Taltul

Hi,
This message is the first of many that I'll be posting on the U.S. forums because my husband and I are planning a long trip to the States in the spring. I'm sure all you Fodorites will help me out like in the past (in the European forums)!
We're in our 60's and love travelling. Unfortunately, my husband had a stroke a year and a half ago - he's recovered but he won't be up to driving long distances and I can't do it on my own. We want to go to Las Vegas and travel in the area to Zion and Bryce parks (at least).
Does anyone have experience with the bus tours? We don't want an in-and-out tour of two days. Is there any other way of getting there besides renting a car? Are there shuttles in the parks that take you to the highlights in the parks? Are there trails that would suit somebody with more limited ability? (He can walk but not for hours and not difficult terrain.)
I'd hate to give up this part of the trip because I've heard how beautiful these parks are. I also know that we have to reserve months in advance. We are also considering the Grand Canyon (but that's another forum.)
Thanks!

WhereAreWe

When you say drive long distances, what does that mean? How long can you drive and how long of a drive is he up for?

There is a shuttle from Las Vegas to St. George, where you could rent a car to drive to Zion. However the drive from Las Vegas to St. George is less than 2 hours, and the drive from St. George to Zion is only about an hour.

Zion to Bryce is only a 1.5 hour drive.

So what I'm getting at is these aren't long drives, at least not for most people. It is far better to rent a car and drive yourself so you can do what you want, rather than stay on a tour's schedule.

You would have to use a park shuttle in Zion, and yes there are some easy walks in the park. Bryce also has a shuttle during the summer, or you could just drive to the viewpoints. You can walk along the rim which is reasonably flat and easy.

Grand Canyon is about 5 hours from Vegas, there again you can use the park shuttle to get to various viewpoints and there is a reasonably flat/easy trail that follows the rim.

panecott

I agree with WhereWeAre, mostly.

You don't even have to fly into Vegas. You can fly directly into St. George and rent a car there and drive to Zion - about 2 hours. From there, the drive to Bryce is scenic and relaxing, and also takes under two hours.

Not only are the drives reasonably short, the roads are very pleasant and for the most part, practically traffic free.

I just did Zion and Bryce in May. I normally hate driving on highways and in traffic (I'm in NY) but the driving out west is completely different. To me, it's a pleasant and relaxing part of the vacation and is really enjoyable.

Within the parks there are convenient shuttle buses to take you around.

panecott

Sorry, I missed the part about your wanting to go to Las Vegas. In that case, I agree with WhereWeAre completely.

spirobulldog

Not sure if you husband could ride the horse at Bryce, but that is an easy way to see some of the area from below without hiking it. In Zion, you could do Riverside Walk. Perhaps a bit of Emerald Pools, although it may be to steep. Rim Trail might be doable. It's hard to know his limitations. Many great scenic overlooks in Bryce. Perhaps do an ATV tour outside the park.

Taltul

If we can't do it all (Zion - Bryce - Grand Canyon), what would you recommend? I know it's very subjective but we may not have a chance to come back to this area again. I've read that Zion or Bryce (can't remember which one) is more remarkable than the G.C.

emalloy

Well, Grand Canyon is grand, but you would probably be talking about going to the north rim which is not as spectacular for views as the south rim IMHO. That said, the three parks are so different that it would be hard to choose just one. For Zion you are down in the park and looking up to see the beautiful rocks unless you can hike to the top and look down, but it sounds like that is not for you. Bryce and Grand Canyon both are viewed from the top and you can either walk along the top and look down or hike down into them which does not sound like something you will do.

That said, if it is gob stopping scenery, there are lots of tours from Vegas to the south rim . Do go to the national park, not the sky walk if you choose that option.

The driving from Vegas to Zion is not hard at all once you get out of Vegas and to go from there to Bryce is on a small road and only takes an hour and a half.

