There seems to be so much advice on this site that I'm hoping I too can get some help. I am just beginning to do some research on a possible trip to Vegas and the Grand Canyon this June. I hope it's not too late to get reservations in the Grand Canyon. We are a family of 6. Dad, Mom 4 kids ages 21, 19, 17 & 14. And yes they still are willing to vacation with us. We are use to the East coast beach vacations but this is something I've always wanted to do. So any help will be much appreciated. My initial thoughts are to fly into Vegas rent a car and drive to the GC. How many cabins will we need if indeed we can still get the Bright Angel Cabins? Would we be better off staying somewhere else in the GC? I am hoping to sleep three to a room is this possible? If we stay the first night in Vegas, get and early start to the GC, would one night be enough? We aren't the hiking type and my oldest is allergic to horses so the mule trip is out. I was thinking the boat ride on the river would be nice. Can that get real expensive for a family of 6? After the GC what do you suggest? I know they will want to end up in Veagas for a few nights before we return to NY. Any help with an itinerary is much appreciated. I'm guessing 7-10 days.

After Las Vegas, drive to Zion and/or Bryce National Parks. (We liked Bryce better). At Bryce it is possible to take a nice walk into the canyon (among the "hoodoos") and it is an OK walk, even if you are not ordinarily a hiker. You could stay in Park or even at Ruby's Best Western (recent post here about that place).

Then go to South Rim of Grand Canyon. Bright Angel cabins are really 2-person designed. Our family with 2 teenagers rented to units, which were really back-to-=back with connecting door. Each room had only one queen/king bed. In one room it would have been possible to fit a rollaway cot, in the other, it would have been really tight.

Grand Canyon has a shuttle bus that leaves right from around Bright Angel cabins that stops at about 15 scenic overlooks - even in August, it was not crowded.

That plus a few days at the end would take up most of your time.

Even if you don't do much hiking, there's a lot to do and see at the Grand Canyon. If you could squeeze in two nights, you could spend one day taking the free shuttle bus to Hermit's Rest and maybe walking along the rim between some of the stops. This can take almost all day. Sunrises and sunsets are worth being at the rim for. Exit the park going east on Hwy 64 towards Cameron and stop at some of the different scenic overlooks. The views change dramatically as you exit the park.

A float trip on the Colorado River for a family of 6 will be kind of costly but it is a great family adventure. My nephew was 17 when he went with us and it was the highlight of our two week trip. He had also rented a jet ski at Lake Powell, but the float trip won out as best! Again, I would recommend two nights at Page or Wahweep Marina. The short hike to Horseshoe Bend might interest you either before or after the float trip. You can see down into the canyon where the float trip goes though a big bend in the river.

I would recommend two nights at Bryce and two nights at Zion National Park. This makes for a great circle back to Las Vegas. I like saving Zion for last because it seems so peacefull to me. Your kids will get a kick out of playing in the Virgin River and if the budget can stand it, you can rent intertubes in town and float down the Virgin River. My boys LOVED this.

I can't help with accommodations, unless some of your children would be interested in pitching a tent and sleeping in the campgrounds...then I can help! There are campgrounds at all of these locations.

Here are my pictures of a trip just like this in 2003.

http://www.utahtea.lithium.com/pictu...ation.list.htm

Utahtea

I have been doing alot of checking of availability since my first post earlier this evening and as of right now the Bright Angel Cabins have 2 available cabins that can sleep 3 each (both with a roll away) during the time we are thinking of going. But only for one night. So far I think we could fly into Vegas stay for 2 nights (get that out of their system) drive to the Grand Canyon and stay one night at the Bright Angel Cabins. Day 4 up to Page, what do suggest is the best lodging on Lake Powell? Day 5 & 6 in Bryce...still have to do that research. Any suggestions as to where to stay there and in Zion?
Where do I find info on the float trip? When you say expensive, about how much? How long is the trip and where do you pick it up? I'm use to having to spend more than the average family with always having to get 2 rooms and airfare for 6.
I have read a lot of your posts and have checked out your photos. They make the idea of this trip very exciting.
Sorry to be asking so many questions that I probably could find the answers to if I searched this site. It's just that I'm getting very close to making the decision to go ahead and make reservations for this trip and I don't know how long I can wait.
Thanks a million for your help!!!!
Back to the web...

