Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Vegas to Grand Canyon, Bryce and/or Zion Dilemmma!

Vegas to Grand Canyon, Bryce and/or Zion Dilemmma!

Old Aug 28th, 2014, 02:45 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Vegas to Grand Canyon, Bryce and/or Zion Dilemmma!

Hello All!
We will be 2 couples traveling in October to Las Vegas, for about a week. We have devoted 2 ½ days (2 nights) at the start of our trip, to see the GC, but with so much more time than we need there, would like to use our extra time wisely. We do not plan on doing any hiking as we just want to “see” the GC. We also plan to make a stop at Hoover Dam. I’m not sure if there is time to see Bryce or Zion, but if not, we’re trying to figure out how to best use our allotted time.

Our friends get into Vegas on Saturday afternoon at 2pm, so we will be leaving late in the afternoon on our journey. Our plan is to arrive back in LV on Monday night. We want to see as much as possible, but know that this is not enough time to see all 3 attractions. We are very flexible with our schedule, and have not booked any overnight stays yet (except for when we are back in Vegas)! We love to see roadside attractions along the way, so of course the most scenic routes and/or towns would be awesome!

What would you all recommend we see in the time we have allotted?
Is it best to travel to the North Rim as opposed to the South Rim, taking other attractions into consideration?
Would it be best to go to the park(s) before or after GC?
Any help and/or suggestions and route recommendations would be so much appreciated!

Please not that going to Zion and Bryce are not a necessity, as we can do this on another trip. My daughter just moved to Vegas, so we will be making plenty of trips to see her! We just want to make the best of our 2 1/2 days out of Vegas.

Thanks so much in advance!
LoriKim is offline  
Old Aug 28th, 2014, 05:42 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You won't arrive at the Grand Canyon until after dark if you aren't leaving until late afternoon. Sunset in October ranges from 6:15 at the beginning of the month to 5:35 at the end of the month.

North Rim visitor services (including lodging) close for the year on October 15th.

I would suggest you visit Hoover Dam on your way out of Las Vegas. Stay overnight in Williams, AZ. Get up early, drive an hour to the Grand Canyon and visit the various viewpoints. Exit via the East entrance for views of the Painted Desert, then head south and drive through Wupatki and Sunset Crater if you feel like it.

Drive down Oak Creek Canyon and get to Sedona in time to watch the sunset somewhere. Overnight there, spend the next day in and around Sedona and head back to Vegas.

I would not go to Bryce and Zion and the Grand Canyon on this trip. You could go to the North Rim and Zion (you'll drive right through Zion on the way) but the South Rim is generally considered more scenic and spectacular. I would save the North Rim for another trip when you can spend more time going to Bryce and Zion.

The one thing you might want to do differently than my itinerary is to spend the night inside the park at the Grand Canyon instead of Williams. Then you would be right there at sunrise - the drive from Williams to the Grand Canyon is not interesting so you wouldn't miss anything. Also, if there is a full moon or close to one you could go out and look at the canyon by that light, although it definitely wouldn't be as spectacular as in the daytime.
WhereAreWe is offline  
Old Aug 28th, 2014, 07:22 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for your reply WhereAreWe! Someone on the TA forum suggested Sedona as well. My friend and I were just discussing going straight to Zion from Vegas, spend the night in Springdale, do Zion on Sunday, see the sunset from there and spend another night in Springdale. Then Monday morning, leave for GC North Rim, and head back to Vegas after that.
However, if the North Rim isn't worth all of that, your plan just maybe a better one. If we're able to see any of the quirky towns off Route 66, that would be awesome! Would your itinerary allow for that? Please forgive my ignorance, but it's our first time in the area, and only today did we decide to do this little 2 1/2 day side trip before going to Vegas! We are coming from Florida by the way
LoriKim is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 03:09 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,904
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The north rim is lovely, but it is not as wonderful as the south rim IMHO, but if your focus is to see the parks and check them off then the plan to go to Zion first then on to the north rim, your plan would work.

