My husband, my son, 20 and I are going to travel for two weeks in end of August as follows. We plan to see as much as possible and not to be exhausted. Please advise us where to stay, where to eat, which trail to hike or drive, where to stop for pictures, petroglyphs, dinosaurs prints, history or art, which tour take.
D1,Sut: 10 am. –2 pm. Leave to Springdale from LV with a stop for groceries.
N1: Zion.
D2,San: Zion hike the narrows.
N2: Zion.
D3: Emerald Pools Trail. Can we hike the narrows and Emerald Pools Trail do in one day for adding one day to South Rim of the Grand Canyon?
N3: Tropic.
D4: Bryce Canyon NP.
N4: Tropic.
D5: Highway 12. Escalate Petrified Forest SP, Anasazi Indian Village SP. Drive the Burr Trail.
N5: Torrey.
D6: Highway 12 - Goblin Valley State Park and Little Wild Horse Canyon (where, how long and how difficult?). Tour Capitol Reef National Park.
N6: Moab.
D7: Canyonlands NP.
N7: Moab.
D8,Sut: Arches NP.
N8: Moab.
Day9,San: a jeep/rafting trip.
N9: Cortez, CO.
D10: Mesa Verde
N10: Cortez.
D11: Goosenecks SP and Monument Valley Tribal Park.
N11: Page or better to stay somewhere?
D12: Antelope Canyon and an air tour.
N12: Page.
D13: South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
N13: Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan.
D14: Drive through Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona, Red Rock State Park.
N14: Sedona.
D14, Sut: LV
N14: Air home

I got the D = Day and the N = night, but I don't know what Sut and San stand for.

Yes, you can probably do part of the Narrows (the Narrows is 16 miles and I doubt you will want to do that in one day) and Emerald Pools in one day if you're in good shape and get up early in the morning.
http://www.nps.gov/zion/ZionNarrows.htm

D5: Do you plan on driving the Burr Trail and then double back to Hwy 12? I hope so because if you are planning on taking the unpaved Noton - Bullfrog road up to Capitol Reef, then it's a long days drive. Driving the Burr Trail from Boulder, Utah and back is worth the side trip.

D6: I would tour Capitol Reef first then head out on Hwy 24 (not Hwy 12) to Goblins Valley State Park.

I've never done the Little While Hores Canyon hike, but here's some info: http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/utah/swell/little.htm

In Moab the Potash Road (Hwy 279) and the Kane Creek road are scenic drives with petroglyhs. There is a dinosaur track on hwy 279. http://climb-utah.com/Moab/potash.htm

You are planning a lot for the 2 week period and it will be a fast past trip.

We camp and cook so I can't help there. Delicate Arch hike in Arches is my #1 hike in Arches.

Utahtea

Hi Gosha,

In order to see as much as possible and NOT be exhausted, you need to cut your plans by 1/3 at least! You are being far too ambitious.

Day 2: Hiking the Narrows in Zion will depend on the weather, especially in Aug when we tend to have thunderstorms that can cause flash floods. Be prepared with a Plan "B", such as doing Angel's Landing EARLY in the morning before it gets too hot and storms develop.

Day 3: Emerald Pools trail is very easy and short. You could do both the Narrows and Emerald Pools in one day easily. But DON'T add another destination!

Day 5: Driving Hwy 12 and the Burr Trail will take all day. No time for Escalante Grand Staircase. Yes, time for a very short stop at the Anasasi Museum. I would suggest starting very early and trying to hike Calf Creek Falls. If you are not there by 9am, parking may be full and you will have to skip it. No other parking options other than in the small lot.

Day 6: I would spend a full day at Capitol Reef, but Goblin Valley and Little Wild Horse Canyon are on the way between CR and Moab. They are a rather long detour off the road ( Hwy 72 if I remember correctly). They are not on Hwy 12.

Days 7 & 8 Canyonlands and Arches, too short but OK.

Day 10 Mesa Verde, be sure to arrive very early so you can get tickets to tour the cliff houses. These and limited and sell out in advance, but are the best part of the park.

I don't spend much time in the other destinations you plan.

Good luck planning!

Thanks utahtea and Dayle! It is a big help from you. Thanks so much!!
I am still working on my plan.
I am sure it is far from perfect, but if you or anybody can, please look at this:

Day 1, Sat:
If I land earlier in the day I could head out and stop at Valley of Fire State Park. Leave to Springdale from LV with a stop for groceries.

Night1:
Zion. Lodging at the BW Zion Park Inn or at the Desert Pearl Inn or Flannigan's Inn or Driftwood Lodge or the Cliff Rose lodge. Dinner at Spotted Dog Cafe or Flanigan's or the Chinese restaurant in Springdale.

