Is this Feasible? Zion NP, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon trip
Jul 2nd, 2012, 11:44 AM
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Is this Feasible? Zion NP, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon trip
I am planning a trip to these 3 parks. We will be getting in at Grand Canyon Saturday night, plan to spend Sunday there until sunset and drive to Bryce Canyon. Stay in Bryce Sunday night, wake up 5:30 am Monday, see sunrise and then drive around and do a short hike or 2. Leaving Bryce about 2PM and driving to Zion. Take the shuttle tour, stay there overnight and Monday morning do a hike or 2, and leave to Vegas about 12pm. Is that doable? Thanks in advance! PS. We would go to sleep at nightfall and wake up sunrise..
Jul 2nd, 2012, 12:02 PM
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Sunset next Sat is about 8pm at the Grand Canyon. If you're in the car at 8:01 sharp and do the 5hr drive to Bryce non-stop, you'll arrive around midnight. 12:01 precisely.
Assuming you fall asleep by 12:30, that gives you 5hrs sleep.
Feasible, yes. Then you can check all 3 parks off your 'been there done that' list. Enjoyable? Memorable? Not for me. YMMV.
Assuming you fall asleep by 12:30, that gives you 5hrs sleep.
Feasible, yes. Then you can check all 3 parks off your 'been there done that' list. Enjoyable? Memorable? Not for me. YMMV.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 12:40 PM
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It's technically possible if you have reservations already, but I'd feel more comfortable with at least one or two more days. Otherwise, I think you'd be better off just spending an extra night near Zion and treating Bryce as basically a drive-through with stops at a couple of overlooks, delaying you a couple of hours on the way to Zion. This is a very punishing schedule, as J62 points out.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 12:52 PM
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If this is all the time you have, it's doable, but I wouldn't want to drive between the Grand Canyon and Bryce at night - too many deer on the roads. I would leave the Grand Canyon earlier in the day, especially since we didn't find it as interesting as Bryce or Zion.
Lee Ann
Lee Ann
Jul 2nd, 2012, 01:24 PM
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Do you mean North Rim or South Rim of the GC?
Frankly, I would narrow it down to one park. You can do the Grand Canyon in one day if you just want to look at it. Hiking down into it and/or rafting it takes much longer but is certainly well worth it.
At both Bryce and Zion there is easily enough to keep you busy there for 2-3 days. You can't really do a hike or two before noon at either place. The shuttle at Zion isn't really that much of a tour, it's more of a way to get from point to point and eliminates all the cars there. Some of the drivers do give great comments along the way, others not all that much.
Frankly, I would narrow it down to one park. You can do the Grand Canyon in one day if you just want to look at it. Hiking down into it and/or rafting it takes much longer but is certainly well worth it.
At both Bryce and Zion there is easily enough to keep you busy there for 2-3 days. You can't really do a hike or two before noon at either place. The shuttle at Zion isn't really that much of a tour, it's more of a way to get from point to point and eliminates all the cars there. Some of the drivers do give great comments along the way, others not all that much.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 03:58 PM
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I am a Road Warrior (or used to be more of one anyway 
- and I think you have a fairly aggressive schedule. Having said that - if you enjoy driving and watching the scenery pass by and want to see all three - perhaps to return to one or two in the future - go for it.
But - having grown up in deer country - in Oregon - I would also hesitate to try and drive 5 hours at night - and even if I/you know how to spot them fairly easily - you can still hit one when you least expect it.
If you had to cut out one place - simply due to how it sits geographically - I would nix Bryce.
And I thought the Shuttle gave you a nice overview at Zion.
- and I think you have a fairly aggressive schedule. Having said that - if you enjoy driving and watching the scenery pass by and want to see all three - perhaps to return to one or two in the future - go for it.But - having grown up in deer country - in Oregon - I would also hesitate to try and drive 5 hours at night - and even if I/you know how to spot them fairly easily - you can still hit one when you least expect it.
If you had to cut out one place - simply due to how it sits geographically - I would nix Bryce.
And I thought the Shuttle gave you a nice overview at Zion.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 04:42 PM
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What would I do?
Go to Zion on Saturday night, spend all day there on Sunday, then drive 1.5 hours to Bryce.
Drive into the park and just stop somewhere to look at the sky (if it's a clear night). Bryce has virtually no light pollution so you can see a lot more stars than you're used to. Go back to your hotel and get a good night's sleep.
