Help with our Southern Utah itinerary!
Feb 6th, 2003, 06:41 AM
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Help with our Southern Utah itinerary!
I just firmed up our accomodations for our trip to Bryce and Zion. But I need help in planning our days. We'll be in Southern Utah for 7 nights.
The first night we're staying at Bryce Canyon Inn. The 2nd and 3rd we'll be at Zion Lodge.
The last 4 nights I booked us a condo at Green Valley Resort in St. George.
What day trips would you recommend doing from St. George (after having stayed in Bryce and Zion)?
Utahtea, I need your help!!!!
By the way, our starting and ending point are Park City, UT.
Thanks a bunch!
The first night we're staying at Bryce Canyon Inn. The 2nd and 3rd we'll be at Zion Lodge.
The last 4 nights I booked us a condo at Green Valley Resort in St. George.
What day trips would you recommend doing from St. George (after having stayed in Bryce and Zion)?
Utahtea, I need your help!!!!
By the way, our starting and ending point are Park City, UT.
Thanks a bunch!
Feb 6th, 2003, 09:11 AM
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Four nights in St. George....well that wouldn't be my first choice of places to stay but since you have moved to Utah and will have time to explore other areas I guess it's not so bad.
Snow Canyon State Park is just about 10 miles north of St. George out on Hwy 18 and it's a beautiful state park. In any other state it would probably be a National Monument.
Kolob section of Zion National Park is north on I-15 about 35 miles and that is worth exploring.
If you felt up to a 310 mile round trip day you could make it over to Lake Powell.
Pipe Springs National Mounument between Colorado City and Fredonia is 60 miles from St. George. Pipe Springs is rich with American Indian, early explorer and Mormon pioneer history. Also in the area is Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park (I've never been there) If you do drive by Hildale and Colorado City you will notice that all the girls wear long sleves and long dresses. I thought they were having some kind of celebration the day we were there but later found out that is the way the always dress.
You might also choose to go back to Zion for a day trip.
I don't know if Cedar Breaks will be open but that might be an option too.
I hope that on your way down to Bryce you can take scenic Hwy 12 from Torrey. It will be well worth the extra miles.
I wish I lived in Utah....I just come for vacations
Utahtea
Snow Canyon State Park is just about 10 miles north of St. George out on Hwy 18 and it's a beautiful state park. In any other state it would probably be a National Monument.
Kolob section of Zion National Park is north on I-15 about 35 miles and that is worth exploring.
If you felt up to a 310 mile round trip day you could make it over to Lake Powell.
Pipe Springs National Mounument between Colorado City and Fredonia is 60 miles from St. George. Pipe Springs is rich with American Indian, early explorer and Mormon pioneer history. Also in the area is Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park (I've never been there) If you do drive by Hildale and Colorado City you will notice that all the girls wear long sleves and long dresses. I thought they were having some kind of celebration the day we were there but later found out that is the way the always dress.
You might also choose to go back to Zion for a day trip.
I don't know if Cedar Breaks will be open but that might be an option too.
I hope that on your way down to Bryce you can take scenic Hwy 12 from Torrey. It will be well worth the extra miles.
I wish I lived in Utah....I just come for vacations
Utahtea
Feb 6th, 2003, 07:23 PM
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Okay, now I'm rethinking the St. George thing. I wanted someplace to kick back for a few days. But now I'm wondering if there is someplace better to do that.
Instead of staying in St. George, should we head over to Moab for the last few days of the trip? What is the weather like at that time of year?
Or should we do a few days at a resort in Mesquite? Vegas? Where should we go to have a few days of relaxation, swimming, etc?
Help!
Instead of staying in St. George, should we head over to Moab for the last few days of the trip? What is the weather like at that time of year?
Or should we do a few days at a resort in Mesquite? Vegas? Where should we go to have a few days of relaxation, swimming, etc?
Help!
Feb 6th, 2003, 08:22 PM
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There's a lot worse places to spend four nights than St George. Snow Canyon is a nice place to visit. Mesquite would be another day trip possibility. If you haven't been to Moab, then two days there would fun - but beware - Moab can really get jammed in the spring with the jeep safari, spring break, etc. My family really liked staying at the Gonzo Inn in Moab. Moab is a long drive from St. George.
Feb 6th, 2003, 10:08 PM
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I can spend weeks at a time in Moab. It's one of my favorite areas.
If you do decide to change St. George to Moab then you might want to do Zion first, then Bryce and then take Hwy 12 to Torrey and a quick visit to Capitol Reef before arriving in Moab.
Moab has Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse State Park, Potash Road, Fisher Towers, Scenic Hwy 128 and tons of off wheel roads.
On your way back from Moab to Park City take I-70 to I-15 and drive through the San Rafael Swell.
The down side is Spring break will probably be really busy. Weather should be nice.
Check out this web site to get an idea of what there is to see.
http://www.so-utah.com/
You are so lucky to live so close to such wonderful places.
Utahtea....can you tell I'm jealous!
