Bryce and Zion - itinerary and timing questions
 

My husband and I want to plan about a one week trip to Bryce and Zion. We'd probably fly into Las Vegas, stay the night, and head to Zion the next day. Two questions:
1) We were thinking of going mid-May -is that a good time? We'd like to avoid crowds and very hot weather.
2) How much time in Zion vs Bryce? We like to hike and I like to take pictures and we don't want to rush around. (We're in our 60s). Three nights each? More in Zion than Bryce?

Other than that, I'd appreciate any good web links to help me with planning (other than this one!).

Once I get an itinerary together I will definitely run it by you guys, you're always the best resource!

Thanks so much,
Alice

I like to hike, too, and in my opinion, Zion has far more opportunities, more variety, and you should have more time. The Narrows, through a stream, is unlike any hike I've ever taken. Not sure how cold the water would be in May, but I know you can rent shoes, hiking sticks, so probably could rent something to protect from the cold. Lots more to do in Springdale, too. Bryce is beautiful but the overlooks can be crowded. Once you get past those, you're fine. But the altitude is higher. I was huffing and puffing in Bryce but not Zion and I couldn't figure out why. Another big difference -- in Zion most trails go up (except the Narrows). In Bryce, most trails start at the rim and go down.

I think that will be a perfect time to go. Perhaps do 3 nights Zion, 2 Bryce, and add in, maybe,1 night at the North Rim Grand Canyon(if the road and lodgings are open).

Since you have time, suggest the book Zion to Escalante, Utah on amazon

I have spent a full week at Zion and never ran out of things to. Spent 3 nights at Bryce on the same trip & did med and long (med = 5-8mi, long = 10-15-20 mi/some with vertical) hikes in each park. As noted above, the hikes & terrain are much more varied at Zion. While at Zion I also rented a bike locally and did ~daily rides either in our outside of the park which was a great way to explore more.

I like the ratio of 3:1 Zion to Bryce.

My trip was end of April/Early May and while it was chilly at Bryce (incl snow each night), and the water at Narrows was frigid (required dry suit), temps were generally perfect for being outside all day. I would think any time in May would be great.

We had snow flurries at Bryce in the middle of June.

I second what J62 said. I like Bryce a lot, but Zion is my favorite national park, and late April/early May is ideal. You can get a very nice introduction to Bryce in two nights/one day. Zion cries out for a minimum of three nights, and more is better; my stays have slowly increased from three to six nights.

However, crowds are an issue. Bryce can get pretty crowded, but May is early in the season for that park. May is already high season for Zion (the third most visited national park); it will be packed! Summer is even worse, but the only quiet time is winter. Expect long lines for the shuttles, and full parking lots at the Visitor Center.

Thanks all! I hadn't realized that Bryce might be so cold, but I really want to avoid crowds and hot weather. Sounds like there will be crowds in Zion no matter what, so I might as well go for the better weather. Also, May is before kids are out of school, so it's got to be a little less crowded than in June. We will plan 3-4 days in Zion and 2 in Bryce. The only real question is whether we want to stay a night in Las Vegas (never been there and it's the best choice to fly into).

Thanks for the book recommendation, I will check it out. Now to book airfare, so I can book accommodations - any recommendations? We like B&Bs, but hotels are okay too. I have a feeling I might be booking a little late and will have to settle for what I can get! I have GOT to start planning trips earlier.

I VERY much appreciate all the help.

Alice

I personally like Bryce better than Zion because of the red rock hoodoos, but the above posters are right, Zion has more varied hikes. We've stayed at Desert Pearl in Springdale and loved it. At Bryce, Ruby's Inn was the handiest, assuming you can't get into the park lodges.
As far as Las Vegas overnight is concerned, we fly there when visiting son in St. George, Utah (which you'll drive by/through on the way to Zion). Our go-to hotel is the Flamingo. It's easy in-easy out parking, great strip location for one night's walking around and people watching and eating dinner, reasonable rates (except for the resort fee that they're all charging now), plus we love having breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi (in front of Paris hotel and casino). About a 3 hour drive from there to Zion.
oh, and there's a great little hike off highway 12, the Mossy Cave trail, about 5 miles from Ruby's.

Do look on Southwes Airlines Low Fare Calendar, it does not show up on the consolidator sites like kayak, Travelocity etc.

I like to stay in the parks if possible and if they say they are full when you call, keep calling back as people make reservations a year in advance and the n cancel last minute. Otherwise, look in Springdale for Zion and at Ruby's or the place across the street for Bryce. These are close enough that you won't be driving far on these curvy roads after dusk when the animals are roaming about if you want to see sunrise and/or sunset.

