NancyB1219

Planning a trip to Utah June, 2014 and seeking advice. 3 adults (60, 55, 53) and 3 children (boys, 9, 11, 14). Flying into Albuquerque and would like to see Utah's national parks, Grand Canyon, and Painted Desert/Petrified Forest on way back to Albuquerque. Can do hiking if not too strenuous. No rafting. Initial thoughts are I-40 West to Canyon de Chelly, continuing 191north to Arches (stops along way other scenic sites), west and south to other national parks. Then to GC and Painted Desert on return trip via I-40 East. We'll have about 10 days. Thoughts/suggestions/recommendations, please. Nothing in stone yet.

peterboy

Any particular reason you're flying into Albuquerque?

spirobulldog

You might consider letting the boys go with a guide www.deserthighlights.com in Moab. This is called canyoneering and totally amazing and they are super safe. I would also include a stop at Goblin Valley State Park along the way. Do you plan on including Capitol Reef, Bryce, and Zion? I would go as early in June as you can. The longer you wait the hotter it will be.
Frankly, I would plan on doing a lot of hikes. That's the way to see the best things. Many of them aren't strenuous. I would for sure try to make it to Delicate Arch. I think the park rates it strenuous, but really it's a moderate hike.

You can see each park in a single day(I've always stayed 3-4 days at each though). Painted Desert and Petrified Forest can be seen in 4 hours. We went to Utah about 7 years ago for the first time. We've been back just about every years since then.
Buy a National Park Pass on your first stop.

I would suggest getting your lodging "in park" at Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyon.

If Hoover Dam is on your route, then make that a stop too.

Another great view similar to that of the Grand Canyon is at Dead Horse Point, outside of Utah.

emalloy

We have done a similar trip from Albequerque and headed north the fiest day. We are doing a similar trip this fall. We will spend the night we fly in at Bloomfield, as we will be from the east and that is as far as we want to go given the time change. Then we will go to Mesa Verde for a night before going over to Moab for arches and Canyonlands for a few days.

You could head to Grand Canyon via canyon de chelley then back to ABQ or do the loop in the opposite direction.

I would want to stay in the parks for Grand Canyon and Mesa verde so would plan the direction of travel based on availability of lodging.

NancyB1219

Peterboy....my sons and I are flying but brother and wife are driving (she's afraid and they also have a little dog). We drove to Yellowstone from Nashville in 2012 and just do not want to drive that much again especially since there will be much driving while there. We were thinking we'd meet up in Albuquerque and go north 191 to begin trip but we are certainly open to suggestions as we plan the trip.

NancyB1219

spirobulldog...Yes, we do want to see Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion. Are the plans too ambitious for 10 days? Thanks so much. Nancy

spirobulldog

Most people fly to Salt Lake, Vegas, or Phoenix. I personally like flying into Grand Junction or even right into Moab. If you fly into Moab, it's a tiny plane and a tiny airport--but that's half the fun-every seat is a window seat.

NancyB1219

Given the fact we are meeting up with my brother driving from Tennessee, we thought ABQ was best choice, spirobulldog.

ElendilPickle

If your brother and his family are bringing their dog, they'll need to check each park to see if kennels are available. Pets aren't allowed on most trails in many of the parks.

You might want to spend your arrival day in Albuquerque before you hit the road. We have a really nice zoo and other things that are great for families.

Lee Ann

NancyB1219

I'm not finding any nonstop flights from Nashville to Albuquerque so may be looking at a change in plans with flying to Phoenix and rethinking routes and stops.

NancyB1219

Thoughts on North Rim vs. South Rim? Both??

spirobulldog

Day 1 from Phoenix
First time visitors should probably see the South Rim. I've been to the GC 4 times and even rafted a portion of it. I have yet to see the North Rim, and it is high on my list. While the GC is one huge Shock and Awe/Wow type moment, unless you are hiking down into it or rafting it, it can be done in a short amount of time. Perhaps consider just staying one night on the south rim. It is worth the effort to catch a Sunrise and Sunset. I would have a meal at El Tovar(even breakfast would be nice).

