On your first evening in Zion, the light leaves the canyon floor long before it leaves the top of the Watchman. The RV is plugged in at the campground below it, and the Pa'rus Trail starts a few steps away, flat and paved along the Virgin River. That's day 2. The next eight days only get bigger.
Below is the day-by-day version of our Las Vegas → Zion, Bryce & Grand Canyon route guide: ten days, nine nights, one rented RV or campervan, picked up and returned in Las Vegas. Each day has a plan, a drive time, and a place to sleep. Rules that can stop you, such as vehicle size limits, campground booking windows and permits, come from the National Park Service and Recreation.gov, with the date we checked them. Anything we estimated is marked [A].
Quick answer
- Who it's for: first-timers flying into Las Vegas (LAS) with 10 days, a campervan or a small-to-mid Class C, and two to four people.
- Shape: 1 night Las Vegas → 3 nights Zion → 2 nights Bryce Canyon → 2 nights Grand Canyon South Rim → 1 night Las Vegas.
- Driving: roughly 900–1,050 miles in total [A], with two long days (Bryce → South Rim, South Rim → Las Vegas) of about 4.5–6 hours each [A].
- Book in this order: park campgrounds first (Watchman and Mather open 6 months ahead), then the RV for those exact dates [S6][S15].
- Check your vehicle size before you book it: since June 7, 2026, vehicles over 11 ft 4 in tall, 7 ft 10 in wide (mirrors included) or 35 ft 9 in long may not drive Zion's road east toward Bryce Canyon. The detour adds about 63 miles and ~42 minutes [S1].
- Right now (autumn 2026): Grand Canyon's South Rim is under Stage 4 water restrictions. Mather Campground is dry camping only and Trailer Village is closed. Arrive with full water tanks [S12].
- Rules checked: 2026-10-27.
- When to go: month-by-month ratings, temperatures and seasons.
Route map
Route at a glance · schematic, not for navigation; positions approximate [A]. ☾ N1 = night 1.
- Day 1: Las Vegas (LAS): pick up the RV, night in a Las Vegas RV park
- Days 2–4: Zion: 3 nights at Watchman Campground, Springdale side
- Day 5: Zion → Bryce Canyon via the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway, or the UT-20 detour for vehicles over the NPS size limits
- Days 5–6: Bryce Canyon: 2 nights at North Campground
- Day 7: Bryce → Kanab → Page → Cameron → Desert View → South Rim
- Days 7–8: Grand Canyon South Rim: 2 nights at Mather Campground
- Day 9: South Rim → Williams → Kingman → Las Vegas, night near the depot
- Day 10: Return the RV and fly out of LAS
The 10 days at a glance
| Day | Plan | Drive | Sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Land at LAS, pick up the RV, stock up | Airport → depot → RV park, <1 h [A] | Las Vegas RV park [A] |
| 2 | Drive to Zion, settle in, Pa'rus Trail at sunset | ~170 mi / 2.5–3 h (distance NPS [S3]; time [A]) | Watchman Campground, Zion |
| 3 | Zion Canyon by shuttle: Riverside Walk, the Narrows, Emerald Pools | None (park shuttle) | Watchman Campground |
| 4 | Angels Landing (permit) or Scout Lookout; east side if your vehicle fits | 0–25 mi [A] | Watchman Campground |
| 5 | Zion → Bryce Canyon; Sunset Point at golden hour | ~87 mi via Zion–Mt. Carmel Hwy, or ~150 mi / 2.5 h via UT-20 for large vehicles [S1] | North Campground, Bryce Canyon |
| 6 | Navajo Loop + Queen's Garden; Southern Scenic Drive to Rainbow Point | ~40 mi round trip [A] | North Campground |
| 7 | Bryce → Kanab → Page → Grand Canyon East Entrance → Desert View Drive | ~280 mi / 5–6 h [A] | Mather Campground, South Rim |
| 8 | South Rim: Rim Trail, Hermit Road by shuttle, sunset at Hopi Point | None (park shuttle) | Mather Campground |
| 9 | Sunrise at Mather Point, then back to Las Vegas | ~280 mi / 4.5–5 h [A] | Las Vegas RV park [A] |
| 10 | Dump tanks, clean, return the RV, fly out | RV park → depot → airport, <1 h [A] | – |
Drive times are our estimates for an RV at legal speeds without long stops [A]. Add 20–30% for photo stops, fuel and road works. The only drive figures taken from an official source are the Zion–Bryce detour (NPS) and the Las Vegas–Zion distance (NPS).
