Grand Canyon and area Sept-Oct '09
 

Coming up from Scottsdale AZ end of Sept '09 the two us would like to visit the Grand Canyon and areas in Utah, New Mexico, and possibly Colorado for two weeks. Any suggestions for itinerary, places to see and stay would be appreciated.
Al

> areas in Utah, New Mexico, and possibly Colorado
> Any suggestions for ... places to see

If it's a national park, it's worth a visit. Thus: Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Bryce, Zion, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, and Rocky Mountain. The latter will probably be too far for a two week journey, as just the ones in Arizona and Utah easily take up two weeks.

Thanks. Any suggestions about amount of time and where to stay in Grand Canyon.

Length of time -- two days unless you are prepared for MAJOR hiking.
Since I have no idea of your budget, amenities required, or even what type of lodging you desire; I can only refer you to

www.grandcanyonlodges.com

What has looked interesting in your research so far?
How much hiking will you be doing? Will it mainly be a car trip with easy hiking paths? What's your budget?

It would helpa lot to know your interests---hiking? (how far or strenuous?), more adventurous sports like canyoning? Native American culture? archeology? geology?

Also your lodging preference---high end, with amenities, or more rustic?

For many people I would suggest 2 nights at the South Rim, adrive to page for the smoothwater float trip and spend a night there, then a night at the North Rim and 2 or 3 at zion. But that's already a week, and you have lots more on your list.

Go to www.nps.gov and click on the parks you want to visit. You can make reservations at the National parks on line and if there isn't a room available when you want to go take their number and call back as they get cancellations all the time. Do try to stay in the parks if you can, especially GC, nothing beats sunrise and sunset there and on the south side Yavapai and Maswik are motel type places back a bit from the rim, Kachina and Thunderbird are motels on the rim, Bright Angel lodge has cabins on or near the rim as well as a lodge and el Tovar is a nice hotel on the rim. The north side also has in park lodging. When we have travelled in September and are not in a NP, we generally wing it and have not had trouble finding a place to stay.

Perhaps you should spend some time on mapquest figuring out your itinerary. It will show you the miles and drive times between the attractions you are interested in.

Once you have some idea of what you want to see and do, then come back and ask more focussed questions. As it is your query is so vague that we would all have to be mind readers to know what your interests and activity levels are. Help us help you.