I really feel that Zion and the north rim need a bit of hiking to appreciate the beauty and the views. The south rim has shuttles that go along the rim, and you can hop off see the views take pictures, then hop on the next one from Bright Angel to Hermit's rest.

I would call GC south rim and see if I could get in park lodging for either the first or second night. If you get it for the first night, then head there and be there for sunrise, then go down to Sedona for night 2 and visit the dam on your way back.

If you get night 2, then head for the dam, and stay near the dam or in Kingman then head for GC, do the views, see sunset (make a reservation for dinner at el Tovar) and out the east exit, stopping at the views to the east , (a few yards north when you get to 89, visit Cameron Trading Post), then go south on 89 and stop at Wupatki and Sunset Crater.

If you are old enough, get a senior pass for the National Parks, $10 and good for your lifetime for entrance to all the parks for you and the others in your car.
emalloy is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 03:43 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would also suggest seeing the South Rim and start calling right away to find lodging in the park. It will be dark when you arrive so you'll spend the next day seeing the canyon. I don't find Sedona particularly interesting so I'd instead suggest that you head to Zion from GC. You'll enter through the incredible east entrance and you can spend the rest of day 2 there, stay overnight and see more of it on Monday. The drive from Zion to LV is only 2.5 hrs and you gain an hour leaving Utah to Nevada. Just a suggestion.
sharondi is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 07:12 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,502
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Zion can be visited in a few hours drive from Las Vegas. Stay in Springdale, where there are tons of lodgings. You also get some great views from Springdale and driving through the east entrance to the Park. I think 2 nights is good for Springdale.

Bryce can be seen without an overnight, it's about 2 hours from Springdale. If you are not hiking down, it would be reasonable to do a day visit and stop at a variety of viewpoints, than you could head south on 89 to overnight in Kanab (cute little town with some nicely remodeled hotels). It's also about two hours from Bryce to Kanab.
So I'd do the third night in Kanab.

From Kanab to the South Rim Desert View is likely to take 4 to 6 hours with stops. I would try to get in-park lodging for two nights, whatever you can get..just keep trying the website and calling. You can't check in until 4 pm anyways (and they are pretty strict). Nights 4 & 5 in Kanab. You might want to visit Angel Canyon if only for a drive through.

Leaving you come out via Williams and from there it's 5 hours to Las Vegas/Lake Mead, so you'll want to allow a full day on this leg.
Night 6 in Las Vegas.

I like to do the route in this direction for some reason. I think it leads up to the Grand Canyon as the "grand finale".

I don't think Sedona needs to be part of this trip. If you were flying into Phoenix then it's on the way, but you aren't. I wouldn't do North Rim unless you can get in-park lodging (and it closes Oct 15). We are going in a few weeks. I think it would need two additional nights (between Kanab and the South Rim)
mlgb is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 07:14 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,502
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My error in the third paragraph..Nights 4&5 in the GC! Angel Canyon is north of Kanab. You probably won't have time unless you add another night there, which isn't a terrible idea.
mlgb is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 07:39 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
mlgb: They only have 2.5 days for this trip, not sure why you are giving them 5 nights to do it.

LoriKim: I know next to nothing about Route 66, but I know you can drive parts of it between the Grand Canyon and Vegas. Or at least visit a couple towns on the route...

