What is the most scenic route from Colorado Springs to Zion national park?
 

I will be driving with my son. We have four days.

A few questions that might help with responses. How old is your son? What month do you plan to travel?

And are you planning on stopping at any of the NPs along the way?? Mesa Verde, Arches and Canyonlands, Natural Bridges, Capitol Reef, Grand Canyon, Bryce, etc??

Thank you so much for responding! My son is 22, just graduated from FSU, and I want to share a beautiful Mother Son adventure with him. We will be renting a car in Colorado Springs this June 25(Mon) at 10;00 AM and dropping off the car at Cedar City or Washington ST. George airport to fly back home to San Francisco Friday June 29th. Looking for the best in the shortest amount of time with the best values to spend the nights.
Would love to see all the parks in full but the money it cost for hotels and gas is an issue...
I planned out a trip but I think it will take up too much time.. Help! :-)

Starting--- Colorado Springs - 50 -550( Ouray,Telluride, Dorango -160 -Mesa Verde -41/162-163 (Valley of the gods/Monument Valley) - 98 (Page) 89-to Bryce

It's so confusing.. I do want my son to really see Bryce and Zion.. Just don't know how to put the time and cost and stay overs together! As you can see... :-) I need help! :-)))

Soo... :-) I would love help in finding..

1. The

Important... Knowing where to stay on a budget of about $70 a night tues and Wed. Monday I think Dorango is best and Thurs by the airport in Washinton St George.

Anybody want to share a winning lottery ticket! :-)))
Prices have sure gone up on everything since I did a similar trip in the 70s :-)

Just want my son to experience the beauty of our country! :-)))

I'm assuming you have your air already set, and yes lodging and gas are much worse now than a few years ago. If you pick a town that is a little farther from the popular places you might find lodging for less. You might consider buying an inexpensive tent and sleeping mats in Colorado Springs and stay in campgrounds.

If you really want Zion and Bryce, and have not made air plans, look to flying in/out of Vegas. There are usually ok fares and cars are often less expensive there. You could be at Zion in 3 hours, spend the night and the next day there, then head towards Bryce for the night. You might find a motel in Kanab that night that would be a little less expensive. You could then head towards the north rim of Grand canyon and/or up to Page and then head back to Vegas.
There usually is a large drop off if you don't return the car where you rent it.

If you are willing to risk going without reservations, go to RoomSaver.com and look for coupons for walk in lodging along your route. They also have magazines in rest areas or welcome centers that have coupons.

If you do the Kanab thing, you could spend two or three nights there. It would involve a bit of driving tho.