Two National Parks, One Trip: Your Gateway to Zion and Bryce Canyon

Exploring Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park in one trip doesn’t have to mean repacking bags, switching hotels, or spending half your vacation on the road. When you stay at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort, you’re already minutes from Zion’s east entrance and just over an hour from Bryce, so you can experience two national parks in one trip.

Whether you’re here to hike bucket-list trails like Angels Landing, discover quiet viewpoints like Observation Point, or fill your days with unforgettable outdoor experiences in and around East Zion, Zion Ponderosa is your base camp for adventure. Plus, with East Zion Adventures as your guide, you can experience two national parks plus a few side trips with ease. 

Zion National Park

Staying at Zion Ponderosa means you’re only a short drive to Zion National Park. And when you have East Zion Adventures handle the planning and guiding, you can spend your time actually experiencing the park—not trying to figure out where to go next.

Guided Angels Landing Hike

Angels Landing is one of Zion’s most famous trails—and with East Zion Adventures handling permits and guiding, you can take it on with confidence. It’s a major adventure with a big payoff, and your guide will help you conquer this trail every step of Walter’s Wiggles and beyond.

Private Zion Narrows Guided Hike

If trekking through the Virgin River surrounded by towering canyon walls is on your list, a private guided Narrows hike will take it to the next level. East Zion Adventures takes care of everything from gear, transportation, even breakfast. You’ll go at your own pace and enjoy a private Narrows hiking adventure with an experienced guide.

Private Hiking in Zion National Park

If challenging hikes aren’t your thing, or you want an even more personalized experience, East Zion Adventures offers private guided hikes inside Zion National Park. Pick and choose your trails, tailored to your group’s interests and abilities.

Zion Visitors Center Shuttle from Zion Ponderosa

Want to visit Zion National Park on your own? Getting to the main canyon is easy with our Zion Visitor Center Shuttle. That means you can skip the parking stress and spend your time and energy exploring the park—exactly what you came here for.

Bryce Canyon National Park 

Just about 75 minutes from Zion Ponderosa, Bryce Canyon National Park feels like an entirely different world. With its famous hoodoos, colorful amphitheaters, and scenic trails, it’s the perfect national park experience for your two-in-one trip.

Bryce Canyon Day Hike

Join East Zion Adventures on a full-day guided hike in Bryce Canyon National Park. With trails selected for their views and unique formations, this is a great way to see the best of Bryce.

Add a Few East Zion “Side Quests”

One of the perks of staying on the east side of Zion National Park is how close you are to so many more adventures. 

Grand Canyon North Rim

Why see only two parks when you can see three? From Zion Ponderosa, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a doable seasonal day trip (typically open from May to October). It’s quieter and less crowded than the South Rim, and pairs perfectly with a Zion-Bryce itinerary.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes

This state park is great for photography, exploring, sand sledding, or simply seeing a completely different type of landscape.

White Pocket Full-Day Tour

This White Pocket guided tour takes you through a stunning sandstone landscape with swirling textures and dramatic formations. It’s remote, unique, and an amazing day for anyone who loves discovering places most travelers never see.

Belly of the Dragon

This surprising roadside attraction is a family-friendly adventure through a short, man-made tunnel. Located between Orderville and Kanab, about 17 miles from Zion Ponderosa, Belly of the Dragon is a quick and fun side trip during your Zion National Park vacation.

Observation Point 

One more perk to staying at Zion Ponderosa—unparalleled access to the East Mesa Trailhead. Hop on the shuttle and hike to Observation Point, called one of the most beautiful views in Utah by Backpack Magazine. 

Sample 7-Day Adventure Itinerary

Here’s how a week based at Zion Ponderosa with East Zion Adventures might look:

Day 1: Arrive at Zion Ponderosa, book a sunset Jeep tour or horseback ride, eat dinner at Ponderosa Eats

Day 2: Guided Angels Landing hike with East Zion Adventures

Day 3: Private Zion Narrows guided hike or private tour of other trails in the park, stargazing at night

Day 4: Hike to Observation Point and then relax in the pool and hot tub back at Zion Ponderosa

Day 5: Bryce Canyon guided day hike

Day 6: Side quest to White Pocket, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Grand Canyon North Rim, or Belly of the Dragon

Day 7: Relax, enjoy the amenities, or fit in one last local hike before checking out and heading home

Two Parks, Endless Adventure, One Home Base

When you stay at Zion Ponderosa and explore with East Zion Adventures, you get the best of Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and the surrounding region. Plus, we have eight types of lodging options for couples, families, and groups of all sizes, on-property dining and amenities like pool, hot tub, mini golf, pickleball courts and more. Unpack once and stay awhile.