wdl

We're planning a trip to the Grand Canyon in December. I need help with our itinerary! We'll fly into Vegas on 12/23 & spend that night in Vegas. We have reservations at the GC for the 12/24 and 12/25. We also have reservations at Zion for 12/28 & 12/29. We'll drive back to Vegas the 30th and fly home the 31st.
First question - if we get started early the 24th, should we drive through Sedona & Oak Creek Canyon on the way to GC, or will that mean too much driving?
We also need suggestions for the time between GC and Zion. We'll have 2 nights (12/26 & 12/27). Does 2 nights at Bryce make any sense in Dec? One night in Page and one in Bryce? Is Antelope Canyon hike realistic in December? What else is there to do in the Page area in December? Any other suggestions for the 3 days/2nights between GC and Zion?

The travel group will be 2 adults in 50's, and two kids in 20's. Family in 30's will join us for GC portion of trip. We enjoy day hikes but do not plan any overnight hikes. Thanks.

npurpleh2

Have you considered spending the 2 nights between GC & Zion in Sedona? I think it would be a lot of driving to go there between Las Vegas and the GC and it really isn't "on your way". You would go out of your way south to get there and would then have to drive back north to Flagstaff to continue north to the GC. However, I really enjoy Sedona and recommend you check it out and spend some time there if you can fit it in.

emd

Have you looked into flying in and out of Phoenix instead of VEgas for this trip?

wdl

npurpleh2 - Thanks for suggesting spending 2 nights in Sedona (and skipping Bryce??). I need to check driving times - I don't have a good sense of the distances in the Southwest.

I had originally tried to fit in one night in Monument Valley after we leave the GC, then a night near Bryce, but it looked like that would mean many long days of driving.

emd - flying to Phoenix is a great suggestion - we'll definitely look at that "next time." We already have tickets to Vegas from east and west coasts for this trip. Changing now would be prohibitive.

Dayle

Hi W,

I don't think you can even begin to compare Sedona to the southern UT Natl Parks. They are two completely different types of vacations.

Sedona is pretty, but heavily developed and "resorty". I went there about 15 years ago and even then was completely disillusioned because of all the development. Can't imagine what it's like now.

The Natl Parks are unique and basically unspoiled. Thank God we have them!

I think it depends on the type of vacation you want. Bryce in the winter is beautiful with the snow on the hoodoos, but 1 day and night there in the winter would probably be enough, since hiking in the canyon will not be recommended due to icy trials. There is beautiful x country skiing if you like that!

Winter is Zion can be cold, but usually no snow in the canyon. It is the least beautiful season however. Spring, summer and fall are gorgeous! One of the best things about Zion is the incredible contrast between the sheer red canyon walls and blue sky and the green oasis of the canyon floor.

I would try to do this trip with your family at another time of year truthfully.

wdl

Dale,
Thanks for your input! Doing this trip another time of year would be great. Unfortunately, we're not sure we'll get another chance - at least not as a family group. So we'll put on the ski clothes and hiking boots - and hope we all enjoy our week. We're very excited about visiting the NP's!
W.
I gather from other posts that, assuming ice on the trails, one night at Bryce is probably enough. Any suggestions about a good place to visit between the GC and Bryce? Are places like Antelope Canyon hikeable in December? Or other places near Page? Or Grand Staircase/Escalante? or???
Input is appreciated! This is our first visit to the SW.

mlgb

I would go back to your original thought of Monument Valley if you now have an extra night. I loved it!

Dayle

Hi W,

It sounds like you have the right gear to enjoy a winter trip, so I think you will have a good time! It's certainly uncrowded in winter - a big plus.

I was going to recommend Capitol Reef or the Escalante area. If the weather and road is OK , you could drive from Bryce over hwy 12 to Torrey, but it does go over Boulder Mtn at high elevation with possible snow so going that route will depend on road conditions.

wdl

Hi Dayle,
thanks for pointing out Boulder Mtn!! Sounds like Escalante can be added IF the weather cooperates - but we should have another plan.
Monument Valley sounds interesting. My concern is that we'll spend so much driving that we won't have time to explore. GC to Gouldings - 200 miles - 4-5 hours?? The next day we would have 300 mi - 6hr?? drive from Gouldings to Bryce. We could spend most of the 3rd day exploring Bryce before driving the 160 mi (2.5-3 hours?) to Zion.

If there are some good places to explore near Page, we might avoid 2 back to back days with long drives. We don't mind driving - but I don't want to feel like we don't have time to stop to explore places because we have to get to the next stop.
Suggestions anyone?? thanks

Dayle

I don't spend time in Page, so can't help with that part.

