tomfuller

If you go to Hoover Dam, drive across the dam to the Arizona side for the free parking. You get to walk back across the dam before deciding whether you want to pay for the tour.

Carrabella

DH and I, Senior Aussies, keep going back to Flagstaff to see:

1. Walnut Canyon National Park, about 8 miles, once a Sinaguan Anasazi settlement, with cave dwellings visible (and visitable) around a central "island" at the bottom of the canyon. It's an easy drive from Flagstaff and an interesting insight into early Americans.

2. Wupatki National Park and Sunset Crater. This is a diversion off the #89 from Page to Flagstaff, and you can do it as a side trip on the way from Page, without retracing your route. The lava flows and cinder cones from the 11th century look in places as though it happened only last year, with marvellous colours and the walk through it is fun!

There's also a lovely day trip to Sonoma. I'm amazed that Flagstaff can be thought so uninteresting! 4 and 5 star accommodation can be had at good prices too, especially on Priceline.

BTW, this last July, on the way from North Rim Grand Canyon to Flagstaff, we took a very short side trip to Lee's Ferry. What an amazing place, those red boulders and rocks, and the clear green Colorado River, meeting the Paria River - such a cool contrast in 115degree heat!
After an early morning drive from Las Vegas, we also walked out across the new bridge to see the Hoover Dam. I thought that was worth it too, even in the horrendous heat.

Wombat, if you stay 2 nights in Page, you could maybe see Lee's Ferry as well, and even the North Rim of the GC if you wanted to.
We think Monument Valley is overated, but we haven't seen a sunset or sunrise there.
Happy Travels.

InSandy

Third night you could stay in Hanksville (not too many choices and keep your expectations very low) or Green River (which has some not too bad hotels, but don't ask for much).

There is much to see and stop for along the road from Bryce to Torrey/Capitol Reef and you may find yourself taking all day. In which case Torrey is a good place to stop.

Wombat47

Thanks for these comments , don't worry about suggesting places where the accommodation may be basic. We are staying in El Trovar for a birthday present. I am concerned as well about mainly one night stops but if it means seeing quite a bit more and not travelling so much each day in the car that is fine. I think I will look at Williams or Kinsman to stay.Monument Valley seems to be a place people either love or are a bit ho hum about I would quite like to risk not booking at Monument or Page and see how we were going for time that day. Page sounds as though it has heaps of places to stay but I'm not sure if it is still very busy in the middle of September?

spirobulldog

I think the one night stops are fine. I have stayed in Hanksville. Lodging is just ok, certainly nothing great, but it is a place to sleep. This is between Cap Reef and Goblins.

StantonHyde

You can easily get lodging in Page, especially in September. A group of us got rooms on a Friday night in April! Just a warning that it is basically a collection of hotels and crappy restaurants IMO. Moab is a great place to stay. Torrey is really nice too. I would skip Green River and make it to Moab.

Everyone has different favorites. Mine are Moab, Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon. I still remember the first time I saw the Canyon!! If you can walk down in even a little bit, it is a really good idea. While I love the southern Utah red rock, the Canyon is just so huge and awe inspiring.

I think Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly are so-so. I really didn't like Canyon de Chelly because we took a jeep ride in and the constant badgering by kids coming up to the jeep asking us to buy stuff was annoying. Plus we did't get to walk into the dwellings.

The best place for that is Mesa Verde. That takes you further east but it is truly spectacular if you are interested in Ancestral Puebloan culture. I would do that over Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Hoover Dam, and/or Sedona.

I did the Hoover Dam tour and was VERY impressed but it is the only dam tour I have ever done. It was just remarkable to me.

tomfuller

DW and I spent an entire week (nights) at the Robbers Roost motel in Green River in Nov 2010. We paid less for a week there than 4 days would have cost in Moab. The place was a bit old but clean and friendly. This made a good base to go see Arches, Island in the Sky, some dinosaur tracks, Goblin Valley and Capitol Reef.
If it were easier to get a rental car in Green River, I might even ride the CA Zephyr to Green River instead of SLC where we got off very early in the morning.