We are planning a trip to Grand Canyon....never been. We would like to see Lake Powell, Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, etc. What city should we start in? How much time should we allow for this trip, any hotel suggestons? Rent car or take a tour company??

I would start from Vegas. See the Hoover Dam in route to the South Rim. Only 10% of the people see the North Rim, but you will be right there, so you might as well see it as well. You may even like it better on the North. After the GC, see Antelope Canyon or Canyon X in Page AZ. From there head to Lake Powell. You can rent a houseboat, or stay at the Lodge there. Be sure and see Rainbow Bridge while at Lake Powell. Then head to Zion and Bryce.

The amount of days will depend on what you are wanting to do. Hiking options a limitless. A number of other options, which will depend on how adventurous you are, are available. I don't think you will find a tour company that will really cover all of these. Frankly I don't like tour companies anyway. How many people will be traveling with you, what are the ages, when are you traveling, what is the budget? I would say 10 days to 2 weeks for this trip. There are all kinds of options at lake powell, there are helicopter rides at GC, canyoneering, jeep tours, horse rides, etc. that can be done in a lot of places. Are you interested in the lodges at the parks. I find those to be fantastic.

We took this trip several summers ago - We flew into Phoenix, drove up to Sedona for the night then to the GC - spent 2-3 days there at the El Tovar (worth it!) then circled up thru Page and on to the North Rim (I much prefered it to the South) then over to Bryce - stayed in the lodge and to Zion - by all means stay in Springdale at the Desert Pearl and flew out of Los Vegas. We rented a car and were gone about 15 days. It was an awesome trip.

We also flew into Phoenix and went to Sedona-then the Grand Canyon- then Lake Powell (we visited Antelope Canyon while we were there)- then Bryce- then Zion- ended in Vegas and flew home after spending a couple days there.

If you start in Phoenix you can see Sedona. From Vegas you can see Hoover Dam. Either way, it would be easier to depart from Vegas. Of course, you could reverse the order start in Vegas and end in Phoenix.

It might be cheaper to fly in and out of the same city, so in that chase Las Vegas will be the better city. I'd start out with the S. Rim of the Grand Canyon. Spend at least 2 nights, three would be better. If you plan do hike down into the canyon then you will want 3 or 4 nights.

There's plenty to do at Lake Powell. Lake tours to Rainbow Bridge National Monument, float trips on the Colorado River, Antelope Slots Canyon and a hike to Horseshoe Bend would take at least three nights and 2 full days.

You will want at least two nights and one full day here. Three nights and two full days would give you more hiking time.

Zion has a lot to offer so plan on two to three nights. Then it's a short three hour drive back to Las Vegas.

I'd rather be able to go at my own pace and spend time at the places I like best so I'd rent the car but others might enjoy a tour company. It will depend on what you like doing.

Utahtea

I've been to south and north rims and I prefer north too. Fewer people, a slower pace, more wooded, better views, more rim trails out to points overlooking the canyon. If you aren't doing lots of hiking a couple of days there is enough.

We did Zion and Bryce this summer too. If you aren't doing any hiking, 1-2 days in each place is enough. If you want to do hiking you will need more time. Something we did at Bryce and really enjoyed was riding the mules for the four hour morning ride. You get to see a lot more of the park in a shorter period of time than you would hiking. We were there in late August and many people got reservations the day before.

The same company does rides at Grand Canyon north rim, Zion and Bryce and the lady I talked to said Bryce was her favorite ride. Just an idea.

I've done the same trip from both Vegas and Phoenix. Once in/out of Vegas (which was too much Vegas for me) and once Phoenix-Sedona-South Rim-Page and ending in Vegas via the North Rim (not enough time for Zion and Bryce). I found the latter trip more fun. We spent 10 days on the trip, 3 nites in Sedona (beautiful town/setting--take one of the Pink Jeep Tours), 3 in GC, 2 in Page, 2 in Vegas (see Red Rock Canyon if you go there--not as spectacular as the national parks, but worth the ride). I think Zion and Bryce would call for at least one day each. In figuring out your time, if you're driving you often have a choice betw scenic older roads and fast interstates--this can make a significant difference. We loved the non-interstate drive and setting our own pace, but that's why I'm not a tour person. The trip is very do-able by car, esp if you enjoy planning and being on your own.