Las Vegas-Utah-Arizona Honeymoon Trip
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Las Vegas-Utah-Arizona Honeymoon Trip
Hello,
I am getting married this May 22nd in Las Vegas and then plan to do a car trip honeymoon to Utah, Arizon and back to Vegas. I am 50 and my wife is 45 and we are very active. I am concerned I am trying to drive too far and see too many places in too short of time. We would like your advice on any changes to my below itinerary:
May 23rd - Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon; spend the night hike the next day, then drive to Zion Park to stay 3 nights for hiking and fun. Then, drive to North Rim Grand Canyon for 1 night. Then, drive to South Rim for 2 nights. Then, drive to Williams, Arizona for 1 night before heading back to Vegas for remainder of 4 nights.
We enjoy hiking, and sightseeing. Please give me your advice on any changes to shorten my trip if you feel I am biting off too much road time.
Thank you,
bp
I am getting married this May 22nd in Las Vegas and then plan to do a car trip honeymoon to Utah, Arizon and back to Vegas. I am 50 and my wife is 45 and we are very active. I am concerned I am trying to drive too far and see too many places in too short of time. We would like your advice on any changes to my below itinerary:
May 23rd - Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon; spend the night hike the next day, then drive to Zion Park to stay 3 nights for hiking and fun. Then, drive to North Rim Grand Canyon for 1 night. Then, drive to South Rim for 2 nights. Then, drive to Williams, Arizona for 1 night before heading back to Vegas for remainder of 4 nights.
We enjoy hiking, and sightseeing. Please give me your advice on any changes to shorten my trip if you feel I am biting off too much road time.
Thank you,
bp
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Not sure you need to do both Rims of GC - but we have only been to South, so am not an expert - just going on advice received here before we went. Also, might split time equally between Bryce and Zion - much discussion about which Park is better - everyone has an opinion, and you won't know until you get there!
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First, congradulations on your up comming wedding.
A couple things stick out in my mind.
I wouldn't do both the N. Rim and the S. Rim. I've been to both more than once and IMHO the south beats the north. You'll get a lot of others that don't agree with me.
Your plan has you at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Memorial Day weekend and we almost went there on that weekend one year. When we did go later that same year, we asked a shuttle bus driver what it was like and he said it's a MAD HOUSE at the park on this weekend. OY! This might be a good reason to do the N. Rim only.
Is there a reason you are doing Bryce before Zion. You can save yourself driving 115 miles if you do Zion first and then Bryce.
Is there a special reason to spend the night in Williams? If not, it's only 280 miles and about 5 hours of driving time from Las Vegas to the S. Rim Grand Canyon Village.
If it wasn't for the Memorial Day weekend I would suggest doing this trip in reverse with a couple of changes.
Example:
May 23 Las Vegas to Grand Canyon
280 miles - 5 hours
May 24 Grand Canyon
May 25 Grand Canyon
May 26 Drive to Page, AZ Lake Powell - float trip? slots canyon? Horseshoe Bend hike? Miles 140, drive time 3 hours plus stopping at scenic overlooks as you leave the Grand Canyon.
May 27 Drive to Bryce Canyon arrive early enought to see some of the sunset. 155 miles 3 1/2 hrs driving time.
May 28 get up early enough to see sunrise, hike and you can leave for Zion late in the afternoon.
May 29 Zion
May 30 Zion
May 31 spend most of the day in Zion and then drive 165 miles - 3 hour drive to Las Vegas.
For the holiday weekend I really don't know which will be worse...Zion or Grand Canyon. My best guess would be Grand Canyon will be worse.
Utahtea
A couple things stick out in my mind.
I wouldn't do both the N. Rim and the S. Rim. I've been to both more than once and IMHO the south beats the north. You'll get a lot of others that don't agree with me.
Your plan has you at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Memorial Day weekend and we almost went there on that weekend one year. When we did go later that same year, we asked a shuttle bus driver what it was like and he said it's a MAD HOUSE at the park on this weekend. OY! This might be a good reason to do the N. Rim only.
Is there a reason you are doing Bryce before Zion. You can save yourself driving 115 miles if you do Zion first and then Bryce.
Is there a special reason to spend the night in Williams? If not, it's only 280 miles and about 5 hours of driving time from Las Vegas to the S. Rim Grand Canyon Village.
If it wasn't for the Memorial Day weekend I would suggest doing this trip in reverse with a couple of changes.
Example:
May 23 Las Vegas to Grand Canyon
280 miles - 5 hours
May 24 Grand Canyon
May 25 Grand Canyon
May 26 Drive to Page, AZ Lake Powell - float trip? slots canyon? Horseshoe Bend hike? Miles 140, drive time 3 hours plus stopping at scenic overlooks as you leave the Grand Canyon.
May 27 Drive to Bryce Canyon arrive early enought to see some of the sunset. 155 miles 3 1/2 hrs driving time.
May 28 get up early enough to see sunrise, hike and you can leave for Zion late in the afternoon.
May 29 Zion
May 30 Zion
May 31 spend most of the day in Zion and then drive 165 miles - 3 hour drive to Las Vegas.
For the holiday weekend I really don't know which will be worse...Zion or Grand Canyon. My best guess would be Grand Canyon will be worse.
Utahtea
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We just did a variation of this trip and
definately used all of Utahtea's previous helpful advice. Strongly encourage your Zion lodging to be in Springdale at the Desert Pearl Inn.
Wonderful accommodations. I was
very partial to Zion, but weather was still cool. It could be much warmer by the end of May with Bryce being more comfortable from a temp standpoint. Congrats and Best Wishes!!
definately used all of Utahtea's previous helpful advice. Strongly encourage your Zion lodging to be in Springdale at the Desert Pearl Inn.
Wonderful accommodations. I was
very partial to Zion, but weather was still cool. It could be much warmer by the end of May with Bryce being more comfortable from a temp standpoint. Congrats and Best Wishes!!
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Thank you all for you advice. I figured the Grand Canyon would be packed during Memorial Day weekend. But, I would rather spend it there than at Zion. I have been to South Rim before and am mainly going back for my new wife to see. I thought Zion would be best to visit prior to Memorial Day, since I think we will have more fun there. I think I will take your advance and cancel my reservations at the North Rim Motel and stay somewhere else.
Regards,
bp
Regards,
bp
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