Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce in 7-9 days
 

Hello - I am planning a trip out west in September, specifically between the dates of September 19-28, not necessarily the whole 10 days. I plan to fly in and out of Las Vegas and spend 2 days there on the front or back end of the trip. I havent booked air yet, Also want to see Hoover Dam. Due to last minute planning, the only in park reservations I could get were the 24th and 25th in South Rim Grand Canyon, and one night in Zion, either the 23rd or the 26th. I have not yet tried Bryce. I would love some advice on how to do this trip - which direction, how many nights if any needed, etc. We are a family of 4 with two kids ages 11 and 13. Thanks so much for any feedback.

Jill

If you keep calling the parks for reservations, you will find that places open up due to cancellations. In the mean time make reservations you can cancel in Springdale for Zion, look at Ruby's for Bryce, if you want more days at GC then look in Cameron for Cameron Trading post or in Tusayan.

Places do free up in the parks the closer to the time you will go and sometimes don't show up on the net, so use the phone and talk to a human.

My only hesitation here is that you are in for a LOT of extra driving by visiting the South Rim instead of the North Rim, which is significantly closer to both Zion and Bryce and, arguably, more beautiful than the South Rim. If you can find some lodging near the North Rim, I'd highly recommend switching your plans. That part of the park should still be open in late September (it usually closes by Mid-October).

Aside from the driving, this plan is quite doable.

If this is your first (and maybe only) visit to Grand Canyon then the south rim is the way to go. The north rim doesn't give you the full vista since it is on a side canyon. More crowds at the South Rim but more overlooks as well. You get a better sense of the scope of the canyon from the south rim. That said, I love the North Rim as well...it is just different.

The drive from south Rim GC to Bryce is about 5 to 6 hours. It is a full day of driving for sure but, by going to Bryce after Grand Canyon, you've done all the big drives early in the trip.

After a couple of nights at Bryce, head back to Springdale (Zion) for the last couple of nights. From Springdale, it is only about 2.5 hours back to Vegas and you gain an hour of "clock time" due to a time zone change.

At Grand Canyon you almost have to lodge in the park.

At Bryce it is nice to be in park so you can easily enjoy sunrise and sunset but Ruby's (Rubyville) is very close to the park.

For Zion we actually prefer staying in Springdale and there are lots of lodging options. You have to take the shuttles into the park anyway. If you stay at Zion Lodge, you are allowed to drive as far as the lodge but still must use the shuttles from there. Springdale is right in Zion Canyon and the shuttles run through town so it is easy peasy in and out of the park...scenic town...love Springdale.

I was about to post my comments, but then I read peterboy's, and he said exactly what I would have (and probably more eloquently). Go to the South Rim, follow the rest of his advice above, and have a wonderful trip!