We have visited Zion, Bryce, and Arches, and had fabulous times there. Now we plan to visit the other parks in southern Utah from Sept 7 to 15. I will list our tentative schedule and would greatly appreciate any suggestions or hints (What are "must sees" in the area? We enjoy day hiking.) How will the weather be?

Day 1. Start in the morning from Panguitch, drive leisurely and see the sights on Hwy 12 to Capitol Reef. Night at Torrey.
Day 2. Visit Capitol Reef. Night at Torrey.
Day 3. Drive to Mesa Verde, stop at Natural Bridges on the way. Night at Cortez.
Day 4. Visit Mesa Verde. Night at Cortez.
Day 5. Visit Mesa Verde (?), then drive to Canyonlands. Night at Moab.
Day 6. Visit Canyonlands. Night at Moab.
Day 7. Visit Canyonlands. Night at Moab.
Day 8. Drive to Salt Lake City.

Does this sound reasonable? Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanx much,
-Opihi from Hawaii

That sounds like a great trip! All three parks are wonderful.
September will be warm in Utah still-80s-90s during the day. Mesa Verde will be a little cooler. The NPS websites usually have climate charts, by the way.
I would spend one of the Canyonlands days in the Needles district. The Chesler Park-Joint Trail loop is an excellent day hike-one of my all time favorites anywhere. Carry lots of water. If 11 miles in the heat sounds like a little much, the Big Spring-Squaw Canyon hike is shorter (7 or so miles rt) and also wonderful. Needles really is an amazing area-even if you're having a low energy day, still visit the area and walk around on the shorter nature trails. Needles gets far fewer visitors-mostly just hikers-so its easy to feel like you're getting away from it all.

One morning in Moab, find out what time sunrise is and drive the 30 miles to Dead Horse Point State Park for the sunrise. It's absolutely astounding watching the sun rise over the La Sal Mountains, changing the colors on the cliffs above the Colorado River.

I wish I could remember the names of the hikes I really enjoyed in Capitol Reef but I can't. Though I do know I enjoyed them all so perhaps you just can't go wrong there.

I'm not sure where Cortez is...but It is a long way from the Mesa Verde park entry to the actual sites that you visit. I would definitely try to stay at the motel in the park.

That way, you'll be there early enough in the morning to get tickets to visit the good places during the day, AND, you can wander around to the unsecured places after the park closes in the evening.

Icuy,

Cortez is only 11 miles from the entrance of Mesa Verde. From the entrance to Far View Vistor Center is another 13 miles. Probably take about 40 minutes They don't close the gates so you can come and go even after dark.

Utahtea

Thanks a lot for the comments, really appreciate it and will consider. (any other input will still be very welcome)