best travel guide for Utah/Arizona?
 

If you could take only one guidebook, what would it be? I'd like something beyond the basics of hotels, restaurants and short descriptions of places. Our route, generally, will be a circle from Las Vegas, south rim of GC, Zion and back to Vegas. The bookstore offerings tend to overwhelm me. Since we are flying, I'd like to keep the baggage to a minimum. Any suggestions of ones you have found helpful? We'll be doing vacation-type hiking and sightseeing.

You could just take me:)

Utahtea

Try Fodors.

OK, I'll be serious. You might check your local library. Mine has several good books on the area. Check out a few and see which ones you really like. I even take a few with me on vacation and return them before they are due. If there is one you really like, you can go to your bookstore and buy it.

You really don't have a lot of time planned in the area. When you enter each park you will be given information booklets and newspapers on each park. These will give you great information on the hikes in each park.

In the visitor center of each park you visit you will find books on each park.

Utahtea

Utahtea,
Have you ever considered writing a guidebook for this area? You have so much good advice and seem to know it well. You also have a very pleasant, readable writing style.
Just a thought ...

Utahtea, I second KathrynT's suggestion. If not a book, then an article for your newspaper (make sure you retain copyright) or self-published guide.

Utahtea, I agree that you should write that book. It won't be done by our trip, so I'll have to settle on one that is done. I will be getting the book from our library. The demand is so great that I will have to reserve the book b/c a considerable collection is never on the shelf at one time. I'm aware of the literature that we'll get at the parks, but I'd like a guide that includes descriptions on all the places in-between. I like Fodor's, but I'd like more detail.

i don't go to the southwest without my book "southwest usa, the rough guide" by greg ward. it is very complete, honest, and packable. the best i have found.

if you take me, i will bring my copy along.

you guys are making me blush!

:-]

I love sharing my info on Utah but I'm NO writer. I guess I'll have to expand my website with information on the area.

Thanks for all the kind words!

Utahtea

Lonely Planet Southwest

I've tried them all, and in the long run I prefer Frommer which I've been using since 1962 (Europe on $5 a Day). His lists of "bests" at the beginning of the books is always very helpful and, when I use his books, I am invariably pleased with hotel and restuarant suggestions.

Thanks,everyone. I'll reserve the recommended books from our wonderful library system and go from there. The planning process makes the delight of travel last longer. Sorry, I'm not taking any extra passengers along, even if they do offer to lend me their guides. My husband and daughters might seem extraneous, I'm sure. (Naturally, they could say the same about me!)

Fodor's Utah first edition comes out in May. I looked everywhere for the Utah Fodors and realized that there wasn't one. It was hard to believe they hadn't written one until now. Anyway, I always use Fodors and I'll get it in May but, I can't tell you how good it is. I like their books the best so, I'm assuming it's like the books I have used in the past. Everyone is welcome to go with me in July!

I have not purchased a guidebook for any destination in several years. The public library here has LOTS of travel guide books to choose from. I really prefer Frommers books over Fodors, and I also enjoy the "____ for Dummies" series of books. Rick Steves is my favorite choice of guide book for Europe.