Las Vegas to Zion National Park Road Trip

It only makes sense to kick this adventure off in Las Vegas itself. The Strip gets most of the attention, but if you’re about to embark on a journey into the natural beauty of Utah, it’s definitely worth taking a little time to enjoy the city before hitting the road. Wander through the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, take in a fountain show, or ride up to the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas for a view of the whole city spread out beneath you.

But Las Vegas isn’t all slot machines and showgirls. If you want to set the tone for a road trip built around nature, there are plenty of ways to do that right in town. For instance, Red Rock Canyon is just a 25 minute drive west and is home to plenty of hiking trails through fascinating rock formations. You might also consider an early morning visit to the Neon Boneyard Museum, which is closer to town and where you’ll find retired casino signs resting like relics of a bygone era.

Before you leave the Las Vegas area for good and make your way up to Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, stop off at Red Rock Canyon campground for a night or two. Red Rocks is about a 20-mile drive from the “Las Vegas Strip” and is the perfect getaway if you enjoy views of the Grand Canyon or like hiking, rock climbing, or mountain biking. Plus, it’s also a little more isolated, so you can have some uninterrupted downtime.

Driving East with the Strip in your rearview mirror, the first stop on your journey toward Zion National Park is Lake Mead and The Hoover Dam. This marvel of engineering has been standing tall since the 1930s, holding back the Colorado River and creating one of the largest reservoirs in the country. You can walk across the dam itself, peer down into Black Canyon, or pop into the visitor center to learn more about how it was built during the Great Depression.

Once you’ve explored everything the Hoover Dam has to offer, Lake Mead is the place to go if you’re looking for an opportunity to stretch your legs a little more or cool off if the desert sun is getting to you. There are boat rentals and paddleboarding opportunities to enjoy, or you can just find a quiet spot and sit by the water with a picnic. Also, if you’ve got the time, a quick 10-minute detour to the historic Boulder City is also a great way of exploring more of the area, and is home to plenty of antique shops and old-school diners.

Looking for a stopover just minutes away Lake Mead? Boulder Beach Campground is just the place for you. This oasis, surrounded by vegetation, has campsites that feature large paved sites perfect for large RVs and campervans, and has a bunch of convenient facilities to make your stay enjoyable, including tables, fire pits, restrooms (but no showers), water spigots and a dump station. Each campsite can accomodate up to eight campers, making it ideal for those traveling with family or friends.

As you continue northeast, the landscape starts to get more dramatic, and nowhere is that more obvious than at Valley of Fire State Park. This amazing place is home to swirls of red, orange, and pink sandstone rising out of the desert floor, and it’s these that give the park its name. It’s particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset, but really, it’s spectacular no matter the time of day.

Hiking is the best way to experience the Valley of Fire, and there are trails for just about every ability level. The Fire Wave Trail is 20 minutes from the welcome sign and is a crowd favorite, leading to striated rock formations that look almost unreal in their beauty. Just keep in mind it’s only open seasonally and is closed between May 15th and September 30th. Petroglyph Canyon is another great spot to explore, which is only 10 minutes from the welcome sign and offers you the opportunity to see ancient Native American carvings etched into the stone walls.

It’s worth spending a couple of days exploring the Valley of Fire, which means you’ll want a good base camp. The Atlatl Rock Campground inside the park is a great option, and it offers both RV and tent sites, with amenities that include toilets, drinking water, showers, and fire pits. Staying here also means you can catch both sunrise and sunset without ever leaving the park, and it gives you the luxury of experiencing Valley of Fire in its quietest, most magical hours.

After exploring the rocks of Valley of Fire State Park, the road carries you toward Mesquite, a small Nevada town with a lot to offer. Mesquite often gets overlooked by travellers heading toward Utah, but it’s a perfect midway stop to relax and recharge, and the town has several casinos if you’re still itching for a bit of Vegas-style action. It also has golf courses, spas, and an overall laid-back pace that contrasts nicely with the Strip’s energy.

As well as its slot machines, there’s also the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum right in the centre of town to explore, which tells the story of the town’s early settlers and gives you a sense of just how challenging life in this corner of the desert used to be.

When looking for something a little more “off the grid”, Whitney Pockets, Nevada, is about an hour from Mesquite and feels like stepping straight into another world. Massive red rock formations rise up out of the desert, creating hidden nooks and wide open views that make it a favorite spot for campers and stargazers.

