Hang 20, I have the same trip planned for July... from what I have read on here, it could be very hot in Zion with midday temps in the low 100s. Hiking early and late in the day (morning on the east side of Zion Canyon, afternoon on the west side) should alleviate the heat somewhat. There is plenty to do at Zion... you have a good plan with the Narrows, Angels Landing and Emerald Pools. Check other threads for details about these hikes.

Bryce Canyon and North Rim are at much higher elevation, the heat shouldn't be as bad in those parks. You might need jackets at night in those parks. I hear the hiking is great but not as much of a variety as Zion, especially with young children as you say.

We are doing these 3 parks in 6 days, then back to Vegas for a few nights... I feel you should stick with southwest Utah for this trip, and save Arches for another time. You want to relax a some point... if you have time though, a side trip to Cedar Breaks may be fun.

Good luck and please report back!

Hang20,

I think your plan is good and would leave it as is. One thing though, I wouldn't do the horseback ride in Zion if you have already done one at Bryce. The Zion ride is rather dull and just ok on the scenery.

If you do a ride a Bryce be aware that you have 2 options. You can go down INTO the canyon on the ride through the Natl Park Service. Need to book ahead. Check age limits. Plus, you very well might be riding a mule if it matters to anyone. They are more sure-footed than horses. If you ride with Ruby's (big tourist motel just outside the park boundaries, you will not go down into the canyon. Also need to book ahead.

Remember to start your hiking EARLY. It can be up to 100 before noon some days.

Moab deserves a bare minimum of 3 days just on its own. That's if you don't do a lot of activities and just sightsee with the short walks to the easily accessible arches. A week is much better - time for a rafting trip, 4x4, hiking, canyoneering.

Have fun!

PS- the 6 yr old might have a little trouble with the Narrows. Be sure to have proper cold water foot wear and treking poles or similar for balance. The Narrow IS a slot canyon!

I was in SW Utah with my daughter last September.

I kept trying to put in Antelope Canyon (I've been there) but couldn't justify the number of daytime driving hours it would require on such a short trip.

For Bryce I would make sure to get up very early and be at Bryce Point for a spectacular sunrise. You can be sure you won't be alone. I was quite amused to see a tour bus arrive as the sunrise viewers were leaving.

I don't think anything is like Antelope Canyon. There are several slot canyons just east of Bryce but these are hiking canyons and definitely don't have the effect of AC.

As far as Moab and Arches NP go you have to decide when you think you might get back to it. If it's a dream then you might want to consider flying into and out of SLC and spend two days in Arches. But still count on possibly cutting some activities.

It's only 4 hours from SLC to Moab. You could hike to Delicate Arch for an amazing sunset on the way in from SLC before checking in to your motel.

You can leave arounf 4pm on the second day in Moab and stop in Goblin Valley for a couple of hours. The kids would have a ball there. Then drive as far as you can on the way to Bryce.

I think you can save a couple of days by dropping the horseback riding in Zion and grouping a few Zion hikes into the same day.

Yes, you've added a long drive from Moab but if you may not be back for a long time you may want to do it. If it were me, I'd add Moab and drop a day in Zion and maybe even the North Rim. GC isn't one of my favorite places considering all the other places there are to see.

I don't know that splashing in the Emerald Pools would be that great of an experience. If you want to get wet, stick with either tubing or The Narrows. I think your 6 year old will be ok in The Narrows, but you might want to consider a life jacket. If the flow is going strong and high, don't even consider it. Angels Landing is a place you will want to be careful. I would take a child there, but not sure I would feel comfortable with 3 small kids. Just make sure you hold the little ones hand at a few spots and that the other two take it very serious on the last bit. It is a pretty tough hike, so they need to know that it takes a couple of hours to get to the top, coming down is easy. Do Not rush going up or coming down on the last 1/2 mile, it is severe dropoffs. I don't know that I would call it super dangerous, but there is some real risk there.

Your kids will love the canyoneering. I haven't done it in Zion, but have done it with a Moab Company Twice. Very addicting.

I have twin neighbor boys that I play with a lot. They are 8 as well. They are very athletic and good kids and will listen and mind. I wouldn't hesitate at all to take them on the adventures that you are doing.

