itinerary help-parks
 

I've been reading thru everyones info on Bryce, Zion,etc. and I really want to thank you for such great insight. I'm still somewhat confused on how exactly to plan my itinerary. Arriving in LV, & going to the GC first sounds like a good idea,but when I look at the map the south rim seems so far away. where exactly do you go (south rim)? It was sugggested to stay in Page but then to go back to zion,looks like I'm backtracking? LV-LV is fine although I was thinking about LV-Grand Junction,CO. start on one side (west)and end on (east)another. thoughts? if LV-LV help with round trip ? thanks,, Sally

Las Vegas to the south rim of the Grand Canyon take Hwy 93 south to Kingman, AZ, then I-40 to Williams, then north on Hwy 64 to the Grand Canyon Village. You will want to either stay at the S. Rim or nearby Tusayan. Worst case stay in Williams or Flagstaff.

When you leave the S. Rim take hwy 64 to Cameron. Then drive north on Hwy 89 to Page, AZ. Depending on how much time you have for this trip, you might consider a night in Page. From Page, continue on Hwy 89 past Mt. Carmel Jct. to Hwy 12 and take this to Bryce. You will need to back track to Mt. Carmel Jct. to enter Zion though the tunnel entrance. From Zion take hwy 9 and I-15 back to Las Vegas.

Now, if you decide to end in Grand Junction, CO, then from Page, I'd go to Zion first and then do Bryce. From Bryce take scenic hwy 12 north to Torrey, Utah. Then take hwy 24 past Capitol Reef National Park and on to I-70. If you have time for a little detour swing down Hwy 191 to Moab, Utah and then take scenic Hwy 128 to Cisco, Utah and I-70.

Utahtea

thanks so much for your input so quickly-yes I had planned on going over to Moab. do you know how long to go from LV to south rim? And south rim to Page? Would we be better off doing a loop-LV-LV? Haven't figured out # of days yet, probably about 10. Is it worth time & drive to do south rim of forget it? Sally

You are lucky to have Utahtea's help! I'll just add my two cents.

Have never been to Moab so can't comment. Did the following trip in August 2004--absolutely loved it and would not have changed timing at all. The Grand Canyon is a sight to behold and I think you see more when at the South Rim (I was at the North Rim as a child). The distances are great so be careful not to cram too much in. Would think you'd need more time to add Moab.

LV to Grand Canyon - about a 4 to 4 1/2 hour drive (without a stop at Hoover Dam which is worth the stop)

LV South Rim Village to Page - about 3 hours but you will want to add an hour or two to view sites in GC on your way out and some time to shop along the highway for navajo jewelry.

Our itinerary:

Night 1: LV (arrive very late)
Night 2: LV
Night 3: GC South Rim (Kachina Lodge)
Night 4: GC South Rim (we did a long hike down into the canyon and other viewing)
Night 5: Page (Lake Powell Resort)
Night 6: Bryce (Bryce Canyon Lodge)
Night 7: Zion (Flanigans)
Night 8: Zion (hiked Virgin Narrows)
Night 9: Zion (did special Family Adventure rappelling day)
Night 10: Zion
Home early from LV

Here are a couple of itineraries to consider:


Las Vegas - Las Vegas:
Day 1 Fly into Las Vegas
Day 2 Drive to South Rim, Grand Canyon 278 miles about 5 hours drive
Day 3 Grand Canyon
Day 4 Grand Canyon to Page, AZ 140 miles about 3 hour drive.
Day 5 Page, AZ for boat tour or float trip
Day 6 Page, AZ to Bryce 155 miles a little over 3 hour drive. See Bryce
Day 7 Bryce
Day 8 Bryce to Zion 86 miles 2 hour drive
Day 9 Zion
Day 10 Zion to Las Vegas 165 miles and less than a 3 hour drive.

With only 10 days, I really don't recommend Moab because you just won't have much quality time to spend at all these wonderfull parks

Las Vegas - Grand Junction:
Day 1 Fly into Las Vegas
Day 2 Drive to South Rim, Grand Canyon 278 miles about 5 hours drive
Day 3 Grand Canyon to Page, AZ 140 miles about 3 hour drive.
Day 5 Page, AZ to Zion 117 miles, 2 1/2 hour drive.
Day 6 Spend morning in Zion and then drive 86 miles, 2 hours to Bryce.
Day 7 Spend morning in Bryce and drive scenic Hwy 12 to Torrey, Utah 116 miles, 3 1/2 hours.
Day 7 Spend morning in Capitol Reef and drive to Moab, Utah 160 miles almost 4 hour drive.
Day 8 Arches National Park, spend night in Moab
Day 9 Canyonlands National Park, spend night in Moab
Day 10 Moab to Grand Junction via scenic Hwy 128. 106 miles a little over 2 hour drive.

Utahtea

thanks Utahtea for all your help-if I had to cut either GC or Moab, any thoughts? I personally feel there is more to do in Moab. Our group really likes adventure-ex:maybe 4x4 jeep, ATV's, hiking, biking,rafting. which would you do? thanks Again

Maybe cut Grand Canyon and Lake Powell. Moab does have a lot to offer. White water rafting and it has all kinds of 4 wheel drive adventures!

Green River Overlook at Canyonlands will give you a grand canyon feel.

Utahtea

ok, we cut GC what about Page and Mexican hat area? so much to see and trying to do as little driving in 1 day as possible. Maybe trying to do loop LV-LV is way to go to incorporate all. suggestions on loop w/out GC? Horseback ride thru Bryce, ATV's ride-I'm soooo confused.

Mexican Hat? When was that thrown in? You really need to come for a longer time!!

If you have your heart set on Moab, Utah then fly in and out of either Salt Lake City or Grand Junction and just do Moab and Capitol Reef. Or maybe just save those for another vacation.

Utahtea

What time of year are you going.....if you are going from Vegas to Zion you might want to drive along the NORTH rim of the Canyon.

If you do the N. Rim, Page, Bryce, Zion, Las Vegas you're looking at 790 miles and about 27 - 29 hours driving time. You get stuck behind a motorhome on Alt 89 and plan on the longer time!

If you do the S. Rim, Page, Bryce, Zion, Las Vegas you're looking at 820 miles and all in all your driving time will be less by an hour or two.

So the moral of the story is, it only saves you 30 miles to go to the N. Rim verse the South Rim if you're also going to Page (Lake Powell). Time wise you could be spending more time in the vehicle going to the N. Rim.

I know it's personal preference, but I prefer the S. Rim.

Utahtea

Not to quibble but, you can't drive along the North Rim of Grand Canyon like you can the South Rim. I love the North Rim but, for a first time visitor, I'd have to suggest the South Rim.