It’s super simple with no hookups, bathrooms, or cell service, so you’ll need to come prepared, but that’s part of the charm. After a day of scrambling over the rocks or just soaking in the quiet, you can settle in under some of the darkest skies in southern Nevada and fall asleep with nothing but the stars overhead.

Crossing into Utah, the town of St. George is framed by red cliffs and dotted with palm trees, giving you yet another change of scenery. This city is more than just a pit stop, though. This is a destination in its own right! Downtown St. George is the first place to head, with its historic buildings, art galleries, and cafes, while the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site is a favorite with kids and adults alike, showcasing well-preserved tracks from creatures that roamed here millions of years ago.

Just 15 minutes out of town, Snow Canyon State Park is another must-see while you’re in the area. Home to a mix of red sandstone, black lava rock, and white sand dunes, you’ll find yourself surrounded by one of the most photogenic landscapes in southern Utah and get the opportunity to head out on some great hiking trails. These include Hidden Pinyon, a moderate 1.5-mile trek, and the easier Jenny’s Canyon, both of which offer a taste of the park’s beauty without requiring an all-day trek. Or, for a more leisurely outing, check out the Red Hills Desert Garden, which is only 5 minutes from Downtown St. George and is a beautifully designed space showcasing desert plants against the red cliffs.

It’s fair to say that with so much to do, you’ll want a place to stay for a couple of nights, and Quail Creek State Park Campground is around 14 miles away. This campground has a mix of outdoor adventures and ample room to kick back and relax. You’ll have access to restrooms, showers, and running water. Plus, you’re right on the lake and can also go kayaking or paddleboarding. You’ll enjoy this stop before you head on.

As you head toward Zion, the twin towns of Hurricane and La Verkin are your last chance to fuel up and grab supplies before entering the slower pace of canyon country. Hurricane, in particular, is home to coffee shops, cool stores, and plenty of friendly locals to chat to.

Want to do something a little more adventurous? The area around Hurricane is an absolute playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Sand Hollow State Park is just a 15-minute drive away and has a huge reservoir surrounded by red rock that is perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, or even just lying out on the sandy shore. Also, if you’re into mountain biking, this area is also home to some world-class trails, including the popular Adventure Scout Loop.

If you want a fun place to visit that the whole family can enjoy, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort has tons to offer. It’s packed with family-friendly amenities like a splash pad, pools, playgrounds, and planned activities entertaining everyone. The sites are roomy and come with the conveniences you’d expect, but the playful vibe makes it stand out. After a day of adventures in the desert, you can return to a place where the energy is lively, the community is welcoming, and there’s always something happening to make your stay memorable.

Finally, the road winds its way to your final destination: Zion National Park. There’s so much to do here, but if you’ve got the stamina for it, Angel’s Landing is the park’s most famous trail and the best place to start. Just keep in mind that you need a permit to head out on this trail, which you can either apply for ahead of your trip or, if you’ve left things a little late, there’s a day-before permit lottery. You can learn more about why you need a permit and about Zion’s Visitor Use Research and Planning here.

For something a little less intense but equally rewarding (and without the need for a permit), the Riverside Walk leading into The Narrows is a wonderful way to experience the Virgin River and the canyon walls. Even if you stick to the shuttle loop and pull off at a few viewpoints, you’ll still leave with a sense of why this park is so beloved.

Staying inside the park is always the best way of taking it all in, and Watchman Campground is one of the best options. Set right near the visitor center, it has RV sites with electric hookups and the unbeatable benefit of being within walking distance to the shuttle system that takes you through the canyon. There’s also drinking water, flushing toilets, and a dump station, and while it may not be as feature-packed as some of the other RV resorts you’ve called home on your Las Vegas to Zion National Park road trip, it certainly gives you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the park’s grandeur.

Make your road trip from Vegas to Zion comfortable and stress-free with affordable campervan rental in Las Vegas from Travellers Autobarn. Every rental comes with free unlimited miles as standard, giving you the freedom to wander from the Strip to the sandstone cliffs and beyond without ever worrying about extra charges.

Got the travel bug? Check out some other awesome road trips starting from Las Vegas:

• Las Vegas to Salt Lake City – Road Trip Itinerary
• Las Vegas to Reno Road Trip
• Las Vegas to Rocky Mountains National Park Road Trip
• Las Vegas to San Diego Road Trip

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