
Posted on 1/30/20 at 2:06 pm to cassopher
day trip? bryce is much easier to do that and far less crowded. at zion you have to do a bit more planning (you'll be riding a shuttle in to the peak demand areas)
but...what you can do is drive to bryce through zion on the highway that cuts through it, really good scenery on the drive and a really cool tunnel. it dumps you out on the east side, and you can continue on to bryce.
at bryce, you can either drive all the way to the end and then work your way back, or just stop at the amphitheatre area and hike down
but...what you can do is drive to bryce through zion on the highway that cuts through it, really good scenery on the drive and a really cool tunnel. it dumps you out on the east side, and you can continue on to bryce.
at bryce, you can either drive all the way to the end and then work your way back, or just stop at the amphitheatre area and hike down
Posted on 1/30/20 at 2:13 pm to cgrand
quote:
what you can do is drive to bryce through zion on the highway that cuts through it
Would this happen to be Mt. Carmel Highway?
Posted on 1/30/20 at 2:17 pm to cassopher
highway 9
yes, mt carmel highway
yes, mt carmel highway
This post was edited on 1/30/20 at 2:19 pm
Posted on 1/30/20 at 2:20 pm to cassopher
What do yall want to do? I like Zion a lot more for hiking. It’ll be more crowded than Bryce, but I doubt either will be too crowded during ski season. Bryce is probably more unique geography. Zion is IMO prettier.
Honestly I’d pick Zion every time if you can only get to one. That’s one of the most beautiful places in the US, and there are areas where crowds are avoidable.
Honestly I’d pick Zion every time if you can only get to one. That’s one of the most beautiful places in the US, and there are areas where crowds are avoidable.
Posted on 1/30/20 at 3:38 pm to TigerSaintInDallas
quote:
What do yall want to do?
Just drive around and sightsee. We want to stop at as many viewpoints as possible.
This post was edited on 1/30/20 at 5:15 pm
Posted on 1/30/20 at 3:54 pm to cassopher
We just got back from spending a week out there over New Year's. Zion would be my choice, but as someone else said, I'd pick Zion over most national parks in the country. It's amazing. Bryce is certainly cool, too.
Just a head's up that the shuttles may not be running in February during the week, which is a mixed bag. On one hand, you get to drive yourself up the canyon and park at whatever spots you want in whatever order you want. You don't have to wait in line for shuttles, etc.. On the other hand, the parking can be crazy at some of the trailheads (which is why they have shuttles).
Pro Tip (which if you're driving over, you probably won't be able to exploit): if you drive into the park before 8am, you don't have to pay park entrance fee. I'd suggest making a donation anyway, but if you're going multiple days... it can save you a bit of money.
The shuttle system there is actually really, really good if you do end up using the shuttles. It will also allow you all to do what it sounds like you want, which is basically get out, look around, maybe a hike a bit to check out an area, then get back on a shuttle and go check out the next spot.
If you aren't actually wanting to do much hiking while you're there, you could probably do both Zion and Bryce in a day, really (note that we spent 3 full days in Zion alone... but everyone has a different way they like to view parks).
Just a head's up that the shuttles may not be running in February during the week, which is a mixed bag. On one hand, you get to drive yourself up the canyon and park at whatever spots you want in whatever order you want. You don't have to wait in line for shuttles, etc.. On the other hand, the parking can be crazy at some of the trailheads (which is why they have shuttles).
Pro Tip (which if you're driving over, you probably won't be able to exploit): if you drive into the park before 8am, you don't have to pay park entrance fee. I'd suggest making a donation anyway, but if you're going multiple days... it can save you a bit of money.
The shuttle system there is actually really, really good if you do end up using the shuttles. It will also allow you all to do what it sounds like you want, which is basically get out, look around, maybe a hike a bit to check out an area, then get back on a shuttle and go check out the next spot.
If you aren't actually wanting to do much hiking while you're there, you could probably do both Zion and Bryce in a day, really (note that we spent 3 full days in Zion alone... but everyone has a different way they like to view parks).