I'm sorry I'm not more help with lodging because we only camp. I can tell you that just outside the entrance to the Grand Canyon is lodging in the town of Tusayan. Staying in the park is always more fun, so if you can only get one night in the park, then you can spend most of the day before you drive the 140 miles to Page, AZ. Just give yourself time to stop at the overlooks as you exit the park.

There is only one authorized float tour and you can find information at these two websites:

http://www.lakepowell.com/tours_schedule.php

http://www.riveradventures.com/trips_float_trips.shtml

Both sites have links that take you to the same reservation site. For some reason that reservations site isn't working tonight. When it is working it give you more information and rates. We paid $59 per person for our float trips in 2003.

We did the early 7:30 A.M. tour. All float trips are half day. You sign in at their store in Page, AZ. You are loaded on nice new airconditioned (very important in the summer) Greyhound type buses and they drive you down though a tunnel to the base of the dam where you can get on the rafts. Our guide was really funny and knowledgeable about the area. At one point they gather all the rafts together and they sing songs and tell jokes before heading down the river to the petroglphys. There you can take the short hike and there are also pit toilets here. At the end of the float trip, you have time to explore Lee's Ferry before they load you back into the Greyhound Buses for the drive back to Page. Even the bus driver gives a little tour on the way back.

Utahtea

We did the trip you are talking about in August/September (you could search for my trip reports) and LOVED it.

I would try to get another night at GC (did you try Kachina or Thunderbird Lodges?). Try to stay in Bryce (although the lodge is not upscale it is convenient). We stayed at Flanigans in a two person suite while in Springdale. If the LR couch is pullout (I never checked) it would be great for your family. Also, we started in LV and that's a good idea. We got through jet lag. Stayed at the Flamingo which was cheaper than most but still with a fun pool. Careful in LV--many of the places with great pools charge EXTRA per person to go in.

Have fun planning!

I found a really good rate at aaa.com for 2 nights at the Lake Powell Resort & Marina for a July 2005 visit. They have rooms with 2 queens or a king. I paid (in advance) $82 per night for a Lakeside view room. The rate I was quoted at the hotel's website was $148 a night.

Thank you everyone for the advice. I just called GC and made the reservations for the Bright Angel cabins. Got the two that also accomodate the rollaway. Even though the website today said there was only 1 left. Now on to the other reservations. Utahtea thanks for the boat advice. Noblem, thank you for the AAA Lake Powell advice. I will look into those next. Here's hoping everything else falls into place.
Another question I have is if we get reservations at Flanigans is that a good base to tour Zion & Bryce? The person I just spoke to at Xanterra said they were about 2 1/2 hours apart. Do you think we would be better off staying at one place or pack everyone up and make reservations for someplace closer? We are use to driving alot. Each year we do the 14 hr. drive to NC from NY. Still have to make the Las Vegas reservations but thought I would start with the ones that mifght book up fast.

I wouldn't base in Springdale to do Bryce...others might. I would say it's more like 1 1/2 to 2 hours from Springdale to Bryce. But you will then rush Bryce. Also, a big highlight for us at Bryce was viewing the night sky and that would be tough to do and then go back to Springdale.

We have done Bryce as a day trip from Zion, but then we've been to Bryce many times. Many people prefer one park over the other. You will get a lot of people from both camps but each person has to experience both parks to make their own decision. Our favorite was Zion so a day trip to Bryce was fine by us.

It's a hard call. If moving the 6 of you is a lot of work, you might opt for the day trip. If it's not that big of a deal, then I'd move to Bryce.

