Thank you, everyone! All of this has been really helpful. So, yes, here's our revised itinerary. I got over my hang-up, called the different motels to adjust my reservations, and arranged for a night at Bryce!

Sat: Fly into SLC and drive to Moab. Night @ Moab.

Sun: Go to Arches NP. See if we can get Firey Furnace tour. If not, we will first do Balance Rock and Windows. Then, head over to Devil's Garden and Landscape Arch. We'll do Delicate Arch in the late afternoon for the sunset. Night @ Moab

Mon: Go to Dead Horse Point Overlook, then head over to Canyonlands Island in the Sky. Do Mesa Arch, Grand View Point, and Upheaval Dome. Not sure what in what order...? Night @ Moab

Tues: 1-day Westwater Canyon whitewater rafting. Night @ Moab

Wed: Drive Highway 12 towards Bryce. We'll stop at Goblin Valley. Then maybe Devil's Garden and/or Willis Creek (will need to do more reading on this.) We'll probably skip the Lower Calf Creek given the time needed and potential parking issue that you guys mentioned. Night @ Bryce

Thurs: See the sunrise at Bryce Point. Head over to the Lodge to meet the group for horseback riding. I think the horseback ride visits the same sites as the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden, so we may skip this hike. But I'll give them a call to make sure. After the ride (around noon), we'll head to Springdale and check in. In the afternoon, we'll go to Zion and do the Emeralds Pools/Lower Pool Trail. If we have time, we'll take the shuttle to the Mount Carmel Highway and do the Canyon Overlook hike. We will need to make it back in time to rent our shoes (8pm close) for Narrows the next day. Night @ Springdale.

Fri: Get up early to do Narrows. Have lunch, and then figure out if there's anything else we want to do for the afternoon. (Or take recommendations from you guys because you've been great!) Night @ Springdale.

Sat: Get up early do Angel's Landing hike. We will probably only go as far as Scout's Landing and then turn around. Have lunch and then drive back to SLC. Night @ SLC.

Sun: Goodbye Utah!

Another question: Is there anything unique we could do at our night in Bryce to enjoy the night time sky? I'm not sure if we will have the time or energy to do anything substantial, but just in case if we do!

I like this much, much better.

On your day between Moab and Bryce it makes a lot of sense to drop Lower Calf Creek Falls since it will take about 3 hours.

If you start reasonably early that should give you enough time for a nice drive and go to Goblin Valley, Devils Garden and Willis Creek.

Willis Creek used to be little visited but I don't know now. Each time I went I saw a few other people and all couldn't believe that a place like that has so few visitors. The drive is a real adventure and worth it alone. When I was there with my daughter, on the way back we came to about a dozen cows blocking the road. We watched a calf nursing while the cows slowly moved off.

There are a couple of close stops at Dead Horse Point not just one. I like this park more than Canyonlands.

Search Youtube for the Citi Accessories commercial. The early part where the couple is climbing a cliff is Dead Horse Point. When you look down you see the river making a U-turn.

I don't remember if there are any lights near the rim at Bryce (probably not). If it's clear and a moon that should be fine. Otherwise have a flashlight. A nice walk along the rim with the stars out would be great.

I think Bryce has really dark skies so you'll see a lot of stars. I don't remember this but I do remember being at Glacier National Park and watching the sky from a dark place. There were so many visible stars in the sky it almost looked white.

I picked out the Big Dipper and photographed it. Then a ranger told us that if we're lucky we'd see the International Space Station go across the sky. About 10 minutes later we saw a yellow thing slowly make it's way across. I photographed it as it went thru the Big Dipper. Obviously a little difference in distance.

Since my exposure was 6 seconds it looks like a line. Since I did it hand-held it looks like a jagged line. Oh well.

Now you've got a good plan that moves in order.

I much prefer the drive from Zion to SLC than Zion to Vegas.

Salt Lake is very small. Downtown is right near the airport. We stayed at Little America Hotel and it took us 10-15 minutes to get to the airport and give back the car. Didn't have to stay at one of those airport dumps.

You mentioned that this is your first "adventure" trip.

I took my "trip to the Southwest" in 2007.

Little did I know this would be my first of many.

My only regret is that I didn't start 10 or more years earlier.

Have a great time.

Thank you so much!

Just so I have this clear, if we were to see many of your suggestions on our drive from Moab to Bryce, the order that we'd pass them are: Goblin Valley, Lower Calf Creek, Devils Garden, and then Willis Creek?

My thoughts are that we'd check out and be on road around 7am-8am towards Goblin Valley. We'd get there around 10am, spend an hour or so, then move on. The latter 3 stops are closer to Bryce than they are to Moab, right? So, I'm not sure if we'd actually get to Lower Calf Creek "early." Or, were you suggesting that if we start our day early, we'd be able to fit in Lower Calf Creek as well?

