Fall trip - western states
 

I always use Fodor's when planning a trip, but this time I'm not sure where to go. We want to go "out west", but it is so big and vast, and we don't know a lot about what's close to what or best places to try to see, so please help.
We would like to fly into somewhere, do a loop and fly out of the same place. Should have 7-9 days. Would like to go this fall before much hint of winter weather. Never seen anything in western states except Ca..
Montana, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming all look really nice to visit. Would like to see some of the parks, mountains, wildlife. Not into much hiking. Can someone help get me started in the right direction. Thanks, as always.

Fly to L.Vegas.Hire car.Drive to Zion n.Park-Then on to Bryce canyon.Then via Lake Powell to the G.Canyon.Then back to Vegas.Paul

Fly to Missoula, MT and drive up to Glacier National Park. You could take in Yellowstone and Glacier in 7/9 days. Or fly to Jackson, WY and take in Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Lots to do in Jackson.

I love the 4 corners area....
I know you said a loop...
But you could fly into arizona - see the grand canyon, monument valley, four corners, mesa verde, durango, million dollar highway, telluride, silverton and then drive up to denver to fly out.

What month are you thinking of going?

Yellowstone/Grand Tetons would be a nice relaxing 7 - 10 days in one area to see mountains, scenery & wildlife but keep in mind that some of the facilities start closing in September. See Closing dates for fall: http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisi...tes.htm#august

The fall colors are suppose to be pretty good in September in Colorado. Colorado would take more driving to get to many of the good locations like Rocky Mountain National Park, The Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Durango, and Mesa Verde National Park. Keep in mind that snow can come as early as October in Colorado. They even have blizzards in late October.

You could easily do Zion, Bryce, Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon as late as early October without having snowy conditions.

Utahtea

That was another one of my questios, what is the best time - ideal weather for me is cool, not blazing hot, but before snow and I love fall. I was hoping to get to see a lot without being in the car everyday driving. Thanks, Jean

Fly into Salt Lake City. Go to Moab (Arches and Canyonlands Naitional Parks). Drive up to Dinasaur Natioanal Park then to Teton and Yellowstone and back to Salt Lake City.

September would be beautiful for the west. Less crowds and less chance of snow!

If you haven't been to Yellowstone and you don't want to spend lots of time driving or hiking, you should probably go there. It is perfect for a 7-9 day trip.

Last fall we flew into Salt Lake (although if you're coming from a bigger city, you can probably get good flights into Jackson), spent a night in Jackson, a few nights at Signal Mtn Lodge in Tetons, and 6 nights in YNP.

YNP is large and has so much to see - we stayed 2 nights each in Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, & Canyon areas. Walking the boardwalks through the thermal features at Old Faithful and Norris was surreal; nothing like it. We saw wildlife at every turn - elk, bison, antelope, grizzly and black bear (& cubs!), bighorn sheep, moose (Tetons), eagles, wolves, coyotes - it was absolutely incredible. And the weather in early Sept was perfect - 70-80's in daytime, 40-50's at night. All of our in-park lodging was fine and we greatly appreciated being able to get up early or stay out til dusk for wildlife viewing.

Although southern Utah is just about my favorite place in the country, I think YNP/Tetons will provide more of what you like, especially wildlife. We have way too many pictures of our trip at this link if you're interested -

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/yellowstone_06

Have fun planning and ask lots of questions. You'll get incredible info from all the great folks here.

Will it be hard to get rooms in/around the parks in Sept.

I think spring is a better time to see the Utah parks, so I'd stick with the mountains this trip.

Sharondi, what makes southern Utah your favorite place, how is it different from northern Utah and to TheWeasel or anyone, how are the parks better in the spring? Are we making a mistake in trying to take some of them in the fall? Thanks, Jean

I know you asked shardoni, but I'm going to chime in anyways!

I like the national parks of Utah and they are in the southern half of the state. That's what makes the southern part of Uath my favorite vacation destination also. The spring and early fall are both great times to visit these parks.

You asked about reservations in or near the parks. If you call, you might be able to get in on some cancellations inside the park and you will probably be able to find logding outside the parks....but then we always camp...so I could be wrong.

Utahtea

If we fly into Salt Lake City how may nights should be devote to SLC, and any good day trips from there, or should we stay there a couple of days then head elsewhere? What do you all prefer Grand Canyon or Yellowstone? I think that will help me decide what route to take. Thanks again, Jean

If you are going to go to Yellowstone, then it's going to take a day getting there and a day getting back, so I'd take off for Yellowstone and Grand Tetons and spend your time in the parks.

If you are going to the Grand Canyon, then fly into Las Vegas, AZ or Phoenix, AZ.

If I had to choose between Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, then Yellowstone would win hands down. Now if you're going to throw in Bryce, Zion and Lake Powell, then I'd have to think about it longer. ;) If you only have the 7 -9 days, then I'd do Yellowstone. As much as I love Utah, Yellowstone has to be my all around FAVORITE national park.

Utahtea

Make that Las Vegas, NV!

Utahtea

thank you utahtea. I think Yellowstone is going to win. So, would SLC be the best place to fly into and is it close enough to see Jackson Hole, I've heard a lot about it, or skip it. Also, if SLC is the best place to fly into, how many days should be devote to there? Thanks a bunch

Narrowing it down quite a bit - see if this is possible: Fly into SLC from there to Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Pike's Peak, back to SLC. How does this loop sound? Any thoughts, recommendations, etc. will be greatly appreciated. May be able to squeeze in 10 days, looking into that. Thanks a bunch, Jean