lyban

My husband and I will be in Vegas for about 3-4 days in February. We would like to drive to Bryce Canyon for 2-3 days.Can someone tell me if this is a good idea or are we better off visiting someplace a little closer. Also we would like a very nice, bit luxurious accomadation in any area.
Thanks

xyz99

Bryce Canyon would be very nice (though cold) in February. Zion would be closer and probably warmer than Bryce – but if I had to pick one, I would pick Bryce. The pictures I saw of snow over the red hoodos are magical.

We were there in September, but I’m not aware of any luxurious accommodation in the area. We stayed at the lodge in the park: very convenient located, with a good restaurant, but nothing more than that. As far as I can remember, there was no TV in the room. Considering that days are shorter in February, this might matter. There are a couple motels outside the park: Rudy’s looked nice, check tripadvisor – I think it gets good reviews. Wherever you decide to stay, you will have a wonderful time, just bundle up

bookhall

The Bryce Canyon Lodge, which is the accomodation within the park, is closed from November through March.

Ruby's, though not particularly luxurious, is adjacent the park, and quite nice.

My personal take (assuming you're not hiking) is that the best bet for Bryce is to arrive one day, drive to the various overlooks, and see the park. BE SURE to catch the sunset! And the next morning, be in there to catch the sunrise!

I'd spemd a couple of days at Zion. The lodge there is open year round. You can easily spend a couple days there. And to be at breakfast in the Lodge's restaurant when the sun rises, starting to illuminate the canyon walls, is pretty spectacular! Some pictures, of both parks, are at http://community.webshots.com/user/bookhall .

There's also some pix of Nevada's Valley of Fire. It's not as well-known as the national parks, but it's about 55 miles from LV, and is awesome in its own right.

lisatravels

Zion is en route to Bryce and I'd recommend dividing your trip between the two of them. If weather and road conditions permit driving through Zion is the most scenic route to Bryce. I'd recommend this for three reasons 1. both parks are stunningly beautiful 2. I don't believe Bryce has any luxurious accomodations and Zion has several. I haven't stayed at any of them and I can't recall the names, but I know there have been mulitple glowing reviews on places outside Zion on this site. 3. I have a feeling that many trails and roads in Bryce will be inaccessible due to snow, so spending one night there so you could enjoy sunrise and sunset may be enough.

lyban

Wow! Now I am excited, such positive replies.
xyz99- We are from Montreal, so we are used to the cold and will bundle up for sure.
Bookall- The photos that you posted for Bryce Canyon and Zion are wonderful. Thanks so much for that.
Lisatravels- I think the place you are referring to is Desert Pearl Inn in Zion that has got good reviews on here. It really looks nice.
Maybe you or someone else can tell me if this seems like a good itinery:
We arrive Vegas Monday Noon, sleep there Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.(Don't know where yet) Then rent a car and drive Friday morning to Zion and stay at Desert Pearl Inn for Friday night and Saturday Night. On Sunday drive back to Vegas and sleep there to leave on Monday morning flight home. Is it possible during our stay in Zion to have time to visit Zion Park and Bryce, yet sleep in Zion the two nights. We will not be doing any adventures because of health restrictions but would like to see the scenery. I read about staying in the lodge at Zion in order to see sunrise at Breakfast, could we just go early in morning for breakfast at the lodge and see the sunrise or perhaps we can see just as good a sunrise from Desert Pearl Inn.I think I am starting to ramble.

KathrynT

Would you consider one night less in Vegas and adding one more night to your Zion/Bryce adventure? I think you would be able to have a more leisurely and relaxing visit to Zion and Bryce (and both are really worth seeing.) I think you would still have plenty of time in Vegas.

I wonder if it was the sunrise at Bryce that you have heard of rather than at Zion. Zion is absolutely gorgeous at any time, but I don't remember the sunrise as being particularly spectacular. The light changes so much at Bryce that the sunrise and sunset are beautiful to behold there.

tovarich

We stayed in Springdale, just at the entrance of ZION. Great place.But the best time of the year for visits is September. Paul

bookhall

KathrynT: Take a look at the Zion album on my webshots group, mentioned above. The first two pictures illustrate the winter sunrise in Zion, as seen from the restaurant at the Zion Lodge.

When we sat down, it was black outside. After about 10 minutes, the sun hit just the top of the of the canyon wall opposite the Lodge. Then, as first light came to the day, the wall slowly continued to become visible from top to bottom.

Sunrise (and sunset) at Bryce are, of course, spectacular. But we'll never forget that December morning in Zion....

highflyer

Do spend an extra day in Zion. It's beautiful and you'll have more time to see Bryce.

lyban

Well, you all seem to have be convinced to spend an extra day in Utah. So, what if I leave Vegas the Thursday morning instead of Friday and now I have 3 nights sleeping in Utah. My Question, should I spend the three nights at Desert Pearl Inn,and do a day trip to Bryce Canyon but come back for sleeping or 2 at the inn and one at Zion Lodge. Or sleep one night near Bryce Canyon? If so , where?

ccrosner

Although Bryce was my favorite spot on a trip last summer, I would probably suggest staying three nights at Desert Pearl and doing a day trip to Bryce. They drive should take about 1 1/2 hours each way. If you get an early start, you'll do fine. Especially since you don't plan to do anything too strenuous. Definitely stop at the Bryce Visitors center before going into the park. We found them very helpful.

I envy you!

lyban

Thanks for the reply, maybe I will look at staying the three nights at Desert Pearl Inn and doing day trips. For anyone who has stayed there, could you recommend certain rooms or views to book.Also as you know I will be there in February, I know not the best time but due to a family reunion in Vegas for the first part of trip I have no choice. So My question now is. Is the town of Springdale still active this time of year. I am hoping that the shops and restaurants and any other activities don't close down at all during the middle of winter. Anyone with information on this. Thanks

KathrynT

OOPS, I can see sunrise is spectacular at Zion as well.

Malesherbes

For those who have not stayed within Zion, there is no way to describe the beauty of those cliff faces rising straight over your heads in the moonlight, the stillness of the park, so you could understand why it's so special and what you are missing staying outside the park. We have done it both ways, our last trip staying in Zion Lodge. We have stayed outside the park for the last time! It was wonderful...not so much the lodge, which is just a lodge, typical of most of the National park lodges, but the after-dark ambiance of the park.

As to which is the better park, it's like asking if you like apples or avocados better. Both are fruit but entirely different from each other. Bryce is so pretty, but Zion will always remain my personal favorite.

lyban

Hmmmmmmmm. Maybe I should then spend one night at Zion Lodge and two at Desert Pearl Inn. I seem to change my mind after every new reply. Again, can anyone answer my question regarding the month of February.

utahtea

Just got back from 4 days and 5 nights in Zion National Park. We camped and the place was deserted. We ran into a couple of people on the trails. We had upper Emerald Pool to ourselves. It was also crystal clear and sunny for 3 of the 4 days. We didn't make it to Bryce but the weather forcast for that area was snow every day. We only had one evening of rain in Zion.

Utahtea