Itinerary for National Parks
 

Would greatly appreciate some help. We are planning a two week trip to Utah in October. Any thoughts on the following itinerary? We have 2 weeks available, but I can only fill up 11 days. Just not sure how long to stay in each spot. We don't enjoy trying to cram in every site, but also don't want to be stuck in a deserted town for 2 days. Also, any thoughts on needing reservations for accommodations at that time of year? I know it's too late for inside the parks, but can we just wing it using airbnb or motels? Many thanks,

day 1 fly into to Vegas. Stay overnight
Day 2 rent car and drive to north rim of grand canyon
Day 3 -5 Drive to Moab. Stopping at Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park. Hangin in Moab.
Day 6 and 7: Drive to Bryce. Visting Capitol Reef Nat'l Park.
Day 8 and 9: Drive to Zion
Day 10: Drive to Vegas
Day 11: Fly home.

Grand Canyon North Rim: Will close October 15, you may already be aware of that.

Moab (Arches and Canyonlands): you'll want to avoid October 19-22 for sure. That's when the Utah Education Break is scheduled this year, and it will be absolutely packed (we made that mistake one year).

<i>I know it's too late for inside the parks</i>

It's never too late. You just have to be persistent. People cancel.

<i>don't want to be stuck in a deserted town for 2 days</i>

Moab is a good-sized town, and there is a pleasing town outside Zion. There is a popular hotel at Bryce.

HTtY

I wouldn't go to any of these areas without reservations, especially if your trip coincides with the Columbus Day weekend. October is a very popular time for these parks (well, bearing in mind that services start to shut down in mid-October for the North Rim).

I've not done extensive searches for a few years, but I don't remember there being a ton of VRBO-type rentals in Springdale and I doubt there are many outside of Bryce. I would probably opt for park lodging at the Grand Canyon. Springdale has numerous hotels within a short drive to the park if you can't find park lodging. I seem to recall there being only a couple of hotels outside of Bryce, while Moab has numerous options. I don't think Bryce or Arches has any in-park lodging; Canyonlands definitely doesn't.

For me, your itinerary is rushed, but we like to hike and bike. If that's not your thing and you just want some short walks and pretty vistas, then your itinerary is probably fine--assuming your trip is in early October and your family doesn't mind being in the car for long stretches. Otherwise, I might drop the Grand Canyon and concentrate on the Utah parks (Zion being my favorite of the group).

Moab is very popular, so make your reservations early there. I was surprised at how booked up they were in advance and how high some of the rates were.
At Bryce, we liked Ruby's -- a big old-fashioned motel just outside the park entrance. (Couldn't get lodging in the park.)