Self-Launched: Hike & E-Bike Bryce and Zion National Parks

Fly into Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). The TRAX light rail Red Line runs directly from the airport to downtown Salt Lake City for around $2.50 — skip the taxi. Check into a well-rated downtown hostel or budget hotel and spend the evening exploring the city. Temple Square and the surrounding downtown area are great for an easy first-night wander. Pick up supplies for the days ahead at a nearby grocery store — snacks, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle will be essential.

🚌TRAX Red Line light rail from SLC airport to downtown (~$2.50 / ~£2)

🛏Avenues Hostel Salt Lake City or similar — dorm from ~£30/night, private from ~£70/night

• →Arrive at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
• →Take the TRAX Red Line light rail to downtown (~$2.50)
• →Check in to budget accommodation in downtown Salt Lake City
• →Evening stroll around Temple Square and City Creek Canyon
• →Grocery run for trail snacks and supplies

Rent a car from Salt Lake City — a compact rental for the remaining days costs around £40-55/day and is essential for reaching the parks. Drive south on I-15 (~3 hrs) to Kolob Canyons, the quieter northwest section of Zion National Park. Hike the Timber Creek Overlook Trail (1.5 miles round trip, ~450ft elevation gain) for sweeping canyon views with far fewer crowds than the main Zion valley. Your Zion National Park entry fee ($35 per vehicle, ~£28) covers both Kolob Canyons and the main Zion Canyon. Continue driving to the Springdale/Mt Carmel area and check into a budget motel or guesthouse near the park entrance. Grab dinner at one of Springdale's excellent casual restaurants — Café Soleil or Zion Pizza & Noodle are local favourites.

🚌Rental car from Salt Lake City — drive ~270 miles south via I-15 (~3.5 hrs). Car hire essential for this itinerary.

🛏Zion Canyon Campground (tent pitch ~£25) or Harvest House B&B / Under Canvas Zion glamping (budget cabin ~£70-90) near Springdale

• →Pick up rental car in Salt Lake City (~£45/day)
• →Drive south on I-15 to Kolob Canyons (~3 hrs)
• →Hike Timber Creek Overlook Trail (1.5 mi round trip, great panoramic views)
• →Drive to Springdale / Zion area and check in
• →Dinner in Springdale — try Zion Pizza & Noodle or Café Soleil

An action-packed day in one of America's most iconic national parks. Start early — the Zion Canyon Shuttle (free, included with park entry) fills up fast in peak season. Hike the Emerald Pools Trail (Lower, Middle, Upper — ~3 miles) connecting to the Kayenta Trail and pushing up to Scout Lookout for panoramic views across the canyon (allow 3-4 hrs). Bring a packed lunch from the grocery store. In the afternoon, rent an e-bike independently from Zion Guru or Zion Cycles in Springdale (around $60-80 / ~£48-64 for a half-day), and cruise the 6-mile Zion Canyon Scenic Drive beneath towering Navajo sandstone walls, stopping at viewpoints at your own pace. Head back to Springdale for a well-earned dinner — your guide choice tonight.

🚌Free Zion Canyon Shuttle (included with park entry). E-bike rental from Springdale.

🛏Same as Day 2 — Springdale area motel/guesthouse/campground

• →Take the free Zion Canyon Shuttle from Springdale visitor centre
• →Hike Emerald Pools Trail → Kayenta Trail → Scout Lookout (~3-4 hrs, 6 mi)
• →Packed lunch at a canyon viewpoint
• →Rent an e-bike from Zion Guru or Zion Cycles in Springdale (~£50-65 for half-day)
• →E-bike the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive beneath the sandstone cliffs
• →Dinner in Springdale — pick from local restaurants

Drive ~1.5 hours northeast to Bryce Canyon National Park — a separate entry fee applies ($35 per vehicle / ~£28). Arrive early to beat the crowds and snag a parking spot at Sunset Point. Hike the classic interconnected loop: Navajo Loop → Queens Garden Trail (~3 miles, ~521ft elevation change) — one of the most spectacular trail combinations in the American Southwest. For a longer day, add the Peekaboo Loop (~5.5 miles) through the heart of the amphitheater. Weave through towering crimson hoodoos, narrow slot passages, and sweeping rim views. Bring plenty of water and your packed lunch. Return to the Springdale area in the late afternoon. Tonight's a great opportunity to do some stargazing — both Zion and Bryce are designated Dark Sky areas.

🚌Drive ~85 miles from Springdale to Bryce Canyon via UT-9 and US-89 (~1.5 hrs each way).

🛏Same base near Springdale, or consider moving to a budget motel near Bryce Canyon City to save driving time (Ruby's Inn area — rooms from ~£70)

• →Drive from Springdale to Bryce Canyon (~1.5 hrs via UT-9 and US-89)
• →Pay Bryce Canyon National Park entry ($35/vehicle, ~£28)
• →Hike Navajo Loop → Queens Garden Trail (~3 mi loop, descending into the amphitheater)
• →Optional extension: add the Peekaboo Loop for a full 8-mile day
• →Packed lunch among the hoodoos
• →Evening stargazing at Bryce Canyon or back at your lodging

Check out and hit the road southwest — the Mojave Desert highway is part of the magic. Stop at Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada (~2.5 hrs from the Zion area), paying the $15 per vehicle state park entry fee (~£12). Hike the White Domes Trail (1.25 miles, a striking loop through red Aztec sandstone, a narrow slot canyon, and open desert) and continue on the Mouse's Tank Trail (2.4 miles round trip) to natural water basins with ancient Ancestral Puebloan petroglyphs. Continue the ~55-mile drive into Las Vegas, arriving mid-to-late afternoon. Check into a budget hotel or hostel on or near the Strip — prices vary wildly, so book ahead. Spend the evening exploring the neon-lit Strip on foot — it's completely free and utterly surreal after days in the desert silence.

🚌Drive from Zion area to Valley of Fire (~2.5 hrs), then onward to Las Vegas (~1 hr). Drop rental car at LAS airport or keep for Day 6 drop-off.

🛏Las Vegas — Hostel Cat, USA Hostels Las Vegas, or budget Strip hotel. Dorm from ~£20, private room from ~£55 (midweek rates).

• →Drive from Zion area southwest to Valley of Fire State Park (~2.5 hrs)
• →Pay Valley of Fire State Park entry ($15/vehicle, ~£12)
• →Hike White Domes Trail (1.25 mi loop through slot canyon and red sandstone)
• →Walk Mouse's Tank Trail (2.4 mi return) to Native American petroglyphs
• →Drive ~55 miles into Las Vegas (~1 hr)
• →Check in to Las Vegas Strip area hostel or budget hotel
• →Evening walk along the Las Vegas Strip — free and spectacular

Your adventure ends this morning. Grab breakfast at one of the many 24-hour diners or casino buffets — a classic Las Vegas experience in itself. If your flight isn't until later, the free Las Vegas Monorail and the RTC bus network (single journey ~$2) can take you along the Strip for a final look. Return your rental car at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) — allow plenty of time as car return queues can be long. The airport is well-connected with direct flights across the US and internationally.

🚌Drive rental car to LAS airport (~10 mins from Strip) or take RTC Deuce bus (~$2). Return rental car.

🛏Check out from Las Vegas accommodation

• →Breakfast at a classic Las Vegas diner or casino
• →Optional: final walk along the Strip or visit Fremont Street
• →Return rental car to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
• →Depart from Las Vegas (LAS)