Janice

I'm not quite sure if you can help, but here goes. We are a family of 4 (2 teens) and we will spend one or two nights in Vegas. We then have 3 or 4 more nights to make a side trip. I have been to the Grand Canyon, but my husband and children have not. None of us has been to Zion or Bryce. For those that have done both, which trip do you think would offer more to do for the teens? When I stayed at the Grand Canyon (20 years ago!) I remember that there seemed to be lots of organized activities - like hikes and ranger talks. You couldn't really claim boredom. Are the available accomodations much nicer in one area or the other? Any insight will be very helpful. Thank you in advance!

Janice

mas

We've done both and the Zion/Byrce trip was our favorite. The drive from Vegas is easy & not long. Accomodations at both were nice (lodge room at Zion/cabin at Bryce). Stayed at El Tovar in Grand Canyon (expensive & small)- traffic & parking is unbearable. I've seen the Canyon twice which is one too many times as far as I'm concerned.

GOL

Do both.
North Rim of GC can be done in a day. You can even schedule a mule ride. [ I quote this all the time, but according to NPS stats. the average visitor spends 28 minutes observing the Grand Canyon; and most trips inside the park are day trips]

Bryce and Zion, IMHO, are more impressive and should NOT BE MISSED. But, the GC is one of those "check mark" tourist spots that also should not be missed.

RB

Each park- North Rim of GC, Zion, and Bryce - offers very unique vistas. I think anyone of any age would appreciate them. To best appreciate the North Rim, try to get a room at the lodge. Since it's coming on up on high vacation time, you may not be able to get a room. Jacob's Lake is down the road from the park; we stayed there in 1999, and while the people are friendly, the accommodations are somewhat rustic - they're clean & perfectly fine, but those whose like the cookie-cutter approach of chain motels may be a little put off. As other posters note, you can arrange for horseback rides at all three parks. Call ahead to get reservations; the www.nps.gov site should have the phone numbers. A hike we did not attempt at Zion, but might be of interest to your family, is the Narrows- which goes through the river. You can do a short day hike from the Riverside Walk without a permit; a through dayhike, which goes from Chamberlain's Ranch downstream, requires a shuttle to the trailhead and a $5 permit. Call the park in advance on this- there's a company that handles hikes through the Narrows and also rents equipment - water can be VERY chilly, but the co.'s name/number escapes me at the present. You might search over at the www.gorp.com board for this info. The Angels Landing hike at Zion is not for the faint-hearted or those afraid of heights, but it offers a spectacular view. Please read more about these hikes at the www.nps.gov board and the GORP site so you can make an informed decision. Good luck with your trip planning; start calling now on room reservations.

dave_b

Boy-what a tough choice. But if I had to pick one it would be Zion/Bryce. Granted the Grand Canyon is bigger and more popular; however I was much more impressed with Zion/Bryce.

rqf

Would do the Zion/Bryce trip. If you decide to visit these parks consider the mule ride at Bryce that goes to the Devils Garden. If that doesn't blow the mind of your kids nothing will.

Victor

Just got back from vegas and did both the zion/bryce and grand canyon trips. Bryce canyon was unbelievable! As was the drive from Bryce to Lake Powell and on to Monument Valley. Southern Utah is some of the most beautifully scenic driving I have ever done. Every 5 minutes the scenery changes. I did this trip in two days (although 3 would have been better)
Once you've seen one part of the grand canyon, you've seen pretty much all you're going to see the rest of the way. Not so with Bryce/Zion (although you have to see the grand canyon at least once as well. Tough choice, but a winner either way

Janice

Thank you everyone for your insights. I did forget to mention one small fact. That is that we are traveling the first week of August. Since we are from a hot climate, I was hoping to escape the heat for a few days. I just checked and the averages for the Zion area are around 102 while the average at Williams, AZ is approx. 81. That sure sounds appealing....
Still trying to decide. Any additional comments are appreciated.
Thanks,
Janice

mas

Janice: what does Williams, AZ have to do with your trip?

Janice

Mas,
Williams is probably one of the more popular base towns for travel to the Grand Canyon. It's the closest town of any size to the Grand Canyon Village and when I was looking for temps, I had to use Williams as Grand Canyon Village was not available.
Janice

mas

Hi Janice - I guess going anywhere in that area in August will be hot, Vegas included. After reading GOL response, I'm sorry we didn't stop at the North Rim of GC when we went to Bryce.

Mary

I am too visiting Vegas in May and would like to do a day trip to Bryce/Zion area. How long is the drive from Vegas? And what is there to do? The mule ride sounds interesting but WHY is it called Devil's Garden?!?

J T Kirk

I'd do Zion and Bryce. If memory serves, it's about a 2 - 2 1/2 hour drive from LV to Zion. Then, it's about another 1 - 1 1/2 hour drive to Bryce (depending on traffic.) It's Interstate from LV to St George. You get off just north of St George and head to Springdale, which is a funky little town, literally right outside of Zion. Though most people think of Zion and Bryce as being sorta the same, they really aren't. Zion is wide open, with great mesas and buttes. Bryce is like a little city, made up of bright orange and red hoo-doos. Both are great to hike. But whatever you do -- DO the Narrows!!! Talk about a great experience. But get there as early as possible to try to beat the HUGE crowds.
Have fun.

Mary

Thanks for the advice JT. What are the Narrows and are they claustrophobic? I don't mind hiking but I do small spaces?

diane

It's a two-hour drive from Las Vegas airport to St. George--and that's going 80 mph. It's another hour or a little more to Zion. Re the heat, it's cooler on the North Rim than the South Rim, and there's more shade. Both Zion and Bryce will be hotter than the N. Rim, I believe--10-15 degrees hotter.

Tell us, Janice, what you have decided to do (or give us a trip report later).