Utahtea

More questions... I've been working on this itinerary for a few nights now and it seems to be coming together, thanks to all of you.
I'm having trouble deciding on accomodations for Bryce. The web site indicates there is no available lodging in the park the first night we will be there. Any suggestions for an alternative? I've read both pros & cons about Ruby's. Would anyone recommend anything other than the Park or Ruby's? If not, and we decide on two nights, would it be worth it to stay at Ruby's the first night and then in the Park the second. As I mentioned we are a family of 6. It's an extra $100. a night to stay in the park in 2 cabins. We will have already had the opportunity to stay on the rim in the Grand Canyon. Is it worth it for the one night?
My last decision is Zion. I can get a cabin in the park for 2 nights or a suite at Flanigans. Again there's a big price savings staying out of the Park. Will we be close enough if we stay outside? Which do you prefer...Flanigans or Desert Pearl?
I'm not trying to cheap out on this trip, but having never been I don't know if it's worth the extra $$$ it costs a large family to stay in all of these parks as opposed to right outside of them?
Thanks again everyone!

I really can't speak about the rooms themselves, but I can talk about locations, location, location.

Springdale is right at the entrance to Zion National park. There is a free town shuttle system and a free park shuttle system and all you have to do is transfer from one to the other so staying in Springdale is not a bad thing. Yes, the lodge in the park is in a scenic locations, but Springdale is scenic too! You will have more choices for eating outside the park.

Bryce also has a free shuttle system that can be picked up at Ruby's Inn to get into the park. To see views of the canyon, you really need to be at the rim. Yes, inside Bryce is within walking distance to the rim and Ruby's Inn is not.

BTW, you will probably want to buy a National Park Pass for $50 The National park pass is good for one full year from the month you purchase it & it will save you money since the entrance to the Grand Canyon, Bryce & Zion are each $20.

If you or your husband are over 62 then you can get a Golden Age Passport for a one time fee of $10.

Utahtea

I am one of the ones who think Ruby's is fine - not elegant lodging with atmospere, but fine.

When we did similar trip with our teenagers (only 2 of them), we found the mix of rustic, simple park lodging (Bright Angel) and more traditional motel (Ruby's) a good balance. No matter how beautiful the surroundings and how appreciative of such the kids are, cable TV, a pool, gift shop, etc. is nice for a night or 2.

Shuttle bus offers opportunities to split up for a few hours - some can ride bus into park and others can veg-out at hotel, if they want. We still go on family vacations with our teenagers (14 and 18), but all that closeness needs a break sometimes on vacation.

Thanks so much for this great info. The trip is coming together quite nicely. It sounds similar to the trip ccrosner took, give or take a day. Question:If you could only spend 2 days in one of the parks GC/B/Z which one would you choose and why? Other than that, the only decisions I have left are LV hotel & Flanigans vs. Desert Pearl. Looks like we will be in Vegas one night at the beginning of our trip and then 1 or 2 nights on the return. Any suggestions on where to stay? Husband and oldest son will want to hit the casinos one night I'm sure. I will take the others to either Blue Man group or any other suggestions anyone might have. We can get a suite for all of us at Flanigans. Desert Pearls website gives me an error when I try to input criteria for reservations. Without calling them I'm not sure if they have the same type of suites that sleep 6. Has anyone that stayed there know how big their rooms are? If you had to choose between the two, which one? Are they about the same $$?
Thanks again everyone for all your help. In less than a week I've been able to put this all together.

If I had to choose where to put an extra day or two, it would be Zion. Zion is one of our favorite parks and we have gone and spent a week at a time there several times over the years. It's just so relaxing & scenic to me. Everywhere you look it's beautiful, even when you are in town.

Utahtea

Couldn't pick which one to spend two nights in...all are great. Probably do Bryce in one (with two good half days on either side of the night) and do two in Zion as Utahtea suggests. You MUST do the Virgin River hike and get outfitted by Zion Adventures before going.

I would stick with the suite at Flanigans although others rave about Desert Pearl. Not sure that the kids will really appreciate the luxury of Desert Pearl and the extra room at Flanigans is nice.

I would splurge and stay in the Bryce Cabins even though it's another $100 and they aren't that luxurious. Especially if you are only staying one night. Ruby's is close but it's not the same.

