Hi, I plan to visit Zion/Bryce Canyon, Paria Canyon and Waterhole Canyon in a 6 day trip late March. Where would you recommend to stay (~$100 or less) place to stay & what are some of the must see places/day hike trails (less than 10 mile round trip).

Thanks very much in advance - Mary & Family

My husband & I do light mountaineering so steep hikes are welcome - we normally prefer views from the summits but the pictures we saw of Waterhole Canyon are breathtaking.

Hi- Other posters might offer a better opinion, but it will be very cold there that time of year, especially Bryce.

At Zion, check for motels in Springdale (or was it Springfield). It's a small town right next to Zion. As for Bryce, there's really only 2 places to stay, either at the Bryce Lodge, inside the park, or at Ruby's, just outside. Not sure on the prices.

Denice

Late March might be cold but good hiking weather in Zion. I don't think the hiking trails in Bryce will be open yet. Haven't done Paria or Waterhole Canyon.

Utahtea

We have been to Zion twice in late March. It was wonderful and we were able to do almost all of the hikes. Some trails were closed last March due to snow/ice. However, both years the weather was not good enough to do any hikes at Bryce Canyon--too snowy and trails not open yet.

Last year we stayed at the Majestic View Lodge in Springdale and absolutely loved it. All rooms have balconies with nice views. The food in the dining room was delicious too. I would highly recommend it!

How can you check to see if the trails and roads are open?
I will be doing something similar in late march as well.

Springdale is lovely. It would mean a longer drive to some of the other areas you're planning to visit, tho, since it's on the Western side of Zion. Kanab, Utah, on the Eastern side of Zion, is a bit more centrally located with respect to Bryce, Zion, Paria, Waterholes Canyon, etc. Page-Lake Powell AZ would be another option, relatively close to Paria and Waterholes Canyon, about 90 minutes from Zion, 2.5 hours from Bryce.

As others have pointed out, weather in March can be wonderful or whacky or somewhere in between! It will be cold in the higher elevations, like Bryce. Bring your coat.