Planning a trip for September or October. Like to hike, Any input about how many days to devote to each. Any tips for hotels or great hikes?

A minimum of 2 full days at each. Plan out your hikes to see how much more you might want. If possible stay at the hotels in the parks.

In Bryce the greatest hike is the combination of the Queen's garden trail and the Navajo trail.Paul

Sorry forgot the others. For Zion the Canyon overlook from the eastern entrance(1 hour)-The riverside walk of the temple of Sinawara(1,5 hr)-
We had a wonderful hotel in Springdale near zion park entrance;Best western zion n.park.Paul

Agreed that two days in Zion is about right. Am thinking that one full day for Bryce would be fine unless you want to be really thorough here.

Call, call to get inpark lodging. Better for both but not as important for Zion.

One full day in Bryce is probably sufficient if you sleep over the previous night.

Up early and over to Bryce point for a spectacular sunrise. Stop at a few viewpoints. Natural bridge is really the only one that's different.

Go to Sunset Point and hike down one side or the other (one may be closed). Then link to Queens Garden and hike back up.

You are in 8,500 ft of elevation for drink water, wear suntan lotion and a wide-brimmed hat.

If you've never seen a slot canyon there are a few in the area outside of the parks.

Zion is 4,000 ft lower and much warmer.

canyon Overlook hike at the east entracne is very scenic. The very easy Riverside Walk is as well.

For an early morning challenge you can try Angel's Landing to Scouts Lookout. Past there it takes "nerve". We stopped there.

You could easily spend 2 days or more at Zion.

Myer... you and Spirobulldog are all knowledgeable on these parks... do you consider Emerald Pools a must-do hike? I was thinking Pa'rus, Scout's Landing, Emerald Pools and Riverside Walk (if the Narrows are not accessible) in the two days we will be there.

I've hiked Emerald Pools and would consider it a "must." The Riverside Walk is also very nice to do. Haven't done the others.

Thanks bachslunch... I meant Scout's Lookout, will not be going farther even if egged on by the youngsters.

wrongfoot,

In order of my favorites:

Angel's Landing
Riverside Walk
Canyon Overlook
Emerald Pools
P'rus - is a mostly paved, flat pathway along the river. It's OK, but by Sept/Oct will be pretty dried out and nothing special.

If you want to walk along the river (below the Riverwalk trail) you can start at the bridge going to Angel's Landing from the Grotto Picnic area and hike along the east side of the river on a sand trail. Hardly anyone does this and there are lots of lovely spots for a picnic. You will probably run across the wild turkeys too, which are fun to see. I never consider a trip to Zion complete without seeing the turkeys!

Also, not very many people go up to the Kolob section of the park, but it's truly spectacular. If you have time, go!

Susan,

I agree with bigtyke that 2 full days for each is a minimum to really see more than the major overlooks/best known sites and/or hikes.

One hike we really enjoyed in Bryce, which I seldom see mentioned, is along the upper rim. We rode the shuttle bus as far as it goes, then hiked back the rim trial to our cabin in the Park. It isn't necessary to do the whole thing, as the shuttle stops at other overlooks from which you could begin. Gives you views down into the canyon most of the way. I believe the shuttle runs through the 1st week or so of October. A ranger told us about it. I've always found the rangers and volunteers in the Parks to be great sources of info and more than happy to share what the know about a place they love.

We found "Hiking Zion and Bryce - A Falcon Guide" to be a handy book that's small enough to carry in a day pack. Detailed info on each hike listed including things like, best season, difficulty, elevation gain/loss and any hazards you should know about (such as flash flooding).

Remember to drink something before you begin to feel thirsty. So easy to get dehydrated there, even on cooler days. Have a great trip.

I was in Utah with my daughter last Sept. On the way from LAS we stopped in the Kolob section. While it's worth the stop for a few hours, I don't think it's worth the time going there and back. It's just that Zion is a postcard.

When you select a priority list you have to decide what you are rating. The scenery of the hike.

It's hard to argue with Dayle's list. However, I would never go beyond Scouts Lookout on the Angel's Landing hike. For sure not at my age now. Probably never.

I haven't done P'rus mostly because it's described as the easiest stroll.

