Day 1--Stay at Zion Lodge if you can

Day 2- It can be done, but just be aware that both hikes takes about 1/2 day each. The Narrows aren't that tough on you, but Angels Landing is a kinda strenuous hike-but it isn't super long. The Narrows might have to much water at that time of year, you will just have to check and see. Both Hikes are AMAZING!!

Day 3 I would pick Navajo Garden/Queens Loop of the three that you mention.
Kiva Koffee or Escalatte are good places for coffee/snack

Day 5 There is no way you can possibly get all that done.
Don't miss Double Arch, Balanced Rock, The Windows, and Turret Arch in Arches either.

Personally, I would cut off Monument Valley and probably even Page. Give an extra day at Zion or Bryce as your first 3 days are rushed.

I have been to Utah every year for the past 6 years. I have yet to see the North Rim or Page. Monument Valley(while it is an awesome place), is probably my least favorite.

You could also hike Calf Creek Falls and do Devils Garden in Escalante if you slow down a bit.

Get your lodging at Zion, Bryce and North Rim ASAP!!!

Boulder Mountain Lodge was booked solid months in advance last year. Make sure to have reservations somewhere every night as last year, people were being sent hours away to find available rooms. People cancel all the time so get on a wait list for a desired place. We got into Boulder and Bryce Canyon Lodge right before we left after months of waiting for an opening. have a great time, fantastic scenery and hiking.

Day 5 has too much, you need to stop and see the fantastic views along the way. If you stop at Goblin Valley that will take at least an hour just to get to and look, and I'd hate to be in Moab and miss Canyonlands, so I would spend another day in Moab. You could do a quick drive by with a stop at the VC for Monument Valley and see the iconic views, then head for GC.

In any case, be sure to fill your gas tank before you set out as some of these areas have not much in the way of services between the sites.

I would add an extra day to day 3.

Bryce sunrise is spectacular. Then snack breakfast or take a short nap.
Hike Navajo Loop and Queens Garden.
Go east on Rte 12 to Cannonvile and find Willis Creek slot canyon. This is an adventurous drive, easy hike and a photographer's paradise.

Drive along Rte 12, etc and sleep over in Escalante.

Next day.

Devil's Garden (Escalante) early.

Hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls. Very scenic and beautiful waterfall. several hours.

If you are able to get reservations at Boulder Mtn Lodge then I would add a bit more down Hole-in-the-Rock Road and or drive along Burr Trail Rd.

If you weren't able to get reservations at BML then after Lower Calf Creek Falls continue up to Capitol Reef.

Day 5 is at least 2 days and could be 3 if you don't want to just check things off. Photography tends to slow you down.

I've never been to Little Wild Horse but I don't think you have to choose between Willis Creek and Little Wild Horse. Slot canyons are great for photography.

In Arches, Delicate Arch takes time. You won't just hike there and back. You'll sit around for a while and watch the view change. Some go for sunrise and others for sunset. I prefer sunset. Either way the Arch changes as the sun does.

Fiery Furnace ranger-led hike is about 3-4 hours and well worth it. Especially for photography.

You can see my photos at:

www.travelwalks.com

Keep in mind the best light for photography is early and late. That's even more important in this area, because the rocks look pretty washed out in midday lighting.

Day 1-5 make my head spin with all you're cramming in. Then 6-8 you are basically driving from Moab to Monument Valley, then to Page, then to the North Rim. The only thing you have listed in 3 days is Rainbow Bridge. Obviously you'll take in the views and take some time for photography, but its odd you have 5 very busy days and then 3 days where you have only one thing listed that you want to see/do. Actually 4 days considering day 9 is driving back to Vegas.

The day you leave Moab, spend most of the day in Moab. Then late afternoon, drive to Monument Valley and arrive a couple hours before sunset. Next morning, leave a couple hours after sunrise, drive to Rainbow Bridge then continue on to North Rim. That gives you most of 2 days in Moab instead of one, and it frees up an additional day for something else.

One fun thing we did in Bryce Canyon was hike partway down the Queen's Garden trail just before sunrise. Mr. Pickle got some nice shots of the hoodoos as the sun hit them.

Lee Ann

Pickle,

That's interesting about Queens Garden. How did you do that in the dark?

I'd love to see some of those photos.

Hi, I am also planning a trip with almost the exact same itinerary only a few months earlier. You can always get info from my post as I you probably have done already. Hope that it helps a little.

Thanks everyone! We had to move our trip to later in the summer to get rooms, but we have booked stays for every night but one, now. We have re-worked our itinerary to spend more time in fewer places Especially since it looks like we will need to focus on early morning hikes for the weather and photography. It hurt to cut stuff out, but your feedback was helpful. We have eliminated Moab/Arches/Monument Valley entirely, and will focus on Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon North Rim. Thank you for recs on specific hikes!

That sounds more doable. Weather/hot temps won't be as much of an issue at Bryce and the North Rim due to the higher elevation.

Narrows is probably done better in the afternoon as it would be warmer. You can always cool off, if you get hot. I would start Angel's Landing, just before sunrise.

Myer, there was enough light to see where we were going, so it was pretty easy. The hike out up that really steep trail was hard, though.

I never did put those pictures online, but perhaps I can make time to do that later this week.

Lee Ann