Dear all

I need some help and advice to organize part of my trip in the US

I will be travelling by car

21 Apr LA – Las Vegas

22 Apr Las Vegas – Hover dam – Grand Canyon Village (visit the park in the afternoon, stay overnight)

23 Apr GCV (leaving early morning) – Monument Valley (visit the MV park in the afternoon, stay overnight)

24 Apr Monument Valley (leaving early morning) – Antelope Canyon (visit at 10.00) – Bryce Canyon (arrive in the afternoon and visit the Park)

25 Apr Bryce Canyon (visit the park) – return to Las Vegas around 18.30

26 Apr All day in Vegas

I know I don’t have a lot of time but is it feasible a tour like this?
Have you got any suggestion in regards?

And not knowing the area is it better visiting Zion or the Bryce Canyon
Many thanks

Seems possible, but that is a lot of driving. Are you comfortable driving those distances? Your timetable will only give you a "taste" of these areas.

Mike Honeycutt

Whew. You are not really going to "see" anything except the yellow line down the road. For now, cut out Monument Valley. Do a mapquest to find out the driving times.

Los Angeles to Las Vegas 270 miles 4 hour drive.

Las Vegas to Grand Canyon 280 miles 5 hrs drive.

Grand Canyon to Monument Valley 180 miles almost 4 hours drive. Stop at Grand View and Desert View as you exit the park.

Monument Valley to Bryce Canyon 280 miles 6 1/2 hours drive. Plan on 1 1/2 hour for Upper Antelope Slots canyon tour.

Bryce to Las Vegas, taking the drive through Zion National Park 250 miles 5 hours drive.

Keep in mind that in April you will have 13 1/2 hours of daylight.

I figure you have a limited time and probably not that many chances to visit this area. Your trip can be done if you get an early start each day.

Just call me Utah~mapquest~tea

BTW, if you wanted to cut out something, then I agree with jtrandloph that Monument Valley would save you the most time & miles if it were cut. It would save you 165 miles and about 6 hours of driving if it were cut.

Utahtea

21 Apr LA-LV
22 Apr LV, Hoover Dam maybe, LV on Saturday night definitely
23 Apr sleep in a bit, drive to GC
24 Apr GC
25 Apr GC
26 Apr LA

I think you should not go to Monument Valley, wonderful as it is, but spend that time at Zion instead, which is one of the most amazingly beautiful places I've ever been - this will also save you a lot of time and driving. I don't think you should skip either Bryce or Zion - they are both incredible, and quite different from one another, although not terribly far apart. If you leave the GC early on the 23rd, you could go to Page and take the Antelope Canyon Tour, then head directly to Bryce Canyon, arriving late afternoon. Catch the sunset at one of the overlooks, and if you're an early riser, sunrise, too - ask in the visitors center which overlook is best - they told us, and it was amazing, but I can't remember now which one it was. Try to take at least a short hike on one of the trails through the hoodoos. I know you'll find Bryce to be an absoloutely incredible place.

Zion is about a two hour drive from Bryce. On your way in, just before the tunnel, park in the small lot to the left, then cross the road and take the Canyon Overlook Trail for a spectacular view of part of the canyon from above. Only the first few hundred yards of this walk is at all strenuous; it goes pretty much uphill for a short way, but then is fairly even for the rest of the trail. This will take about an hour round trip, includng the time you spend oohing and aahing over the view. Stay at the Desert Pearl or Flanagan's in Springdale, or you might luck out and get a room or cabin at the lodge in Zion Park, but it may be a little late to get a reservation. The hotels in Springdale are a bit more modern and have more amenities, but the lodge is in the midst of the canyon, with fabulous scenery and in walking distance to some of the hiking trails, and you can hop right on the shuttle there. I've stayed in both Springdale and the lodge; they're both wonderful, and you really can't go wrong. Your time is limited, so you won't have time for any long hikes, but do the Riverside Walk, and Weeping Rock is pretty neat, and a short walk from the parking lot (but the effect will be lost if it's raining). If you have time, I do recommend the Emerald Pools Trail, at least to the middle pool - If you have more time, it's very worthwhile to go all the way to the top pool.

Zion is about a three hour drive from Las Vegas, much better for your schedule than the five hours it would take you from Bryce. I really think you'll be happier with this itinerary - leass driving, more time to spend at your destinations, and fabulous places that you really shouldn't miss. Save Monument Valley for another trip, maybe combining with Canyon de Chelly, Mesa Verde, and Durango, CO - you can take a ride on the narrow guage railroad to Silverton, a wonderfully scenic and fun trip.

Thank you all for your quick response and taking time to answer my email. It is much appreciated!
After reading your precious informations I think I will have to miss the Monument Valley and spend the day instead in Bryce and Zion. Thanks Sara for your very detailed program, i will follow that. And thank you Utahtea for driving distances. I have a better understanding now. I will write a trip report on my return. Well... I have still 2 months to go

redcar1,

You will be able to enjoy all the other parks more by cutting out Monument valley.

Be aware that the trails in Bryce might still be closed in April due to snow. Most of Zion's trails should be open.

Buy a National Park pass for $50 and it will save you some money. It will get you into Grand Canyon $20, Bryce $20, & Zion $20 and is good for one year from purchase. You could also go into Glen Canyon National Recreational Area $20 (Lake Powell) if you wanted to get a little closer to the lake after the Antelope Slots tour.

Just before you reach Page, AZ is the Horseshoe Bend hike. It's only a 3/4 mile hike and you can see where the float trip goes. There are amazing views here.

Utahtea

If trails in Bryce are closed for snow is it really worth it going there? What other kind of activities can I do there during the day? I mean... will I be able to enjoy the full experience of Bryce Canyon?

Or do you think it would be better going the Monument Valley instead?

GC - MV - Page - Zion?
Sorry for the many questions

I think you should be able to enjoy Bryce even if there is still snow - I understand that's it's especially beautiful with snow, it really makes the red rocks stand out in contrast. You will at least be able to drive to all of the viewpoints and see the canyon from different vantage points. If you can't hike due to snow on the trails, there's a really good alternative - you can rent snowshoes at Ruby's Inn, right outside the park entrance - they also rent cross country skis, if that interests you. Snowshoeing is easy to do and a lot of fun - the only time it might be any problem is if the trails are icy. The park offers horseback rides starting in the spring, so you might be able to do a ride instead of a hike, too. See the National Park website at <www.nps.gov/brca> for more info - the Ruby's website at <www.rubysinn.com> also has helpful information.

Bookmarking for future trip. Thanks for your question Redcar, and detailed advice by all.