We really appreciate all the great advice from everyone! We've tweaked this quite a bit from original plan thanks to the great info you've given us. Also found tons of info on past threads that helped with lodging. Only one last itinerary decision we are having difficulty with. We'll be at Zion on May 21 & 22, checking out and spending day in Bryce before spending the night at Boulder Mt Lodge on the 23rd.

Here's the tough choice: Do we come back to Boulder Mt Lodge after a day at Capitol Reef and then on to Moab for our last 2 nights, OR... do we stay one night at Boulder and one in Torrey (SkyRidge Inn) and then on to Moab, OR... check out of Boulder Mt Lodge, spend day at Capitol Reef and drive on Moab that evening and stay 3 nights? Would be nice not to pack up and leave as often but want to make sure to get all these places into our trip. We're sort of doing the "Southwest sampler" in case we don't get to come back for a while.

I'm not usually this undecided. Any final suggestions from our wonderful Utah experts?

I absolutely love Moab. A "must see" that I have recommended to others visiting Moab is a guided tour through Fiery Furnace. You need reservations for this morning tour...one should not venture alone through this area if a first-timer (or maybe a third-timer). I think that you would call ANP Visitors Center to get more information on reservations.

Have a great time. BTW, I am totally with other repliers in this thread that bypassing Las Vegas to allow time for more awe-invoking wonders is a good idea.

Regardless, have fun in the beautiful, ancient SW!

If you exit Capital Reef (at the end of the day) opposite to where you came in (ie NOT toward Torrey), you can get to Moab rather easily by heading toward Hanksville. I would devote at least 2 full days to the National Parks in Moab.

Luv,

No don't backtrack to Boulder again from Capitol Reef. Spend the night in Torrey or drive on to Moab. The drive is not terribly scenic, so if you do it at night you won't miss much.

Be sure to drive between Bryce and Boulder during the day, allowing plenty of time for photo stops! This is the most spectacular.

I do think you are REALLY rushing this and underestimating how much time you are going to want in each location. Just plan on returning!

Ciao