If you can stay in the parks then stay in the parks. The one in Zion is beautiful! Staying in Springdale is very close though if you can't get in. We stayed in Springdale the last week in April a few years ago. The weather in Zion was perfect. When we got to Bryce a few days later it was snowing. Pack layers and you will be fine. Both parks are gorgeous!

travlsolo2, thanks for the Vegas tips as well as the the off the highway hike!

Alice

Thanks, emalloy. I think we'll almost certainly use Southwest, they're actually having a sale right now. I don't know why the consolidator sites don't carry them but they're one of our favorite airlines - LOTS of flights out of BWI, and a few out of Dulles.

Thanks, Sberg, I hadn't thought about the parks opening up, I figured I was way too late for them. And we're all about layers! Getting excited for this trip.

Alice

When we went in May, I kept checking the park sites for accommodations. The closer to our trip, the more opened up. If you can make a reservation outside of the park, but easily cancelled, do so. In fact, I made our NR Grand Canyon reservation 2 days before our stay.

At Zion my favorite place to stay is Cable Mtn lodge. It is located immediately outside the pedestrian entrance so it's a 5min walk from your room to the park shuttle bus. Next to the hotel is a small supermarket, and it's an easy drive into the town of Springdale for dinner or shopping.

Alice, please be sure to post final plans, and then afterward, I would love to hear how it all turned out. Enjoy!

The Kolob Canyons section of Zion in the NW corner of the park is very beautiful and much less crowded than the main section. It is not clear how much will be open in May so you could check that closer to the time of your trip
http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/kolob-canyons.htm

In Springdale I'd try to find a place to stay in easy walking distance of the shuttle that takes you to the park entrance. Quite a few hotels are also within walking distance of the park entrance itself.
https://www.springdaletown.com/320/Shuttle

If you fly into Vegas remember there is a time zone change on the way to Zion.

Yes, I just found out about the time change, thanks vttraveler (and thanks for the links, very helpful). We hope to book airfare in the next day or so, and then I'll do lodging. Thanks for the tips about being close to the shuttle. Once we're sorted, I'll be sure to post the itinerary.

Alice

We were in Zion and Bryce over Memorial weekend last year. You can see our blog here for some info on hikes.
We stayed at the Marriott which was right at a bus stop and a great new hotel!

https://wordpress.com/post/totraveli...dpress.com/235

Thanks so much odie1! Very helpful. (I'm starting to worry that the National Parks won't be open by May....)

Alice

odie1, that link doesn't work for me - it brings up wordpress, but a blank page. I tried two different browsers...

Alice

I'm sorry Alice. So frustrated with Wordpress. I think I need to make my own blog site because they really are awful. It appears the majority of the photos that went with the blog don't load as well...

Perhaps this link will work?

https://totravelistolive678431148.wo...trip-to-bryce/

No one can predict when and if our dysfunctional government will get going, but normally making lodging reservations only 4 months in advance would be very, very late. Under these circumstances I don't know what you will find. For the Utah NPs, don't look on a travel booking third party site. Most of the options have no need for these sites and don't list their properties on them. Look directly for "Springdale, UT lodging" and book directly with the hotels. I would certainly ask about cancellation policies under the current situation.

May is a great time to go as far as weather. The parks are jam packed nearly all year round so don't expect solitude. Do take time to hike down among the hoodoos at Bryce. It's magical and well worth the small effort.

If you click on my user name you will see trip reports for Zion and Bryce. I loved staying at Cable Mountain Lodge--across the river from the main entrance. In both of these parks I much prefer to stay outside the park, More dining options, etc.

Yes, that link worked, and I'm leaving that tab OPEN!

Thanks so much.

Alice

Dayle, I'm finding a number of open rooms, since they're cancel-able, I'm just taking a few and I will cancel after I investigate a bit more. And I usually like to book directly with the facility, rather than with a third party, why should they pay the fee?

StantonHyde, thanks I will check out your trip reports. And I definitely want to stay outside the parks, especially, as you say, for more dining options.

So much help, you all are great!

Alice

Okay, here's the final itinerary for those who asked -
We fly into Las Vegas on 5/15 and drive to Zion (noting the time difference!).
Stay in Zion 3 nights. The 4th day we may spend in and around Zion and then head to Bryce in the afternoon.
Stay in Bryce 3 nights. Leave early the last morning and drive to the Hoover Dam and then to Las Vegas for one night. Fly home the next day.

