jokaca

We are flying in to LV then driving..Should we go to Bryce Canyon first ? How many nights should we stay to see it? Then to Zion? Where else could we go in the area>
thanks

emalloy

When are you going? How much time do you have? Are you planning to spend any time in Vegas? Do you want to hike or just drive through and look? What do you mean about "in the area"

If the "area" is southern Utah and northern Arizona there are a zillion things to see like, Grand Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Staircase Escalante, Monument Valley, etc.

If you mean fairly close to Vegas, there are also Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Death Valley, Hoover Dam, Lake Meade among others.

How much time in each place is totally dependent on what you want to do there.

spirobulldog

Zion -3 nights go canyoneering with Zion Adventure Company on one of those day

Bryce-2 nights one of those days--go up to Cap Reef on hwy 12, hike Calf Creek Falls

emalloy is right, it just depends on what you want to see and do. There is a ton to do in Utah.

1 day in Vegas would be enough for me. I like to see one show and eat one good meal, perhaps a few hours shopping and seeing the strip.

utahtea

The only change I'd make to spirobulldog's suggestions is, if you plan to go up to Capitol Reef as a day trip, then spend 3 nights and 2 full days at Bryce Lodging. If you do Capitol Reef as a overnight then two nights at Bryce would be fine and one night in Torrey.

I would do Bryce, Capitol Reef and then Zion just because I like to save the best for last and Zion is only a 3 hour drive to Las Vegas.

Utahtea

iamq

We spent 2 nights at Bryce and stayed in the park the whole time. Having one full day and two partial days worked well for us. We spent 3 nights at Zion.

We did Bryce first, then 2 nights at the Grand Canyon North Rim, then ended in Zion. I'd do this trip again and would spend another night at the GCNR.

Myer

It depends on your style, what you've seen in the past and what you want to do.

Are you at least a moderate hiker?

Capitol Reef is not one of my favorite places.

In Bryce I would do the following. The order depends upon when you get there. a) Get up very early in the morning and go to Bryce Point to see a spectacular sunrise. b) Hike down into the hoodoos doing at least Navajo Loop going down and Queen's Garden coming back up. c) stop at a few viewpoints. Natural bridge is the only really different one.

Move east of Bryce Canyon.

If you haven't been to Arches NP and/or you haven't seen a slot canyon. About 15-20 minutes from Bryce is Cannonville.

If you go south down the main street (you can stop there at the visitors' center for better instructions).

The left fork passes Kodachrome State Park and after a total of 10 miles you come to Grosvenor Arch.

The right fork after 10 miles of dirt road takes you to Willis Creek. This is an adveturous ride but a very easy hike/walk in a series of slot canyons.

Moving further east from Cannonville you pass the town of Escalante and get to Hole-in-the-rock-road. About 10 miles down the fairly smooth dirt road you get to Devil's Garden on the right side of the road. The can spend a couple of hours wandering thru, in and over amazing rock formations that are similar but somewhat larger than Goblin Valley.

Moving further east you will now be on the famous, scenic Rte 12. On the left side of the highway you'll come to the Calf Creek picnic area. Lower Calf Creek Falls hike is a fairly level 2.5 miles each way. Since the trail is sandy you'll use some energy. However, there's a spectacular waterfall at the end. You won't be alone on this hike.

In addition to Bryce you have anywhere from one full day or two partial days (depends on your style and stamina) in this very scenic area.

I'm sure other will add their experiences.

For Zion it also depends on how adventurous you are. You could easily spend two days doing moderate hikes such as Angel's Landing (either to Scouts Lookout or all the way), Riverside Walk, The Narrows, Emerald Pools, Canyon Overlook at the east entrance, etc.

You can see my photos from several trips to the area at:

www.travelwalks.com

spirobulldog

I would label the hikes that Myer lists as moderate to strenuous. And Strenuous for Angels Landing.

Before any of us can give you much help, it would be best if you could answer emalloy's questions.

jokaca

thanks so much for the help

lgott

If you're one of those folks who suffers from altitude sickness, then it's best to start with Zion. Most of Zion is several thousand feet lower than Bryce, so you'll get a change to slowly acclimate to the altitude. Bryce, at 8,000 to 9,000 feet, gives some people trouble.