Experience the best of Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks with this self-driving bundle tour. Explore stunning natural wonders, uncover fascinating human history, and embark on breathtaking hikes!
Experience the best of Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks with this self-driving bundle tour. Explore stunning natural wonders, uncover fascinating human history, and embark on breathtaking hikes!
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Bryce Canyon National Park - Named after the Mormon Pioneer Ebenezer Bryce, Bryce Canyon was designated a National Park in 1924. It is renowned for its distinctive geology, featuring a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah.
NOTE: Each tour spans over 20 miles, includes more…
- Bryce Canyon National Park - Named after the Mormon Pioneer Ebenezer Bryce, Bryce Canyon was designated a National Park in 1924. It is renowned for its distinctive geology, featuring a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah.
NOTE: Each tour spans over 20 miles, includes more than 50 audio stories, and takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete.
Enjoy new, lifetime access with no expiration. Use it anytime, on any trip, as often as you like.
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Bryce Canyon Visitor Center - Begin this incredible journey through Bryce Canyon National Park just before the Visitor Center. As the drive starts, discover how the canyon got its name and learn about the original Paiute people who inhabited this land.
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Fairyland Point - Our first stop is the stunning Fairyland Point. This overlook provides a fantastic preview of everything Bryce Canyon offers: expansive vistas, steep cliffs, and the iconic hoodoos!
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Sunrise Point - Next, we visit one of the park’s most famous spots: Sunrise Point. From here, enjoy unique, picturesque rock formations and numerous natural trails leading into the vast, alien landscape.
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Bryce Amphitheater - The self-guided driving tour continues around the renowned Bryce Amphitheater! The canyon forms a giant semicircle and descends far below.
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Sunset Point - Our drive takes us to another breathtaking vista overlooking the Bryce Amphitheater: Sunset Point. Here, learn about the science behind the formations and understand what makes a hoodoo. Explore the impact of geology and erosion over time to appreciate how this incredible landscape was formed.
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Inspiration Point - The tour continues deeper into Bryce Canyon, heading towards Inspiration Point. Learn about the Paiute people and their mythologies, which offer their own explanations for the landscape’s uniqueness and the origins of Bryce’s famous hoodoos.
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Bryce Point - Arriving at Bryce Point, enjoy one of the most scenic views of the full amphitheater. Bryce Point is also renowned for its extraordinary sunrises. Watch as the tops of hoodoos are illuminated by the first rays of the rising sun, with the orange light spreading like fire, driving shadows from all but the deepest recesses of the amphitheater. Learn about the Mormon settlers who followed the Paiute and tried to make a living in this challenging climate.
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Paria View - The tour continues to Paria View, where the effects of a centuries-old glacier are visible. As the earth warmed around 12,000 years ago, the last ice age ended. The melting glaciers that covered the American continent released water that flowed down the canyon.
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Swamp Canyon Overlook - The drive now takes us to the lesser-visited part of the park. At Swamp Canyon Overlook, learn about a famous local: Butch Cassidy! Discover the stories of Butch, Sundance, and the difference between fact and fiction as the self-guided tour continues.
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Farview Point - Our next stop is Farview Point. It’s not just the elevation that provides incredible views here – the area also offers something increasingly rare today: clean air! This is aided by the abundance of bristlecone pines, the Earth’s oldest trees.
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Natural Bridge - The tour passes by Natural Bridge, showcasing unusual arches and formations – a marvel even after seeing the hoodoos of the amphitheater!
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Bryce Canyon Road - At Agua Canyon, two prominent hoodoos stand out. On the left is “The Hunter,” the taller of the two towers, and on the right is “The Rabbit.” Despite their names, neither resembles a hunter or rabbit! Learn about the rabbits, deer, and other wildlife of Bryce, and discover how they survive the scorching summers and freezing winters.
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Ponderosa Canyon - This brings us to Ponderosa Point, offering views of the park’s iconic junipers stretching into the distance. We are now venturing into the deepest parts of Bryce Canyon National Park.
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Black Birch Canyon - The self-guided drive continues towards Black Birch Canyon Overlook. Learn about the night sky and opportunities for amateur astronomy while here. The stargazing at Bryce is unmatched.
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Rainbow Point - Finally, we reach the farthest overlooks inside Bryce Canyon: Rainbow and Yovimpa. From here, see nearly everything in Bryce Canyon – the quintessential hoodoos, the lush basin, the steep cliffs. You can even see that you’re on the top step of the massive “Grand Staircase” – a geologic structure “stepping down” to the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
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Red Canyon - The arch ahead and its twin further down the road are the Red Canyon Arches. They might resemble natural arches, but they’re man-made. Workers tunneled through solid rock here in 1914 to make way for the road. Since then, these have become a gateway to the beautiful expanse of Bryce Canyon.
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Zion National Park - Zion National Park is a nature preserve in southwest Utah, known for Zion Canyon’s steep red cliffs. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive cuts through its main section, leading to forest trails along the Virgin River. The river flows to the Emerald Pools, featuring waterfalls and a hanging garden. Also along the river, partly through deep chasms, is the Zion Narrows wading hike.
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Springdale Visitor Center - Welcome to Zion National Park! This raw landscape offers it all: towering mountain peaks, stunning natural pools, and breathtaking vistas. Explore it all today.