Day 2, Sun:
We are going to take shuttle into Zion park - from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to the Temple of Sinawava and until we reach the trailhead for the easy ½-mile round-trip walk to Weeping Rock (or other choice before lunch: hike the narrows if weather permits or doing Angel's Landing EARLY in the morning before it gets too hot and storms develop). Lunch at the Grotto. We will take the 1¼-mile trail to Emerald Pools. Finish our afternoon by driving east for 11 miles along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway past the Checkerboard Mesa to the park's east entrance. Photo opportunities abound as the light of dusk plays over the canyons. When in August? Backtrack to the south entrance and exit the park. Drive through / meander through Red canyon to Bryce is 1.5-2 hours from Zion?

Night 2:
Tropic. the Blueberry Inn or Bryce Canyon Lodge or BCI or Ritz Carleton and 4 Seasons. Dinner at Hoodoo's.

Day 3, Mon:
Hike to Mossy Cave from the trailhead alongside the road from Bryce to Tropic. Short - very scenic. Bryce Canyon NP - Drive to the highest point first. Hike Fairyland Point Trail. Drive to Rainbow Point, hike the 1.5-mile round-trip Bristlecone Loop trail from Rainbow Point. End the day at sunset, at Sunset Point, camera in hand.

Night 3:
Tropic. Dinner at Bryce Canyon Lodge.

Day 4,Tue:
Be on the rim of Bryce Amphitheater at sunrise. Highway 12 to Torrey, Utah 116 miles, 3 1/2 hours. Stops at Escalante Petrified Forest SP, Anasazi Indian Village State Park & Visitor’s Center, Also the short walk along the wall of petroglyphs. Hell's Backbone Grill in Boulder.

Night 4:
Torrey at the Boulder Mtn Lodge or capitol reef inn and chuckwagon. Dinner at Cafe Diablo.

Day 5, Wed:
Highway 12 - Goblin Valley State Park. Tour Capitol Reef National Park is 11 miles from Torrey. See the scenic drive within CRNP (20 miles round trip) I would tour Capitol Reef first then head out on Hwy 24 (not Hwy 12) to Goblins Valley State Park. in Capitol Reef are Hickman Bridge (natural bridge), Capitol Gorge the pullout on Hwy 24 to view the petroglyphs right next to the road. Goosenecks of Sulfur Creek (narrows). Travel to Moab, 160 miles almost 4 hour drive.

Night 5:
Moab. lodging at the Aarchway Inn or Dreamkeeper Inn or the Apache motel or Wonderful B&B or Best Western Canyonlands or Keeper Inn. http://www.moab-utah.com/dreamkeeper/index.html Dinner at. I highly recommend "the Mayor's House" B&B. Dinner at Central Café or Moab Brewery or Poplar Café or Miguel's Baja Grill or Buck's Steakhouse.

Day 6, Thu:
the sunrise at Dead Horse Point State Park. Stop at Canyonlands NP- Green River Overlook. Mesa Arch is a short easy hike. go to Grand View Point overlook of Monument Basin at late afternoon or sunset. hike is to Chesler Park and Joint Trail. take a scenic flight over Canyonlands with Slick Rock Air Guides.

Night 6:
Moab.

Day 7, Fr:
Visit Arches NP. Fiery Furnance Trail and Devils Garden Trail, the trails to the Balanced Rock, Turret Arch and Windows Archs, Sand Dune Arch. Driving scenic Hwy 128 out to Fisher Towers. In Moab take a drive north on highway 128 for about 20 miles and return the same way. leave the parking area at least 1.5 hours before sunset. hike to Delicate Arch for sunset. In Moab the Potash Road (Hwy 279) and the Kane Creek road are scenic drives with petroglyhs. There is a dinosaur track on hwy 279. http://climb-utah.com/Moab/potash.htm

Night 7:
Moab.

Day 8,Sat:
a jeep/rafting trip.

Night 8:
Cortez, CO. Drive to Holiday Inn Express. Best Western Turquoise Inn & Suites.

Day 9,Sun:
Visit Mesa Verde - the Far View Visitor Center to purchase tour tickets for a Cliff Palace or Balcony House Tour. Visit the Chapin Mesa Museum and Spruce Tree House. Drive the Mesa Top Loop Road. Visit Far View Sites Complex. Dinner at Mesa Verde Spruce Tree Cafe.

Night 9:
Cortez

Day 10, Mon:
Mesa Verde ?

Night 10:
Cortez

Day 11, Tue:
From highway 163 Drive up route 261 Take the loop and visit Valley of Gods, Natural Bridges NM, Gooseneck SP, Moki Dugway. take a Simpson's Trail Handler Tours. stop at milepost 13.

