Help! 4 day Itinerary: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon
Jul 7th, 2016, 08:27 AM
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Help! 4 day Itinerary: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon
Hi there!
My brother & I are coming from Australia and have 4 days to explore the best national parks around Vegas before moving on to our next destination!
I would love to get your help and insight as to planning the best experience I can for him!
We arrive late Thursday night in Vegas(Already booked a hotel & a hire car) so we can start our trip early Friday morning. We will then have All day Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday before our red eye flight at midnight, Monday night.
I was just wondering what the best route would be for those 4 days, seeing the absolute best!
I'm not deadset on seeing all Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon... But I would love to see the best views/ satisfying hikes(NOT angel's Landing - Look's terrifying!) and perhaps know some tips about a nice drive between places or the better parts of the parks(North Vs. South rim etc!).
Any help would be great! Much appreciated in advance!
My brother & I are coming from Australia and have 4 days to explore the best national parks around Vegas before moving on to our next destination!
I would love to get your help and insight as to planning the best experience I can for him!
We arrive late Thursday night in Vegas(Already booked a hotel & a hire car) so we can start our trip early Friday morning. We will then have All day Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday before our red eye flight at midnight, Monday night.
I was just wondering what the best route would be for those 4 days, seeing the absolute best!
I'm not deadset on seeing all Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon... But I would love to see the best views/ satisfying hikes(NOT angel's Landing - Look's terrifying!) and perhaps know some tips about a nice drive between places or the better parts of the parks(North Vs. South rim etc!).
Any help would be great! Much appreciated in advance!
Jul 7th, 2016, 08:47 AM
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I just got home from a 17 night trip.
I was two nights on the South Rim, two nights at Zion, and one night at Bryce.
I think the two overnights are needed because you might be sweaty and possibly soaked after a hike and you'll want a hotel to go back to after the hike and clean up.
Bryce, for what I did, was quite easy. I waited until two hours before sunset and hiked down into the canyon and back up again. easy peasy. If it were very hot or mid day I would have wanted to freshen up after I got back. Bryce is unlikely to get hot like Zion, though. So maybe your tolerance is better than mine.
When do you arrive? Next week?
I'd suggest heading straight to the GC south rim and you can see quite a bit that first day. I got an afternoon start and arrived around 7 PM which was fine for the sunset in June. I had the whole next day to see more... I did the hike down the Kaibab trail to the "Ooh Ahh" point and back which was easy. Take water etc.
I still had plenty of time after that hike to see other parts of the GC and in all I saw two sunsets and one sunrise.
After that you could maybe consider an early start and going ALL the way to Bryce, doing the easy hike I mentioned, and as long as you have a place to sleep in Zion secured then head back to Zion and sleep there two nights. That Bryce hike wouldn't be more than two hours.
On your middle day at Zion (between the two nights) I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Zion Narrows. One of my favorite hikes, period. LOVED IT.
It will not be hot and it will be so scenic.
I was two nights on the South Rim, two nights at Zion, and one night at Bryce.
I think the two overnights are needed because you might be sweaty and possibly soaked after a hike and you'll want a hotel to go back to after the hike and clean up.
Bryce, for what I did, was quite easy. I waited until two hours before sunset and hiked down into the canyon and back up again. easy peasy. If it were very hot or mid day I would have wanted to freshen up after I got back. Bryce is unlikely to get hot like Zion, though. So maybe your tolerance is better than mine.
When do you arrive? Next week?
I'd suggest heading straight to the GC south rim and you can see quite a bit that first day. I got an afternoon start and arrived around 7 PM which was fine for the sunset in June. I had the whole next day to see more... I did the hike down the Kaibab trail to the "Ooh Ahh" point and back which was easy. Take water etc.
I still had plenty of time after that hike to see other parts of the GC and in all I saw two sunsets and one sunrise.
After that you could maybe consider an early start and going ALL the way to Bryce, doing the easy hike I mentioned, and as long as you have a place to sleep in Zion secured then head back to Zion and sleep there two nights. That Bryce hike wouldn't be more than two hours.
On your middle day at Zion (between the two nights) I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Zion Narrows. One of my favorite hikes, period. LOVED IT.
