Grand /canyon and National Parks
 

Hi! I am new to this site and I am hoping I can get some travel ideas. I would like to plan a family (older kids) vacation to see the Grand Canyon and some of the National parks in Utah (Bryce, Zion, Arches ) I am interested in suggestions and open to other parks. Thinking about flying into Las Vegas and renting a car. Any suggestions for routs or hotels, restaurants are appreciated.
Also thinking May or October.
Thank you in advance!
Mitch

To get the full experience try to stay in the historic grand lodges in the parks such as the 1905 El Tovar (Grand Canyon), 1925 Zion Lodge (Zion NP), and Bryce Canyon Lodge (1925). They do book up months in advance. Also, to avoid crowds, start your hiking, sightseeing, etc. at sunrise.

You don't say how many nights you'll devote to the trip....

Once you plot your course, take a good look at all those other places on you route between Vegas and between all the national parks. There are gems there as well.

Welcome to Fodors. Consider open jaw (multi-city) flights. In to PHX and home from LAS or vice versa. Also there may be snow at Bryce Canyon in Oct or May -- more likely in October. The park wouldn't be closed or anything like that but just be prepared.

Thank you

Thank you. It looks like 6 nights

Thank you. Appreciate that

You could plan a route from Vegas or Phoenix that circles around in what ever direction works best based on cost and availability of lodging. The North rim of Grand canyon is closed for the forseeable future so don’t plan on that. This will make finding lodging in/ near the south rim harder to find, so make that a priority.

One possible route might be fly into Vegas, get car, cooler ice drinks, snacks etc. and head towards Hoover dam fort night one. Visit the dam then head for Grand Canyon south rim for one or two nights. Then head east then north to Bryce for a night or two then southwest to Zion for a night or two and back to Vegas. This is a circle so it could be done in the opposite direction if that works better for you. If you have a mapping program like google maps put those destinations in to give you an idea of how much time they think it takes and add a bit because it will probably take you time to check the interesting scenery along the way.

There are also several state parks that are along the way that are worth exploring.

when you plan to go makes a huge difference, so come back with questions after you have more in the works.

Thank you so much, very helpful !!

Options for lodging at Zion are much greater than at the GC.

For Zion, my own preference is to stay in the village of Springdale, which is rigth outside the park and within walking distance, or short shuttle (5-10min) ride to the park entrance. My go-to hotel is Cable Mtn lodge, immediately adjacent to the pedestrian entrance to the park - literally a 5min walk from your room into the park, where you will pick up the in-park shuttle buses. They have family rooms, pool, fridge & microwave, and maybe even some kitchenette units.

At GC, the distances are much greater, so anything "near" or "adjacent to" the park may be a long drive. Hence, at GC I always recommend to stay directly in the park. There are 2 concessionaires that run the various hotels/lodges at GC. I don't recall the names, but a google search will find it for you. Be sure to check both companies for rooms.

One runs the 5 lodges right at the rim - from $$$ to $$, El Tovar, Bright Angel, Kachina & Thunderbird, and Maswick. The 1st 4 are right on the rim, which is a plus to many, but not necessary in my opinion. The latter has many more rooms, and is only about 10min walk from the rim.

The other co runs Yavapai lodge, which is about 1/2 mi walk from the actual rim, set among the pine forest. This is my go-to place to find rooms. Nothing fancy, utilitarian 1 or 2 bed motel rooms. You can park right near your hotel building, which is nice. I've found that rooms book up in advance, many are gobbled up by tour operators reserving large blocks of rooms. As the cancellation deadline approaches - I think it's 3 days in advance, I've seen that rooms open up. I've even seen day of arrival rooms free up.... I don't recommend you do that. What I do recommend is that asap you reserve rooms somewhere for dates you want. Even if you are not 100% certain. There are private hotels near the south entrance at Tusayan. While close, it's not as convenient as actually being in the park. Once you leave for the day you're not likely to return, whereas if you stay in the park you can take a sunrise stroll with a cup of coffee, do your hiking or touring the day, rest up in the afternoon, then after dinner take a sunset stroll with your favorite evening beverage. The early am and late pm are my favorite times, after the hordes of tray trippers have all left. So book where you can, when you can, and keep checking back for better options. There is also a hotel at the East entrance, Cameron Trading post. It's a bit farther from the main tourist area of the park, but not that bad all things considered.

Hope you are aware of the massive wildfire that has closed and burned much of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

I am now! What shame. Thank you for the info.

Thank you very much. This information is very helpful!