My suggestions from one of the best trips of our lives, so far:

GO TO THE NORTH RIM OF THE GRAND CANYON!! Only 10% of visitors go to the north rim as opposed to the south, so it's much less crowded than south rim. It's also at a higher elevation, so you get a different perspective of the canyon, plus you can see the river from several different points. Check online, or call, frequently for openings at the hotel or the cabins. It's booked years in advance, but they do have cancellations often, so you have to keep checking if you don't find vacancies on the first try. We stayed at the hotel, and we finally got our room in February of last year before our trip in June last summer. The rooms were clean and adequate, but nothing fancy. It's a short paved walk from the hotel to the north rim--just walk by all the deer grazing, take pictures, or whatever, they are definitely used to people. BUT don't try to approach or pet them, they are WILD animals. Just steps from the cabin & hotel, there is this incredibly beautiful lodge perched right on the edge of the canyon. It has a glassed in viewing area and a stone terrace outdoor viewing area with a huge fireplace that is going most of the time, plus it houses the restaurant and the office. The restaurant is wonderful, but be sure to call & make reservations when you book your rooms. We have done both south & north rims, and we definitely prefer the north rim. And seeing the North Rim will put you a lot closer to Zion and Bryce NPs.

It's a beautiful drive after leaving Vegas, through St. George, Utah, which is one of the loveliest little cities we've ever visited. Even their WalMart is pretty and fits into the mountain scenery! ;-) If interested, I can recommend a good hotel with free Belgian waffles for breakfast.

Definitely go to Zion and Bryce NPs, too. Again, check online frequently for openings at the lodge or the cabins. We didn't stay in Zion NP, but we did get in Bryce. Ruby's is outside the park, and pretty much a big tourist trap, but there's not anything else. The hotel in Bryce was just completely refurbished, big rooms, and very comfortable--within steps of the Hoodoos.

There was recently a similar thread about going to Utah and you can find more great info there. If interested in more details of what I've shared, please post back in order for me to know that you'd like more information.

I'm waiting for my information about the GC to arrive via snail mail. But, as we have just reserved our flights, I feel an urgency to secure our accommodations for one night at the Grand Canyon on a Friday night in July.
Forgive me if this is covered in another thread. If it is, I can't seem to find it. And I can't seem to locate and answer from the GC web sites.
Our plans are to stay one night in Vegas, drive to the GC for one night, then up to Southern Utah for 7 nights.
This may be a totally uninformed question, but here it goes.
Is it feasible to go from Vegas to the south rim, look around, then drive to the north rim and try to stay the night there before heading up to Utah the next day?
I can't find any information as to the distance from the south rim to the north rim, and my map hasn't arrived yet to help me. I'm just afraid that we are tardy in trying to secure a couple of rooms at the S.Rim. To complicate things, there are 7 of us, so we need two rooms.

Check out the web site for GC: http://www.nps.gov/grca/grandcanyon/.../whereisit.htm

It is 4-5 hr drive from LV to GC and 212 miles from South Rim to North Rim. Rooms fill early so you should book now - if they still have availability. You can book online at xanterra.com or they have a 800 number you call also (on their web site). Their web site is not 100% accurate so if they do not show rooms you should call them - that is how I secured a room in June. Actually, I just checked their web site and there are rooms at Thunderbird Lodge every Fri in July - canyon side rooms have views of hte canyon - it is on the rim of hte canyon. Bright Angel cabins are available in JUly also... you are in luck ! The park's web site will answer many questions for you and give you info on the free shuttle service they have within the park.

Thanks for that information. Looks like we'll stay at the south rim instead, then drive up to Utah the next afternoon.
Wish we could stay at the Bright Angel cabins, but we are a family of 2 adults/3 children, traveling with my two parents. From what I'm reading the cabins won't be large enough. Drat!
Done some further reading on Fodor's about lodging, and realize I should book the Thunderbird ASAP. But, how do you all go about switching your reservation if something becomes available in one of the other lodges? I'm thinking I'd love to stay at the El Tovar, but it's not available. If I make a reservation for 2 rooms at the Thunderbird, and two rooms open up at the El Tovar, would they just switch my reservation without penalty?