Myer

And just to balance Tomsd.

The Grand Canyon is my least favorite of all places I've been to.

Unless you hike down or look down with "binos" to see rafters, etc. GC is merely as bowl with what looks like a little stream way down.

Neither sunset nor sunrise is anything spectacular (cannot compare to Cathedral Rock and Oak Creek in Sedona for sunset or Bryce Canyon for sunrise) and pretty much nothing for wildlife and nothing for waterfalls and nothing for scenery compared to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Yosemite, Arches or Glacier.

However, if you've never been I would never discourage you from going. Then you could tell your friends you saw the Grand Canyon and how it compared to all of the other sights you saw.

I might agree GC has something all of the others have. However, the opposite is not true. GC has little or nothing any of the others have.

However, if you've never been . . . .

ozgirl

Thank you again. Definitely different views regarding GC - I understand both comments but in actual fact it was a discussion about GC that started the whole itinerary so it's definitely in! My husband just "has to see it once" and I was impressed enough to agree.

It's not GC that is causing the route headache though!

emalloy

I used google maps to plan a route for you and put in the cities closest to the parks you want to visit to make life easier. Hope it helps.

Fly into Las Vegas

Drive to Grand Canyon south rim about 5 hrs

Then drive to Zion about 4 hours

Next drive to Bryce less than 2 hours

Next Grand Teton better part of a day

Next Yellowstone a couple of hours

Then either up to Glacier or back south to Yosemite

Then either over to San Francisco and down the coast road to LA or down to LA and home

This gives you 8 or 10 days during which you are spending some time driving (only a couple that are long driving days) and 20 for spending time in the parks.

Everyone has opinions on how much time to spend in each, but get a map of the Us and try to connect the dots.

I'd love to take this trip myself.

Pitzikat

That's a good itinerary from emalloy. Here are a few thoughts on tweaking it -

Or perhaps fly into Phoenix, drive to the Grand Canyon from there. From Vegas, the only interesting thing on the way is Hoover Dam. It's just a long and boring road. If you start in Phoenix, it's not much farther, but lots to see on the way - Sedona, Montezuma's Castle, Oak Creek Canyon.

From the GC (I missed that you were locked into it) to Zion, drive through Page and across Lake Powell, stay a night and see Antelope Canyon. Get an early start the next morning to drive into Zion from the eastern entrance - much of the road is scenic, and driving through Zion from the east is best seen in the morning, with the sun behind you.

From Bryce, you can "detour" northeast to Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands (I LOVE Arches), and the head up to Wyoming.

Again, there is no joy in driving from that area to SF. Lose the car and fly. Then rent another to go to Yosemite.

You need good maps to plan this in detail. The AAA maps are the best, distinguishing between levels of roads, reasonable estimations of driving times, and they indicate the scenic roads.

GC - stay in the park. Otherwise you'll spend too much time driving back and forth. Unless they've changed their policy in the last several years, they don't charge for room cancellations and they don't offer a waiting list, so in June, you should be able to get a room on arrival, although it is better to book ahead. 2-3 days in the park, including time at the wonderful visitors' center. There's not much in the way of hiking (unless you're going to spend 2 days hiking down to the bottom and back - and you need to be in condition), lots of scenic overlooks. To save time, see the west rim (the south rim is "divided" into 2 parts) first, then leave GC early in the morning and see the east rim on your way out. Otherwise it's a lot of driving back and forth.

Zion - 2-3 days in the park. It is my absolute favorite but not everyone agrees. The park website has lots of information about hiking - there are several good ones that aren't strenuous.

Bryce - 2 days. Spend at least one day hiking down among the hoodoos - it's amazing.

Arches - if you go, spend 2 days there. Several nice hikes and you have to hike up to Delicate Arch for sunset once in your life.

Tetons - at least 2 days. I was only there once and wish I'd had more than 2 days.

Yellowstone - I was only there once, 5 days, and loved it all. I did use one of the days to drive east to Cody to the Buffalo Bill Museum - very interesting if you are into the history of the "wild west." The drive was pretty scenic too. Yellowstone is huge. It can take a couple of hours to drive from where you are staying to other "top" spots in the park. Allow enough time to see it all.

