If there is one U.S. state that excels when it comes to the sheer number and magnificence of its national parks, it has to be Utah. Utah is the home of such awesome spots as Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Dinosaur National Monument and Natural Bridges National Monument, to name just a few. However, in Southwest Utah, a duo of national park gems await the eager visitor. On a recent three-month fifth-wheel RV trip, we had the pleasure of visiting these two magical areas-Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks.

We spent nearly a week in Southern Utah, making the KOA campground in Cedar City our home port. Within fairly easy driving distance of Cedar City are Zion and Bryce as well as Cedar Breaks National Monument and the interesting towns of Brian Head, Parowan and Panguitch. Both Zion and Bryce Canyon warrant at least a full day of exploring, and you can spend several more days discovering the full beauty of this unbelievable section of Utah.

Cedar Breaks, Brian Head and Beyond
During our first day, we had planned to visit Cedar Breaks National Monument (a gigantic, multicolored natural amphi­theater) and the high-country resort town of Brian Head. As this was mid-May, we didn't anticipate much in the way of road trouble, as the area's famous snowfalls should have been left far behind (or so we thought). As luck would have it, the Cedar Breaks route was closed because of heavy snow blocking the road and would be for a few weeks to come. It's not unusual for this area (some roads are located as high as 10,000 feet) to have lasting snow through the early summer months. We were not too disappointed, as we had been to Cedar Breaks twice before, once during a picturesque autumn where the canyon's rim was trimmed with golden aspen trees.

Undaunted, we decided to take the high-country route that was open through the mountains down to the picturesque town of Panguitch, on up to the resort of Brian Head and back to Route 15 by way of Parowan. Each of these areas holds an individual charm: Panguitch with its funky shops and small-town hospitality, Brian Head because of its ski-resort ambiance and Parowan for its famous old stone church, historical significance and interesting architecture. Brian Head, in particular, is worth a drive through, just for the high-mountain scenery. The route from Panguitch to Brian Head is usually open all year.

Zion
Zion National Park is one of the most-visited national parks in the United States, and with good reason. Thousands of years ago, forces of nature shaped Zion canyon, and the result is astonishing. Volcanic activity, eons of water flow and underground upheavals formed Zion's sheer cliffs, mighty streams and colorful formations, creating the area we see today. Nowadays, a national park bus service ride through the park (you cannot take personal transportation into the park, except during the winter) reveals all the natural wonder of the area, and the bus lets you on and off at all the important stops and hiking trails.

Visitors can marvel at such areas as the Temple of Sinawava, the Weeping Rock, Angels Landing, the Grotto and more. A short hike at the end of Zion canyon (1-2 miles) is particularly impressive, as it leads you down a path between towering cliffs (although your feet may become wet in the stream that meanders along the route). Short hikes to the Emerald Pools and the Weeping Rock are also highly recommended.

Naturally, there's an educational visitor's center, a Zion Human History Museum complete with introductory film, picnic areas, gift shops and more. One word of note: If you are visiting Zion from the east entrance, you must pass through a mile-long tunnel. If you are pulling a fifth-wheel or driving a large RV, you must be escorted through this narrow and low tunnel.