utahtea

The scenery on both the float trip and the boat tour on Lake Powell are incredible. One nice thing about the longer boat tour on Lake Powell is they take you down some of the narrow canyons. It would be a hard choice for me do decide which one, but Rainbow Bridge is a site to see. If you that torn, I'd really recommend two nights in Page and only one at the N. Rim since you will have already been to the S. Rim.

Utahtea

iamq

"If you that torn, I'd really recommend two nights in Page and only one at the N. Rim since you will have already been to the S. Rim."

Yes utahtea, I am beginning to think that is exactly what I will end up doing. Thanks!

2dogs

Cedar Breaks , I would by pass this park ... maybe 15 minutes to view from 3 lookouts, no trails into the canyon .. if you have seen Bryce, than this park will disappoint .. very small ... spend the time else where ..

mrssparky

My stepson lives in Vermillion Cliffs (it is a tiny town) and he joined us on our LV/Zion/Bryce/Page/NRGC tour. He wanted to take us to Cedar Breaks to see the Bristlecone pines, but after we found them at Bryce, he said he felt there was no need for us to go to Cedar Breaks. We did do the float trip and enjoyed that very much. I do wish we had done the rainbow bridge tour, but not enough time. An excuse to go back, again. We had already done Horseshoe Bend on a previous trip. I love that little hike with such a great view. I thought it was cool to see it from the river too.

iamq

Thanks for the information 2dogs and mrssparky. Cedar Breaks is not the point of this trip, but we'll probably work it in somewhere if there is time.

utahtea

I agree with 2dogs on skipping Cedar Breaks, you are going to want to spend your limited time in the National Parks you've selected.

Utahtea

jbarry5

A lot of great information here; thanks!

enzian

I just came across this thread.

I like your new plan; starting out I was going to suggest more time at Zion. I know you like Yosemite---Zion is similar but smaller, with red rock instead of granite. Make sure you do the Narrows hike; it should be good in June. We hiked up to Observation Point and back first, and returned to Zion Lodge for lunch and a bit of business e-mail, so we didn't get started on the Narrows until around 3 pm. I wish we had allotted more time and plan to return to do more there.

I know you like nice places so consider the Desert Pearl in Springdale for your Zion stay.

I wouldn't cut a day off North Rim, but that's just me. It is so high and quiet and peaceful there, compared to the South Rim. That would give you a full day for hiking, or for driving to some of the remote viewpoints. The view from Cape Royal is supposed to be the finest view of the Grand Canyon (but we have not been there and cannot personally vouch for that).

But you'll also want 2 nights at Page, so you can do the smoothwater float trip and Antelope Canyon. Have you seen the photos of the raft trip?

http://www.coriverdiscovery.com/

Be sure and stop at Horseshoe Bend overlook on your way between the South Rim and Page.

iamq

Thanks a lot enzian and everyone else. I have seen that website. It looks really pretty. I have another month before I make reservations at the parks, so we'll see.

cd

Please forgive me iamq for jumping in on your thread but I would like to ask everyone here if we can do this very same trip without hotel reservations? We want to just come and go as we please, I'm not interested in luxury hotels, small clean motels will be fine. How about end of August or Sept? Thank you.

emalloy

We did a similar trip with no reservations in September with no problem, but did call Xanterra a couple of times and got a reservation at Grand Canyon via a cancellation, these seem to get looser as you approach the date, although in April we just walked in cold and got to stay at el Tovar. Pick up one of those booklets that have discount coupons with little maps so you can see where there are concentrations of places to stay and may have a coupon you could use.

utahtea

To cd, We always camp, but I bet after Labor Day your chances will probably be a lot better.

Utahtea

cd

Thanks emalloy and utahtea.

gyppielou

I didn't read anything on this thread....but will!!!

Back in the olden days on mine and mrlou's honeymoon we took a bus trip thru page and did a fantastic Glen Canyon trip that ended with the green water meeting up with the colorado river in which the two colors go down stream side by side before merging.

I would revisit that boat ride in a minute. We stopped and looked at petroglyphs and for the courageous they jumped in the water.....cccccold.

it's a magical place and I always thought I would like to explore the Page area - so much great art inspired by that area.

You know where you must stay in GC!

Bill_H

I would like to ask everyone here if we can do this very same trip without hotel reservations? ... end of August or Sept?

Easier after Labor Day, once schools start. Maybe OK in late August, maybe you'll get unlucky a night or two.

The lodge at the north rim of GC needs to be booked months in advance. It's the only in-park lodging on the north rim, so sells out fast. This is the hardest to set up on short notice.

Other than that you can PROBABLY find lodging on short notice without much stress at the south rim (maybe have to stay at Tusayan a couple miles from the south entrance, or Cameron at the east entrance). There's one small lodge in Tusayan that doesn't accept reservations so we know we can ALWAYS get a room there if we check in before 11 AM. It has saved me from sleeping in the truck several times.

Page has a lot of hotels now. Bryce isn't too bad because of Ruby's. At Zion I've always had problems booking the lodge inside the park even months ahead of time, but found nice rooms in Springdale each time.

So other than the north rim it's likely doable if you are flexible.

enzian

The trouble with just showing up and looking for a room at the South Rim is that you are at the mercy of availablity, price-wise. Are there any inexpensive motels in Tusayan? I thought they were all in the $140 and up range.

If "clean and inexpensive" is what I wanted, I would go ahead and book a no-frills room at Bright Angel Lodge (around $70) rather than rely on luck of the draw. Location, location, location.

Bill_H

Are there any inexpensive motels in Tusayan? I thought they were all in the $140 and up range.

The place in Tusayan I mentioned that doesn't take reservations was $85 for a double room last year.

iamq

Thanks gyppie. Your stamp of approval of the float trip means a lot to me. Sounds lovely.

I know, El Tovar, right? I'm gonna try to score one the suites with a canyon view! Yeehaw.

emalloy

You might just score the room you want at el Tovar, call and keep calling as you get closer to your travel date. They seem to be slower putting availability due to cancellation on line so it is worth it to give them a phone call.

iamq

emalloy, they open rooms for my dates in 2010 on June 1 of this year and you can bet I will be on the phone as soon as they start working.