Day 2 at Bryce will be on a Saturday. Your kids might enjoy the ranger-led night sky program.

I like your plan just fine. I think it is much better to see a couple of places in a week and do the right. You can always go back later to Utah and do the other areas. They are all great.

Thanks to everyone. I am wondering a couple of things:
1. I don't have the second night booked in Bryce yet. Do you think it is full because it is a Saturday and the ranger hikes are so popular? I know they have some rooms that open up mid week, how likely is it that it is a tour that will not fully book and the rooms will open up?

2. What if we skipped the horseback ride in Zion and (with a few dates shifting) went to Antelope Canyon instead. How far is AC from Bryce or Zion?

3. I have to say I am not crazy about going to the Grand Canyon or Hoover dam. I have done them both and would rather explore more parks (or one park more in depth). I know everyone should see the GC at least once but maybe waiting until the boys are old enough to do a rafting trip down would be a better choice. (that would be a great trip with teenagers!)

4. We have looked into flying into Moab (more $$ than flying into Las Vegas) and flying out of LV. One challenge is the rental car pick up and drop off. Although we are leaning against going this route (not enough time in Arches or other parks in that area) has anyone done this with a car company recently in this area. It has to be common between SLC and LV.

5. What about rental cars? We were just going to get a mini van. Are we going to wish we had 4WD? A large SUV is expensive but not as much as a tow from some of these remote areas!

Again thank you for thoughts and feedback.

Hello! We did the same (3) parks in July 2010. We did them in 7 days making GCNR a day trip. I actually agree with you about the CGNP. We included it because, as you say, everyone should see it. My 82 year old MIL joined us on the trip, and I couldn't be so close to the park and not take her to see it. However it was the kids least favorite park, the one they were least able to 'explore'. And on many of the overlooks we had to force them to get out of the car!!
As far as the heat, yes it will be hot. And you will feel it most in Zion. The kids were constantly climbing inside of caves at bryce and going under rock ledges at Zion to escape the heat. We bought them large water bottle carriers. We actually almost ran out of water on the hike at Bryce. By the way, you may or may not know that they do not sell waterbottles at the park. We didn't realize did and were very surprised. In retrospect, it's a great idea, but if you're expecting to buy your waterbottles at the park, you will be out of luck.
At Bryce we did the 2hour? horseback ride into the bottom of Bryce. You will be sore when your done, but it is a nice way to get to see many of the hoodoos. I think the minimum age for the kids though is 7, and they are strict about it. As far as Zion, we felt the heat most doing the emerald pools trails, the one from the middle pools to the third pool has very little shade. My MIL didn't make it to the top. The third pool is the only one you could really splash around in, although there are signs posted saying not to. The Desert Pearl remains everyones favorite hotel of the entire trip. Including the hotels in Vegas. We had a room facing the pool and the kids just loved the freedom of being able to come and go as they pleased. The Narrows is a most do. Heat will not be an issue here. Please make sure you rent the proper equipment. There are plenty of people that don't and I can't imagine not having at least the proper footwear. My Dh, was injured and couldn't do the Narrows, and he swears we will go back on day just so that he can see it. Try to take a waterproof camara. The pictures will be incredible. This were the only hikes we attempted with our large group and limited time, but we would go back in a heartbeat, heat or no heat!!! Enjoy...

Swimming in Emerald Pools is no longer allowed. Keep to the Virgin River for cooling off.

Utahtea

Hang20,

Antelope Canyon is about 2.5 hours from Zion and 3 hours from Bryce Canyon.

I don't think a ranger presentation affects the occupancy. However, the day of the week could. Just keep calling. More often as you get within the last month and a half.

Of all these places GC is my least favorite.

Several years ago I picked up a car in LV and dropped it off in PHX. That cost $100. extra.

SLC is more condusive to a loop than LV. It's only 4 hours from SLC to Moab and 5 hours from Zion to SLC.

You're not planning on doing anything that would require a 4WD.