This post was edited on 1/30/20 at 3:55 pm
Posted on 1/30/20 at 8:03 pm to hogfly
quote:
Pro Tip (which if you're driving over, you probably won't be able to exploit): if you drive into the park before 8am, you don't have to pay park entrance fee. I'd suggest making a donation anyway, but if you're going multiple days... it can save you a bit of money.
The $30 entrance fee is good for a week. So if you arrive early every day you are stealing $30 from the park total for every seven days.
For the OP, who goes skiing in southern Utah? Also Bryce is like 9000' so will probably have snow and be cold. Both Parks are great and near one another with a cool drive in between.
Posted on 1/30/20 at 8:12 pm to cgrand
quote:we did this when our plans changed due to weather and we only had one day to go through before snow storms were coming.
but...what you can do is drive to bryce through zion on the highway that cuts through it, really good scenery on the drive and a really cool tunnel. it dumps you out on the east side, and you can continue on to bryce.
Posted on 1/30/20 at 8:16 pm to 8thyearsenior
quote:
For the OP, who goes skiing in southern Utah?
Brian Head Resort is one of the best kept secrets in Utah! It has a base elevation of almost 10k ft and gets about 360” of snow a year. It only has a modest 70 or so runs but no lift lines compared to Alta, Deer Valley, Snowbird, etc.
Doesn’t have the amenities or nightlife of the big resorts to the north but I don’t much need that. I just love to ski!
Posted on 1/30/20 at 8:29 pm to cassopher
I think it just got bought by one of the big resort companies as well (it's a big bike park in summer, which I keep up with), so it's likely going to get better.
Posted on 1/30/20 at 8:39 pm to hogfly
quote:
I think it just got bought by one of the big resort companies as well
Yeah they own several resorts and have already invested a bunch of money into the resort. They just finished a new high speed quad for this season so that is a huge improvement.
Posted on 1/30/20 at 8:47 pm to 8thyearsenior
quote:
For the OP, who goes skiing in southern Utah?
Brian Head, brah
OP: I’d go to Bryce for the day trip.
Zion will leave you wishing you went for more days.
This post was edited on 1/30/20 at 8:49 pm
Posted on 1/30/20 at 9:18 pm to Golfer
quote:
OP: I’d go to Bryce for the day trip. ?
Zion will leave you wishing you went for more days.
Agreed, Zion is better if you have more time for hiking. Bryce is perfect for a day trip.
Posted on 1/30/20 at 10:39 pm to cassopher
I did both in a half day each on a jam-packed road trip.
If only one, do Bryce. Zion will just leave you wanting more and you can probably only pick one or two places to see.
In half day I was able to see the entire amphitheater at Bryce.
In half day plus a little at Zion did Angels Landing and a little of the Narrows.
If only one, do Bryce. Zion will just leave you wanting more and you can probably only pick one or two places to see.
In half day I was able to see the entire amphitheater at Bryce.
In half day plus a little at Zion did Angels Landing and a little of the Narrows.
Posted on 1/30/20 at 11:22 pm to 8thyearsenior
Rent the wetsuits and hike the narrows at Zion. It’s a great experience.
Posted on 1/31/20 at 10:46 am to Paul Allen
quote:
Rent the wetsuits and hike the narrows at Zion. It’s a great experience.
Due to the temperature in February, you need dry suits instead of wetsuits. I hear that it can be pretty strenuous.
Posted on 1/31/20 at 11:52 am to LaLadyinTx
quote:
Due to the temperature in February, you need dry suits instead of wetsuits. I hear that it can be pretty strenuous.
A lot of people were doing it with drysuits while I was there over New Year's. It didn't exactly look fun, due to the frigid temps, total lack of sun in the canyon, and howling wind. I wet waded quite a bit of it in the summer when I was in college, and that was fine.
I'm sure there are days when it isn't that cold in the winter, but we were below freezing most of the time. I saw the people taking off up the canyon and pondered how far most of them would actually make it before turning around.
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