It will not be hot and it will be so scenic.
Jul 7th, 2016, 10:36 AM
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Thanks for your response!
I'll be heading there end of July, start of August!
So you would suggest:
Friday:
Drive from Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim
Saturday:
Grand Canyon
Sunday:
Grand Canyon to Bryce Canyon to Zion
Monday:
Zion, drive back to Vegas
I'll be heading there end of July, start of August!
So you would suggest:
Friday:
Drive from Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim
Saturday:
Grand Canyon
Sunday:
Grand Canyon to Bryce Canyon to Zion
Monday:
Zion, drive back to Vegas
Jul 7th, 2016, 10:47 AM
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Took this trip last summer; it was incredible!
I have only been to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, so I can't definitively say it's the best rim, but it was incredible! Gorgeous, good temperature, and wonderful short trails. Also, the North Rim is closer to Vegas and the other parks, cutting back on the time spent in your car.
Bryce is gorgeous. It's incredible and has some nice hikes, but it can be seen in a day, or just a few hours.
Zion is also amazing, however, it's extremely hot. It is at a lower altitude than Bryce and the Grand Canyon, which makes hiking during the middle of the day uncomfortable, but you can probably whether the heat better than my family can!
I have only been to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, so I can't definitively say it's the best rim, but it was incredible! Gorgeous, good temperature, and wonderful short trails. Also, the North Rim is closer to Vegas and the other parks, cutting back on the time spent in your car.
Bryce is gorgeous. It's incredible and has some nice hikes, but it can be seen in a day, or just a few hours.
Zion is also amazing, however, it's extremely hot. It is at a lower altitude than Bryce and the Grand Canyon, which makes hiking during the middle of the day uncomfortable, but you can probably whether the heat better than my family can!
Jul 7th, 2016, 03:41 PM
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Oh, you only have three nights. You don't really have four days then.
And this is after an international flight from Australia? After which you are flying back there after four nights in town, one of which is Vegas?
This is looking less doable. Jet lag is going to be a bear.
It is tougher because to really enjoy the sights you will want to have a place to clean up, eat, and sleep nearby after the day of hiking. Even four nights in the field was not very much. Three nights is even worse.
If you can see enough of the Grand Canyon on the day you arrive to GC and the second day (after you wake up there), I'd consider then driving to Zion that night and sleeping Zion night two so that you can hike the next day and come home to Zion on night three.
SO:
Arrive GC after Vegas in the early afternoon. See as much as you can that day. The rim hike alone is pretty cool and not hard to do. Sleep in GC.
GC the second day after you wake up there. - if you can see enough to get your fill, I'd get on the road and plan to be in Zion in time for dinner. Sleep Zion.
Wake up in Zion the next morning EARLY and do the Zion Narrows hike. I met the 6 AM bus which arrives at the Narrows just before 7 AM.
It won't be a hot or sunny hike but you will get soaked which is part of the fun. The one fly in the ointment is that it would be a good idea to rent gear the night before which means arriving in Zion by 6 PM to have time to find a place to rent the gear. Springdale is the small town adjacent to Zion and it's got lots of rental places and restaurants.
Arriving in Zion by 6pm is a good idea but it limits your GC time a lot since you will want to be on the road leaving the GC around lunch time, give or take.
The day of your Narrows hike you will eventually be done/get back to your hotel and can decide what to do the rest of the day. I was done by noon since I did the early hike. I did most of the hike but not all of it.
sleep in Zion again.
From what I can tell, it sounds like when you wake up on morning two of Zion you have to be at Vegas for a flight. What time?
You probably won't have time to see Bryce then.
And this is after an international flight from Australia? After which you are flying back there after four nights in town, one of which is Vegas?
This is looking less doable. Jet lag is going to be a bear.
It is tougher because to really enjoy the sights you will want to have a place to clean up, eat, and sleep nearby after the day of hiking. Even four nights in the field was not very much. Three nights is even worse.
If you can see enough of the Grand Canyon on the day you arrive to GC and the second day (after you wake up there), I'd consider then driving to Zion that night and sleeping Zion night two so that you can hike the next day and come home to Zion on night three.
