lcowherd

We're planning a family trip to the Grand Canyon area in early October with our 18 and 20 y/o sons. I've made up an itinerary based on other posts I've read here, and I'd like some feedback:

Day 1 - Fly from Louisville to Phoenix early am; drive to Sedona. Pink Jeep tour?
Day 2 - drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon
Day 3 - Grand Canyon to Page
Day 4 - Page - Float trip?
Day 5 - Page to Bryce
Day 6 - Bryce to Zion
Day 7 - Zion to Vegas
Day 8 - Vegas
Day 9 - Vegas to Louisville

I know reservations in the parks are probably iffy at best at this point, so I'll be looking to stay nearby - any suggestions? I'm thinking about the Sky Ranch in Sedona and the Best Western in Page, what about Vegas?

Thanks for helping out a newbie!

lee in KY

Mousegeezer

Definitely take the half day float trip from Page to Lee's Ferry. It gives you a great taste of being down in the canyon. Also, while in Page go to Antelope Canyon. It is about five minutes from Page and costs about $20.00 to ride from the parking lot to the canyon. Go at about 4 PM and the sun will be just right to light the canyon.

While at the Grand Canyon take the bus all of the way to the end at Hermit's trail head. It is one of the few places on the south rim that you can see the river.

Angel's landing at Zion is quite a hike. But incredible views. Not for the feint of heart.

MikePinTucson

Keep trying to find accommodations inside the park at one of the rim lodges. Check the website twice a day and call once a day. something will probably open up. I had tride for over a month to get a room at the GC Lodge, north rim for one night in mid-Sept. One day I looked and there were a few rooms available. I ended up getting a rim cabin.

Sky Ranch Lodge is a good choice. We have stayed there twic, and will definitely go back Get a room with a view. Our room's view was just what Sky Ranch shows on their website.

While in Page, also definitely visit Antelope Canyon.

tinamidon

Looks like you will be very rushed. If I'm reading it right, you are only staying each place 1 night, except Page & Vegas...You will be either driving in or out of each park every day. No time to see anything. We flew into Vegas, drove to GC after 1 night's rest, spent 2 nites at Bright Angel Cabins(very cool), drove to Sedona(Enchantment Resort) following day spent 3 nights, to Zion for 2 nights(Desert Pearl Inn-very nice), returned to Vegas for 3 nights. We have sworn off 1 night stays anywhere we travel when at all possible. While the idea of spending some time on Lake Powell is appealing, we thought Page itself was depressing. I would definitely want more time at Zion, GC & Sedona. You will have zero time for hikes, seeing sunrise, sunset, etc. Constant unpacking, driving,...that's just my 2 cents tho...

lcowherd

Thanks for the tips!

tinamidon - I meant to show 2 nights at the GC, I'm also going to drop Bryce in favor of more time in Zion.

Since I can't really add any days, any other suggestions of what to pass up and what to add?

lee

MikePinTucson

I personally would skip Vegas and fly in and out of PHX

pollyvw

You can SEE both Bryce and Zion on your itinerary. You will not get to take long hikes, but you have enough time to experience their beauty. In Bryce you can drive to a few overlooks; In Zion, you can take the tram tour through the park. Do not (in my opinion) overloook this opportunity. There is no comparison between the two. Zion is looking up at monoliths; Bryce is looking down at fragile looking formations. You must at least SEE them both while you are already driving almost right smack by them. You can do it. Even if you leave out one, you will still be tired when you get home, so go for it.

maw

Page is not the greatest town but the morning 1/2 day float trip is WELL worth an overnight in Page! One of the best memories of our trip--relaxing informative float on the pretty crystal clear river with the GORGEOUS red cliffs soaring above you. Click on my screen name and look up our trip report from last summer.

Glad you have 2 nights at the GC--get down off the rim a couple times on short hikes, very different perspective. We had a 2nd floor recently remodeled room North Maswik and enjoyed it.

If you can only hike either Zion or Bryce I'd pick Zion ONLY because at all the overlooks at Bryce that you can drive to have awesome easy views--yes it's always better to hike a bit but to me Zion's beauty NEEDS a walk/hike (or several preferably)to really see whereas Bryce you can get a good feeling for what it's about from the overlooks. Don't skip Bryce-at least do a 'drive-by'! We loved both parks and did not feel we had enough time at either!

Definitely try to see sunrises and/or sunsets at all the canyons, the colors are so much MORE than midday. Night sky also very impressive at Bryce and GC.
Have fun trip planning...

Myer

If you drive the Bryce Scenic road in place of hiking you are doing yourself a disservice.

There is no comparison. In fact, I would skip any overlooks past the Natural Bridge. I would go to Sunrise, Sunset, Bryce Points and the Natural Bridge.

You've got to go down into the HooDoos to get an appreciation. Even if you only allow a coupld of hourse and go down Navajo Loop and up Queen's Garden. Or even down and then back up the same one.

pollyvw

In a sense, I agree with you Myer. But seeing and not hiking is better than not seeing and not hiking. They have limited time and I, personally, cannot recommend taking this trip, driving so close to Bryce and not even making the right turn to get there.