We're staying at the Best Western Ruby's Inn at Bryce. Is it safe to drive back to the park to check out the evening skies? (Thanks for the tip to bring a flashlight.)

I've done very little research on Salt Lake City, but had looked into staying at Little America. How close is this hotel to the Temple Square area? I'm thinking we'd finish up Angel's Landing around lunchtime, so we'll get to SLC by 5-6pm. I'm not sure if we will have enough time or energy to want to go exploring SLC, or if we're just going to have dinner and call it a night. But I was wondering if this was an option.

I hope this link works. I put together a Google Maps picture of those sights.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Moab...0377!3e0?hl=en

They say it's 8.5 hours of driving. This includes three of the stops being several miles off the main road and back but doesn't include the time spent there.

You have the order correct.

I don't think you'll be going to Lower Calf Creek Falls as the hike in and back will be about 3 hours. So that's too long. The other 3 stops are about an hour or so each with Willis Creek a bit longer. So 3 will work out ok.

If you do everything then there's no reason to go back.

Ruby's is right at the entrance to Bryce Canyon Park.

You shouldn't have trouble driving around in the park. The problem with driving on a highway is that we tend to speed up. Just make sure you drive slowly and keep your eyes open for wildlife. Actually, you should be watching for wildlife all the time.

Also a good idea to have a flashlight with when you go to Delicate Arch. You sit around talking while the sun is up. They you start watching as the sun lowers and the Arch turns golden. Then you watch and watch and it starts to get dim. A flashlight is a good idea.

Salt Lake City is pretty small. They have a free downtown trolley (they call it something else) that goes around that area.

Little America to Temple Square is a 15-20 minute walk or 10 minutes by the trolley.

When I was in Salt Lake we got there early evening and had a mid-afternoon flight the next day.

We did a lot that morning. Went to the state building and took a tour, wandered Temple Square and spent some time in the Geneology Building. I think they call it the Family History Building. Then we took a tour of the house of one of the leaders. I can't remember which. Then went back to the hotel to get the car and to the airport in 10 minutes.

I agreed with Myer that you don't have time for Calf Creek Falls.

Driving in Bryce at night is fine as long as you drive slowly and keep your eyes peeled. There is lots of wildlife of all types in Bryce.

The Bryce park rangers have a "night skies" program with high power telescopes. Check to see if there is one the night you are there.

Try to get to Moab before the Arches Visitor's Center closes. Check immediately, before you check in at your hotel, to see if you can get the Fiery Furnace. Once you know, then you can plan your 2 days.

I would highly recommend driving all the way up to Devil's Garden and starting your day there. The parking lot usually gets completely full and stays that way because people take longer hikes in this area of the park. Balancing Rock and Windows can be done almost any time as the parking lot turns over more quickly. Delicate Arch parking lot also gets full so allow for extra time to walk an extra distance if you are doing it at the very popular sunset time.

Downtown SLC isn't as small as it used to be! The electric train system is called TRAX and is free for the central downtown blocks. It also now runs out to the airport which is great! Our airport is a breeze and as Myer says, it only takes about 10-15 min. from downtown.

Little America is not the closest hotel to Temple Square, but it's nice. If you have time, Temple Square has beautiful gardens and grounds (right up there with Disneyland's flowers) and is very interesting architecturally and historically. If you are not interested in hearing the LDS missionaries' spiel, just politely say you are not interested. Not sure what closing time is, I know the square is open in the evening, but probably not super late.

If you have time, try to see the Lion House, which was one Brigham Young's homes in the state. Our Capitol Building is gorgeous and good for a short visit. Views of the valley from up on the hill are spectacular on a clear night and nice during the day as well.

There are many excellent restaurants in downtown SLC. Search previous threads about SLC for a great list.

Myer, your link worked. Thank you. We have an early morning flight out of SLC, so we probably don't have too much time to explore SLC. I'll take a closer look in the coming days.

Dayle, thanks for your tips on checking into Arches for Fiery Furnace before going to our hotel. Didn't think to do that. Also thanks for the heads up on the night time skies program at Bryce, and going to Devil's Garden first. Great tips!

Another question: Did you rely your GPS to get you around, or did you do it the old fashioned way using maps? I read online to be careful using GPS because it might take you into the backroads. I'm a AAA member, and I think they might have some maps and brochures, so I could check them out to see what they may have for me, but was wondering what most other people do.

Dayle,

As you wrote, the trolley (TRAX) system didn't go to the airport. I wonder if it pays to give back the car the evening before and then they only have to get to the airport and not have to spend the time then giving back the car.

