I am trying to make the final plans for our family vacation from June 7-18. It will be my husband and I, and our three teenage boys – 14, 15 & 17.

Here’s our possible itinerary – have plane reservations and vehicle – everything else I'm still working/deciding on:

June 7 – fly to Phoenix – pick up minivan (5pm) - stay overnight (dinner with cousin)
June 8 – Montezuma Castle – Sedona – Slide Rock SP (camp)
June 9-10 – Grand Canyon – camp at Mather 2 nights
June 11-12 – Tusayan Ruin ? – to Glen Canyon/Lake Powell-hotel - considering the ½ day float trip, trip to Antelope Canyon, rent boat or kayaks, Glen Canyon Dam– still researching this area
June 13-14 – Bryce Canyon – Grand Staircase(??)
June 15 – Zion – Maybe a quick stop @ Cedar Breaks? Spend late afternoon & night and stay most of next day, maybe canyoneering – or at least hiking part of the narrows. hotel or camp?
June 16 & 17 – Las Vegas – probably arrive late on 16th and stay in one of the med-large hotels – and see a show – trying for one of the Cirque du Soleil shows -
fly out noon 18th

Here are some of the questions/concerns I have:
Best campsites @ Mather, I’ve read that Aspen & Maple loops are good, but can’t figure out where those are?
Do I need reservations for the float trip @ Lake Powell?
How’s the water temp at Lake Powell that time of year?
Will it be too cold to camp at Bryce?
I welcome your thoughts & suggestions - there's so much to consider.
Also, would it be feasible to go to the Bryce/Zion area without reservations - to keep the itererary more flexible?
Thanks so much!

Hi Lisa,

If you want to camp at Zion and Bryce you should have reservations. The campgrounds fill up most of the year (except winter). If you go without res, you will need to arrive at the campground about 8:30 am in order to snag a spot when someone else leaves.

There are public campgrounds outside both parks if you must, but to me, they aren't in nearly as nice surroundings.

I think you need to map out your itinerary to include driving times between destinations. You won't have much time AT places, especially Zion and Bryce.

Bryce will be cold at night most of the year. It's at 8,000 ft.

Happy planning!

Thanks for the advise Dayle! I will definitely make reservations. I think we may skip Grand Staircase all together, add a night to Zion and then stay one night in Bryce at Ruby's (I just checked and there are rooms available). According to mapquest it's just under 3 hours from the Lake Powell/Page area to Bryce. We can be to Bryce by late morning, spend the day and part of the next day before going to Zion.

As you drive from Lake Powell to Bryce, notice that the road climbs over a steep cliff, then travels level for some distance, then climbs another cliff. This is the Grand Staircase. You can't miss it unless you drive at night. You may not get to take hikes in it, but you will get to see it as you climb from the Colorado River to the heights that comprise Bryce Canyon.

Lisa - Please be mindfull of the time changes in those areas as you plan. For example Page, AZ will be on Mountain Standard Time and Bryce and Zion will be on Mountain Savings Time. When you leave Page you will loose an hour as you cross into Utah.

We will be in that area in June also, very exciting for all...have a great trip!

Thanks for the info on the Grand Staircase at lease we won't miss it all together! Also, good info on the time change - I hadn't thought of that.
Thanks again.
Lisa