Utah parks
 

We normally spend odd year vacations with my husband's family in Rhode Island. However, I think we're the only ones able to make it next summer - so we're thinking of a week there and a week out west. Utah came up as a possibility last night. I know about Bryce and Zion, but I assume (correctly?) that they would be very crowded in June/July. What are some lesser known/visited alternatives that we could see in 1 - 1 1/2 weeks? Rafting Westwater Canyon would be a must, maybe something like the pink jeep rides in Sedona, maybe horseback riding, some hiking, maybe rock climbing for the teen/twenty somethings - but mainly scenery and mountains.

Zion, Bryce, and Arches are the three most visited NPs in Utah, and, when you visit them you will discover why. Fortunately, the drive between Bryce and Arches is exceptionally beautiful as it passes through Excalante, Torrey, and Hanksville.

There are endless opportunities for outdoor activity in these parks, but I can't remember any pink jeeps running around.

HTTY

Sorry - the pink jeeps were in Sedona - 4 wheel drive excursions - couldn't think what to call them when I posted. I just don't like trailing along behind a huge line of cars in a park - no matter how beautiful. Would Zion, Bryce, and Arches be that bad - or can you get away from crowds? Could you target a certain area you particularly want to see, go early and see it, then go to less crowed parks - maybe state parks? This just came up in conversation last night and I haven't had a chance to read up on various parks - thought it would be good to get some guidance first.

I've been to Bryce and Arched in early June and there were people but but crammed. As soon as you get on the trails the crowds thin out.

The drive from Moab (Arches) to Bryce is long.

There are some excellent sights such as Lower calf Creek Falls enroute.

We've been to Zion and Bryce in the summer several times. Yes, there are more people then, but it's not uncomfortable.
Zion has an excellent shuttle system (no cars allowed inside the park). We like to stay at the lodge inside the park and thus we do not notice so many people. And once on the trails you do see fewer people.

At Bryce there is also a shuttle system, but it's not as easy as the one at Zion. Still, cars are limited as to where they can drive. You have to park your car, no matter what, and walk over to the rim, then down into the canyon.

Both parks are worth seeing. And the crowds are nothing like Yosemite or Grand Canyon.

Hi bellhouse,

If whitewater in Westwater Canyon is a must, then you really should spend this whole week in Moab. There you can do everything you mentioned and still not see and do it all. There are several companies that do canyoneering, and many other that do 4x4 tours, biking tours, almost whatever you want!

If you do choose Zion and Bryce, note that you cannot even drive your car in Zion. You must use the free shuttles. If you get a very early start, it will be cooler and won't be as crowded.

Even on their busiest days, these parks are NOTHING like Yellostone and Yosemite. And, yes, as soon as you get out on the trails, you will be fine.

I agree with Dayle that if you only have one week and the Westwater Canyon is a must, then I'd spend the whole week in Moab. Zion is 350 miles from Moab on the fastest route and Sedona is almost 300 miles from Zion so depending on where you start & end, you can kill a lot of valuable time in the vehicle.

Moab is like the capitol of 4 x 4 trails. You can take a tour or rent a 4x4 Jeep in Moab. We've done it a couple of times when we didn't have our own 4x4 vehicle. The Potash Road, with side trip to Musselman Arch before climbing up the Shafer trail into Canyonlands National Park, and the drive back on the Long Canyon is a great day trip from Moab and a FUN adventure.

As many have mentioned, the crowds are manageable and if you're coming, you want to see the most scenic areas. One thing to consider is, the Utah parks are HOT in the June and July. The earlier you can come in June, the better the heat and crowds will be. Make sure you aren't around during the 4th of July weekend!

Utahtea

Are you into whitewater? I've, rafted the GC, but my next rafting trip will be Cateract. You might check it out as well. One of the best things I've done in a national park is canyoneering with www.deserthighlights.com If you do go to Zion, canyoneering is offered there by a few companies as well. If you are in Moab, don't miss Goblin Valley State Park. Deadhorse Point is good as well. I would go as early in June as possible. We were there Memorial Day weekend a couple of years ago, and it wasn't crowded at all.

Thanks everyone! Yes, we do like to whitewater raft (guided!) every chance we get - we just did the Ocoee a couple weeks ago on a southern road trip. It had been raining alot, so they were having to let more water out than usual - it was wild! We briefly lost one raft mate overboard and we all had bruises, but it was worth it. I was looking at outfitters and came across Western River Expeditions and Moab Adventure Center. Has anyone heard of them? They have a package where you raft one day, 4x4 one morning, and have an afternoon for horseback riding/canyoneering/biking/whatever - you stay at the Red Cliffs Lodge. I was thinking that if we did that, then we could have a day of driving and spend a couple of nights each at Bryce and at Zion. Does that sound reasonable?

I forgot - good tip about staying at staying at the lodge in Zion - thanks. Any recommendations for Bryce?

Just saw that there is a lodge inside Bryce. One of the park links sent me to Xanterra, which only said there was a lodge at Zion. Turns out another company is running the Bryce lodge.

We really liked staying at Red Cliffs Lodge. It is out of town and has great ambiance of its own, right on the river. Sorry, I don't know anything about those outfitters. We had a fabulous day trip with Tagalong Tours in Moab (1/2 day jet boat into Canyonlands, then picnic and switch to 4x4 for amazing drive/tour out of the canyon), but it's not the wild whitewater stuff.

Good to know about Red Cliffs Lodge - thanks. I'll look into Tagalong Tours, too - see what they offer.

bellhouse,

Western River Expeditions is a very good outfitter. they've been around for many years and they do have an association with the Red Cliffs Lodge so that's where their "packages" stay. Western River Expeditions is good, but one of the more expensive companies to use. You might want to check out some of the other companies in town, there are many, and compare prices.

Personally, I would not want to stay at Red Cliffs for a first, and maybe only, visit. It's a 25 minute drive one way into town and although it's a pretty drive, it's not one I like to make every day while visiting the parks. It's more fun to me to stay in Moab and be able to enjoy this funky, unique little town and walk to restaurants.

If you stop into the Visitor's Center on Main St. as soon as you hit town, you can get all kinds of info for all the tour operators. Many options for 4x4, rafting, biking, canyoneering, etc. etc. etc.

I would skip the horseback riding at Red Cliffs unless you have never ridden before. It's strictly nose-to-tail plodding and not all that scenic compared to what you could see if you used this time for a 4x4 trip or hiking, biking.

google Moab, raft trips, etc. and you will find many companies. The air tour company is slickrockair.com. I do recommend them.

Where would you recommend in Moab itself? Good to know about the horseback riding - on websites it looks much more interesting. Can you recommend another rafting company in particular?