Itinerary for Utah's five national parks
May 27th, 2013, 05:52 PM
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Itinerary for Utah's five national parks
My family is considering taking a long road trip, spending some of the time in Utah. I'd like to visit all five national parks, but we might not have a lot of time. So I'm wondering, what's the fastest that you can go through all the parks without feeling terribly rushed? We wouldn't be doing any super long hikes or anything (probably <2 mi. round trip in most instances). And with whatever amount of days that you suggest, which parks would you visit each day and where would you stay?
Also, I know there are several national monuments, Glen Canyon NRA, and Monument Valley as well, so if any of those are can't miss, let me know. Or if one of the national parks could be skipped to give more time to other stuff, let me know as well.
Also, I know there are several national monuments, Glen Canyon NRA, and Monument Valley as well, so if any of those are can't miss, let me know. Or if one of the national parks could be skipped to give more time to other stuff, let me know as well.
May 27th, 2013, 06:34 PM
#2
Where are you coming from on your road trip? If I had to drop one NP from the list it would be Capitol Reef.
The two walks I like in Arches are the ranger led Fiery Furnace and the hike to Delicate Arch.
It depends on which state you are arriving from, which park to see first. Do you plan to see either the North or South Rim of the Grand Canyon?
The two walks I like in Arches are the ranger led Fiery Furnace and the hike to Delicate Arch.
It depends on which state you are arriving from, which park to see first. Do you plan to see either the North or South Rim of the Grand Canyon?
May 27th, 2013, 06:43 PM
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I realize now that I didn't include a lot of necessary information. Here's what I posted somewhere else, and then I'll answer whatever wasn't covered:
"Well, for the entire trip, we're thinking around 10 days (maybe a couple more, if need be). Thing is, however, we're coming from North Dakota driving. My dad would like to stay mainly on interstates, which would mean driving by Yellowstone NP and Rocky Mountain NP if we do a big loop. So the question is, if we do go to Utah, are we going to just Utah or are we going to hit those two parks as well? Usually when we go to Yellowstone, we take around a 8-day trip to there alone, but we could cut it down. Rocky Mountain would probably be just driving through and not stopping a whole lot. So really the amount of time that I have varies. If it's just Utah, we've got about 10 days to spend getting there, spending time there, and getting back. If we do the others, it would probably be more like 4 or 5 days.
My dad has mentioned the Grand Canyon, but I don't think we'd be able to make it work, so probably not."
We'd probably be entering up north going through Salt Lake City and leaving Utah on I-70 to the east.
"Well, for the entire trip, we're thinking around 10 days (maybe a couple more, if need be). Thing is, however, we're coming from North Dakota driving. My dad would like to stay mainly on interstates, which would mean driving by Yellowstone NP and Rocky Mountain NP if we do a big loop. So the question is, if we do go to Utah, are we going to just Utah or are we going to hit those two parks as well? Usually when we go to Yellowstone, we take around a 8-day trip to there alone, but we could cut it down. Rocky Mountain would probably be just driving through and not stopping a whole lot. So really the amount of time that I have varies. If it's just Utah, we've got about 10 days to spend getting there, spending time there, and getting back. If we do the others, it would probably be more like 4 or 5 days.
My dad has mentioned the Grand Canyon, but I don't think we'd be able to make it work, so probably not."
We'd probably be entering up north going through Salt Lake City and leaving Utah on I-70 to the east.
May 27th, 2013, 07:20 PM
#4
OK from North Dakota - Day 1 get to Mt. Rushmore. Maybe catch the sunset program. Day 2 drive south to see Wind Cave NP. Turn west on US 18 in Hot Springs. Continue to follow US 18 to I-25 south to Loveland CO. Turn off to go to Estes Park. Day 3 see Rocky Mt. NP. Spend the night in Fraser/Winter Park.
Day 4 take US 40 SE to get on I-70 West. Spend the night in Grand Junction. Maybe have lunch in Glenwood Springs.
Day 5- from Grand Junction to Moab with an afternoon hike in Arches NP. Day 6 Moab area with more of Arches and the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands.
Day 7 Back on I-70 west to Route 24. Take some time to see Goblin Valley SP off Rt. 24. The hoodoos are worth seeing. Stop and see the petroglyphs along 24 in Capitol Reef NP.
Spend the night in Torrey west of Capitol Reef.
Day 8 - Drive Rt. 12 to Bryce Canyon. At Bryce Canyon decide if you want to go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon or to Zion. When you leave the Zion area, head north to Salt Lake City on I-15. From SLC decide if you want to extend the trip north on US 89 to go back to Yellowstone or just head east on I-80 in the direction of North Dakota.
Day 4 take US 40 SE to get on I-70 West. Spend the night in Grand Junction. Maybe have lunch in Glenwood Springs.
Day 5- from Grand Junction to Moab with an afternoon hike in Arches NP. Day 6 Moab area with more of Arches and the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands.
Day 7 Back on I-70 west to Route 24. Take some time to see Goblin Valley SP off Rt. 24. The hoodoos are worth seeing. Stop and see the petroglyphs along 24 in Capitol Reef NP.
