Camping at Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion and Arches
Apr 1st, 2014, 05:06 AM
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Camping at Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion and Arches
Does anyone have suggestions for campgrounds at Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion and Arches? We are planning on flying into Las Vegas and renting an RV. We are a family of 5 (with teenage girls). Also, if you have any suggestions for tour groups or what to do at each park that would be helpful. We want to hike, but not necessarily at every park. We will be at each park for approximately 1 1 /2 days. We will be there the end of June/beginning of July.
Apr 1st, 2014, 07:24 AM
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The campground near the east entrance of the south rim of the Grand Canyon is first come first serve, if the policy is still as it was from a few years ago. But there are no hook-ups.
Hiking, and not necessarily strenuous hiking, is what one does in those parks. Guidebooks such as the Michelin USA West Green Guide would probably be more specific.
Hiking, and not necessarily strenuous hiking, is what one does in those parks. Guidebooks such as the Michelin USA West Green Guide would probably be more specific.
Apr 1st, 2014, 07:59 AM
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Tours are not required each of these parks is self explanatory - simply open your eyes and experience the views. There are ranger led programs at each of the parks where you can get an explanation of the geology and history of each park.
Hiking:
Grand Canyon. You can walk the rim trail between the various lookout points - it's all sidewalk. Or take the shuttle bus to the lookouts and walk less. Or hike down one either the Bright Angel or S. Kaibab trail until you are 1/3 tired, then walk back up. End of June it'll be beastly hot, so the family of 5 may consider anything below the rim to be strenuous. My recommendation would be to hike the S. Kaibab trail 1.5mi to the Cedar Ridge lookout. It's a 1200' elevation drop so it's not a cake walk coming back. You should budget about 3 hrs, and head out very early in the am. You'll want a lot of water - at least 1/2 gallon PER PERSON. Better yet would be to hike the 3.0mmi to Skeleton Point - -/+ 2000' elevation. That'd be a 6hr+ round trip out in the mid day sun, and not something I'd recommend in the late June sun & heat. A full gallon of water per person would be needed.
Bryce:
At a minimum hike the Queens Garden/Navajo Loop trail among the hoodoos. Yes, you can just hike along the rim and look down into the amphitheater, but until you actually walk among the hoodoos you won't get a good appreciation of the uniqueness and beauty.
Zion:
Minimum - hike all of the easy trails - Emerald Pool, Weeping garden, and Riverside trails. I recommend you walk further up the Virgin river beyond the 1mi paved Riverside trail, even if just another 1/2 mile or so up the Narrows. Even just that short distance will get you out of eye and earshot of 90% of the crowds and experience some of the amazing beauty. You'll want water walking shoes and poles - the water will be low enough where an old pair of sneakers or waterproof hiking sandals will be ok, or you can rent water hiking boots from one of the several outfitters located in Springdale.
For the adventursome, hike up towards Angels Landing, even if only to Scout's lookout. The shuttle bus ride gives a narrative of the park and is a good way to get a "tour" as you are navigating the valley by bus.
As for RV, unless you are set on it I recommend to use hotels instead...
Hiking:
Grand Canyon. You can walk the rim trail between the various lookout points - it's all sidewalk. Or take the shuttle bus to the lookouts and walk less. Or hike down one either the Bright Angel or S. Kaibab trail until you are 1/3 tired, then walk back up. End of June it'll be beastly hot, so the family of 5 may consider anything below the rim to be strenuous. My recommendation would be to hike the S. Kaibab trail 1.5mi to the Cedar Ridge lookout. It's a 1200' elevation drop so it's not a cake walk coming back. You should budget about 3 hrs, and head out very early in the am. You'll want a lot of water - at least 1/2 gallon PER PERSON. Better yet would be to hike the 3.0mmi to Skeleton Point - -/+ 2000' elevation. That'd be a 6hr+ round trip out in the mid day sun, and not something I'd recommend in the late June sun & heat. A full gallon of water per person would be needed.
Bryce:
At a minimum hike the Queens Garden/Navajo Loop trail among the hoodoos. Yes, you can just hike along the rim and look down into the amphitheater, but until you actually walk among the hoodoos you won't get a good appreciation of the uniqueness and beauty.
Zion:
Minimum - hike all of the easy trails - Emerald Pool, Weeping garden, and Riverside trails. I recommend you walk further up the Virgin river beyond the 1mi paved Riverside trail, even if just another 1/2 mile or so up the Narrows. Even just that short distance will get you out of eye and earshot of 90% of the crowds and experience some of the amazing beauty. You'll want water walking shoes and poles - the water will be low enough where an old pair of sneakers or waterproof hiking sandals will be ok, or you can rent water hiking boots from one of the several outfitters located in Springdale.