Before you book the RV: checklist
Every opening date for this route, in your time zone: What do I book when? →
Every campground on this route, with booking windows and RV length limits: campsite table, incl. Watchman vs. South.
Do these in order. The campgrounds and the vehicle size decide which rentals work, not the other way round.
- Pick dates, then book Watchman Campground (Zion). Reservations are required at all Zion campgrounds, and from mid-March to late November they are "full almost every night" (NPS). Watchman opens 6 months ahead on Recreation.gov. Its non-electric C and D loops do not take vehicles 19 ft or longer, so an RV needs an electric site in loop A or B. There are no full hookups and generators are not allowed [S5][S6].
- Book Bryce Canyon North Campground. 6-month window on Recreation.gov, reservation only. Sunset Campground opens only 14 days ahead and closes in winter [S9].
- Book Mather Campground (Grand Canyon South Rim). 6-month window on Recreation.gov, reservations recommended March 1–November 30. Maximum vehicle length is 30 ft, and only a few sites take vehicles that long. No hookups. Stays are limited to 7 consecutive nights [S15].
- Get the rental's real dimensions in writing: height including the roof A/C unit, width including mirrors, and length. Compare them with the Zion limits below. If any one is over, you'll take the UT-20 detour on Day 5 [S1].
- Book two Las Vegas RV park nights (Day 1 and Day 9) near your depot. These are the easiest nights to fill, so book them last [A].
- Angels Landing permit (optional): a seasonal lottery months ahead, or the day-before lottery. $6 to apply, plus $3 per person if you win [S8].
- Park pass: Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon charge $35 per private vehicle each. The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers all three for US residents. Visitors from outside the US pay an extra $100 per person per park unless they buy the $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass [S16][S17].
- Then lock the RV: check that pickup and return times work with your flights (many depots only do afternoon pickups [A]), and read the full fee sheet. See airport pickup & one-way fees.
New to Recreation.gov? Release times, the 15-minute cart and cancellation fees: our Recreation.gov guide.
Flying in from outside the US? Check driver age, licence/IDP and deposit rules before step 8: renting an RV from abroad.
What you do not need to book: park entry itself. Zion needs no reservation to enter or to ride the shuttle [S4], and Grand Canyon has no timed entry [S12]. Bryce Canyon's shuttle needs no reservation [S10]. We did not find a timed-entry system for Bryce Canyon [A — confirm on nps.gov/brca before you go].
Zion: tunnel, vehicle size and shuttle rules (checked 2026-10-27)
This section decides whether a Class C is easy or awkward on this route.
- The limits. Since June 7, 2026, a single vehicle may not drive the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance if it exceeds any of: 35 ft 9 in long, 7 ft 10 in wide, 11 ft 4 in tall, or 50,000 lb. NPS says the measurements "include mirrors, tires, and attachments such as AC units, bike racks, satellite dishes" [S1][S2].
- No more tunnel escorts. The old tunnel pass and escort system for large vehicles has been replaced by these limits. If your vehicle is over, you are turned around at the entrance station, not escorted [S1][S2].
- It's the whole road, not only the tunnel. The limits cover the full stretch from Canyon Junction to the East Entrance [S1].
- Large vehicles can still stay in Zion. Through the South Entrance (Springdale) they may camp at Watchman or South Campground, use the large-vehicle lot by the visitor center if there's room, or drive the Scenic Drive in the shuttle off-season [S1].
- The detour to Bryce Canyon runs via Highway 20 north of Cedar City: about 150 miles and 2.5 hours, 63 miles longer than the park road but only about 42 minutes slower (NPS) [S1].
- Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is shuttle-only during shuttle season, usually March through November. Private vehicles are not allowed even before the first or after the last bus. The shuttle is free and needs no ticket. Pets are not allowed on it [S4].
- Shuttle hours now: October 25 to November 28, 2026, the first bus leaves the visitor center at 7:00 am and the last bus out of the canyon leaves the Temple of Sinawava at 6:15 pm. There is no service November 29 to December 25, when you can drive the Scenic Drive yourself [S4].
Will a campervan fit? Most van-based campervans are well under the length and height limits. Width with mirrors is the one to measure [A — measure yours; NPS gives no list of approved models].
Day by day
Day 1 — Land in Las Vegas, pick up the RV
Fly into LAS, take a taxi or rideshare to the depot, and do the walk-through slowly: photos of every scratch, tank levels, generator and A/C test. Then do one big grocery and water run. There are few big supermarkets after Springdale [A]. Sleep at a private RV park in Las Vegas or Henderson. Book one with full hookups so you start with full tanks [A].
Sleep: Las Vegas RV park, e.g. near the Strip or in Henderson [A — suggestion; we have not checked individual parks].
Day 2 — Las Vegas → Zion (~170 mi)
Take I-15 north past St. George, then UT-9 east to Springdale. NPS puts Zion 170 miles from LAS [S3]; plan 2.5–3 hours without stops [A]. Utah clocks run one hour ahead of Nevada [A]. Check in at Watchman (photo ID of the person on the reservation required [S6]). Walk the Pa'rus Trail along the Virgin River at sunset. It's flat, paved and starts at the campground.
Sleep: Watchman Campground (electric loop A/B for RVs). Backup: South Campground (14-day window, closed in winter) or a private RV park in Springdale or Hurricane [A] [S5][S7].
Day 3 — Zion Canyon by shuttle
Leave the RV at the campground and walk to the visitor center shuttle stop. Ride to the Temple of Sinawava (about 45 minutes) for the Riverside Walk and as far up the Narrows as you like. The Narrows has no trail, so you walk in the river, and flash floods are a real risk [S4]. On the way back, hop off at Zion Lodge for the Emerald Pools. If you want to hike Angels Landing tomorrow, enter the day-before lottery today between 12:01 am and 3 pm MT. Results come after 4 pm [S8].
Sleep: Watchman Campground.
Day 4 — Angels Landing or Scout Lookout; east side if you fit
With a permit: Angels Landing from the Grotto is 5.4 miles round trip with 1,488 ft of climbing, about 4 hours [S8]. Without one, hike to Scout Lookout, about 2.25 miles each way and no permit needed [S8]. In the afternoon, if your vehicle is within the size limits, drive the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway through the tunnel toward the East Entrance for the slickrock views. If it isn't, take the free Springdale shuttle into town instead [S1][S4].
Sleep: Watchman Campground (third night).
Day 5 — Zion → Bryce Canyon
Vehicle within limits: UT-9 east through the tunnel, US-89 north, UT-12 east, UT-63 south to the park. That's the route NPS describes "from the South through Zion" [S11], about 87 miles [S1, derived: 150 − 63]. Over the limits: I-15 north to UT-20, then US-89 and UT-12, about 150 miles and 2.5 hours [S1]. Either way you climb to roughly 8,000 ft, so expect cold nights [S11]. Arrive in time for Sunset Point. In shuttle season, vehicles 23 ft or longer may not park at the main Bryce Amphitheater viewpoints, so park at your campsite and ride the free shuttle [S9][S10].
Sleep: North Campground (open all year). Backup: Sunset Campground (14-day window, closed in winter) or private parks just outside the entrance [A] [S9].
Day 6 — Bryce Canyon: hoodoos from below and above
Early morning: hike down among the hoodoos on the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden from Sunset to Sunrise Point (around 3 miles [A]). Afternoon: drive the Southern Scenic Drive to Rainbow Point. All vehicles, including those over 23 ft, may drive this road and park at all its viewpoints [S10]. The Bryce Point road and Paria View are closed to RVs over 20 ft [S10].
