Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

My First Utah & Arizona Trip

Search

My First Utah & Arizona Trip

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 14th, 2017 | 09:25 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
My First Utah & Arizona Trip

I've never been out west. I have always wanted to go but things always seem to come up. I have gone to the Smokies several times but never out west. When we went to the smokies we hung out in the parks a lot and did quite a bit of scenic driving. We just parked, got out and walked around. This year I can finally go out west and I'm so excited! The problem is that I have no idea where to start. There are so many cool things. I have a week at my disposal. It have 6 nights during the first week in June. The problem is that everything sounds amazing. We will probably fly in to Las Vegas and rent a car. So, my issues are that we can do some hiking but not a lot. They would need to be easier trails if we do them. This is what I was thinking (possibly) so far:

Day 1 Zion
Day 2 Bryce
Day 3 Antelope (not sure which one) and Horseshoe Bend
Day 4 Grand Canyon (South Rim)
Day 5 Sedona

Any feedback or suggestions that I can get from anyone would be great. Should I sub something out for something else? Is there something I haven't listed?
Mindyleigh20 is offline  
Old Mar 15th, 2017 | 03:21 AM
  #2  
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,904
Likes: 0
Driving to/between these places takes more time than you have allotted if you want to see much.

If day 1 is the day you fly into Vegas, you will not be giving Zion enough time. There are several pretty easy hikes there, Riverside walk is really just a nice walk.

This area is amazing. You do need to have reservations for lodging in/near the parks. I would make any reservation now and call back every day because people do reserve a year in advance.

If you plan on a loop from Vegas, check on lodging and timing and then decide which direction to do the loop. I would not plan to keep Sedona in this trip, but spend a little more time in the parks.
emalloy is offline  
Old Mar 15th, 2017 | 08:05 AM
  #3  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,067
Likes: 0
Way too much for 6 days. I know it's hard to choose but (although the driving is lovely) you don't want to spend all your time in the car. Any way you can squeeze in one more day. Seven would be much better.

Day 1-3 (assume you land early) drive Vegas to Zion - 2 nights will give you one full day and the afternoon of the first.

Day 3 - drive to Bryce. Spend 1 night. You can see most of it in one day, sunrise and sunset are the best.

Day 4 - drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Spend one night. (Two would be better)

Day 5 - drive to Antelope Canyon. You need reservations but you can make them for free on their website without a credit card. But need to follow their instructions to get there 45 minutes before your scheduled time. Then do Horseshoe Bend. Drive back towards Vegas but spend the night near Valley of Fire (Nevada) and then

Day 6 - Valley of Fire (absolutely beautiful and on the way, Sedona and the south rim are too far, believe me this is just as good, less crowded, and less driving).

Not clear if you have 6 nights/7 days or if you have to fly out on day 6.

Here are photos of those places - http://andiamo.zenfolio.com/f764149109

I did trip reports but over two different trips to cover the places you mention:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ath-valley.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...parks-trip.cfm
isabel is offline  
Old Mar 15th, 2017 | 08:57 AM
  #4  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,204
Likes: 8
Just my opinions.

I am not a fan of the Grand Canyon. The other sights you mention are way more worth seeing and spending your time there.

Sedona is a problem really. The actual town is nothing more than a bunch of t-shirt stores, a few art galleries and restaurants that close at 9PM.

The real beauty of Sedona is getting out of the town and hiking in the surrounding areas.

Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are both in the town of Page. Very close to each other.

Horseshoe Bend is a 3/4 mile flat hike with no shade. Make sure you go between 10 ans 2PM so that the sun is over the bend. I don't know if anything has changed there but when I went it was about 1,000 feet down with no screen, fence or barrier. So if you are with kids just be careful. It's a long way down.

But beautiful.

Bryce Canyon if quite small so if you get there and leave at the right times you can see the best it had to offer in a day.

Spectacular sunrise and a couple of nice hikes. However, you are in elevation of about 8,000 ft so take it easy and drink lots of water.

Zion is larger and will take a couple of days to do it justice. About 90 miles from Bryce Canyon but very different. 4,000 ft lower and much warmer. Some different hikes worth doing.
Myer is offline  
Old Mar 16th, 2017 | 02:47 AM
  #5  
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
You don't have enough time for everything you have listed. If you've never been to the Grand Canyon, you should see the South Rim which, although far more crowded, has much more dramatic and expansive views than the North Rim. Get an early flight into Las Vegas and head right out to the South Rim - 4+ hrs. Start calling for a cabin on the rim - as emalloy mentioned, you must call often as there are cancellations but you won't get the latest info if you use the internet.
Spend your first 2 nights at the South Rim, walk one of the trails down a little way into the Canyon for some amazing views, drive and stop along the Rim.
You don't have time for Sedona but you can head to Antelope for a quick tour and then onto Bryce Canyon (about 1.5 hrs to Antelope and then 3 to Bryce). You won't get to see much that first day so I'd suggest you stay 2 nights, walk the rim and take time to hike down among the hoodoo's in the canyon - magical place.
From Bryce head the 1.5 hrs to Zion. Coming in through the east entrance is incredible! Stop and take pictures along the way - breathtaking scenery. Right before the tunnel, there is a nice short hike called Canyon Overlook. It starts out going uphill but its short and very fun and scenic - very worthwhile.
Get a room in Springdale where you'll be close to dining and shops, if you like. Its a nice little town with plenty of good lodging and dining options. Ride the shuttle through the park; its a great way to see different areas. Walk the trail along the river. Spend you last 2 nights here. Be sure to get an afternoon flight out of Las Vegas so you can head back there from Zion - only a 2.5 hr drive and you gain an hour leaving Utah into Nevada. We do it on every trip; being in Zion NP in the morning is much more relaxing and interesting than being in Las Vegas!
Let us know if you have any questions and start making reservations now!
sharondi is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rfrank1031
United States
5
Feb 24th, 2018 06:22 PM
Retired1
United States
4
Nov 29th, 2015 07:07 PM
travel96
United States
5
Jun 25th, 2015 02:54 PM
ElViajeroIndio
United States
6
Jul 12th, 2012 06:49 AM
smetz
United States
6
Mar 16th, 2010 08:02 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement -