capecod73

Recently several of you answered my question about where to go from Salt Lake City...despite the overwhelming choice to be Yellowstone we've decided to save that for next year when I can plan it better...and yes, I will be back asking all of you for help with that trip. In the meantime...

Travelling into SLC - getting rental car - flying out of Vegas. We will be with our two sons, ages 13 and 12. They love activity - so we've settled on definitely spending four days in Moab, UT (possibly 5 if that makes more sense once I've mapped the activities). My questions are:

1. SLC - is it worth spending a day there? Mormon tabernacle worthwhile? Olympic Park? At most it would be one full day...just curious if it's worth looking around.

2. I need to fill in 3 days in between Moab and Vegas. What park is the "must do" that would be on the way? I really prefer to take our time and enjoy wherever we stay so I'm opposed to driving park to park three days straight. So what's the recommendation - Grand Canyon? Bryce? Zion? Something I'm not even considering??

3. Finally any lodging recommendations are appreciated in any of these stops, particularly the Moab and other National Park recommended.

Thanks so much in advance!

sludick

If this were my trip, I'd be torn between Zion and Bryce. Both are fairly halfway. However, for more than a day, I think Zion has more to offer you. Stay in the park at the Lodge if at all possible.

tomfuller

Why did you choose to fly into SLC? My choice would be to fly into and out of Las Vegas. I did take the train into SLC once and got a rental car early in the morning to drive to Green River. We commuted several days to Arches and Canyonlands.
We also went to Goblin Valley SP and into Capitol Reef.
We returned the car to SLC airport and took the trains back home.
My experience has been better renting cars in Las Vegas.
Make sure the boys get to see Hoover dam on the way to LV.
The Hacienda hotel/casino is a good place to stay about 2 miles from Hoover dam. You do not have to go through the casino part to get to the rooms or the great all you can eat buffet.
If you have the time, drive Rt. 12 to get to Bryce Canyon.

InSandy

1) SLC is worth seeing at least once I would think. There is much to do here - Temple Square, Great Salt Lake, Natural History Museum, Hiking in the mountains here- Snowbird tram, (what time of year are you coming?).

2) SO why do a one way? It would be just as fast to return to SLC. You have three parks to choose from - *Capitol Reef -if you want adventure you could hike Sulphur Creek, jeep out to Cathedral Valley, ( 4 hrs back to SLC, 5 to LV). Or go to *Bryce, you can hike the Navajo to Queen's Garden trail, or Fairyland loop, take an ATV tour, ride a horse through the park, ( 4 hrs back to SLC, 4-5 to LV) or *Zion- Hike the narrows, climb to Observation Point, tube down the Virgin River, (4 hr to SLC, 3 to LV). Double check your drop off fees.

3- Get something in town for Moab. The lodges at both Bryce and Zion are great.

J62

Personally, I prefer to stay in the town of Springdale over in-park at Zion. One big advantage - a pool, plus more dining options right in town.

Best location is Cable mtn lodge, right outside the park, so easy walk to the Zion shuttle bus.

sheri_lp

If you haven't been to Grand Canyon, that would top my list. But if you have, the other suggestions are plenty good!

emalloy

While you are in Moab, do spend some time in Canyonlands. In Island in the Skky go to Mesa arch there early in the morning. Drive along Kane Creek road and look for some petroglyphs near the small camping area and watch the jeeps doing extreme off roading.

In Arches go on the Ranger led hike to Fiery furnace. Take a boat ride on the Colorado or a hummer or jeep ride down into Canyonlands.

capecod73

Flying into SLC because I have never been there, so, why not

I have looked into rental cars one way vs roundtrip and the difference isnt enough to sway us either way.

Flying out of Vegas because we would like the boys to see the hotels on the strip - they will love it...only danger is that if the "porn vendors" try to give them a flyer. Budgeting bail money because i will be arrested for assault if this happens

Also want them to see the Hoover Dam...so LV fits in with that.

I am really excited to have "discovered" Moab through this forum. Planning on hiking, ATV and hummer tours, and whitewater rafting in that area.

Sounds like SLC is worth the day spent touring around. Still looking for any suggestuons on the other NP to visit. Keep the suggestions coming please

capecod73

Missed responding to a question - this is for beginning of June.

I keep seeing pictures of Antelope Canyon which looks amazing. Any thoughts on that location? For those who have visited both, if you could only go to one, would you choose Bryce or Zion?

emalloy

Antelope Canyon is a one off. It is amazing and beautiful, but a quick walk through and you've done it. Only go if it is a sunny day.

Bryce and Zion are so different that it is hard to choose. Bryce you are viewing from the top and you can hike down (but then you have to hike back up) and because it is at a higher elevation, it tends to be cooler. In Zion you are down in the valley and can hike without much elevation gain on Riverside Walk or through freezing water in the Narrows or hike up several trails for great views and then have to hike back down.

If I were pressed for time, I would probably take a couple of hours to do a drive through, stop at the pull outs in Bryce and then head for Zion for a longer stay.

InSandy

""If I were pressed for time, I would probably take a couple of hours to do a drive through, stop at the pull outs in Bryce and then head for Zion for a longer stay.""

I agree. No reason not to see both. Bryce is easy to see in a short visit. A full day would be good, but a half day is enough to see the main amphitheater and hike the navajo loop.

Then spend more time at Zion where there are plenty of hikes and views to enjoy for a longer visit.