Sleep: North Campground (second night).
Day 7 — Bryce Canyon → Grand Canyon South Rim (~280 mi, long day)
Start early. Take US-89 south via Kanab to Page (lunch, fuel), then US-89 south to Cameron and SR-64 west into the park's East Entrance at Desert View [S12]. Driving Desert View Drive (23 miles to Grand Canyon Village, open to all vehicles) gives you the first canyon views on the way in [S12]. Plan 5–6 hours of driving [A]. Fill your fresh-water tank in Page. Arizona (outside the Navajo Nation) does not use daylight saving time, so in summer your clock may jump back an hour [A]. Mather is dry camping only during the current water emergency [S12].
Sleep: Mather Campground (max 30 ft). Backup: Grand Canyon Camper Village in Tusayan (commercial, hookups, open seasonally) or Ten-X Campground south of Tusayan (May 14–September 30, no hookups) [S14].
Day 8 — Grand Canyon South Rim
Leave the RV at Mather and ride the free park shuttles. The Village (Blue) route connects the campground with the visitor center and lodges. The Hermits Rest (Red) route runs 7 miles along the rim and takes 80 minutes round trip without stops [S12]. Walk sections of the Rim Trail between stops. Stay for sunset at Hopi Point. In the current fall schedule (to November 30) the Red route runs until one hour after sunset [S12].
Sleep: Mather Campground (second night).
Day 9 — South Rim → Las Vegas (~280 mi)
Sunrise at Mather Point, a short walk or shuttle ride from the campground. Then drive south on SR-64 to Williams, west on I-40 to Kingman and north on US-93 to Las Vegas. Plan 4.5–5 hours [A]. Fuel up in Williams or Kingman [A]. Sleep near your depot so the return morning is calm.
Sleep: Las Vegas RV park with a dump station [A].
Day 10 — Return the RV, fly home
Dump and rinse the tanks, refuel to the level in your contract, sweep out, and return on time. Late returns and cleaning fees are where cheap trips get expensive [A]. Leave at least 3 hours between the RV return and your flight [A].
Alternatives and the buffer day
- Something different before or after? Add our Extraterrestrial Highway loop: Rachel, Tonopah and Rhyolite, 4–5 days on paved highways.
- Or the California desert instead? Our Mojave Mystics & Salton Sea loop: Calico, the Integratron, Joshua Tree, the Salton Sea, Slab City and London Bridge, 6 days from October to April.
- Need a buffer? Cut Day 4 (a second full Zion day) and split Day 7 with a night in Page [A]. The 5–6 hour drive becomes two easy halves, and Horseshoe Bend is right outside town [A].
- Want three nights at the Grand Canyon? Take one Zion night and add a third Mather night. Mather allows up to 7 consecutive nights [S15].
- Driving a large Class C? The route still works: stay at Watchman via Springdale, take the UT-20 detour on Day 5, and check every campsite's length limit (Watchman RVs: loops A/B; Mather: 30 ft max) [S1][S6][S15]. See Class C vs. campervan.
- North Rim instead? Not on this plan. The North Rim is seasonal and has had no water and no services in 2026 [S12].
- One-way instead of a loop? Ending in Phoenix saves the Day 9 return but adds a one-way fee. See airport pickup & one-way fees and our Phoenix → Grand Canyon guide.
- Winter (December–February): Zion's shuttle pauses (you can drive the Scenic Drive), Bryce's Sunset Campground and Zion's South Campground are closed, and snow is likely at Bryce Canyon and the South Rim [S4][S7][S9][A].
What it costs
We keep prices on a separate page so the numbers have one home: What 10 days really cost: Las Vegas → Zion, Bryce & Grand Canyon. In short, campground fees on this plan are $35 a night at Watchman ($45 with electric, which RVs need), $30 at Bryce Canyon and $30 at Mather (Recreation.gov, checked 2026-10-27). Las Vegas RV park nights are our estimate [A]. Rental, fuel and fees are broken down there with sources. Choosing a rental model? See marketplace vs. fleet.
