Going to be in SLC and want to visit one National Park
Aug 3rd, 2013, 04:25 AM
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Going to be in SLC and want to visit one National Park
We are going to be in SLC somewhat spontaneously later this week. We have one day to do a day trip of sorts to one of the National Parks. Which would you choose...Bryce, Zion or Arches? We will have 3 boys with us.
Thanks
Thanks
Aug 3rd, 2013, 02:32 PM
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Go to Arches, it is the closest at 4 hours. If you have to, you can stop in Price and let the kids see the dino museum there (it is quite good). Arches is an easy in/out type park with the arches close to the road for the most part. You could see a lot of cool stuff with minimal walking.
Just remember--water, water, water!!!!!!! It will be beyond hot.
Just remember--water, water, water!!!!!!! It will be beyond hot.
Aug 3rd, 2013, 03:17 PM
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234 miles to Moab 263 miles to Bryce
Of course, you will double those miles when you add on the return. So, do you really consider a 500 mile trip a day trip?
I think it would be a shame to not be able to spend more than a few hours at any of them.
Consider this--Do Goblin Valley and Little Wildhorse Canyon. This is still 223 miles one way. But the big deal here is that Little Wildhorse is virtually all in the shade. You would still need to take water, but would be much more comfortable. This is an isolated place, so you would need to pack your own lunch and snacks. Don't even expect to get a cold drink there. Sometimes they sell gatorade or water out of their refridge.
Finally, another option would be Timpanogos Cave National Monument. This is a strenuous hike to the top of it and then a pretty neat cave. It is 50 miles from SLC and would be much easier to do. It isn't up there with the national parks, but is a pretty neat site, if your just needing something to do.
Of course, you will double those miles when you add on the return. So, do you really consider a 500 mile trip a day trip?
I think it would be a shame to not be able to spend more than a few hours at any of them.
Consider this--Do Goblin Valley and Little Wildhorse Canyon. This is still 223 miles one way. But the big deal here is that Little Wildhorse is virtually all in the shade. You would still need to take water, but would be much more comfortable. This is an isolated place, so you would need to pack your own lunch and snacks. Don't even expect to get a cold drink there. Sometimes they sell gatorade or water out of their refridge.
Finally, another option would be Timpanogos Cave National Monument. This is a strenuous hike to the top of it and then a pretty neat cave. It is 50 miles from SLC and would be much easier to do. It isn't up there with the national parks, but is a pretty neat site, if your just needing something to do.
Aug 3rd, 2013, 07:25 PM
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I know plenty of people who have done Arches as a day trip-not necessarily my idea of the greatest time, but hey, if you are dead set on it....
The one thing in Bryce's favor is that it will be cooler than Arches. It does take longer to get to Bryce just because of the speed limits on the roads etc.
Timpanagos Cave is awesome, IMO. I was going to say in my original post, that if it were me--I would be heading to the mountains in August. I am not sure where your home is--maybe you have mountains and really want to see the desert. But I would head up to the Unitas for the day--cool and gorgeous and just as good as many national parks!
The one thing in Bryce's favor is that it will be cooler than Arches. It does take longer to get to Bryce just because of the speed limits on the roads etc.
Timpanagos Cave is awesome, IMO. I was going to say in my original post, that if it were me--I would be heading to the mountains in August. I am not sure where your home is--maybe you have mountains and really want to see the desert. But I would head up to the Unitas for the day--cool and gorgeous and just as good as many national parks!
