J62

I am planning a visit to Zion & Bryce next month - actually just a few weeks away. At present I'm planning on 6 nights (1 afternoon + 5 full days) at Zion followed by 2 nights (1.5 full days) at Bryce.

I'm not concerned about too much time at Zion, between road biking, hiking, mtn biking, and exploring the narrows there is plenty to do, including just enjoying the sights & down time. I plan to do an organized narrows trip from top to bottom, plus some kind of guided mtn bike ride.

At Bryce, my plan was day 1 arrive from Zion mid morning, take an afternoon horseback ride. Day 2 early sunrise + full day hiking. Day 3 I drive to Flagstaff after breakfast for 2 weeks rafting the CO.

I'm staying in the park at Bryce & just outside the entrance at Zion, at Cable Mountain.

Does anyone think more time at Bryce is needed? I can always wing it and change plans based on how the first 3-4 at Zion shape up.

2dogs

I think you are spending the right amount of time at each park, Zion being much bigger than Bryce .. my understanding was the horse back rides don't actually enter in park so hiking Bryce the next day would suffice .. staying in the park at Bryce will add additional time to see much .. remember to hike down Navajo Loop and come up Queen, don't make the mistake we did and doing it the opposite .. and of course the weather will be your biggest factor where ever you are .. have a wonderful safe trip

spirobulldog

Just depends on what you want to see and do at each one. If you want to do a lot of backpacking or horse riding in Bryce, then a couple of days might not be enough.

you might want to check out canyoneering with Zion Adventure Co. I haven't been with them, but have done it a couple of times in Moab. It's a great fairly safe experience.

Myer

Bryce is quite small. A sunrise at Bryce Point, a hike down Navajo Loop and up Queens Garden for the hoodoo effect and a drive to a couple of different viewpoints is sufficient.

However, within an hour and a half of Bryce you have Willis Creek slot canyon and Devil's Garden Escalente. Both are especially of ineterest to those into photography. The hikes are short and easy.

J62

Great feedback - thanks.
I'm game for a more strenuous hike than Navajo + Queens Garden, maybe adding on the Peek-a-boo loop.

I think I'll play it by ear whether I take a mule ride, or just go a-foot.

On a related note, I will be traveling alone and do not like to hike solo. On one of the very popular routes like Navajo that's less of an issue, but still not a great idea.

Does anyone know if there are informal meet up hiking groups that get together at the lodge or trailheads? Question applies to both Bryce & Zion. I've not seen anything on meetup, yahoo groups, or FB.

spirobulldog

You might do a ranger-led hike, if you want to hike in a group. They do have night hikes-certain nights and other nights telescope watching/looking. They call it Night Sky or something like that. .
I hiked Navajo Loop and Queens Garden. Then did the longer horse ride of Peek A Boo. enjoyed them both.

Myer

I've been to Bryce 3 time. In 2007 I was alone. I hike Navajo Loop and Queens Garden on my first day.

Then I did what you suggest on the second day. I plugged Peek-a-Boo in the middle. You feel the altitude. It is somewhat different adding the extra part but the big thing is being down among the hoodoos.

For NL and QG hike being along isn't an issue. You won't be alone. However, for Peek-a-Boo I was by myself a lot of the time.

workingonthebucket

We were at Bryce when they had the telescopes set up at the visitors center at night. AWESOME!! Check their schedule and you may want to work that into your trip.

InSandy

Just commenting about the trail ride at Bryce. You can take a ride with Canyon Trail Rides. There are 2 hr or half day options. These DO go into the park. http://www.canyonrides.com/bryce_canyon_rides.html
If you go with Ruby's then you will not be going into the park. http://www.horserides.net/

RVvagabond

There are no strenous hikes in Bryce other than Riggs Springs loop 9 miles or Under The Rim Trail - 23 miles, but you can hop out anytime.

Mountain Biking - none in Bryce except on paved roads. Red Canyon has all the Mountain Biking trails. Best is single track Thunder Mountain - challenging.

Kindle book below has a video of that single track and others in Red Canyon - Do a Kindle title search on
Bryce & Zion Driving-Hiking Tour Guide

J62

I just got back from my big SW USA trip. I ended up staying 6 nights at Zion and 2 at Bryce, and I think that was just about the perfect mix.

Here's a very short version of a trip report

At Zion
day 1. arrive Vegas, drive to Sprindale, stayed at Cable Mtn Lodge, right outside the pedestrian entrance. I loved the location. Easy access to the park, and just as easy access to the town. Hiked Emerald Pools. Ate at Casas de Amigos - v. good simple mexican food.

day 2. rented a road bike and did a few laps up and down the canyon, up the switchbacks to the tunnel & back down, then hitchhiked my bike through the tunnel and rode the east side of the park. Hiked the riverwalk & a few other easy trails. Packed a picnic lunch & ate dinner at Oscars. V. Good.

day 3. hiked up to Angel's landing but could not go all the way out. Don't like heights... Hiked another 5mi or so out the West rim trail. Loved the remoteness & totally different landscape. Long day hiking. Very rewarding. Loved jumping into the pool & hot tub upon return - that's one reason I like staying in Springdale, just outside the park. Ate at flying monkey - excellent pizza.

day 4. Rented a mountain bike and did a long mtn bike trail outside the park near Hurricane, UT. Great single track. nothing too technical. Only spilled a few times & no broken bones. Afternoon, hiked up to Observation point. It's a long climb up - most people seem to take 3-4hrs, or 4-6 hrs round trip. Not for the faint of heart, but I was ok with the heights as long as I didn't look down. Ate at Thai Sapa - good curry noodles.

day 5. Hiked the narrows from the bottoms . Rented a dry suit. Didn't see a single soul for the 1st 2 hrs. Very long day. Loved the remoteness. Ate at Spotted Dog. Excellent.

day 6. Rented a road bike and endeavored to ride up to Kanab Reservoir. Started to drizzle at 5280 feet elevation, then snow at 6000'. Knew I wasn't going to make it to 8000' so turned around and high tailed it back downhill. I'm sure I ate somewhere but don't recall.

day 7. Drove to Bryce. Hiked Queens Landing/Peekaboo loop/Navajo loop. Snow squalls chased many people off the trails, especially all those wearing shorts in 35 degree weather. Stayed at Bryce Lodge. Comfortable room. Great location. Ate at Bryce Lodge. "OK" dinner, but rushed service, and just "OK".

day 8. Hiked fairyland loop. 8-10mi through the hoodoos. Saw very few people. Was hoodoo'd out by the end of the day. Ate at Ruby's, outside the park. Time to move on. Snowed each night - just a dusting. Bryce is at 8000' elevation.

day 9. Drove to Flagstaff for my GC rafting trip.

panecott

Sounds like a great trip. I just got back from Zion and Bryce two weeks ago and wish I'd planned on spending more time there, especially Zion.

I envied the people I saw riding along the canyon road - I walked it, which was very nice - but the cycling looked to be easy and relaxing, and I wished I'd thought of doing it.

msteacher

Wow! You accomplished a lot and must have seen some gorgeous landscapes. Sounds like a great trip.

emalloy

Thanks for reporting back, sounds like lots of fun and plenty of exercise.