Visitor Information

Information -- Start with the national park offices for information on what to see and do, and for current warnings or changes that might not be included in this book, such as road or trail closures, or extreme fire danger that might limit your park activities. Both of the parks have excellent websites, and we strongly recommend that one of your last activities before leaving home on your national park trip should be to check the park websites for any last-minute developments.

For advance information on what to see and do in Zion National Park, contact Zion National Park, Utah 9, Springdale, UT 84767-1099 (tel. 435/772-3256; www.nps.gov/zion). Officials request that those seeking trip-planning information write rather than call. It's best to write at least a month before your planned visit, and specify what type of information you need.

You can also purchase books, maps, and videos related to the park from the nonprofit Zion Natural History Association, Zion National Park, Springdale, UT 84767 (tel. 800/635-3959 or 435/772-3264; www.zionpark.org). Some publications are available in foreign languages, and videos are available in DVD, VHS, or PAL formats. Those wanting to help the nonprofit association can join ($35 single or $50 family annually) and get a 20% discount on purchases, a 20% discount on most Zion Canyon Field Institute classes, and discounts at most other nonprofit bookstores at national parks, monuments, historic sites, and recreation areas.

Among the publications available from the Zion Natural History Association are the inexpensive and easy-to-understand 22-page booklet An Introduction to the Geology of Zion National Park, by Al Warneke. Those who want more information, plus some spectacular photos, should consider Water, Rock, & Time: The Geologic Story of Zion National Park, by Dr. Robert L. Eves. Another good book is Exploring the Backcountry of Zion National Park: Off-trail Routes, by Thomas Brereton and James Dunaway.

Those planning to spend a lot of time on the trails and in the backcountry should purchase the association's topographic map, the Zion Topographic Map. The association also publishes a handy pocket-size Zion Canyon Shuttle Guide.

For additional information about the area contact the Zion Canyon Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 331, Springdale, UT 84767-0331 (tel. 888/518-7070; www.zionpark.com).

For advance information on what to see and do in Bryce Canyon National Park, contact the park at P.O. Box 170001, Bryce Canyon, UT 84717 (tel. 435/834-5322; www.nps.gov/brca). It's best to write at least a month before your planned visit, and specify the kind of information you require.

If you desire even more details to help plan your trip, you can order books, maps, posters, DVDs, and videos (in VHS and PAL formats) from the nonprofit Bryce Canyon Natural History Association, Box 170002, Bryce Canyon, UT 84717 (tel. 888/362-2642 or 435/834-4600; fax 435/834-4102; www.brycecanyon.org). The association does not offer memberships at this time but does give a discount to current members of other national park natural history associations.

Among the books that the association sells is the excellent Hiking Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks, by Erik Molvar and Tamara Martin, which was updated for 2005 and includes detailed trail descriptions for both parks. The Bryce Canyon Auto and Hiking Guide, by Tully Stroud and Paul R. Johnson, is published by the association and has discussions of the various viewpoints and hiking trails, a variety of color photos of the park, and historic black-and-white photos. For those seeking more details on the park's geology, the association publishes Shadows of Time: The Geology of Bryce Canyon National Park, by Frank DeCourten, John Telford, and Hannah Hinchman.

For additional information on the area, contact Bryce Canyon Country (the Garfield County Office of Tourism), 55 S. Main St. (P.O. Box 200), Panguitch, UT 84759 (tel. 800/444-6689 or 435/676-1160; fax 435/676-8239; www.brycecanyoncountry.com).

Those planning other stops in Utah during their visit to these national parks should consider purchasing Frommer's Utah, and those visiting other national parks in nearby states may want to purchase Frommer's National Parks of the American West. Both are by Don and Barbara Laine, the authors of this book.

Lodging & Camping Reservations -- Both Zion and Bryce Canyon Lodges, which are among the best places to stay while visiting these parks, are often booked months in advance, especially for the busy summer season. Even the basic motels in the parks' gateway towns often fill up, so we recommend making lodging reservations as early as possible. However, you can almost always find some place to stay, so don't hesitate to take that spur-of-the-moment vacation. In fact, even Zion and Bryce Canyon Lodges will often have last-minute cancellations, so it's well worth checking.

Reservations are also recommended for those planning to stay at commercial campgrounds in the gateway towns for both parks, especially if you'll be arriving in the late afternoon or evening, and especially if you have a large motor home or trailer. Reservations are not accepted at National Park Service campgrounds at Bryce Canyon, but a reservations system has been implemented at one campground (Watchman) in Zion.