Zion NP and Bryce Canyon
 

planning a trip west and don't know how much time to spend in each location. can hike but not strenuous hikes since in 60's. is 2 full days in zion enough and 1 day in bryce?

as an add on we will be on a long vacation and traveling to Yellowstone to end. Any suggestions for the drive through salt lake city and up would be helpful. with sights to see along the way!

thanks

> is 2 full days in zion enough and 1 day in bryce?

If you're only planning short, day hikes, that would be about right.

http://www.zion.national-park.com/hike.htm#trail
http://www.bryce.canyon.national-park.com/hike.htm

Thank you for the website information!

You might want to do a half day horse ride into Bryce Canyon. This is an easier way to get down into the canyon if you don't or can't hike down into it.

I agree. If you're only planning short, day hikes, that would be about right.

we are scheduled on a wild about yellowstone tour for 4 days staying at different places in the park. any suggestions as to whether this would be worthwhile. Also, where is a good place to stay near grand tetons?

In Bryce, depending on when you plan to be there, be sure to hike early in the morning as it gets quite hot in the afternoon and you're completely exposed. The most popular loop hike is the Queen's Garden/Wall Street Loop. Although the park recommends going clockwise, we did it counter clockwise and missed most of the crowds and the sun was behind us.

http://discoverthewest.blogspot.com/...ll-street.html

Also, while you're in that area, why not stop in at Arches National Park. The hike up to Delicate Arch is short, although exposed to the sun the entire time.

http://discoverthewest.blogspot.com/...cate-arch.html

A great, short hike in Zion is up to Canyon Overlook. I think it's one mile round trip and most people pass it up because it's just outside the tunnel. We had the overlook to ourselves the morning we hiked it.

http://discoverthewest.blogspot.com/...-overlook.html

You don't need much time in Bryce unless you decide to go on a horse ride. What's more important is the time of day.

While you can be exposed to sun in Bryce it's much cooler than Zion (8,000ft vs 4,000ft altitude).

Also, you are walking in altitude so walk slowly, drink lots of water, rest as required, use suntan lotion and cover your head.

The main things would be a very early start to the day to see a spectacular sunrise at Bryce Point and a nice hike down Navajo Loop and back up Queens Garden.

With that you start at Sunset Point and end at Sunrise Point which are a half mile apart. Since your car will most likely be at Sunset Pt you can walk back along the rim.

Depending upon when you get there you can do this hike in mid-afternoon or after breakfast in the morning.

Thank you!