It takes around four-and-a-half-hours to drive the 300 miles between Salt Lake City and Zion National Park. However, if you choose to do so you’re likely to discover that this is one of those drives where the journey is as fun as the destination itself. So take it easy, enjoy the ride, and discover these interesting and exciting locations along the way.
Salt Lake City
The starting point of your journey is probably very familiar to you if you live here. If you’re only passing through, however, you might want to reorganize your travel schedule and spend a couple of days visiting the city and its surroundings. Salt Lake City is perhaps best known for being the home of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church, and Temple Square is definitely one of the most interesting attractions in town. Spread across 10 acres downtown, this is the Church’s headquarters and a highly popular tourist attraction.
The city gets its name from the nearby Great Salt Lake, which spreads over almost 75 miles and is 35 miles wide, making it the largest lake in the western part of the country and the largest salt lake in the entire Western Hemisphere. Although it requires a small detour, as it’s located slightly to the north of the city and the way to Zion National Park is to the south, if you visit the Great Salt Lake you may also want to stop by Antelope Island State Park, which is located near the city’s international airport.
Provo
While driving south on Interstate 15 from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park, the next place you may want to check out is the town of Provo, located about 45 miles from your starting point. The third-largest city in Utah is home to many attractions, like the Lakeside Storage & Museum, which celebrates Utah’s long history of oil and gas utilization, and the Covey Center for the Arts, a performance arts center where you can catch plays, musical performances, ballets, and other showcases throughout the year.
If you’re a fan of hiking and want to explore additional Utah hiking locations before reaching Zion National Park, you can visit the nearby Provo Peak and get a sublime 360-degree view of Utah country from above. If you’re an experienced hiker you can get to the top and back in only a few hours, as the trail to the summit is only 1.5 miles long. It covers around 2,700 feet of elevation, though, making it relatively difficult for beginners.
Cedar City
If you continue to drive south on I-15, you’ll eventually reach Cedar City, which is located around 250 miles from downtown Salt Lake City. Cedar City has around 30,000 residents and is a college town, with many of those in town being students at Southern Utah University. This gives it a vibrant and youthful atmosphere, making it an ideal place to spend a few hours on your way to the national park.
If you’re a fan of theater, you should visit Cedar City between June and October, as you’ll have the chance to see a classic Shakespeare play as part of the annual Utah Shakespeare Festival, one of the oldest of its kind in the country. It takes place at the Engelstad Theatre and features eight classic plays in total.
Cedar Breaks National Monument
While you’re near Cedar City, you can take a quick 20-mile detour on UT14 East and visit the breathtaking Cedar Breaks National Monument. Located at an altitude of around 10,000 feet, this natural amphitheater is about 3 miles wide and 2,000 feet deep, offering visitors an amazing panoramic view.
It offers a similar scene to that of the more famous Bryce Canyon, but with a much lower density of people, allowing you to soak up the atmosphere. Also, if you spend the night in the area, the dry air and relatively low pollution levels allow an exceptional view of the stars. Local rangers organize “star parties” during the summer months, and they’re a wonderful opportunity to learn about astronomy.
Hurricane
Getting back on I-15 South, the next stop on this road trip could be the town of Hurricane. It’s home to around 17,000 people and is located only 20 miles from Zion’s South Entrance, making it one of the last stops of this road trip. Although it’s an urban area, one of the most impressive things about it is that it’s located right next to the edge of the Colorado Plateau, providing an amazing view from anywhere in town.
Before venturing into Zion National Park, you may want to take a small detour to visit the abandoned town of Grafton. Located around 20 miles east of Hurricane, this ghost town was abandoned way back in 1944 and now looks like a trip back in time.
Springdale
Finally, the last stop on this scenic drive from Salt Lake City to Zion National Park is the town of Springdale. Although it only has around 500 permanent citizens, its proximity to Zion means there are plenty of places to stay and eat, as well as other tourist attractions. You can also learn more about the area you’re about to immerse yourself in by visiting the Zion Canyon Visitors Bureau. Although it’s not in Zion, Springdale is technically located inside Zion Canyon, with imposing cliffs rising near the town’s edges.
Taking a road trip can be a wonderful opportunity to discover new places and to enjoy them along with friends and family. The area spanning Salt Lake City to Zion National Park is definitely worthy of such a trip, with plenty of things to do and places to see along the way, both natural and man-made. Taking the trip in a Mazda can provide you with the comfort, safety, and entertainment you need, so visit us at Bountiful Mazda and check out our new vehicle inventory!
Connect with us