If you do decide to change St. George to Moab then you might want to do Zion first, then Bryce and then take Hwy 12 to Torrey and a quick visit to Capitol Reef before arriving in Moab.
Moab has Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse State Park, Potash Road, Fisher Towers, Scenic Hwy 128 and tons of off wheel roads.
On your way back from Moab to Park City take I-70 to I-15 and drive through the San Rafael Swell.
The down side is Spring break will probably be really busy. Weather should be nice.
Check out this web site to get an idea of what there is to see.
http://www.so-utah.com/
You are so lucky to live so close to such wonderful places.
Utahtea....can you tell I'm jealous!
Feb 7th, 2003, 07:20 AM
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I do feel lucky to live here already and I've only seen Park City (which is gorgeous in itself! Every morning we see foxes frolicking out our back door and a few weeks ago, there were 4 huge elk!)
Do you know how warm it is in Moab in mid-April? We're looking for some warmth (it's currently -11 degrees here right now!) for our vacation which is why we thought St. George would be a good place. How warm is Vegas at that time?
Also, I've heard Moab is a mountain biking meca and my daughter still uses training wheels. Therefore, we didn't know if it would be a great place to try yet...thinking that waiting until summer might be better.
What do you think?
Do you know how warm it is in Moab in mid-April? We're looking for some warmth (it's currently -11 degrees here right now!) for our vacation which is why we thought St. George would be a good place. How warm is Vegas at that time?
Also, I've heard Moab is a mountain biking meca and my daughter still uses training wheels. Therefore, we didn't know if it would be a great place to try yet...thinking that waiting until summer might be better.
What do you think?
Feb 7th, 2003, 07:37 AM
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Moab - like much of Utah - can be hard to predict in April. It should be beautiful. But it sometimes can be cold and rainy.
I used to take my young kids to Moab for a lot of hiking. (One of my favorite hikes is the 1 1/2 mile hike to Corona Arch) They loved it. I now take my older kids there for the mountain biking. I think you and your family would love it.
Summer in/around Moab can be hotter than blazes. Take plenty of water.
I used to take my young kids to Moab for a lot of hiking. (One of my favorite hikes is the 1 1/2 mile hike to Corona Arch) They loved it. I now take my older kids there for the mountain biking. I think you and your family would love it.
Summer in/around Moab can be hotter than blazes. Take plenty of water.
Feb 7th, 2003, 12:58 PM
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The few times we've been to Moab area in Utah we've had really nice weather. The worse day was a light jacket and the warmest day got up to the low 80's. I'm sure they have cold weather in April too.
I do know that the summer is HOT!!!!
Utahtea
I do know that the summer is HOT!!!!
Utahtea
Mar 17th, 2003, 01:39 PM
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This is a question for Utahea or anyone else who has made the trip from the Salt Lake area down to Bryce...you said it would be a great idea to take the scenic route to Bryce through Torrey...we're thinking about leaving about 2PM to head down to Bryce. Should we drive through Torrey and go all the way to Bryce the first day or is there a great place to stop on the way for the night?
Mar 17th, 2003, 10:14 PM
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Hi parkcitygal,
If you are leaving as late as 2:00 P. M. in April then it's going to be getting late by the time you get to Torrey and so I would spend the night. There are many new modern motels in Torrey.
The next morning I would drive the 12 miles to Capitol Reef just to drive the 25 miles (round trip) of the scenic drive in the park before heading south on Scenic Hwy 12 to Bryce.
You might want to invest $50 in a National Park Pass. It is good for one year from the month of purchase. The entrance fees for Bryce, Zion and the Grand Canyon are each $20 so it will save you a lot of money in one year.
Utahtea
If you are leaving as late as 2:00 P. M. in April then it's going to be getting late by the time you get to Torrey and so I would spend the night. There are many new modern motels in Torrey.
The next morning I would drive the 12 miles to Capitol Reef just to drive the 25 miles (round trip) of the scenic drive in the park before heading south on Scenic Hwy 12 to Bryce.
You might want to invest $50 in a National Park Pass. It is good for one year from the month of purchase. The entrance fees for Bryce, Zion and the Grand Canyon are each $20 so it will save you a lot of money in one year.
Utahtea
Mar 19th, 2003, 06:07 PM
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From the Captiol Reef Visitor center to the Bryce Visitor Center is 123 miles by my software.
This is one of my favorite drives in Utah. You go up into the mountains. This road is paved but the very first time we did drove this route it wasn't paved! Then you go back down to some beautiful slickrock views in all directions.
http://www.so-utah.com/hwy12/hogsback/homepage.html
http://www.so-utah.com/hwy12/slickrck.jpg
Utahtea
This is one of my favorite drives in Utah. You go up into the mountains. This road is paved but the very first time we did drove this route it wasn't paved! Then you go back down to some beautiful slickrock views in all directions.
http://www.so-utah.com/hwy12/hogsback/homepage.html
http://www.so-utah.com/hwy12/slickrck.jpg
Utahtea
