Frommer's Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks

This is more a guide for active recreation than for trip-planning. There's nothing on restaurants or hotels -- but there's lots of information, good suggested websites and maps for the various national parks in each area. It's also not too big or bulky so it's easy to take on hikes. We'll be using it for a one week trip to the area, but it's comprehensive enough that even if you lived in the area and visited frequently it would still be a good resource to have. It's not really written from a particular viewpoint or voice, but is rather an objective compilation of info about the region.

If you're after a fine pocket-format guide to the ins-and-outs of exploring Bryce and Zion parks, look no further. Use it to find less-known trails and overlooks, and worthwhile strategies for exploring the parks -- such as the suggested order in which to hike two connected trails. Also valuable: the 1 or 2 day itineraries of shouldn't-miss highlights. The one shortcoming separating it from a fifth star is in the areas of lodging and, especially, food. Several times, recommendations seemed dated, or places didn't quite measure up. For example, a Springdale deli suggested for day-hike take-along sandwiches in Zion is no longer especially cheap, and uses supermarket-quality bread and cold cuts. We fared better on restaurant recommendations by checking online resources and asking locals. Also note that there are better (or supplementary) specialty books for hard-core hikers seeking a serious backwoods experience. Within those constraints, a solid (and easily carried) resource we found ourselves referencing regularly.

This book was very helpful in seeing as much as possible in a short visit. Lots of information - worth the price to have on your vacation.

This guide is smaller than the typical Frommer's and can fit handily in your back pocket. There is plenty of coverage on the best hiking trails and scenic drives through both Zion and Bryce National Parks as well as easy side trips you can make while visiting. There is also full coverage of the hotels and restaurants in the area. As always, Frommer's also includes a "Best of" section to help you zoom in on the best options for the things you're most interested in. Overall, this guide is very helpful. In addition to the basics, there are plenty of helpful tips on how to avoid crowds, what to bring with you, how best to see animals, etc. The authors cover all the bases clearly and concisely and make planning a trip to these beautiful national parks a much easier process.

This guide proved to be an excellent resource during our recent trip to the Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Highlights of this book include how comprehensive it was despite its relative brevity, the easy-to-read writing style, and its off-the-beaten-path recommendations.The authors discussed all the subjects I was looking for in a travel book. They covered the usual "where to stay" and "where to eat" topics very well, including reviews of the campgrounds in the parks. We were very satisfied staying and eating at the places recommended by the authors. A particular strength of the book was its overview of the numerous hiking trails of the two parks. The trails were organized by length, and the authors gave good recommendations about which trails to do. One hike that they recommended as a "find" was a beautiful, short stroll to an icy cave, but because of its location off the main park road, we were completely by ourselves. The authors even discussed some of the backcountry hiking, if you are inclined to strap on your pack and head off into the wilderness. The chapter on the natural history of the parks was also excellent. There was a description of the geological events that formed the parks, the flora and fauna, and the diverse ecosystems. The geological discussion in particular was especially helpful for understanding how the layers of rock were laid down over millions of years.The authors gave good sample itineraries for experiencing the park in a day or two. Recommendations on seeing the sunrise across the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon and on visiting some of the less traveled sections of Zion were very worthwhile. Nice bonuses in the book included information for kids, RVers, and people with disabilities. The book also had information on practical things like where to get gas, buy supplies, do your laundry, etc. There is even a section on places to visit near the national parks such as some of the Utah state parks and nearby national monuments.Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone heading to Zion and Bryce Canyon. It definitely enriched our experience and made planning a whole lot easier.