wistraveller

We (family of 4) are in the early stages of planning for end-June 2017 trip to Grand Canyon, etc. and would like your ideas/suggestions before getting our reservations done ...

Here is the rough skeleton for our trip:

Fly in to Salt Lake City, Utah and drive to Moab
Moab - 2-3 days
Monument valley - 2 days
Grand Canyon South Rim - 2 days
Page, AZ - 1 day
Zion - 2 days
Bryce - 2 days
Torrey - 2-3 days
Return to Salt Lake City

We will be looking to do some trails (that our 7 year twins can do) at various places and overall feel not too rushed ..... we can probably add another 2-3 days if needed to this schedule ...

Pl let me know whether the overall timeframe looks good and whether we are missing something .. we are hoping to get our schedule more or less fixed in the next few days so that we can do the national park lodging reservations .... thanks in advance ...

MmePerdu

Just some general advice, particularly regarding hiking, you'll be visiting during one of the hottest months in the desert southwest. Higher elevations will, of course, be cooler. For instance, while the rim of the Grand Canyon can be comfortable, a hike into the canyon will get progressively warmer and you'll need to carry copious amounts of water. Just something to keep in mind as you plan.

I use this website to give me an idea of average highs & lows I can expect:
http://www.weatherbase.com

db6040

You have a good plan with a good number of days. If it was me I would probably make a very small tweak and add a night to Zion. I would probably do it by taking one from Capitol Reef - presuming you were going to give Capitol Reef 3 nights. I would prefer 2 in Torrey, 3 in Zion. I would also strongly recommend the 3 nights in Moab, rather than the 2.

For lodging, we strongly prefer in the park lodging for Bryce - the cabins are wonderful. Otherwise, the Ruby's properties immediately outside the park are just fine too. The View Hotel is the best place to stay for Monument Valley and books up very early. I would book those two places (The View and the lodge inside Bryce) as soon as possible and then take any lodging in the town of Springdale for Zion, and anything in the park for the Grand Canyon.

janisj

Just plan your days in most areas so any hiking will be in the early mornings. Usually will be too hot after that.

StantonHyde

If you click on my user name you will see my trip reports (with kids) for:
Zion
Kanab/Page
Torrey/Capital Reef
Moab/Canyonlands/Arches
Bryce

Monument Valley only needs one day tops. I would do GC North Rim--why add all that driving plus it will be much cooler.

emalloy

I agree with StantonHyde, one day for Monument Valley is enough.

I would spend 3 or more days in the Moab area and visit both Arches and Canyonlands and maybe take a trip down the river. Hike early in the morning and late in the afternoon and get a hotel/motel with a pool for mid day.

I' guessing what you are calling days are really nights and you aren't accounting for the time it takes to get from one place to the next. Make sure you don't shortchange yourself.

I really prefer the south rim, but the north rim will probably be cooler and less crowded.

wistraveller

Thank you for all your comments and suggestions ... much appreciated ...

Mmeperdu: we will be sticking to the rim and are not likely to go down to the canyon ... that will be a little too much for our 7-year olds ...

db6040: will think about adding another night at Zion ...and thanks for the tip on the lodging ... we are going to do the reservations in the next week itself ...

StantonHyde: will read you reports, thanks ... and yes I will think about keeping Monument Valley to 1 day and use that time elsewhere ...we debated about south vs north rim and finally decided since it is the first time for all of us, we will do south rim this time ... we could do a quick drive down to north (from Page) ...

emalloy ... yes, those are night stays at each place (I will add in the travel time) ...

thanks again to all of you ... it has been quite helpful ..