Sandyplus3

My husband and kids, age 11 and 12, are going to AZ the last week in March and first week in April. We fly into Phoenix, spend a few days in Sedona, GC, and Page. I am not sure which way to go next - Zion & Bryce or MV and Canyon de Chelly. We love nature, hiking, and culture so either way looks great.
Also, what is the weather like in Zion and Bryce the first week in April?

happytrailstoyou

*In two weeks you can visit all these places, and that's what I suggest you do.
*At the Grand Canyon, stay at one of the lodges on the rim if you can.
*At Zion we stay in Springdale.
*At Bryce Ruby's is a good place to stay and eat.
*At Canyon de Chelly, stay at the Holiday Inn and book a morning jeep tour there also.


HTTY

Myer

Zion will most likely be nice Bryce will have snow and be cooler.

They are close together but Bryce is 4,000 higher.

I've been to Bryce, Zion and Sedona.

Sedona has some excellent hike that aren't too long.

Boynton Canyon Vista (not the longer Boynton Canyon) is beautiful and short.

The area around Bell Rock is very scenic.

You can take a Pink Jeep tour or actual hike of Broken Arrow.

For Bryce you may be limited to walking along the rim or maybe a short way down. But it depends on the snow.

Zion has a great selection of hikes. You can go to the Bryce web site.

InSandy

The snow really begins to melt at Bryce during March, so you may not find any especially this year since not much has fallen.
It is really hard to say what area would be better for your family. They are both good in their own ways. I would tend toward Zion and Bryce, but if you could manage both that would be good too.

janisj

you have a LOT of responses on your other thread . . .

janisj

Oh - I see you have been back to that thread. You are getting good advice on both threads

(just an fyi, it usually isn't necessary to start different threads for each state. You can tag a thread for multiple states. It looks like the editors have added state tags to both of your threads)

Sandyplus3

Thanks for the advice. I am pretty sure I don't want to go both east and west from Page. We are from the east coast and not use to long drives. So that being said, I really have to decide and make some reserv. This forum is great. People have been so kind. Seems like a split on which why to go though. T guess it would help if I told you my plans
1 day phx (travel day)
3 days sedona
2 days GC
2 days Page
3 days ? (MV/CDC or Z/B)
2 days Phx (this is for R&R/poolside, assuming it is warm and sunny)

ketchpa

In my opinion, for a first time visitor to N.AZ or S.Utah, Bryce and Zion would, absolutely, without question, be better than Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly.

Better tourist infrastructure (although only marginally so at Bryce), greater ability hike and explore without a guide, greater diversity and scenery (all IMO).

If Native American culture and ruins are extremely high on your list of interests, this could tip the balance towareds Canyon de Chelly - but otherwise Bryce and Zion, hands down.

mrssparky

I agree with ketchpa, but I also agree with HTTY. You could substitute Navajo Monument for Canyon de Chelly and then see Monument Valley and then NM. CDC is beautiful and full of Indian culture, but a bit out of the way.

I'd have to look at a map however. I think 3 days in Sedona and 2 days in Page are more than one would need. What are the plans for Sedona and Page?

InSandy

You could easily do Bryce 1 day and Zion 2 and that would be a great compliment to the other places you plan to visit.

Sandyplus3

In sedona we are planning to do the pink jeep tour and rent atvs, also hike and enjoy oak creek canyon. I could cut this back to two days, though I hate to feel rushed. In Page we have a float trip reserved and plan to go to the dam and antelope canyon. I have planned on two days in Page because the float trip is at 11:00 and I would image the kids would be too tired to do anything afterwards. Is two days in Page too much?
I also saw horseback riding in zion and bryce. My husband is afraid of horses though he said he would do it for the sake of the family. Is it worth it?

InSandy

The horseback ride in Bryce is a little more scenic than the one in Zion, though the trails do have some mild drop offs. I don't think you need a horseback ride to enjoy the parks, but if you want to mix up the activities a bit the one in Bryce is well recommended.
I don't think 2 days in Page is too many, lots to do there. Be sure to see Horseshoe Bend overlook as well (no guardrails).

emalloy

Another place to look at for Native American culture about 10 miles east of Flagstaff is Walnut Canyon. It is right off I-40 and has cliff dwellings that you can climb up into cliff dwellings. This would give a quick look at a bit of history without going far out of the way. Canyon de Chelley is awesome, but you really need to spend a day with a Navajo guide to make the the trip worthwhile.

In Page you should do the Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend areas and if the half day smooth water raft trip is running, take it. I have a few pictures of that area at www.flickr.com/photos/emalloy2009/sets in the 2008 set I think.


enjoy the trip!

Tomsd

It's not that far from Phoenix to Sedona, so why spend a night in a city if you want to see the beautiful sights of nature.

And you could also trim another day from Page, IMO.

Tomsd

And if your husband is afraid of horses, why not let him "kick back" and chill while the rest of you go riding?

Tomsd

Not to belabor the point - but Phoenix to Sedona is about 2 hours/115 miles - and since you are ending up in Phoenix for 2 days of pool and sun, why spend your first night there?

Get to beautiful Sedona and awaken to the lovely red rocks and go from there.

workingonthebucket

Interesting itinerary....we have booked almost the same for June with out kids of 16, 15 and 12, except we are flying into and out of Vegas. Also have booked Pink Jeep tour in Sedona, and smooth water float trip in Page. Several of us also have a dislike of horses and mules...what are your plans in GC? Do you have your hikes planned for there?

Sandyplus3

I agree with you Tomsd. I am going to knock a night off phoenix and go zion & Bryce. Think I'll do the horseback riding in Bryce (while my husband does some solo time.) I think a second trip to the New Mex-four corners area is called for as I still want to make it out to MV one day.
I haven't worked out my GC trip yet. Just made the reserv. Not doing the Mule ride because my husband is 6'5" and 220 (i.e. too big for the mules). I will start getting down to the details now that I have my itinerary. Thanks for all the great advice.
I will write a short trip report when I get back so workingonthebucket can tweek from my mistakes
Thanks everyone!