Zion and Bryce Cyn. question

[fjrmark]

I have a trip planned in mid may to ride through Zion and Bryce Cyn. My question is how long time wise does it take to ride through both legs? I will be stopping to take in the sights. Heading in from the 15fwy will end up in Torrey.

 

[Geezer]

One day for each would be plenty. Zion takes a little more time than Bryce due to the size of the place and the traffic.I have been to both at least twice and they are worth seeing. There are many other things worth seeing in that part of Utah that you can spend a couple of weeks there without getting bored.

 

[Spud]

Here's a report from when I went there 2 years ago.

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=137554

 

[scubatech]

I have a trip planned in mid may to ride through Zion and Bryce Cyn. My question is how long time wise does it take to ride through both legs? I will be stopping to take in the sights. Heading in from the 15fwy will end up in Torrey.

Zion has incredible hiking trails if you like that sort of thing. Bryce does too but it's higher altitude and totally different terrain. Both parks are very beautiful.

 

[Ignacio]

I have a trip planned in mid may to ride through Zion and Bryce Cyn. My question is how long time wise does it take to ride through both legs? I will be stopping to take in the sights. Heading in from the 15fwy will end up in Torrey.

It depends. At one extreme end you can visit both within 90 minutes with the FJR if you're gathering bonuses in a rally....maybe as little as 70 minutes (I did in 2010 at midnight in the Utah 1088). That said, you don't drive THROUGH Bryce as you drive in and back.

Personally, if I were flower sniffing and doing lots of short hikes from the bike I'd spend a couple of days on the two...and I'd add Kolob Canyon to the list (it's about 60 miles from the west entrance of Zion). Maybe Kolob & Zion one day....and maybe get a room in Bryce....then the Canyon the next day.

 

[Tyler]

I have a trip planned in mid may to ride through Zion and Bryce Cyn. My question is how long time wise does it take to ride through both legs? I will be stopping to take in the sights. Heading in from the 15fwy will end up in Torrey.

Nice place to stay in Torrey, Rim Rock Inn. As others have stated, it depends on what you want to do and how much time you want to take to do it... I did a 2-week tour to the southwest in Oct. 2011 and we visited Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, and the Grand Canyon. Report and photos here if you want to get some ideas. We took a day off due to rain and took the park tour of Zion which was nice to walk around, etc. I think Zion and Bryce could both be done comfortably in one day but if you want to do some hiking, etc. you might want to take a bit more time at each place.

And I sure hope you're planning on riding Hwy. 12 from Bryce to Torrey... one of the best motorcycle roads in the country. B)

 

[canucklehead-biker]

I have a trip planned in mid may to ride through Zion and Bryce Cyn. My question is how long time wise does it take to ride through both legs? I will be stopping to take in the sights. Heading in from the 15fwy will end up in Torrey.

And I sure hope you're planning on riding Hwy. 12 from Bryce to Torrey... one of the best motorcycle roads in the country.

+1 on Hwy 12... absolutely GORGEOUS motorcycle road!

 

[FJReady]

I have a trip planned in mid may to ride through Zion and Bryce Cyn. My question is how long time wise does it take to ride through both legs? I will be stopping to take in the sights. Heading in from the 15fwy will end up in Torrey.

And I sure hope you're planning on riding Hwy. 12 from Bryce to Torrey... one of the best motorcycle roads in the country.

+1 on Hwy 12... absolutely GORGEOUS motorcycle road!

Exactly my sentiments. I rode it from Bryce to Torrey and almost turned around to do it again, but I had to get to Moab that night. You'll enjoy it. It's grand!

 

[marcusorelius]

Bryce canyon (with my dear departed duke)

 

[fjrmark]

Thanks for all your replies. The first leg will be from Lost Wages or Mesquite into Zion, laying over in Tropic. Second leg will be from Tropic thru Bryce to Torrey or somewhere heading west back toward the 89 south or the 143 . Any suggestions on places to stay, roads to ride. I have no plans from Torrey except west and south so any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Thanks for all your replies. The first leg will be from Lost Wages or Mesquite into Zion, laying over in Tropic. Second leg will be from Tropic thru Bryce to Torrey or somewhere heading west back toward the 89 south or the 143 . Any suggestions on places to stay, roads to ride. I have no plans from Torrey except west and south so any input would be appreciated.Thanks.

Here's your input: Go back and re-read what Ignacio said. This is NOT a part of America you want to hurry through. It's incredible. The first time I rode highway 12 I stopped about every half a mile just to gawk. ALL directions out of Torrey offer amazing scenery. Take more time.

And definitely take the time to get off your bike and walk (and climb) in those parks. Bring comfortable shoes and a water bottle.

 

[Geezer]

After Torrey head East and get a look at Arches and Canyonlands. You can rush through both in one day or take your time and spend a day at each. There is a hike at Arches to get right up to Delicate Arch. That's worth the hike if you are up to it. Carry plenty of drinking water.

There is lodging in Torrey. There is also lodging in Moab.

 

[jcyuhn]

Don't forget that parts of Zion are closed to vehicle traffic; you have to park and ride the shuttle bus. Plan to spend some time hiking, it's the only way to really experience the park. Zion was my personal favorite becuase you are in the canyon as opposed to looking down at it from the rim.

There's lodging in Springdale just outsize Zion. Also Kanab has an interesting old motel where all the film cast & crews stayed while making westerns in the area. Stayed there while on a bicycle tour of the area. It's kind of interesting to see the photos of John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, etc. eating in the coffee shop and lounging around the pool.

 

[Tyler]

Don't forget that parts of Zion are closed to vehicle traffic; you have to park and ride the shuttle bus. Plan to spend some time hiking, it's the only way to really experience the park. Zion was my personal favorite becuase you are in the canyon as opposed to looking down at it from the rim.
There's lodging in Springdale just outsize Zion. Also Kanab has an interesting old motel where all the film cast & crews stayed while making westerns in the area. Stayed there while on a bicycle tour of the area. It's kind of interesting to see the photos of John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, etc. eating in the coffee shop and lounging around the pool.

That reminds me... great hotel just outside of downtown Springdale, Driftwood Lodge. Their onsite restaurant has excellent food too!

 

[marcusorelius]

Coming up hwy 12 from Zion, ya want to make a detour down Burr trail road. A very scenic ride through a red rock lined canyon. Link shows ya google map where it is, Ya can see in the video. (at 40 sec through 2.30)

https://goo.gl/maps/qC55W

 

[stealth1]

I live about an hour from Zion and I never tire of the scenery and the trails.

Bryce has good trails too but is at a higher altitude and the trails mostly go down into the canyon so the second half is all uphill back to the rim, where Zion trails are mostly uphill on the first half and then back down.

I agree with the earlier poster about Kolob being worth a visit as well. Also Cedar Breaks if you can work it in.

If you are coming from near sea level expect some adjustments to the altitude if you plan on hiking.

PM me when you are ready to come and I'll send you my cell # in case you have problems or questions about the area.

I might even go ride with you some if you like.

John

 

[fjrmark]

Thanks again to all of you for your input and suggestions. I do plan on taking my sweet time in both Zion and Bryce so I can take it all in and take plenty of pictures. May can't come fast enough, I want to go NOW!!!!!

 

[Tyler]

Just be ready to be flexible in your schedule at that time of the year... when we went in October of last year, one day it was snowing at Bryce so we delayed our visit there by a day which worked because it was clear that day! B)

 

[Roy Epperson]

In Bryce, ride to the end of the road into the Park and then sight see coming back. That put "all" the turnouts on your right so you won't have to make left turns in front of the gockers....