If you are staying three nights at Far View I hope you've reserved one of the nicer rooms. It has been several years, but the standard rooms were a step above camping and after reading TA reviews it doesn't sound like much has changed. Staying in the park is a must, and I usually love in park lodging, but three nights in the room we had would be two too many.

Have fun planning.

Yes wtm, I reserved what they call a "Kiva King" and it seems to an upgraded room.

Hi Wekewoody - well first bit of advice, remember you are in the American west and always carry lots and lots of water for all the hiking (and driving) you do. we made the mistake of not filling the car up before taking off several times and had to stop mid trip as distances between stations are long. So especially in Canyonlands - fill your car before you leave. Arches is lovely and easy to hike, Canyonlands is rougher I am told. Zion is lovely, but some of the hikes are not for the faint of hearty (I sat and had tea while my son and husband did the Angel trail). Mesa Verde is easy to see and lots of good trails. You can sign up for ranger led trips into the actual ruins, or just climb around yourself. I don't know if you already have your hotel reservations, but you can easily stay in Durango which is less than an hour away and has a lot of good hotels and restaurants, coffee bars, etc. (it is also a college town). I'd say Mesa Verde is only worth a day, Arches and Canyonlands you could spend several at. From Mesa Verde drive down rte 491 to see Shiprock, or come down 550 through Farmington and Bloomfield and see Angel Peak which very few people visit , or Chaco Canyon (you need 4 wheel drive for the latter). Let me know if you have any questions about this area - we love visitors and people here are very friendly.

Thanks laura and everyone else. So far the plan is for two full days in Mesa Verde. I want to see the Weatherill Mesa area and I have read that having another day for that is a good idea. I have made reservations at Far View in the park already, but will look at what is available in Durango. Three full days in Moab is what I am thinking at this point. I'd like to keep the trip 12 nights or under.

Here are my thought at this point as far as nights go

Moab 3/4 nights
MV 3 nights
Monument Valley 1 night
NRGC 3 nights
Vegas 1 night

I like the new plan, but unless you do a lot of hiking in NRGC, I would do one night there and head from there to Bryce for at least a day and Zion for at least a day before heading to Vegas.

Thanks emalloy. We like the North Rim as a place to chill out and relax as well as an exploring place. Sitting on the terrace of the Lodge with a good book is something we both love to do. I am always so amazed and pleased with how quiet and low-key it is up there. We've been twice and each time we leave saying, "We need to spend more time here." We might spend our last night or two in Bryce instead of Vegas. I love it there too.

where were you going to stay in monument Valley? it's pretty desolate there. If you can instead I would get there early, hike, and then go on to Bryce or Zion for a night (lots of lodging options and a short drive to the Canyon - in any case, enjoy!

We are probably going to stay at The View at Monument Valley. We may or may not make it to Zion or Bryce this time.

A great article to read before a Monument Valley trip -
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/fe...t-valley200903

The first time we went to Mesa Verde we stayed in Durango. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived at MV the tours were sold out for the day. It was much easier arriving mid to late afternoon, purchasing our tickets for the following day and staying at Far View.

Thanks wtm. I had have read that over and over again. We will be arriving at Mesa Verde in the afternoon coming from Moab.

Here is a sort of random question...I'd like to go to Natural Bridges National Monument. Would that be better done on the trip from Moab to Mesa Verde or from Mesa Verde to Monument Valley?

I would do it on the way to Monument Valley and you can take the Moki dug way down to Mexican Hat and get a bit of an E ticket ride. You also could stop for a quick photo op at Goosenecks of the San Juan State park.

Thanks emalloy. Would that be the downhill direction?

From the access road for Natural Bridges, go east on 95 a very short way then take 261 south. It is paved most of the way, but there is about a 3 mile stretch in the middle down the side of the cliff that has wonderful views and is a series of unpaved switchbacks. It is well maintained and you can do it in a regular car. Goosenecks is right off 261 also.

I think taking a side trip to see the goosenecks and Mexican Hat sounds like a great idea.

Two full days or three full days in Moab? We aren't interesting in doing the river rafting or any of the paid tours, but would like to get a good look at Canyonlands and Arches.