Where to go in Utah and Arizona in summer 2010
 

My husband and I will be traveling with our daughter(17) for two weeks this summer in Utah and Arizona. So far, we've decided on Arches, Canyon de Chelly, and the Grand Canyon. We're considering Lake Powell, Zion, or Bryce. Any recommendations?

Certainly consider Bryce Canyon National Park. It's marvelous at sunset. Take time to hike in the area.

If you have the time consider Mesa Verde National Park. Your daughter would probably enjoy hiking into the cliff dwellings.

The Flagstaff area has several interesting places nearby that are worth considering.

You can check out www.wunderground for temperatures of places you plan to visit, go down a couple of screens to "seasonal weather average" for good info so you don't over-schedule. Also, check my profile and click our site and routes D, G, H and I for ideas of places.

Do you like to hike or like adventurous things?

When you say summer, what month?

Bryce and/or Zion for sure! They are fairly close together but each deserves AT LEAST a day. I don't know how far away your home is or what you like to do (hike? take pictures?) But you can find lots of info about both these national parks on this forum and on the internet in general, so look at your calendar and look at some maps and decide how long you'll have, then pick one or go for both! We enjoyed Bryce more than Zion; we didn't take very long walks in either but enjoyed the very short ones we took. Lots of choices in both for short ones or long ones--or none, just seeing lots from near your vehicle.

MAKE RESERVATIONS IMMEDIATELY. I was planning our July 2009 trip (to lots of western National Parks including Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion) exactly one year ago and found things already filled up sometimes in the places, price range, and dates we had. So plan now and make reservations asap! Stay in parks as much as possible--any disadvantage of bit more money or bit less luxury is definitely offset by PROXIMITY and time saved! (You don't say how long in the Grand Canyon but I hope you've planned at least 2-3 days. And will the North Rim fit into your plans--it's great!)

Tour Canyon de Chelly with Adam Teller. Adam is an excellent guide through the canyon who really explains the story of the Navajo people and brings their past alive for you.

I think that before giving you our ideas you should probably indicate your inetersts in what type of things you'd like to see and do.

Each of us has done things that initially were thought to be of interest to us and within our capabilities.

In the summer of 2008, we took our then 16 year old twins to Utah and Arizona to see the National Parks for two weeks. It was one of the most amazing vacations we have taken. We started in Vegas, just for the day. If your daughter is interested, you could try to see one of the shows- we regret not seeing "Love" by Cirque du Soleil (my brother took his teenagers last summer and they loved it). It's based on Beatles music- and C du S is incredible.
We headed to Zion first, then Bryce. Loved both. Bryce has great cabins at the main lodge that are adjacent to the canyon. We went on ATV rides in Red Canyon near Bryce. This is in the area where Butch Cassidy hung out. Great fun for us and for the kids!
Next we drove up incredible route 12 (this was a highlight for me) to Capitol Reef NP. This park is one of the least visited parks, but is beautiful and the surrounding landscape is as well. We stayed at a ranch in Torrey at Red River Ranch- incredible place. Great food. We did various hikes within Capitol Reef.
Next we went to Arches NP. My son and husband went on the hike through Fiery Furnace. This was the highlight of our trip for both of them. You have to reserve a spot at the info desk at the park entrance, and wear hiking boots.
While in Moab, we stayed at Sorrel River Ranch. The setting is gorgeous- right on a bend in the Colorado. The food is very good spa type food, but some guests complained that the servings were too small for the price. Personally, I prefer smaller portions. It is also a horse ranch- which your daughter may enjoy if she rides.
In Moab,another adventure geared toward kids was the hummer tour thru Hell's Revenge. The kids loved it! Moab is a fun town with shops and All-American type restaurants.
We also did the Canyonlands Jet Boat tour. It was well done, but a little too tame for our older kids. At least it gave us a chance to spend time actually on the river. BTW, going in the summer means that the river is calm, so not the best time for white water rafting.
We headed south and spent one night at Valley of the Gods B&B. it is totally off the grid- powered by sun and wind. Lovely hosts, interesting house (an old homestead) and awesome breakfast on the front porch (which won best porch in B&B Magazine!)Valley of the Gods is a wild place in an eerie but beautiful way.
OUr next stop was Monument Valley. We went on a private tour with Richard from Simpson's Trail Handler Tours. He was excellent. We went into restricted areas of the valley, including into a Hogan where an elderly Navajo woman demo'd weaving. If your daughter has long hair, she may get a special (and interesting) surprise...
Richard took us to a beautiful spot where we were treated to his gorgeous Navajo flute playing.
Next was Grand Canyon. We stayed at Bright Angel Lodge which was great- but book it soon!! What else can I say about Grand Canyon? It's amazing.
From there, we drove down to Sedona to our final destination- Enchantment Resort and Mii Amo Spa. It was a wonderful, relaxing way to end the vacation. As a 17 year old, your daughter will be able to enter the spa. There are the usual amenities- sauna, whirlpool, indoor and outdoor pools, smoothie bar, spa restaurant and then spa treatments. The main hotel and the spa restaurant were both outstanding. Sedona is a fun place for kids with interesting shops, restaurants, and activities. We went on the well known Pink Jeep Tour and enjoyed it.
We drove to Pheonix (two hours away) for our flight home.
It was a memorable and fantastic family vacation. Planning it was half the fun for me- I hope this helps and that you have a great time!

We enjoyed Valley of the Gods B&B as well. IMO, the best way to see Fiery Furnace in Arches is with www.deserthighlights.com They have various tours with different degrees of difficulty. We did the most difficult one and it is a little adventurous but Fantastic! They are the only authorized concessionaire in the park.

Two weeks is going to get eatten up with so many places to visit, but if you're going to Arches then plan on Canyonlands which is near by. Plan several days in the Moab area because there are beautiful drives on Hwy 128 and Potash Road hwy 279.

On the way from Arches/Moab to Canyon de Chelly you will pass right by Monument Valley. At least plan on a couple hours to drive yourself in the Indian Reservation Park.

From Canyon de Chelly to the Grand Canyon consider driving Hwy 191 down to Hwy 264 and take that though Keams Canyon and Second Mesa to Tuba City.

From the Grand Canyon head north to Lake Powell. You have several great things to choose from in this area. The Boat Tour to Rainbow Bridge National Monument on Lake Powell, the 1/2 day float trip on the Colorado River, the short hike to Horseshoe bend and the Antelope Slot Canyon tour.

I would definitely add Bryce and Zion to the trip too. Plan on flying into Vegas, Salt Lake City or Grand Junction and do a circle.

Depending on where you start your circle, I'd also add Scenic Hwy 12 and Capitol Reef to the itinerary.

Utahtea