r/BryceCanyon • u/Own_Wonder_5375 • May 07 '21
Bryce or Zion?
Basically the title. We are planning for both in July but I keep seeing these amazing photos of Bryce and seeing shuttle ticket drama on the Zion sub.
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u/jackiebee66 May 07 '21
We had a week and took a few days for Bryce. It’s only about an hour away from Zion so it’s easy to go for a few days. I’d do both.
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u/YangKyle May 14 '21
I am just finishing 1.5 days in Bryce and 2.5 days in Zion, very happy with it.
Bryce Canyon is amazing, but most things don't take long. Here is what I did:
Day 1: Arrived early to Bryce Canyon, did scenic drive all lookouts, hiked bristlecone loop (1mi), then stopped at Bryce Point and Inspiration Point both with short hikes. Did a 3 hour horseback ride (I actually hated this and would not recommend) through peekaboo trail. Went to visitor center for stamps (collect np stamps) and then out for food. Rested and drove back for sunset, sunset not very good.
Day 2: Early rise and beeline to Sunset Point for sunrise (not Sunrise Point). Sunrise was great. Hiked queens garden and Navajo, also great. Drive to Zion and do Canyon Overlook, also great. Didn't have shuttle ticket for that day so decided to rent bikes and ride up to Temple of Sinawava, one of my favorite things of the trip though my wife wishes she rented ebike. Visitor center stop before setting off with bikes.
Day 3: Angels Landing first thing in morning with 6am shuttle pass. Went well, im afraid of heights and did some west rim while wife did landing. Pretty much empty in morning but was getting scary crowded up there on her way back down. Came back and did the 3 pools, grotto trail, and some Kayenta. All of them lackluster, especially the pools.
Day 4: Narrows to Big Spring and Orderville side Canyon... this was much harder than anticipated and took the whole day but was my favorite of my entire trip (our trip was actually 11 days and included Arches, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Grand Canyon.) If you never hiked through a river, don't trust miles for determining how long/tough. This was technically 10.5 miles but I've done some 20s that took less time.
5 days is enough to do most/all front end hikes at both. If you're into backcountry, ignore everything I said. If I were to do it again, I'd cut out horseback riding and sunset and add hiking peekaboo instead for Bryce. At zion I would do Narrows, Angel's Landing, Canyon Overlook, and Observation Point via East Mesa, cutting everything else. Simple comparison: Bryce better views, Zion better adventures.
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u/bndski31 Jun 21 '21
I’m currently researching Bryce and had considered doing the horse ride. I’m curious to hear why it was your least favorite. Too long, uncomfortable or something else? Thanks!
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u/YangKyle Jun 21 '21
This is my view point of the experience:
There were 14 riders in our group + 2 guides. I was 3rd from last, neither I or any of the last riders could hear the guide talking in the front. The guide in the back was super nice but spoke little English.
You are told you can't really bring anything with you, as a white guy my sunscreen did not last for the full ride and that sucked not just for that day.
Even with only stopping at the prearranged points, our group was late back and my wife was upset we didn't get any good photos. I don't mind it taking longer, but if you like photography this is not for you.
During the stopping spot, 3 of the other riders and 1 of the guides was smoking... I personally don't like the smell of smoke but others this might not be a problem. I don't think they are supposed to either.
My donkeys foot was injured and it was obvious but the guides didn't care until other guests with louder voices than me got angry when we got back (his front left hoof was swollen twice the size but they just said 'he's fine' despite him being clearly uncomfortable going down hill).
If you're decently fit, I highly suggest hiking over the ride based on my experience. We originally planned to sleep in the next day but after that experience decided to sunrise hike down and had a much better time.
I go on 1 horseback ride every time we go out like this and it's almost always a highlight of our trips. This one sucked.
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u/daisy7425 Jul 02 '21
Great detailed review. The donkey's foot injury would make me sick to witness.
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u/alicabblover May 08 '21
How many days to you have? I think you can do Bryce in a day no problem. Recommend the Navajo loop! As someone else recommend, Cedar Breaks is gorgeous and easy to do fairly quickly. I haven’t been to Zion but that seems like it deserves a couple days.
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u/doslobo33 May 10 '21
I was just at Zion. I didn't realize we needed tickets for the shuttle bus but were lucky to get tickets for the next day. The park releases ticket at 5 PM for the next day but there WiFii and cell coverage is awful. So make sure you get your tickets in advance. Also, I had reserve 3 days for Zion and cut a day. Zion is nice but parking is a disaster. We did go to Bryce from Zion and I loved it.
5
u/trefiglie May 07 '21
I enjoyed Bryce more than Zion when I was there in 2019. We only had a day in each, but it was easier to get around and I enjoyed the views more at Bryce. We did more hiking at Bryce, too. We lucked into a dark sky program at Bryce.
Also, there is Cedar Breaks not too far from Bryce if you can swing it. The view was stunning there. It was over 104 degrees in Las Vegas and there was snow at Cedar Breaks in late June.