Zion vs. Bryce Canyon?

[aurora]

Has anybody here visited both Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, and if so do you have a preference? We would be looking to camp and hike for a couple of days before Thanksgiving. We would check the weather a few days in advance to make sure it's not unseasonably bad, but in general we're not worried about cold or snow (have plenty of experience with winter camping/hiking/outdoor activities), just curious if one of the parks is considered much better than the other for some reason.

[dutchgirl678]

I've been to both. We spent a day and a half in each. Bryce and its unique pinnacles are truly spectacular and a sight to see if you've never been. I felt like we had seen it in a day though. Zion provided more variety in the sights to be seen. We saw streams and hiked up and saw the canyon from different angles. It's hard to pick. I'm not sure what the weather would be like around Thanksgiving though.

[basilosaurus]

I'd go with Bryce for this time of year. Hiking through the water in Zion was pretty awesome, but it's a summer activity IMO.

[GilliC]

I have some friends who did a Thanksgiving trip to Zion and they rave about it years later. They're both veteran back-country campers, but if you're good with winter camping, you should be okay. I think they did mention that there were a few longer treks they couldn't make because of the seasonal conditions, but they had a great time. If you have any specific questions, I can ask my friend (he lives here now, and we work together).

[smsm24]

Zion is significantly lower in elevation it will warmer - we usually mt biking in the area over Thanksgiving it usually beautiful

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[aurora]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far!

This is a good point:

Oct 16, 2012 3:31:45 GMT -5 smsm24 said:

Zion is significantly lower in elevation it will warmer - we usually mt biking in the area over Thanksgiving it usually beautiful

especially since we will have our mountain bikes as part of a longer trip (we know we can't mtb within the park itself, but it might be nice to check out an area trail or two).

I'm sure the Thanksgiving weather will be chilly, but that's when we have time and will be in the general vicinity.

[smsm24]

That area has my favorite mt biking (better than moab imo) check out bear claw poppy, gooseberry or church rocks. Lots of fun rising there.

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[smsm24]

Free primitive camping at the gooseberry trail head and it looks into zion. Also look into guacamole trail

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[aurora]

Oct 18, 2012 0:16:18 GMT -5 smsm24 said:

Free primitive camping at the gooseberry trail head and it looks into zion. Also look into guacamole trail

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Thanks for this extra tip, too! I have heard great things about Gooseberry.

Getting more excited about this idea, so now I really hope it works out.

[fabkc]

Another vote for Zion. Bryce is gorgeous, but if you look at it from the overlooks and take a short hike, I feel you have seen a lot of it. Zion seems to have more to explore. And will definitely be warmer. The river hike at Zion is amazing and it may be worthwhile to look into whether you can rent wet or dry suits. Bryce in the snow is also truly breathtaking though. If I were you, I might consider splitting time between the two.

[aurora]

Oct 26, 2012 21:42:14 GMT -5 fabkc said:

Another vote for Zion. Bryce is gorgeous, but if you look at it from the overlooks and take a short hike, I feel you have seen a lot of it. Zion seems to have more to explore. And will definitely be warmer. The river hike at Zion is amazing and it may be worthwhile to look into whether you can rent wet or dry suits. Bryce in the snow is also truly breathtaking though. If I were you, I might consider splitting time between the two.

Thanks for your input! Zion does seem like the better option based on what has been said here and what we've researched in the meantime. We've been looking into the river/canyon hikes and it seems like we'll definitely have to get wet suits if we want to do both of them. Now just trying to work out whether we can get enough time off work to add the trip to our overall itinerary.

[sarahsas]

Zion for sure. I did both last summer. Both are pretty but Zion also has a cute little town outside the park.