For those of you that have been to either or both, which do you recommend and why? Looking at going to Utah for four days next spring.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Arches NP vs. Zion NP
- Thread starter no2cyclones
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Been to both, Zion is beautiful, and the best to me. If you don't mind driving a little I would suggest all 5 NP's in Utah. Wish I would have went to Bryce Canyon. Also, if you go to Arches, there's a lodge outside of Moab on the river I would definitely suggest staying at.
I personally thought Arches was awesome. Probably one of the coolest places I have ever been. I could have spent all day just watching these 2 guys climbing a cliff that was inverted, it was both one of the scariest and one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
Dilly dilly! Bryce and Zion are both terrific although Arches isn't too far behind. We also did Goblins State Park which was WWAAYY cool as well. Utah has some amazing natural wonders - Joseph Smith is on that list with his magic hat or whatever it was. I work with many Mormons and find them wonderful people. The religion (all religions to me) is goofy.
Canyonlands and Arches are both great. Bryce Canyon may be the most beautiful. Capitol Reef and Zion are also great. You just can't go wrong by seeing any of them. If you can get to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, that is also a fabulous place to see.
Not on your list, but Dinosaur Nat'l Monument straddles Utah/Colorado border close to Wyoming. If you have kids that are into dinosaurs like mine were, they were fascinated by the place. They were there at the age of 5 & 6, and begged to go back. Still loved it at 10 & 11.
Haven't been to Arches, but went to Zion last March and loved it (probably my second favorite national Park of the 11 I've been to, Glacier is my current #1).
If you go to Zion, you have to hike Angels Landing (the whole hike, not just the first 2.5 miles). The iconic "Narrows" were closed when I was there due to flash flooding, which happens quite frequently at Zion, but there are plenty of other hikes to do there. Zion has some of the best amenities I've seen at a NP, and the buses make seeing most of the park in a short amount of time much easier.
If you go to Zion, you have to hike Angels Landing (the whole hike, not just the first 2.5 miles). The iconic "Narrows" were closed when I was there due to flash flooding, which happens quite frequently at Zion, but there are plenty of other hikes to do there. Zion has some of the best amenities I've seen at a NP, and the buses make seeing most of the park in a short amount of time much easier.
We loved Arches when there last spring. Also not on your list is a little place called Valley of the Gods. It is less developed (no paved roads) and not even close to as busy as the NPs you mentioned. We practically had the whole place to ourselves. It was my favorite part of the week long trip.
I see no reason not to do all of the NP's in Utah. That being said, I would choose Zion over Arches.
Both parks will be very busy, but like any National Park all you have to do is get on a trail and walk about a half-mile from the road to get away from most of the people. If possible, I recommend trying to swing it so that you go through whichever park you choose on a weekday to reduce the number of people.
Through most of the year at Zion you now have to park in a large parking lot and ride the bus to get to some of the main attractions rather than drive your own vehicle into the park, which may or may not be appealing. Early in the season the water in the Narrows will be very cold, so if you plan to hike the Narrows it is worthwhile to bring waders (although I think you can rent from outfitters in the area as well).
Angel's Landing is awesome, but the final climb is not for everyone (you may want to look up videos on youtube to help make a decision).
It's been considerably longer since I've been to Arches, so I don't remember many specifics right now, but I remember it being a great place as well. Either park would be a good choice to visit.
Through most of the year at Zion you now have to park in a large parking lot and ride the bus to get to some of the main attractions rather than drive your own vehicle into the park, which may or may not be appealing. Early in the season the water in the Narrows will be very cold, so if you plan to hike the Narrows it is worthwhile to bring waders (although I think you can rent from outfitters in the area as well).
Angel's Landing is awesome, but the final climb is not for everyone (you may want to look up videos on youtube to help make a decision).
It's been considerably longer since I've been to Arches, so I don't remember many specifics right now, but I remember it being a great place as well. Either park would be a good choice to visit.
Dinosaur is great - it's in the middle of nowhere , and has the Yampa and Green Rivers going through it. It's a large park and has more to do than just the quarry wall (there are lots of hiking trails, Native American ruins, and rock art). Also, I recommend checking to make sure the quarry is actually open before going - I stopped by a few years back when I was in the area only to find that the building around the quarry had been condemned due to a shifting foundation - the quarry is built on a fault line. They have since fixed it, and I don't think they have experienced problems since, but is always good to verify that there will be no surprises.
My wife and I have been to all five of southern Utah's national parks. Each one is truly awe inspiring. Picking favorites is very subjective. There can be no wrong answers.
That being said, I echo what isufbcurt said about Arches NP being "one of the coolest places I have ever been." For me, experiencing Arches is like a religious experience, and I ain't religious (and I wasn't smoking the ganja either). If you go to Arches, be sure to get out of your vehicle and do the hikes. They're all pretty tame, but the rewards are incredible.
