Traveling solo 50's female. I have a 12 day trip planned for the day after Memorial Day. I land in Vegas and plan on doing a circle tour of Southern Utah and Southwestern Colorado back to Vegas. I have been to many of the parks before so I might bypass a few to experience others I haven't been to. Does my itinerary sound okay. Right now I only have my first to nights booked.

Day 1-2 Las Vegas
Day 3 leave early for Zion hike for a couple of hours drive to Bryce stay over near Bryce
Day 4 drive to Capitol Reef sight see along the way and end the day with a hike in CR.
I've been to the above, so just a quick hike at each is sufficient.
Day 5 Early start drive rte 24/95 to Mesa Verde NP with stops at Natural Bridges and?. Afternoon at Mesa Verde drive to Durango.
Day 6 Durango train and sight see and rest in Durango.
Day 7 drive to Ouray hike (where) and hot springs and spend the night.
Day 8 Drive to Moab checkout Arches
Day 9 Drive towards Vegas with stops (not sure which way or where) stay the night
Day 10 arrive in Vegas sometime this day
Day 11 Vegas
Day 12 leave for home
The trip might seem rush but I like to keep moving. I can drop the last day in Vegas and add it somewhere along the route.
I like to hike up to 5 miles and eat local budget type meals and also budget lodging.
Thanks for your help.

Add a day to Mesa Verde NP.

There are a ton of hikes between Durango and Ouray. One I've done that I really like is just north of Silverton called Ice Lakes, then turn off to get to it is the South Mineral Campground. It might be a little over your 5 mile limit, but it's beautiful and totally worth it. Also consider altitude though, I'm not sure if you are used to it or not.

I'm not familiar with the Natural Bridges you are talking about, but it seems to me that it would make for a better loop to go to Moab after Capitol Reef, then over to Ouray and Durango, then on to Vegas from there. You could go from Moab to Ouray, spend a night there in Ouray to check out the springs and the town, drive to Durango the next day and stop along the way for a hike, then spend the next day there in Durango and do the train and explore if you wish, then I would recommend heading to Cortez that night and staying there to do Mesa Verde the next morning and spending an entire day there (if you haven't already been there). Overnight again in Cortez, then on your way to Vegas you could drive through Monument Valley on you way to Page. In Page you can check out Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, plus there is Lake Powell. I highly recommend Antelope Canyon, again if you haven't already done it. Overnight in Page, then go on to Vegas the next day.

If you stick with your route as planned then you could always add another day in Moab to see Canyonlands. There is so much to see around that area.

Only take the Durango Narrow rail one way, take the bus the other way. RT on trains takes a lot of time and there's nothing different to see on the return trip.

Day 5 looks really hectic. Just driving the long road into and out of Mesa Verde will take almost 2 hours of your day. I would also suggest that you add a day to Mesa Verde. More time in Moab would be great too.

Austin's in Torrey Utah offers clean, comfortable accomodations - nice pool and hottub, laundry and a nice store/deli on site. At Bryce we really liked Bryce Canyon pines - its outside of the park but it is a nice motel with a good on site restaurant - very homestyle cooking but well done.

12 days sounds like a lot of time until you set aside 5 for Las Vegas, and 2 more for parks you've already visited.

I'd seriously rethink that itinerary and make a decision as to whether you want to skim over everything or actually explore those new areas. Currently you are skimming over everything except Vegas. If that's what you want leave it as is. But if it was me I'd drop several Vegas days, skip Zion/Bryce and Capital Reef since you've already been to each and are only giving yourself a few hours in each, and add all that time to Moab,Mesa Verde and southwest Colorado.

I like to keep on the move, too, but your itinerary gives me a queasy stomach.

I gather you've been to the places on your itinerary except for Moab and SW Colorado.

At the very least you should know that Mesa Verde is a very time-consuming place, which is why somebody suggested you add a day there. If you plan to just run in and take a peek, you will not have a satisfying experience.

Also, Durango is o.k., but it isn't as exciting as its name suggests, and the train between Durango and Silverton follows essentially the same route you will drive when (and if) you drive to Ouray (which isn't half as thrilling as Durango).

Moab is the center for Arches, Canyonlands, (wonderful) Dead Horse Point State Park, and a glorious stretch of the Colorado River. If you haven't been to Moab, I believe you would have a more enjoyable trip if you spent more time in that area and lop off some of the long drives.

HTtY

You will certainly keep moving, but it is a doable trip.

If you don't add the day to Mesa Verde, add it to Moab and visit Canyonlands.

Have a fantastic trip.

I'm tired reading that trip. I think the day of driving to Zion for a few hours and then to Bryce for overnight, but leaving early AM is too much. If you've been to both before, I'd skip this leg and spend more time at the other parks. If you haven't been there, I'd add more time to those parks. I worry it's too much driving and that you'd be better off with few destinations and a longer time at all of them.

Yes it is a busy trip. However I am not one to be idle. I don't like to sit around or sit in a motel room and watch TV all night. Up and at 'em. I know it's not for everyone but it works for me.

Rt 12 Utah is spectacular, so to get there I plan on going through Zion and Bryce with a short hike to stretch my legs and eat lunch. Sunset at Bryce and maybe sunrise too.
Revised
Day 5 From Capitol Reef mosey on down to Mesa Verde stay in the park to make the most of my time there.
Day 6 more Mesa Verde sleep in Durango.
Day 7 skip the train and mosey on up to Ouray stopping along the Million Dollar Highway. Stay in Ouray and soak in some hot springs. I really just want to see the mountains not especially any town.
Day 8-9 drive over the mountains to Moab. Sleep 2 nights in Moab and check out the area.
Day 10 drive towards Vegas stopping overnight somewhere? where?
Day 11 Arrive in Las Vegas spend any leftover money on slots.
Day 12 fly home early a.m.

Thanks for all your help. I'll write a nice trip report and I'm sure this itinerary will change. It's good to be flexible.

I suggest you get busy booking your accommodations. If I read your post correctly, your trip starts in 3 weeks and budget places are the first to go.