hbell

Any help is appreciated. I have never been out west. Here is what I am looking at.
Fly to Vegas then drive to Hoover Dam. Next Sedona... 2 days. Then either Painted Dessert/Petrified Forest or Grand Canyon. I want to do both just not sure which to do first. Then head toward Zion, (Do I need to stop in Page) Then Bryce, and back to Vegas. I would like info on the route first. Then I would appreciate accommodations help. I have around 10 days to spend. Maybe a few more if needed.
If anyone can give me advice on how to see all of the areas and what route to take, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

J62

No, you don't need to stop in Page.
I would put Bryce before Zion on this route so you don't backtrack.

Accommodations
GC south rim - stay in park. Any of the hotels will do.
Zion - you can stay in park or just oustide the park in Springdale UT. You will get mixed input on that here on fodors. Personally I prefer staying in Springdale.

I would skip Painted Desert/Petrified Forest, and devote more time to the parks GC, Bryce, Zion - but that's my own preference as I love to hike, so the more time I can be out exploring the better.

ymmv.

hbell

Thank you so much. Is there anything else in between I need to see? What about the pink jeep tour?

J62

I'm not the right one to ask about pink jeep tours. I eschew motors, and prefer human powered transport to explore open spaces.

emalloy

When are you planning to go on this trip? If it is in the summer the advice might be different than winter, spring or fall. If it is this summer, you need to be looking for lodging asa;.

A few years ago a fodorite posted a link to this map with distance and times:

http://ohiohickstraveltips.weebly.co...-utah-map.html

I've found it helpful for planning trips.

If you want to see Antelope Canyon you will need to stop in Page. To see pictures of it you can go to my Flickr page at

www.flickr.com/photos/emalloy2009

click on the album prompt then 2008 trip

hbell

Sorry I forgot to put when. This trip is for early Oct 2016
what do yall think about Wupatki and sunset crater instead of Petrified forest/painted desert?

MikePinTucson

Last question first. Yes, I would skip PF/PD in favor of Wupatki/Sunset. In fact, you will see some of the Painted Desert on the drive up 89.

Pink Jeep Tours are well worthwhile, with the favorite, by far, being the Broken Arrow tour. The guides provide a lot of information on the geology of the area, as well as on the flora and fauna.

tomfuller

Since you are coming back to LV, head straight to Hoover Dam and see it before checking into the Hoover Dam Lodge.
There are helicopter tours from the hill next to the parking lot if you want a full view of the dam from the air.
When I went to Valley of Fire, I did see a Pink Jeep tour there. See the petroglyphs at Valley of Fire

budgettravelwithkids

Just south of grand canyon is a national monument called Walnut Canyon. It has a short hike into the remains of Native American limestone cliff dwellings. Pretty neat, in my opinion.

Bryce has a cool hike into the hoodoos in the amphitheatre area. Really neat hike if you can do it and weather is cooperative. Amazing star gazing too, if you can fit it in.

If you dont already have it, annual national parks pass for $80 will take care of entrance fees of all National parks, monuments, rec lands in USA for a year. Feel free to visit my blog http://budgettravelwithkids.com for more cost saving ideas.

GemmaRose

Are you interested in hotels or camping? Bryce and Zion both have nice campsites inside the park that don't require hiking to get to like GC. Just keep in mind that although it is a desert, Bryce is actually at a fairly high altitude and can be pretty chilly at night.

Are you a hiker? If so you will want to spend at least 2 nights in Bryce and Zion. Otherwise, you could probably see the car accessible sites in a day for each.

hbell

Thank you all for the information. We are interested in hotels. All this information is so helpful. Keep it coming!

J62

My hotel rec's

Zion: Cable Mtn lodge in springdale, UT.
Bryce - in park, at Bryce Lodge
GC - in park, at any one of the S. Rim hotels run by xanterra (5) or delaware north (1).