Sundance ~ Zion ~ Grand Canyon
Dec 3rd, 2015, 06:06 AM
#1
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Sundance ~ Zion ~ Grand Canyon
Hi!
I'm planning a trip for August 2016 and can't decide where to go! My first choice was hiking in Glacier National Park; however the costs is quite a leap for us (airline tickets from Florida are $1K per person+lodging+meals, etc.). Therefore, I am trying to find alternatives.
What attracted me to Glacier are the hiking trails, wildlife and breath-taking scenery. Those are very important to me.
Here is what I have right now: we would be flying into Salt Lake City and then heading to the Sundance Resort for a few days and then driving (4 hrs) to Zion and the to the Grand Canyon (over a 7 to 8 day period.)
My question... should I drop Sundance and hit other points of interest? My hubby also suggested traveling to CA and driving up to Seattle.
Any suggestions? Thanks!
I'm planning a trip for August 2016 and can't decide where to go! My first choice was hiking in Glacier National Park; however the costs is quite a leap for us (airline tickets from Florida are $1K per person+lodging+meals, etc.). Therefore, I am trying to find alternatives.
What attracted me to Glacier are the hiking trails, wildlife and breath-taking scenery. Those are very important to me.
Here is what I have right now: we would be flying into Salt Lake City and then heading to the Sundance Resort for a few days and then driving (4 hrs) to Zion and the to the Grand Canyon (over a 7 to 8 day period.)
My question... should I drop Sundance and hit other points of interest? My hubby also suggested traveling to CA and driving up to Seattle.
Any suggestions? Thanks!
Dec 3rd, 2015, 07:38 AM
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These are all great places, and only you can answer this question. If you want to skip Sundance, you can fly into Las Vegas and add Bryce Canyon to your itinerary, which would mean less driving. That might be cheaper.
Dec 3rd, 2015, 08:17 AM
#3
Your post isn't all that clear - do you have a few days for Sundance PLUS 7 or 8 days for the Zion/GC leg? Or is it 7 or 8 days in total?
>> My hubby also suggested traveling to CA and driving up to Seattle.
>> My hubby also suggested traveling to CA and driving up to Seattle.
Dec 3rd, 2015, 08:26 AM
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Given what you say drew you to Glacier, have you considered going to Yellowstone? Look for lodging in West Yellowstone (4 and a half to 5 hrs from Salt lake City).
If you do decide on the Utah parks, as has been suggested, look to doing a loop from Las Vegas. It is usually a bit less for airfare and much less for car rentals. Southwest flies there and does not show up on the discount sites. If you are flexible, look at the low fare calendar on their site.
If you do decide on the Utah parks, as has been suggested, look to doing a loop from Las Vegas. It is usually a bit less for airfare and much less for car rentals. Southwest flies there and does not show up on the discount sites. If you are flexible, look at the low fare calendar on their site.
Dec 3rd, 2015, 09:21 PM
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Glacier National Park is an excellent hiking park. If it important - do it; otherwise you may never have another opportunity.
Lodging is always expensive, but tenting is not. August is a tenting time at Glacier. Food cost is variable. Buy a small camper stove with your tent once you arrive at your destination. Wal-Mart has reasonable camping equipment since it will be a use/toss type of purchase.
Campsite OUTSIDE of park.
https://search.yahoo.com/local/s;_yl...&fr=hp-avast-s
Camping IN park
http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/camping.htm
I camped outside the park and rode my motorcycle plus some recreational hiking. All memorable.
IF POSSIBLE - or make time __
http://www.conradmansion.com/index.html
One of the finest original homes in the west - including all original furniture
Vaga
Lodging is always expensive, but tenting is not. August is a tenting time at Glacier. Food cost is variable. Buy a small camper stove with your tent once you arrive at your destination. Wal-Mart has reasonable camping equipment since it will be a use/toss type of purchase.
Campsite OUTSIDE of park.
https://search.yahoo.com/local/s;_yl...&fr=hp-avast-s
Camping IN park
http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/camping.htm
I camped outside the park and rode my motorcycle plus some recreational hiking. All memorable.
IF POSSIBLE - or make time __
http://www.conradmansion.com/index.html
One of the finest original homes in the west - including all original furniture
Vaga
Dec 4th, 2015, 06:13 AM
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Thank you all so much for your insights!!
To clarify -- total days would be 7 to 8.
I will be looking into the Yellowstone/Tetons suggestions via Vegas or Denver.
RVvagabond, thank you for the tent camping ideas too for Glacier! Hubby and I are avid campers in FL and I hadn't considered this as an alternative in Glacier.
To clarify -- total days would be 7 to 8.
I will be looking into the Yellowstone/Tetons suggestions via Vegas or Denver.
RVvagabond, thank you for the tent camping ideas too for Glacier! Hubby and I are avid campers in FL and I hadn't considered this as an alternative in Glacier.
Dec 4th, 2015, 06:18 AM
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Just to clarify, it's Utah parks via Las Vegas (instead of Salt Lake City). It's Yellowstone via Salt Lake City or Jackson, and it's Rocky Mountain National Park via Denver.
You don't want to go to Yellowstone via Las Vegas or Denver. I don't think you meant that, but that's what you wrote.
You don't want to go to Yellowstone via Las Vegas or Denver. I don't think you meant that, but that's what you wrote.
Dec 12th, 2015, 02:36 PM
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Wink,
Just in case the airfare to SLC is a good deal, you should know that the hiking in northern Utah is fantastic! Fly into SLC and you can be hiking in the Wasatch Mountains, which the Sundance area is part of. Go an hour further east and hike in the Uinta Wilderness at high altitude and lots of camping there. Campground reservations needed for Th - Sun all summer and early fall. Lots of beautiful day hikes there and also out of Sundance.
Sundance lodging is NOT cheap, but Park City lodging in the summer has some great deals in all price points and types.
Just in case the airfare to SLC is a good deal, you should know that the hiking in northern Utah is fantastic! Fly into SLC and you can be hiking in the Wasatch Mountains, which the Sundance area is part of. Go an hour further east and hike in the Uinta Wilderness at high altitude and lots of camping there. Campground reservations needed for Th - Sun all summer and early fall. Lots of beautiful day hikes there and also out of Sundance.
Sundance lodging is NOT cheap, but Park City lodging in the summer has some great deals in all price points and types.
Dec 13th, 2015, 03:37 PM
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You have all made some really great suggestions and I will need time to research the areas you have all mentioned and subsequently, look into traveling via SLC or Vegas or Denver.
I can definitively state we won't be camping. Camping is A LOT of work, --totally worth it-- but I'm going to opt for a little pampering on this trip. That said, I'd still like to stay somewhere where I can enjoy the wilderness; I guess that's why the studios at Sundance were appealing.
I can't thank you all enough for your wonderful suggestions! I will be back once I've set an itinerary as I will no doubt need suggestions on hikes, lodging, etc.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
I can definitively state we won't be camping. Camping is A LOT of work, --totally worth it-- but I'm going to opt for a little pampering on this trip. That said, I'd still like to stay somewhere where I can enjoy the wilderness; I guess that's why the studios at Sundance were appealing.
I can't thank you all enough for your wonderful suggestions! I will be back once I've set an itinerary as I will no doubt need suggestions on hikes, lodging, etc.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