I chose Little America because it was not only very nice and inexpensive, bet also because they have a very nice motel building beside the main hotel building. In the morning we packed up the car and checked out. Then we did our touring, returned for the car and drove to the airport. We didn't have to get the car out of a parking garage or valet service.

Not only should they stop in at the Arches visitors center on the way in but they pass it before getting to the town of Moab. So that's very convenient.

Summer,

When we went to Arches we got to the entrance a little after 5PM on the way in so we did the Delicate Arch hike before checking in. It was cloudy that evening so I scheduled another hike there a day or two later. That evening was perfectly clear and beautiful.

I use maps. I got a Utah road map by emailing the Utah Roads Department and made printouts of the areas of interest from Google Maps.

For the parks I printed maps from the NPS web site. By the time I go on a trip I know what is located where and what goes together with other sights. I usually feel like I've been to a place several times by the time I go.

A few years ago I took my daughter to southwestern Utah for a few days. That was the year they did construction on the road to the eastern entrance of Zion.

As it got closer to our trip I monitored the construction. It turned out that they were ahead of schedule so the road was open (though unpaved) complete weekends until 7PM on Sundays evenings.

As we were driving (on a Sunday evening) down from Bryce to Zion (Rte 89) her GPS yelled at us every time we got to an exit. It wanted us to get off, turn around and go back up north, over the top of Zion and down the west side to the entrance. That's about an additional 3-4 hours. It didn't know the construction schedule.

One more thing. You are going to drive right thru Capitol Reef National Park. Because it's on either side of the road, and I don't believe they get as big a crowd as the other parks, there is no entrance fee.

If I'm calculating your dates correctly, you will be staying in Bryce overnight on Wednesday, September 2nd. Is that correct?

If so, sunset is at 7:58 pm, moonrise is 10:46 pm, and sunrise on the 3rd is 7am. The full moon is on Saturday, August 29th, so it will be a few days past full.

The unfortunate thing is Bryce has night sky programs (with telescopes) on Tuesdays and Thursdays (and Saturdays) but you will be there on a Wednesday night.

The fortunate thing is the timing of sunset and moonrise is almost perfect - the sky will be completely dark for an hour (give or take) before the moon comes up, so you have the best of both worlds. You can check out the stars and watch the moon come up without staying up too late.

When I was there I didn't do anything special, I just drove into the park and looked up at the stars. That in itself is pretty awesome on a clear night. A flashlight is good, if you can put a red filter over it that would be even better. You'll still be able to see where you're going but the red light doesn't dilate your pupils and mess up your night vision like white light.

As for Zion....you cannot take the shuttle to the Canyon Overlook trail. The shuttle only goes up and down the main canyon, and Canyon Overlook is just inside the east entrance. It makes the most sense to do that hike when you arrive since you drive right past it. It's relatively short and has great views at the end.

I agree with WhereAreWe,

I did the Canyon Overlook hike on the way in. There are two relatively small parking lots near the trailhead. If I remember correctly one is on either side of the road.

About the stars. If you live in a big city with a lot of light pollution, being in an area with a truly black sky is awesome. I think I wrote somewhere that you see so many stars in the sky it's almost like a white blanket over a black sky.

Myer, thanks. I'll have to see what the parking situation is and see if it makes sense to drop off the car the evening before so we don't have to deal with returning it the morning of our 8:30am flight. And thanks for the map advice! Will probably do the same.

What is everyone's take on Capitol Reef? It doesn't seem to be like a popular choice reading around the internet but I did notice I would be passing it.

I'm also planning on buying the Annual Pass for $80. I think it comes about even whether I buy the pass or just pay the entrance fees. So why not get the Annual Pass in case I return for another adventure vacation next year...? Anything I might be missing?

I live in the suburbs outside of NYC, so while I have less light pollution than my city dwelling friends, I'm sure I'm in for a real treat at Bryce!

WhereAreWe, yep. You got the dates right. I'll be in Bryce the evening of Wednesday, 9/2, so unfortunately I'll miss their telescope programs. I also didn't think to check the actual sunrise times in Utah! My husband and I head to the gym everyday at 4:30am when it's dark, and by the time we're done at 5:45am, it's light out. I figured it would be similar there. But no... if sunrise at Bryce is 7am, am I going to have an issue making my horseback ride? I was hoping to see the sunrise at Bryce Point. The ride begins at 8am but I need to meet at the Lodge at 7:15am.

You'll be going right thru Capitol Reef as it's on both side of the road. They don't charge due to the difficulty in charging.

We spent part of a hot day there and did a couple of hikes.

You don't have the time and I'd rather do the things on your list.

