Trip Report - N. AZ and S. UT
 

My husband and I just returned from a week (6/15 - 6/23) on a motorcycle to N. Arizona and S. Utah. I wanted to at least give a brief report since I have received so much helpful information from the people on this message board. If anyone wants further info I will be happy to answer questions - and remember that the following are only my opinions...

Day 1 - Spent the night in the Orleans Hotel & Casino (off strip) - new hotel (4 years old) and great value for money ($60). They have a shuttle which runs to the Strip throughout day. We rented motorcycle in Las Vegas and took Rt. 66 to Flagstaff - ate at Mr. Dz's on Rt. 66. Stayed at Days Inn Rt. 66 in Flagstaff - good value for money ($45)

Day 2 - Grand Canyon S. Rim - surprisingly uncrowded. Took shuttle to all view points. Ate lunch at Bright Angel Lodge - good food. Spent night at Cameron Trading Post and Motel. Only choice I could find once you leave the east entrance of Canyon -about 35 miles outside. Beautiful antique native american goods can be found there. Food is okay. Good value for money ($79)

Day 3 - Monument Valley - spent night at San Juan Inn and Trading Post in Mexican Hat - best choice in that town for lodging. Right on river and has a restaurant (mediocre food) which is important when the town only has 100 residents...Yet another good value for the money ($70).

Day 4 - drove up Highway 95 through Glen Canyon Recreation Area - this drive was the BEST drive of the trip. We drove through tight twisting canyons - all red rock - simply breathtaking. Drove through Capitol Reef N.P. - make sure you take the scenic drive - a very undervisited park which is spectacular! Spent the night in Torrey Days Inn. You do not have a view of Capitol Reef from there (Best Western seems to have the best view of the park), however, still a good value for money ($60). Ate dinner next door at Wonderland Inn - AWFUL. We are not fussy eaters, however, this was not even diner quality food with prices much higher than a diner would charge.

Day 5 - Rt. 12 to Bryce - By far our FAVORITE park was Bryce. Stayed at the lodge in the park. Beautiful lodge in the pines - felt like we had gone to summer camp - so relaxing! Awesome canyon - good hiking - would go again in a heart beat! The food was amazingly wonderful - best meal all week. I recommend the spinach roulade!

Day 6 - Zion N.P. - our last park - the hottest weather and most crowded park. Beautiful scenery yet we did not really enjoy it. The crowds really through us off - especially after Bryce. The lodge in this park is next to a busy parking lot - no feeling of peace and relaxation. Stayed at Springdale Best Western. Prices higher in Springdale for lodging (this hotel was $100). Ate dinner at Pizza and Noodle in town - excellent pizza. Sprindale has an excellent shuttle bus system - no charge and they run from about 2 miles before Zion N.P. right up to the park visitor center (where you pick up the park shuttle bus) and then back again - so you can get back and forth without the hassle of driving - runs all day up to about 11:00 p.m.

Last day - back to Vegas for return red eye flight. You can't beat a trip which includes our national parks!!

Hi Turquoise,

Glad you had a good time. Your trip sounds wonderful - bike and all! Sorry you didn't enjoy Zion. Because the valley is so narrow and crowds so large, it's best to visit Zion off-peak season. Spring, fall and even winter are wonderful!

Thanks for the report. We are leaving in two weeks to some of the places you went and are all excited about it.

Where did you have the meal in Bryce? I would assume it was at the lodge.

Great trip report! Thanks for sharing about your lodging info too. We just visited some of the same areas as you. We really enjoyed Capitol Reef as well. Beautiful country!

Marigross: Yes - the wonderful food we at at Bryce was in the lodge. You do need dinner reservations to eat there (not for lunch or breakfast though). We called ahead about 3 weeks before our trip and were able to get a 7:30 seating. However, you can make a reservation once you arrive, too. The waiters are very efficient and friendly even during a busy meal time.

Although we were keeping a fast pace (a different place every night) we made time to stop at anything that looked interesting along the way. We stopped at Navajo National Monument (just before Kayenta, AZ) which is native american ruins (Betatakin), Natural Bridges (off Rt. 261 - S.W. Utah near AZ border), Anasazi State Park (off Rt. 12 in Utah) and every overlook that we saw signs for. Make time for some of the attractions you find along the way!

Real good report, TurquoiseWaters (live near the water, do you?). Nice to see folks like you sharing their travel experiences here for others to pick up on. We will only be going to one of the parks on your travels, but still enjoyed the whole account.

TurquoiseWaters...
My husband and I are planning a trip across country from NJ, to tour N.Az and S.Utah by motorcycle this fall(late sept-early oct). I'm still working on an itinerary and it was good to read your report. As you know, being on a motorcycle places a higher value on refueling. Any issues with finding gas stations, LOL? I'm sure we'll not take any chances and just to top off at any station we may pass :), but was just curious. It may make me not want to wander around too much outside the main routes to all the parks :) I'm also going to assume that there are stations at or near the NPs. Glad to hear what a great time you had and I'm taking lots of notes!! LOL. Now to just figure out which route to use to get out there!! :)

To TurquoiseWaters,

Enjoyed your report. Sorry you didn't have a good time in Zion.

To sissyni,
Gas shouldn't be a problem. Once you decide on your route, post it here and I'll let you know of any areas that gas won't be handy.

Utahtea

About the gas... I can tell you to be sure and fill up on the route between Moab, UT and Torrey, UT. I had a little over half a tank before departing Moab. After exiting the Interstate it didn't occur to me that there would be NOTHING for miles and miles and MILES. I was never so happy in all my life as I was when I finally saw "Hollow Mountain" gas station in Hanksville, UT. I even bought a postcard of the place. (It was a little unusual looking.) I certainly learned a lesson that day... and I also learned my reserve tank lasts a lot longer than I ever would have pushed it under normal circumstances.

Oh, and Utahtea... about the conversation we were having on Hell's Revenge in another thread... I had no idea that was a 4+ trail. I didn't even realize there was a trail rating system like that. I just know I'll never forget it. Maybe I'll go back to Moab someday and rent my own jeep to take on some of the lesser rated trails. The white rim trail at Canyonlands looks like fun.

Thanks Utahtea. I will definitely get an itinerary out here once I get it going. Hope to really work on it this weekend. I've been here taking lots of notes and you have been a great source of wealth without even having to have 'chatted' :) I'm sure I'll have lots to ask. It's going to be a big trip for us. I am very excited.

ldnas...your scenario is exactly the one I am worried about, LOL! I am hoping to go out to that area, so I will keep in mind to fill up before leaving any interstates. Glad to hear you made it ok. One of the guys at the dealership even suggested carrying a small gas can strapped to the back with us just in case. Seems a little dangerous but not totally a bad idea I guess. Don't think we can manage it. Need the room for clothes, LOL. It's limited as it is :)

Recommend the Boulder View Inn in Torrey, small place but immaculate rooms with beautiful views. No pool though.

In Springdale the Bumbleberry Inn gave us a good rate and was fine, nice location near the park.