belica

First of all thanks for the informations about the Southwest USA. I have much more information but nevertheless I would like to ask you about the trip I am palnnig to do. I am thinking fly from Lisbon to Las Vegas, spend there a night, then hire a car and travel to the Zion and Bryce Parks in the Utah, and spend there one night. Then return to Las Vegas and take the plane to Flagstaff, and from there hire a car and visit the Grand Canyon and stay there one night, I know it is not much time but I only have 9/10 days to do it all. Can you give me some information where to sleep in the parks and what to see? Thanks a lot
Belica

gail

It might make more sense to drive the entire trip (not from Lisbon, though!). Las Vegas to Zion and Bryce then drive to Grand Canyon then to Flagstaff. You have enough time to to that.

Where2Travel

I recently returned from a two-week road trip, where we covered quite a lot of ground in Arizona and Utah but certainly don't feel that we packed too much in. we had 10 nights outside of Las Vegas and split them up as follows:
2 (nights) Grand Canyon
1 Flagstaff
1 Holbrook
1 Canyon de Chelly
1 Monument Valley
1 Page
1 Bryce Canyon
2 Zion

I think you definitely want to leave Las Vegas and do a loop (clockwise or anticlockwise). Then you won't need to return to Las Vegas and think abut flying somewhere else which will waste precious time.

If you wanted to see fewer things and spend more time in each place than we did then you could have a neat route starting and finishing in Las Vegas which could go: LV, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Page, Bryce, Zion and back to LV.

Enjoy planning your trip - this is an amazing part of the US to visit.

utahtea

Bryce to Las Vegas is 250 miles. Flagstaff to Grand Canyon is 78 miles. That is a total of 328 miles.

The drive from Bryce to the S. Rim of the Grand Canyon is only 290 miles. There is no need to drive back to Las Vegas and hassle two rental cars and a flight. I would drive from Bryce to the Grand Canyon because besides saving time, you will see some really beautiful country side.

If you have 9 days:

Day 1: Arive Las Vegas
Day 2: Drive to Grand Canyon
Day 3: Grand Canyon
Day 4: Drive to Page, AZ and see Lake Powell. Do Slots canyon tour
Day 5: Drive to Bryce
Day 6: Bryce
Day 7: Drive to Zion
Day 8: Zion
Day 9: Drive to Las Vegas

If you have an extra 10th night, then stay in Page, AZ and do either the boat tour on Lake Powell to Rainbow Bridge National Monument or the 1/2 day float trip on the Colorado River.

Utahtea

belica

Thanks a lot, you have been most great, and your informations are precious to me. I think I am gonna follow the itinerary by utahtea, thanks a lot, I had read lots of informations you had given to other persons so I think I am already able to make my itinerary. It is my first time in this part of USA, I only had been in New York, the europeans city dream, but now I want to do something different.
Thanks again you are all very nice
Belica

belica

Thanks to everyone and specially Utahtea I have already my itinerary made, I will arrive to LV at the 27th August.
1 day - arrive to LV
2 day - LV
3 day - LV - GC throug Route 66
4 day - GC
5 day - GC - Lake Powell
6 day - Lake POwell - Bryce - Route 12
7 day - Bryce
8 day - Bryce - Zion
9 day - Zion
10 day - Zion - LV
11 day - LV - Portugal
We don't go to Flagstaff, do you find it wothwhile to make a detour? Or another place you find interesting in this area?
Thank you
Belica

peterboy

I can't think of any reason to include Flagstaff. Compared to your other destinations, it is not very scenic (sorry Flag).

welig12

Good Morning!

This is actually a question, rather than a reply....while in Monument Valley, after staying over one nite and experiencing the sunset tour...the next day we want to head north to drive the muki dugway, see the goosenecks, etc. before heading to Page. Should we keep our reservation at Gouldings and spend the day north of Monument Valley and then head back south to Gouldings to spend another nite (before heading to Page) or check out of Gouldings, drive a bit north and then head directly to Page for that same nite? Please advise. Thanks

Where2Travel

Welig12 - we did a very similar trip to yours in February.

We stayed one night in Gouldings after exploring Monument Valley in the afternoon. The following day we drove (it's not far) up to Goosenecks State Park and Moki Dugway (make sure you stop at Mile Marker 13 for "the" classic Monument Valley photo opportunity).

We spent a couple of hours at Goosnecks and Moki Dugway and then drove to Page where we arrived mid-afternoon. Therefore, I don't think there is any need to stay another night at Gouldings.

There is also the Valley of the Gods ( a mini-Monument Valley) nearby which you may also consider driving through.

welig12

Thanks for the info, Where 2 Travel...
Did you do a tour of any kind in Canyon de Chelly..where did you stay? What did you do in Page and Zion? I enjoyed Bryce during another trip I took out west. What were the highlights of your trip or was everything a highlight? Thanks again..

Where2Travel

Picking hightlights from the trip is a difficult one as there are so many things that stand out. I think my personal favourites were Monument Valley, Antelope Slot Canyon and the Angels Landing hike at Zion.

Anyway, to answer your other questions:

* At Canyon De Chelly, we stayed at Thunderbird Lodge and did their half-day tour. I found the Rim drive along the top to Spider Rock more enjoyable and rewarding than the tour. However, if you want to properly explore the bottom of the canyon then a tour is the only way to go.

* In Page (we only stayed here one night) we did the Antelope Slot Canyon and Horseshoe Bend (along with a couple or other short stops and Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell).

* At Zion, we did a few walks. Most were quite short and nothing came close to the Angels Landing hike (incredible view) so do this if you have time.

I really enjoyed Bryce too (it was snow-covered when we were there) - like I said, too may hightlights to just pick out a few (and I've no mentioned the Grand Canyon yet!).

Have a great trip.

starrsville

At Canyon de Chelly, we stayed at the Best Western and got a private tour of the canyon - only $15 more for the two of us than the "shake and bake" tour that goes out of the Thunderbird. I strongly recommend a private tour in an enclosed jeep vs. the other option. We LOVED the interior of the canyon and the wonderful stories shared by our guide.

welig12

Thanks everyone for your help....Starrsville, which private tour company did you go with out of Canyon De Chelly..would you highly recommend them? We will be staying at the Thunderbird, because we are traveling with s small dog and only the Thunderbird is "pet friendly". Where is the best place to eat in the area? Please advise. Thanks again

starrsville

http://www.tseyijeeptour.com/Index.html

I just topped my trip report in case you find it helpful.

The guide (native, going off to university, father works for the NP) said she liked the restaurant at the Holiday Inn. I'm not sure if that is because they give the best discount to guides or not. There really isn't a "best" place to eat in Chinle. We enjoyed the family style restaurant next to the Best Western. We ate there twice. Not a lot of options in Chinle, but CdeC was FABULOUS! Thanks to utahtea for suggesting it.

I also adored the North Rim of the GC. Preferred it to the South Rim, because it felt like what a NP should be like - IMO, of course!