Southern Utah Itinerary help - doable?
 

Hi all,
I am attending a reunion in Park City and am excitied to take the opportunity to check out some of the Southern Utah parks......but I think I got carried away with my plans and fear I'll be spending too much time behind the wheel rather than walking and exploring. What are your thoughts on this plan? All suggestions greatly appreciated!!

Mon- Drive to Moab for 2 nights (via Price). Afternoon suggestions?

Tues- visit Arches

Wed- drive to Torrey see Goblin Valley, Capitol Reef stay in Torrey

Thu- Highway 12 all the way to Zion through Bryce. Is this doable? Suggested stops? Zion 2 nights and

Sat- to SLC
Sun – Fly

It's doable, but of course you could easily spend your entire time right around Moab.

The Must Do's in Arches"
Hike to Delicate Arch-Moderate hike allow 2 hours going up the hill and 1 hour coming down, plus some time at the arch itself. I like to take a sandwich or something to eat while looking at it. Be sure and see it from every angle possible.
I prefer seeing it in the morning instead of at sunset. Yep, sunset is nice, but I like it to myself and at sunset you are going to be there with 200 people. It is equally as pretty in the mornings.
Hike to Landscape Arch-consider adding on the entire Devils Garden trail with this. The entire trail will take you about 5 hours. The last hour is a bit boring, but the rest makes up for it.
See Wall Street, Balanced Rock, Double Arch, Turret Arch, and The Windows. These are all right on the road and will take you about 5 minutes to walk to each. All of them are amazing.

Other things to consider in Moab. Perhaps a drive out to Dead Horse Point-about as dramatic as the Grand Canyon for views. A hummer tour. These are very scary and I will never do one again-Moab Adventure Company. Small airplane tour over canyonlands-www.slickrockair.com The absolute top thing I have ever done in a National Park is with www.deserthighlights.com in Moab. Totally safe and absolutely amazing if you are the least bit adventurous. You go once and you will be hooked.

Do Not Miss Goblin Valley. I just love this place.

Capitol Reef is nice for hiking by yourself. I don't find the arches/rocks there nearly as good as Arches though. Do be sure and see thr fruit orchard and even pick some that is in season. Do go to the Gifford House and get one of their homemade pies. Eat your pie in the picnic area(a 1 minute walk)under the big trees there with deer everywhere(usually).

Consider hiking to Calf Creek Falls. Consider seeing Devils Garden in Escalante(down a dirt road-and yes there is a DG in Escalante and Arches).

In Bryce, hike Navajo Loop/Queens Garden Combo hike.
Or ride horse on Peek a Boo Loop

Zion. Hike Angels Landing and The Narrows. Rent your shoes from Zion Adventure Company for The Narrows. You might want wetpants too, depending on water temp. Do not hike this if rain or lightning is threatening. Do have meal at Zion Lodge. Do have lunch under the big tree in front of the lodge(everyone does this and its neat).

Oops. 1 more really good thing is Little Wildhorse Canyon right near Goblin Valley. It's a really good slot canyon. Don't confuse it with Wildhorse, you want Little Wildhorse.

When are you going?
Your trip sounds like a driveby. That's fine but if you want to hike and see the best of the NP then you should cut back on the miles.

I'd recommend spending longer in Moab/Arches.. maybe 4 nights and then spend one or two nights near Capitol Reef.

I agree with spiro's comments but I don't think you could to do all those things in your time frame.

Alternatively you could see Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion and save Arches for next time.

When are you going to be out here? Bryce is at a high elevation, which is great in the summer, not so much in winter. If I were you, I would just take the straight shot down I-15 to Zion and then Bryce--that will take a good 4 days. That way, you will really get to see 2 amazing places. Save the eastern half of the state for another visit.

You could easily leave Zion and Bryce out and visit Moab for 3-4 days and then Capitol Reef area for two or three days and then head back up to SLC.


Or you could visit Capitol Reef for a day or two, head down hwy 12 to Bryce for a day and then Zion area for 3-4 days.

Either way you would have a more indepth visit to the parks you do visit. I like to say you will never miss what you don't see, but you'll love what you do see.

Moi - I prever hitting them all the first time and then deciding which one you want to come back to. It probably doesn't matter that much - but I would head to Moab - and then see some of the sights around there and then work your way over to Zion/Bryce - and from there/Bryce - it's a straight freeway shot (4 and a half hours) back up to Salt Lake airport. Depending on your flight time - you could even get up early on Sunday morning and drive from Bryce up to the airport, whatever.

see: http://tinyurl.com/bon2vwr

Here is some info on lodging at Bryce and Zion and maps. It's also about 5 hours from Zion via freeway 15 up to Salt Lake Airport. http://tinyurl.com/cmnm8n8 Easy shot - and again, on Sunday - you could get up early - coffee up with a snack - hit the road and have breakfast or lunch at the Salt Lake airport - unless you have a very early morning flight. http://tinyurl.com/cmnm8n8

http://tinyurl.com/cmnm8n8

http://www.zionnational-park.com/bryce-canyon.htm

http://www.zionnational-park.com/zio...k-road-map.htm