If repeated calling doesn't result in a room at Bryce, make a cancellable reservation nearby, Ruby's or in Tropic where there are several chains and keep trying. In any case the kids might be ready for a motel with a pool as long as it is close enough for you to go back and forth.

As for the car rental, if you decide to do the one way drop off, check both directions sometimes it is cheaper one direction than the other. LAS to SLC or SLC to LAS.

Alamo car rental, but I am flying into Grand Junction, then dropping of in St. George. There are a couple of flights into Moab, but car rental there and then dropping off elsewhere is really hard to come by.

You can rent 4 Wheel Drive for just a day or two at Moab Adventure Center.

I think you are right in saving Moab for a later trip. You really need several days to do it. There is a lot to see in that area. I have been to GC three times, including rafting. I haven't been to the north rim, but I think I would do just as you are and go see it.

I think your kids would like Goblin Valley. I don't see it being a good idea for this trip, but perhaps when you go to Arches/Moab in a year or two. The kids there I saw seemed to be having a blast. I took my neighbor with me(he's 21) and it was his favorite place. So I guess big kids like it too.

Alamo car rental, but I am flying into Grand Junction, then dropping of in St. George. There are a couple of flights into Moab, but car rental there and then dropping off elsewhere is really hard to come by.

You can rent 4 Wheel Drive for just a day or two at Moab Adventure Center.

I think you are right in saving Moab for a later trip. You really need several days to do it. There is a lot to see in that area. I have been to GC three times, including rafting. I haven't been to the north rim, but I think I would do just as you are and go see it.

I think your kids would like Goblin Valley. I don't see it being a good idea for this trip, but perhaps when you go to Arches/Moab in a year or two. The kids there I saw seemed to be having a blast. I took my neighbor with me(he's 21) and it was his favorite place. So I guess big kids like it too.

Hang20, we're planning a similar trip this summer with our kids ages 7 and 10, although we're adding another week and Yellowstone, too.

Regarding the Grand Canyon and rafting, a half-day float trip out of Page was recommended to me on another board as a great option for kids this age (and grown ups). I looked into it and it's a little spendy, but all the reviews I have read were really positive (4.5 stars out of 5). Not sure what the link policy on this board is, but if you google "page, az float trip" you'll find it at the top of the page.

We haven't decided if we're going to do it or not, but thought I'd pass it along since you seemed interested in the rafting.

We did the half day float trip from page and enjoyed it. We stopped along the way at a place that had pit toilets and there were some petroglyphs there too. The ride down to the river was fun, you go through a tunnel carved into the rock that was used in the construction of the dam.

I am sure the float trip is great, but if your kids are adventurous go for the real thing with white water.

There is also Cateract Canyon out of Moab. I haven't done it, but hope to in a year or so. It is my understanding that is a short version of GC with equally good whitewater. It runs much faster early in the season. So June is probably a real humdinger of a ride and then later in July probably not nearly as wild.

I would think the kids would get more out of the Grand Canyon when they are older, so skip it if you aren't excited about going.

Antelope Canyon is out of your way, do you think your kids will enjoy it that much? There are slot canyons in/near Zion. I would save Antelope for another trip.

Check on dune buggy rentals at Coral Pink Sand Dunes, not sure if your kids are old enough for that?

There's plenty of things to do in the area, I don't see the need to add Arches/Moab. It'll be hot but there are ways around that, hike early and save the water activities for the afternoon.

Thank you again! Every time I start to get it set in my mind more great options pop up! i am really getting excited about this trip!

I am focusing in on more of a southern Utah trip this time. We will save Arches for later as well as rafting the Grand Canyon. We have a friend who did it with his teenagers a few years ago and they loved it. It was rough but they had a blast.


I am going to look into the float trip from Page. It would make a little more sense (okay so I would be able to justify going to) Antelope Canyon if we went on a half day float trip out of Page. We could do Bryce to Page/Antelope, to NRGC to Zion.

I did look into the dune buggy's at Pink Coral Sands and they seat 4. I need to dig a little deeper to see if we could just take turns or if they would expect us to get 2, age limits etc.

the parks are starting to line up. I just keep calling!

