Grand Canyon trips with 3 teens
 

I am planning a trip to the Grand Canyon in June with my three daughters, ages 12, 15 and 16' and my husband. I have already made reservations for 2 nights at the south rim in the park, and 2 nights at the north rim for two nights. That's about as far as I've gotten :) I would like to start or end in Vegas to stay a couple of nights (husband's request). I can't figure out how to do this trip to include Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, etc. I want to do as much as possible, but I'm afraid of completely wearing out my daughters. I want them to enjoy the trip, without completely boring them ( keep in mind they're teenagers). This trip is one I,ve wanted to do for many years, but the family is only so-so on wanting to go, so I feel a bit of pressure to get it riight ! Thoughts? Advice?. Total nights for trip is 7-10

If you can get a flight into Vegas that lands early enough to leave for GC in time to be there before sunset (should be late in June), spend the two nights there take a hike along the rim and down into the canyon a way or do a mule ride, then do a loop up to Page, spend the night at a motel with a pool, take a half day smooth water raft trip from there, then head for Bryce, then head for north rim and then to Zion for a couple of days then back to Vegas for a couple of days of glitz. Maybe a show and/or spa when you get to Vegas.

This is a beautiful part of the world and hopefully the girls will appreciate that. If they are into hiking at all it will be fantastic.

Pick up a cooler and stock it up with snacks and drinks at the start. If you can get them to put the electronics away, and really look at the wonders of the west, that would make for a great trip, but probably isn't realistic.

Best of luck to you!

Canyonlands (and Arches) are not in the same loop although if the trip is 10 nights do a lot.

Be prepared to drive as Arches/Canyonlands is a drive from Bryce/Zion.

Depending upon how your path takes you be aware that you may drive right by Page, AZ and the famous Antelope Canyon and also Horseshoe Bend.

I would just do 1 night at the north and south rims each. Unless you are hiking a lot you will get bored fast. GC is awesome awesome sight, but can be done in a day. Zion and Bryce have far more to do.

I think with siblings that age it's important to try to do active things together to keep them from getting bored.

Skipping "Canyonlands, etc" for a moment and looking at the south rim, north rim, Bryce, Zion loop I would try to work in some/all of the following, depending on how active your family is and how much $$ you can spend.

At the south rim, from more active to less, 1) hike down Kaibab trail to Cedar Ridge at sunrise (or as early as you can get up). This is about 3 miles round trip and will likely be one of the two highlights of your trip.

And/or 2) take a mule ride down to Indian Gardens, also something you won't likely forget for a long time. And/or 3) hike the easier walkways on the rim (getting into the canyon is MUCH better but there are places on the rim you can still find solitude). This is a big step down from # 1 and 2 though. And/or 4) do a flightseeing trip via chopper or plane. This will be expensive.

Then drive to Page and spend a night there. Lot of easy things to do in this area (upper Antelope Canyon hike, tour of the giant dam, couple of other hikes) but I'd suggest doing the flat water boat trip thru the canyon just below the dam, which ends just about where the Grand Canyon starts. Beautiful canyon area, safe. There are also tours on Lake Powell if you have time but the river trip is the one I'd suggest.

From Page drive to north rim of GC. If you've done the mule ride and the Kaibab hike on the south rim you can get by with one night at the north rim, if pressed for time. Otherwise, there are easier mule trips here that just stay on the rim (also ones that go into the canyon but it's not as scenic as the south rim mule ride to Indian Gardens).

At Bryce you can hike (much easier here than into the GC) and also there are trail rides (not sure if they use mules or horses) but the scale of hiking and riding is much less than in the GC.

At Zion there are some good family hikes and great scenery.

Now, assuming you have an extra few days to swing out to Moab (Arches and Canyonlands NPs), in addition to the "scenics" in those parks an active family could also do some mountain biking from Moab (one of the most famous biking areas in the world), or you could do a full-day or half-day white-water rafting trip from Moab, or take one of the more rugged guided jeep tours, or rent a jeep yourself and do an easier jeep road/trail, for example, part of the White Rim Road or one of the many other great 4 WD drives in the area (the rental guys can help you set this up).