Monday morning, get up early for sunrise then do a short hike. Leave for the Grand Canyon in time to get to the East Entrance by 6:30pm or so (it's about a 5 hour drive to the East Entrance, you will have to also account for the time change between Utah and Arizona depending on which month you are going). Give yourself some time to take in various viewpoints on your way to the main village - the drive takes about 45 minutes without stopping. Sunset at 8pm, pick whichever viewpoint you want, just be aware that by actual sunset time the canyon will be completely dark so there's not much to see below the rim. You may want to get there before 6:30 to give yourself more time to watch the shadows engulf the canyon.
Tuesday morning, up early for sunrise and some hiking, then leave for Vegas by 10 or 11 (again, adjusting for the time zone change and longer travel time vs. Zion).
3 big reasons I would reverse the order of your trip:
1) Zion deserves more time than you've allotted, and there are more easy hikes there than the Grand Canyon. Basically at the Grand Canyon, most people look at viewpoints, walk along the rim and maybe go down Bright Angel a little ways. So many more hikes to do at Zion with a lot more variety. Since it is 2 hours closer to Vegas than the Grand Canyon, you may even be able to do/see something on Saturday evening when you arrive.
2) You'll make a 1.5 hour drive to Bryce after dark instead of a 5 hour drive. Much less chance of hitting animals on the road, you'll get there at a reasonable hour so you can get a decent night's rest, and you'd be able to go see the stars without really losing much sleep.
3) You'd give yourself the chance to make a couple stops between Bryce and Grand Canyon with my itinerary (Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon) because you're making the drive in daylight. Not saying you have to make time for either of those, but at least you would have the option.
All of this is based on the assumption that you are going soon (hence the 8pm sunset time) and that you can actually switch your lodging arrangements around.
Go to Zion on Saturday night, spend all day there on Sunday, then drive 1.5 hours to Bryce.
Drive into the park and just stop somewhere to look at the sky (if it's a clear night). Bryce has virtually no light pollution so you can see a lot more stars than you're used to. Go back to your hotel and get a good night's sleep.
Monday morning, get up early for sunrise then do a short hike. Leave for the Grand Canyon in time to get to the East Entrance by 6:30pm or so (it's about a 5 hour drive to the East Entrance, you will have to also account for the time change between Utah and Arizona depending on which month you are going). Give yourself some time to take in various viewpoints on your way to the main village - the drive takes about 45 minutes without stopping. Sunset at 8pm, pick whichever viewpoint you want, just be aware that by actual sunset time the canyon will be completely dark so there's not much to see below the rim. You may want to get there before 6:30 to give yourself more time to watch the shadows engulf the canyon.
Tuesday morning, up early for sunrise and some hiking, then leave for Vegas by 10 or 11 (again, adjusting for the time zone change and longer travel time vs. Zion).
3 big reasons I would reverse the order of your trip:
1) Zion deserves more time than you've allotted, and there are more easy hikes there than the Grand Canyon. Basically at the Grand Canyon, most people look at viewpoints, walk along the rim and maybe go down Bright Angel a little ways. So many more hikes to do at Zion with a lot more variety. Since it is 2 hours closer to Vegas than the Grand Canyon, you may even be able to do/see something on Saturday evening when you arrive.
2) You'll make a 1.5 hour drive to Bryce after dark instead of a 5 hour drive. Much less chance of hitting animals on the road, you'll get there at a reasonable hour so you can get a decent night's rest, and you'd be able to go see the stars without really losing much sleep.
3) You'd give yourself the chance to make a couple stops between Bryce and Grand Canyon with my itinerary (Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon) because you're making the drive in daylight. Not saying you have to make time for either of those, but at least you would have the option.
All of this is based on the assumption that you are going soon (hence the 8pm sunset time) and that you can actually switch your lodging arrangements around.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 07:02 PM
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We did this trip last summer. Spent a lot more time in each location and did the NRGC. North Rim was only 2-3 hours from Zion. We loved it. Our trip went Capitol Reef (not in your trip) Bryce, North Rim, Zion then back to Vegas for our flight. I agree you need more time and I would not consider the shuttle at Zion anything but transportation. You can search my trip report for more details. Enjoy it is a beautiful part of the country.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 08:06 PM
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Don't underestimate the time it can take to drive through Zion Park. At busy summer and even shoulder seasons it can easily take 1 hour or more one way to get from Springdale through the tunnels and out the east entrance of the park to Hwy 89. If you're in a hurry, it can be frustratingly slow.
Jul 3rd, 2012, 08:35 AM
#11
I am not a fan of GC.
Two years ago I took my daughter on a 3 day (plus travel to and from) trip.
We did a lot but never rushed.
