This is the schedule at the moment

Day 1 Las Vegas - Mirage (see Sigfried and Roy)
Day 2 Las Vegas - gamble and see another show (suggestions welcome)
Day 3 drive to Zion and Bryce Canyons (night at Bryce)
Day 4 mule ride at Bryce (night at Bryce)
Day 5 drive to North Rim (night at North Rim)
Day 6 drive to Sedona (2 nights in Sedona)
Day 8 drive to South Rim (night at South Rim)
Day 9 drive to Vegas (fly out on redeye)

My question is - how do I fit Antelope Canyons into this itinerary so as not to take too much away from other things and hit it at the best time of day (11-1)?

Any suggestions?

I do realize this is a short time in all places, but we take what we can get.

Thanks

This is not really responsive to your question, but if you have any flexibility in your plans I would strongly suggest adding a day/night at Zion. It was one of the highlights of our recent tour of the Southwest. Maybe you could give up a day in Vegas or Sedona (or even the South Rim since you are already going to the North Rim). If it is any help, I seem to recall that it took us about 1.5-2 hours to get from the North Rim to the area near Antelope Canyon. We headed on from there to Monument Valley, another trip highlight.

I agree that it's probably not worth your time to visit the South Rim if you've already been to the North Rim and gone to Sedona. I'd probably spend an extra night at the North Rim instead, then drive to Page early the next day to get to Antelope Canyon around 11am. The alternative would be to spend most of the second day at the North Rim and drive to Page the evening before your Antelope Canyon tour.

I love the North Rim, and find it very relaxing. I like spending at least 2 or 3 days there when I visit. You lose a bit of the effect if you have to rush.

We took a similar route in April. We drove from Las Vegas to Williams, AZ. Spent the next day exploring Walnut Canyon (cliff dwellings - recommended), Sunset Volcano Crater (ok), Waupaki (sp?) ruins, and spent the night at the Cameron Trading Post in Cameron, AZ. I initially chose the Cameron Trading Post so I could say I stayed on the Navajo Reservation but I we found it very nice. To avoid the crowds, we went from Cameron to the South Rim, spent a second night at the Trading Post, and went to Antelope Canyon (yes!) the next day. After spending a few hours exploring Antelope Canyon, we drove on to Zion.

I really enjoyed our trip and think you'll have a great time also.

Mike Honeycutt

As others have suggested skip the South Rim since you will be visiting the NR. This will allow you to spend the better part of day 3 at Zion and also provides time for a few hours in Antelope CAnyon.

I would skip Vegas altogether and head out to canyon country right away. I would spend the extra day in Page, AZ checking out Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell and then head on to Monument Valley. That will more enjoyable and beautiful than any Vegas show!

I have to agree with everyone else. You will enjoy Zion National Park and it's well worth it's very own day.

I know everyone said give up the South Rim, but time wise the North Rim takes a lot longer to get to. Skip the North Rim and go from Bryce to Page to S. Rim. Also Sedona is a beautiful city, but they made Bryce and Zion National Parks for a reason!

Utahtea...who never stops in Vegas unless it's for gas!

Utahtea stated "know everyone said give up the South Rim, but time wise the North Rim takes a lot longer to get to." From Bryce to the NR is around 150 miles; From Bryce to the SR is almost twice the distance. It is going to take almost twice as long to drive. You have to make a decision. Go to NR from Bryce - short ride to NR long ride to Sedona. Go to SR from Bryce - long ride to SR, short ride to SEdona. Whichever rim you choose Antelope Canyon can Be included if only one rim is visited.

Returning to Las Vegas was a cultural shock for us after being in the national parks for a week but ...

We got a great airfare in to Las Vegas and I got a great deal on a car rental from Priceline. I don't think I would have gotten the same deals from surrounding cities.

Mike Honeycutt

To X:

Las Vegas to Zion to Bryce to N. Rim to S. Rim to Sedona is 726 miles.

If you skip just the N. Rim GC it's 650 miles and you get to go right by Lake Powell which shouldn't be missed.

If you skip just the S. Rim it's 637 miles.

So yes it is 13 miles longer to go to the S. Rim vs. the N. Rim but the roads to the to the N. Rim are a lot slower and will take longer to drive than going than to the S. Rim.

If you add in Antelope Canyon tour (which I want to do next time we go to Lake Powell!) you'll need to go to Page and then that adds 36 miles to the N. Rim trip so that brings it to 686 miles.

Besides, IMHO the S. Rim has a lot more to offer.

Utahtea

Hi Pam

We did this trip and we saw Siegfried?Roy and enjoyed it - then we headed out of town before we lost more money. Stayed at places we found to be beautiful (which were the national parks). Zion is like a cathedral, Bryce is unique as all, Grand Canyon is truly magnificient. We did the north and south rim and I would never have given up the south rim - but that's only me. We remember this as one of our greatest trips. We also went scooting down the rocks of a riverbed on our butts in Sedona. We also stayed in the big lodge on the south rim and had a great room - but the motels there are just as nice (just a little cheaper)

We're looking forward to doing one good trip in Montana next year.

We are going the end of Sep/early Oct. Does this make the North or South Rim sound better or worse?

I think from the responses that we will give up one rim or the other, but now are trying to decide which one. We have booked the Grand Canyon Lodge at the NR, and the Thunderbird Lodge at the SR.

Any additional comments?

The north rim is at a 1000 foot higher elevation so if it's cold it will be colder there.

We were at the S. Rim during the first week of October last year. We had warm comfortable days and cold nights. The S. Rim was not crowded at this time of the year.

IMHO, the S. Rim has a lot more to offer in views than the N. Rim. I don't feel I get the vastness on the N. Rim like you do at the S. Rim. I'm glad my first experience at the Grand Canyon was at the S. Rim. I've been to the N. Rim twice and I've been to the S. Rim 5 or 6 times.

Utahtea

just want to say thanks to utahtea who along with so many others has given so much information in the last few weeks in planning trips to people headed to the grand canyon area. about three weeks go, i started trying to plan a trip for myself and my daughter from sedona to the grand canyon in October. After reading so many pieces of advice, i can well tell you, it's been a mind-expanding experience. i can't wait to broaden my horizens by incorporating many of your wonderful suggestions. thank you. thank you. thank you.

To Grateful,

No matter which park you decide to go, you will find some pretty amazing scenery. Have a good trip.

Utahtea