ceezee

Actually, we're going counter-clockwise. So we'll be coming from Moab (where we're staying for 3 nights). We'd like to visit Capitol Reef for 2 nights and then we're on to Bryce (where we're staying for 2 nights). So I think you're right – Boulder is too far away. Also, Escalante is too far away as well.

I'm going to start searching around Torrey again. I was hoping for something special – great views, great breakfasts, wonderful hosts, etc...

I did see Skyridge mentioned somewhere ...

Thanks again for all your help!

jiminpa

We did a horseback ride into Bryce and they also liked to walk right on the edge of the cliff trails.I still have blisters on me bum and my trip was in 2000. Keep your days at Zion and Bryce the way they are. I agree shorten your time in grand canyon. enjoy

gwburk

I mentioned in an earlier post that we stayed a week in Torrey last year. The three motels that stood out were Austin's Chuckwagon, Best Western (closest to the park) and the Wonderland which we stayed at. All are within 5-10 minutes from the visitor center. The food around there is subpar except for the Diablo Cafe and a takeout burger/shake joint called Brink's and the Rimrock (nice views and ambiance). The drive to Boulder takes 90 min. and is quite beautiful and winding. Escalante is 2 hours away and you will pass thru there on the way to Bryce anyway. You should take the Burr Trail in Boulder heading east thru Long Canyon which has beautiful orange Kayenta sandstone. Just take the paved road out and turn around and come back the same way. Further on Hwy. 12 towards Escalante is Calf Creek Falls which is a half day minimum round trip time investment, but the waterfall is stunning.

popnshop

My husband & I have planned a similar trip for May based on your (revised) itinerary. We fly to & from LV.

Day 1 & 2: Grand Canyon - Thunderbird
Day 2 & 3: Lake Powell - LP Resort
Day 4: Monument Valley - Desert Rose
Day 5, 6, & 7: Moab - BW Canyonlands (could not get in at Dreamkeeper Inn)
Day 8 & 9: Torrey - Lodge at Red River Ranch
Day 10 & 11: Bryce - BW Ruby's Inn (Could not get in the Bryce Lodge)
Day 12 & 13: Zion - Flanigan's Inn

Please let me know how you enjoyed your trip, good restaurants, accomodations (yours/ours/different ones), & any other hints you would care to share.

Thanks!

mamame0w

We too are going to Utah in Sept 2007.
Our plan so far is:
fly into Vegas - drive to Bryce -
2 nites at Bryce Canyon Lodge
drive to Torrey - 1 nite at Skyridge
drive to Escalante - 1 nite at Slot Canyon Inn
drive to Zion - 2 nites at Desert Pearl
drive to Page - 2 nites at Marriot
drive back to Vegas for 2 nites
We like scenic drives with lots of photo taking & easy - moderate hikes.
Also really good food and restaurants with "character". We'd like to see the parks mentioned with stops at Capital Reef - Goblin ?? - Kodachrome - Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Any suggestions to change or improve our plans to make better use of our "not long enough" time frame ?
Thanks.

ceezee

Well, I just made the plane reservations for our flight from Phila to Las Vegas (and back) this September. Unfortunately, it gets into LV later than I thought it would – at 2:05 pm. We'll have to get our luggage, pick up the car, and then drive to the Grand Canyon (we're now going counter-clockwise on the national parks circle and are starting at the Grand Canyon). Mapquest is saying that the drive is nearly 5 hours long (which I did know). This gets us into the El Tovar Lodge at around 8:00 pm or so (if all goes well!).

I was originally thinking we would get dinner that first night at the lodge restaurant but because of the time zones changes our stomachs will think it's 11:00 and my guess is we'll be very hungry before then. I think that LV and the Grand Canyon are on the same time (I know they are in different zones but Arizona doesn't have Daylight Savings time.)

Are there any good restaurants to stop at for dinner on our drive from LV to Grand Canyon? It wouldn't have to be fancy or anything – just good food.

Dohlice

Wow, time flies. I responded when you first posted - and now we've just decide to go back this September! This time we're starting at Arches and driving down to Las Vegas. Can I pick your brain a bit? We're thinking of spending a day somewhere in between and it looks like Capitol Reef or Escalante are our choices. Did you look into Escalante at all and, if so, what made you pick Capitol Reef? Are you doing a raft or boat tour in Moab? I see a Canyonlands evening tour but not sure if it's cheesy or not. It would really save us time to do something at night, though. I think we're going to be in Vegas for my birthday!!

I don't know of a good place to stop for a meal. But when we're doing a driving trip our first stop is some kind of market. We get a styrofoam cooler and cold cuts/picnic stuff and ice. You could have something on the way and then have a late bite at El Tovar. It is a beautiful restaurant and the food is fantastic. One of the other lodges also has a large cafeteria type place with great food. You could eat something there and save El Tovar for the next night. Find out now what time sunset is and make a reservation before you go. We got a drink at the bar before dinner and took it out to two adirondack chairs on a lawn overlooking one of the greatest sights you'll ever see.

ceezee

Didn't mean to take so long to respond but with the warmer weather I've been spending all my time doing yard work!

