My husband and I are touring Utah in September and yes, of course, everywhere we would like to say is booked. I need some solid advice on alternatives. We are leaving from SLC (that one is easy) to the Moab area, then south and finally west to Bryce, Zion. I had a recommendation for a Daniel Pearl Inn (?), but I can't find it on-line. Anyone out there knows it? We have ten days total, with an early arrival and late departure, so we have part of those days.

In Zion NP it's the Desert Pearl Inn.

We stayed at the Aarchway Inn in Moab, and that was nice.

It is the Desert Pearl in Springdale (Zion) that you are looking for.

In Moab, the Dreamkeeper B&B is suggested frequently.

If you are headed to Bryce and Zion via scenic Highway 12 (highly recommended) then a stop at Austin's Chuck Wagon in Torrey but, for any of these places, rooms will be hard to get at this late date. Check for cancellations daily.

An alternative would be the Best Western in Torrey. You should be able to get in there.

If you plan to stay the night at Bryce, call daily for cancellations for the lodge inside the park so you can be there to view sunrise & sunset. Otherwise check Ruby's and do it soon.

Zion, the Desert Pearl or call the lodge in Zion NP daily for cancellations. Odds are your persistence will be rewarded with a room or cabin. Cancellations are common.

Our last trip was in late Aug/early Sept. last year but didn't include Moab. Here's a link to our trip report FWIW.

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/utah_tr

In Moab there are a few B&B's that look pretty good. Most of the hotels/motels looked pretty much the same to me (from the outside anyway). Pretty simple accomdations, but clean and somewhere to sleep for the night. We stayed at the LaQuinta and it was just ok, nothing special. I would continue trying as others have indicated for Zion Lodge and Bryce Lodge. You may get lucky. Ruby's might be an alternative in Bryce. I think you will be able to find something in Springdale just outside of Zion. www.tripadvisor.com is a good place to check out lodging and dining options. There is 3 or 4 nice sounding B&B's near Capital Reef. Surely you plan on drving HWY 12 to Bryce from Moab? This would be right in the middle of your route.

I never can remember if it is Capital or Capitol. I always have to look. I can never remember that English rule.

I loved Austin's Chuckwagon. In Moab we stayed at one of the Best Westerns and it was nice. They had a great pool and hot tub and it was right in the middle of town.

Thanks for the lodge suggestions. My real problem is deciding how long to plan. We have 10 days arriving from SLC and planning to travel to Moab from there then heading more south and west. We like to do one activity in each place but don't need to hike to every spot. Can this be done in ten days?

We need more clues...what is it that you want to see?

The more I read the more I want to see. i would like to see the Moab region and Bryce and Zion. I guess the trouble I am having is what there is in-between I shouldn't miss and how long some of the activities take. I read about a morning raft ride, so that is clear, and a hike through the narrow, which I expect will take a day. Someone else mentioned a horse or mule ride in Bryce which is at least a half day? I'm beginning to think that 10 days is too short.

If you are adventurous try canyoneering in Arches with www.deserthighlights.com. There are other companies in Zion and Escalante area that offer guided canyoneering as well. Yes, you are correct, there is a lot to see and do when you start planning. A lot of people add the North Rim of Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and/or Lake Powell with Zion. You might want to concentrate on just Moab area or just Zion/Bryce and save a trip for later. But with 10 days you can certainly see a lot.
I am going to Zion for my first time in mid-Oct.

We have stayed at Cali Cochita B&B in Moab and absolutely love it! Great accomodations within walking distance to town; excellent breakfast; friendly guests and thoughtful innkeepers.

http://www.moabdreaminn.com/

Deb

We took the Bryce 1/2 day mule trip in late May. Great way to get down into the canyon and enjoy the views.

The 1/2 day trip was about 2 1/2 hours. Started at 9 back by 11:30.

MY

Now we have added four days to our trip in order to try to do all we want. So in your expert opnions can we land in SLC, travel to Moab and then to Bryce and Zion and some in-between? When Moab is mentioned does that just include Arches and Canyonlands?

Thanks.

