Limited time sightseeing
 

I will be travelling to Utah at the end of March for a few days to visit my son. We are staying near Salt Lake City. I have a couple of days for sight seeing. The Grand Canyon is too far (8+ hours) and from what I understand, Yellowstone entrances are closed. I want to see interesting rock formations, go star gazing, and maybe see some animals I can't see in Florida. I can handle light-moderate hiking if I use my walking stick. If I stay overnight, I need a cabin or hotel. Which are the best places to visit? Moab, Canyonlands, Arches, Zion, Bryce, others?

Exactly how many days do you have for your sightseeing?

You might also consider Capitol Reef National Park. I had never heard of it until last October's vacation in Utah, and both of us were blown away by it. Less than 4 hours to Salt Lake City (let's have some local Fodorites weigh in on that, though).

http://www.nps.gov/care/index.htm

If you go toward Moab, you could see Zion easily. That entire area is scenic, in and out of the park. A ton of movies were filmed in the area, and you can even visit a free museum at Red Cliffs Lodge (we stayed there). However, I think that end of March might be a busy time for the Moab area.

Sorry - meant to say "Arches," not "Zion." Whups.

Head for Moab and see Arches and Canyonlands. Both are more than worth the trip from Salt Lake City.

Do check when Jeep week is and try to avoid that.

I'd also recommend Moab as long as it's not Jeep Week as emalloy has already mentioned.

Utahtea

If stars are important, Cedar Breaks at 10,000 feet has the highest dark night location. Concern is snow cover in late March.

Alternate location is Bryce National Park
http://www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisi...myprograms.htm

Both have free Ranger Star guide tours.

Call ahead for confirmation.

Vaga
PS. Last Oct we were at north rim grand canyon at about 8,000 feet with a dark sky. The "Milky Way' was so star-dense it appeared to be a strip of dense cheese cloth. Stunning sight.