Zion and Bryce Canyon from Kanab
Kanab sits between two of Utah's best-known national parks. Zion's east entrance is about 30 minutes away, the south entrance about 1 hour. Bryce Canyon is roughly 90 minutes by road. Those are rough figures for getting to the park. Allow more for road work, entrance lines and the drive to a trailhead inside the park.
Both parks work as day trips, but they are different days. Zion is about narrow canyons, river walks and a busy shuttle. Bryce Canyon is a rim of stone spires you look down into from viewpoints. If you have only one free day, pick one park and do it well. Our things to do in Kanab guide has shorter options for the other days.
Zion and Bryce Canyon compared
Entrance fees as published for 2026. The non-resident surcharge comes on top of the regular fee.
| Zion | Bryce Canyon | |
|---|---|---|
| Drive from Kanab | About 30 min to the east entrance, about 1 h to the south entrance | About 90 min (rough guide) |
| Private vehicle | $35 | $35 |
| Motorcycle | $30 | $30 |
| On foot or by bike | $20 per person, age 16 and over | $20 per person, age 16 and over |
| Under 16 | Free on foot or by bike | Free |
| Valid for | 7 days | Up to 7 days |
| Shuttle | Free, Zion Canyon only | Free with entry, season ended 18 Oct 2026 |
| Payment | – | Credit or debit card only |
Day trips to Zion and Bryce Canyon
Guided day trips and tours from the Kanab area, with current prices and availability.
Fees for visitors from outside the US
Since 2026, non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person at Zion, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. It is charged per person, not per vehicle, and it is added to the regular entrance fee. A family of four adults in one car pays $35 for the vehicle plus $400 in surcharges.
- Annual passes: the Non-Resident Annual Pass costs $250 and covers one private vehicle or 2 motorcycles. At per-person entrances it covers the pass holder plus 3 more adults. The Resident Annual Pass costs $80.
- Pass holders: a valid America the Beautiful pass or a park annual pass also covers the surcharge for the people it covers. Passes bought before 1 January 2026 keep their terms.
- Fee-free days: from 2026 they apply to US residents only. Other visitors pay the regular fee and the surcharge.
- Other fees: park passes do not replace Wave permits or Utah state park fees. See The Wave and Coral Pink Sand Dunes.
Zion: shuttle, parking and vehicle limits
Zion has no entry reservation and the shuttle is free. During shuttle season, private vehicles cannot drive the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. That is a different road from the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (UT 9), which you drive from the east entrance.
From 13 September to 24 October 2026 the first shuttle left the visitor center at 7 am and the last at 6 pm. The last bus back from Temple of Sinawava left at 7:15 pm. The ride from the visitor center to Temple of Sinawava takes about 45 minutes, with a bus every 5 to 10 minutes. The shuttle runs only inside Zion Canyon, with no connection from Kanab or the east entrance. Check the current timetable for later dates.
Parking inside the park fills early. Springdale offers paid parking and a free town shuttle.
Large vehicles and RVs in Zion since June 2026
On 7 June 2026 the old paid tunnel arrangement for oversize vehicles ended. Size limits now apply between the east entrance and Canyon Junction, not just in the tunnel. Measurements include mirrors and attachments.
- Single vehicles: up to 35 ft 9 in long (10.9 m), 7 ft 10 in wide (2.39 m), 11 ft 4 in high (3.45 m) and 50,000 lb (22,680 kg).
- Combinations: up to 50 ft in total, with the trailer no more than 26 ft from hitch to rear axle, and the same width, height and weight limits.
- One limit is enough: a vehicle or combination that exceeds any one limit is excluded.
At Bryce Canyon, vehicles of 23 ft (7 m) or longer face parking bans at several amphitheater viewpoints during shuttle times. Use the shuttle station or the additional parking across from the visitor center. These are not the same rules as Zion's.
Road and trail news, October 2026
Conditions change fast, so treat these as a snapshot and check before you drive.
Zion-Mount Carmel Highway
A rockfall on 30 September 2026 closed the road. A partial opening followed on 6 October, and visitors could use it again from 9 October. Gravel covers the repair area for now, and paving is planned. Expect slower driving.
The Narrows and other trails
The Narrows close when the river exceeds 150 cubic feet per second or a flash flood warning applies. Hidden Canyon is closed. Observation Point cannot be reached from Zion Canyon.
River water
Do not drink river water or put your head under. Cyanobacteria can be present.
Bryce shuttle
The voluntary shuttle, which runs about every 15 minutes with entry included, ended its 2026 season on 18 October. Free day parking is at the shuttle station in Bryce Canyon City.
Grand Canyon North Rim: not a normal day trip this fall
Visitors often ask about the Grand Canyon's North Rim from Kanab. This autumn it is only partly open. It is due to stay open until 30 November 2026 or the first big snowstorm. The campground and gas station have already closed for the season.
- Cape Royal Road and Point Imperial Road are closed from 15 October to 3 November 2026 for road repairs.
- The North Kaibab Trail is closed down to Phantom Ranch after a flash flood on 29 August 2026. Bright Angel Point, Widforss and Transept trails are also closed.
- Park entry is $35 per vehicle, plus the $100 surcharge for non-US residents aged 16 and over.
Zion and Bryce from Kanab: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Kanab to Zion?
About 30 minutes to the east entrance and about 1 hour to the south entrance. Add time for road work, entrance lines and the drive to your trailhead inside the park.
How far is Bryce Canyon from Kanab?
Roughly 90 minutes by road. That is a rough guide to the park, not to a specific viewpoint. Add time for parking and for driving between viewpoints.
Do I need a reservation for Zion?
There is no general entry or shuttle reservation. The shuttle is free, but parking inside the park fills early.
Do European visitors pay extra at Zion and Bryce?
Yes. Non-US residents aged 16 and over pay $100 per person on top of the regular fee in 2026, unless a valid pass covers them. The Non-Resident Annual Pass costs $250.
Can I take an RV through the Zion east entrance?
Only within the limits: 35 ft 9 in long, 7 ft 10 in wide, 11 ft 4 in high and 50,000 lb for a single vehicle. Combinations may be up to 50 ft in total. The limits apply from the east entrance to Canyon Junction.
Is the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway open?
Visitor access resumed on 9 October 2026 after a rockfall on 30 September. Gravel covers the repair area for now. Check the current road report before you set out.