Updated 2026 – Southwest road trip itinerary and photography guide
This post is part of my Southwest road trip photography series covering Arizona, Utah, and Nevada.
If you missed the earlier days, you can follow the full trip here:
Southwest Road Trip Photography Guide – Phoenix, Sedona, Page, Zion & Las Vegas
After an incredible day in Page, Arizona photographing Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, it was time to head north toward Springdale, Utah — the gateway to Zion National Park. The drive from Page to Zion is not very long, but it turned into one of the most interesting days of the trip because there are so many unique stops along Highway 89.
We got up early, packed the gear, and started the drive north with no strict schedule, which is usually the best way to travel through this part of the Southwest.
Page, Arizona to Zion National Park: Distance & Drive Time
The drive from Page, Arizona to Zion National Park is roughly 115 miles and takes about 2½ hours without stops. But I wouldn't plan on driving it straight through. Highway 89 passes several interesting places that can easily turn the trip into a half-day adventure.
Our route took us from Page north on Highway 89 toward Kanab before continuing toward Zion National Park and Springdale. Along the way, we stopped at Lone Rock Beach, hiked to the Toadstool Hoodoos and visited the Kanab Dinosaur Tracks before entering Zion from the east.
If you're not in a hurry, this is one of those drives where the stops along the way can be just as memorable as the destination.
Page to Zion drive time: About 2½ hours without stops
Route: US-89 toward Kanab, then UT-9 toward Zion
Best stops: Lone Rock, Toadstool Hoodoos and Kanab
Destination: Zion National Park / Springdale, Utah
Recommended time: Allow at least half a day if you want to explore along the way
Best Stops Between Page and Zion National Park
Lone Rock Beach – Wahweap Bay, Lake Powell
Our first unexpected stop came when we saw a sign for Lone Rock Beach near Wahweap Bay, part of the Lake Powell recreation area. We had not originally planned to stop here, but curiosity got the best of us.
As soon as we pulled in, we realized this place was huge. The beach stretched out for what felt like miles, with campers and trucks parked right along the shoreline. People were driving directly onto the sand, setting up tents, and just relaxing by the water.
It had a very peaceful feeling, completely different from the busy tourist areas we had seen the day before. With the red rock cliffs in the distance and the wide open sky, it was easy to see why people come here and stay for days at a time.
I grabbed a few photos before we continued on, but this is definitely a place I would come back to with more time.
Toadstool Hoodoos – One of the Best Hidden Stops on Highway 89
Continuing north on Route 89, we made our next stop at the Toadstool Hoodoos. This was one of those places I had seen online but didn’t really know what to expect.
The hike to the hoodoos is short and fairly easy, but the landscape changes quickly as you walk in. The rock formations look almost unreal, with large balanced stones sitting on narrow bases, shaped by years of erosion.
It was the middle of the day, so the lighting wasn’t ideal for photography, but that is part of the challenge when traveling. You don’t always get golden hour, so you have to work with what you have. I spent some time walking around looking for angles that would give the formations more depth and shadow, and managed to come away with a few shots I was happy with.
This was one of those stops that turned out to be better than expected.
Kanab Dinosaur Tracks
Our next stop along Highway 89 was the Kanab Dinosaur Tracks. Neither of us had ever seen real dinosaur tracks before, so this was something we didn’t want to miss.
The site itself is pretty simple, but standing there looking at footprints left millions of years ago is a strange feeling. It’s one of those moments where you realize just how old the landscape out here really is.
We spent some time walking around the area, taking a few photos, and then continued north toward Utah.
Driving the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway Into Zion
One of the best parts of driving from Page, Arizona to Zion National Park is the way you enter the park. Rather than approaching Zion through Springdale and the South Entrance, the route from Page takes you north toward Kanab and then west on Utah Route 9, bringing you into Zion through the East Entrance.
And what an entrance it is.
Once inside the park, Route 9 becomes the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway, winding through an incredible landscape of sandstone cliffs, slickrock and seemingly impossible rock formations. After spending the day driving through the wide-open landscapes of northern Arizona and southern Utah, this is where the scenery begins to change dramatically.
The centerpiece of the drive is the Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel, a 1.1-mile tunnel carved directly through the sandstone cliffs. Construction began in the late 1920s, and the highway and tunnel opened in 1930 as part of an effort to connect Zion with other destinations in the region, including Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon.
Driving through it is an experience in itself.
But the real payoff comes when you emerge from the tunnel on the western side. From there, the highway begins descending toward Zion Canyon through a series of switchbacks, with the massive canyon walls rising around you. If Zion is your destination, I think approaching from the east is one of the most dramatic ways to arrive.
There are also several places worth exploring along this stretch of road. The Canyon Overlook Trail begins near the east entrance of the tunnel and is a relatively short one-mile round-trip hike to a viewpoint overlooking Pine Creek Canyon and lower Zion Canyon. Parking near the trailhead is extremely limited, so don't necessarily count on being able to stop during busy periods.
