Bryce, Zion, North Rim GC
 

We will be in SLC for a tourney and have rented a car so we could see the parks and fly out of Las Vegas. We leave Salt Lake on Wed. July 9th and plan to travel on Rt. 12 to Bryce. We have 1 night at Bryce Lodge in the park, spend part of the day and then travel to GC where we have reservations for 2 nights in the park cabins. From there we are going to Zion and staying in Springdale for 1 night then to Vegas for 1 night and we fly out the next night Monday, July 14th. This is our first trip here but only have the 6 days.

What I would like to know is first is the drive on Rt. 12 dangerous. I heard it's steep and curvy, is it anything to worry about? Next should we stay only 1 night at the north rim and 2 nights in Zion? Is there enough to do at the north rim? And last has anyone rode the mules at the north rim half day ride? For teenagers is it safe, any concerns? Thanks for any help, we live in flat land Florida so I just want to be safe and make the best of the 6 days.

Unless you want to hike far down into the Canyon, seeing it and hiking a short way down could easily be done in a day and then you could add an extra day to zion. I would go for the extra day at zion. I haven't driven HWY 12, but I don't think it is dangerous. Whoever is driving should just not watch the scenery. Let you teens hike the Narrows and/or Angels Landing in Zion.

HI MB12.

We did almost the same trip about 5 or 6 years ago. Flew in and out of Las Vegas, spent two nights in Zion, one in Bryce and two at the North Rim, all in park cabins, then two more nights in LV. We loved it all, but guess what my kids liked best? Yep. The pool at the Mandarin in Vegas!

I agree with spirobulldog (who has just been giving me great advice on Yellowstone) to spend two nights at Zion. All three parks are beautiful, and the Grand Canyon is the GRAND CANYON, but we did much more hiking at Zion. Just gorgeous. We did a trail ride, too--felt like cowboys and cowgirls.

We all hiked Angels Landing and loved it--kind of scary. And we started the hike into the Narrows, but didn't have the right footwear--make sure you bring water shoes or tennis shoes you can get wet...you have to wade through part of it. Really fun--wish we'd been able to go farther. Do it along with your teens!

As for driving, don't remember which highway we drove, but they were all beautiful. DH is the driver and he is NOT a fan of heights and he did fine. In fact, he was most scared walking along the Grand Canyon--I thought the hikes in Zion were WAY scarier--I kept a watch on the girls--but so glad we did them. Have fun!

Thanks for the great advice spirobulldog. Zion sounds wonderful and can't wait to do the narrows, what fun!

Hax..where did you trail ride Bryce or GC? And when you stayed 2 nights at the GC did you feel it was too short or was that enought time to see it? Maybe we should skip the 1 night in Las Vegas and just spend the day before we fly out. I'm afraid of heights as well so most of what we are doing makes me nervous but at the same time what a beautiful place to be.

MB,

I live in Utah and go to all the parks often. Hwy 12 is nothing to be concerned about. Fabulous scenery. The driver just needs to pay attention to the road. Plenty of pull outs for viewing and photo ops.

I can't stand Las Vegas, so I am one of those who would recommend all time possible in the national parks.

Bryce (8,000 ft.) and North Rim will be cooler than Zion. Zion will be HOT. Get going at dawn and spend the afternoon tubing on the Virgin River or hiking the Narrows in the water and shade. Pools are another possibility.

Have fun! You will probably want to return for more.

MB12,

I meant to say my kids liked the pool at Mandalay Bay, not the Mandarin. It's been several years...

We did the trail ride at Zion. Booked it right in the park. Loved it.

Bryce is otherworldy, and very unique, but it is definitely a one day trip. We were really hot there...all those fabulous hoodoos you hike among have NO shade. I don't recall Zion being too hot, so I kind of had a different take from Dayle, who obviously has been there more often than me. When we were there, Las Vegas was 117 degrees--hotter than any of the parks.

I did not feel that two days was too short in the Grand Canyon. As I said, my husband is afraid of heights. He did great as the driver on all the mountain roads, and also hiking on VERY narrow trails, with no rails, in
Zion. But for some reason he got more nervous in the Grand Canyon--and we didn't hike down or do the mules, just hiked along the rim. The lodge there is beautiful--great to sit on the terrace and take it all in.

In any case, if your kids have never been to Las Vegas, you may want to stay the one night there. Your teens will be agog, there are plenty of free, fun things to do, and it is SO the opposite of all that natural beauty. Tacky, yes, over the top, certanly, but also one-of-a kind, and fun to see.

Finally, I think it all depends on how long the drive is between each place (and sorry, I don't remember.) I would feel more comfortable spending only one night at the Grand Canyon (or Zion) if you get there early or have the whole next day before you leave for the next stop.

Have fun! It is all so beautiful.

The only part of Rt 12 that I can remember being "steep & curvy" is between Boulder & Escalante.

I just drove from Bryce to SLC a month ago and I don't remember anything that was a problem on that short part of Rt 12.

The trail ride down into the hoodoos at Bryce is a wonderful experience. a little scary, but worth it!! My husband and i did it and we are not experienced riders.
Check into it,

MB & hax,

Yes, hax is right that hiking down into Bryce can be hot. Since you are loosing elevation hiking down into the hoodoos (same as at GC), it will be hotter at the bottom than the top.

Again, try to hike very early in the morning. At Bryce, you could save the visits to the viewpoints, which are all up high, for the afternoon.

In Zion, the canyon mainly runs north/south. So if you do the hikes on the east side of the canyon in the morning and those on the west side in the late afternoon, you'll have more shade!

We were out of town this weekend and just got back and I appreciate all the responses.

Dayle: You are lucky to live in such a beautiful place. I have been to Vegas before and agree we could skip it but the teenagers want to see it.

Myer: I'm still nervous about highway 12 since I fear heights but I'm going to trust you on this one. My husband can't wait for that drive.

Thanks Hax and going places for the great ideas. I have reserved the mule ride at Bryce and can't decide if we should still do the ride at the Grand Canyon. If there is anyone who has done the half day ride at GC please let me know if it was great, scary, or worth it. Maybe we are better off hiking at GC instead. Any suggestions about GC? I know it's going to be an amazing trip and we will want to come back. Thanks for everyone's help...I really appreciate it!