We are a family with 2 teen-age boys (ages 18 and 14). We will be flying from Newark for a week's vacation in late April (school spring break). Which airport is the best one to fly into and what is the best itinerary that will allow us to see Antelope Canyon, Arches and Canyonland?

Thanks, Robin

Salt Lake City or Denver would work. Denver would be via interstate.

Deb

Salt Lake, Denver, or Vegas would be the best for airfares. However, you can fly into Moab or Page cutting the drive time down. Grand Junction is another option. The drive from Grand Junction to Moab is a good one. I would imagine the drive from Moab to Antelope would have highlights along the way.

Don't know if you would be going by Natural Bridges National Monument, but Sipapu Bridge is as impressive as some of the arches at Arches. Of course, be sure and hike the entire Devils Garden Trail and hike up to Delicate Arch. Do Fiery Furnace if you don't go with Deserthighlights(see below). Drive out to Dead Horse Point for a heck of a view(better than the Grand Canyon, perhaps). Maybe hike the Great Gallery. Consider Goblin Valley as well.

Check out www.deserthighlights.com

this rates right up there with ziplining and rafting the Grand Canyon. my daughter was 12 when we did it. if you could raft the Cateract Canyon in April, I would certainly go for that as well.

http://www.photoworks.com/members/spirobulldog
click on above for my photos
then click "view all"
then "Arches"

Antelope Canyon is a long way from Moab. There is a lot to see on the trip there. There is plenty of slot canyons around Moab if that is what is interesting you. Plus at the canyon around moab, you will have them to yourself for the most part. Expect a throng of tourist at Antelope. We love Utah, I imagine you will as well if you haven't been there before. If you are limited on time, you might just want to consider Moab/Arches/Canyonlands and save Page/Lake Powell/ Antelope Canyon/ Zion/Bryce/North Rim of Grand Canyon for later trip. But if you have the money and a lot of time, go for it.

Hi Robin,

Better make sure you have lodging reservations right away. April is the busiest month for Moab!

Also, be sure you are not going exactly during Easter week - the week before Easter Sunday. Moab is MOBBED with THOUSANDS of off roaders for the annual Jeep Safari. Trust me, you don't want to be there that week.

HOly cow Dayle! You're right - most of the Moab hotels are fully booked the week we want to go (last week of April, definitely not Easter week). I'm concerned that only the hotels no one would want to stay in are the ones that still have rooms available.

We've been to the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion before so I don't want to just do the Antelope Canyon portion of the trip. But, yes, we've seen gorgeous pictures of Antelope and wanted to see it for ourselves. Now, I'm not sure if we should find a different destination.

We flew into Denver and drove across Colorado on I 70 to Moab. It took most of an afternoon, but the scenery was great and if your kids are into skiing, you go by very cool ski slopes. I doubt if they'll be prime in late April, but might be fun to see. Moab may be busy so if you don't have a place to stay, try Green River. It's ten or 12 miles past the road to Moab and the motels are much less expensive there. Do Arches and Canyonland from there and then head south on either 95 or 191. 191 is shorter but the scenery on 95 is fantastic and there is a state park, Goblin, where you could stop for lunch. 95 joins 195 then take 163 through Monument Valley. 163 hits route 160 in Kayenta where there are motels. Take 160 to route 89 and then up towards Page. Antelope canyon is a couple of miles before you get to page. The Navajos charge $20 per person to go into the canyon and you leave your car and do a wild ride with them. You don't have to use one of the outfitters from Page to go there. It is really amazing. Depending on how much time you have, you might continue north on 89 from Page and hit Bryce and Zion. If you can arrange to drop your car off in Las Vegas and fly out from there it will save the trip back to Denver and Zion is only three hours from Vegas. An alternative would be to go from Vegas, up to Zion and Bryce, down to Antelope Canyon and over to Arches and Canyonlands reversing the route given before then heading down to I 40 and back to Vegas with a stop at the Grand Canyon.

Hi Robin,

Don't give up staying in Moab. Post the hotels/motels that still have availability and I'll tell you what I know. Also, there are B&Bs and condos. Try looking on vrbo.com.

I tried to post this last night, but the site went down and it didn't post.

I swear, between the site being down off and on and all the registration problems, I'm almost beyond frustration with fodors right now.

Cali Cochita B&B has a 2 bedroom suite that might work for you. It is a lovely place with great owners.

http://www.moabdreaminn.com/index.html

Deb