Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Zion- Bryce- Grand Canyon trip

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)

- United States (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/)

- - Zion- Bryce- Grand Canyon trip (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/zion-bryce-grand-canyon-trip-301921/)

Zion- Bryce- Grand Canyon trip

Hi Folks I'm getting overwhelmed I'm planning a last minute trip from Las Vegas to Phoenix lve LV. 5/2 am- lve Phoenix 5/9=7 days I planned on Zion then Bryce on the 5/2 with Bryce Lodge motel on 5/2 then lve for Grand Canyon w/reservations 5/3 and 5/4. am wondering if I should do Bryce 1st then Zion even tho Zion comes first from Vegas I also want to add Lake Powell, Glen Canyon and Sedona. And how much time to allow each w/very little hiking. The more I read on Utah/Ariz the more I think I may miss I have no interest in Phoenix except the airport. Please can you put me on the right path?

Let me get this straight. You arrive in Las Vegas on 5/2 and are spending the first night in Bryce. That is 240 miles and that won't leave much time to much more than drive thought Zion and see the sun set on Bryce. On 5/3 you are spending the night at the S. Rim of the Grand Canyon (because the N. Rim won't be open yet) and during the day you plan on going back into Zion, Lake Powell and driving the almost 340 miles this route would take to get to Grand Canyon? You do realize that these roads are not fast freeways. You have 5/4 at the Grand Canyon. Do you plan on spending the next 5 days in Sedona? If it were me I would change my Grand Canyon reservations. Here is what I would do. 5/2 LV to Zion and spend the night in Zion. 160 miles and time to see some of the park. 5/3 Visit Zion a little more then drive the 85 miles to Bryce canyon and spend the night. 5/4 Drive to Glen Canyon National Recreational area. Spend the night. WARNING: The mapquest and other trip planners have you taking a short cut on Cottonwood Road. This is a slow dirt road and I would not recommend it if you want to make time. It takes hours to go the appox. 75 miles. When you leave Bryce head back on Hwy 12 to Hwy 89 and go south to Kanab and then Glen Canyon National Recreational Area (Lake Powell) 5/5 Take a boat trip on Lake Powell and then drive the 137 miles to the S. Rim of the Grand Canyon and spend the night. 5/6 Grand Canyon 5/7 Drive the 120 miles to Sedona 5/8 Spend most of the day in Sedona before driving the 115 miles to Phoenix. 5/9 You are in Phoenix ready to leave. Utahtea

Hi Utahea I am in vegas at course 4/28-5/2 I was planning my trip from that point on as I was taking advantage of being in the area. I was given the impression i could get to zion in am on 5/3 then drive to bryce spend night and finish up bryce. Sorry, I'm from NY and haven't been out west yet. So, since it is last minute I'm in a panic and am making mistakes

Hi Utahtea. i thought 5/2 zion, part bryce, 5/3-5/4 grand canyon and made reservations, forgetting that lake powell was on the way. Thanks to your help i need to re-arrange everything. no I am not planning on 5 days in sedona. I will take your travel plan. I din't know these are slow roads as I'm use to hwys and thought the west was wde open. Dumb me. Thanks again

Hi lotusleaf, Let us know if you have any more questions. Utahtea

Hi Utahtea Thanks for the offer- I was unable to get anything at Zion Lodge so I left 5/2 at bryce and figure what i can't see going towards bryce I may catch on the way to Lake Powell, If not I'll Just have to come back another time :-) as I'd like to see Arches, Canyonlands etc. I'm sorry I didn't realize how many parks Utah had to offer. I need alot more time for Utah. I booked 2 nights at Wahweap as they offered a good deal getaway package which gave me the lodging at a great price provided I book 2 half day trips which I did. Then on to GC for 2 nights-I still need a bed for Sedona and Phoenix and then all I have to do is a trip plan and mapping. Thanks for getting me out of the panic mode. This is the first non commercial tour I've done and hope it works out.

Hi lotusleaf, Yes, Utah has a lot to offer in the way of natural beauty. Utah has some state parks that rival other states National Parks not to mention several wonderful National Monuments. That's to bad you couldn't get into Zion but you can spend most of the day of 5/2 there knowing you have a place to sleep in Bryce. I wouldn't worry about going back to Zion and would spend 5/3 seeing Bryce before you head to Lake Powell. I hope one of your half day trips is to Rainbow Bridge National Monument. That's a fantastic boat trip! Here's a link to my pictures: http://pages.ivillage.com/utahtea2/id4.html About the mapping. I've already warned you about Cottonwood Road. I would like to suggest that when you leave the Grand Canyon you take Hwy 64 east back to Cameron. You don't get to see much of the vista view as you are going up to the Grand Canyon and this gives you an awsome scenic drive. The other reason is you can take the short loop on Hwy 395 to Wupatki National Monument. We haven't had time to explore all the ruins there but we enjoyed the ones we did see. You will also pass by Sunset Crater. A place to explore when you are leaving Sedona for Phoenix is Montezuma's Castle National Monument. It's worth an hour or so of your time. It just north of Camp Verde, AZ I would also suggest that when you enter Zion you buy the National Park Pass for $50. This will save you a lot of money if you are going to Bryce, Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon and the other parks I mentioned. It's good for one full year from month of purchase. http://www.nps.gov/bibe/parkspass.htm I think you have a pretty good plan so far. I'm sure you will enjoy your trip. Utahtea

Utahtea Your Pix at your website are wonderful. Can't wait for my visit. I'm going to include all your recommendations. The 1/2 day boat trip on Lake Powell does include rainbow bridge which I'm very excited about. You have been very thoughtful and I want you to know it is very much appreciated.