Is this too Ambitious? Utah parks & Grand Canyon
Jun 27th, 2017, 07:25 AM
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Is this too Ambitious? Utah parks & Grand Canyon
I modified an itinerary from one I found on the internet. We are a family of 4, with kids age 9 & 11, traveling in September 2018. What would you change?
Day 1- Fly to Las Vegas late - overnight in Henderson, NV
Day 2 - See Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire on way to Zion - overnight Zion
Day 3 - See Zion, drive and see Bryce - overnight Bryce
Day 4 - Finish Bryce, see Capital Reef on way to Moab - overnight Moab
Day 5 - See Arches and Canyonlands - overnight Moab
This is where things slow down and I'm not sure if I should adjust the above or just go with it
Day 6 - Drive to Monument Valley - overnight in Kayenta
Day 7 - Drive to Grand Canyon south rim - overnight GC
Day 8 - See Grand Canyon - overnight GC
Day 9 - Drive to Phoenix - overnight Phoenix
Day 10 - Fly home
I am concerned there is not enough time for Zion and too much time at the Grand Canyon.
Day 1- Fly to Las Vegas late - overnight in Henderson, NV
Day 2 - See Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire on way to Zion - overnight Zion
Day 3 - See Zion, drive and see Bryce - overnight Bryce
Day 4 - Finish Bryce, see Capital Reef on way to Moab - overnight Moab
Day 5 - See Arches and Canyonlands - overnight Moab
This is where things slow down and I'm not sure if I should adjust the above or just go with it
Day 6 - Drive to Monument Valley - overnight in Kayenta
Day 7 - Drive to Grand Canyon south rim - overnight GC
Day 8 - See Grand Canyon - overnight GC
Day 9 - Drive to Phoenix - overnight Phoenix
Day 10 - Fly home
I am concerned there is not enough time for Zion and too much time at the Grand Canyon.
Jun 27th, 2017, 08:14 AM
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Your plan can be done if you want a been there/done that trip or just to see where you might plan a more in depth exploration of the parks.
That said, you are not giving yourself time to actually do much hiking, or even visiting any of the parks. There are ranger let programs for adults and kids that you might find interesting if you don't want to explore on your own.
One day or less per park is really shortchanging them and Moab needs at least 3 days to even scratch the surface of Arches and Canyonlands.
The hours of daylight are fewer in September and you don't want to drive after dark. You wouldn't want to miss the scenery or hit the occasional deer, elk, cow, horse, antelope etc. that sometimes cross roads.
If you care about money, consider doing a loop and avoid the drop fees for not returning the rental car to where you got it. It isn't much farther going back to Vegas and you could plan to see Hoover Dam on the way back to Vegas and stay north of Vegas on day 1 , visit Valley of Fire and head to Zion.
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The trip could be done in either direction with Zion at the beginning or Grand Canyon first.
I prefer staying in the parks if possible and for some, like Grand Canyon it means you get to see the park after day trippers have left, see sunset and sunrise, and avoid driving after dark. The lodging in them is basic and with kids you will want some of the nights to have a pool, tv, internet etc. Check for accommodations as soon as they become available
Add a day to Moab then Day 8 drive to GC south rim, hike a bit, overnight GC, Day 9 see sunrise at GC, hike a bit, drive to Hoover Dam then on to Vegas.
Have fun planning and taking the trip.
That said, you are not giving yourself time to actually do much hiking, or even visiting any of the parks. There are ranger let programs for adults and kids that you might find interesting if you don't want to explore on your own.
One day or less per park is really shortchanging them and Moab needs at least 3 days to even scratch the surface of Arches and Canyonlands.
The hours of daylight are fewer in September and you don't want to drive after dark. You wouldn't want to miss the scenery or hit the occasional deer, elk, cow, horse, antelope etc. that sometimes cross roads.
If you care about money, consider doing a loop and avoid the drop fees for not returning the rental car to where you got it. It isn't much farther going back to Vegas and you could plan to see Hoover Dam on the way back to Vegas and stay north of Vegas on day 1 , visit Valley of Fire and head to Zion.
.
The trip could be done in either direction with Zion at the beginning or Grand Canyon first.
I prefer staying in the parks if possible and for some, like Grand Canyon it means you get to see the park after day trippers have left, see sunset and sunrise, and avoid driving after dark. The lodging in them is basic and with kids you will want some of the nights to have a pool, tv, internet etc. Check for accommodations as soon as they become available
Add a day to Moab then Day 8 drive to GC south rim, hike a bit, overnight GC, Day 9 see sunrise at GC, hike a bit, drive to Hoover Dam then on to Vegas.
Have fun planning and taking the trip.
Jun 27th, 2017, 08:33 AM
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There's technically enough time to do all these drive-bys, but I would say they are all drive-bys. You haven't given yourself enough time to sit quietly and contemplate any of these places. It's not so much that you've given yourself too much time at the Grand Canyon, but rather than you haven't given yourself enough time at any single place (not even the Grand Canyon). Having said that, this is the kind of trip a lot of people make, so you're not doing anything the rest of the world isn't doing too.
Plan the trip you want, but if your initial feeling is that you're giving short shrift to something, that's likely true.
Plan the trip you want, but if your initial feeling is that you're giving short shrift to something, that's likely true.
