Hi, we are starting and ending in Salt Lake City. In which order should we plan to visit the major National Parks in Utah, including the North rim of the Grand Canyon?

This website details a Grand Circle trip to all the national parks in Utah, including the North Rim (in Arizona)

http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/

Hi stpetereb,

It would help to know how much time you have for this trip and what time of the year but here goes.

Depending on whether you want to do 300 miles of driving on the first day or last, you can start or end with Zion National Park. I'll start with Zion, but the parks could be done in the reverse order.

Zion National Park, N. Rim Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon National Recreational Area, Bryce, Scenic Hwy 12 thought the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Capiol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches National Park.

Utahtea

Thank you so much. We are going in June and I am not sure how long we will have. This plan is exactly what I was looking for. We will start with Zion and end with Arches getting in as many as possible along the way.

The lodging reservations at the North Rim will be most difficult, so you might want to start with that and then fill in on either side.

Right now the website is showing availability at Grand Canyon Lodge for only one night in June (the 4th). You might want to grab that, if the date doesn't work, call them and see if there are other cabins or rooms that do not show up on the website.

http://foreverlodging.com/lodging.cfm?PropertyKey=181

It is well worth the effort to stay at the lodge as it is truly right on the rim of the canyon. The next closest lodge is about 30 to 40 minutes away, outside the park.

You could easily spend 4 days in each park. It just depends on what you want to do.

some of our favorite things

1. canyoneering in Arches with www.deserthighlights.com
this is our all time favorite adventure

2. whitewater rafting, cateract canyon would be great in june

3. hike The Narrows and Angels Landing in Zion

4. hike Delicate Arch and Devils Garden in arches

5. see Deadhorse Point

other good places to consider- Natural Bridges Monument, Goblin Valley, Cedar Breaks, Escalante, Monument Valley, 4 corners, maybe some of indian ruins

I would definitely consider Lower Calf Creek Falls located a bit west of Boulder (UT).

Thank you all so much for the information and ideas. I am sure our vacation will be better because of the help.