Grand Canyon Bryce Zion
 

Hello. I would really appreciate some help with planning a trip to CG, Bryce & Zion -maybe. I am from New Zealand and am meeting a friend who has a conference in last Vegas. I would love to see some great scenery but realise that time will be limited and don't want to make the mistake of driving all day and not having time to properly enjoy the trip. I have tried to get info but feel quite overwhelmed with all the different options that there are. Please please could you suggest what a good itinerary would be. Also we HAVE NOT booked flights home and don't know where we should fly from - las Vegas, Phoenix, Salt Lake City???
The trip will be in May. We are planning on leaving las vegas mid afternoon on a Friday and have to fly out on the following Tuesday night or possibly Wed mid morning (if we could drive to closest airport and get a flight by say 10-:30 -11:00am)
As a first timer I obviously want to see the CG, and my friend has mentioned Bryce and Zion. We would like to do a couple of short 1 - 1 ½ hours walks. What do you suggest???

Thank you in advance to anyone who could give some advice.
Flyingkiwi165

Vegas is the most convenient airport for flying out.

You have 3.5 days which is very short for the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion. the driving loop starting and ending in Las Vegas is about 15 hours so almost two days of your 3.5 usable days. In 'real life' you have time for Zion and Bryce.


To fit them all in you would be driving to the Grand Canyon for the first night -- but leaving mid-afternoon you won't be to the GC until evening. It is a 5 hour drive. Plus getting accommodations at this late late date will be tough.

If you can bear not visiting the GC, it would be much easier to do just Zion/Bryce.

It is 5 hours LV to the South Rim, and 3 hours Springdale (Zion) to LV. Going between the two parks allow a full day, with stops. There are a few places to stay between Zion and the Grand Canyon. Kanab is really cute, and some people do a day trip to Bryce from Kanab. All of the drives are full of scenery, so not "time wasted".

Absolutely possible in your time frame, although I would skip Bryce.

Since you will be leaving later in the day, Friday afternoon I would first go to Zion. Springdale is just outside the park, great place to stay with tons of restaurants and lodging.

Saturday spend most of the day in Zion. If you don't mind changing hotels every night, head to Kanab in the afternoon. You can stop along the way as you exit east out of Zion. Sunday you can day trip from Zion to Bryce, and return to Kanab a second night.

Monday spend the day traveling to and along the South Rim, visiting viewpoints (you want to be there for sunset!)

If possible try to stay in the park so you can catch sunrise Tuesday morning before you leave. If not just stay in Williams since that will cut an hour of the drive Tuesday.
For Grand Canyon, check for lodging at Yavapai at www.visitgrandcanyon.com which is a new concessionaire. Probably better availability there since people don't realize they are no longer operated by Xanterra. You can also call them and Xanterra.

So yes, it's very possible, and not even particularly rushed.

One sight I'd recommend adding is to at least drive through Angel Canyon north of Kanab, where Best Friends is located. If you have a few hours to spare, I'd also recommend their tour, but you can also drive through on your own, or visit one of the animal rescue villages, or if the timing works, have lunch at their restaurant which has a wonderful view of the canyon.

http://bestfriends.org/sanctuary/exp.../sanctuary-map

As I count it, you have 4.5 days.. You could stretch your time a bit in the Grand Canyon by staying half a day Tuesday, drive back late and fly out Weds morning.

If your trip takes place after May 15, you could go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. (It doesn't open until then.) It would be more feasible, logistically, than going to the South Rim, but I think it would be a very rushed trip trying to visit all three national parks.

I have heard of people looking down into the Grand Canyon and crying. I really don't understand that. Maybe it's out of disappointment.

Obviously I am not a big fan of GC. To me it's a hole in the ground. Since you are at the top the sunrise and sunset are nothing special. Yes, I been there for both.

Given the other sights in the area, GC is at the bottom of the list.

Having said that, I would never suggest skipping it so you can see for yourself.

Zion and Bryce are about 2 hours apart. Only 2 hours but like day and night.

Bryce is 4,000 ft higher and cooler. Now if you want a spectacular sunrise be at Bryce Point (not Sunrise Pt) when the sun come up. There's a protrusion giving you a great view. You don't look to the right where the sun is but ahead and to the left where the sun is just starting to light up the canyon.

Bryce is small. If you get there mid-late afternoon, wander on the rim around sunset (or Sunset Pt), then get up early for the sunrise, go have breakfast and hike down Navajo Loop and back up Queens Garden (do them in that order as you are in elevation of about 8,800 ft and Navajo Loop is steeper than Queens Garden) you will definitely get the most for you time and have a great feel for Bryce.

As someone suggested above, it might be workable if you go to the North Rim of GC instead of the South Rim.

When my daughter and her husband were in Vegas he wanted to see GC. I told my daughter to call me when they were bored with it. She called and I sent them to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. She told me those sights saved that part of the trip.

>>As I count it, you have 4.5 days..<<

Oh you're right -- I skimmed too fast an thought the flight out was on Tuesday AM. But it is either Tues <B>PM</B> or Wed AM -- so w/ the extra day I do think you can manage it. A little rushed but not too bad.

Hopefully your long weekend is NOT over the Memorial Day weekend. If it is, lodging will be nearly impossible to find and the crowds, especially at Zion, will be horrific.

Check for lodging first and see what you can do. On a trip this short, I would not recommend staying in outlying towns. You don't have time.

And I agree with Myer. Definitely be at Bryce for sunrise and the GC is the most skipable.

Hi, I am going to be at Zion next week. If we are staying in Springdale for a few days, what is the best time to drive to Bryce as a day trip? I would assume pretty early. Also, is Antelope Canyon doable on that same day? Thank you.

Jet set

Bryce is beautiful and definitely worth a full day visit at the very minimum! Be sure to hike down amount the hoodoos. If you don't, you are missing an amazing experience.

No you definitely don't have time for Antelope Canyon on the same day.

Thank you, Dayle. Apologies for piggybacking on this thread. :)

Don't miss Antelope Canyon! It is easy to get to and right in between Grand Canyon and Zion/Bryce. I think it is one of the most unique and beautiful places in Arizona. Would be a nice addition to your itinerary.

Antelope Canyon: http://livelifeoutofoffice.com/2014/...telope-canyon/

"Hi, I am going to be at Zion next week. If we are staying in Springdale for a few days, what is the best time to drive to Bryce as a day trip? I would assume pretty early."

It all depends on how long you want to be at Bryce and when you want to arrive. It's about 2hrs total drive across wide open terrain.

If you are ok to be at Bryce no earlier than noon, then it is ok to leave Zion at 10am. If you want to be at Bryce for sunrise, then an earlier departure is needed.

I cried when I first saw the Grand Canyon because it was so beautiful. That giant whole in the ground was simply amazing.

I'm with you Michelle Y, I love Grand Canyon and have been back many times and still am in awe. I feel the same way about Arches, Canyonlands, Yellowstone and Death Valley, which some might also call a "giant hole". Zion and Bryce are very nice, but IMHO not as amazing.

Understanding a bit of geologic history and hiking down a way and seeing it in different light all add to the experience.

It is like picking your favorite child. These places are all beautiful. We need to go back.