I am in the middle of planning our Grand Canyon trip and I am looking for some advice\help. I am staying in GC South Rim for 2 days and planning to drive to Bryce canyon from there. I am looking for some sight seeing on my way to Bryce - Planning to leave GC in the morning and reach Bryce end of the day or maybe even spend the night on the way and reach bryce next day morning (we are not hikers adn travelling with our 3 year old!). It would be also great if someone can suggest some lodgings just outside of Bryce and zion (will be visiting zion after bryce). Thanks a lot and not to mention this forum is helping me a lot on my trip planning

Page is en route between the GC East Entrance and Bryce.

There are several sights of interest just outside of Page.

Going North on 89 and about a half mile south of Rt 98 on the west (left) side. Horseshoe Bend. It's free but you've got to walk about 3/4 mile on pretty level hot sand.

At the end there's no fence, screen or barrier. Just straight down and you see the Colorado River make a 270 degree turn as if around a plate. Worth every minute of the walk.

About 2 miles East on Rt 98 (off Rt 89) is Antelope Canyon. It's about 26 per person and they drive you there in a truck. About a fifteen minute drive. The walk in the canyon is pretty short and level. Be there when the sun is high in the sky. The colors bouncing off the walls is spectacular.

About a mile north of Rt 98, and on the way towards Bryce, on the left hand side (the sign says scenic road) is "the best dam view". Free and about a 5 minute walk down some rock stairs to a viewpoint directly facing the Glenn Canyon Dam.

Make sure you hike down into the GC for about an hour. Otherwise the GC merely looks like a giant bowl and the Colorado River looks like a stream.

Click on my name for my detailed report and/or you can see my photos at:

www.travelwalks.com

If you

As you exit the Grand Canyon plan on stopping at several of the over looks on your way to Desert View.

I'd skip the horseshoe bend overlook hike with a 3 year old! At the end it's a long drop off to the river and no signs or guard rails at all!

Lake Powell is beautiful and as Myer mentioned on your way to Bryce. There are sandy beaches to get down to the lake. Antelope Slots Canyon would be an option, but with a 3 year old, I think I'd op for a tour that drove suburbans to the canyon instead of the open back of a truck. You can find many tours in Page that have closed vehicles to drive you in.

I've never stayed, but Ruby's Inn is just outside the entrance to Bryce. My grown children stayed there and their room was nice. There is an indoor pool.

With a 3 year old, I'd say that Zion will be the most relaxing park because you are in the canyon looking up instead of worring about your 3 year old falling.

Utahtea

P.S. Take a stroller. There are plenty of rim trails at both Grand Canyon and Bryce where you can stroll along the rim. Also there are several walks/hikes you can take the stroller on in Zion. Riverside Walk, Lower Emerald pool and Pa’rus Trail.

Utahtea

When I wrote my suggestions for Page I was a bit conflicted regarding the 3 year old.

Utahtea is probably correct regarding the visit to Antelope Canyon.

I'm still conflicted about Horseshoebend. The 3 year old is obviously the issue. Being there I'd hate to miss it. But....

Maybe one goes (15 minutes each way) and the other waits/plays near the parking area. Ideas?

Horseshoe Bend with a 3 year old shouldn't be a problem. It's a very easy walk from the car, and although there is a drop off, you will be standing on a flat, very accessible area with lots of other families. Just keep your child close at hand and you will be fine.

thanks a lot everyone! Now I have a better picture

Hi Utahtea,
I did not understand properly - "I think I'd op for a tour that drove suburbans to the canyon instead of the open back of a truck" the pictures of antelope canyon are very tempting
does this mean that there are other ways to see this canyon?

You cannot go to the Canyon by yourself. It's on Navajo land and they have a monopoly.

The "guides" in most cases are truck drivers, etc.

I went to the parking lot, paid my $26. and waited for the next open (covered) truck to leave. I brought a plastice bag to protect my camera from dust during the drive.

The guide actually was helpful in that he pointed out spots with the best light.

Regardless which arrangements you use to get to the Canyon, it's about a 15 minute drive from either the parking lot or whichever tour office you use.

= = = =
Back to Horseshoe Bend. It's a sandy 3/4 mile walk each way.

When I was there it was pretty warm though not unbearable. The walk is fairly level and shouldn't be too bad for a 3 year old. You definitely can't use a stroller. So, it'll be walk and/or carry or some combination of both.

Just be careful at the end since there's no fence or barrier. Straight down.

Just a spectacular view. I was afraid to walk to the edge so I got down on my stomach about 5 feet from the end and crawled.

I have photos of "the best dam view", Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon on my web site. I wrote the address a couple of posts back on this thread.

If I had to make any changes to my trip, I would have hiked down GC for 1 hour and then back up. My original plan was to bypass but I split a long drive (Bryce to Sedona) by sleeping over in GC. From above I wasn't impressed. My fault.

Another lodging option for Bryce Canyon is the Bryce View Lodge. We spent two nights there and were pleased with our room and the location. It's across the street from Ruby's Inn, and BVL guests can use all the facilities at Ruby's Inn - indoor pool, etc.

Lee Ann