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Zion Canyon Visitor Center - Continue straight. Just before the bridge, a path on the left marks the start of the Pa’rus Trail. Just after the bridge is another path – the Watchman Trail. Both are popular hikes with fantastic views at the end.
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Zion Human History Museum - While little is known about the Ice Age hunters, newer residents left their stories behind. Around 300 BCE, people began settling here and farming. They grew squash and corn, gradually learning to better cultivate the land and survive the harsh climate. The Fremont people developed a drought- and cold-resistant species of corn that thrived even at high altitudes.
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Canyon Junction Bridge - Approaching Canyon Junction Bridge, there’s much to see:
First, it’s a great sunset spot. Be sure to return later.
Second, enjoy views of the Watchman and other mountains. If you find parking, take it and listen to the Learn More stories about the peaks.
Third, this is where the road splits:
Turn left to drive along the Scenic Road and visit the Narrows, Angel’s Landing, or the Emerald Pools.
- Zion Canyon Scenic Drive - What a view! Those three mountains are the iconic Court of the Patriarchs. And who are these patriarchs?
A local Christian minister named them after three biblical figures: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, from left to right.
- Zion National Park Lodge - The park service strives to keep this place as natural and untouched as possible while managing over 4 million visitors annually. But in the early 1900s, no one knew about this place, which meant no revenue and led to development.
- Emerald Pools - First, bring plenty of water! You may think you have enough, but you probably don’t. Utah’s heat is relentless, and heat-stroke or sun-stroke can easily ruin a vacation.
Second, don’t overexert yourself! Hiking here is more challenging than you might expect due to the elevation. Ensure you don’t embark on journeys you’re not confident you can complete.
- Angel’s Landing - This park offers many great trails, but Angel’s Landing is in a league of its own. Those who complete the hike describe it as a breathtaking experience, offering unparalleled views and a major adrenaline rush.
- The Grotto Picnic Area - This spot features picnic tables, restrooms, and fire grates. However, the surrounding trails are the main attraction!
- Weeping Rock Trail - A continuous stream of water trickles down its face from a stream far above.
- Big Bend Viewpoint - As we round the Big Bend of the Virgin River, we approach the last viewpoint on this drive. Stop for magnificent views of the Great White Throne and the towering peak of Angel’s Landing.
- Temple of Sinawava - To see the Narrows, follow the paved Riverwalk to the end. It’s a flat, easy walk, full of beautiful greenery and towering natural skyscrapers. Before setting off, learn about the Temple of Sinawava.
- The East Temple - The towering summit ahead is the East Temple, standing at 1,700 feet. Notice how the cliff isn’t all one color? This is because these cliffs are composed of rock from various eras in the earth’s history.
- Zion scenic drive viewpoint 2 - At the next hairpin turn, you’ll see a pull-off. If there’s room, stop for incredible views. While stopped, click on Learn More to hear why the Mormons called this place Zion.
- The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel - Turn on your headlights – the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is just ahead! Once inside, you might be tempted to stop and take photos, but resist the urge: stopping is strictly prohibited.
- Canyon Overlook Trail - The Canyon Overlook Trail is one of East Zion’s finest – even though it’s short and easy. Why? The spectacular views from the top.
- Altar of Sacrifice - Look closely at the Altar of Sacrifice, and you’ll notice rusty red streaks running down the sides. Early Mormon pioneers thought it resembled blood spilling from a sacrificial altar. Of course, there’s a much less gruesome explanation.
- Checkerboard Mesa - Look at that mesa rising into the sky. Notice anything peculiar? As you get closer, you should see a strange grid of criss-crossed lines all over it. It resembles a checkerboard, hence the name Checkerboard Mesa!
- East Entrance Ranger Station - We’ve reached the East Ranger Station, marking the end of our tour. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the formation of this majestic place and the people who’ve lived here over the millennia. If you’re planning to visit other parks in the southwest, such as Bryce, Arches, or Monument Valley, be sure to check out my other tours.

- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular…
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- My audio tour works smoothly on the Zion NP shuttle bus journey from March to September.
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Entry tickets to Zion & Bryce Canyon.
- Park Passes
- Entry tickets to Zion & Bryce Canyon.
- Park Passes
Why choose just one park when you can explore two? This package offers tours of Zion and Bryce Canyon, two stunning Utah parks located right next to each other! Experience natural marvels like Zion’s Temple of Sinawava and Bryce’s enigmatic hoodoos. Enjoy breathtaking views from incredible overlooks. Discover the intriguing human history of each park….
Why choose just one park when you can explore two? This package offers tours of Zion and Bryce Canyon, two stunning Utah parks located right next to each other! Experience natural marvels like Zion’s Temple of Sinawava and Bryce’s enigmatic hoodoos. Enjoy breathtaking views from incredible overlooks. Discover the intriguing human history of each park. Plus, if you’re feeling adventurous, embark on unforgettable hikes!
Purchase one tour per vehicle, not per individual.
After booking, check your email or text messages to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the specified starting point.
New, lifetime access, with no expiration. Use it anytime, on any trip, as often as you like.
From March to late November: Driving on Zion’s scenic drive is not allowed. Use the audio stories on the shuttle bus. Driving is permitted when the shuttle service is not operating.
- How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car’s stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
- For the best experience, please use an iPhone running iOS 15 or later, an Android device running version 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular connectivity, as these are recommended for navigation.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.