Dear all,

We are planing a trip that should include grand canyon, bryce canyon and potentially antelope canyon. The trip should start in Las Vegas and can either end there as well or potentially in Phoenix. We plan to rent a car in Las Vegas and we have 5 days in total. What would be your suggestions for the best route?

(Is my understanding correct that there are no commcercial flights from Las Vegas to either Flagstaff or Grand Canyon Airport?)

TIA

I would drive from LV to Zion National Park (another premiere national park) and then Bryce Canyon. Next, drive to Antelope Canyon and finally to the Grand Canyon. Return to LV. Round-trip tickets are usually cheaper (esp. to/from LV).

I don't know where the OP is coming from but in my experience air fare tickets between US cities are priced the same as 2x one way tickets. May be different if they are tacking this on to an international route which in that case Las Vegas is usually the better option.

Car rentals however usually have the oneway drop off charge.

Driving west back to Las Vegas from the Grand Canyon is difficult in the afternoon as the sun is in your eyes. So you may want to flip your routing to head east first, then the last leg would be back from Bryce Canyon (I'm assuming they have already visited Zion which is why they didn't mention it). But if you haven't it make sense as the first or last night.

If you don't want to move so much, the town of Kanab is a good location for visiting all of those places.

thanks. No, we actually haven't been to Zion. However, we are traveling with 3 kids (5,8 and 9) and I somehow fear it would be too much.

When you suggest to stay in Kanab, I assume you mean for bryce and/or Zion and Antelope?

Thanks

Kanab is somewhat central to all of them (about 90 minutes) so you would trade off driving time for wasted check-in and check-out.

All of the parks will be very busy. Zion is closest to Las Vegas so its a good first day stop as the drive is only a few hours.

When is this trip? It is going to be difficult finding rooms that allow 5 people if it is this year and not next. Your options may be limited.

Of all of those places I find Zion to be the most kid friendly/enjoyable.

Grand Canyon to kids is a big hole.
Bryce is cool, but they can't touch anything.
At Zion they will see wildlife (deer), green lawns to run on, a creek to splash in, weeping rocks to get dripped on, and many accessible hikes.

With just 5 days I would drop Antelope, and do LV to Zion/GC North Rim/Bryce in whatever order makes the most sense, then back to Zion. Adding a loop around to Zion and GC South rim adds hours in the car when the time coulb be better spent enjoying natural beauty.

Another really cool kid friendly park is Valley of Fire NV State park, about an hour north of LV on the way to Zion. It's good for a few hours and all can climb on great red rock formations.

I agree with J62 although it depends on when they are going, some of these parks are too hot in summer.

I second that, great place for kids.

I agree with the others -- IMO /IME Zion is the better visit for families with smaller kids. Lots of flat / riverside walks, animals, facilities for an ice cream break etc. J62's descriptions are spot on. A LOT does depend on when this trip is -- there is hot and and then there is late summer HOT.