SO:
Arrive GC after Vegas in the early afternoon. See as much as you can that day. The rim hike alone is pretty cool and not hard to do. Sleep in GC.
GC the second day after you wake up there. - if you can see enough to get your fill, I'd get on the road and plan to be in Zion in time for dinner. Sleep Zion.
Wake up in Zion the next morning EARLY and do the Zion Narrows hike. I met the 6 AM bus which arrives at the Narrows just before 7 AM.
It won't be a hot or sunny hike but you will get soaked which is part of the fun. The one fly in the ointment is that it would be a good idea to rent gear the night before which means arriving in Zion by 6 PM to have time to find a place to rent the gear. Springdale is the small town adjacent to Zion and it's got lots of rental places and restaurants.
Arriving in Zion by 6pm is a good idea but it limits your GC time a lot since you will want to be on the road leaving the GC around lunch time, give or take.
The day of your Narrows hike you will eventually be done/get back to your hotel and can decide what to do the rest of the day. I was done by noon since I did the early hike. I did most of the hike but not all of it.
sleep in Zion again.
From what I can tell, it sounds like when you wake up on morning two of Zion you have to be at Vegas for a flight. What time?
You probably won't have time to see Bryce then.
Jul 7th, 2016, 05:29 PM
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Go to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. It will save a lot of driving time, try to get to Bryce if at all possible as it is not that far from Zion. Even if you only get to drive through and not hike it is AMAZING!
Jul 7th, 2016, 08:38 PM
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Ohhh I hadn't even thought about renting gear! That's such good advice!
We aren't coming directly from Australia... We will just arrive late into Vegas - so the night there is purely to sleep!
Our flight on the monday coming back is at midnight - So we will have all day, just needing to be back by around 8/9pm to return the rental car and get to the airport.
Friday:
Drive from Vegas to Grand Canyon North Rim
Saturday:
Grand Canyon - Zion
Sunday:
Zion (Maybe Bryce Canyon and back to Zion?)
Monday:
Zion (Bryce Canyon today?) drive back to Vegas
Thanks again for your help everyone - I'm really just trying to get a really good few days in with the best scenic views/ varied hikes!
I don't mind travelling in the car a bit each day if it means a great drive or even some down time from the hiking(we're not the best hikers and might even enjoy kicking back in the car with some music!).
Let me know your thoughts on the above! I feel like from my research, that could be good! - Even in reverse order if need be, making the bigger drive on the last day?
We aren't coming directly from Australia... We will just arrive late into Vegas - so the night there is purely to sleep!
Our flight on the monday coming back is at midnight - So we will have all day, just needing to be back by around 8/9pm to return the rental car and get to the airport.
Friday:
Drive from Vegas to Grand Canyon North Rim
Saturday:
Grand Canyon - Zion
Sunday:
Zion (Maybe Bryce Canyon and back to Zion?)
Monday:
Zion (Bryce Canyon today?) drive back to Vegas
Thanks again for your help everyone - I'm really just trying to get a really good few days in with the best scenic views/ varied hikes!
I don't mind travelling in the car a bit each day if it means a great drive or even some down time from the hiking(we're not the best hikers and might even enjoy kicking back in the car with some music!).
Let me know your thoughts on the above! I feel like from my research, that could be good! - Even in reverse order if need be, making the bigger drive on the last day?
Jul 8th, 2016, 04:53 AM
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OK, a bit better you have an entire day the last day.
Which is first, Bryce or GC? I guess it depends on which one you want to prioritize to make sure you have enough time to get your fill - the GC or Bryce. Each about 4-5 hours drive from Vegas. You could go straight to Bryce (four hours) hike it (two hours) then two hours back to Zion. You'd still be there in plenty of time to get your gear that evening if you want to do the Narrows hike the next morning. You could feasibly sleep two nights in Zion and then the second morning you got up from Zion you would get on the road to GC, hang out all day, sleep at the GC, then the last day you'd wake up in the GC and still have all day to decide what to do with yourself.