It would be nice to be on your own and set the pace if possible, I have some pictures of them , if you care to look at flickr.com/photos/emalloy2009

All three are fantastic, so which ever you pick you will have something nice to remember.

panecott

I would do Bryce and Zion, b/c they are close to each other, and they offer two very different experiences, and both are very beautiful. Not to detract from the Grand Canyon, but the proximity makes Zion and Bryce a great combination.

I'm guessing that it's Bryce that has been compared to the Grand Canyon. It's possible to hike down into Bryce, but for the most part you are an observer from the rim. Bryce is unique because of its hoodoos - rocks that have been shaped into vertical spires from erosion.

In Zion, you are down in the canyon, surrounded by the rocks and you almost feel like a part of it. I loved Zion.

It is possible, and very pleasant, to walk along the canyon road that the shuttle buses take. It's basically flat and it's scenic and quiet and you can always pick up a shuttle bus at the next stop if you get tired. There's another easy and flat trail that leads from the Visitors Center but I can't think of the name at the moment.
Check my trip report.

J62

Zion you can fully enjoy regardless of mobility.

I agree with spiro - if he can ride a horse for several hours then that's a great way to see Bryce. I can't imagine being able to fully enjoy Bryce just riding the shuttle bus along the rim. Walking or riding down among the hoodoos is an other worldly experience.

Here's my 2c on Bryce vs Zion vs GC.

If you only visit the rim, then GC is an amazing, big hole in the ground. Amazing in it's size, yes, but still just a big hole. You really have to get down INTO the GC to appreciate how remarkable it is. A 4hr hike down into the GC only scratches the surface. A 12 hr hike makes a small dent. I just did a two week rafting trip and it is only now that I have a sense of what the GC is really about.

Zion, on the other hand, you get a feel for the grandeur of the amazing red sandstone cliffs from the minute you arrive. There are amazing views around every corner. I love Zion. I spent a full week there in May and can't wait to go back for a longer trip next time - I spent a lot of time outside the main valley - either up the river through the narrows, hiking up to the top/observation point, or hiking the back country.

Bryce is a totally different world. The hoodoo rock formations are like being on a different planet, and unlike any other place I've been. But after a day or two there I was hoodoo'd out.

So if you only can scratch the surface, then I can see how people say that Bryce is more remarkable than the GC. At Zion you are immersed IN the canyon, and it is also more amazing than looking down into the big hole.

tomboy

For what it's worth, my spouse went to Zion the month before knee replacement surgery. But the painful knee was well able to tolerate Zion's paths. Getting down among the hoodoos was well worth it. The main path, although some might call it rugged, is by and large about the same pitch as one of those wheelchair ramps people have from the door of the house to the driveway.
The main path took about an hour to navigate. Other people did it in 20 minutes, but our more leisurely pace enabled us to appreciate our surroundings more. Other people went slower than we.
Zion has buses. I'm sure one appreciates it more if one climbs the surrounding rocks; we didn't feel it necessary to do so.

GC: do the south rim. It's beautiful. I suppose it's even more so if one descends, but taking the bus to various lookouts was more than adequate for we flat-landers.

Taltul

Wow - thanks to everyone. I also thought that Zion and Bryce are more worthwhile since the two parks are so close together. Now, next question - if we do drive (and I think it's the best if we can manage it), where's the best place to stay? I know that in the parks are probably the best but also the most expensive. Would it be best to drive to the furthest park (Bryce) and stay there two days and then drive back to Zion and stay in the area? We'd have to go back to Las Vegas anyhow. Or go first to Zion, then Bryce and break up the drive to L.V. overnight somewhere (my husband tires quickly). Is there anything else to see on the way back?

Taltul

I've been checking the routes to Zion and Bryce on the Via Michelin site. The drive to Zion seems fine, mainly on the open highway (about 3 and a half hours). But according to the site, it takes 4 and a half hours from Zion to Bryce!!! WhereWeAre wrote that the drive is only an hour and a half. Is the road leading to Bryce so difficult to drive? Is it a scenic byway which has a low speed limit (like Shenandoah/Blue Ridge Mountains?)

panecott

The road to Bryce is not difficult at all. As I said above, it's a beautiful and relaxing drive. It's only 85 miles between the two parks so unless you drive at 20 mph it should not take 4.5 hours.

