gnaij

We have 9 days out of Los Angeles in March. How's this for a plan? http://goo.gl/maps/ha0E6 (LA - LV - Zion - Bryce - Torrey - Monument Valley - [Page] - Grand Canyon - [Sedona] - LA)

This allows us to overnight twice at one place, with a full day of driving at the very end.

Given this route, if we had to choose either Page or Sedona, which one should we go to?

MikePinTucson

I would definitely choose Sedona.

emalloy

What are you planning to do along the way? Monument Valley to GC is about 2 hours, if you drive up to Page that would add about 3 hours to your trip. If you wanted to do a drive through MV, go to Page, see Antelope Canyon and on to GC you might be able to get to GC before sundown and overnight and go to Sedona for an overnight. If you want a more relaxed trip then just do Sedona. If you are not making reservations ahead, you could wait until you are on the road to decide.

HappyTrvlr

Sedona, no question.

gnaij

This is what a plan would look like if we visited both Page and Sedona. Perhaps too rushed? If we got rid of one of them, where does it make sense to spend the extra night?

Day 1: Los Angeles, CA to Las Vegas, NV (280 mi – about 4 hours 5 mins)

Day 2: Las Vegas, NV to Zion National Park (163 mi – about 2 hours 42 mins) - visit Grafton ghost town. hike Emerald Pools trail, Weeping Rock trail, Riverside trail.

Day 3: Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park (89.7 mi – about 1 hour 55 mins) - at Zion: drive Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. hike Canyon Overlook Trail. at Bryce: hike Bristlecone Loop trail. drive Bryce amphitheater (Bryce, Inspiration, Sunrise, Sunset). stargazing.

Day 4: Bryce Canyon National Park to Torrey, UT (103 mi – about 2 hours 14 mins) - hike Navajo+Queen's Garden trail at Bryce. drive Utah Highway 12

Day 5: Torrey, UT to Monument Valley, UT (202 mi – about 4 hours 1 min) - Capitol Reef National Park scenic drive. Goblin Valley. drive through Monument Valley.

Day 6: Monument Valley, UT to Page, AZ (126 mi – about 2 hours 9 mins) - Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.

Day 7: Page, AZ to Grand Canyon National Park (136 mi – about 2 hours 31 mins) - drive Desert View Drive. shuttle to Hermit's Rest for sunset

Day 8: Grand Canyon National Park to Sedona, AZ (113 mi – about 2 hours 4 mins)

Day 9: Sedona, AZ to Los Angeles, CA (507 mi – about 7 hours 39 mins) - Route 66 related stops?

maria_so

I agree, it really depends what you want to do. Sedona is gorgeous and has plenty of hiking opportunities. If you want water, then Page. You can rent a kayak in page and visit some slot canyon type crevices, beach for a bit and jumo in the water. There's also antelope canyon and horseshoe bend that can't be missed.

What time of year are you going?

In Zion, weeping rock is going to take you minutes to get to it - it's not that far. Do you just want to do small hikes? Angel's landing is fantastic, even just up to scout's lookout you would be able to see zion canyon vistas.

In Bryce, the sunrise to sunset loop isn't that difficult and is gorgeous.

Were you doing anything in Torrey (Capitol Reef)at all?

Knowing me, I'd do both. But that's just me.

WhereAreWe

I would add the extra day to Zion, no question. You'll find more hiking opportunities there than the other places. 1 night really isn't enough time there.

I'd be tempted to skip Sedona and stay in Page. Page is more of a one-night kind of town, Sedona is a several day/unwind and relax kind of place. You barely get a sense of the place in an overnight, and that impression is likely to be of a tourist trap if you don't take the time to explore some.

gnaij

This was my original plan: http://goo.gl/maps/nPY3G But I was told in some other forums that the plan I posted above would be more scenic. The tradeoff is between driving through Utah Highways 12, 24, and 95, U.S. 261, Capitol Reef National Park, Natural Bridges, and Monument Valley instead of two days in Sedona. Worth it, eh?

Zion would seem like a no brainer for the extra day, except that we would be going in March so the Narrows would be too cold and I am a bit too afraid of heights to do Angel's Landing. On top of hiking we will also consider a mule trip at Bryce or a float trip (preferably self guided) down the Colorado River near Page.

maria_so

float trip in march will be cold. narrows is still doable in march as long as the weather and water level cooperates. dress warmly and rent the waders and canyoneering boots from zion adventures. our first time was in early april and that wasn't bad. we did catch a sunny day so that helped. it's a wonderful experience.

i agree with wherearewe n that you can see more in page in a day where sedona you won't get a real feel for unless you give it at least a couple of days.

the mule ride in bryce is great but book early because it sells out fast!

Tomsd

Page and Sedona are different - with Page not being much but the river opportunities - while Sedona has beautiful Red Rock formations. I think you can gain some appreciation of Sedona in a day/night (see the sunset from up by the airport - and the sunrise by any numbver of locations) - and it might peak your intrest for a return visit.

klori1

In Page the lake, dam and canyons are beautiful. But, you will get more bang for your buck in Sedona. (Also, good eating options are VERY limited in Page. Stick to the lake resort for all of your meals.)