For the north versus south rim I can't tell you - I only saw the south and I've heard it's a more dramatic viewpoint etc. Lots of infrastructure on the south side - buses, lodges. No idea about the north side. I initially was going to do the north to save time and after reading decided on the south. Either way you will see the GC so I wouldn't worry too much about it. You aren't on a leisurely tour. I don't know if the north rim has a nice paved hiking trail along the rim like the south rim does.
Bryce is four or so hours from Vegas so if you left it your last day you would drive roughly two hours from Zion, hike two hours, then drive four hours to Vegas. Keep in mind you would not be going back to a hotel if you did this which means if you get hot and sweaty you are stuck with yourselves the rest of the day AND your flight.
I'd still suggest two overnights in Zion, though, since there are so many hikes to consider and for me (a girly girl) I need a place to clean up after a day of hiking which means two overnights in a hotel to leave the middle day as my active day.
You might not care as much.
I really liked the Narrows hike, a lot. And it is a good idea to get the gear: shoes specifically for the water hike.. neoprene socks (somewhat chilly but not cold water in summer) and a walking stick. You will want a walking stick. The current is just fast enough that a stick is good for steadying yourself and most of your hike will be in water which varies from mid-calf to nearly waist deep in some places. After a big rain apparently parts are chest deep. I only had water up to my butt a handful of times.
Which is first, Bryce or GC? I guess it depends on which one you want to prioritize to make sure you have enough time to get your fill - the GC or Bryce. Each about 4-5 hours drive from Vegas. You could go straight to Bryce (four hours) hike it (two hours) then two hours back to Zion. You'd still be there in plenty of time to get your gear that evening if you want to do the Narrows hike the next morning. You could feasibly sleep two nights in Zion and then the second morning you got up from Zion you would get on the road to GC, hang out all day, sleep at the GC, then the last day you'd wake up in the GC and still have all day to decide what to do with yourself.
For the north versus south rim I can't tell you - I only saw the south and I've heard it's a more dramatic viewpoint etc. Lots of infrastructure on the south side - buses, lodges. No idea about the north side. I initially was going to do the north to save time and after reading decided on the south. Either way you will see the GC so I wouldn't worry too much about it. You aren't on a leisurely tour. I don't know if the north rim has a nice paved hiking trail along the rim like the south rim does.
Bryce is four or so hours from Vegas so if you left it your last day you would drive roughly two hours from Zion, hike two hours, then drive four hours to Vegas. Keep in mind you would not be going back to a hotel if you did this which means if you get hot and sweaty you are stuck with yourselves the rest of the day AND your flight.
I'd still suggest two overnights in Zion, though, since there are so many hikes to consider and for me (a girly girl) I need a place to clean up after a day of hiking which means two overnights in a hotel to leave the middle day as my active day.
You might not care as much.
I really liked the Narrows hike, a lot. And it is a good idea to get the gear: shoes specifically for the water hike.. neoprene socks (somewhat chilly but not cold water in summer) and a walking stick. You will want a walking stick. The current is just fast enough that a stick is good for steadying yourself and most of your hike will be in water which varies from mid-calf to nearly waist deep in some places. After a big rain apparently parts are chest deep. I only had water up to my butt a handful of times.
Jul 8th, 2016, 05:29 AM
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I don't think you have enough time to see the Grand Canyon and Zion and Bryce. I would just do Zion and Bryce from Las Vegas. You will have a much nicer, more relaxed time if you aren't trying to cram too much into too little time. You have 3 nights to work with. I would do this:
Friday morning wake up early and hit the road. Drive to Bryce (this will get the longer drive out of the way and allow you a shorter drive back to Vegas on the day you fly out). Spend this day seeing the various viewpoints in Bryce and watch the sunset. Stay in Bryce - try to get a room in the park at Bryce Lodge but a second best option is Ruby's immediately outside the park.
Saturday - another early start to watch the sunrise over Bryce canyon. Sunrise is the best time to see the canyon - it is beautiful. After checking out any viewpoints you missed yesterday, head to Zion. You will enter Zion through the east entrance which offers some pretty stunning scenery. Enjoy the drive and check into a hotel in Springdale for the next two nights. You will have the afternoon to start seeing Zion.
