My husband & I are planning a trip to see all of the National Parks in Utah and possibly adding Grand Canyon. We are in our early 70s and are moderately active. We can do short hikes but not interested in long or strenuous ones. I usually don't have a problem getting an itinerary together but am overwhelmed with this one. I have looked at posts on here and have seen "too hot in June" and "too cold in October" so, first, when is the "perfect" time to go? We would prefer temps in the 70s and 80s. Also, we would probably do a loop flying in and out of Las Vegas. How many nights do we need in each area? We want to visit Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Zion. We could add in Grand Staircase, Monument Valley, Dead Horse Point, Antelope Canyon, Goblin Valley, and the Grand Canyon. We are not extremely limited time wise. I have noted recommended places to stay and things to see at each park. Please help me with the logistics of this trip and any other advice you could give. Thank you in advance.
We have been in late March through May and mid September through October. All our trips have been fine weather wise. We do wear layers and add or remove as needed.
Often we start in Las Vegas but have also done them from Albuquerque and Denver depending on what else we plan to see.
We plan a circle route and decide on which direction to do the circle in based on availability of lodging and timing of flights. If out flight gets in early enough, we will get the car and head towards the first park we want to visit. If it is late we look for lodging on the side of the city that is closest to the first park.
Things are far apart and the time between parks can eat into your time in the parks, so keep that in mind when you decide how many to visit. There also are nice state and Navajo parks you might want to include too.
Often we start in Las Vegas but have also done them from Albuquerque and Denver depending on what else we plan to see.
We plan a circle route and decide on which direction to do the circle in based on availability of lodging and timing of flights. If out flight gets in early enough, we will get the car and head towards the first park we want to visit. If it is late we look for lodging on the side of the city that is closest to the first park.
Things are far apart and the time between parks can eat into your time in the parks, so keep that in mind when you decide how many to visit. There also are nice state and Navajo parks you might want to include too.
Posts here should definitely give you an idea of how to do the loop. As for weather--if you want reliable 70s-80s, then May is a great time to go, as is October. If you want to do everything you have listed, I would plan on a minimum of 2 weeks. If you click on my user name, you will find trip reports for all of the places you have listed. My TRs are heavy on logistics--lodging, eating, traveling, etc. Just remember that you do NOT want to drive at dark--you miss all the scenery--and most of the places you are traveling have Open Range--which means there are cows on the road and you are at fault if you hit one. And your car will not do well! So no finishing one park at sunset and driving to the next. Also know that May and October are high season--so rates will be high but you can still get ok deals.
Thank you for your advice on when to visit and on the time between parks. Stanton Hyde, I will also check out your trip reports.
2 years ago we visited Zion/ Bryce / Antelope Canyon / Grand Canyon North Rim on a 10-day trip in mid-June. We also started and ended in Las Vegas. I think late May, early June would be a better time to go (we were limited by my son's school schedule). There is a big difference in terms of elevation of different parks. Eg. while in Bryce, it was in 40Fs when we got up for sunrise, but the day warmed up nicely. When we were in Page (Antelope Canyon), it was in the high 80s.
If you are not into big long hikes, I'd say 2 nights Zion, 1 night Bryce canyon is probably enough. Here is my TR
yk + family 10-day trip to Zion/Bryce/Page/Grand Canyon North Rim/Vegas
If you are not into big long hikes, I'd say 2 nights Zion, 1 night Bryce canyon is probably enough. Here is my TR
yk + family 10-day trip to Zion/Bryce/Page/Grand Canyon North Rim/Vegas
You could fly to St George, UT. Airlines flying to SGU include
- United offers direct flights to St. George from Denver and Los Angeles.
- American offers direct flights to St. George from Phoenix and Dallas.
- Delta offers direct flights to St. George from Salt Lake City.
OP OT,
Your itinerary is basically our honeymoon from all those years ago. Maybe consider adding Cedar Breaks? If you go in October as we did, there would always be a chance of the year's first snowfall. In Bryce and Cedar Breaks that'd be amazing.
Hell, that's be just as true throughout all those locations!
Best of Luck.
I am done. The end.
Your itinerary is basically our honeymoon from all those years ago. Maybe consider adding Cedar Breaks? If you go in October as we did, there would always be a chance of the year's first snowfall. In Bryce and Cedar Breaks that'd be amazing.
Hell, that's be just as true throughout all those locations!
Best of Luck.
I am done. The end.
Thank you everyone. I've had a delay in planning due to family emergency. I will continue to work on it as I can. I appreciate all the replies and information offered.
