3. Zion Canyon Loop, Utah
About 100 miles from Vegas, this rock star drive starts around St. George, Utah looping around Cedar City and into Zion National Park. You pass through some rugged mountains and old ghost towns along the way, but the towering rock formations, contorted cliffs, carved canyons and mighty monoliths of Zion are the real highlight. It’s an otherworldly landscape of ancient mesas, bluffs and buttes that change color with the sun. Those rich red hues around sunup and sundown are mesmerizing.
