Since Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are only about a 1.5 hour drive away from each other, it’s worth combining the two into one beautiful road trip. If you’re looking for the best gluten-free restaurants in Zion and Bryce, here’s where you should eat. Plus: Where to stay and some insider tips for visiting each park.
The Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Zion
Zion was actually surprisingly easy to eat safely gluten-free! These were my favorite restaurants:
Bit and Spur Restaurant & Saloon: This was the best gluten-free meal I’ve had in a long time, something I was not expecting to find in Utah! The name doesn’t quite fit this restaurant – it’s a cute Mexican place with a huge outdoor patio. I read a review that said the owner has Celiac – I can’t verify that, but I can confirm that they are really careful about cross-contact here. The waitress asked me if my gluten-free was Celiac, and when I said yes, pointed out all the items that were made in a dedicated fryer. This included the chips and the Chili Rellenos – I haven’t been able to have Chili Rellenos since going gluten-free, and it was an amazing treat! Plenty of options here, and I felt great after eating. Be sure to get the margarita of the day (it changes based on what fruit is in season and uses freshly squeezed juice.) I would have eaten here every day if I didn’t find this place on the last day.
Cafe Soleil: Located just outside Zion National Park, this cafe is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Oscars Cafe: Lots of gluten-free options and a separate toaster for gluten-free bread.
Where to get groceries for Zion:
If you’re driving in from Las Vegas, you might want to stop at one of the larger grocery stores on the way, such as Davis Food & Drug in La Verkin or Natural Grocers in St. George. However, Sol Foods, the small grocery store just outside Zion National Park actually had a ton of gluten-free options (including Wasa gluten-free crackers, gluten-free snack mixes, gluten-free frozen, foods, etc.). Be warned though that Sol Foods is REALLY expensive – think $8 for Annie’s gluten-free mac & cheese or $17 for a large bag of almonds. I spent $90 on a single bag of groceries here, but was glad I did, as gluten-free groceries in Bryce were minimal, so stock up here.
Tips for Hiking The Narrows
Is renting the gear package for The Narrows worth it? I was skeptical, but after doing the full hike, I can confirm that it is totally worth it, even in the summer. The package included boots that are not waterproof, but are designed to get wet and drain well – and featured much better traction than my standard hiking boots. They come with neoprene socks that prevented any blisters, and a stick that was KEY for balancing on the rocky trail.
There are also colder weather packages for when the water is chilly, but it was warm enough the day I went that we didn’t need it. I definitely would have slipped and had waterlogged shoes for 10 miles if I didn’t rent the gear – plus I don’t think my regular hiking boots would have fully dried for days.
Rent the Narrows gear from Zion Outfitter, which is located right outside the park where the shuttle drops off. The warm weather package cost $32 which is similarly priced to other options that were less convenient. Pro Tip: rent your gear for The Narrows the night before you hike – it doesn’t cost any extra if you pick it up between 4-7, and it will save you time in the morning which is very important, because The Narrows gets really crowded and you’ll want to get up early in order to avoid long shuttle bus lines and tons of people at the start.
There is a bathroom and water bottle fill station at the shuttle bus station where The Narrows hike begins, but no other facilities on the trail, so be sure to bring lots of food and water.
Keep in mind that The Narrows can be significantly cooler than the rest of the park, as the canyon keeps it in shade (and you’ll be wet for most of the hike), so bring a sweatshirt or jacket even on a 90 degree day.
Where to Stay in Zion National Park
Location is key for Zion National Park since you can’t drive in most of the park during busy months and have to take a shuttle. You’ll find everything you need at Cable Mountain Lodge, which is located right next to Zion National Park, and puts you right next to the Visitors’ Center and shuttle stop. Cable Mountain Lodge is located in a cute little walk-able village that has a brewery, restaurant, gear outfitter, general shop, and souvenir store.
Cable Mountain Lodge is surprisingly modern, and the rooms are really spacious. The suites have a kitchen with stove top, microwave, refrigerator, and balcony. There’s also a pool and hot tub on property with great Zion views, as well as a nice seating/BBQ area on the sandy banks of the Virgin River.
Zion Lodge is another great choice – since it’s located inside the park, you’ll be one of the few people allowed to drive (at least to the hotel) into the park. You’ll also have easy access to the park after the shuttle stops running, and a store and restaurant at the hotel. However, you’ll need to book early, as this hotel sells out pretty far in advance.
The Best Gluten-Free Restaurants Near Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce didn’t have as many options as Zion, but you can still eat safely here!
Stone Hearth Grill: This was my gluten-eating friends’ favorite meal of the trip, and I loved it too. They have plenty of gluten-free options clearly marked on the menu and the waiter was really well-versed in Celiac. I felt totally fine after eating here. This is more of a fancier restaurant, with higher prices, but I had a glass of wine, main course, and dessert for only about $50. We also came here in our hiking clothes and felt a little bad, but the dress code here ranged from hiking boots to heels!
Definitely make a reservation in advance – we were turned away the first night because they were full and could only get a reservation for the next day for a very early 5:30 pm dinner.
IDK BBQ: A large portion of the menu was gluten-free, and if you’re a vegetarian, they do have a baked potato that could suffice as a meal in an emergency! This is a fast-casual sit-down place which is good as a lot of the sitdown restaurants around Bryce have really long wait-times in the summer.
If you’re driving back to Zion or Las Vegas from Bryce, be sure to make a detour to stop at The Primitive Waffle, a DEDICATED, 100% gluten-free place in the small town of Parowan, Utah! The food is so good – there are savory waffle sandwiches, salads, and the best gluten-free scones I’ve ever had. Just call first to confirm they are open, as hours on the restaurant’s website differ from Google’s.
Where to Stay in Bryce Canyon
Bryce Pioneer Village is in a great location just a short drive outside of Bryce Canyon National Park. This cheap hotel is a good bargain, and it’s worth spending a bit more for the Family Suites, which are townhouse-style apartments that have multiple bedrooms, a living room, and fully-equipped kitchen.
Great resource!