It's all in the distances and knowing where you're going next.
The drive to Bryce is long.
In my opinion, sunset in any of these parks is not their strong point.
If you are intent on seeing GC than get up on Sunday morning drive to several of the GC viewpoints then hike down for 45 min to an hour.
Then by early to mid-afternoon leave for Bryce. While the sunset at Sunset Point is not a big deal, it's better (in my opinion) than that at GC. You'll at least not drive to Bryce in the dark and get to bed at a reasonable time.
Yes, get up when it's still dark and get over to Bryce Point (it juts out into the Canyon) for a spectacular sunrise (you can see my photos at www.travelwalks.com).
Grab a bite for breakfast or a quick nap and hike down Navajo Loop and up Queens Garden.
Leave for Zion as Planned and on the way in the East Entrance park in the small parking lot just before the tunnel and hike Canyon Overlook. Great views of the canyon for the amount of effort on this relatively short hike.
Then depending upon the time you may get in Riverside Walk. It's called a "walk" and it is. However, the canyon scenery is worth it.
The next morning you can do any from a selection of hikes.
I think it's all in what time you leave GC.
Two years ago I took my daughter on a 3 day (plus travel to and from) trip.
We did a lot but never rushed.
It's all in the distances and knowing where you're going next.
The drive to Bryce is long.
In my opinion, sunset in any of these parks is not their strong point.
If you are intent on seeing GC than get up on Sunday morning drive to several of the GC viewpoints then hike down for 45 min to an hour.
Then by early to mid-afternoon leave for Bryce. While the sunset at Sunset Point is not a big deal, it's better (in my opinion) than that at GC. You'll at least not drive to Bryce in the dark and get to bed at a reasonable time.
Yes, get up when it's still dark and get over to Bryce Point (it juts out into the Canyon) for a spectacular sunrise (you can see my photos at www.travelwalks.com).
Grab a bite for breakfast or a quick nap and hike down Navajo Loop and up Queens Garden.
Leave for Zion as Planned and on the way in the East Entrance park in the small parking lot just before the tunnel and hike Canyon Overlook. Great views of the canyon for the amount of effort on this relatively short hike.
Then depending upon the time you may get in Riverside Walk. It's called a "walk" and it is. However, the canyon scenery is worth it.
The next morning you can do any from a selection of hikes.
I think it's all in what time you leave GC.
Jul 3rd, 2012, 05:36 PM
#12
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I am not a fan of GC.
I wouldn't be a fan either if we hadn't stayed in a lodge on the rim for two nights. This made it possible for us to enjoy the canyon in the morning (before the day-trippers arrived) and in the evening (after they left).
HTTY
I wouldn't be a fan either if we hadn't stayed in a lodge on the rim for two nights. This made it possible for us to enjoy the canyon in the morning (before the day-trippers arrived) and in the evening (after they left).
HTTY
Jul 4th, 2012, 02:59 AM
#13
happytrailstoyou,
Yes, I have stayed on the rim and so has my daughter on a different trip.
When you consider all of the sights in the area GC falls close to the bottom.
I would much rather spend a couple of days in the Red Rocks surrounding Sedona, stop in Page and go to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
I would prefer spending a few days in Bryce Canyon and surrounding area and Zion.
And a little further east a few days in the Moab area and Arches.
How does GC compare?
Yes, I have stayed on the rim and so has my daughter on a different trip.
When you consider all of the sights in the area GC falls close to the bottom.
I would much rather spend a couple of days in the Red Rocks surrounding Sedona, stop in Page and go to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
I would prefer spending a few days in Bryce Canyon and surrounding area and Zion.
And a little further east a few days in the Moab area and Arches.
How does GC compare?
Jul 4th, 2012, 03:19 AM
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Big fan of the Grand Canyon - and it's called that for a reason. Sounds like this is more of an initial-check it out type trip - so I definitely would try to include the GC on this trip - and then next time - you can decide if you want to spend more time there - or hiking in Zion, driving from Bryce toward Capital Reef, maybe getting over to Arches, or down to Monument Valley, etc.
And as suggested - you might also consider doing the loop in reverse - first getting over from Vegas and settled in Zion and enjoying that - then the nextr day - seeing Bryce (which is very nice - but 3rd ranked among these three IMO) - and then down to the GC and back to Vegas.
And as suggested - you might also consider doing the loop in reverse - first getting over from Vegas and settled in Zion and enjoying that - then the nextr day - seeing Bryce (which is very nice - but 3rd ranked among these three IMO) - and then down to the GC and back to Vegas.
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