My husband and I are going to visit the Southwest Sept 11 to Sept 21. Will be around 10 days. We will fly in & out of Las Vegas. I am considering whether to rent a car or an RV. I would like to hear from anyone who has rented an RV too.
We would take only very easy hikes.
And would enjoy a mild half day rafting experience. What will the weather be like?

Can I see all of the following places and how long should I stay in each.

Utah-Zion,Vermilian Cliffs, Bryce, Arches NP.

Colorado-4 corners, Mesa Verde,Black Gunnison, Royal Gorge, Garden of the Gods
(Can leave out Royal Gorge & Gar. of Gods if necessary)

Arizona-Canyon De Chelly, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon North and South Rim.

Nevada-Las Vegas and Hoover Dam.

I would appreciate all comments.

10 days to do and see all that? I think it's possible, if you want to primarily drive through places. I'd leave out one of those states for another trip. But have fun, those are all wonderful places.

Zion and Bryce have all kind of hikes, from very easy to difficult.

Sorry that's all I can say.

I agree - too much in too few days.

Holy smokes...you have a 3 week list for a 10 day period! You're looking at about 2000 miles and that doesn't counting Garden of the Gods and Royal Gorge! You can forget those areas...you just can't squeeze them in!

We rented a motor home for Cruise America in Las Vegas about 13 years ago and we were very happy with them.

Driving a motor home is a little slower going than a car. We've had a motor home for the last 13 years now, so we should know.

If you really want to do all these parks in 10 days it's going to look a little like this.

Sept. 11: Drive 160 miles (3 hours) to Zion ride shuttle bus into scenic canyon & a few short hikes, spend night in Zion.

Sept. 12: Drive 86 miles (2 hours) to Bryce. Do scenic drive and maybe a hike. Spend night at Bryce

Sept. 13: Leave first thing in the morning, drive scenic Hwy 12 to Torrey. Do fast drive into Capitol Reef National Park, then take Hwy 24 to I-70 and then 191 down to Moab for night. 275 miles plan on all day.

Sept 14: Arches National Park & Canyonlands National Park, Island in the sky district, spend 2nd night in Moab.

Sept. 15: Drive scenic Hwy 128 to I-70 then on to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Nice campground here. Spend night. 190 miles (4 1/2 hours)

Sept. 16 See overlooks at Black Canyon if you didn't get time the day before. At Montrose take the Million Dollar Highway (Hwy 550) south to Durango. This is one scenic highway! Then take Hwy 160 to Mesa Verde. Morefield Campground in park is really nice. Spend night at Mesa Verde. Take scenic drive and scenic overlooks.

Sept. 17 Get to the visitor center early and sign up for one of the ranger guided hikes. You won't be able to drive the RV on the Wetherill Road so you will be limited to the Cliff Palace and the Balcony House ranger lead tours. After tour drive the 170 miles to Canyon de Chelly. You can stop at the 4 corners on the way. Spend night at Canyon de Chelly. Nice campground in park and there is no fee for camping!

Sept. 18: Drive the south rim of Canyon de Chelly and then drive to Petified Forest and on to Grand Canyon. Make sure you have reservations if you are camping! 335 miles and plan on it taking all day.

Sept. 19: See the Grand Canyon & stop at overlooks as you and exit the park & head for Page, AZ. You will see the Vermillion Cliffs area as you travel towards Page. 137 miles.

Sept. 20: Do the morning float trip on the Colorado River out of Page which will get you back to Page about 1 PM. Then you will have to drive the 275 miles (5 1/2 hours) back to Las Vegas.

Sept. 21: Check in RV and fly home.

I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

As you can see, you ran out of time for the N. Rim. You don't need to do both the North & South Rim. I recommend the S. Rim of the Grand Canyon for first time visitors.

I would really consider skipping the Colorado section of this trip with the short amount of time you have and enjoy the time in the other areas and add Monument Valley

Utahtea

Yikes! That's a frantic pace! Definitely leave Colorado for another time.

You convinced me. Colorado would be too much. Also we will be renting a car instead of an RV I think. Should I skip Mesa Verde and 4 corners and include them into my next vacation to Colorado? Should I skip Canyon de Chille and Painted Forest? That might save some time. What would you suggest my iteneray be with this change? Best motels near destinations? Thanks for the help!

