If you have a week to spend in this corner of Utah, it makes sense to spend a couple of days exploring Zion National Park [1] and another day or two at Bryce Canyon National Park [2].
An ideal week in this part of Utah would begin near St. George [3], either camping at Snow Canyon State Park [4] or finding the perfect balance of exertion and relaxation at one of the local spa resorts, then heading to Zion National Park for a couple of days of hiking.
From Zion, head east and north to Bryce Canyon National Park [2], for another two days of exploring. Don’t forget to venture outside the borders of the national park here to check out the great scenery and trails at nearby Kodachrome Basin State Park [5] and Red Canyon [6].
From the Bryce area, head west across the Markagunt Plateau [7] (spend a summer night at the Cedar Breaks [8] or ski at Brian Head [9] in winter) to Cedar City [10], where the summertime Shakespeare Festival [11] makes a good end to the trip.
Guided bus and van tours of many of southwestern Utah’s grandest sights are available from Southern Utah Scenic Tours (435/867-8690 or 888/404-8687, www.utahscenictours.com [12]).
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/utah/zion-and-bryce/zion-national-park
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/utah/zion-and-bryce/bryce-canyon-national-park
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/utah/zion-and-bryce/st-george
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/utah/zion-and-bryce/st-george/snow-canyon-state-park
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/utah/the-escalante-region/grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument/sights-along-hwy-12/kodachrome-basin-state-pa
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/utah/zion-and-bryce/bryce-canyon-national-park/red-canyon
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/utah/zion-and-bryce/the-markagunt-plateau
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/utah/zion-and-bryce/the-markagunt-plateau/cedar-breaks-national-monument
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/utah/zion-and-bryce/the-markagunt-plateau/scenic-byway-143
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/utah/zion-and-bryce/cedar-city
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/utah/zion-and-bryce/cedar-city/events
[12] http://www.utahscenictours.com