Sources and how we checked
All sources opened 2026-10-27. Rules and schedules change; check each park's current-conditions page before you drive. [A] marks our own estimates or suggestions. Drive times are [A] unless a source is given.
- [S1] NPS Zion — Large Vehicles (size limits incl. mirrors and attachments; Canyon Junction–East Entrance; exceptions; Bryce detour via Hwy 20 ~150 mi / 2.5 h, +63 mi / ~42 min; last updated Sep 2, 2026) — go.nps.gov/ZMCH (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S2] NPS Zion — news release Jan 5, 2026: large vehicle restrictions from June 7, 2026 — www.nps.gov/zion/learn/news/2026-01-05-large-vehicles.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S3] NPS Zion — Directions & Transportation (LAS 170 miles; large vehicle lot) — www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/directions.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S4] NPS Zion — Zion Canyon Shuttle System (no reservation; schedule; Scenic Drive closed to private vehicles in shuttle season; last updated Oct 4, 2026) — www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-canyon-shuttle-system.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S5] NPS Zion — Camping (reservations required; full almost every night mid-March–late November; booking windows) — www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/campgrounds-in-zion.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S6] Recreation.gov — Watchman Campground (6-month window; C/D loops no vehicles 19 ft+; A/B electric; no full hookups; no generators; photo ID) — www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232445 (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S7] Recreation.gov / NPS — South Campground, Zion (14-day window; typically mid-March–October 31) — www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/272266 · www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/south-campground.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S8] NPS Zion — Angels Landing Permits & Hiking (lotteries, $6 application + $3/person; 5.4 mi, 1,488 ft; Scout Lookout without permit) — www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/angels-landing-hiking-permits.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S9] NPS Bryce Canyon — Campgrounds (North year-round, 6-month window; Sunset 14-day, closed in winter; $30; vehicles over 23 ft restricted from parking in the Amphitheater during shuttle hours) — www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S10] NPS Bryce Canyon — Oversized Vehicle Restrictions, Parking Information and Superintendent's Compendium (23 ft parking rule; Southern Scenic Drive open to all; Bryce Point road/Paria View closed to RVs over 20 ft) — www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/oversized-vehicle-restrictions.htm · www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/parking-information.htm · www.nps.gov/brca/learn/management/superintendents-compendium.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S11] NPS Bryce Canyon — Directions (route from the south through Zion; visitor center elevation 7,894 ft) — www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/directions.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S12] NPS Grand Canyon — Operations Update (no timed entry; Mather dry camping only, Trailer Village closed under Stage 4 water restrictions; shuttle routes and fall schedule; Desert View Drive; North Rim no water; last updated Oct 19, 2026) — www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/grand-canyon-national-park-public-health-update.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S13] NPS Grand Canyon — news release Sep 19, 2026: projected (tentative) water restoration around Thanksgiving — www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-announces-projected-dates-for-restoring-water-to-south-rim.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S14] NPS Grand Canyon — Campgrounds, South Rim (Ten-X Campground; Grand Canyon Camper Village, Tusayan) — www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/cg-sr.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S15] Recreation.gov / NPS — Mather Campground (6-month window; recommended Mar 1–Nov 30; 30 ft max; 7 consecutive nights) — www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232490 · Mather Campground bulletin (PDF) (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S16] NPS — Entrance passes ($80 America the Beautiful; $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass; $100 non-resident fee) — www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S17] NPS — Fees: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon ($35 per private vehicle) — Zion · Bryce Canyon · Grand Canyon (checked 2026-10-27)
- Not from an official source [A]: drive times (except the Zion detour), the Bryce → Page → South Rim and South Rim → Las Vegas mileages, the Las Vegas RV park suggestions, hike length for Navajo Loop + Queen's Garden, and the buffer-day advice.
Before you get quotes
See the full 10-day cost breakdownRental, miles, fuel, campgrounds, park passes and fees, with sources
← Back to the route guide: Las Vegas → Zion, Bryce & Grand Canyon
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