We stay in Springdale and Tropic, I just checked the parks and there are no cancellations for the lodges.

I noticed a number of alerts for Zion about some closed trails due to storm damage. We plan to book horseback riding in Bryce, haven't really thought about if we should book anything else ahead. Have NO idea what we'll do with our short time in Las Vegas, ideas welcome.

I'll plan to post a trip report when we return.

Alice

You said you like to hike.

With 3d at Bryce you have time to explore beyond what 99% of the tourists visit.
Here's the NPS trail map.
https://www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvis...on-Guide-2.pdf
The most common trail to hike is the Queens Garden/Navajo loop, and you'll definitely see many other people on those trails.
The Peekaboo Loop is a relatively easy add-on to QG/NL trail to make the Figure 8 loop which is close to 7 mi total, and you'll essentially have that trail to yourself. The Figure 8 loop took me 3hrs (I'm a fast, solo hiker) Or you could do the Peekaboo Loop on it's own starting at either Sunset point or Bryce point. You may come across the Horse/Mule rides, so if you do give them the right of way.

Another great trail is the Fairyland loop. It's a longer trail, 8.5 total miles loop (closer to 9.5 if you start/end at the lodge like I did a few years ago, but not really strenuous. Chances are you'll encounter fewer than one handful of people if you hike that trail. Total hiking time for that trail took me ~4hrs.

For hiking I like to use the AllTrails app on my phone and download trail maps beforehand. I expect these trails would also all be on Google maps. You'll be out of cell range if you're down in the amphitheater, so download google offline maps from wifi before you venture out.

At Zion I see that Obs. Point trail is closed due to rockfall. If you were considering Obs Point (relatively short but ~2k' vertical gain.) then give the hike to Scout's Lookout a try. It's on the way to Angel's Landing. I don't have the nerve to AL, but Scout's lookout gives you great views of the valley below. If you do go to Scout's Lookout, go about 100 yards further towards AL, around one outcropping where you hold onto a chain for stability but it's not a hard 100 yards. You'll then have a clear view of the trail to Angel's Landing and there's a nice quiet spot to picnic.

Narrows is still closed due to high water. Current flow ranges from 300 to 500 cubic feet per second (cfs). The # can come down pretty quickly if snow melt tapers off. Or not.... I believe the flow needs to be at or below around 100cfs before they let you hike up the Narrows so it's still quite high. Keep an eye on the flow at this link. Local outfitters in Springdale will know if it's open when you get there.
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?09405500

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is 13 miles northwest of the Flamingo Resort. It has a scenic loop and visitor center. Good for an hour or so.
Walking through Caesar's Palace complex is interesting, and, as I mentioned up thread, Mon Ami Gabi is our favorite for breakfast.

Have a wonderful time!

JB2, thanks for the tips, I don't think I'm an AL person either, but will see about Scout's Lookout - and thanks for the link to the NPS trail map!

travlsolo2, I'll see if we have time for the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area, and you're the second person who's told me to walk through Caesar's Palace! And I do like a good breakfast before we have to leave...

Looks like the weather will be in the 60s in Zion, 50s in Bryce, which is fine by me. Working on my packing list.

Alice

Loooking forward to your trip report! :)

Between overcrowded Zion and Bryce is Cedar Breaks
In my opinion, the sunset view at North Point is one of the finest of all three parks
At 10,000 feet, the stars are brilliant - a memorable spectacle

Vaga

Cedar Breaks is wonderful, but before you go there make sure the roads are open. Late April one year we wanted to visit and there still was about six feet of snow on the road which had no likelihood of being plowed any time soon.

https://www.nps.gov/cebr/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Utah Highway 148, the main road through Cedar Breaks, is currently CLOSED. Visitor Facilities such as restrooms and the Visitor Center are also not available. When snow-depth allows, visitors may access the park via skis, snowshoes & snowmobile.

Go to Valley of Fire state park and Red Rock Canyon National Monument.

VoF is between Zion and Vegas, closer to Vegas and a bit east. You can spend time at VoF and then continue through and drive around the end of Lake Meade to Hoover Dam then back to Vegas.

Red Rock is about a half hour west of Vegas.

If you want something for a whole day trip from Vegas, head up 95 to Beatey then go west over the mountain and down into Death Valley. After you leave Beaty, look for the sign for Rhyolite, a ghost town with a house made of beer bottles for bricks, a quick stop. When you get to the top of the ridge, there is a pull off with eco toilets and a fabulous view of the valley.