Use the National Parks official websites. They are full of useful information for planning. My first stop at a park is the visitors' center. You'll get a map and park newspaper at the entrance to each park but the centers have more detailed information, and the rangers can help you plan your visit. Look for ranger programs too. Sometimes, guided walks, sometimes evening talks. They are invariably interesting and they're free.

ozgirl

Great! I think we're getting somewhere
I think I was just confused when earlier in the thread people suggested slotting Yosemite in after GC area. I think this makes sense.

I have ordered some maps online and the LP National Parks of US book which should arrive by the time I get home (currently in Sri Lanka!) so will have a sense of purpose when it's pinned to my wall now.

Any thoughts on how late is too late to see Yosemite on the end of this trip?

Myer

The problem with Yosemite is if you go early (possibly before mid-June) Glacier and/or Tioga Roads) may not be open yet and if you go too late (possibly after June) the waterfalls begin to lose water.

I guess it depends on your priorities. I was there around mid-June and the waterfalls were roaring. Glacier Road had opened a week or two prior and Tioga Road (which we didn't get to) opened the day before we arrived.

Regardless, the scenery is worth the trip.

emalloy

ozgirl,
the reason I suggested starting in Vegas rather than Phoenix was that it was on your original list of places to go.

The other thing to consider is that the route could be done in the opposite direction too. Look into getting

Remember that Yellowstone, Yosemite and Glacier may have some areas closed if you go in early June.

jill_h

@Ozgirl -- are you planning to do the North Rim or South Rim of the GC? Although they look close on the map, they are several hours drive apart. It will also determine what recommendations you get for your itinerary. Page and Antelope Canyon are much easier seen if you're planning on visiting the North Rim. And I would highly recommend seeing Antelope Canyon!

Just a thought. I haven't read through ALL the posts, so I may be speaking out of turn.

Pitzikat

I've never been to the North Rim. I'm not sure how to fit that into your itinerary. It's not hard to get to Page etc from the South Rim, just a little longer drive, but the road is good and fairly scenic if I remember right.

I did miss the part about your wanting to be in Vegas. The thing is, there are so many wonderful places to visit in the west, that no matter what you choose, there will be great places that you won't see. BUT everywhere you do go will be excellent to amazing.

Given the choice, I'd go with seeing Yellowstone at the end of the Arizona-Utah trip. It will be less hot and less crowded before mid-June than after.

Yosemite is beautiful not just for the falls. How much water is in them depends on how much snow there will be this coming winter.

Take a look at the Jackson WY (Tetons) airport site - http://www.jacksonholeairport.com/

It definitely looks like you can return a rental car at the Jackson Airport and fly to SFO. From there you can rent a car and drive to Yosemite. When looking at the cost, take into consideration saving 2 days of traveling (car rental, lodgings, gas) to drive to the SF Bay Area to get to Yosemite.

Tomsd

LOL. Not a lot of US maps in Sri Lanka, eh?

For my additonal two cents, it's real simple: From Vegas - drive to the GRAND Canyon (South Rim - and do make a reservation in advance, say for Bright Angel lodge with a Rim view) - and then to Zion and Bryce - and then as suggested - make your way up to Wyoming/Yellowstone through Capital Reef, and spend time in Arches.

This has gone on so long I forgot if I posted my trip through this area in June? Just in case:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mvgcsedona.cfm

Myer

Depending upon how long you plan on being in Bryce and whether or not you hike (swam) the Narrows in Zion, I would consider a slot canyon.

You could take part of a morning or afternoon and drive east of Bryce for 20 minutes or so to Cannonville. They have a visitors' center there. You can get instructions how to get to Willis Creek slot canyon.

Not a long drive but surely an adventurous drive. There's a sign at the parking lot. The hike thru the slots is more like a walk but each slot gets higher and higher so it's worth it to go to about 5 of them. As with all slots, don't go if rain is in the forcast.

Tomsd

LOL. Amen wrt rain and slot canyons. Unless you want to (hopefully) be riding out on the crest of a flash flood - don't go hiking up a slot canyon if it looks like it has any chance of raining there or further up the canyon.

ozgirl

Thanks once again and now I am itching to get home and unravel my map! ( Tomsd I haven't seen a map of anything in SL! - beautiful country that it is.)

I had also never heard of a slot canyon but now have seen some beautiful google images of Antelope Canyon and read about flooding tragedies also

Tomsd I had read your report, some very useful info and proof that you can have a great, short holiday!

