We are planning a hiking/siteseeing tour of southern Utah for mid-to-late April. The bulk of the planning is in place - thanks to Fordorites. We have two nights open once we leave Monument Valley and before we head to Bryce. (We will have already covered Arches and Canyonlands.) I am looking for recommendations as to where to base ourselves for those 2 nights. We can camp if necessary so hotel and campground recommendations are both welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Since you will have just come from Moab and are now at the Arizona border, there are few roads to give you options. I'd take this opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon and perhaps stop at Antelope Canyon near Page, AZ on your way to Bryce.

I second the Grand Canyon. If you have never been to the North Rim it is very different from the south rim. It's higher and cooler, more wooded and many believe the views of the canyon are better from the north. It's also a lot less crowded and just more laid back.

They have a nice campground right at the rim but also nice nice lodging--cabins and hotel rooms.

Have you already worked Zion into your plans? It's not far out of your way and has plenty to do for 2 days. You could also head up to Capitol Reef for a couple nights before Bryce.

Grand Canyon is more out of the way, probably at least 2 hours from Page to the South Rim. Definitely longer than that with stops. The North Rim will still be closed in April.

North of Bryce is Valley of the Gods, Moki Dugway, Muley Point. A little further up is Natural Bridges National Monument. We enjoyed this area. It would be cool to camp in Natural Bridges because it is the darkest place in the US. Stargazing would be great.

Not sure these places are a great destination, but they would certainly take up a day or even two if you wanted to hike. We found sipapu bridge to be spectacular.

Of course, Escalante and Cap Reef would be good.

What about canyoneering somewhere along the way. That would take a full day or even a backpack overnight trip.

My apologies for not being more specific. We will not be going to the Grand Canyon this trip due to the distance and the fact that the North Rim will not be open. We have plans in place for both Zion and Bryce. We are trying to decide on the best spot to stay in the general area of Capitol Reef.

Thank you so much for your input.

Torrey is where I would stay for CR.

If you want to go on a backroad adventure head up the Moki Dugway to Bullfrog and cross Lake Powell on the ferry. Then head north on the Notom Road to Capitol Reef for a night at Austins Chuck Wagon. Hike in Capitol Reef the next morning then drive over Boulder Mountain to Boulder and spend a night at the Boulder Mountain Lodge & dine at the Hell's Backbone grill. From there it is an easy drive to Bryce down the Scenic Byway, Highway 12. I'm jealous....

Thank you all for your input. (I am working on my notes from our month in Spain)

Peterboy, we're hoping to do just as you suggested as long as we can time it right for the ferry.

may I suggest camping at Lake Powell at Lone Rock Park...this is a National Park campground on the sandy beach .. you can use your park pass there and 10 dollars a night .. clean bathhouses and out houses nearer the beach ... great place to base out of for touring Glen Canyon Dam, Antelope Canyon , and rafting below the dam ..http://www.photoworks.com/members/2Dogs ... a link to my Utah vacations last fall with Lone Rock Park included ... have fun and be sure to get that NP Park Pass to save you money on multi park visits...

will the weather be warm enough to tent camp this time of the year?

we are also thinking of a similiar, wanting to add Moab and Capital Reef.

2dogs, loved the pictures!

DS1 worked at Wahweap two summers ago. He is seriously considering going back to Lake Powell and working at Bullfrog (wants to explore as much of the lake and surrounding area as possible).

DH is groaning, because looking at your pictures already has me saying "Ok, next trip we are going here, doing this", etc. I love this area, and can't wait to go back!

As others have posted, there is a lot to see and do around Page and LP.

Head north from MV to Mexican Hat and be sure to take a drive on the 17 mile road through Valley of the Gods. Head up the Moki Dugway and head to Natural Bridges for a visit. Instead of dealing with the ferry, just take Rte 95 up to Hanksville and on to Torrey. Spend a night in Torrey and one in Boulder as Peterboy suggested. I'm jealous too....

Thanks for all of the great input. We have had to cancel our plans due to work and we're thankful for the work so can't complain too much. I now have a fully planned trip for sometime in the future when we can once again put the Utah canyons on our calendar.