I thought that I had posted this question earlier but apparently not. Can you give me some advice please. On 22nd May I leave the Grand Canyon and have booked a hotel in Las Vegas for the 25th. I have three nights to play with. Previously I had two nights but am having two nights instead of three in Vegas. I had thought that maybe we could do the raft trip from Lake Powell then do Bryce and Zion.
I have an old friend in Monticello and this may be our last chance to see him. I notice that if we go to Monticello, Monument Valley is a possibility. Are there other sights to see in this location or are we better off sticking to our original plan and giving our friend a miss because of the extra mileage?

Toledo - just an fyi - if you click on your name at the top of the screen (or in your post), you'll find all your previous posts. While I've done the GC-Bryce-Zion-Vegas circle, I'm not as familiar with MV. But hopefully now with your post topped, someone will be able to give good advice re: Monticello.

toledo,

I remember your question & thought there was a big thread on this subject too! I can't find it so Fodor's must have deleted it for some reason!

(May 22) It's 270 miles from the Grand Canyon to Monticello, Utah. That will take about 5 1/2 hours so you could probably make a few stops at the scenic overlooks as you exit the Grand Canyon and maybe squeeze in a tour of Monument Valley before reaching Monticello. (To bad your friends could meet you in Monument Valley or even the Grand Canyon!)

(May 23) If you left say 6 A.M. the next morning you could probably drive the 5 hours from Monticello to Page and catch the afternoon float trip. Keep in mind you have to check in early for the float trip.

(May 24) You could drive to Bryce and spend the day & night.

(May 25) You could get up to see the sunrise at Bryce and head to Zion and spend most of the day before driving the three hours to Las Vegas.

If you want to squeeze in all of those places and activities, then that's would be your likely schedule.

Utahtea

I had thought of going to Monticello as an alternative to Page , Zion and Bryce. Probably calling at Monument Valley on the way to Monticello then afterwards make my way to LV up the 191 to join the 70 and 15, seeing as much as possible on the way.
My friend is in his eighties. He and his late wife came to Britain as missionaries after they retired. It would be nice to see him again whilst in the area.

How many nights were you going to spend with your friends in Monticello?

Utahtea

It would just be a fleeting visit, just passing kind of thing.Although by the time we reached there we would probably need to find a hotel for the night.

So you will have three days and two nights to get from Monticello, Utah back to Las Vegas. You could see a lot of sites on the way. Just a couple miles north of Moab, Utah do the scenic drive in Arches National Park and stop at the several different viewpoints. Might even fit in a hike. Then drive north and visit Canyonlands National Park. Green River Overlook and Grand View Overlooks are a must. If you still have time stop at Dead Horse State Park. You can either go back the 11 miles to Moab for the night or move on the 43 miles to Green River, Utah to spend the night and save yourself the 54 miles the next day.

I-70 has a short stretch of the San Rafael Swell that is scenic, but I-15 can not compare to what you will find if take Hwy 24 down to Hanksville and on to Capitol Reef National Park. (You will miss the San Rafael Swell if you take this route...but it's worth it!) Drive the scenic drive in the park. Then at Torrey, Utah head south on Scenic Hwy 12 to Bryce Canyon. This is only 220 miles from Green River and should be an easy scenic day. You might even have time to see some of the park this day, but for sure the next morning take some time to go to some of the overlooks near the entrance of the park and then drive thought Zion on your way to Las Vegas. At least you will get a good idea of what these parks have to offer.

BTW, if you do this route, get a National Park Pass at the first park you enter. It will save you a little money in the long run.

Utahtea

Thanks very much Utahtea, that sound really good. I was going to buy a National Parks ticket, I had already worked out that it would be cheaper. Thanks for your advice and look forward to seeing some of your lovely State.

I wish it were my lovely state. Fact is I live in California! I just LOVE to vacation in Utah. Besides Californiatea was just to long of a signon name

Utahtea

I look forward to seeing California too, so much to see, so little time. I remember when I stayed a week in Sorento and went on a daytrip to Rome. The tour guide kept saying (can't do the accent)" Thees ees a test offa Romm"
I later went back to Rome for a full week and spent New Years Eve there.
I suppose I will have to be content with a "test offa the west"
Many thanks