Hi Hang20. I think it's a good decision to keep Arches for a later trip. We were there in July a few years ago and it was so hot I found it unbearable. We were just there last week, and it is sooo much more pleasant in cooler weather.

If you can't get a dune buggy in Coral Pink Sand Dunes - my kids loved just running up and down the dunes.

We did the float trip from Page and I have to warn you - it is not a white water experience. You move VERY slowly, and I don't think my boys were all that thrilled with the experience. (I know my husband kept wondering when we were going to go faster, LOL).

In case you want to know for your next trip, only a few rental car places rent one way between LV and SLC and for an SUV it is expensive. We figured we saved an extra day of driving/hotel to loop back to LV.

You are going to such a great area of the country - have a great trip!

Okay here is a possible new plan. Do I have too much driving? Do I have a good loop?




Day 1: Arrive Las Vegas Friday mid day, travel to Bryce stay at Bryce Canyon Lodge
Day 2: Hiking trails in Bryce
Day 3: Early horseback ride Bryce, drive to Page possibly see Horseshoe Bend or other Page attraction
Day 4: See Antelope Canyon possible float trip
stay at North Rim of Grand Canyon Lodge in Western Cabin
Day 5: Hike trails NRGC
Late afternoon head to Zion (or head to Coral Sands State Park?)
Day 6: Hike Angel's Landing or similar trail in early morning (Zion)
Tube on river or splash in Emerald Pools in afternoon
Day 7: Hike the Narrows (Zion)
Relax by pool in afternoon?
Day 8: Zion Canyoneering
Day 9: Afternoon return to Las Vegas
Day 10: Fly home

Sounds good to me- except for the Emerald Pool splashing.

I haven't seen Rainbow Bridge and it would take up a lot of your day, but you could take the boat and see it while at Page. I'm not sure which would be more worthwhile experience-it or the float trip. I'm not big on just floating, I like a litle of the whitewater stuff too.

spriobulldog, The float trip isn't all floating. The pontoons are motorized and they zip you along in some sections and they let you float when they want to talk about the area. It really is worth while.

Hang20,

Day 4: See Antelope Canyon possible float trip
stay at North Rim of Grand Canyon Lodge in Western Cabin

The float trips are early morning or afternoon. I'd try for the early morning one because the afternoons will be hot even on the river in the summer. You will want to do the Antelope Slot canyons closer to the noon hour so the sun is high in the ski and better lighting in the slots.

Please don't splash at Emerald Pools because it's not allowed. Rangers do visit and you don't want to spoil your vacation with a fine!

Utahtea

No reason you couldn't go to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon the same day. They're 20 minutes apart.

Just make sure you're at both when the sun is high in the sky.

Horseshoe Bend is a 3/4 mile hike on sand with no shade. Watch out with the kids as there's no fence, screen or barrier.

utahtea - we did the float trip out of Page and I don't recall ever going fast.

Here's my Horseshoe Bend story: we did this hike near sunset. It is an amazing view and it is a LONG way down! My younger son was far away from the overlook, picking up rocks. We let him go b/c 1) he was quiet and 2) he was keeping away from the drop off.

All of sudden, he turns over a rock and yells; SNNAAKKKE!! I have no idea what the snake looked like b/c we immediately left (lol), but my husband claims it was a big one.

My point: definitely do this hike, just don't overturn any rocks.

karens,

I'm sorry if I gave the impression that the float trip pontoons went fast. You do travel approx 14 miles. It wasn't fast but it wasn't all just a slow float either. We did move at a pretty good clip at some points. Our tour guide on the float trip made us go fast enough in the wake of another pontoon that I got drenched (I was in the front of the pontoon with one leg on the outside)...which felt good as the morning was heating up.

Utahtea

If the poster is going canyoneering, chances are that the float is going to be very very mild compared to rafting is the point I was trying to make. They rate rapids 1-5 and 1-10 on the Grand Canyon. I don't think any of the "floating trips" experience any of the rapids. I haven't done that much kayaking, rafting, or canoeing(maybe 7 or 8 times all together), but I just prefer a little excitement. Not to say that the float trip wouldn't be stunningly beautiful.