Anyway, I think there are a lot of things for an active family to do (I don't think girls this age are too young). Likely highlights would be a trip into the GC below the rim (whether on mule or foot) and one of the short river trips (either flat water below the dam at Page or the mild white water above Moab).

Bill_H
I did the 1/2 day Mule/Horse Ride at Bryce this past summer. It was supposed to have been 4 hours, but wound up being just right at 3 hours. Anyway, I was the only one on a horse everyone else had a mule. We were probably a group of 12 to 15. I had hiked Navajo Loop/Queens Garden so decided to try the ride for Peekaboo. I think it probably included portions of other trails as well. I did enjoy it, but thought it was going to last longer than it did. I think the 2 hour ride would be about the same.

Thanks so much for the information!!

A revised (tentative)itinerary:

fly into Sedona for 1 night and do pink jeep tours
from sedona to south rim for 2 nights
from south rim to page for 1-2 nights
from page to north rim 1 night
from north rim to Bryce 1 night
bryce to zion for 2 nights
zion to las vegas for 2 nights

My question is am I allowing enough time at Bryce? Should I just skip the north rim to save on time? Is this a doable and enjoyable plan?

Thanks so much for any thoughts. I had also considered going from Sedona to Williams and ride the train into the GC, but then I think we'd be backtracking on the ride back to Williams.

Nix the ride on the train from Williams, you don't get views of the canyon until you actually get there and there are train rides with spectacular views not far from Sedona.

Most people who recommend the north rim do so because it is less crowded and more relaxing, but I prefer the south rim for views and have not found crowds a problem especially if you go mid week and get out along the trails a way. So if you want to cut that I wouldn't fault you.

Would also second skipping the train ride and spending your time on the Rim. For a good intro - go to the IMAX and watch the hour long film. It's by the entrance - coming from the South.

And just taking the bus along the South Rim is a treat - hopping on and off as you like, and if you can get the young ones up in time - seeing a sunrise over the canyon is also a treat.

BTW - I think you itinerary sounds great - but you might see if the girls want to spend more time/another night? - seeing the sights in Vegas - as there are a lot of interesting things there too.

I'd skip the North Rim and the Train ride too. In Page consider doing either the all day boat tour to Rainbow Bridge National Monument or the 1/2 day float trip on the Colorado River.

Enjoy!

Utahtea

another vote for skipping the train. I haven't seen Rainbow Bridge but it is high on my list. You won't see anything like it anywhere else on your trip. Most see Antelope Canyon there too.

<b>I had also considered going from Sedona to Williams and ride the train into the GC</b>

The train would be very expensive for a family of five and since the tracks are in bad shape the train speed is limited, so you waste hours just riding up and back, with the same scenery you'd see in the car. Generally considered one of the two biggest tourist traps in Arizona.

Plus it gets you to the rim at the worst time for viewing (mid-day) and leaves before the best viewing time (sunset). Skip the train, for sure.

<b>My question is am I allowing enough time at Bryce?</b>

One day/night is enough, be sure to catch a sunrise/sunset and maybe do a hike. It's a very short drive to Zion, so unless you are doing something extracurricular like a long horse/mule ride one night is enough.

<b>Should I just skip the north rim to save on time?</b>

North rim is very different from south rim, I'd leave one night for it but not two.

<b>Is this a doable and enjoyable plan?</b>

Yep.

I am a big fan of Arches and Moab. However, it's a drive from Bryce / Zion.

There are some excellent sights not that far east of Bryce:
Grosvenor Arch and Willis Creek slot canyon just south of Cannonville.

Devil's Garden Escalante that I describe as a grown up Goblin Valley. I think the girls would enjoy climbing around the formations.

Lower Calf Creek Falls.

Is the long boat ride worth the trip to see Rainbow Bridge in Page?

I've done the all day boat tour to Rainbow Bridge twice and I've loved it because you really get to see the beautiful sandstone cliffs and mesa scenery on the lake. That said the two times we did the tour was when the lake was high and you didn't have a 1 1/4 mike hike to Rainbow Bridge. You could see it from the tour boat and it was just a short hike to get to the bridge. Because we didn't have to do the longer hike, the tour boats also did another side canyon.

http://www.lakepowell.com/tours/scenic-boat-tours.aspx

I love this area and I'd do it again even with the hike.