Day 2
Drive thru Petrified Forest and Painted Desert on your way to Monument Valley(national park pass won't work here). Spend the night at The View. Consider taking an Indian Guided tour of MV

Day 3
See Goosenecks of the San Juan State Park, Drive up The Moki Dugway. Stop at National Bridges National Monument(park pass works here). The main thing to see here is Sipapu Bridge. It is a short hike, but does involve going down 1 small ladder. Standing right under the bridge is nothing like seeing it from the overlook. You really appreciate it when you are close to it/under it. I would skip the entire park, if I didn't plan on hiking down to it(at least one adult and the boys should anyway). It is not a dangerous hike. From here, continue on to Moab

Day 3
See Arches National Park. See Delicate Arch, See Landscape Arch, See Double Arch, See Balanced Rock, See Turret Arch, See Windows Section. I like Delicate Arch better first thing in the morning. Everyone else will disagree with me and tell you to see it at sunset. I wonder how many of them have seen it both ways? You will have it to yourself in the morning and the hike is much much cooler(especially in June). At night, you can plan on sharing it with 100+ people and just getting a photo under it can be difficult.

Day 4 Seriously, I would allow a day here for canyoneering with the company I suggested. I promise it will be the highlight of the entire trip.

Day 4
Drive to Goblin Valley State Park. Spend a couple of hours looking at the Goblins. Also nearby is Little Wildhorse Canyon(not to be confused with Wildhorse-you want Little Wildhorse). This is a slot Canyon, that is a couple of miles from Goblin Valley. You might ask for directions from the Goblin Valley visitor center. There is absolutely nothing to eat or drink in this area. There aren't even any vending machines. This is very isolated and operates on solar power only. So, pack a lunch and plenty of drinks. Overnight @ Austin's Chuckwagon in Torrey

Day 5
See the orchards, perhaps hike to Hickman Arch. For breakfast, buy homemade pie(from fruit from the orchards) at The Gifford House, which is located in Capitol Reef. Eat your pie in the picnic area(maybe a couple of hundred feet from the Gifford House) under the two big trees there. You are almost guaranteed to have deer very nearby. Stop at Kiva Koffehouse for coffee and a snack. Continue on driving HWY 12(an awesome drive) to Bryce. Overnight at Bryce Lodge. A good hike on this route is Calf Creek Falls, but it is moderate or a bit more than that.
You might want to drive down the dirt road to The Devils Garden in Escalante. That is a neat area(there is a different Devils Garden in Arches, so don't confuse the two)

Day 6
Hike Navajo Loop and Queens Garden. Another option would be horseback riding down into the canyon. Drive the entire length of the road in the park and stop at some of the overlooks.

Day 7
Zion National Park. My favorite 2 hikes here are The Narrows and Angels Landing. I'm sure you boys would love them. However, Angels Landing is strenuous and even dangerous if unsupervised. I wouldn't let them hike either without and adult. The Narrows could have to much water at that time of year, you would just need to check and see. Emerald Pools is another nice hike. The Rim Trail is another.

From here you could see The North Rim or even spend a day at Page. Or you could head back and see Hoover Dam. Now, we spent 3 or 4 days at each place that I suggested spending only a day, so you could easily allow more time at any of them. You would probably want to see a bit of Canyonlands. A great air tour is with Slick Rock Air in Moab. One of the boys would likely be allowed to sit up front in the small plane.

spirobulldog

Oh, stay at Zion Lodge in Zion.

spirobulldog

Vegas might work better than Phoenix, you would just have to play with your schedule and airfare cost.

spirobulldog

http://www.fodors.com/community/prof...ripreports.cfm
I have several Utah Trip reports and pictures

NancyB1219

Ooohh...thanks SO much,spirobulldog! Great information. I think lodging may be a bit tricky with their little dog. Will have to check policies. I'll be sure and review your trip reports and pix. Nancy

spirobulldog

Ruby's just outside the park might be the ticket for Bryce. Springdale is just outside Zion. Sorry, I would leave the dog at home. That's going to be a huge problem and in the heat too.

I know you are fine with a dog at Little Wildhorse. I'm not sure about Goblin Valley and Deadhorse Point, but I think you would be ok there. You would not be ok at Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce, Zion, and Natural Bridges. They cannot go on any trails there.

RVvagabond

Ten days is not a vacation across such a vast area. It is a slow NASCAR trip.

Suggest adding at least-least 5 more days for the well planned trip Spiro outlined.

Vaga

NancyB1219

Wish we could, Vaga, but limited by time and money.

WhereAreWe

I agree that the dog is better off staying home. There are very few places it can go in the national parks....basically the parking lots, sidewalks and rarely a trail. You can't leave it in the vehicle as it will be too hot. There are boarding kennels but if they choose to do that, it would just be easier to board the dog at home I think.

It would work if someone is willing to stay behind on every hike/walk to watch the dog. But that just makes the trip more complicated.