Sunday - all day for Zion, stay in Springdale again.
Monday - spend the morning in Zion before heading to Las Vegas in time for your departing flight.
A couple things to note - is this trip for THIS july/August? If so, you are very late in securing lodging. Many people book a year in advance. You are going during the busy season so I imagine this will be difficult to find. Start calling immediately and hopefully you can grab a cancellation. Again, you just don't have time in 3 nights to see all 3 national parks. Prioritize Zion and Bryce and you will make the most of your time!
Friday morning wake up early and hit the road. Drive to Bryce (this will get the longer drive out of the way and allow you a shorter drive back to Vegas on the day you fly out). Spend this day seeing the various viewpoints in Bryce and watch the sunset. Stay in Bryce - try to get a room in the park at Bryce Lodge but a second best option is Ruby's immediately outside the park.
Saturday - another early start to watch the sunrise over Bryce canyon. Sunrise is the best time to see the canyon - it is beautiful. After checking out any viewpoints you missed yesterday, head to Zion. You will enter Zion through the east entrance which offers some pretty stunning scenery. Enjoy the drive and check into a hotel in Springdale for the next two nights. You will have the afternoon to start seeing Zion.
Sunday - all day for Zion, stay in Springdale again.
Monday - spend the morning in Zion before heading to Las Vegas in time for your departing flight.
A couple things to note - is this trip for THIS july/August? If so, you are very late in securing lodging. Many people book a year in advance. You are going during the busy season so I imagine this will be difficult to find. Start calling immediately and hopefully you can grab a cancellation. Again, you just don't have time in 3 nights to see all 3 national parks. Prioritize Zion and Bryce and you will make the most of your time!
Jul 8th, 2016, 09:28 AM
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Thank you both so much for your feedback and advice!
I would ideally love to try and get to the Grand Canyon is I could, especially because we've come all this way...
This is what I'm thinking at the moment:
Friday:
Vegas - Bryce Canyon (Via Valley of Fire Hwy).
Over night in Bryce(The lodge you mentioned is sold out, howevre I will keep trying).
Saturday:
Bryce Canyon - Zion National Park by afternoon.
Overnight in Springdale.
Sunday:
Zion National Park.
Overnight in Springdale.
Monday:
Zion National Park(Leave really early)- Grand Canyon(North Rim will cut down 2 hours journey time, Vs. South) - Vegas.
At the moment, I am going to take your advice and book Bryce for one night and Zion for two... and then organise with my brother a bit more about what his priorities are in terms of what he wants to see, esp. considering driving times!
I would ideally love to try and get to the Grand Canyon is I could, especially because we've come all this way...
This is what I'm thinking at the moment:
Friday:
Vegas - Bryce Canyon (Via Valley of Fire Hwy).
Over night in Bryce(The lodge you mentioned is sold out, howevre I will keep trying).
Saturday:
Bryce Canyon - Zion National Park by afternoon.
Overnight in Springdale.
Sunday:
Zion National Park.
Overnight in Springdale.
Monday:
Zion National Park(Leave really early)- Grand Canyon(North Rim will cut down 2 hours journey time, Vs. South) - Vegas.
At the moment, I am going to take your advice and book Bryce for one night and Zion for two... and then organise with my brother a bit more about what his priorities are in terms of what he wants to see, esp. considering driving times!
Jul 9th, 2016, 08:39 AM
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Page AZ would be on your way if you visited the GC esp the south rim. You could at least see the Horseshoe Bend. The antelope canyons need reservations - you might get lucky as a walk up.
it will be brutally hot. I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Bryce is unlikely to be super hot, Zion Narrows hike won't be super hot if you start early (Zion itself will be very hot)... and the rim of the GC probably won't be super hot unless you happen to hit during a heat wave.
Page AZ is gonna be brutally hot.
it will be brutally hot. I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Bryce is unlikely to be super hot, Zion Narrows hike won't be super hot if you start early (Zion itself will be very hot)... and the rim of the GC probably won't be super hot unless you happen to hit during a heat wave.
Page AZ is gonna be brutally hot.
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