Check out my trip report and read my comments on the drive.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ds-in-utah.cfm

Keith

Taltul, I would never use the Michelin site again. That info is horrible!

Las Vegas to Zion is under 3 hours. Zion to Bryce is under 2 hours. Even if you went way out of your way, it would be only 2 and a half.

J62

The drive from Zion NP (Springdale UT) to Bryce NP is 1.5 hrs. Most of it is on 2 lane roads, effective speed limit >65mph. The first 10mi through the east entrance/exit of Zion is slower drive, but after that it's fast and straight roads. Easy drive.

At Bryce, I think you should definitely stay IN the park at Bryce Lodge if you can. An alternative is to stay right outside the park at Ruby's. It's a short 10min drive into the park.

At Zion, my opinion is that it's better to stay right outside the park in the town of Springdale, UT, but I think I'm in the minority here on Fodors. Most people recommend staying in the park at Zion Lodge.

I recommend you drive LV to Zion first. Enjoy the stay there, then go to Bryce. There is probably a faster way from Bryce back to LV, but it'll still take 3+ hrs. I don't know of any places to stop to break up the drive - perhaps others can comment.

I use google maps for directions. Be aware that much of the US southwest, especially open / remote areas, do not have 3G or 4G cell service, or in some cases any cell service at all, so if you rely on your smart phone for GPS you may be out of luck as you drive Zion to Bryce. A stand alone GPS unit, or a good old, fashioned paper map is handy, or at least printed out directions to follow. It's not a hard route, but these days many people rely totally on their phones for GPS...

WhereAreWe

I'm guessing you may have inadvertently left Las Vegas as your starting point to get 4.5 hours as a drive time. No matter, its been sorted out by now.

There's actually a number of stops you could make on the way back to Vegas from Bryce. I'd recommend you stop at Cedar Breaks National Monument, then continue on to Cedar City. You will get on the interstate back to Las Vegas there, and could either stay overnight in Cedar City or drive further south to St. George. Between Cedar City and Sr. George is the Kolob Canyon section of Zion, I don't think you'd do much walking there but there's a nice scenic viewpoint.

Outside St. George is Snow Canyon State Park which is nice to drive through. You can also drive through Valley of Fire State Park about an hour north of Las Vegas.

I realize you are looking more for an overnight stop but any of these parks would be a nice place to drive through, get out and walk around a bit and just take a break from driving.

zootsi

If you can possibly do it, stay in the parks, it's much more relaxing - the lodge at Zion is one of the most relaxing, beautiful places I've ever stayed. The lodge at Bryce is surrounded by tall pines, and is a short walk to the rim. You will wake to see deer grazing below your window. Ruby's motel is a fun stop, kind of a cowboy/truck stop feel to it. They do offer good trail rides at Ruby's, led by cowboys.
Zion and Bryce are a good combination, since they are so different. At Zion you are in a majestic canyon. It's warm, green and tranquil. Bryce is cooler, and looks otherworldly.

dowscoggins

This activity could be for the young at heart. But I had a blast tubing down the Virgin River. Almost know walking just drifting.

J62

You can rent tubes or rafts at various shops in the town of Springdale. In the Spring the water will be cold. Early May this year the water temp was about 45-50F/7-10C. Too cold to be in without a wet suit.

panecott

Another vote for staying inside the parks. There's just something very special about being inside the parks at night.

At the Bryce Canyon Lodge you will be right at the rim and close to the trailheads if you plan to hike, and close to the shuttle stops as well. I stayed in a cabin and it was cozy and comfortable.

The Zion Lodge is also beautifully situated in the canyon along the river. It has a big lawn and the lodge rooms have terraces with comfortable seating.

Both lodges have nice restaurants.