Remember, though, even if it's winter, we still have a very dry climate. Be sure to take lots of drinking water when hiking. And I mean LOTS.

wdl

Thanks for the warning! will make sure we fill up those water bottles.

If anyone has info about whether Antelope Canyon is accessible in late dec, we would appreciate some info.
W

mlgb

Would it work better to go from Monument Valley to Zion and then Bryce? It takes about 4 hours to see MV (pretty much by vehicle). If you time it right it is worthwhile going around sunset or sunrise.

tracys2cents

Do you have a reservation in Vegas for Dec 30? Because New Years weekend is usually a 3 night minimum with sky high prices. If you haven't booked, you need to do it, like, YESTERDAY!

travlsolo2

I second the suggestion to take the time to go to Capitol Reef. We found it to be an awesome place, and most people have a) never heard of it, or b) just haven't taken the time to go there. We loved it!

FlyingMaltese

I recently went to all of the places that you mentioned, including Page.

Here was our trip:
Day 1: Arrive Phoenix. Drive to Grand Canyon via Oak Creek Canyon (4 hrs). 2 nights GC South Rim
Day 2: Explore GC, especially western lookouts of South Rim.
Day 3: Depart for Zion. Explore eastern points on South Rim. Time for exploring and driving-6-7 hrs
Day 4: Explore Zion
Day 5: Depart for Bryce via Mt. Carmel Highway. Spend 2 nights in Bryce.
Day 6: Explore and Hike Bryce
Day 7: Depart for Page (3 hours) for overnight to go to Antelope Canyon and maybe hike Horseshoe Bend.
Day 8: To Monument Valley for 2 nights.

First of all, Lake Powell in Page was a huge disappointment. The lake levels are low, and you can see the power plant from everywhere. You really do not hike to Antelope Canyon. If you go to lower Antelope Canyon, you only walk a few feet and climb down a ladder.

You do not have to do the long dreary walk to Upper Antelope Canyon. There are Navajo companies that will drive you to the entrance. Also, it is a very short walk inside. If you plan to take pictures, take a very good camera with a tripod because of the low light. I did take the photographer's tour with this company: www.antelopecanyon.com

Also, keep in mind that if it rains, there could be flash floods inside the canyon. December is not the rainy season, so there is little chance of this.

There is only one other possible hike in Page, and that is to Horseshoe Bend. I had planned to see that, but it had rained and so I did not want to hike in the mud.

Have you considered driving to Monument Valley from GC. It is about a 4 hour drive.

Zion Park is about a 5 hour drive Monument Valley. Or you can break that up by staying one night in Page to see Antelope Canyon in the morning.


Monument Valley is a 3 hour drive from Page. Page is a 2 hour drive to Zion Canyon.

Normally, I would suggest at least 2 nights each of Bryce and Zion. But, since it will be icy, you will probably not hike. There will probably be snow at Bryce because of its upper elevation.

Las Vegas to GC 5 hours
Grand Canyon 2 nights 12/24-12/25
12/26 drive to Monument Valley 4 hrs + 2-4 hours sightseeing
Monument Valley 1 night 12/26
12/27 take tour of MV; drive to Page 3 hrs
Page 12/27 1 night
See Antelope Canyon in morning; Drive to Zion via Mt. Carmel Highway
Zion 12/28 - 12/29
Spend one day at Zion; one day at Bryce. Bryce is about a two hour drive from Zion.
Drive to Vegas. 3 hours

wdl

Thanks for all the great ideas! How does this sound?
Day 1 - Vegas to Grand Canyon. Stay at GC
Day 2 - GC hikes. Christmas dinner - any suggestions for places to eat?? Stay over at GC.
day 3 - GC to Monument Valley - tour in afternoon? Stay over in MV
Day 4 - MV to Bryce. Stop at Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend on way. Overnight near Bryce.
Day 5 - See Bryce in AM. Mid afternoon drive to Zion. overnight Zion
Day 6 - Zion hikes. Overnight Zion
Day 7 - Zion in AM. PM drive to Vegas. Overnight in Vegas. We have reservations at an "moderate" motel.
Day 8 - early flights to east & west coasts.

Does this sound good?? If day 4 sounds way too long, we could head to Zion and go to Bryce at the end. but that means allowing for longer travel time on Day 7 to get back to Vegas.

I really apprectiate everyone's help! This is my first trip to the area - I can't wait!

FlyingMaltese

This plan sounds very doable.

Have a great time! This was one of the best trips of my life.