A 7-day trek to areas near Zion
 

Hello travelers:

I'm planning a trip with my family, starting and ending at Las Vegas (flying in from the east coast) in late April. We have about 7 full days (not including the day of the flights to and from home) to explore! I was wondering if anyone had any insight on how we should go about this, because after perusing the internet for some time, planning is still quite a doozy for me.
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The real questions:
- Would like to be able to see Zion, Antelope Canyon, GCNP, Bryce (I heard stargazing is nice there..), Sedona (?)
- What would be a good route to take?
- How many days would you suggest staying at each place given the duration of the trip?
- What is the meaning of life?? (jk)

I saw suggestions to drive LV -> Antelope -> Bryce -> Zion -> back to LV, but not sure where GCNP would fit into that. I would greatly appreciate advice from anyone who's familiar with this terrain, it would honestly help a lot. Suggestions? Thoughts? Sorry for the lengthy post, and thanks in advance.

Are you really planning on trekking (means hiking, staying overnight in the back country) or are you using the word trek to simply mean journey?

Ah I just mean a journey, sorry for the confusion. Our means of transportation would just be a car. I'm going to figure out lodging after I figure the route!

It would be best to ck on the availbility of lodging before you book your air. Honestly you are about 6 months late to get lodging. If you have only 7 days, you could do bryce, zion and capitol Reef. Or, Grand Canyon, zion and Bryce. You do not have time for more.

There are literally thousands of threads here on this same itinerary, so reading thru some of those will give you a very good idea on what is realistic.

I would do a loop to include Grand Canyon South Rim, Zion and Bryce. It will be challenging to find lodging at this late date (assuming you don't have it already). Check the website and call daily (or more) and take any room that becomes available at the South Rim. There are usually last minute cancellations so hopefully you can luck out here. In Zion, take anything that's available in Springdale. Bryce will probably be your most challenging. Check for cancellations at the Bryce Lodge and at Ruby's - maybe you'll get lucky?

You will probably want the most time at Zion, a night or two is good for both Bryce and the Grand Canyon.

Thanks so much for replying! Yeah I guess I underestimated lodging. I don't think we'd mind driving from a nearby town or something (hopefully it's not too much of a drive).

This site will help you book a room at Bryce Canyon. http://www.brycecanyoncountry.com/

Even if you don't get into the lodge inside the park, there are three or four hotels/motels just outside the park entrance.

Lee Ann

Here is a map that was posted here before by another Fodorite it has a mileage/time chart and might help you plan your loop from Vegas.

http://ohiohickstraveltips.weebly.co...-utah-map.html

I have done a loop from Vegas to Grand canyon south rim (the only one that is open in April) to Page to Bryce to Zion and back to Vegas. This could have been done in the opposite direction also and if lodging works better with Zion first then do it that way.

I would want to be in the parks if possible but if not make a reservation close to the park that can be cancelled and call the park frequently since people do make reservations a year in advance and cancel as time gets close.

Look in Springdale for Zion, try ElendilPiclke"s site for Bryce, and try in Tusayan or the Cameron Trading Post for Grand Canyon.

If you get a flight into Vegas before noon, you could be in GC or Zion on the first day. Otherwise get a place to stay on the north side of Vegas If you go to Zion first and on the southeast side if you go to Grand Canyon first to avoid some morning traffic.

I would do 1 night at Grand Canyon, 1 night in Page, 1 or 2 at Bryce and 2 or 3 at Zion.

Also if you need lodging between Page and Bryce, look in Kanab, UT

Be aware that Arizona does not use Daylight Saving Time but Utah does.

To emalloy and Lee Ann, thank you so much for the advice! Greatly appreciated.