We're planning a 10 day trip out west in early May. Does our itinerary make sense? Any must sees missing, or too much/not enough time in particular? This will be our first trip to the area. We want to see as much as possible, but don't want to breeze through spots. Any comments would be appreciated!

Day 1 - fly into Phoenix, drive to Sedona for 2 nights
Day 2 - Sedona
Day 3 - drive to Canyon de Chelly; stay over night
Day 4 - tour Canyon, drive to Monument Valley
Day 5 - tour Monument Valley (2 nights?)
Day 6 - drive to Grand Canyon
Day 7 - Grand Canyon
Day 8 - drive to Vegas, stopping at Hoover Damn
Day 9 - 10 - Las Vegas

Lake Powell, Byce Canyon, etc??? What would you change? Thank you!

I am certainly no expert since we are also researching similar trip for this summer. We are on east coast and focus of trip is Grand Canyon - we then looked for add-ons. Some of our air arrangements are dictated by FF miles, but we are flying into Las Vegas, next day going to Zion then to Bryce (3 nights total at these parks), 2 nights at Grand Canyon. We are then going to San Diego, stopping to see something else on the way.

It is so easy in this part of the country to look at a map or guidebook and say - while we are there, we must go to ______________, but we had to limit it somehow.

If you are staying at National Park lodges at Grand Canyon (or if you add Zion or Bryce), make reservations asap at Xanterra.com. Many dates in spring/summer are either filled already or have limited accomodations.

And do a search and find my earlier topic on "do people fall into the Grand Canyon" - lots of really funny answers, and also some real serious ones. Have a good trip.

Kimberly, try not to miss Bryce, it's so beautiful! If you want to see both Zion and Bryce start with Zion as after Bryce it's beauty may be under-appreciated.

My full report of this area tour is buried somewhere on this site under "cosmos tour" if you want to read more.

2 days in Monument Valley might be too long, spend the time trying to see Bryce or Zion Canyons

Why stay two nights in Sedona rather than Scottsdale? I would prefer staying in Scottsdale any day.

Happy Trails,
Paul

We just did about that same trip this past summer. I would definitely make sure to see Bryce Canyon. Also, our family's favorite place in the area was Arches National Park. You would probably have to change some things around to see it but it was wonderful.

You are missing the best of the southwest. Consider the following if this is a one time trip to the area and since you want to see as much as possible begin and end trip in LAs Vegas.
Day 1 - Las vegas to Zion
Day 2 - tour ZIon and leave for Bryce at end of day
Day 3 - Bryce
Day 4 - Bryce in morning and then head for MOnument Valley
Day 5 - tour Monument Valley in morning and head for the Gr. Canyon
Day 6 - Gr. Canyon
Day 7 - early start to Sedona. Spend day in Sedona
Day 8 - leave Sedona for LV late morning l afternoon and head for LV stopping on the way at Hoover DAm
Day 9 and 10 - LV

Thank you all for your help. I am assuming Bryce and Zion would be a better visit than Canyon de Chelly since nobody mentioned that! Is Page/Lake Powell worth spending any time in between Monument Valley and Bryce? Also, what is the travel time between MV and Bryce, Bryce and Zion, Zion and Vegas - I am getting different mileage from different websites. Has anyone traveled this route? Thank you again!

If you decide to stop at Lake Powell make sure to take the Antelope Canyon boat tour - you'll get the feeling you're on another planet. It's awesome!

S's itinerary is wonderful! Having been there and done that, I can say that (s)he hits essential glorious parts of this wonderful area...except Canyon de Chelley, which to me, was equally as spectacular as any of the others. I would hate to see you miss it. See if you can't squeeze S's Day 3, 4, 5 itinerary to also see Canyon de Chelly.

For a time reference, we left GC late afternoon...drove to Monument Valley for overnight; next day, toured MV; drove to C de C; toured C de C; stopped at Hubbard (?) Trading Post and spent the night at a notel-motel along I-40.

Tastesvary andt I don't consider de Chelly to be "spectacularquot;. Both Zion and Bryce fall into the "spectacular category. I think most people who have visited these places would rate de Chelly third. It is certainly worth a visit time permitting but something else has to be cut out if you want to include de Chelly. I would say the same for Lake Powell - fine if you have the time.
LV to Zion - 165 miles - about 3 hours
Zion to Bryce - 85 miles - less than 2 houRS
Bryuce to MV - 260 miles - somewhere around 6 hours.
MV to Gr. Canyon - 160 mileS - less than 4 hours
Gr. Canyon - Sedona - 110 miles -under 3 hours
Sedona - LV - 280 miles - about six hours.
You can maximize sightseeing time by driving from place to place during the evening hours.

Thank you to everyone for your help. We know have the following itinerary:

Day 1 Drive Phoenix to Vegas
Day 2 Vegas
Day 3 Drive to Zion
Day 4 Zion to Bryce
Day 5 Bryce
Day 6 Bryce to Monument Valley
Day 7 Monument Valley to Grand Canyon
Day 8 Granda Canyon to Sedona
Day 9 Sedona
Day 10 fly home

How does this sound? If we can spend one extra night, where should it be?

If you have an extra night I would put it in either in Zion or at Lake Powell.

I would also choose an extra night in Zion over the second nite in Sedona.

Utahtea

Split the extra day between Zion and Bryce or add Canyon de Chelly. If you decide on adding de Chelly you can do adrive through of Petrified Forest NP on the way to the Gr. Canyon.