No rapids on the float trip but I see your point. Both the float trip and the boat tours on Lake Powell are mild kind of adventures compared to white water rafting.

Utahtea

I stayed at BC Lodge before and it was very convenient for the rim. However, if you can't get a room, you might consider the new Best Western just outside the park across the road from the older Ruby's complex. I think it is owned by the same folks, but it is newer and we had a nice stay there recently. It may not have its own pool, but have pool privileges at the Rubys. the drive to the rim took maybe 10 minutes.

Thanks again. I need to look into float trip a little more. Yes our kids would love the canyoneering and maybe the float trip is too calm. It would be beautiful though. Decisions, decisions.....

I meant to take the part about splashing in Emerald pools off my list. Sorry for the confusion. Before this I thought it was okay.

Kay2 when you say "the rim" do you mean where Bryce Canyon starts? We have never been there and don't know the vencular. I am still working on rooms at Bryce so I will get a reservation in this Best Western as a backup. woiuld it be too far to do the night hike with the ranger if we weren't staying in the park?

The national park lodge inside Bryce Canyon is within a very short walking distance to the rim of the Bryce Canyon. Great for sunsets and sunrises and starting of hikes. Unless you hike down into Bryce Canyon, your views will be from the rim looking down.

The Best Western in the town of Bryce is just outside the Bryce Canyon park entrance and an easy drive even at night. Many

Utahtea

Utahtea is spot on.

I may not have my geological terms correct, but BC lodge and other facilities are on the top of the plateau. From there you walk to the edge/ridge of the canyon that has been eroded away over the centuries.
Most people walk and drive along this rim, stopping at viewpoints to look at the hoodoos and other rock formations that are left below as the side of the canyon erodes.
It is also popular to watch from the rim of the canyon as the rock colors change in intensity as the sun rises and sets.
You can also hike down the side of the canyon to the river at the bottom and back up. One part of a popular trail, the Navajo Loop, was closed when we recently visited because of landslides. I'm not sure how extensive the damage is or when it might be reopened. It makes a good look combined with the Queens Garden. However, I have only hiked these in September and April. Both times the elevation and sun made them a more demanding hike than one might expect. If you do not live at elevation, then you must remember to take it slowly and the trails are totally exposed so we drank a lot of water and even got too much sun in April (sweated off the sunblock).

The BW Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel http://www.brycecanyongrand.com/ is literally just outside the park gate. The drive to/from the lodge is 10-15 minutes on an easy direct road. I do remember now that it has its own pool in an enclosed courtyard.

We are staying at the Ruby's Inn this summer. This may be a stupid question but... the park doesn't 'close' at night does it - I mean the main gate. In other words, you can drive into the park before sunrise? It seems it must be so, since so many stay at Ruby's and seeing sunrise in Bryce is such a big thing, but I thought I read somewhere that the entrances were closed in the middle of the night.

"Is it going to be too hot in July in Zion to have this trip and enjoy it?"
Definitely YES !!! My husband and I were there last summer and had up to 120 F! It was absolutely unbearable (and we have done Arches and Canyonlands in the summer a few yers ago and were fine, so we know what heat means). Would never ever go back to Zion in summer.

isabel: Most of the national parks just don't have Rangers at the entrance station but you can still drive in. Some parks try to catch you as you exit.

hang20: As far as to hot, it's hard to tell. We were forced to visit Utah in the summer when our boys were young and in school and we always survived and we always came back. Once the boys had moved off we swore we'd never go back in the summer, but what did we do for two years in a row when family members wanted to go to Zion? We went in August! It really depends on the luck of the draw for the weather. Hopefully you won't have it extremely hot. If it is, then do your hikes early in the morning and late afternoon. For Zion, enjoy the river during the heat of the day.

Utahtea

And really be vigilant about the hats, sunblock, and water. We saw many people sunburned in Zion in April. The sun was intense, so when we arrived in the afternoon we rode the bus to the end and walked along the river (some shade), then worked our way back along the bus stops for short walks. Narrows was closed for high water. We didn't do Angels Landing. Emerald Pools was fine in the morning before breakfast. The hike just east after the tunnels from Zion to the viewpoint back toward Zion was OK in the afternoon in April. It would be hot in July because it is mostly exposed, but is relatively short.

