Southern Utah is full of incredible national parks and two of the most famous are Zion and Arches National Parks. If you are visiting Utah you can not visit one without visiting the other. The road trip between the two parks can be just as memorable as the parks themselves.
Find amazing food along the way, and enjoy some of the most stunning scenery in the world along Scenic Byway 12. You can also not forget all the other national and state parks and forests along the way. Although the drive can be as short as 5 hours between parks you can easily make this a week-long road trip if you wanted.
How Far is it to Arches National Park From Zion National Park?
It is 278 miles between Zion National Park and Arches National Park by road. It will take you on average 4 hours 40 minutes to travel between the two parks.
There are two main routes you can take to Arches from Zion which take roughly the same time give. The first route takes you out of Zion via the western side of the park. The second route takes you via the western side of the park.
The time difference between these two routes is around 10 minutes. Choosing which route you want to take comes down to personal preference.
Both routes connect up fairly quickly meeting at the I-70E which takes you east towards Denver which will be the signs you will want to look for until you get closer to Moab which is the little town just outside of Arches National Park.
The most Scenic Route From Zion to Arches
The best route to take between Zion and Arches National Parks is the incredibly scenic route along the Scenic Byway UT-12. This route doesn’t often show up in google or apple maps so is less well known. However, it is not to be missed if you can afford a bit of extra time on your journey.
What really sets this route apart from the others is the sheer diversity in landscape that you get to enjoy on the journey. The scenic byway is a gateway to many stunning parks including both national and state parks along with national monuments.
This route is dotted with many inviting restaurants that beckon travellers to come and rest while enjoying some of Utah’s most delicious food.
Outfitters Restaurant and Cafe
If you are peckish for some good food on the Scenic Byway 12 then be sure to stop at Outfitters. Their offerings are expansive and come highly recommended. All the food is baked on-site in their own kitchens which I absolutely love.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner so no matter the time of day you are sure to be well fed!
If you are like me and like to browse the menu and decide what to order before you even step foot in the door you can peruse the menu here. They are mainly a pizza restaurant but think “fancy” pizza. They do have other menu items as well.
Georgie’s Outdoor Mexican Cafe
If you are craving some good old Mexican food on the Scenic Byway 12 then Georgie’s Outdoor Mexican Cafe might be right up your alley.
This bright orange food truck really gives you both amazing food as well as a unique food experience. At Georgie’s you will find good, fresh and authentic Mexican food that nourishes the soul.
No doubt you would have done some decent hiking in the area so I am sure that the strawberry lemonade will go done a treat along with what has been reported as the best guacamole and chips you will ever eat.
All prices are pretty reasonable especially for being in the middle of nowhere! You can check them out here
What is the Best Time to Travel Between Zion and Moab?
The best time to travel between Zion and Moab is in spring and fall. Both parks experience extremes in weather therefore, summers are exceptionally hot and winters incredibly frigid. Spring and fall offer the best options for present weather for you to be able to enjoy the parks at their peak.
In summer the highs average into the 100’s and in winter the temperature can drop well below freezing. The spring and fall months offer pleasant weather that making hiking and other activities in the parks a lot more enjoyable.
We visited both parks at the start April and found this to be absolutely ideal. The weather was still warm but not so much that it was too uncomfortable to hike. We did choose to do some of the more strenuous hikes like Delicate Arch early in the morning. I was 5 months pregnant and we also had our 2, 4 and 6-year-olds with us. I am so thankful we left early before the peak sun arrived as it would have been a lot harder in even a little heat.
However, if you only have the opportunity to visit Zion or Arches in summer or winter you are still going to be able to have an enjoyable time. In winter you will be able to experience the park-like very few get to do. The snow and the landscape are so very different. There are still tours that operate and you will be able to visit the parks without the crowds.
Both parks are very car-friendly so even if you don’t want to get out of your car and hike you can still appreciate the views and journey.
What to Do Between Zion and Arches
Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park is an obvious stop on your trip between Zion and Arches National Parks. Bryce Canyon is 2 hours northwest of Zion National Park along the Mt Carmel Scenic Byway. The drive is almost as incredible as you will find the park itself.
Bryce Canyon is most well known for having the largest collections of Hoodoos in the world. Hoodoos, also known as tent rocks are large and peculiar rock formations that reach skyward. They range in size from around 6ft to 10 stories tall.
You may want to spend a few days exploring Bryce Canyon National Park. There are plenty of accommodation options available including camping within the park itself. If you don’t fancy camping Bryce Canyon Lodge is situated right inside the park also. Outside of those options, you can look to the many hotels and motels just outside the park’s entrance.
Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the more expensive national parks to visit so be sure to get an annual pass if you are planning to visit a number of parks in the area. This will save you a tonne of money in the long run. You may even be eligible to enter the parks for free. You can check out our How to Visit the Most Expensive National Parks for FREE post to see if you qualify.
Fishlake National Forest
Generally, Fishlake National Forest is well known for its ample opportunities for recreation all year round. In summer it lends itself to fishing, hiking and trail biking. While in winter visitors enjoy cross-country skiing, sledding and snowmobiling.
There are numerous camping options at Fishlake National Forest, you will be spoiled for choice. It is the perfect location to truly get out in nature and experience the real wilderness.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure! I had, for some reason always assumed it was near the water somewhere. We live in Australia currently so I guess I assumed it was like the “Great Barrier Reef”. Needless to say, this reef is in the middle of the desert and I can not wait to visit.
Capitol Reef is famous for its Waterpocket Fold. A water pocket fold is a wrinkle somewhat in the surface of the earth. The warp in the earth’s crust located at Capitol Reef National Park is 100miles long. It is an incredibly interesting geological phenomenon that makes Capitol Reef so unique.
Another reason you might want to visit Capitol Reef National Park is for its stunning night skies. Back in 2015 it was named an International Dark Sky Park. This means you can expect to visit this park and witness a near-perfect night sky! Imagine all the stargazing you could do.
Capitol Reef National Park has one campground with amenities and two primitive campgrounds. There are also ample opportunities for backcountry camping but make sure you pick up a free backpacking permit if that is something you are wanting to do.
Also, a bonus is that you can bring your dog into this park. National parks that allow dogs are few and far between so I love when we find ones that will let us bring our dog.