Southwest Itinerary...Please comment
 

Planning the following in early June. Hope to see what we can in the time we have! Husband and I are in our mid and late fifties and enjoy nature and light hiking. We love the beauty of nature.
Day 1: Fly to Las Vegas, Drive to Springdale, Utah
Desert Pearl Inn
Day 2: Zion
Day 3: Drive to Mexican Hat
Valley of the Gods Bed and Breakfast
Day 4: Valley of the Gods
Day 5: Drive to Mesa Verde
Farview Lodge
Day 6: Mesa Verde
Day 7: Drive to Moab
Red Cliff Lodge
Day 8: Moab
Day 9: Moab to Torrey
Austins Chuckwagon
Day 10: Torrey to Springdale
Day 11: Springdale to Las Vegas to home

It's going to be a fast moving trip but do able.

Day 3: From Page, AZ take Hwy 98 and you can cut out about 50 miles. (Just keep in mind it is a pretty scenic 50 miles)

Day 4: Valley of the God is ok, but Monument Valley is so much better. You will get a taste of it as you drive by it about 20 miles before reaching Mexican Hat. With a whole day, you should have time for both.

Day 5: Mesa Verde, do one of the ranger guilded tours. You have to pay a couple of dollars and get tickets, but it is so worth it.

Day 10: Torrey to Springdale. I hope you plan on driving scenic Hwy 12. If you do, you can make a quick stop to see Bryce Canyon.

With all the National Parks you plan to see, you should probably get the National Park Pass for $80.

Have a great trip.

Utahtea

Thanks Utahtea! I'm not sure will be able to reserve Valley of the Gods at this late date, so will keep staying closer to Monument Valley in mind. Was not happy with the amount of driving on day 3, but couldn't figure a place to stay, not interested in Page.

CLynn,

Hope you have a good time and luck in getting res at the places of your choice. It's a little late, but there are other options in most places. Not Valley of the Gods, where I'll be in 3 weeks.

You'll definitely want to return and spend more time.

Have fun

I don't think you'll find that much to do in Valley of the Gods. While Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods are really very nice and certainly worth seeing, the two of them along with the painted desert rank at the bottom of my list for the southwest. Since you are right there, be sure and see Moki Dugway, and Goosenecks of the San Juan. You could easily do Valley of the Gods, the dugway, and then the goosenecks in 4 or 5 hours, then head down to Monument Valley for the remainder of a day. You should do "the narrows" while in Zion. You can go as far in as you might want to. Do check weather conditions for flash flooding first. We loved, Zion, Arches, and Mesa Verde. I may be wrong, but isn't the Red Cliff Lodge. I would probably be more inclined to stay in Moab. However, I am sure it is very nice. You might want to drive out to Deadhorse Point. One of the most spectacular views on the planet in my opinion. The hike to Delicate Arch is somewhat strenuous going uphill, but very much worth it. The coming down is easy. Do not do this hike in the middle of the day if it is hot. No shade anywhere. Most people hike this at sunset, if you do bring a flashlight for the return. Hike to Landscape Arch is super easy. If you are feeling up for some adventure Angels Landing in Zion is fantastic, but somewhat strenuous. Canyoneering with www.deserthighlights.com is absolutely fantastic. It is not really strenuous at all. They are in Moab. My daughter and I did their most strenuous outing and really enjoyed it. Here is a link to some of my photos. http://www.photoworks.com/members/Spirobulldog

click on "view all" then you will see Mesa Verde, Arches, Zion, etc.

I can agree with the others on the Valley of the Gods, no need to spend a full day there. Do drive the dusty Moki Dugway and if time permits drive on up the road for 30+ miles and visit Natural Bridges NM.

I think spiro left a few words out but was probably trying to ask about the location of Red Cliffs Lodge. It is about 20 minutes more or less outside of town, on the way to Fisher Towers. I really enjoyed staying there, more so than in town. It's got a beautiful setting, a small kitchen is included, and the restaurant was pretty good.

BTW don't speed in Moab. They are waiting for you!

This could be a very hot trip in June. It's too bad you don't have a few more days to find respite in places like Bryce or Boulder in Utah or Telluride in Colorado.

You will see a few pictures of Natural Bridges Monument on my link. I must say that Sipapu Bridge there is very impressive. Just as impressive as Landscape Arch in Arches. The openings are very different. To get the full effect you need to hike down to it. mlgb is right, I did leave off a few words on that sentence. I just wanted you to know that the lodge is a little out of the way, but probably worth it, if that is the kind of place you are looking for.

If you are trying to see Moab and Arches, staying and Red Cliffs can get a little annoying. It is just far enough out of town that there are no "quick trips" in to get drinks, food, go to Arches etc. We stayed there last time we went down, trying to make the trip a little more "special" then just staying at the Holiday Inn and I was a little disappointed. You'll have a great trip. I could spend a week at Arches and Monument Valley.