Eventually, Route 9 drops into Zion Canyon and continues toward the South Entrance and Springdale. After spending the day stopping at places like Lone Rock, the Toadstool Hoodoos and Kanab, arriving in Zion this way felt like the perfect finale to the drive from Page.
One important update for anyone making this drive today: Zion changed its large-vehicle rules in June 2026. Oversized vehicles are no longer permitted on the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway between the East Entrance and Canyon Junction and must use an alternate route. If you're traveling in an RV, towing a trailer or driving another large vehicle, check the National Park Service's current vehicle restrictions before planning this route.
Night Sky Photography in Zion – The Watchman
After dinner and a little rest, we headed back out for some night photography near the Zion Visitor Center. I wanted to try to get a shot of The Watchman with the night sky behind it.
Conditions were good, and the sky was clear, so I set up for long exposures and started experimenting with different shutter speeds. With longer exposures, the stars began to trail slightly, giving the photos a completely different look than the daytime shots.
Night photography in the Southwest is something special. The skies are dark, the air is clear, and the landscape takes on a completely different mood once the sun goes down.
It turned into a great way to end the day.
Tomorrow we planned to spend a full day exploring Springdale and Zion National Park, which would turn out to be one of the highlights of the entire trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Driving From Page, Arizona to Zion National Park
How far is Page, Arizona from Zion National Park?
Page, Arizona and Zion National Park are roughly 115 miles apart, depending on your exact destination inside the park. The route travels through northern Arizona and southern Utah, passing through the Kanab area before approaching Zion from the east.
How long does it take to drive from Page to Zion National Park?
Plan on roughly 2½ hours of driving without stops. However, I recommend allowing considerably more time if this is part of your Southwest road trip. There are several worthwhile places to explore between Page and Zion, and it's easy to turn what would otherwise be a relatively short drive into a half-day or full-day adventure.
What is the best route from Page to Zion National Park?
The most direct scenic route generally takes you west from Page on US-89 toward Kanab, then onto Utah Route 9 toward Zion National Park. You'll enter Zion through the East Entrance and follow the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway through the park toward Zion Canyon and Springdale. The National Park Service identifies State Route 9 through Mt. Carmel Junction as the approach to Zion Canyon from the east.
Is the drive from Page to Zion scenic?
Absolutely. This is one of those Southwest drives where the journey is part of the experience. You'll travel through high-desert landscapes and colorful rock formations before entering Zion from the east, where the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway winds through the park.
What are the best stops between Page and Zion National Park?
Some of our favorite stops were Lone Rock Beach, the Toadstool Hoodoos and the Kanab Dinosaur Tracks. You can choose just one or two if you're trying to reach Zion quickly or make a full day of the drive by exploring several places along the way.
Can you drive from Page to Zion National Park in one day?
Yes. Page and Zion are close enough that the drive can easily be completed in one day. In fact, you can make several stops along the way and still arrive in Zion that afternoon or evening. That's what we did on our Southwest trip.
Can you visit Antelope Canyon and Zion National Park on the same day?
It's possible, but I wouldn't try to pack too much into the day. Antelope Canyon tours operate on scheduled times, and the drive to Zion takes several hours once you include stops and entering the park.
Do you drive through Kanab when traveling from Page to Zion?
Yes. The typical route from Page to Zion takes you through the Kanab area, making Kanab a convenient place to stop for food, fuel or another attraction before continuing toward Zion.
Do you enter Zion through the Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel when driving from Page?
If you're following the standard route from Page through Kanab and entering Zion from the east, you'll travel along the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway and through the 1.1-mile Zion–Mount Carmel Tunnel before descending toward Zion Canyon.
Is there a time change between Page, Arizona and Zion National Park?
Potentially, yes—and this is worth paying attention to. Most of Arizona remains on Mountain Standard Time year-round and does not observe Daylight Saving Time. Utah does observe Daylight Saving Time. That means that during part of the year, Zion National Park can be one hour ahead of Page, Arizona. The situation can become even more confusing around Page because the nearby Navajo Nation observes Daylight Saving Time even though most of Arizona does not. If you have timed reservations or activities planned, verify the local time rather than assuming your phone has handled every time-zone change correctly.
Can RVs drive the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway?
This changed in 2026. As of June 7, 2026, Zion National Park no longer allows vehicles exceeding its size and weight limits to travel the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway between the East Entrance and Canyon Junction. This affects many RVs, trailers, buses and other large vehicles. If you're traveling in a large vehicle, check the current National Park Service restrictions before choosing your route.
Is the drive from Page to Zion National Park worth it?
Definitely. If you're already visiting Page, the drive to Zion connects two spectacular parts of a Southwest road trip without requiring an extremely long travel day. More importantly, there is enough to see between them that the drive becomes an experience of its own rather than simply transportation from one destination to another
Continue the Southwest Road Trip Series
Southwest Road Trip Itinerary – Phoenix, Sedona, Antelope Canyon, Zion & Las Vegas
Previous Day - Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Photography Guide – Page Arizona
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