OK, we can slow down the pace quite a bit!

Sept. 11 Fly into Las Vegas. (if you can drive to the Grand Canyon on this day, then you can add a night at either Canyon de Chelly or Bryce)

Sept. 12 Drive to S. Rim Grand Canyon

Sept. 13 Grand Canyon - hike along rim, ride free shuttle buses to Hermit's Rest.

Sept.14 Drive to Canyon de Chelly, Stopping at scenic overlooks before exiting the Grand Canyon. Take hwy 89 north to Hwy 160. At Tuba City take Hwy 264 to Hwy 191. The Hubble Trading Post National Historic Site is just a little out of your way south on 191. Explore the south rim of Canyon de Chelly and N. Rim if you have the time.

Sept. 15 You might be able to squeeze in the morning 1/2 day guided tour of Canyon de Chelly canyon before heading to Monument Valley. See Monument Valley & spend night.

Sept. 16 Drive to Page, AZ take the 1 1/2 hour Upper Antelope Slot Canyon (land) Tour.

Sept. 17 Do the 1/2 day Colorado River Float trip. Do the 3/4 mile Horseshoe Bend hike and see where you had just been floating.

Sept. 18 Drive to Bryce Canyon - do the scenic drive - walk along the rim
Sept. 19 Do a short hike before leaving for Zion. Queen's garden is nice.

Sept. 20 Do the 2 mile easy Riverside Walk, Weeping Rock and maybe even the Lower Emerald Pool hikes.

Sept. 21 It's a 3 hour drive from Zion to Las Vegas - Fly home.

Utahtea

This is still a killer. Checking in and out of motels almost every night for 10 days is like if it is Tuesday, this must be Belgium.

I would add Utahtea's extra night to Canyon de Chelly and take the tour, wash your underwear, send post cards and just lay around.

Weather at that time is great.

I am following Utahea's last recommendations with a few changes. And I have a few more questions. We decided not to try the RV rental this time.

Sept 11 Fly into Las Vegas around noon and spend the night at Harrah's. Probably drive out to Hoover Dam maybe do the tour in the afternoon?? Check out casino's that night. Never been to Vegas before. I will not do much gambling. What are the casino's I want to look at?

Sept 12 & 13 Leave 8 am head for Grand Canyon South Rim (Red Feather Lodge both nights). Must see and do in 2 days.

Sept 14 Leave am for Canyon de Chelly and stay at Holiday Inn. Can I make reservations for the tours? Will I be able to book the same day? What can you see with the self drive, walks, etc.?

Sept 15 Leave am for Monument Valley. What roads should I take from Canyon de Chelly? Will we take self guided drives and walks or do I need reservations ahead of time? Spending night at Hampton Inn. I think this is where Gouldings was recommended but they had no rooms. What are the must sees in this area?

Sept 16 & 17 Page area. Roads from Monument Valley? Staying at Lake Powell Days Inn. This is Saturday and Sunday. I want to take the half day raft trip and see Antelope Slot Canyon. Do I need to make reserv. for raft trip? Has anyone taken a regular boat tour? If so what do you get to see with each? What else to see in this area? Glenn Canyon?

Sept. 17 Head for Bryce Canyon. Which roads from Page to Bryce? Staying at Bryce Canyon Resort. What are the must see/must do's? I believe we will be able to drive around in this park and won't be able to when we get to Bryce. Do I need to make reservations ahead of time and the the horseback tour? Is the horseback tour worth it?

Sept 19 & 20 What roads should I take from Bryce to Zion? We were not able to get a room in the park. We will be staying at the Rodeway Inn. Has anyone stayed there? I understand that we will not be able to drive in Zion. By staying outside the park can we find plenty to do? Is there any tours other than the shuttle?

Sept 21 go back to Las Vegas by the afternoon and spend the night at the Flamingo. Look at casinos and visit Freemont street.

Sept 22 Leave by plane at 4 pm.


We can alter our activities by not leaving one area until after lunch to drive to the next. We have never been to this area before so I appreciate any advice. We went to Yellowstone a few years ago and loved that trip so I am sure we will have a great time again. One other thing I want to do is get as close to the ruins and cliff dwellings as possible. I am not in great shape to take long hikes so what jeep tours, horse, boat, short hikes to get to see the best dwellings?