We’re planning a family trip in July/Aug. with our kids ages 11 & 13. We’d like to see Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon in approximately one week (give or take a few days depending on your feedback). We’re both from the north and a/c is a must to us. Many lodges within the parks don’t have a/c it seems. Where should we stay at all three locations? I’ve read that horseback riding in Bryce is a must: any recommendations??? I’ve heard tubing in Zion is great. Is this so? Any recommendations for hiking, mule riding etc… with kids are greatly appreciated. How many days at each location? Any other stops??? Sorry for my rambling… Thanks!

I like it cold, too. You really don't need AC as it really cools down at night due to the elevation. When I asked about AC at the Grand Canyon (we stayed at the North Rim), the lady laughed at me. The next morning I knew why - it went down to 30 (this was August). Four hours later, at the airport in Las Vegas it was 115!

You will need air conditioning at Zion. If you stay at the lodge in Bryce itself, there is no a/c available.

I doubt if you will need a/c at the north rim. It isn't there anyhow.

At the south rim, the El Tovar hotel might have it. Other than that some of the commercial motels just outside the park might be so equipped.

Let's not forget that the elevation at Bryce is about 8,000 feet, and goes up to more than 9,000 feet at the south end of the mesa.

At the north rim of the GC, the elevation is about 8,500 feet.

The south rim is about 7,500.

Zion, on the other hand, is much lower and therefore hotter. The last time I was in Zion, the temperature was close to 100 degrees.

Horseback riding at Bryce? I don't think it is a "must do" at all. I guess some people think it is a big deal; I don't.

We visited all 3 parks within the last couple of years with our daughter who is now 14. The lodges book quickly so if you are planning on staying in the parks you should probably try yo make the reservations soon.

We stayed at the Maswik in the GC and it was basic but located close to the rim (not as close as a couple of others that were already sold out.

For things to do at GC, we hiked the South Kaibab trail down tothat level area (can't remember the name but it was about a mile or two down) had some lunch and hung around and then hiked out. It was gorgeous. We had a couple of casual meals in the Maswik cafeteria and one nice meal at the El Tovar. Hiked along the rim trail, did the shops, (very crowded--Imuch preferred the hiking) and other touristy venues.

On a completely different trip we visited Bryce and Zion. Both are amazing and offer an incredible amount of beautiful hikes (some strenuous and some easy. We stayed at one of the cabins in both parks (as that was what was available) and enjoyed both. Bo need for AC at any of these places. They are both gorgeous and I enjoyed them even more than the GC which I had never expected.

We stayed one night outside of ZNP at the Desert Pearl Inn in Springdale. It was beautiful and it gave my daughter a chance to swim after all of the hiking she had been doing. Some nice restaurants in Springdale as well. The restaurant in Zion was not very good.

We did not try tubing but spent a great amount of time hiking. We did a horseback ride in Bryce but my husband exceeded the mule weight limit for GC (that also books up pretty early).

We stayed 2 nights at each of the parks, The GC trip was combined with 3 nights in Sedona and two in Phoenix.

The Bryce and Zion trip was combined with a night in Capitol Reef, a night in Monument Valley and then a few in Vegas (strictly for the food and the pools). Vegas is also a fairly cheap airport to fly in and out of ands the car rentals are fairly cheap.

I love to hike and therefore these vacations were generated by that motivation. I always throw in the resort/pool thing to keep the husband and child happy.

There are many others who will chime in and using the search function should bring up some good threads dealing with this topic. Have fun!

When we did Zion, Bryce, GC we split time at in-Park and out of park accomodations. We love the cabins and lodges in National Parks, but as we were also travelling with teenagers it was a good compromise to stay some places with a/c, swimming pool, more amenities.

We stayed at Ruby's (Best Western) at Bryce. Many mixed reviews here - do a search - but it is what it is and was fine for us. You can catch shuttle into Bryce from hotel, which is actually only about a mile from Park entrance. They have a horseback riding concession there. We stayed 2 nights, walked along rim, into hoodoos. In evening, drive into Tropic, UT - about 20 minutes - and eat at the Hoodoo Restaurant.

At Grand Canyon we stayed at Bright Angel cabins - I would suggest choosing only in-Park accomodations for GC since the traffic congestion and distances make outside Park lodging annoying. While it can get hot during the day in the summer, there was something wonderful about opening the huge windows in the evening to feel the cool air rush in - we slept under 2 blankets.

I would plan on at least two nights and one full day at each location.

I haven't done the horse back ride in Bryce. I prefer hiking. I do know that if you want to ride IN the park, you have to book through the park. If you book at Ruby's Inn as an example, you won't ride in the park. There is a weight limit of 250 pounds and a scale there to weight you. I don't know if that makes a difference. It did for my BIL.

On the way between the S. Rim and Bryce you will pass right by Glen Canyon National Recreationa Area, Lake Powell. There's a lot to do here. Upper Antelope Slot Canyon Tour, boat tours on Lake Powell or a 1/2 day float trip on the Colordo River which was the highlight of my 17 year old nephew when we toured these same parks with him.

It is going to be HOT in July and August especially in Zion. Temps will average 100 degrees but don't let that scare you away. It's a dry heat. Do your hiking in early morning or late afternoon. The tubing on the Virgin River is a lot of fun and something to keep you cool in the heat of the day. You can rent the tubes in Springdale. You can no longer tube in Zion, but you see much of the park as you tube. The starting point is just across the street of where you rent the tube and across the river of Zion. When you rent the tube, they pick you up a couple of miles down the road to transport you back.

Hiking in Bryce & Grand Canyon won't be as hot because of the higher elevations.

If you decided you had another couple of days, I'd recommend a side trip up scenic Hwy 12 over the Boulder Mountains to Torrey, Utah to see Capitol Reef National Park. Hwy 12 in itself is worth the trip.

Here's a great website:

http://www.so-utah.com/

Here are pictures of our vacation in this area:

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


Utahtea