The one thing about Zion that stood out was it had a lot more people than any of the other four NPs. Probably due to its proximity to Vegas. Hope that helps!
I happen to own a campervan rental business with a location in Las Vegas. We send tons of people to both. If you only have 4 days, and you want to do some hiking etc., then doing Zion and Bryce would be the call. More would need more time, like a week to go to the Eastern Utah parks. If camping, a convenient couple of places to stay are Snow Canyon state park, which is right in St. George, and there is also camping in the Virgin River Gorge right off of 1-15. My business is www.campervannorthamerica.com If you want to hotel it, staying in St. George or Hurricane for Zion, and then maybe a night in Cedar city for Bryce Canyon. Final word of advice, if you enjoy alcoholic beverages, buy them in Las Vegas. It will save you up to 50%. If you could get some more time, looping to the N. Rim of the Grand Canyon is not that far. Also know that Bryce Canyon and N. Rim of the Grand Canyon will be cooler than Zion/St. George due to elevation gain.
Zion. Zion NP is the best NP I have ever been to. The Narrows and especially the Angels Landing hikes are worth the trip in themselves. I was only able to stay in Arches for a long afternoon, so I can't say I truly got the experience, but it was absolutely stunning.
But I've said to basically everyone that's asked this since going to Utah, every part of that state is beautiful, and if you can make it to one or more of the NP's you will be very happy with your trip.
Bryce Canyon was also an awesome park, the amphitheater is amazing at sundown.
But I've said to basically everyone that's asked this since going to Utah, every part of that state is beautiful, and if you can make it to one or more of the NP's you will be very happy with your trip.
Bryce Canyon was also an awesome park, the amphitheater is amazing at sundown.
The Arches, Bryce, and Zion are all amazing. If you would rather take a bunch of short, easy hikes, I would go to Arches. If you are up for a couple of more strenuous hikes then go to Zion. I personally prefer Arches, but it may because that's the park I always hit first, and by the time I get to Zion, I've been driving through canyons for a couple of days.
My wife and I visited all five Utah national parks (plus Grand Staircase, Calf Creek and Goblin Valley) last month. I agree with Diehard - picking a favorite is impossible.
You're in Cedar Rapids. Are you driving? If so, at least two of your four days are eaten by getting there and back. You could still get to Arches, as it is the furthest east. It is also the most compact of the Utah national parks, and you can see most of it in a day.
If you're flying, Zion is closest to Las Vegas. You need at least two days for Zion. It's a bigger park, with more (and more challenging) hikes. Bryce Canyon is only about two hours away, and you could spend some time there. I wouldn't bother with Bryce unless you can see the sun come up or go down - preferably both - there.
You're in Cedar Rapids. Are you driving? If so, at least two of your four days are eaten by getting there and back. You could still get to Arches, as it is the furthest east. It is also the most compact of the Utah national parks, and you can see most of it in a day.
If you're flying, Zion is closest to Las Vegas. You need at least two days for Zion. It's a bigger park, with more (and more challenging) hikes. Bryce Canyon is only about two hours away, and you could spend some time there. I wouldn't bother with Bryce unless you can see the sun come up or go down - preferably both - there.
I should have given you more information on Valley of the Gods above. See the link:
https://utah.com/monument-valley/valley-of-the-gods
https://utah.com/monument-valley/valley-of-the-gods
If you can only do one, definitely go with Zion. Two of the greatest hikes in America if not the world are both in Zion - Angel's Landing and The Zion Narrows.
Arches is incredible too but I would favor Zion if you could only do one. Its not too far from Vegas if you are flying. If you are driving from Iowa, take the backroads through Utah (I-70 from the Colorado border, get off at Hwy 24 south, then head south on hwy 12 and eventually hwy 89 to the back entrance of the park) which are incredible and take you through like 4 National Parks. You wont regret it. Canyonlands NP as well as Dead Horse State Park are really close to Arches and they are both worth a stop for half a day to a full day combined.
If you only do arches, take hwy 128 to Moab instead of 191 from I-70. You will go through ghost towns and an incredible series of canyons and mesas. Lots of great camping along hwy 128 too.
Arches is incredible too but I would favor Zion if you could only do one. Its not too far from Vegas if you are flying. If you are driving from Iowa, take the backroads through Utah (I-70 from the Colorado border, get off at Hwy 24 south, then head south on hwy 12 and eventually hwy 89 to the back entrance of the park) which are incredible and take you through like 4 National Parks. You wont regret it. Canyonlands NP as well as Dead Horse State Park are really close to Arches and they are both worth a stop for half a day to a full day combined.
If you only do arches, take hwy 128 to Moab instead of 191 from I-70. You will go through ghost towns and an incredible series of canyons and mesas. Lots of great camping along hwy 128 too.