For the adventursome, hike up towards Angels Landing, even if only to Scout's lookout. The shuttle bus ride gives a narrative of the park and is a good way to get a "tour" as you are navigating the valley by bus.
As for RV, unless you are set on it I recommend to use hotels instead...
Apr 1st, 2014, 08:19 AM
#4
Are you very experienced RV drivers? If not - rent a car and stay in Motels. Not only easier, but most likely cheaper. It sounds like you have pretty limited time since you are only allowing 1+ day at each park. The driving will be slow in an RV and it will be VERY hot and you'll have to run the generator just about 24/7.
Apr 1st, 2014, 08:26 AM
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We are experienced. My husband used to drive semi trucks. I am still contemplating renting a car instead of RV due to gas mileage and speed. I just though it would be more fun for us to be in an RV plus wouldn't have to keep packing everything up every few days as it would all stay in the RV.
Apr 1st, 2014, 08:36 AM
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Grand Canyon: you have two options, Mather Campground (no hookups) or Trailer Village (full hookups). Both are in the Grand Canyon Village area. You can make reservation for either.
You could also go to Desert View campground at the east entrance but that is not as convenient so I wouldn't recommend it.
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/cg-sr.htm
Bryce: Again you have two options (North or Sunset). Neither has hookups, but North takes reservations and Sunset doesn't. Based on that I'd say North is the better option so you don't wind up stranded.
http://www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
You could also stay outside at Ruby's but inside the park is usually better.
Zion: Two options (this is becoming a pattern). Watchman takes reservations, South does not so you'd probably want Watchman. Neither has full hookups.
http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisi...ds-in-zion.htm
And of course the town of Springdale is right outside the park so you could find an RV campground there if the park is full.
Arches: Only one campground, no hookups but it does take reservations. There are campgrounds outside the park in or near Moab.
http://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/camping.htm
Having said all that, I think Arches is really too far out of the way for a trip of this length. You'd be better off spending more time making the Grand Canyon/Bryce/Zion loop....there's so much more to see in that area then just those 3 parks. And Zion can easily take more than 1.5 days to visit. If you have 6-7 days, spend a night at the Grand Canyon, two at Bryce and 3 at Zion. Possibly stop at Page for a night between Grand Canyon and Bryce if the teenagers want to spend a day at the lake or floating down the Colorado River.
You could also go to Desert View campground at the east entrance but that is not as convenient so I wouldn't recommend it.
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/cg-sr.htm
Bryce: Again you have two options (North or Sunset). Neither has hookups, but North takes reservations and Sunset doesn't. Based on that I'd say North is the better option so you don't wind up stranded.
http://www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
You could also stay outside at Ruby's but inside the park is usually better.
Zion: Two options (this is becoming a pattern). Watchman takes reservations, South does not so you'd probably want Watchman. Neither has full hookups.
http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisi...ds-in-zion.htm
And of course the town of Springdale is right outside the park so you could find an RV campground there if the park is full.
Arches: Only one campground, no hookups but it does take reservations. There are campgrounds outside the park in or near Moab.
http://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/camping.htm
Having said all that, I think Arches is really too far out of the way for a trip of this length. You'd be better off spending more time making the Grand Canyon/Bryce/Zion loop....there's so much more to see in that area then just those 3 parks. And Zion can easily take more than 1.5 days to visit. If you have 6-7 days, spend a night at the Grand Canyon, two at Bryce and 3 at Zion. Possibly stop at Page for a night between Grand Canyon and Bryce if the teenagers want to spend a day at the lake or floating down the Colorado River.
Apr 2nd, 2014, 11:54 AM
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I agree with your RV option.
Suggest buying a campground book of which there are two sources:
Good Sam and Woodalls that can be purchased at a RV store or on the net. For example: http://www.goodsamclub.com/travel/ca...s/Default.aspx
Zion - really only one choice outside of the park and that is:
http://www.zioncamp.com/ There is a campground east of Zion, but then you have the to/from via the Tunnel. Not worth it.
South Rim Grand Canyon camping. We stay at quiet cheap Ten-X campground south of SRGC - Not a full service RV, but you don't need that:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/kaiba...a/?recid=11689
Yet, on your adventure, I'd opt for North Rim GC. There are campgrounds at Jacob's Lake and Kaibab Lodge and in the park. There is free camping just outside of the park also. If interested leave a post.
Bryce - Overall, Rubys Inn is the best. Town of Panguitch has two campgrounds.
http://www.rubysinn.com/ Note: There is a cheap forest service campground at Red Canyon across the ranger station. Also there is FREE dry camping east of Red Canyon about 5 miles and then north anywhere - ask at their ranger office.