Thanks to everyone esp Utahtea, we are in the same boat that we don't necessarily want to travel to some places at peak times or not perfect weather but there is only so much school the kids can miss, We have survived Costa Rica in rainy season and Yosemite in August (crowds) so I think we just do it.

I am going to book at the Best Western in Bryce. I have one night in the park and will try 2 nights there. Does everyone just eat at Ruby's? Are there other choices we should consider?

What about in Page? Any thoughts on where to stay? I promise to write a travel report after I get back.

Hi,

My family and I did a similar trip last year in late July. In Bryce we stayed at the Best Western Grand and we really liked it, they do have a pool. The rooms were very large and the included breakfast was great. We usually packed picnic lunches (the room has a nice sized refrigator and microwave). we ate one night at the lodge and it was just okay and expensive. Another night we picked up hamburgers at the restaurant next door to Ruby's, I can't recall the name. But they were fine and really inexpensive but there did not seem to be very many dining options in Bryce.

We really enjoyed Zion and to survive the heat we were up and hiking by 7:00 and done by 12:00, and a few times we went back into the park and hiked in the evening... This was our favorite park...

As for Page, we stayed at the Lake Powell Resort and the location was great but the overall rooms were not too good but if you are just there for the float trip and Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell Resort might be a little out of the way and it would be better to stay closer to town... I thought the Courtyard looked nice.

Make sure you always have water with you. Climate is dry, high altitude..

Thanks I am having a challenge getting a room in Bryce. I have one night but I can't seem to get the other two either in Ruby's or the park. I am still calling every day. Are there other options? I feel like Julie at Forever Resorts is getting tired of my calls!

The other option is to call twice a day.

In the last couple of weeks before the trip people realize that they'd better cancel reservations made a year in advance that they can't use. Also, the tour companies release unsold rooms.

Call, call, call.

Great news: I got my room at Bryce today. Not as great news, it will change our trip a little. We will have a day or two between Las Vegas arrival and when our reservations start at Bryce. My DH wants to see the Hoover Dam. I thin the kids will remember it. I have been; glad I have seen it but would not go again unless my family was with me.
New PLan
Day one arrive Las Vegas, go see Hoover Dam
Day two: THIS IS OUR CHALLENGE:

Sorry Wrong button! We don't have a room in Bryce until Day 4 and worry that Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are too far for us to go just to drive back again. We are looking for what to do between an afternoon at Hoover and a little more than a day arriving at Bryce. We have considered Cedar Breaks National Monument, mostly because it is on the way (sort of) to Bryce. Is there something else we shold consider? What about the North western part of Zion, not near Springdale? Kolob Canyon? Is is accessible from the highway? Are we going to see that when we go to Zion anyways or would it be better to see it from the western approach?

Where would you stay if visiting Cedar Breaks? Would it be better to go past Bryce, to Tropic and see Escalante?

Thanks for your continued ideas!

Cedar Breaks is a mini Bryce canyon but should be cooler temps up there since the elevation is higher than Bryce.

Kolob Canyon is a little different than Zion proper so that is an option for a couple of hours.

Going up to Escalante is also an option. Calf Creek, Escalante Petrified Forest state park, and just the drive up to Boulder is worth it. In Boulder you have the Burr Trail and Anasazi Indian State Park.

Snow Canyon State Park just a few miles north of St. George might be a great place to explore. They have a little sand dune to play on and some red rocks.

Valley of Fire State Park in NV is also an option but I think the summer temps will make it hard to get out of the vehicle.

Utahtea

Cedar Breaks should be a nice place to visit and when we tried to visit in late April/early May, the road was not open yet, about 8 feet of snow on it, so it certainly will be cooler. Do be aware that you are at a very high elevation and if you are coming from sea level will need to take it easy until you get acclimated. Drink lots of water.

Sounds like a great trip.

I would keep calling Bryce. The only thing to do is call several times a day.

You'll get what you need.

M

I am going to keep trying at Bryce and also take a closer look at Cedar Breaks. How accessible is Kolob Canyon?