Jun 27th, 2017, 10:51 AM
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You haven't given yourself enough time for the kids to take off their shoes and splash in the creek, or pause for a few minutes to get an ice-cream at Zion lodge, or run ahead of mom & dad on a trail with a 100' drop off and no handrail... (eg Observation point trail), or swim in the pool at your hotel, or... (fill in the blank)
Of all the parks I've been to, Zion rates near the top of the list for accessibility, variety, and overall enjoyment. I have spent a full week at Zion & never ran out of things to do. I think you are better off cutting out 1 or 2 destinations, and booking enough time to actually enjoy somewhere, even if it's not sitting quietly contemplating.
Of all the parks I've been to, Zion rates near the top of the list for accessibility, variety, and overall enjoyment. I have spent a full week at Zion & never ran out of things to do. I think you are better off cutting out 1 or 2 destinations, and booking enough time to actually enjoy somewhere, even if it's not sitting quietly contemplating.
Jun 27th, 2017, 02:07 PM
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I have 2 kids. This trip is wayyy too packed. Remember that you really cannot/should not drive at night on these roads--deer/elk/cows all equal disasters. If you click on my user name you will see trip reports for all of the Utah Parks. I live here and my kids love going to these parks. But you have to get out of the car and move somewhere. You won't be able to do that with this trip. You will only be in the car. Arches takes an entire day. Canyonlands takes an entire day. There are long distances between locations on small roads.
Starting day 3--spend all of day 3 and much of day 4 in Zion. Drive to Bryce in time for dinner
Day 5--one day in Bryce, leave by 3:00 or so. Take the drive to Torrey/Capital Reef
Day 6: Do a Capital Reef hike in the morning, drive to Arches/Canyonlands--stop on the way to do Little Wildhorse and Goblin Valley
Day 7: Arches
Day 8: Canyonlands, drive to Grand Canyon--
Day 9: Grand Canyon
Day 10: Drive to Phoenix, fly home
Totally skip Monument Valley
Starting day 3--spend all of day 3 and much of day 4 in Zion. Drive to Bryce in time for dinner
Day 5--one day in Bryce, leave by 3:00 or so. Take the drive to Torrey/Capital Reef
Day 6: Do a Capital Reef hike in the morning, drive to Arches/Canyonlands--stop on the way to do Little Wildhorse and Goblin Valley
Day 7: Arches
Day 8: Canyonlands, drive to Grand Canyon--
Day 9: Grand Canyon
Day 10: Drive to Phoenix, fly home
Totally skip Monument Valley
Jun 27th, 2017, 02:55 PM
#7
Without reading all the other replies, this actually not impossible but I've got a few suggestions.
On your arrival day, don't stay in Henderson but drive 1.5 hr to Mesquite. that puts you closer to Zion. It's a freeway so assuming you aren't jetlagged I don't think it will be difficult. I would skip Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire.
Day 2/Night 2 in Springdale, for Zion.
Day3 Zion again in the morning.
Mid day head toward Bryce, to make sunset. Night 3 at Bryce (note it takes a while to drive in the NPs, the speed limit is 25 mph or less.
Day 4 Morning at Bryce then drive to Torrey via Hwy 12.. takes bout 4 hours. Torrey for Night 4
Day 5 A few hours at Capitol Reef then to Moab (doesn't take long). You may be able to see sunset at Arches. 2 nights in Arches
Day 6 Arches full day Night in Moab
Day 7 Half day Arches, drive to Monument Valley. Spend the bucks to stay in MV, not Kayenta
Day 8 morning in MV then drive to GC Figure out where you want to be for sunset and allow an extra hour. Night inside GC, Yavapai is probably easiest for late arrival.
Day 9 full Day GC, Night 9 there also. (depending on next day's flight).
Day 10 Drive to Phoenix (it's about 4 hours, plus time to check out, return car, etc) Depends on when your flight leaves. If it's tight you could spend Night 9 in Williams (which has some cool nighttime neon and better food than inside the park). Do be careful driving after dark in the national parks (wildlife).
On your arrival day, don't stay in Henderson but drive 1.5 hr to Mesquite. that puts you closer to Zion. It's a freeway so assuming you aren't jetlagged I don't think it will be difficult. I would skip Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire.
Day 2/Night 2 in Springdale, for Zion.
Day3 Zion again in the morning.
Mid day head toward Bryce, to make sunset. Night 3 at Bryce (note it takes a while to drive in the NPs, the speed limit is 25 mph or less.
Day 4 Morning at Bryce then drive to Torrey via Hwy 12.. takes bout 4 hours. Torrey for Night 4
Day 5 A few hours at Capitol Reef then to Moab (doesn't take long). You may be able to see sunset at Arches. 2 nights in Arches
Day 6 Arches full day Night in Moab
Day 7 Half day Arches, drive to Monument Valley. Spend the bucks to stay in MV, not Kayenta
Day 8 morning in MV then drive to GC Figure out where you want to be for sunset and allow an extra hour. Night inside GC, Yavapai is probably easiest for late arrival.
Day 9 full Day GC, Night 9 there also. (depending on next day's flight).
Day 10 Drive to Phoenix (it's about 4 hours, plus time to check out, return car, etc) Depends on when your flight leaves. If it's tight you could spend Night 9 in Williams (which has some cool nighttime neon and better food than inside the park). Do be careful driving after dark in the national parks (wildlife).
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