PHayden

My husband & I are thinking about flying to Salt Lake City in the fall of 2010 and then driving to some of the national parks. We would like to go to Arches, Bryce, and Zion. Can we make all 3 in a 7-10 day trip? Would September or October be better to go? If going to all 3 is not feasible, what is your favorite of the 3 and why?

bachslunch

You should have no problem taking in these three parks while on a trip of this duration -- in fact, you could include Grand Canyon if you want, and if you haven't seen it, you probably should. Am thinking 1-2 days in each spot would allow you to see a lot of good things here.

Am thinking September will be a bit warmer and will reduce or eliminate any possibility of encountering snow.

emalloy

Agree this is very doable and that September would be better time to go. Depending on how much hiking, rafting, canyoneering you do you also could include GC. The north rim does close mid October and Bryce is very high in elevation so will start to be cold.

Dayle

PHayden,

It might be a good idea to look into flying in to SLC and leaving from Las Vegas. If flight and car costs are not a lot more, this will save you some drive time.

4 days seeing Arches and Canyonlands
2 nts Bryce (one full day spent driving from Moab to Bryce via Hwy 12)
2 nts Zion

If you have a couple days longer, include Capitol Reef with a night either in Torrey or Boulder, or the GC as suggested.

You'll want to come back again anyway!

Dayle

PS- end of Sept/early Oct is an ideal time for these parks. I often go to Moab in late Oct if it's going to be a nice weekend. I go as late as November to Zion, same criteria. I realize out of state visitors must plan further in advance, so your planned timeframe is good!

spirobulldog

We were in Capitol Reef just last week and in Zion last year in October. While I enjoyed Zion more, the fall colors in Cap Reef were really good. We hiked the Great Gallery in Canyonlands and colors there were great. If you haven't been to Goblin Valley and Little Wildhorse Canyon, then check those out.

The best fall colors we just happen to stumble on was in an area we were in, because we had 4 hours to kill before getting on the airplane was Timanogos Cave. I cannot begin to tell you how awesome the fall foliage was in the canyon
This is not far from Provo, just 45 minutes from the airport.

www.deserthighlights.com in Moab is great for canyoneering in Arches. Probably the best thing I have one in a national park.

PHayden

Thanks everyone for your answers. I'm glad to see we can make all 3 parks and even include Canyonlands. We have been to the Grand Canyon, so I think we want to concentrate on the places we haven't been to. I think we will try for early October so we know it will be cooler and can see some fall colors. I don't mind seeing a little snow at Bryce. Dayle, thanks for the suggestion to arrive in Salt Lake City and leave from Las Vegas. I hadn't thought about that, but it would save alot of time by not back tracking. I have free Southwest flights so there won't be any flight cost. I've also got some rental car miles and may be able to use them. I'm sure we will want to come back again. We are working our way through as many of the national parks in the southwest as we can.

travelcritic123

PHayden - I just posted a trip report under Arizona myself just today that covered your question regarding Bryce and Zion -
I think the end of September is a great time to visit these parks - and you have given yourself plenty of time to spend there - but be aware that over 3.5 million tourists a year go through these National Parks and Monuments and you should book accommodations and tours, horseback riding etc, if you want them ------ well in advance - we were lucky that we did exactly that without any problems -

PHayden

Thanks Spirodog. We will add Capitol Reef to the list too. Also, thanks for all your recommendations in the past. We made it to Yellowstone/Tetons in September and fell in love with it. See our photos at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dehayden/
We already have plans to go back the end of May! We are still planning on Alaska, but instead of 2010 will be doing it in 2011 so we can do some serious bear watching on Katmai.
Travelcritic123, I just saw your trip report. And plan on booking accomodations very soon.
Anyone have any suggestions around Moab for accomodations? Is it better to stay at the lodges in the parks in Zion and Bryce or stay outside the park?

spirobulldog

I would definately stay in the parks and preferably a cabin over the hotel style rooms. you will want to eat a meal in Zion Lodge Dining Room and then have lunch out under the big tree(tons of people will be doing the same thing and it is great. At breakfast we saw deer under the same tree, and at dinner wild turkeys everywhere, even on the outdoor seating area. several good places to eat right in Springdale, which is virtually right at the entrance to the park.

My link to my pics aren't working right now or I would send you my cap reef pics. I must say you have some really awesome photos at yellowstone. I guess you didn't see any bears, but the mink picture is definately something I haven't seen anyone else get.

We stayed at LaQuinta Inn in Moab and it was just a place to sleep nothing bad, nothing good. There are some good B&B's in Moab.

I wouldn't skip any of the three parks. Just plan on spending a short amount of time in Cap Reef. I didn't really think the hikes there were super(good, but better to be had in Goblin Valley, plus Moab, Zion, Bryce). Do drive thru and stop @ Gifford House in the park for a homemade pie that the pick the fruit from the Orchard. The Orchard close around mid-october. The orchard is huge and grows various fruits from May to Oct. Apples is what you will find in Oct.

Do not miss Goblin Valley if you drive by it. Do check out Desert Highlights as I mentioned above. It is my favorite experience in a NP and even tops rafting the Grand Canyon.

Dayle

PHayden,

My long time Moab favorite is The Dreamkeeper B&B, just a couple blocks from Main St. Current owners don't have quite as good as breakfasts as the last owners did (gourmet), but tasty. They have a website. Only 6 rooms, and zillions of repeat guests. Book now!

Be sure to have dinner at The Desert Bistro. Expensive and worth it. Need reservations even in Oct.

travelcritic123

Dayle - funny our favorite B&B also has a Dream in their name too - Dreamkatchers - but they are at Lake Powell - must be something with the name that suits a bed and breakfast. Agree that these places have to be booked months in advance to assure a place to stay because of the popularity especially with Europeans - we also had dinner at The Desert Bistro - we have no problems with paying the price if the food is to die for and their food is spectacular.

Dayle

I agree - service and ambiance too! Excellent desserts too.... More fuel for hiking you know!

PHayden

Thanks everyone. I've got my reservations in the park at Zion and Bryce. Dreamkeeper doesn't take reservations for 2010 until January 2010. So I have it on my calendar to call them first thing in January. We will defintely have to try The Desert Bistro. Any other recommendations for eating in would be appreciated.

spirobulldog

hogi yogi is good for lunch in Moab. sandwiches, smoothies, asian bowls. I guess these are a chain, but I don't remember seeing them anywhere else. Moab Brewery was pretty good place. There is a place called Jail Cafe, or something like that. They are only open for breakfast, but it was good.

Dayle

Yes, Spiro, Hogi Yogi is a chain.

Other places to eat,

Eddie McStiff's - a kind of burger/beer place with pool tables. I've liked their food, but some here on Fodor's haven't

Center Street Cafe - another upscale place. Many here like it. I had a very poor experience there and haven't returned.

Pasta Jay's - some here like it, I had dinner there twice and couldn't eat it either time.

Moab Diner - fun place, good food all meals and great ice cream sundaes and milk shakes. Very popular!

There is a wonderful smoothie and wrap place across the street from the Visitor's Center in town. I can never remember the exact name. I think it's the Peace Tree. Very good!

That's interesting that the Dreamkeeper isn't take res this far out. They used to, but who knows, maybe they are having a change of ownership! I think i'll check this out. Did you speak to Dave or Kim?