5-6 Days?

Question

** Cross posting in Utah forum ***

Seeking spring break recommendations! We are empty nesters in our 50s trying to plan our next adventure in April. We will have 5-6 full days to explore. We enjoy easy hikes, scenery, photography- basically just exploring new places! We’d like to see as much as we can, but also want to have a little “down” time. This is our 1st time visiting this part of the US and we are trying to decide between the following 2 trips. We could fly into Vegas and visit Zion & Bryce Canyon. Or, we could fly into Phoenix and visit Sedona & the Grand Canyon. Any recommendations for which trip would work best for 5-6 days are greatly appreciated!

Answer

For a 5–6 day spring break trip, both options—flying into Las Vegas to explore Zion and Bryce Canyon, or flying into Phoenix to explore Sedona and the Grand Canyon—are excellent, but they offer slightly different experiences in terms of scenery, travel time, and ease of access. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide.

Option 1: Las Vegas → Zion & Bryce Canyon

This itinerary is ideal if you want dramatic desert landscapes, unique rock formations, and national park photography opportunities. Both parks are known for iconic scenery, easy to moderate hikes, and accessible viewpoints.

Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas, overnight in Las Vegas or nearby Springdale (closer to Zion).
Day 2–3: Zion National Park – easy hikes like Riverside Walk, Lower Emerald Pool, Canyon Overlook Trail, or Angel’s Landing if comfortable. Photography opportunities at Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
Day 4–5: Bryce Canyon National Park – easy hikes such as Navajo Loop, Queen’s Garden, or sunset/sunrise viewpoints. Drive between Zion and Bryce is about 1.5–2 hours.
Day 6: Return to Las Vegas (approx. 4–5 hours) for departure.

Pros:

Iconic desert landscapes and rock formations unique to the Southwest.
Well-developed park facilities with short, accessible trails for photography and easy hikes.
Shorter driving distances between parks compared to some Arizona options.

Cons:

Can feel a bit more “touristy” in peak spots like Zion’s shuttle areas.
Limited variety in scenery compared to combining Sedona and the Grand Canyon.

Option 2: Phoenix → Sedona & Grand Canyon

This option combines desert scenery with forested canyon landscapes, red rock formations, and Grand Canyon vistas. It’s a slightly more relaxed pace with more variety in terrain.

Day 1: Arrive in Phoenix, overnight in Scottsdale or nearby.
Day 2–3: Drive to Sedona (2 hours). Explore Red Rock State Park, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, easy hikes, and photography. Sedona town offers galleries and scenic stops.
Day 4–5: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (approx. 2.5 hours). Easy hikes along Rim Trail, viewpoints like Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and short descents like Bright Angel Trail (optional).
Day 6: Return to Phoenix (approx. 3.5–4 hours) for departure.

Pros:

Variety of landscapes: red rocks, desert, pine forests, and the Grand Canyon.
Shorter drives between main attractions compared to Zion → Bryce → Las Vegas route.
More options for relaxing in town or scenic viewpoints.

Cons:

Limited time at each park if you want to fully explore Sedona and the Grand Canyon.
Less dramatic canyon hikes compared to Bryce or Zion for some iconic formations.

Recommendation: For a first-time visit with 5–6 days and a focus on photography, easy hikes, and a mix of landscapes, the Phoenix → Sedona & Grand Canyon route may feel more relaxed and offer greater variety, while still allowing you to see iconic Southwest scenery without excessive driving. If your priority is dramatic desert rock formations and more concentrated national park time, the Las Vegas → Zion & Bryce option is excellent and slightly more compact.

5-6 Days?

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