Spend the night in Torrey west of Capitol Reef.
Day 8 - Drive Rt. 12 to Bryce Canyon. At Bryce Canyon decide if you want to go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon or to Zion. When you leave the Zion area, head north to Salt Lake City on I-15. From SLC decide if you want to extend the trip north on US 89 to go back to Yellowstone or just head east on I-80 in the direction of North Dakota.
May 27th, 2013, 08:37 PM
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Since you've been to Yellowstone before, skip it this time.
You can hit RMNP on the way home if you have the time. I wouldn't allot any time for the Black Hills, you live close enough that you can do that another time.
Most people spend 2-3 days in Zion, one in Bryce, 1-2 in Capitol Reef and then 2-4 days in Moab. You could squeeze in an overnight at the Grand Canyon North Rim if you haven't been there before
If you keep your hikes under 2 miles round trip you'll be able to cut back a bit on the number of days at some of those places.
It wouldn't be too hard to incorporate a drive-thru of RMNP on your way back home. Just get off I-70 and enter the park at Grand Lake, drive up and over Trail Ridge Road and exit at Estes Park. Try to start in the morning so you don't run into bad weather before you get to the east side of the park.
You can hit RMNP on the way home if you have the time. I wouldn't allot any time for the Black Hills, you live close enough that you can do that another time.
Most people spend 2-3 days in Zion, one in Bryce, 1-2 in Capitol Reef and then 2-4 days in Moab. You could squeeze in an overnight at the Grand Canyon North Rim if you haven't been there before
If you keep your hikes under 2 miles round trip you'll be able to cut back a bit on the number of days at some of those places.
It wouldn't be too hard to incorporate a drive-thru of RMNP on your way back home. Just get off I-70 and enter the park at Grand Lake, drive up and over Trail Ridge Road and exit at Estes Park. Try to start in the morning so you don't run into bad weather before you get to the east side of the park.
May 28th, 2013, 02:04 PM
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Thanks everyone for your responses.
Say if I had 7-9 days to spend in southern Utah including driving there from Provo and driving to Estes Park when I'm done, how would you split up the time for each place?
Also, if anyone knows anything about whitewater rafting, where would be the best place to go/best company to choose? I could go rafting either in southern Utah or somewhere around Estes Park.
Say if I had 7-9 days to spend in southern Utah including driving there from Provo and driving to Estes Park when I'm done, how would you split up the time for each place?
Also, if anyone knows anything about whitewater rafting, where would be the best place to go/best company to choose? I could go rafting either in southern Utah or somewhere around Estes Park.
May 28th, 2013, 06:55 PM
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Day 1: Drive from Provo to Zion, stopping at the Kolob Canyon section along I-15 for a quick look around. Do a hike in the main canyon of Zion.
Day 2: Explore the main canyon again, all day
Day 3: Exit Zion and do the Canyon Overlook trail near the east entrance. Drive to Bryce. Drive all the way to the end of the road (Rainbow Point) and hike the Bristlecone Loop.
Day 4: Get up early for sunrise at Bryce, take time to walk along the rim and stop at viewpoints (can also do that on day 3). Leave for Capitol Reef.
I've never been to Capitol Reef so I'm of no help there.
Day 5: Head for Moab, hike to Delicate Arch if you're up for a 3 mile hike. It's really a must-do.
Day 6: Explore Arches (lots of short hikes)
Day 7: Explore one section of Canyonlands, then start driving to RMNP (overnight in Glenwood Springs?)
Day 8: enter RMNP at Grand Lake, head over Trail Ridge Road to Estes Park side
The whitewater rafting depends on when you're going as it's best in spring/early summer. Also, you didn't say what month this is for but that may have some effect if you aren't going in the main summer months. Trail Ridge Road generally opens Memorial Day weekend and closes sporadically in fall until it's finally closed for good at some point. Bryce can also get some snow in late spring or fall.
Day 2: Explore the main canyon again, all day
Day 3: Exit Zion and do the Canyon Overlook trail near the east entrance. Drive to Bryce. Drive all the way to the end of the road (Rainbow Point) and hike the Bristlecone Loop.
Day 4: Get up early for sunrise at Bryce, take time to walk along the rim and stop at viewpoints (can also do that on day 3). Leave for Capitol Reef.
I've never been to Capitol Reef so I'm of no help there.
Day 5: Head for Moab, hike to Delicate Arch if you're up for a 3 mile hike. It's really a must-do.
Day 6: Explore Arches (lots of short hikes)
Day 7: Explore one section of Canyonlands, then start driving to RMNP (overnight in Glenwood Springs?)
Day 8: enter RMNP at Grand Lake, head over Trail Ridge Road to Estes Park side
The whitewater rafting depends on when you're going as it's best in spring/early summer. Also, you didn't say what month this is for but that may have some effect if you aren't going in the main summer months. Trail Ridge Road generally opens Memorial Day weekend and closes sporadically in fall until it's finally closed for good at some point. Bryce can also get some snow in late spring or fall.
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