Zion, Bryce Canyon and Moab

In 2020, the California to Utah road trip has grown very popular. I know this, because after my trip I got dozens of messages from friends and family asking if I was going to compile an itinerary from my trip, for them to use on theirs. The answer is, of course!

Welcome to my documentation/ notes dump from our road trip through Utah this summer.

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1st Leg: California -> Zion

HIKES

The Narrows: 10000% a must do in Zion. You can wear water shoes or normal hiking or tennis shoes since the river isn't running that fast. Recommend wearing shorts the day you do this hike so your leggings don’t get uncomfortable biking or walking back! Also, make sure you have a walking stick or a branch from a tree for this to help keep your balance in the narrows (we just found some sticks at the entrance to the river but most people buy or bring some)

Emerald Pools Trail: great views on the way up and cool pools at the top

Observation Point Trail: gorgeous views and lookout

There are tons more if you’re here longer! 

STAY

We camped at Watchman Campground which is right at the base of Zion inside the park. It was incredible you are camping at the base of insane mountains! We had bikes so we could bike to all the trailheads and bike to town, highly recommend renting bikes or even better electric bikes if you don't bring them so you can get around without having to leave your camping setup. If camping isn't your thing Cable Mountain Lodge is the nice hotel/lodge in the park too right across from Watchman campground. There's also tons of glamping options in the area.

FOOD

Deep Creek Coffee Company - coffee, breakfast, acai bowls, smoothies, such a good brekkie/lunch menu! We got stuff for the road and they also have a very cute boutique/souvenir shop next door

Zion Canyon Brew Pub - casual spot we went for a beer outside 

Casa de Amigos Mexican

Sol Food - small grocery store that had good stuff 

2nd Leg: Zion -> Bryce Canyon

FOOD

There was virtually no good food or restaurants in between Zion and Bryce canyon.

I looked very diligently and the best town is Cedar City for Centro Woodfired Pizzeria or Panguitch which we ended up going to Cowboy's Smokehouse Cafe. It was actually a kinda cute saloon town (if that helps describe it?) as a pitstop. It was one road with restaurants on both sides and a couple of very authentic vintage and saddle shops which was fun!

In actual Bryce Canyon we were told don’t bother trying to eat, there is really nothing much at all. So plan to cook and hit a grocery store on the way! There is really nothing to the town, but the National Park totally makes up for it! 

When you turn onto highway 12 you'll hit Red Canyon Arch — you drive through an arch on the road, so have your camera ready!

HIKES

Queen Gardens Trail Loop: There is one long hike you can do in Bryce Canyon that literally shows you the whole park and it's incredible. It’s hard to believe that it’s only ~4 miles cause it takes longer than you think (probably because of how many photos we stopped to take!!) and super steep at times. You start at either Sunrise Point or Sunset point at the parking lot. We started at Sunrise Point and looped down through to Queens Garden Trail, across to Wall Street, and back up to Sunset Point. Make sure you don’t take the shortcut and hit Wall Street. It’s steep but so worth it. This loop has you hit all the big spots and its insanely beautiful.. seriously one of the most gorgeous hikes I've done in my life!

Inspiration Point: If you have time you can also do Inspiration point which is a very similar lookout to Sunrise/Sunset point

There’s also tons more here if you have time, but that first hike I mentioned is pretty much all you need.

STAY

We didn’t stay at a campsite here and boondocked on Fire Road 90 (FR90), which is totally legal in Utah as long as you are far enough off of the main road. Pretty much everywhere in Utah it’s legal to camp wherever which is insane and makes it so awesome for finding the most beautiful secluded places to set up away from people in a beautiful spot.

We camped here:

https://goo.gl/maps/6tciMP945CqSsgxX

There’s tons of campgrounds around Bryce Canyon though so if you want to be able to have a shower etc I’d do that! 


3rd Leg: Bryce Canyon -> Moab 

HIKES/ACTIVITIES

Dead Horse Canyon - totally insane I would say a better view than the Grand Canyon. Blew my mind!

Arches National Park - we didn't have time but wish we had gone, but we will definitely next time it’s one of the main Moab attractions!

UTVing in the Sand Flats - totally crazy, only $100 each and if you go at sunset it's amazing! You'd think it's scary but it really isn't and is kinda a must-do here. The sand flats are gorgeous at Sunset and they take you to places no one can get to by car (where Indiana jones was filmed, star trek, lots of movies with a “moon” scene used these sand flats it’s a very Hollywood town) 

STAY

We camped at Ken’s Lake Campground on Ken’s Lake Campground Road. It's about 15 mins outside of town and was a gorgeous little lake. A lot of the campsites are first come first serve too so you don't reserve and just pull up. There are also campsites down on the Colorado river which looked totally insane and amazing but the time of year we were there the UTV guide said it’s crazy with mosquitos. But if you're going any other time than summer I would look into goose island campground or Grandstaff campground cause looking down at it from the Sand Flats it looked incredible

Also if you want to do glamping, I have friends that have done  Under Canvas Moab and it looks amazing!

FOOD

Moab had some good food options woo!

Moab Garage Co coffee 

Moab Coffee Roasters

Miguel's Baja Grill - yummy mexican

Moab Food Truck Park - cute food truck parking lot

Ar-tee-sian - cute boutique/jewelry/ clothing store

Doughbird - yummy coffee + brekky spot

Jailhouse Cafe - we went for breakfast and eggs benny was delish


Thanks for checking this out, and send me a note or comment if you have any questions!