cathy81

I'm planning a trip to late July. I know this is last minute, but I'm trying to get the best trip with the limited time and resources I have. I'm also trying to accomodate several age groups (from 20's to 60's) and interests. Any advice or suggestions on the itinerary would be greatly appreciated. None in the party are hikers, so only light hiking will be done. I'm most concerned with driving times and dont know if we're trying to pack too much in. We've never been to any of these places, so I'm looking for the 'best' to see at each.

Day 1 – Fly into Phoenix, Drive to Sedona, Sightsee Sedona, Sleep at Sedona

Day 2 – Sightsee Sedona, Drive to Grand Canyon, Sightsee Grand Canyon, Sleep at Grand Canyon

Day 3 – Grand Canyon, maybe tour, some hiking, Sleep at Grand Canyon

Day 4 – Drive to Page, tour Antelope Canyon, Stay at Lake Powell

Day 5 – Drive to Moab, go through Monument Valley, stop at Four Corners, Sleep at Moab

Day 6 – Arches National Park, Sleep at Moab

Day 7 – Canyonlands National Park, Sleep at Moab

Day 8 – Drive to Bryce Canyon, sightsee at Bryce, Stay at Bryce

Day 9 – Sightsee Bryce Canyon, Drive to Zion, Stay at Zion

Day 10 – Sightsee Zion, Drive to Las Vegas, Stay in Las Vegas

Day 11 – Sightsee Vegas, tour Hoover Dam, watch show, Stay in Vegas

Day 12 – Sightsee Vegas, watch show, Stay in Vegas

Day 13 – fly home from Vegas

Thank you everyone.

bigtyke

lots of driving

Supercilious

We just did a similar trip in May. You have almost two weeks which is ample time to do what you have planned.

Since you aren't going to do much hiking, you wont need to spend as much time in the Parks as you might otherwise.

I have a couple of suggestions:

On day 4, I'd spend the night up near Monument Valley instead of Lake Powell. For one thing, Page is hotter due to the elevation and it's full of boaters partying it up.

The best place to stay is Goulding's Lodge at Monument Valley but if it's full, the San Juan Inn in Mexican Hat is very nice. There are also motels in Kayenta.

This would give you a little more time on Day 5 and you could drive up to Natural Bridges National Monument on your way to the Four Corners. If you do, don't forget to stop at Goosenecks State Park just outside Medicine Hat.

If you aren't into hiking, biking, or four wheeling then you probably only need to spend a day and a half in Moab. Tour Arches on Day 6 but on Day 7, visit Grand View in Canyonlands in the morning (and maybe Dead Horse State Park) and then drive to Torrey. This will allow you to spend some time in Capitol Reef National Park while leaving most of Day 8 for the drive over to Bryce. Hwy 12 is a thrilling and magnificent road and it will take a half day to get to Bryce unless you rush it which would be a shame.

In Vegas, we saw Spamalot which we enjoyed a great deal.

Whatever you do, have a great trip.

StantonHyde

I would skip Page and spend an extra day at the Grand Canyon. Antelope Canyon is amazing but July starts to get into thunderstorm season--when you do not want to be in a slot canyon. I would spend more time in Zion than Bryce. There is more to see in Zion for non hikers.

uhoh_busted

We did a similar trip this past April/May. 18 days and 3000+ miles on our rental car. Do you have reservations at the Grand Canyon yet? Xanterra.com is the company that handles reservations for everything in the National Parks.

Are you camping or planning to stay at hotels/motels? You might try to get a deal before you leave at the Best Western in Carmel UT which is located easily between Zion and Bryce. You can see Bryce easily in half a day, particularly if you aren't planing to do much hiking (although if you can handle it, try to hike down into the Canyon at the Navaho Loop, and come back up through Queens' Garden. It gives you an entirely different perspective of this ethereal place.

Zion has so many varied and lovely things to see, and once you park your car, you can take the free shuttle to various spots and explore. Most of the trails are very easy, the couple that are difficult -- the bus drivers will let you know (as will the literature you pick up as you enter the park.)

We like staying in Mt Carmel rather than Springdale, because it did give us access to Bryce. The drive into Zion from the East is extraordinary, and the drive to Bryce is also quite lovely.

algalli

In Moab I can recommend Sunflower Hill Inn if it fits your budget. We stayed there 2 weeks ago and enjoyed it.

pault14

I did a similar trip last year, all the Utah parks are great. The only problem I see is having reservations in Grand Canyon..they do sell out and if so you can drive to a nearby town like Flagstaff if you have to. paul t

Momof3boys

I recommend spending the 5th nt in Monument Valley as another poster recommended and then head to Moab. I would also take 1 nt out of Las Vegas - Day 10 - and spend a 2nd nt in Zion. There are plenty of short walks to do there and the scenery is spectacular.

hetismij

If you do stay in Mexican Hat, and I think it would be a good place to stay, then eat at the Mexican Hat Lodge - they do an excellent steak cooked on a swinging grill, with live music if they're in the mood.
Goosenecks is worth the visit, as is Valley of the Gods. If you are brave enough drive up the Moki Dugout just past the Valley of the Gods and visit Muley Point - turn immediately left at the top of the dugout - the view is incredible.

cathy81

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I have made reservations at the grand canyon, and have also booked a night at Gouldings Lodge in Monument Valley instead of Page. I'd love to be able to do everything that you all suggest, but I have to accomodate various interests (including those that must see Las Vegas) and a limited time table. But, I appreciate the responses.