Lindaec

Please your help is requested: We are planning our first trip to Utah. Our tentative itinerary is 3 nights Zion, 3-4 nights Moab. With 2-3 nights open (spending last night in Las Vegas for return flight) is it feasible to drive from Moab to Monument Valley, to Lake Powell and to North Rim and possibly Hoover Dam with 2-3 nights along the way? This is planned for late September. The distances on the map look enormous, and we are not sure if time allows us to be so ambitious. We can only take a total of 9-10 nights. Plan B is just to back track to Las Vegas via Zion. Thank you very much. ~ Linda

spirobulldog

I would spend those 2-3 open days in Bryce,Calf Creek Falls, Capitol Reef, and Goblin Valley. Especially since they are on HWY 12 between Zion and Moab anyway.

Do you know which hikes you plan on doing at Moab and Zion. That would determine how long you want to stay at those locations. Any of them are fantastic, just don't rush it. There are several threads in just the past couple of days that I and others have commented on. Just scroll through the last 100 posts or so and you will find several. I posted pictures of a lot that you mentioned.

what month are you going? do you have reservations yet anywhere?

You really can't go wrong, just maxmize the most you can get for your time. I do like Monument Valley, but I think Zion and Arches are far more spectacular. I think you will be suprised by areas like Deadhorse Point, Calf Creek Falls, and Goblin Valley. They are all like little mini national parks.

emalloy

The drive from Moab to Monument Valley takes about 4 hours. Your last night in the area you could spend the night in Green River instead of Moab,. Leave early and take I 70 west then south on rt. 24 with a stop in at Goblin Valley. Then continue south and go south on 95 with a quick visit to Natural Bridges. Then continue on 95 (which is absolutely beautiful) to 261 south which has a 3 mile section that is not paved and has switchbacks, but has fantastic views. This takes you to Mexican Hat where there are two motels and a B&B (Valley of the Gods B&B) where you could spend the night or pick up 163 south in Mexican Hat and go 25 more miles to Monument Valley and stay there although I've made a very long day for you. Valley of the Gods is like a mini Monument Valley and Goosenecks of the San Juan SP is right off 163 and is interesting to look at and won't take much time. This was a route we took last April and I have a TR with a link to photos if you click on my name you can find it.

I would spend half a day in Monument Valley then head for Page and visit Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, the best dam view. There are plenty of places to stay in Page. Pictures of this are at www.flickr.com/photos/emalloy2009/sets in the 2008 set if you want to check.

The next day, head for Zion via 89 to 9 through the Grand Staircase Escalante and Vermillion Cliffs.

If you decide not to go down to Monument Valley, take 24 to 12 with a stop at Capitol Reef and a night in Torrey. Then head to Bryce for a night or two before going to Zion.

It's all beautiful and you can't go wrong no matter what you decide.

Have a great trip.

Lindaec

Thank you so much for your replies. My computer was down, so I was unable to thank you earlier. I look forward to visiting this area.