alcm

I am planning a little getaway, driving tour in mid November.

I will be flying in/out of Las Vegas and renting a car from there.

I would like to do a 5 day trip that includes Grand Canyon and hopefully Monument Valley. Other than that, I am open to anything else. Here are my 2 thoughts:

1. My first thought was a big loop Vegas to Vegas up via Utah and back down. But....is it too cold for Zion/Bryce areas in mid November? I will only have a basic midsize rental car.

2. My other thought was a more southern loop, adding Canyon de Chelly or something, but it seems harder to find services & accommodation in the Navajo areas. And then I will miss out on the Utah parks.

Any tips for a suggested itinerary?

Again, it would be about 5 days total, I like stunning scenery but won't have the ability to do serious winter driving and I have NO idea what the conditions are like there at that time of year (I'm from Canada).

Otis_B_Driftwood

With that limited amount of time, I would recommend 2 nights Grand Canyon (South Rim) and 2 nights Zion. Most of your first day at each will be in getting there so you will have one full day to spend at each.

emalloy

I would expect Zion to be fine temperature wise, Bryce probably cold and snowy, so I would opt for GC and Zion or GC and Canyon de Chelley. IMO Canyon de Chelley is much better in terms of Native American interests, if you use a Navajo guide. Monument Valley has nice scenery, but our guided tour was not much better than we could have done on our own for much less.

I would not expect to have any trouble with lodging at either park in November and so would look at the weather as you are about to leave before deciding on which park to visit first. It is about 3 hrs to Zion, about 5-6 hrs to GC. If you get into Vegas early enough, you could make it to Zion early enough to do a little hiking on your day of arrival, or head for Grand Canyon, probably will be after dark when you get there, but you would be there for sunrise and sunset the next day, spend the next night there and then head to Zion for 2 or 3 nights. If you plan to fly out in the evening you could even hike in the am before heading out.

The scenery is all spectacular, enjoy a great trip either way.

Dayle

alcm,

Zion is a MOB SCENE over Thanksgiving weekend, and as a Canadian I know, you know, ours is later......avoid Zion then. Everyone from St. George and Las Vegas crowds into Zion and it's no fun. Before US Thanksgiving weekend should be OK, but I would still make res in advance.

Bryce will be cold and probably snowy. I would save it for another trip to UT.

Have fun!

ziggypop

alcm,last year my wife and I had the same plans as you have. We ended up seeing Zion and the Grand Canyon only. We just ran out of time because in mid November the sunshines for less than 12 hours a day and driving times just seem longer than you think they will. If you go to Zion be very very carefull while driving because there were deer everywhere like I've never seen before. As far as snow I think in that part of the country it really depends on the elavation of the roads. I've driven in the mountains in the snow and it was horrible, and I live in Minnesota so the snow didn't scare me, it was the looking down part! I would have hotel reservations ahead of time for the Grand Canyon as lodging is limited. enjoy your trip, ziggypop

JENNY64NY

I DID THE VEGAS/GRAND CANYON TRIP LAST MARCH OF 2010. I BOOKED MY GRAND CANYON HOTEL THROUGH HOTWIRE.COM FOR UNDER $100. IT WAS ABOUT 5-10 MILES FROM THE CANYON. WE RENTED A MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE...THE RIDE WAS EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL. TO BE HONEST THE GRAND CANYON WAS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL BUT YOU DON'T REALLY NEED TO SPEND MORE THAN ONE DAY THERE. WE GOT TO CANYON AROUND 12PM SPENT THE AFTERNOON/EVENING THERE...TOOK SOME NICE SUNSET PICTURES AND BASICALLY WENT BACK TO HOTEL N HAD DINNER N WENT TO BED. WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GO BACK IN AM TO SEE THE SUNRISE HOWEVER...WE HAD A CELL PHONE GLICH WITH ALARM CLOCK SO WE WOUND UP LEAVING EARLIER THAN WE ANTICIPATED AND DIDN'T FEEL LIKE WAITING. SO WE DROVE BACK TO VEGAS TO LOSE ALL OUR MONEY ONE REGRET THAT WE HAVE WAS NOT TAKING THE LONG WAY BACK TO VEGAS. WE STOPPED ALONG ROUTE 66 AND IT WAS SOOOOOOOO AWESOME. I TOOK MY BEST PICS ON ROUTE 66! SO IF I WERE YOU, I WOULD TAKE THE LONG WAY BACK TO VEGAS. FROM WHAT I REMEMBER IT IS ONLY AN HOUR OUT OF THE WAY. ALSO CHECK OUT THE RED ROCK CANYON AND VALLEY OF FIRE WHILE YOU HAVE YOUR RENTAL IN VEGAS. BOTH ARE LESS THAN $10 TO GET INTO AND BOTH ARE BREATHE TAKING. THEY ARE BOTH ABOUT 30 MINS FROM VEGAS. IN MY OPINION...THIS WAS WAY BETTER THAN THE WHOLE TRAVEL TO GRAND CANYON. HOPE THIS HELPED! ANY QUESTIONS...FEEL FREE TO ASK OH AND BRING A WINTER COAT N SOME GLOVES TO GRAND CANYON BC IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE REALLY WIND N CHILLY

crefloors

No need to "shout" JENNY.

elnap29

Valley of Fire is indeed worth a stop. It is only 30 min. off the highway.

With your timeframe, I'd just go to Grand Canyon (South Rim) and Zion with Valley of Fire on the way if time (and daylight)allows. As stated above, your daylight hours are limited this time of year.

wrestlpsu

you mentioned too cold ?
what is too cold ?
zion is spectacular anytime of the year
best western zion inn....for the value its the best in springdale.
bryce....fantastic when it snows....the white against the
red/orange cliffs....spectacular.
rubys inn

of course if you were staying longer you could rent our
house in zion
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