I would still skip Zion and Bryce on this short trip since you are planning on going back anyway. There is so much to see and do in that area. A one day drive through just isn't worth it IMO.
WhereAreWe is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 07:44 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We are taking all of these suggestions into consideration, however mlgb, we only have 2 nights
We are going to check today to see what nights are available in the GC. At last look, night 1 was all booked up.
Feel free to keep the suggestions coming, as the route suggestions are most helpful!
Thank you all SO much!
LoriKim is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 08:37 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,714
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
For a 2.5 day trip, I agree with WhereAreWe. See Hoover dam and Lake Meadeon your way out of Las Vegas on US 93. The entrance is on the Nevada side just past the Hacienda casino/hotel.
You will be stopped briefly by security before you reach the dam.
Drive past the parking garage and go across the dam to the Arizona side. The second and third parking lots on the AZ side are free. Walk back across the dam to get your pictures and maybe a tour inside the dam.
When you leave the dam, stop at the parking area where you can take a short walk up to the new high bridge which has a walkway that has the apex of the bridge and the state line marked on the walkway.
If you don't want to go farther that day, check into the Hacienda which is 2 miles from the dam. They also have a pretty good all you can eat buffet that you can get to without walking through the casino floor.
Continuing the next morning, take US 93 to Kingman and instead of getting on I-40 take the old 66 through Truxton to get to Seligman (pronounced Se LIG man). I-40 to Kingman and then north on 64 to the South Rim. Plan on being at the right place for your sunset pictures. Hope that you can the reservation for night 2 at the South Rim.
Save Zion/Bryce and the north rim for a future trip maybe in the late spring or early summer.
tomfuller is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 08:48 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,502
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry, I thought you had a week. Didn't read closely enough!

But save the comments for another trip when you have more time.

Seligman is really worth the stop.

I did a springtime trip last April on route 66, stayed overnight in Willams. I think you can view the photos.

http://picasaweb.google.com/kiwifann/ArizonaRoute66#
http://picasaweb.google.com/kiwifann/GrandCanyon2013#
mlgb is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 08:51 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,502
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you can't get two nights inside the park, Williams is fine and less expensive than Tusayan. There are two Motel6's in Williams, one is interior corridor. They have generous cancel policies so you might make a booking there and keep trying for inside the park for both nights.
mlgb is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 09:55 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,329
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Take some days off of LV and add them to the parks.
MichelleY is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 01:23 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,904
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Make a res. for GC you can cancel in Tusayan or at Cameron Trading POst and call GC on the phone for cancellations, they really do come up all the time and often don't make it to the web site, but will if you phone. When you score you can cancel the other one.
emalloy is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 09:01 PM
  #15  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you to everyone! We were able to get reservations at GC for the 2nd night, so now we're going to look over your suggestions one more time, and decide which route we want to take, based upon a few of the suggestions above (WhereAreWe, Emalloy and tomfuller).
We'll just look to see what routes/attractions interest us, based upon our 2nd night being in the GC, and then make a 1st night reservation once we decide.
Once again, thank you to all, for all of your tips, and helping us to make up our mind!
We will be back in Vegas I'm sure the beginning of next year, but I think this time it will be shorter in Vegas and a longer trip to include all of the attractions we would like to see, and at a slower pace
Again, we can't think you enough!
Lori
LoriKim is offline  
Old Sep 11th, 2014, 02:37 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Quote from tomfuller may be a little confusing.

The segment of road from Kingman to Saligman is THE Route 66 that has survived well. He is right - do it. It starts in Kingman at exit 63, which is Andy Devine (famous western actor with raspy voice - child hood injury) Street. The museum in Kingman has a special section reserved for him.

It exits back on I-40 at Seligman as Tom wrote. The association to preserve Route 66 was started at a Barber Shop in Seligman that is still open - take a picture.
http://azrt66.com/

If you drive highway 93 south from LV, the former gold mining town of Chloride host the Purcell Paintings on its rocks. Ask anyone in town for directions. Road MAY be rough to those paintings if not recently graded. https://images.search.yahoo.com/sear...ona+ghost+town

IF, at a later date, drive WEST from Kingman to the historic town of Oatman. This stretch of road was the most treacherous of all from Chicago to Los Angeles (Santa Monica). Oatman had special drivers to drive their cars over those mountains.
http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/az/oatman.html


Vaga
RVvagabond is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
shar44
United States
4
Feb 5th, 2016 04:07 AM
Retired1
United States
4
Nov 29th, 2015 07:07 PM
jul4
United States
28
Apr 21st, 2015 03:19 PM
ElViajeroIndio
United States
6
Jul 12th, 2012 06:49 AM
noellev13
United States
9
Mar 26th, 2009 06:59 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -