Arizona National Parks
Apr 3rd, 2001 | 05:30 PM
#1
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Arizona National Parks
Hi all, wondering if some of you can help with a trip we've just decided to take. After reading the various posts about The Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley, etc., we'd like to take a trip out there. So now I need help with a possible itinerary, just so I know where to focus my initial research. The basics are as follows: We plan on flying into Phoenix and renting a car at the end of June and beginning of August. We have five full days. What do you feel are "must see's" and how many days should we allot for each? What would be the most efficient route to travel? Should we do a 4 wheel drive or will a regular vehicle suffice? Will we even be able to find accomodations now due to the time of year (near July 4th)? Will it be unbearably hot? Are there any interesting archaeological/anthropological sites around the area? Any responses would be appreciated. Thanks!
Apr 3rd, 2001 | 06:22 PM
#2
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Your note says "renting a car at the end of June and beginning of August". Do you mean "or beginning of August? When you say "five days" does that include the day of arrival and the day of departure?. Will certainly affect how much ground you can cover. Also indicate the time of day you will be arriving in PHX and time of departure. Again, will affect how much you can do. Answer these questions and an itinerary can be worked up.
Apr 3rd, 2001 | 08:29 PM
#3
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You seems to have several trips here because you state "end of June and beginning of August." Are you going twice for 5 days each time??
Why Phoenix in June? It is very hot then. We were there in mid May and it was already 107. Another argument against Phoenix is the distance you have to drive to reach any of the parks in Utah, plus the fact that a huge tax is slapped on rental cars. In fact, if you know someone there, have them pick you up at the airport and rent off airport. I have heard that it saves you money.
Of course, there is the return problem.
If you do not as of now have reservations at the Grand Canyon for June I doubt if you can find anything inside of the park at any of the locations. You can check the Amfacs site at http://www.fredharvey.com/
But my guess is that June and August are sold out.
My suggestion is to fly into Salt Lake City and rent a car. Drive south to the parks in Utah: these include Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reefs, Bryce, and Zion. Zion will be quite hot by the time you get there, but not as bad as Phoneix. I doubt if you will find any accommodations inside of the parks at either Bryce or Zion. But there are motels in the towns near all of these parks. Panguitch is the town closest to Bryce and Moab is the town closest to Canyonlands and Arches. The most interesting anthropological site out there that is easily reached is Mesa Verde National Park, near Cortez and Durango in Colorado. But, a trip plan that would take you to all of these places in 5 days is not possible unless you fly by every place.
Here is a suggestion:
Day 1 land in SLC, drive to Moab.
Day 2 get up early and tour Arches
] late afternoon tour northern part
of Canyonlands.
Day 3 drive to Mesa Verde, stay in
Cortez
Day 4 Drive from Cortez to Panguitch
Day 5 See some of Bryce Canyon and
return to Salt Lake City or
near by for return flight.
This is a lot of driving.
I think you would see more if you kept your focus on southwest Utah and visited in 5 days these parks: Zion, Cedar Breaks, Bryce, and Capitol Reefs.
Five days, with travel to and from SLC, could easily be consumed seeing these parks. I am curious, why do you think you need a 4 wheel drive vehicle?
Without good knowledge of the territory, I would suggest that you stick to paved roads.
Why Phoenix in June? It is very hot then. We were there in mid May and it was already 107. Another argument against Phoenix is the distance you have to drive to reach any of the parks in Utah, plus the fact that a huge tax is slapped on rental cars. In fact, if you know someone there, have them pick you up at the airport and rent off airport. I have heard that it saves you money.
Of course, there is the return problem.
If you do not as of now have reservations at the Grand Canyon for June I doubt if you can find anything inside of the park at any of the locations. You can check the Amfacs site at http://www.fredharvey.com/
But my guess is that June and August are sold out.
My suggestion is to fly into Salt Lake City and rent a car. Drive south to the parks in Utah: these include Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reefs, Bryce, and Zion. Zion will be quite hot by the time you get there, but not as bad as Phoneix. I doubt if you will find any accommodations inside of the parks at either Bryce or Zion. But there are motels in the towns near all of these parks. Panguitch is the town closest to Bryce and Moab is the town closest to Canyonlands and Arches. The most interesting anthropological site out there that is easily reached is Mesa Verde National Park, near Cortez and Durango in Colorado. But, a trip plan that would take you to all of these places in 5 days is not possible unless you fly by every place.
Here is a suggestion:
Day 1 land in SLC, drive to Moab.
Day 2 get up early and tour Arches
] late afternoon tour northern part
of Canyonlands.
Day 3 drive to Mesa Verde, stay in
Cortez
Day 4 Drive from Cortez to Panguitch
Day 5 See some of Bryce Canyon and
return to Salt Lake City or
near by for return flight.
This is a lot of driving.
I think you would see more if you kept your focus on southwest Utah and visited in 5 days these parks: Zion, Cedar Breaks, Bryce, and Capitol Reefs.
Five days, with travel to and from SLC, could easily be consumed seeing these parks. I am curious, why do you think you need a 4 wheel drive vehicle?
Without good knowledge of the territory, I would suggest that you stick to paved roads.
Apr 4th, 2001 | 01:06 AM
#4
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hi jennifer,with 5 days you should stick to the grand canyon and surrounds,try to see monument valley if you can as it really is spectacular and zion n/p....we were there in may 2000 and it was hot, so i would imagine july/august would be boiling.carry lots of water to drink and enjoy yourself.
Apr 4th, 2001 | 07:27 AM
#5
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Wow! Five full days? Won't even put a dent in all there is to see out there. Lots of space means lots of driving times. Anyway, pick a couple great parks and whet your appetite for future visits. You could easily spend all 5 days in any one park. Do have more detailed info but your email address is not good. Drop me a line if you want me to send additional info.
Apr 5th, 2001 | 04:44 PM
#6
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I think your trying to do too much, you won't get to appreciate any of it that way. We made three seperate trip of one week each and covered what you want to do in five days. Narrow your choices to two, maybe three parks and fully enjoy them, otherwise you'll be exhausted from driving and trying to do too much in each park in the summer heat. You'll appreciate it much more.
Try flying out of Vegas to Grand Canyon south rim and then to monument Valley (a must see) and Canyon de chelley and then home. Or Grand Canyon and Bryce with a day trip to Zion (maybe). There is too much to see and appreciate to rush throuhg them. It will be worth saving to make another trip to Canyonlands and Arches or Cap Reef another time.
Try flying out of Vegas to Grand Canyon south rim and then to monument Valley (a must see) and Canyon de chelley and then home. Or Grand Canyon and Bryce with a day trip to Zion (maybe). There is too much to see and appreciate to rush throuhg them. It will be worth saving to make another trip to Canyonlands and Arches or Cap Reef another time.
