Thanks for all the comments. Some recent changes to the itinerary. comments appreciated.
8/3 fly into Las Vegas
8/4 Las Vegas - has anyone seen the new cirque de soleil show Love?
8/5 Hoover Dam & on to Grand Canyon
8/6 Grand Canyon hike & overnight at Bright Angel campground - How are the meals at Phantom Lodge (2 of us are doing this)
8/7 Grand Canyon mule ride (day trip) for those not camping
8/8 drive thru Monument Valley to Cortez Colorado - Comments on staying in Cortez or at Far View Lodge?
8/9 day at Mesa Verde - leave late afternoon & drive to Moab
8/10 Moab - probably whitewater rafting and/or 4-wheeler trip - which whitewater location & company is the best?
8/11 morning at Arches NP then head part way towards Yellowstone- comments on route & things to see/do along the way?
8/12 -8/15 Yellowstone - posible whitewater rafting at Gardnier or Gallitan -staying at Canyon cabins
8/16- 8/17 Grand Tetons - staying at Colter Bay cabin - best activities besides hiking?
8/18 drive to Dinosaur NP & then east towards Denver - anything else to see/do before reaching RMNP?
8/19 day at RMNP before driving on to Denver airport for 11:50 pm flight
My family likes to hike but will also need other things to do besides just sightseeing - such as rafting etc . Any suggestions appreciated

WOW, that's a lot of change! Ok, for those interested in numbers it's approx. 2150 miles

8/5 Vegas to Grand Canyon 280 miles

8/8 Grand Canyon to Mesa Verde 350 miles. Keep in mind there are some really good overlooks to stop at as you exit the Grand Canyon at Desert View. Monument Valley will take a little time so you really don't have much time to spare this day. For the views, I'd pick Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde but since we've always camped I don't know what the lodging is like. This will also save you time on the 9th because you won't have to drive into the park from Cortez. In all honesty...I'd drop Mesa Verde. It's a wonderful place but really does deserve more than just half a day. You could spend the extra time in Moab. Arches and Canyonlands can easily take a day each.

8/9 Mesa Verde to Moab 145 miles

8/11 I'd spend as much time in Arches and skip things to do on the way on the 11th. Just get as much of the 600 total miles to Yellowstone done as you can. Once you get in the park it can be slow driving. We were stuck behind 6 bison that were walking down the road at their own pace...they didn't care how many cars they had behind them!

8/12 I'd make it to Yellowstone as fast as you can. Most of this day will get eatten up just getting to the park. I've never done a rafting trip here, but there is so much to do and see that I personally won't waste the time with a rafting trip, but stick to the geysers, waterfalls, hot springs & wild life!

8/18 Grand Tetons to Dinosaur 312 miles. We just did this route. It's not a fast drive but it's pretty scenic once you reach Flaming Gorge. There's more to Dinosaur National Monument besides the Quarry. Make sure you do the scenic drive. Now here's a place that I think a rafting trip would be fun!

There is also a drive to an overlook in the Colorado section of Dinosuar.

I hope you plan on getting the National Park Pass for $50. The entrance to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone both went up to $25.00 each so all the other parks you visit will be free!

Utahtea