I have a few photos from Capitol Reef on my web site on the 2008 Southwest trip.

Thanks Myer. We really can't wait.

I was looking through your photos and saw you've been to Banff. (Several times actually!) Maybe one day we'll chat again you'll find me asking you for some Banff tips...

I've been to Banff three times and Jasper twice.

Once I went with my wife and didn't go to Jasper as we then flew to Vancouver and Victoria.

The second time was with a friend and we spent barely 2 1/2 days there scoping out the area after going to Glacier in Montana.

The third time was last summer when I went with my daughter for about 5 days. I had been to Glacier with my daughter a couple of years before.

We are photographers; myself, my daughter and her daughter (one of three granddaughters). The granddaughter has her own DSLR camera a walk around and telephoto lens.

The granddaughter thinks that before you photograph wildlife you have to approach them, introduce yourself and shake hands.

Too cute. I suppose if there's a proper introduction with a firm hand shake, that basically means their friends.

Yes. But bison and deer with big antlers are a problem.

We jumped out of the car in Yellowstone when we saw a bison nursing. She wanted to run up to them.

Summer

Not sure if your question was for Myer or me, but since I live here, I rarely use gps. I do always keep my detailed UT map in the car for reference if I am going somewhere more remote and new.

I never go off road without checking locally with the forest or ranger station to see what the road conditions are. I usually know already if it has been raining recently. Many of the dirt roads in Utah become completely impassible with rain.

Even if you don't go off road , it's good to keep several gallons of water and some snacks and food in your car. Fill you gas up once you are half empty. It's a long way between gas stations in some areas.

Wide brim hat , sunscreen, lip balm are all essential. Drink water, and more water.

In Arches, there are only two places to get water, the visitors center and Devils garden at the far end of the park. There is nowhere to eat and it's a long drive back to town. Take all you water and lunch with you for the day, and you will have a good time! Same goes for Canyonlands, goblin Valley.

There are snack bars where there are lodges, Bryce and Zion, but again water is scare in both.

Please the autocomplete typos!

Oh I would love anyone to respond! Thanks Dayle. Everyone's been really great and helped me think of things that I haven't thought of before.

Good to know about the water! I bought my husband and I each a 1-Liter Hydro Flask for our hikes. Do you think that's enough? Didn't know those water refilling station are so sparse. I'll have to figure out where they are at Bryce and Zion so we can plan accordingly.

What's everyone's take on a lunch to pack? I'm sure I can find good snacks like nuts, granola bars, cookies, etc but do people pack sandwiches or just fill up on snacks? Seems like a sandwich wouldn't hold up well in the heat.

What does everyone keep in their bag? Wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, food and water, camera... I'm also planning on bringing a small first aid kit, flashlight, hand sanitizer, and probably a light rain jacket as an extra layer (will probably be carrying this more than wearing it - except for Bryce).

Dayle gives very good advice. Obviously she went into the nitty, gritty detail very well.

I always wear a wide-brimmed hat when out on the trail. I put on sunscreen before starting and having a small one with. Also have a small towel with to wipe sunscreen from hands.

I have clip-on sunglasses but sometimes they're a problem due to the polarizer on my camera lens.

My camera is not in my backpack but hanging in front. I also have an extra lens (long for wildlife) in places where there's a reasonable chance to see wildlife. Extra memory card and camera battery. I charge my batteries every evening.

I have a very light rain suit (jacket & pants) that goes in my backpack. Depending upon where were are a sweat shirt is in the backpack or in the trunk. Also, how far we are from the car determines what stays in the car and what comes with.

I don't like the taste of drinking from the backpack so I keep one bottle in each side pocket of my backpack and depending upon the place another inside the backpack.

I also keep several more bottles in the trunk of the car. They get cold at night and warm up as the day goes on. Better warm than not at all.

I don't take sandwiches. Part of the reason is I would have to get them each morning. I don't even waste an hour with breakfast. I pick up supplies and keep them in the room. Depending upon what's available and where I am, I'll eat breakfast as I'm getting ready in the morning and put lunch stuff in zip lock baggies in the backpack.

Always some extra stuff in the car.

I haven't been to southern Utah as much as Dayle since she lives in Utah so she knows more about road conditions than I do. I've been lucky and haven't had issues but I can see where some of those roads after rain would be a problem.

It sounds like I have the kitchen sink in my backpack but really not much. It's also very light. Oh, and I have a small ziplock back with bandaids, etc.

And, I have a few plastic bags of different sizes in the backpack. Sometimes I'm walking and it might get windy in the desert so my camera will be covered. I very seldom put it in the backpack. Just about the only time I can remember putting my camera in my backpack was going thru the waterfall on the Grinnell Glacier hike in Glacier National Park.