This will be a wonderful trip, eznmomma. It is such a beautiful area. I read in the paper just the other day that one of the arches fell. No photos that they know of and seems no one was there for it. I'm sure you'll hear more about it when you get there. Have fun!

Hi eznmomma,

With 2 weeks here's what I would recommend:

Day 1 - drive to Moab 4.5 hrs from SL Intl Airport

Days 2 - 6 Arches, Canyonlands, raft trip, 4x4 trip

Day 7 drive to Torrey, visit Capitol Reef NP

Day 8 drive Hwy 12 to Boulder stay overnight at Boulder Mtn Lodge, hike Calf Creek Falls (EARLY before 9am) or drive part of Burr trail or both

Day 9 & 10 drive on to Bryce, visit Bryce

Day 11 - 12 Zion

Day 13 drive back to SLC or fly back out of Vegas, better idea.

Thanks so much. This looks great and I already printed it out to work on. We are going back to SLC because the car rental difference is more than $1200. We're usually not overly frugal on trips in place of convenience or having a good time, but that is one hard to ignore. The flyer miles difference is huge as well, although for that I would have left from Cedar City.

I am having trouble finding places to stay in Bryce and Zion. Everything is booked. I'll keep trying but any suggestions on out-of-the way places that aren't usually recommended?

eznmomma,

When not camping, I stay:

Zion - Novel House Inn, Springdale

Moab - Dreamkeeper Inn, only 6 rooms though and they will be booked

Moab - Sunflower B&B, I've heard good things about

Moab has tons of motels

Bryce - not a lot of options. There are some alternatives in Tropic which is about a 20 min drive away.

Hi eznmomma,

We've lived in Cedar City for the past 3 years and I can say, with certainty, that you will love all you're going to see in Utah, regardless of which parks you visit.
As you're having problems with room reservations for Bryce and Zion, you can also check Cedar City for both (1 1/2hrs. from Bryce and 1 hr. from Zion) as there are lots of motels here and both are, easy, pretty drives to those two parks. It's our summer festival season so the motels may be booked, but there is a large selection to choose from. You can also check the motels in Hurricane, St. George & Washington for Zion.

You obviously don't need one more teaser added to a busy vacaton schedule, but the ferry ride ($136 ea.) from Wahweap Marina to Rainbow Bridge on Lake Powell is incredible. I've not taken the ferry myself, but we've spent a lot of time on Powell and there's no other lake like it. The ferry is a fast, easy way to experience the lake without the need to rent a boat & leaves the navigation to the pros. Rainbow Bridge is the largerst natural span in the world and the trip up the lake to see it is incredible. It would take the better part of a day and it's 1 1/2 hrs. to Wahweap from Zion. Just one more thing to add to the confusion.
And yes, if you have an opportunity to hear the Tabernacle Choir rehearse or attend their Sunday morning service, do so.
On Temple Square, there are nice young missionaries from around the world, who give free tours and the free tour at the Conference Center on Temple Square, is also very interesting.
You'll love it all.

Randi

Thanks for all your suggestions. I am checking them all out. I did find a Best Western about 1 hour from Bryce, 1 hour from the north rim and 12 miles from Zion. I'm sondering if I am too far to stay for sunset and go back to the hotel in the dark.

I understand that the ride to the bridge on Lake Powell originates in Page, Arizona? That correct.

We are back to ten days. A friend convinced my I had too many days for one trip and that 2 days in the Moab region is enough. I have 24 nights booked now. What do you think? How many in Bryce and Zion. She siad one in Bryce and 2 in Zion.

I still have some flexibility.

As I mentioned in your other post call Xanterra several times a day until you get what you need in Bryce & Zion.

Things I would consider en route in addition to what Dayle laid out:

Goblin Valley State Park for a few hours. Less than 10 miles off the highway.

Escalente Devil's Garden. Similar to Goblin valley but a bit grown up. Not far off the highway.

Just before Bryce if you have 2-3 hours. Willis Creek is a real slot canyon that's less than a half hour below Cannonville. Stop at the Cannonville Visitors Center for instructions and conditions.

You're in the first part of the canyon within 5 minutes of leaving the parking lot. The better ones are about 10 minutes from there. neat walk along a small creek with straight up, narrow walls.