Jayneann

Hi all,

Next August my DH and I are celebrating our 30 wedding anniversary and would like to celebrate by visiting these national parks. If we fly in and out of Vegas, staying for a couple of nights at each end, which order should we do the parks in? I was thinking two nights in Bryce, 2 nights at the North Rim and 3 at Zion. We would be in Zion during the full moon. Or, should we be in the NR for one more night and the full moon? As of this moment, there is availability at each of these park's lodges. Decisions!! Thanks so much in advance!

Nelson

Seems like you should do Bryce, Zion and then North Rim. That would save on some backtrack driving, making it more of a loop.

Since you'll be there around the time of the full moon then you'll be getting plenty of moon light for the several days after the full moon, if that's the goal. If you want to see the actual full moon rise you are probably better of at north rim, since you are not down in a canyon where you won't actually see the moon in the sky until some time later. It's a crap shoot with the weather of course.

By the way, what does DH stand for? I see that often on these boards and haven't figured it out!

emalloy

Zion first or last, the other two could be done in either order. I'm guessing you know it may be quite warm in Vegas and Zion in August.

Jayneann

Thanks, but these two posts vastly differ. I'd like to eliminate as much backtracking as possible.

Nelson, DH typically stands for dear husband, darling husband, or maybe for some, daffy husband.

Emalloy, yes, I've been to LV in August before, hence the reason to do the North Rim instead of the South Rim. I'm still in the thinking stages, and may end up doing this trip during another month but I really want to be away on our actual date which is in August.

emalloy

Bryce is about 85 miles from Zion, head east and go north/northeast on rt 12 about 2 hrs the way I drive, or continue on east/southeast and north rim is south probably 3 hours from Zion and almost due south of Bryce. You will have to do a little backtracking here in any case.

I like the approach to Zion from the east best but I'm not sure if it is faster to go right through it from the west to get to north rim or to take the little road south of there that also connects to the road into GC. If you did that, do GC, Bryce, Zion to reduce backtracking.

If you use googlemaps or mapquest you can probably get the actual times. In any case, Zion is only 3 hrs or so from Vegas.

Jayneann

Thank you emalloy! Now that I've had some time to look at googlemaps, I think Bryce, North Rim then Zion would work!

Nelson

Jayneann, glad you got help with a good route. I didn't look at a map but was just thinking north-to-south. Thanks emalloy for the details.

Also, thanks for the "DH" explanation. I guess DW, DS, DD might be extrapolated.

One further thing about the moon phases: this may be totally obvious in which case I apologize, but the day or two before full moon you can see the moon set in the western sky at sunrise. Waking up at sunrise is not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm into photography as a hobby and will make the effort. However, I've never been accused of being too bright, either.

Myer

If you're looking for a spectacular sunrise, look no further than Bryce Point.

I've been to Bryce Canyon 3 time (slept over twice) and both times got up for this event. Get there about 10-15 minutes before actual sunrise.

I was there with my daughter last month and was surprised how many people made it. Drive carefully in the dark as there's wildlife.

Of course, as we were all leaving a tour bus arrived with a load. Well, it was light and they could see where they were going.

You can see my photos at:

www.travelwalks.com

Select the SW Utah 2010 trip for a sunrise progression.

bachslunch

If you're starting and ending in Las Vegas, I'm not sure it makes much difference in what order you do these three all that much, at least in a logistical how-can-I-be-most-efficient way. There's only one way in and out of the Grand Canyon North Rim, and coming from Las Vegas you're going to have to go past Zion each way regardless. Bryce isn't far from Zion, either. The elevation at Zion is lower than at the other two destinations, though, so there may be wisdom in the idea of starting in Zion in part for above-sea-level acclimation.

It will be very hot in all three parks in August, but as long as you stay well hydrated (this area of the country is exceedingly dry), take some rest breaks, and cover up with a hat and sunglasses and sunscreen, you ought to be fine.

No question that all are well worth visiting.

DebInTN

We did this same trip last year. Flew into LV. 2 nights at Zion, 2 nights at Bryce, 2 nights North Rim GC, 1 night LV. We had full moon for our trip and it was beautiful at Bryce and Grand Canyon. Have a great time - it was one of my favorite trips of all time!

DebInTN

I agree with Myer - sunrise at Bryce was awesome.

spirobulldog

Bryce offers ranger-led hikes at night, only two days per month during a FULL MOON. I assume they would do this next year they do it every year. They offer other stargazing opportunities about twice per week, when there is no full moon. I believe they have telescopes set up 3 or 4 times per week. Bryce and the North Rim may not be that hot(higher elevations).

spirobulldog

Myer,
I may have asked this from you before, but have you seen sunrise from Sunrise Point too. I will have two mornings at Bryce next year and was debating on whether to just catch it once, twice and if so just go with Bryce Point or ??

Jayneann

Wow, thanks everyone, such great information!!!

Myer, thanks for sharing your spectacular photos!! I looked through a couple of your national park albums! So beautiful!

I'm still undecided about which park to spend the actual full moon in, although I do like the idea of a ranger-led hike during a full moon. So then our trip would be LV, Zion, GCNR, Bryce then back to LV. Does that make sense?

DebInTN, did you like spending two nights at each park? If I decided to add one more night, which park should I add it to?

Thanks again, you've all been so helpful!

iamq

We did the exact trip this past June that you outlined in your opening post and lcved it. I loved ending the trip in Zion. It was absolutely the best decision. If we do it again we will add another night at the North Rim.

Jayneann

iamq, I just read your fabulous report and loved it!!! After reading it, I think I'll stick to the original plan, and do the same order you did. Unfortunately, there aren't any rim view rooms left for the GCNR, but at least we'll still get to stay in all three parks!! Thanks so much for your help!!!

emalloy

Call back to GCNR because cancellations happen all the time as you get closer to the date you will be going. Let them know you would like one of the rim rooms and keep calling when it gets to be about 10 days before you go.

Jayneann

Good idea, emalloy! I just booked a Pioneer rim side room, but I'd love a rim view! I will keep trying though, thanks for the feedback!!

iamq

I am glad that my report proved helpful jayneann. You'll have a great time.

DebInTN

I may be remembering wrong, but it seems like the rim view cabins didn't have much of a rim view. We had a standard view, Western cabin and were very pleased with it. Keep checking, even up to the week of - people often wait until the last second to cancel.

I think 2 nights was about right at Bryce & North Rim. Bryce was my favorite. If you have extra time, have you considered spending time at Arches, Canyonlands? That's the only regret that we have about our whole schedule (well, if you don't count dedicating a night to Las Vegas - YUK). Of course, we are now planning a trip back so we can spend more time in Arches.

Bryce was still my favorite - temp, view, hiking, photo ops, everything.