I decided on Capital Reef based on rave reviews from folks who had been there. There wasn't anything specific that I can remember. When I have a few moments tomorrow I'll try to refresh my memory. I know I picked up a couple of great books "Photographing the Southwest" (Vol 1 and 2) by Laurent Martres. Even though they're titled for photographers, anyone would really benefit from the wealth of information (and photos) they contain.

I hadn't thought about doing any sort of raft or boating tour. We probably won't but it's not entirely out of the question. I'm just starting to "fine tune" what to do in each of the locations.

About my "where to stop" question. I'd rather find some local food place instead of pulling together a picnic. I'm sure there must be some places to check out on the way. Your idea of then grabbing just a bite at the El Tovar is a good one. (Sort of a midnight snack!)

I always mark on my itinerary the sunrise/sunset times! It does help plan things out. Especially if you want to take some photos during the magic hours. Or if you're somewhere the sunset is very late (like Ireland in the spring and summer).

rdh4190

Hi, if you don't mind, I see that you recently booked your flight from Philly. I would like to take my family of 4 next June flying into Las Vegas from Philly, and haven't flown in a while so I am not sure the websites to check for the best deals. Any suggestions? Should I book rooms prior to flights?

ceezee

I booked my rooms ages ago. If you want to get into the National Park lodges (e.g. El Tovar at the Grand Canyon), you need to book online exactly 1 year ahead of time to ensure a room. Early that morning even! By 10:00 a.m. most of the rooms are gone. That said, I'm sure you could book a room later if you were extremely flexible about your travel dates. I didn't want to take a chance and booked all rooms first. The website to book the Grand Canyon is:www.grandcanyonlodges.com
The Bryce Site is:www.brycecanyonlodge.com
I then booked the nights for all of my other stops – always directly with the B&B or innkeeper.

Airlines are another story, you usually can only book so early. I knew I wanted to use Southwest Air because of the excellent service I've had from them in the past (and the awful experience of other airlines in the past e.g. Continental, USAir, etc.). You have to keep checking the Southwest site to find out if they'll let you book yet. I had to wait until April 30 to book for my September trip. Southwest doesn't assign seats so the real benefit in booking early is to obviously get the flight you want and also the best price. Early booking of airline flights gives the best price. At least that's been my experience. Also, Southwest requires that you use their site to book. If you want to use a different airline, you should open another topic to get other folks experiences and recommendations.

Dayle

Dohice,

I would not recommend the Canyonlands at Night. It's not very good.

Also, places to stop and eat are nearly non-existent between Escalante and Torrey, and between Green River and Torrey.

Take a cooler!

ceezee

Dayle, good to know – thanks !

rdh4190

Thanks for the quick response regarding airline and booking rooms!

ceezee

Have you tried to reserve any rooms yet at the National Parks (e.g. Grand Canyon, Bryce)? You're within the one-year window already.

amf

Hi Ceezee,
I am planning a trip to the Southwest for August with my husband and two teens.
I love your itinerary. After lots of research and trying to come up with a good plan, I like your ideas the best. One change is that we are going to end in Sedona and then fly out of Pheonix.
I'm curious to know how your trip was. We are concerned about all of the driving, but I think that is par for the course in that area of the country. We are also concerned about the heat, but hopefully the higher elevations will keep it cool.
Also, I would like to squeeze in Mesa Verde. Do you have any thoughts on how that would fit into the itinerary? Would it make sense to do that instead of Monument Valley?
Thanks for your help.

Myer

amf,

You probably should start a separate thread for your trip. Better responses.

Last June I started in las vegas, went to Bryce canyon and Zion and plannes on driving to Sedona for a couple of days and flying home from Phoenix.

I was convicned by other here, and rightly so, that the drive to Sedona would be very long. That would be especially true since I had several hours of sights around Page.

I added a pit stop in the Grand Canyon and it was an excellent idea. The only mistake was that I left GC in the morning and should have hiked down for an hour to get a better perspective of GC.

amf

Thanks Myer!
I will take your advise and start a new thread.
We have our hearts set on Sedona because we missed it on a previous trip to AZ and we also booked a room at Enchantment Resort, which looks amazing. I mapquested GC to Sedona and it said 2 hours. Does that sound right to you?
we'll also consider a hike down into Grand Canyon if it's not too hot.
thanks again!

ceezee

amf,

My trip was perfect and I wouldn't change a thing. I think it would be tough to fit in Mesa Verde but you can mapquest it and see how much extra driving time it'd take. Maybe you can add a day to go there. Monument Valley should not be missed.

All accommodations were right on and again I wouldn't change anything.

I'm still working on a trip report (I know, I know, it's been ages already) that I hope to add in near future.

The driving from my trip was completely do-able. The only long day being from LV to the GC. That was tiring but then you're there, can sit and have a drink at the wonderful El Tovar Lodge and then go to dinner. All of the other days were much shorter regarding driving.

You will love this trip!