Zion & Bryce in the Fall
 

We are an elderly couple from New Jersey contemplating a vacation to Zion and Bryce National Parks in the Fall. It appears that the closest major airports are Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. We do not want to take the long drive from either place. I have found that one can get a flight from Salt Lake to Cedar City and rent a car there. Is that the best way or is there a better idea. We probably would be just as well off without a car in Zion as cars are not allowed in the park, but would need one to get to either park and to travel between them.
We do not mind spending money if necessary. Is it better to stay at the lodge in Zion park or at one of the places in Springdale? Likewise at Bryce?
We are elderly but in reasonably good shape. We like to walk but can not climb or manage difficult trails. Are there enough reasonably easy trails in both parks?
If we were to spend 7 to 8 days, how should we divide out time between the 2 parks?
Any other advice would be greatly appreciated
Nancylee

Seven or eight days is a lot more than you'll need if all you have in mind are Zion and Bryce.

I don't know what elderly is and what your physical condition is. I'm 69 in good shape and I go on hiking trips. I don't do difficult things but up and down hills on trails are fine. I've been on hikes that are as much as 4-5 miles each way.

So I'd have to know what you really have in mind.

In Bryce, the most popular trail is Navajo Look going down (remember that you go down so must eventually make it back up) and Queens Garden back up. The trails in Bryce are fairly wide and smooth thought they do go down. It's more an elevation issue.

Good to youtube.com and do a search and watch the videos to see if this is ok for you. Other than that you can just go down a short distance to get a feel for the hoodoos and then walk along the flat rim.

Bryce Canyon is a small park so it won't take long for you to see it. Also, it's at 8,999 ft so you'll have elevation to contend with possibly.

Zion is only 90 minutes away but 4,000 ft lower and a lot warmer.

There are a few easy hikes that are very nice. Riverside Walk is one and there are a few more. Riverside Walk is beautiful. You walk in a canyon that goes up on either side. It's actually paved with a very thin coating of sand. I believe it's even possible for wheelchairs to go on this.

It ends at the start of "The Narrows" you may have read about.

When in the fall were you thinking of going as the shuttle in Zion is not mandatory past a certain date.

As far as the airport, others will have to help as I've only gone from Las Vegas and Salt Lake. It's and 3-4 hour drive from these places but lot's of good flights.

We usually fly into Las Vegas and rent a car there. It takes about 2 1/2 hours to drive to Springdale just outside of Zion. Depending on the time of day and our mood, sometimes we stop and spend the night in Mesquite or St. George. Sometimes we just drive straight to Springdale.

Another option would be to take a flight into St. George and rent a car there. The drive into Springdale would be about 35 minutes from St. George.

Our preference is to stay inside Zion National Park, but we have also stayed in Springdale a few times. There is a free shuttle service that takes you to the visitor center, where you catch the main shuttle that goes into Zion Canyon. If you stay at Zion National Park Lodge, you are already inside the canyon. It is true that you do not need your car while at Zion. It is a very relaxing place to visit, and you do not have to be a hardy hiker to enjoy it. Many trails are flat and leisurely, and some are paved. The brochure you receive when you enter the park describes each of the trails well, and it is easy to select the ones that suit you. We usually spend 5 nights in Zion and often walk or hike some of our favorite trails several times during our visit, sometimes twice or three times a day!

Perhaps you'd like to spend 2 nights at Bryce. The drive from Zion to Bryce is about 2 hours, so some people keep their lodging in Springdale or Zion and go to Bryce as a day trip. We enjoy hiking down into the canyon, but my parents visited when they were in their late seventies and just loved walking around the canyon rim. They spent 2 nights and walked over to the rim many times a day because they just could not get over its uniqueness. But they could not have walked down into the canyon and back up.

I cannot advise you about the route from Salt Lake City. It is much further away from the parks than Las Vegas is. You should probably decide how much driving time you can handle and also whether you want to stop somewhere en route. We have found that we can reserve our rooms in the parks and leave the days on either side open so we can decide if or where to stop on the way in or out. If those days are not on a weekend, we have been able to get last minute room in Mesquite, St George, or in Springdale. Sometimes there is even a cancellation inside the park.