Utahtea

I have done this two times from Vegas. I spent one night in Vegas the first time and the second time we left the same day.
Either was fine if you haven't been to Vegas with the kids I suggest you stay at least one day inVegas pools are great.
You can drive to the Grand Canyon then do the grand circle drive to Bryce, Zion but Badlands or Arches would be a lot.
I woild skip the train it doesn't go through very nice scenery.
I also would do only one rim. Quite a haul.

Tossing in my two bits, certainly the Grand Canyon is spectacular but I'm not sure you need north rim in addition to south rim...as you have wondered. Thing is, once you've seen the various views you can move on...unless of course you do the trail ride down. Yes, I'd skip north rim and train ride. But certainly do consider The Arches/Bryce Canyon. And Sedona is something that might appeal to the teens. A trip to Prescott and the Tuzigoot Indiana ruins would be interesting.

Speaking of which I would definitely include the three kids in planning. What do they really want to see and do? And what will keep them amused in the drives? Many years ago our family of three did lots of camping and sightseeing and in those long ago days we played lots of road car games...
looking for license plates, etc. That didn't always prevent boredom and fussing! Hats off for planning a family-of-five trip which may well be remembered for little quirky things.

Bill in Boston

Make sure they wake up for a grand canyon sunrise. Insist on it. Seriously. They will complain. Ignore them and get their butts out of bed.

I was on the South Rim watching the sun come up.

I was at Bryce Point in Bryce Canyon watching the sun come up.

Certainly go to GC.

But I'll remember the sunrise at Bryce forever.

No comparison.

Thanks to everyone for the great advice....I am listening and taking notes!!

I'm still very ambivalent about giving up the North Rim. I have reservations there for the pioneer cabins on the rim, and I love the idea of being rustic and just enjoying the views and relaxing. If it was just me traveling, it would be no question. However, I'm thinking with the three girls it might be best to skip it and have more time in Las Vegas at the end, or perhaps do more in Page as there seems to be a lot there to do.

I'm so appreciative of all the suggestions. We live in Florida and have never visited the southwest, and this trip is a long-time anticipated one for me :)

And, yes, I will haul their butts out of bed for a sunrise view! I will pay dearly for it, but oh well...

I live in Florida as well though not native.

In 2007 I took "my trip" to the Southwest.

I've since been to Utah three times, Arizona once, Wyoming once, Banff once, California once (Yosemite NP) and expect to be in Montana (Glacier NP) this summer.

So much for "the trip"!!

Keep your North Rim. One day in Vegas is plenty for me. You can see a show, have dinner, see the strip, and shop.

Are you girls advenurous? Angels Landing and The Narrow are two of the very best hikes in any National Parks(they both make most top ten dayhike lists). Canyoneering with Zion Adv. Co. would be cool too.

Navajo Loop/Queen Garden in Bryce. Horse rides there get you down into the canyon too.

Be sure and have a meal at the lodges in Zion and Bryce. We really like the Whiptail Grill in Springdale(just outside of Zion)-especially the spaghetti squash enchilada. Don't let the outside of the place scare you. It's in an old gas station. You will want to have a lunch outside Zion Lodge under the big tree. Tons of people gather there for lunch or at least an ice cream snack.


Your going to get a good taste of the area. I can almost guarantee that you will be back for me. It's very addicting.
I would probably be tempted to ride mules at the North or South rim. If you don't ride down, do at least hike down a bit. Perhaps a helicopter fly over on the south rim.

Our photos from Bryce and Zion

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWOA
link to Arches/Bryce/other Utah from June 2011

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWOR
Zion October 2009

I love the pictures! Thanks so much for sharing. The girl in the pictures looks to be my daughters age. What was her favorite parts of your trips?

In the event you want to see more:

www.travelwalks.com

My daughter is 17 now. I think that Zion was in 08 not 09, so she would have been 13 or 14 there. Angels Landing, Delicate Arch, and Goblin Valley would be her favorites in Utah. She did like The Narrows, but she liked Angels Landing more. She is pretty adventurous though. We have gone canyoneering twice and she really loves that. She and my wife both refuse to ride horses for some reason(they have been on them a couple of times), to at Bryce I just did that by myself. For the last 6 years or so all of our trips have been almost exclusively national parks. Yellowstone is thier favorite and Yosemite is mine. The Utah parks are very very cool though. A visit the the GC is a must as well. It isn't my favorite, but we have rafted a portion of it and I plan on going back for two more visits. I want to hike rim to rim and I also want to hike down to Havasu waterfall part of it(tribal land located in the national park-Havasupi). We have been to GC 3 times, but I haven't been to the North Rim and it is high on my list-an added bonus when I do the rim to rim hike.

