Southwest National Parks
 

I am planning a visit (from Perth, Australia) to the US late in October. I will have about 10 - 12 days to spare and would like to visit some southwest national parks. I am passionate about walking and photography. Where is a good place to start (I will need to hire a car - probably not a 4 wheel drive). Which parks to visit at that time of the year. I would prefer not to drive great distances.

Ron- I live in Utah, and have lived in Arizona and Colorado for most of my life. October would a great time of year to visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon- (and North but the weather can be a little unpredictable late Oct.). South Rim is about three hours from Phoenix by car (boring drive). Another great park is Zions in So. Utah which is about three hours from Las Vegas by car. You can also fly from LAX to St. George, Utah, rent a car and visit Zions (45 minutes) and then do a loop to Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks via U.S. Highway 89 and Highway 14 to I-15 then back to St. George. This could comfortably be done in two days with an overnight at Ruby's Inn at Bryce. Another very interesting park is Mesa Verde in SW Colorado. You can fly from Denver (and maybe Vegas, Phoenix?) to Cortez and then drive for 30 minutes. There are many other wonderful loops in this area if you want to drive a little. Cortez - Durango- Silverton-Telluride- Cortez would be an absolutely stunning drive in early October. Again, comfortable with an overnight in Silverton. Cortez-Durango-Santa Fe- Taos- Alb. would also be wonderful- then fly out of Alb. If you want to drive a bit more - Moab-Canyonlands-Needles-Capitol Reef- Monument Valley- Chaco Canyon-all would be great. A very off the beaten path spot, but well known to Europeans, is Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon - between Kanab, Utah and Page, Az. Fabulous foto opts and unique landscapes. Best of luck!

I would fly into Las Vegas and do a circle trip of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (N. Rim is usually closed by Mid. Oct.), Lake Powell, Bryce and Zion National Parks and back to Las Vegas. 10 - 12 days will give you enough time in each location to be able to see the sites, do some hiking and take pictures. All total you are looking at about 850 miles.

Thanks slbuz and utahtea for your info. My schedule has slipped a little and I will be arriving in Vegas on the 8th Nov. Is the Grand Canyon/Lake Powell/Bryce/Zion loop do-able at that time. Have never driven in snow/winter conditions.

You will probably be fine in Vegas, Zion and Lake Powell. You will need to check local weather conditions for Bryce as it is much higher altitude and more likely to have snow. You also might find Death Valley an interesting place to visit, it is about two and a half hours drive from Vegas and will not be snowy in the valley but again, check local conditions when you go and make sure it isn't snowing on your path. I've done a similar trip in winter and there was not any snow on the roads when we went although there was snow on the trails in Bryce. With luck November will be fine, you can do the loop in either direction, choose the way that gives you the best chance for good weather.

Bryce is at a high elevation so that access in bad weather might be a problem. I would add Arches to any circuit.

Another vote for Death Valley. The problem with visiting canyons in November is the low level of the sun and, hence, very short days. Add to that the high altitude of Bryce and even Arches, and you can find some fairly cool days.

But parks like Death Valley and Saguaro and Organ Pipe in Arizona are lovely in November. These are places you don't really want to be in in summer.