Arches: The only one I recommend is: OK RV Park and Stables. It is quiet unlike those along the highway. Also, BLM has many low cost campground along the Colorado River - cheap.
Parks - In all cases, go their respective web site and extract their newspaper/guide which is often in many languages.
Tour books - many. We use this one at:
http://www.southutahparks.com/
Vaga.
Suggest buying a campground book of which there are two sources:
Good Sam and Woodalls that can be purchased at a RV store or on the net. For example: http://www.goodsamclub.com/travel/ca...s/Default.aspx
Zion - really only one choice outside of the park and that is:
http://www.zioncamp.com/ There is a campground east of Zion, but then you have the to/from via the Tunnel. Not worth it.
South Rim Grand Canyon camping. We stay at quiet cheap Ten-X campground south of SRGC - Not a full service RV, but you don't need that:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/kaiba...a/?recid=11689
Yet, on your adventure, I'd opt for North Rim GC. There are campgrounds at Jacob's Lake and Kaibab Lodge and in the park. There is free camping just outside of the park also. If interested leave a post.
Bryce - Overall, Rubys Inn is the best. Town of Panguitch has two campgrounds.
http://www.rubysinn.com/ Note: There is a cheap forest service campground at Red Canyon across the ranger station. Also there is FREE dry camping east of Red Canyon about 5 miles and then north anywhere - ask at their ranger office.
Arches: The only one I recommend is: OK RV Park and Stables. It is quiet unlike those along the highway. Also, BLM has many low cost campground along the Colorado River - cheap.
Parks - In all cases, go their respective web site and extract their newspaper/guide which is often in many languages.
Tour books - many. We use this one at:
http://www.southutahparks.com/
Vaga.
Apr 2nd, 2014, 12:19 PM
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One more suggestion for South Rim GC
Stay at Williams at motel/or campground. Railside RV is in the center of railroad noise; the other, Canyon Gateway, where always stay is very quiet, is about one mile north.
http://www.grandcanyonrvparks.com/
The two Forest Campgrounds in the area is Cataract Lake and Kaibab Lake on a 1st come 1st serve basis—no reservations.
Now, take the very quaint and historic train to SRGC. From there, take shuttles to various overlooks.
http://www.thetrain.com/?utm_source=...%20Rail%20Road
Vaga
Stay at Williams at motel/or campground. Railside RV is in the center of railroad noise; the other, Canyon Gateway, where always stay is very quiet, is about one mile north.
http://www.grandcanyonrvparks.com/
The two Forest Campgrounds in the area is Cataract Lake and Kaibab Lake on a 1st come 1st serve basis—no reservations.
Now, take the very quaint and historic train to SRGC. From there, take shuttles to various overlooks.
http://www.thetrain.com/?utm_source=...%20Rail%20Road
Vaga
Apr 2nd, 2014, 01:33 PM
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Vaga,
You will not find a lot of posters here on fodors who agree on taking the RR. Overpriced, non-scenic, and slow. The OP has made it clear they have very limited time. Waiting for then riding the train seems like a very poor use of that limited time. With their own wheels they can maximize the time at the GC.
You will not find a lot of posters here on fodors who agree on taking the RR. Overpriced, non-scenic, and slow. The OP has made it clear they have very limited time. Waiting for then riding the train seems like a very poor use of that limited time. With their own wheels they can maximize the time at the GC.
Apr 2nd, 2014, 01:49 PM
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This is the daily schedule for the Train
DEPARTS WILLIAMS 9:30 a.m.
ARRIVES GRAND CANYON 11:45 a.m.
DEPARTS GRAND CANYON 3:30 p.m.
ARRIVES WILLIAMS 5:45 p.m.
4 1/2 hrs train ride for <4hrs at the canyon, all in the mid day Sun and none at the golden hours near sunrise and sunset is not my idea of a quality visit to GC. ymmv.
DEPARTS WILLIAMS 9:30 a.m.
ARRIVES GRAND CANYON 11:45 a.m.
DEPARTS GRAND CANYON 3:30 p.m.
ARRIVES WILLIAMS 5:45 p.m.
4 1/2 hrs train ride for <4hrs at the canyon, all in the mid day Sun and none at the golden hours near sunrise and sunset is not my idea of a quality visit to GC. ymmv.
Apr 2nd, 2014, 05:35 PM
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The train from Williams to the Grand Canyon is one of the top tourist traps in the state. Besides, why camp in Williams and take the train to the Grand Canyon when the OP is going to be driving in that direction anyway to complete this loop? Makes no sense.
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