Kolob Canyon is just a couple miles off of I-15 about 20 miles south of Cedar City or about 32 miles north of St. George, Utah.

Utahtea

Okay our plans are coming together, Here is our updated plan. We have decided to skip Antelope Canyon/Paige area due to tiem constraints.



Day 1 (Friday): Arrive Las Vegas Friday mid day, travel visit Hoover Dam. Stay night in St. George UT. (Suggestions on where to stay?)

Day 2 (Saturday): Hike Kolob Canyon (Zion) in a.m. drive to Bryce stay at Best Western Grand (Ruby's)
Do we want to see the rodeo here?
There is not a full moon, will the rangers in the park still give a tour of the night sky on Saturday night?

Day 3(Sunday): Early hike in Bryce (Is Navajo Loop open again?) We will either relax this afternoon or take Hwy 12 at least part way to Capital Reef. If we don't do this Sunday we could do it Monday. Maybe have dinner or snack in Boulder UT (open to suggestions here.)
DH and I would love to see this drive, to keep the kids involved we were hoping there were stops, mini hikes or just cool places to lookout. DH looked at Spooky Gulch and a few others . Ideas anyone?
We have reservations at the Park this night and Monday. We are thinking about just staying at Ruby's 2 nights again any thoughts? The Best Western Grand looks nice and with breakfast and the pull out couch, easy park access it has my attention.

Day 4 (Monday) Early horseback ride Bryce. (do we need to book in advance?) Should we do this through Ruby's, through the park or, or someone in Tropic? Either drive Hwy 12 or relax this pm. Have reservations in park, would like to do a sunset hike.

Day 5 (Tuesday): Sunrise hike in Bryce. Travel to North Tim of GC. Maybe a little hiking of trails NRGC. Stay grand Canyon Lodge in Western Cabin
Do we need dinner reservations here? Should we eat here?

Day 6Wednesday) Early hike, head for Zion. Maybe a stop at Coral Sand Dunes on the way. We will need to take the kids eanergy level into account. Arrive Zion, afternoon. Check into Desert Pearl and relax. Evening hike? Check out Springdale?

Day 7 (Thursday): Early hike of Angel's Landing or Narrows. Heard Narrows was closed in June due to snow melt. Is it still closed or is that day to day? Relax at pool or tube river in afternoon.

Day 8 (Friday): Hike the Narrows or Angel's landing break in afternoon. Evening hike by the river? (Zion) Desert Pearl.
Relax by pool in afternoon?
Day 9: (Saturday) Zion Canyoneering Do we need a reservation? Really these 3 days at Zion are flexible. We can do these three days in any order. It will depend on the weather.
We had planned on returning to Las Vegas on Saturday to see the sites and visit with family that lives there. Now we are considering just (we'll pay for this!) skipping the family visit and staying in Zion. We would have to leave pretty early on Sunday to catch our flight (I think it is at 11:15) but I am going to put it out there. Has anyone done this? What about construction and traffic snarls?
Day 10: Fly home and collapse.

Thank you for all of your help and insight. We will write about our adventure. Any thoughts are appreciated!

If you want to ride horsed IN Bryce National Park, then you have to book though the National Park. If you book outside the park, you will ride outside the park!

We didn't do the horse back ride but we looked into it for my SIL and BIL. There is also a weight limit of 230 pounds and they have a scale behind the counter!

Utahtea

Narrows is still closed, they won't re-open it until the water flow drops to under 100 cubic feet per second. Currently flowing at about 180 cfs http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ut/nwis/uv/?site_no=09405500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060,00010,00095,72020 but that is down from 400 just two weeks ago.

I'll be there in 9 days, hoping for the best.

Day3or4 There is a small state park, Anasazi, in Boulder. If you haven't seen ancient dwellings there is a small area with representations as well as a little museum inside. The most awesome part of 12 is a bit beyond Boulder.

Eating at the north rim is pretty much at the park unless you either bring in food or want to drive a long way back to civilization. I don't know if you need reservations, but if you have kids who expect food at 6, then probably not a bad idea.