Night 11:
accomodation in Mexican Hat at the Valley of the Gods B&B - located at the bottom of the Moki Dugway and surrounded by the Valley of the Gods or Goulding's Lodge (www.gouldings.com or the San Juan Inn (www.sanjuaninn.net ) or in Kayenta. The Cameron Trading Post is a great place for lunch.

Day 12, Wed:
All day tour of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park with your Navajo guide at the Navajo Nat Mon. via AZ564. take a dinner cruise on the Canyon King. http://www.lakepowell.com/tours_scenic_cruises.php

Night 12:
Page. The Marriot Courtyard or Lake Powell Resort on lake or Dreamkatchers Bed and Breakfast its about two - three hours from Monument Valley

Day 13, Thu:
Antelope Canyon - drive ourselves there and pick up a guide/tour there (rather than leave our car at the Page hotel to go on a tour and then come back. Start with the Lower Antelope, on the north side of the highway, for about an hour. Move on to Upper Antelope by 10 a.m. to prepare for sunbeams shining directly into the canyon. Rest half of the day.

Night 13:
Page.

Day 14, Fr:
Grand Canyon from Page, AZ 140 miles about 3 hour drive. South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Scenic AZ64 to Grand Canyon Nat Park. the Watchtower at Desert, take a flight (www.grandcanyonairlines.com) over the canyon. See sunrise Hermit Road Loop shuttle and travel along the South Rim to Hermit Point. Stop at Desert Watchtower to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Plan on seeing sunset at Mather Point.

Night 14:
Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan at Kachina Lodge. Dinner at Bright Angel or El Tovar Lodge.

Day 15, Sat:
take off for Las Vegas. 280 miles and about 5 hour drive from gc to lv. on US93/95 and check out the Hoover Dam from one of the overlooks. In Las Vegas, try the Bellagio Buffet. After the show go to the 24hr coffee shop at the Bellagio for fabulous gormet desserts!!

Night 15:
Leave Las Vegas and start to plan our next trip!

Hi gosha,

A couple of things to straighten out:

Day 2, When you drive out the east entrance of Zion, you will see the Checkerboard Mesa on the way. You can continue on straight to Bryce going this direction, check your map. There is no need to backtrack to get to Bryce. If you plan to drive to Bryce in the dark, watch carefully for deer. This part of Utah is loaded with them!

Also, you really should do the Riverside Walk in Zion, one of the best, and definitely enjoyable in the Aug heat because it's shaded and cool.

Day 3: Rainbow Point is the highest and furthest point in Bryce, so you will see this before the Fairyland Point. Fairyland is the lowest point in the park and the first you come to when driving in. All the paved paths to the viewpoints in Bryce are just walks, not hikes. Although you may feel like you are hiking if not acclimated to the 8,000 ft. altitude!

Day 4: Your drive from Bryce to Torrey will take much longer than 3 1/2 hours, especially if you plan to stop to see the Anasasi Museum and take photos. Also: Boulder Mtn Inn is not in Torrey. It's in Boulder, which is between Bryce and Torrey. You will definitely need advance reservations to eat lunch at the Hell's Backbone Grill if that is your plan.

Day 5: The drive between Capitol Reef and Moab without stops is 2 1/2 hours. If you stop to see Goblin Valley, yes, it will be more like 4 hours.

Day 6: Chesler Park is in the Needles District of Canyonlands. It is a completely different area from Island in the Sky and Dead Horse Point. It would be about a 2 1/2 - 3 hour drive from Dead Horse Point. You don't have time to go there.

If you want to do the flight tour with Slick Rock Air Guides, I suggest going very early in the morning. Afternoon thunderstorms could cancel your flight plans in Aug. You will need advance reservations.

Day 7: You will have to choose from among this list. Not time for all of it. Since you seem to have an "extra" day in Cortez, you might want to add a day to Moab.

Also, you should get your lodging reservations right away.
Hope this helps.

The Riverside Walk is the trail portion before the Zion Narrows hike so if you do the Narrows, you'll be doing this as well. If the weather is threatening, you could at least do this mile long hike to see where you would have entered the river.

Also, if you arrive in LV early, and get to Zion in the late afternoon, you could do the weeping rock/emerald pools hike that day, which would free up more time the next day so you could go deeper into the narrows if the weather allows for it.

We walked about 3 hours up the Narrows, took us about half the time to get back. We made it about an hour past Orderville Canyon which is a side canyon some people like to hike down.

At Capitol Reed we did the Hickman Bridge hike and the Grand Wash hike. Both were nice.

If you go to the Needles District of Canyonlands, there's Newspaper Rock, which is a bunch of petroglyphs, on the road in.

Thanks everyone!
We going to stay at
ZION PARK MOTEL in Springdail and in Tropic at Bryce View Lodge and in Torrey at Wonderland Inn.
Not shure about Moab, Page, GC and MV lodging, please advize.
Thanks.