Good luck with your planning. I am sure you will enjoy this trip.

Stay in the parks!

Easiest Trails in Zion:
1. Riverside Walk ( take the free shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava where the trailhead is located)
2. Pa'rus Trail. It's easy to find it from the Visitor Center, but you can also ask the shuttle driver to let you know the shuttle stop. The trail is completely flat and follows the river
3. Grotto Trail. Walk from Zion Lodge to the Grotto Picnic Area. It 's a short, pleasant shady walk. There are shuttle stops at both Zion Lodge and Grotto picnic area.

If you find you'd like to add more to your journey, visit Valley of Fire which is off the highway between St. George and Las Vegas, Snow Canyon on the western side of St. George, or go to the Kolob Canyon section of Zion National Park. Also there is a little ghost town (name escapes me) not far from Springdale.

Unless you are getting off the beaten path and taking more strenuous, longer hikes then 2 days at Zion are plenty. Each of the trails elnap list are about 1-2mi long each, and paved walkways (not sure about #3...)

I just spent a week at Zion and didn't get to do everything I wanted to, but that includes east rim and west rim back country hiking.

The drive from Vegas to Zion is easy - I would not bother trying to catch a flight any closer.

You can also fly into St. George, Utah, with a change of planes in Salt Lake City. It's a very easy drive to Zion from St. George, and will take about an hour or so, give or take. I just did it a few weeks ago. Check out my trip report.

In fact, driving everywhere in Utah is very easy - hardly any traffic, and beautiful, scenic roads.

I agree that you should stay in the parks. There is something very special about being inside the parks, especially Zion, where you are surrounded by the beautiful peaks. I stayed in a lodge room in Zion and a cabin in Bryce and was very pleased with the accommodations. Simple, national park lodging, but very comfortable. Both park lodges have nice restaurants with good food.

The hikes suggested by elnap would be fine for you. It's also pleasant to walk along the canyon road along the route that the shuttle buses take. I believe the Canyon Overlook trail is also easy, altho' I didn't get to do it.

Actually, you can drive in Zion. The only place you cannot drive - at least in busy season - is on the canyon road, however, if you stay at the Zion Lodge you will be allowed to drive on the canyon road as far as the Lodge. And as you said, you will need a car to get to Bryce. Car rental at St. George Airport was very inexpensive.

Both parks have Visitors Centers, and Zion has a little museum. Even if you are not planning to do a lot of hiking, I would spend at least 4-5 days in Zion. It's nice to relax and enjoy your surroundings, especially if you have the time.

Good luck with your planning and please come back with more questions if you have any. You will love Zion and Bryce.

As you can see there are very different opinions as to how long you should stay in each park. It depends upon your travel style and goals.

You mentioned twice that you're an elderly couple. As I wrote before I'm not sure what that means.

The Canyon Overlook trail may not be appropriate for you unless you are in good condition and nimble. The trail is narrower than those in bryce and not a smooth. Very scenic and beautiful but first you have to decide if this trail is for you.

elnaps hike are easy. I'd toss in Emerald Pools, lower at least. Middle is not hard. Upper takes a few grunts. Also, Canyon Overlook is not a diffiult hike if you go slow. Excellent view of the canyon - must take a photograph. (Observation Point is the best, but can be very strenuous)

As noted before, elderly is not a number. I've seen 71 year old hikers at very strenuous Angels Landing.

7-8 days, without serious hiking, allows a visit to Cedar Breaks National Monument as well with a final stop at Cedar City - historic iron mining town with an excellent museum. Cedar Breaks is primarily a driving experience, like Bryce.

L.V. to Springdale is 163 miles. Fly into L.V., drive to Mesquite N.V (reasonable room and casinos).
http://www.visitmesquite.com/
Next morning drive to Sprindale. Mexican food at Bit and Spur Restaurant is recommended

Lodging - IF you plan to stay inside the park at one of their lodges (Cedar Breaks does not have one) make reservations NOW.
Best lodge for outside of park lat Bryce, is Ruby's Inn about 3 miles from park border.
http://www.rubysinn.com/ It is above average in price, but a good value. Across the street is a more luxury lodge. The nearby town of Panguitch is more reasonable. Cowboy BBQ there is excellent.