Pitzikat, now I think of it, when my sister and I went to Yosemite we spent a day there in November so I guess the falls weren't huge then but we knew no better and loved the scenery so I think I will just that on where it fits.

I will no doubt be back with more specific questions once I get home.

Myer

ozgirl,

Don't put Antelope Canyon together with real slot canyons.

I love Antelope Canyon. It's one of a kind. However, I consider it more of an attraction.

Some of the others such as Willis Creek and Little Wild Horse (I've never been there) are actual slot canyons.

Antelope Canyon will be crowded as bus tours go there.

Again, you don't go to a slot with rain in the forcast.

Willis creek is less of an issue as the slots aren't longer than about 100 yards each. In between it's wide open on both side so you won't get caught inside.

The first time I went to Willis Creek it had rained a bit an hour or so earlier. I stopped at the visitors' center and they checked the weather map. It was clear.

When we hiked out the creel wasn't more than and inch or two hich at the center. On the way back it was an inch or two higher at the center. There must have been some rain at the one the feeders.

- - -
Now, Antelope Camyon is another story. If you're going to be near Page, AZ then Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend should be on the list.

Both together they take about 2-3 hours and are about 15 minutes apart. To maximize the effect you should go on a relatively clear day when the sun is high in the sky. Between 11 and 2 or so.

You can see photos for a lot of these places and of my trips there at:
www.travelwalks.com

ozgirl

Hi again everyone, back from Sri Lanka and my LP "Discover USA's Best National Parks" has arrived but not yet the map!!
There has also been some movement on the accommodation availability and I now have two nights Yosemite Lodge June 20 and 21 and Yellowstone on 25th, 27th - 29th inclusive.

I think we can make this work - I know driving Utah parks to Yosemite not ideal but I looked at flying LV to SF (to make dates work)and that's not ideal either and we would have to dump any assorted paraphernalia we had collected thus far (cooler, chairs etc...)

We have time to spend the 3 days we would need to drive from Utah to Yosemite and then from there to Grand Tetons if we keep the car. Can we work with that? Don't forget, every part of the US is new to us

If so, how much time should I allocate prior to fixed dates in Yosemite please? (Time to cover at least LV - land there I think - GC, Bryce, Zion at a minimum, maybe Arches ....?)

Hope this makes sense! Thanks.

emalloy

ozgirl,

Look at the route I suggested above, but instead of starting in Vegas, start in either LA or San Francisco and do things in the opposite direction with a bit of a tweek.

LA up the coast or directly to Yellowstone (June 20 - 21)

Grand Teton one day driving a couple in GT (22 - 24)

GT to Yellowstone (25 - 29)

Then decide if you want to go to Glacier, I think it is a bit early as many roads will not be open, but you might want to spend the time there I would choose to do Arches and Canyonlands instead.

So for me:

Yellowstone to Moab for Arches and Canyonlands (one day drive, 3 or 4 days in the parks)

Moab to Zion (2 or 3 days)

Zion to Bryce (2 or 3 days)

Bryce to Page for Antelope Canyon (1 or 2 days)

Page to South rim of Grand Canyon (1 or 2 days)

Grand Canyon to Las Vegas (1 day)

Then either turn in car and fly home or drive back to LA or SF to fly home.

Depending on flights and scheduling, you could do the coast drive either at the beginning or the end of the trip.

Hope this helps.

ozgirl

Hi emalloy, thanks for this but wouldn't it put me in the hot south in July ? Was trying to do that late May/ early June and then go north?

emalloy

ozgirl,

yes it would. and it is hot in July in southern Utah, I was trying to keep the long drives to a minimum.

If heat is a problem for you, then fly into Vegas, do Zion, Bryce, Arches and Canyonlands, Monument Valley, Page, south rim Grand Canyon, then Yosemite, Yellowstone and then decide on Glacier or back home or to California for home or coast hwy or back to Vegas and home.

I would suggest times as given above, except a bit more driving, but still a doable trip in your time frame.

The car for us would be less expensive if the pickup/dropoff is in the same city which is why I had the back to Vegas option. This might not be true for oz folks.

emalloy

You might also want to do Vegas,Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Arches, Canyonlands, Page, Bryce, Zion, Yosemite, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, depending on where you can get lodging.

birchtrees

a agree with Myer. I was in Antelope Canyon back about 11 years ago and it was very crowded. Lots of tour buses and tons of people but then it was high tourist season.