Myer:
Wow, I am so jealous of your travels!! I love your webpage and pictures. Thanks for sharing. I really appreciate how you've labeled each picture as to which trail is was taken...very helpful!

I would like to do the Angles Landing hike. How hard and dangerous is it really?

Yes, wow Meyer on your travel walk photos...outstanding memories of many trips in U. S. and Europe! I will enjoy revisiting these places seen over the years. Do you put on shows or what? But wait, where is Florida, your home!!! We're back from the Keys at Thanksgiving (see report)...much too brief.

As for this trip plan, I am again musing about the teens and what they might enjoy...without any answers of course. Their moods could be so varied, from sulking about even leaving home to loving to hike trails. Most of all this trip must revolve around them I do believe and that might include things like visiting the Hualapais (Peach Springs) en route to LV, maybe some red rock hiking plus the art in Sedona, exploring the old mining town of Jerome, walking in Zion Pk...or maybe (god forbid) hanging out in the Grand Canyon lodge or teen games in some Las Vegas resort! Warning: this is not just a sightseeing trip!
Bill in Boston

After researching more about Sedona, I'm thinking one night is not enough. So, I am contemplating nixing Las Vegas, and adding one more night in Sedona. It would make it somewhat less expensive in that I can fly in and out of Flagstaff, and rent/return the car in the same location.

Revised itinerary:
Fly into Flagstaff
Sedona 2 nights
South rim 2 nights
North rim 2 nights
Bryce 1 night
Zion 1 night
Page 2 nights
Fly out of Flagstaff

Thoughts? Is it possible to stay two nights in Bryce and see the highlights of Zion in one day? I know that's not ideal, but I don't like the idea of being in any place only one night. If I were to add one more night, should it be Bryce or Zion? I'm thinking Bryce, but not sure.

Another reason I'm considering forgoing Vegas is I have found a resort in Sedona called The Enchantment. It looks awesome!!! But very expensive, so I've got to cut back on the trip elsewhere in order to do that. Anyone have knowledge of the Enchantment?

Thanks again!!

<b>I can fly in and out of Flagstaff</b>

I think I'd fly in/out of Phoenix instead of Flagstaff, assuming your Flag flight actually goes to PHX first, then to Flag. It's about 2 easy hours of driving from PHX to Sedona so by the time you wait for the connection and then fly to Flag it's actually faster and, I'm guessing, less expensive. This flight is also on a small regional carrier with limited carry-on luggage options so you'll likely have to gate-check some bags.

Of course on the return trip if you fly from Flagstaff you'll be starting home about 2 1/4 hours earlier than if driving to PHX, but then you'll probably lose most of that with the transfer time at PHX coming back.

Only possible snag is that the rental car/van might be more expensive at PHX (high airport car rental taxes to fund a football stadium, sorry).

Enchantment Resort in Sedona is really nice.

Personally, I think you aren't allowing enough time at Bryce and Zion.

The hike to Angels Landing is fairly strenuous. That said anyone in moderate shape can do it. It's not a super long trail, so that is a plus. I personally don't see all the issues with it being unsafe. There is a long section of it that you are very exposed on both sides. There is a chain to hang on to. Yes, you could fall, and people have. Again, I think it would be very unlikely. I have hiked many other trails that in spots were just as unsafe. None are like this one though because of the exposure on both sides at such close range. I think you are more likely to die in a car wreck in the park than on the trail.
Nixing Vegas sounds good to me.

If at all possible add a night to Bryce and Zion each. If you can just pick one of them, then it depends on the hikes you want to do. For me, I like Angels Landing and The Narrows in Zion. At Bryce I like Navajo Loop/Queens Garden and riding the horses at Peekaboo Loop. You could do all of that in Bryce in a day. Zion you would need 2 days. Plus Zion offers several other very nice hikes too.