There is a $4.44 ebook on these parks at
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008TT5Q1M#reader_B008TT5Q1M
Well worth the bucks.
You don't need an ereader - PC/Mac download app available from Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...cId=1000493771

Forget the elderly part - you will be instantly young at those parks.

We wish to thank Myer, elnap29, Bethe, J62, Panecott, and RVvagabond for the prompt, thoughtful and informative replies. It will take a while to sort through it all, but have come to a few decisions. We will drive from Las Vegas rather than going through Salt Lake City. We will probably break up the drive at Mesquite (at least one way). We will stay in the lodges within the parks if we can get reservations. We will most likely spend 2 nights in Vegas, 6 in Zion, and 2 in Bryce.
In answer to Myer's question on our age - we are in our mid-eightys, but in very good shape. We spent 6 days in Yosemite last year with no problems. We look forward to being "instantly young".
Again many thanks! We may think of more questions later.

I think I'm in the minority, but I actually perfer to stay OUTSIDE the park at Zion, especially for a longer stay. Several reasons.

1. quick access to the supermarkets for breakfast & lunch fixins. If you're going to buy food, I actually recommend you stop at one of the larger stores further south in the town of St. George or Hurricane or La Verkin farmersmktlaverkin.com on the way into Zion/Springdale. Larger selection and better price. You can top off at the 2 markets in Springdale - they have anything you need.

2. pool & hot tub - great after a hot day in the sun. You still have great views of the red sandstone cliffs.

3. easier access to restaurants & shops in town, some within walking distance, others by car or shuttle bus.

There are several very nice hotels in Springdale. Right at the pedestrian entrance to the park is Cable Mtn Lodge - I stayed there earlier this month and loved the location - 5min walk to the park shuttle, 2min walk to the small supermarket. Easy drive or town-shuttle into town to go to the many different restaurants. My hotel room had a fridge microwave, so it was easy to eat breakfast in my room and pack a picnic lunch.

On prior trips I've stayted at Desert Pearl, which is more expensive and a really beautiful property right on the Virgin River. There's also a brand new La Quinta and Hampton Inn in town.

Here's a list of restaurants I went to:

Casa de Amigos - simple, quick good Mexican
Oscars - good fish taco
Whiptail - better fish taco
Thai Sapa - good thai curry noodles
Spotted dog - the only "higher end" restaurant in town - excellent lamb chops
Flying Monkey - excellent thin crust/wood fired pizza

I ate a picnic lunch or ice cream on the lawn in front of Zion lodge a few days - beautiful place to lay back and enjoy the cool shade under the big cottonwood trees. Other days I ate lunch on the go, perching high above the canyon floor.

I think the decision to stay in the park or Springdale is a tossup. With a car you can easily drive to Springdale in the evening for dinner instead of being stuck with the food at the lodge. Obviously the lodge has the best location for being in nature, but Springdale is better for amenities.

Given that you're probably not going to do a lot of the big hikes in Zion, I'd say 6 days is too much time there. Given that you don't want to do hills, you're relegated to staying on/near the canyon floor for the most part and that just doesn't sound fun for 6 days straight. If it were me I would cut back to 3, maybe 4 days, and then spend a couple nights at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. At least there you'd be up high and able to hike along the rim and take in some views. Or possibly spend 2 days at Capitol Reef...either way, I just wouldn't spend 6 days in Zion with limited hiking.

I agree with WhereAreWe about 6 days in Zion. That is, unless you're there for the relazation and don't mind repeating some of the beautiful scenery several times.

If you are in good shape then I would do the Navajo Loop / Queens Garden hike. At least the start and see how you feel. The problem with the Bryce hikes is that you go down first and then back up. So once you're down you've got to go back up or learn to live there.

For Zion it's a tossup whether in or out of park lodging. Each has its own positives and negatives.