Riverside Walk has great scenery but large crowds. What you may want to do is go off the trail a few times and walk along the river. Only a few yards and visible but not the crowds.

Emerald Pools is good but I don't think it matches the other top ones.

I should stress that the national parks aren't everything. Unless you're hiking the Narrows in Zion you won't be in a slot canyon. There are a few not far from Bryce. I've been to Willis Creek slot canyon twice. I'm sure it's not any more than the others. It just doesn't have any difficult areas. Just the drive there is a bit of an adventure. But there are others.

You say you like to hike -- as in all day with large elevation gains, or a couple of hours on milder inclines?

If you're an inveterate hiker, then you can spend days and days in Zion:
1. There's a good chance the Narrows will be open that time of year; if so, go for it! You'll do best with special footwear, a dry bag, and a walking pole (all of which can be rented).
2. Angel's Landing offers great views, if you can tolerate the exposure. If not, stop at Scout Lookout.
3. Observation Point is a steep, strenuous hike, but offers great views at the top -- you look down on Angel's Landing.
If time and budget allow, canyoneering is also a lot of fun.

At many national parks, I'd recommend staying at a hotel within the park. At Zion, it isn't necessary. The town of Springdale is right at the entrance to Zion, and offers many hotels and places to it. My favorite hotel is Desert Pearl, but Flanigan's Inn is also nice, and even the less expensive Best Western Zion Park Inn is good enough.

We were there mid-october and Fall Colors were great a couple of years ago.

The Narrows are a spectacular hike that I don't see mentioned.

Probably my favorites and in order would be.
Angels Landing (all the way)
The Narrows
Navajo Loop/Queens Garden
Peekaboo Loop (I did it on horseback)
Canyon Overlook
Emerald Pools

If you are adventurous try canyoneering with Zion Adventure Company.

well, I guess lgott thinks like me. lol-he/she beat me by a couple of minutes.

Oh, I would stay at Zion Lodge and Bryce Lodge located in the parks.

hey, spirobulldog, great minds think alike.

Two days for Zion would be my minimum and if you have a third I'd spend it in Zion. Two full days would be enough for me in Bryce.

Sept and Oct is one of our favorite time to visits Zion. It's usually not to crowded. We always camp so I can't help with lodging except to say you will want to either stay in the park or in Springdale, Utah.

My favorite hikes are:
Riverside Walk & Narrows if open.
Emerald Pools
Canyon Overlook
Weeping Rock
Pa'rus Trail

I've never made it to Scout's Lookout, but I've gone up part of the way...and it's a strenuous climb...but then I'm an old lady...LOL!

Utahtea

I think you should try to read between the lines of the hiking suggestions. There's a big difference between strenuous and difficult. Maybe even add somewhat dangerous though that's a pretty strong description.

Last September when I was in Zion for a day with my daughter we hiked Angel's Landing to Scouts Lookout (she wanted to go the rest of the way but I vetoed it since she has parents, a husband and a daughter).

Until that point there's absolutely nothing difficult or dangerous. In fact the trail is wide (at least 4-5 feet wide), smooth (I believe it was mostly paved) and there are no steep dropoffs.

However, it's quite long and goes up, up, up. The switchbacks smooth out the altitude gain. But you are in elevation and most people that I saw (me included) stopped a few times to rest and drink water. The best thing we did was start around 8AM. We came down around noon (we sat up there relaxing and talking to others) and I didn't envy those people who were just starting up.

It was quite strenuous but I don't think it compared (strenuous-wise) to another very easy hike - Mt Washburn in Yellowstone. The Mt Washburn hike is about 3.5 miles one-way on a wide dirt road with no dropoffs and nothing steep. However, it starts at 8,800 ft and ends at 10,400 at the top. You're sucking for oxygen right from the start. Stopping and drinking water was the rule of that day.

After Angel's Landing we stopped for a snack and walked the Riverside Walk. Though relatively short and about the tamest there is (I believe it's wheelchair friendly), the scenery is truly amazing.

Another thought. While Angel's Landing is very strenuous, I believe Canyon Overlook at the east entrance is more difficult as the trail is narrow and uneven (though I don't believe there dropoffs to be concerned with).

To sum up. I think whatever you do, it's difficult not to have a good time there.

2 full days....1 nite in bryce.
the rest of your life in zion