cheryl

I would appreciate some information on distance and travel time from Vegas to Zion to Bryce to the north rim of the Grand Canyon and back to Vegas. I'd also be grateful for other travel agenda suggestions (we have 5 days). Also, is the Valley of Fire worth a side trip? (Utahtea, are you out there? You have great suggestions!)
Thanks,
Cheryl

bookhall

Cheryl: We did a similar trip in Dec. Flew into Vegas, got a car and drove to Zion for the 1st night. Spent a second night there, then to Bryce for the 3rd night. Headed back to Vegas from there, spending the night in St. George. Stopped at Valley of Fire the next day--yes, it's worth it--and came into Vegas sideways, bumping into Lake Meade. Spent 3 days in Vegas, doing the Hoover Dam thing from there, and otherwise acting like gawking tourists (which, of course, we were.)

North Rim was closed--glad I didn't have to make that decision. Still put just over 1,000 miles on the car. Go to http://community.webshots.com/user/bookhall for some pictures of Zion, Bryce and the Vegas-area things.

My feeling is that if you try to squeeze the North Rim in on a 5-day trip, you'll be too rushed to really enjoy anything. I wanted to go to Page to see the Antelope (slot) Canyon, but decided our bodies weren't up to the wear-and-tear of the extra mileage. The Grand Canyon and environs is going to have to be a be-back for us.

utahtea

Hi Cheryl,

I'm still around

Five days as in

Day 1 Las Vegas to Zion 160 miles
Day 2 Zion
Day 2 Zion to Bryce 86 miles
Day 3 Bryce
Day 4 Bryce to N. Rim Grand Canyon 160 miles (many slow driving miles)
Day 5 North Rim to Vegas 265 miles

I guess it depends on how much driving you like to do. The N. Rim of the Grand Canyon is a lot of miles out of your way and the driving time is going to eat up a lot of your time/ You won't have a lot of time at the Grand Canyon or you will have to cut a day out of Bryce or Zion. If you plan on going from Mid-Oct to Mid-May the N. Rim is closed.

If you don't do the N. Rim then here are some other suggetons.

Valley of Fire State Park is worth a side trip.

Another neat place just a few miles north of St. George is Snow Canyon State Park which might be worth a drive.

There is Cedar Breaks National Monument for a different drive back from Bryce to Vegas and you will also pass by the Kolob section of Zion (just off I-15 between Cedar City and St. George on your way back to Vegas.

Hope this helps.

Utahtea

timw0311

Cheryl,

My wife and I took a similar trip last summer. 2 Days in Vegas and the remaining 3 days split between Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon's North Rim. The drive from Vegas to Zion should take no more than 2.5 to 3 hours (about 160 miles). I highly recommend Zion and in Springdale I would recommend the Desert Pearl Inn for lodging. The room was spacious, very clean and you'll also have a balcony. We mistakenly made our original reservations at the Cliffrose Lodge- our room was not as advertised and the service wasn't adequate. I believe the North Rim will be closed during the winter but that will give you more time to enjoy Bryce, Zion and the Valley of Fire. Have a great time- Tim

cheryl

Thanks so much for all the great ideas. We're taking this trip to celebrate my husband's 40th bday, and he has always wanted to see the grand canyon so I thought I could fit it in. Might have to re-think this. Any other $100-200 lodging ideas around zion and bryce?