We are a family of four (two children - ages 10 and 13) from the East Coast planning a trip to the national parks in Southern Utah during Easter week. We're going to be a little short on time, given that we are spending the first couple of days in Las Vegas with family from the West Coast. Because of that, and based on comments on this board about similar itineraries, we decided to cut the Grand Canyon from this trip, as only the South Rim would be open and it would be too far from our other stops. We'll save it for an Arizona trip.

I'd appreciate your comments on the itinerary we have put together; alternative suggestions are welcome:

Day 1 - Las Vegas
Day 2 - Las Vegas
Day 3 - leave LV early, drive to Zion, stay at Desert Pearl Inn
Day 4 - Zion, night at Desert Pearl Inn
Day 5 - leave Zion early for Bryce, night in Bryce area (the lodge is booked; other suggestions?)
Day 6 - Bryce during the day, drive to Lake Powell, night in Page, AZ (lodging suggestions?)
Day 7 - Lake Powell, night in Page, AZ
Day 8 - 1/2 day - Drive back to Las Vegas for 4pm flight

Do you plan on doing an activity at Lake Powell? Float trip on Colorado River or all day boat tour on Lake Powell? If not, then two nights is to long for this area at this time of the year. If you do plan one of those activies then it's a good plan.

Utahtea

Glad you asked that question. I was hoping to plan some boating-related activities, but wasn't sure what would be appropriate or available that time of year. Your insights would be appreciated.

Also, a couple of follow-up questions:

1. Where would you recommend staying in the Lake Powell area, and

2. What would you think about sandwiching Lake Powell between Zion and Bryce? That would enable us to not have more than a 4-hour drive on any leg of our trip.

Not sure how the weather will be at this time of the year. I think you can have a wide range of temps from warm to cold.

On the all day boat tour you see a lot of the lake and it's beautiful! The boats have inside seatting for when it's cold or raining. A big plus. There is a 2 1/2 mile hike to Rainbow Bridge. I've never done it because we have always done the boat tour when the lake was high and they could get close enough to Rainbow Bridge to see it from the boat. They offer the boat tour in April.
http://www.lakepowell.com/tours_scen...s.php#schedule

They also offer the half day float trip on the Colorado River. This is a lot of fun. We did it in August when it was HOT! The morning was cool enough I thought about a sweater but was fine without it. Being on the river can be cool or even cold if it's not warm out.

I think a lot will depend on the weather. You can book the tours just a few days in advance if you want to see what the weather will be like before booking.

Utahtea

Yes, putting Lake Powell between Zion and Bryce would be fine. I can tell you where to camp but can't help with lodging. Except to say that the Wahweap Lodge will be within walking distance of the boat tours. Page, AZ is 10 miles away and that is where you will get the float tour.

Utahtea