Hello, I hope ya'll will be able to help me. We are planning a trip out west from NC in July for 7 days. 2 of those days will be flying. We will be arriving in las vegas on July 9 staying one night. Getting up and driving to Zion. I plan on making my base camp at Flanigan's (5 days). Then visiting the North Rim for 1 day. Driving back to Zion. Getting up another day and driving to Bryce for horseback riding and sightseeing. So, my questions are.
1. Is this doable?
2. Should I be staying at each park?
3. Driving between parks are there places I should be visiting?
4. Is Flanigan's a nice place to stay.
Thanks the help.

Hi Cattz,

I think you would enjoy your time at the parks much more if you stay there. To drive to Bryce from Zion one way is 2 hours = 4 hours total = half your day spent just driving. You won't be able to see the sunrise at Bryce or the sunset at GC. Two of the highlights.

With only 4 nights I would choose 2 parks.

Flanigan's is very nice.

I know it's a bit of a pain to move around, but I agree with that advice. You'll do a lot of extra driving to do those trips from Zion. If you stay overnight, you'll probably enjoy each place more. A big part of the charm of all those parks (particularly Zion and Bryce) is being there at sunrise or sunset. Each leg is pretty easy if you treat it as a circuit -- we went from Vegas to Zion to Bryce to North Rim (then we went further down into Arizona). You could spend two days at Zion up front, and then go back through there from North Rim. Can't comment on Flanigan's -- we mostly camped.

On the question about other places to visit, I suggest Cedar Breaks on the way to Bryce and Pipestone NM on the way to the North Rim.

One thing about the North Rim, the drive south along the mesa is through a beautiful aspen and ponderosa pine forest.

I agree that you would be better off staying at least at the N. Rim for one night. From Zion to the North Rim and back, you will spend most of the day in the vehicle driving.

Bryce isn't as far so it's very do-able from Zion but as mentioned you miss sunrises and sunsets.

Utahtea

Thanks. It looks like you are all in agreement that I should stay at each park. So, I think thats what we'll do.

What cabins should I try and get at the GC?

Any suggestions on were to stay at in Bryce?

www.xanterra.com for accommodation in Gr. Canyon, but make reservations as soon as possible (if there is a vacancy).There is just 1 lodge (with cabins).
Otherwise try Jacobs lake, outside the park, abt. 40 miles (?).

If you can get a place at Grand Canyon Lodge, do. (BTW, food in the restaurant is surprisingly good; even with a dinner reservation, you'll probably have to wait, which is fine, because you can't beat the view.) By the time we tried for reservations in 2004, they were full, so we ended up staying at Kaibab Lodge, the next-closest lodging, just outside park. They were just finishing some new cabins, which looked very nice. Older cabins were a bit tired. At Bryce, we stayed at the lodge--ok, nothing special and dining room only so-so. But you can't beat the location. I don't think there's anything better outside the park. The winner from a lodging perspective was Desert Pearl Inn in Springdale (Zion). I agree with other posters that it's not worth driving from Zion to Bryce or North Rim for day trips, but staying at the Desert Pearl almost makes you want to. If you're getting into Vegas early enough, I'd suggest driving to your first park on your first day, rather than staying in Vegas. It'd give you much-needed time to see three incredible parks. Last piece of advice: listen to whatever Utahtea says. She made our vacation terrific. Good luck. You're in for a wonderful time.

I agree with PortiaLucy about not spending that first night in Vegas if you get in early enough. In 2003 we were there in late June early July and it stays light quite late. And the drive to Zion isn't at all tricky/hazardous.

Also agree that staying in the Parks is the way to go if you can get a spot this late in the game.

These are all gorgeous places. We're going back to the SW again this May. You're in for a visual treat. Have a great time.

FF