nina

I'm trying to put together a National park trip, we've done GC and Sedona, so this time we'd like to do Zion, Bryce, maybe arches, I'm open to any suggestions.

We're a family of 4, 2 boys ages 13 and 16, we can go from 1 week to 2 weeks, and would love suggestions for rustic but nice accomodations, also, lots of activities for the kids. We'd love to raft, mountain bike and horseback ride.

I'm clueless about driving times and distances, so please give me any and all trip suggestions!

Thank you. Oh, this would be for this summer.

utahtea

They have banned tubing in the Zion boundries, but you can rent intertubes in Springdale, Utah just outside the park and tube down the Virgin River for a couple of miles. It's a lot of fun! There is horseback riding in Zion, but I've never done it.

There is no water activity in Bryce that I know of. There is horse back riding in Bryce. While I haven't done this either, I do know that if you want to ride in the park, you have to book thru the park concessionaire and there is a 220 pound limit.

In Page, AZ you can do a half day float trip on the Colorado River. This is not white water. They use motorized rafts to take you down 14 miles of very scenic canyons and then bus you back to Page, AZ. My 17 year old nephew said this was the highlight of our 2 week trip to the area.

Page, AZ is also the home of Glen Canyon National Recreational Area, Lake Powell. You can take boat tours or rent water crafts here.

Arches is near Moab, Utah. There are no water activities in the park, but you can find mild white water rafting trips outside in Moab, Utah. We did the day rafting trip when our boys were younger than yours and it was a lot of fun. You will also find a lot of serious mountain bike trails in the area.

Utahtea

nina

Thanks Utahtea, you're always a wealth of knowledge. I'm sure you don't remember but you helped me out with our trip to the Grand Canyon and Sedona three years ago!

KathrynT

We took a one day raft trip out of Moab several years ago with Tag-a-long Advenutres that was definitely not mild. We did the Westwater Canyon trip which included beautiful scenery and some pretty good whitewater rapids which had us totally soaked by the end of the day. I think my kids felt it was the highlight of our trip. Website: http://www.tagalong.com/trips/river_trips/wa0.html. There are several companies that do trips on different rivers - we opted for an all day trip but there are trips for several days or a half day as well.

Another big hit was hiking through the Narrows in Zion. You'll want sturdy water shoes (or old tennies that you'll toss afterwards) but it was a beautiful and fun way to cool off in the heat of summer.

Those of us who don't mind heights also enjoyed the mule ride down into Bryce Canyon (the company that has the contract with the NPS is the only one that goes into the canyon.) Height-phobic Mom (me) was less delighted with the ride.

Zion and Bryce both have cabins and motel-type lodging in the park run by a concession (check the NPS websites) but I don't believe Arches has any lodging. Nearby Moab, however, has lots of places to stay.

Hope this helps. You'll have a great trip!

nina

Thanks for the great advice Kathryn..do you know how far (driving time) it is from Zion to Moab? Bryce to Moab?

I'm in the initial planning stages and until I get a good map, am clueless!

KathrynT

Nina,

I checked mapquest.com for driving distances and found Zion to Moab was slightly over 5 hours and Bryce to Moab was slightly less (4 hrs and 51 minutes).

Hope this helps

utahtea

Hi nina,

WOW, three years ago! I guess I've been around a while...LOL!

The route you take between Zion and Bryce to Moab will make a big difference in the driving time. The fastest route from Zion to Moab is to Interstate's 15 & 70 at a little more than 5 hours driving time. Depending on your route, you might be better off going from Zion to Bryce and then on to Moab. Zion to Bryce is about 2 hours.

The fastest way from Bryce to Moab is about 4 hours and 45 minutes, BUT the most scenic route will be to drive scenic hwy 12 between Bryce and Torrey, Utah and then Hwy 24 to I-70. This route will take 7 hours of driving time, and there are so many scenic places to stop on the way, including Capitol Reef National Park.

Utahtea

NinafromCT

I certainly don't mean to steal this thread but coincidently my family is also thinking of touring the National Parks. I'm wondering what really is the best time of year (weather wise) to plan such a vacation. The rustic accomodations wouldn't appeal to DH at all. Although I'm sure my boys would love it! Any suggestions?

utahtea

NinafromCT,

July and August are going to be the hottest months. Late May - early June or late September - early October will be the mildest weather times.

Utahtea

NinafromCT

Utahtea, thank you so much for your quick response. Again, Nina, I did not mean to "hijack" your thread. I didn't think you would mind my quick question. I see you are thinking of going this summer. Maybe we'll end up there at the same time! My dh works in the city and we'll have to work our trip around his schedule. I may end up just going with my extended family. But, I'd love to meet you someday. After all, we have the same name!

nina

Yes, what a coincidence. I'd love to meet you, name the time and place and we'll make it a date!

nina

Oh and Nina, you must be a night owl, you're up awfully late on the east coast!

NinafromCT

Nina, I'm up all hours especially the past few nights. My youngest son has had an awful virus. So, it's been no rest for weary around here.

Maybe we'll meet someday. I'm just cautious when it comes to the internet. There are so many nut cases out there, you know!

PS: Good luck with your trip plans. Ours are on hold for now. Dh is up for a promotion and it could mean another move.