Another thought on Angels Landing. My daughter was 13 or 14 at the time. My wife stopped at the extreme dropoff section at Scout Lookout. A lot of people stop there and just wait an hour or so while the rest of their party completes the hike.
My daughter is very athletic-placed 4th place in 100 yard dash that year as a 9th grader in the state. However, she has severe scolicis(has since had surgery and is fine-we still hike all the time). So, my point is-- that if she can do it under those circumstances-then I think about anyone should be ok. Just take your time if you need to and have plenty of water. Sit down at the top fot a long time and enjoy it. Bring a snack or something to eat.

Glad you aren't giving up the N. Rim for Las Vegas!

You might consider giving up one of your nights at the N. Rim, then one night at Bryce, spend most of the next day there before driving the 86 miles to Zion and spending two nights in Zion.

Utahtea

workingthebucket, ozarksbill,

Thank you for your comments. No, I don't put on shows. Photography is a hobby and I built the web site out of interest to figure out how to do it. Also, we direct friends to the site to see the photos of our trips.

As you can see the national parks have only started to appear in the past 4-5 years. That's too bad because as I get older I develop more and more issues.

About Angel's Landing. I was there with my daughter in Sept 2010. We went as far a Scouts Lookout though she wanted to continue herself (she didn't).

Up to Scouts Lookout it's actually very easy as the trail is fairly gentle, wide and smooth (mostly paved and sprinkled with sand).

The only issue is that there is some elevation so if you're not used to it just stop and rest often and drink water.

That part is not dengerous at all. No sharp dropoffs or anything like that.

I'm glad you're not giving up the North Rim too.

ozarksbill,
Funny you ask about Florida.

We've been living here since 1993.

We've never been south to the Keys although my wife mentioned it a week or so ago.

We've been to Captiva a couple of times when my daughter and her husband rented a house for a week.

I guess we'll have to try a few places. But the state is just so long!!!

I would second the idea of flying into Phoenix and driving. You'll get to see the saguaro cactus along the way which will make you feel like you are in the west for sure. Though it would be a lot shorter to end in Flagstaff than drive from Page to Phx

1 night at Zion is not enough. I would do 1 night at the North Rim and 2 at Zion.

Bryce is a small park and easily seen in a day (or an afternoon, an overnight and early morning).

Since you will have already seen the south rim, 1 night at the North Rim will be plenty. Be sure though to take the time to drive over to Cape Royal and see the view from there. It is worth it.

Make sure you sleep in Bryce to see a spectacular sunrise at Bryce Point.

I would probably add a night to Zion.

I should qualify hard/easy and easy/strenuous.

Angel's Landing hike to Scouts Lookout is not dangerous. It's an easy hike as far as difficulty is concerned.

However, it's all uphill and you are in some altitude. So, it's somewhat strenuous. Since it's not that high it creeps up on you.

Start early, stop as often as you feel like (the trail is wide so nobody will be held up behind you), drink lot's of water, wear a wide-brimmed hat and use lot's of sunscreen.

I really do appreciate all the comments...I'm listening! This is a lot to figure out!! It's a good problem though. The flights have been booked, so we're progressing! The best flight deal was for us to fly into and out of Las Vegas. Trip duration is 9 nights.
Our plane lands at 11:18am, so the plan is to head straight to the Hoover Dam. How long will it take us to get there? I've read varying reports. Should I do the extended tour?

From Hoover Dam, drive to Sedona for 2 nights. I've booked the Sedona Real Inn and Suites and Pink Jeep for the Broken Arrow Trail tour. I've also booked the M Diamond Ranch for the horseback ride and cowboy cookout. I'm not sure about that?? It can be canceled. Thoughts/experiences? I'm still trying to decided on hikes, as we will probably only get to do one.

From Sedona, we'll head to south rim for two nights. Booked at the Yavapai Lodge. Not sure what we're doing there...will have to work on that later.

From SR to Page....I'm thinking is the next stop. Want to book 1/2 day flatwater float and see the Anteloupe Canyon.

My big question now is how to do bryce/zion and possible north rim without having to move around so much. I've found a place called the Zion Mountain Ranch which states you can reach all three spots from there. True? Difficult? I still have my reservations on North Rim, so not sure what to do.

Appreciate so much any advice!