Utah NP Itinary
 

We will be flying into Vegas at the end of March on a Tuesday AM and flying out on Saturday AM. We are looking at some combination of the following: Zion, Bryce, Capital Reef, Buckskin Gulch. Mostly interested in adventurous day hikes. We have been to Zion and Bryce for a short trip ten years ago but would like to hit them again (have kids with us this time). I've listed Capital Reef because we would like to visit all the national parks and it is within driving distance. The Buckskin Gulch hike looks like something we would enjoy. What would you eliminate and what works best with driving and our time frame.

Thanks

AFAIK Buckskin Gulch (haven't done it myself) takes a long time and is pretty rugged.

There could (probably will) be snow at Bryce.

Buckskin Gulch is the largest slot in the U.S. It is a humbling hike. There is one entry and three exits. The longest option (41 miles) exits at Lee's Ferry. The other is what is called Mid-Trail (7 miles) . The last is at the end of Buckskin to the Paria River (14 miles) All distances are one-way. End of March may be difficult depending on weather (canyon floor wet).

...listed Capital Reef because we would like to visit >>> ALL<<< the national parks and it is within driving distance. ."

3 days for below, including hiking, is not possible unless you drive with a GoPro out the window.


Vaga

What ages are the kids? Buckskin is way the heck out of your way. Go for Peekaboo Slot Canyon instead. (outside of Escalante--between Bryce and Capital Reef) If you click on my user name, you can see trip reports for all of the parks--with KIDS.

There are two Peekaboo Slots

1) about 5 miles north of Kanab and then right about 1/2 mile and left about 5 mile across deep sand. Ask at visitor center for specific directions. Kanab is 207 miles east from Las Vegas.Buckskin canyon is about 20 miles further east of Kanab.
2) Town of Escalante north about 10 miles to Hole In The Rock Road and then south about 25 miles. BLM has specific directions.


Vaga

I'll check out the Peekaboo Slot Canyon. The kids are 7 & 9. Do you think we should try to fit in Zion, Bryce and Capital Reef in the same trip or leave Capital Reef for another trip (hit it on a trip to Moab)? We have been to Zion and Bryce but not Capital Reef.

Tuesday - Zion
Wednesday - Bryce, stay in Torrey?
Thursday - Capital Reef, back to Springdale
Friday - Zion

Is that too much driving?

>>Is that too much driving?<<

It would be for me. I'd want about 6 days for do that itinerary - and with two young children it would be tough IMO.

You want to drive from Zion to Bryce and then on to Torrey? Leaves not much time for Bryce.

Why Zion twice?

Have the kids been to Zion and Bryce? If so, then I would skip those altogether. I would do Escalante/Boulder (including Peekaboo slot canyon) for 2 days and then Torrey/Capitol Reef for one day, and then Goblin Valley/Little Wildhorse for a day (you can do those from Torrey).

Here is my trip report on Escalante
https://www.fodors.com/community/uni...-kids-1015523/

Here is my trip report on Capitol Reef and Goblin Valley
https://www.fodors.com/community/uni...h-kids-980290/

The kids have not been to Zion & Bryce. Does that change your opinion? I remember a few hikes we did that I would like to take them on. Will Zion be especially busy the week of Easter?

We are from MN, so I'm jealous of you being able see these places so easily.

Well then, you have to do Zion and Bryce! I would do 2 days in Zion and 2 nights so:
Tuesday, fly to Vegas, get to Zion, stay the night. you said you get there earlier in the day, so I am going to assume you get to do some small hike in the afternoon/evening
Wednesday: Zion, drive to Bryce--make sure you get there by dark. Do not drive in the dark or at dusk--too many deer and other animals on the road
Thursday: Bryce, drive to Escalante and stay the night
Friday: Peekaboo Slot Canyon, drive back to Vegas??? Not sure when your flight leaves Saturday. You could stay the night in St George and then go to Vegas in the morning

Yes, this will all be crowded Easter week. That is spring break for everybody. Zion will be the worst. The crowding there has gotten so bad that they are thinking of limiting visitation to the park in the next few years. That is the beauty of skipping Zion and Bryce and coming back at another time that is not crowded. The other places will be busy but not nearly as crowded as Zion and Bryce. On the flip side, I can totally understand wanting your kids to see Z and B.

Here is my trip report for Zion
https://www.fodors.com/community/uni...report-865097/

Forgot to add--here is my trip report for Bryce
https://www.fodors.com/community/uni...h-kids-996075/

Spooky and Brimhall slots are close to Peekaboo - the one in Escalante

Caution for your kids: While rare, the faded midget rattlesnakes are in that area.
Tiny mouth and passive if you don't annoy them like stepping on them or putting your hand on them while crawling over rocks.
The Midget Faded Rattlesnake

Vaga

You can see all the kids need to see at that age in Peekaboo and the one to the left of it. Spooky is kind of cool--super narrow and more chances for snakes--they get washed over the edge in storms. Brim hall is a slog (deep sand) to get to--skip it with kids.

See if this works: Slot canyon: Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
Kids like Goblin Valley State Park. Some movies were shot there that they may be familiar with. The Hoodoos are good.