If you have a flight at 11:15 that means getting to the airport by 9:45 at the latest. You have to turn in the car, get through security and through traffic (I'v never seen Vegas with no traffic). I would head out Saturday night, keep the family happy, and chill in Vegas rather than getting everyone packed up, fed, and checked out before dawn.

We have been to Mesa Verde so we have seen some ancient dellings. The kids were fascinated by these but I think we'll focuas on some other things on this trip.

We are reshuffling the deck again. Are we crazy to skip GCNR and shift our days to get Capital Reef/ Escalante area? Everything I read on these forums has great things to say about these areas.

We flew out of LV a few months ago on a Sunday. I think the flight was at 1-1:30pm LV time (1 hour difference with Utah?). We left Bryce Canyon early a.m. in the snow, driving 35mph and only slightly faster on the Interstate, then into Nevada at speed limit. Stopped in LV (no traffic on interstate) for lunch at the shopping center near the airport. Fueled the rental car, returned, and on the bus to the airport with no problems. Differences are we had no children and no bags to check, later flight time, but we were also starting from further away and in bad weather conditions.

You can sometimes see the scheduled ranger programs on the nps website. Sometimes it is in the online version of the park paper if not listed under a heading of ranger talks/activities. Their website is also how I knew Navajo Loop was closed before we arrived.

I am doing a similar trip in August and will be in Las Vegas,Grand Canyon (2 days) & Zion(2days). Based on what I am reading, can you tell me --
what is Zion Canyoneering and is it safe for 10 year old & 15 year old. I am also staying at Zion Moutain Ranch -- anyone hear of it?
Hang20, thanks for letting me drop on to this note and hope you have a great trip.Let us know your final itinerary and i like your ideas.

Hang said: We are reshuffling the deck again. Are we crazy to skip GCNR and shift our days to get Capital Reef/ Escalante area? Everything I read on these forums has great things to say about these areas.

It's so hard to know what someone will or won't like as far as scenery.

A lot of the drive to the North Rim is though forest and meadows which is not your typical Southwest scenery.

Hwy 12, Escalante Grand Staircase and Capitol Reef are more the sandstone scenery of the southwest.

If you have been to the Grand Canyon before and you want something different but more on the lines of what you have seen at Zion and Grand Canyon then scenic Hwy 12 though Escalante Grand Staircase and Capitol Reef might be a good option. I personally love Capitol Reef but others don't.

Utahtea

I would not skip GC for Cap reef. I would be sure to hike a bit into GC and last April the construction in CR made it a very long trip, I don't know if it is done yet, but I would check before spending much time there.

Neither GC nor Capitol Reef are among my favorite places.

I much prefer some of the Escalente sights to them.
Lower Calf Creek Falls though it might be a little long for the kids and hot.
Devil's Garden Escalente especially if you haven't been to Goblin Valley.
Willis Creek or another slot canyon if you haven't been to a slot canyon.
Grosvenor Arch if you haven't been to Arches NP.

The above are all within 1:30 minutes from Bryce Canyon and you can see them all in a day going from one to the next.

I did that last September with my daughter.

Grosvenor Arch if you haven't been to Arches NP

As long as the road doesn't get closed because of rain! I swear every time we try to get to this arch...the weather has been against me! Someday I'll make it there!

Utahtea

utahtea,
I made it there my first attempt. Having since been to Arches NP, Grosvenor Arch really isn't worth the effort. But if you haven't been to Arches and don't expect to for a while, well.

Very close to Grosvenor Arch is Willis Creek. The drive there is a bit of an adventure but the hike is a very easy level walk. After about 4 slots they get really high and a fun walk. Very, very few people there. Do not go if there's rain in the forcast.

Willis Creek is in the same direction as Grosvenor Arch except at the fork just below Cannonville you go right for about 10 miles (there's now a sign at the parking lot) instead of left.

There's a visitors center in Cannonville as soon as you turn south off Rte 12. They can give you directions.

Myer,

We've been going to Arches since the late 1970's But there comes a time when you want to see each and every arch...LOL! We weren't able to try for many years when we just had our smaller motor home but now that we have the larger one and have a tow vehicle, we can once again try to hit the spots we would like to visit.

Utahtea