eznmomma

My husband and I are planning a trip to Salt Lake City. We would also like to include some of the national parks in Utah. Can we include Arches, Zion and Bryce in a ten day period? Some of the sites suggest one day tours through the parks. Is that really possible? Any other 'must sees'?

Myer

I was in Bryce & Zion last year and did a loop similar to what you would like this past May.

This trip was a 7 day trip.

I met up with a friend at SLC. We both arrived within 30 minutes of each other. It's a 4 hour drive to Moab.

We spent 4 days there and saw just about all of Arches. We also spent most of a day visiting Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point.

Hike near Fisher Towers (saw rock climbers) and took a morning boat trip down the Colorado River.

From there we drove to Capitol Reef with a couple of hours stop at Goblin Valley.

Capitol Reef was my least favorite stop although we did a couple of great hikes.

Then on to Boulder and hiked to Lower Calf Creek Falls. It's a hot 2.5 miles each way but the reward is worth it. Also spent a few hours in Escalente Devil's Garden. It's like a grown up Goblin Valley.

From there we headed towards Bryce and stopped at Willis Creek (just south of Cannonville) for a couple of hours easy hike.

Then on to Bryce.

I had been to Zion the year before so didn't go this time. We just didn't have the time and it adds about 1.5 hours to the 4 hour drive back to SLC.

Depending on whether you are hikers or not and the level of difficulty you want you can definitely build a 10 day trip.

The Moab area difinitley has enough to keep you busy for 4 days. Arches 2 days and Canyonlands/Dead Horse Pt 1 day.

If you want to see a real slot canyon that a pretty easy hike allow a few hours for Willis Creek. Very few people have even heard about it. You can stop at the visitors center in Cannonville and they give you instructions to get there.

Depending on what you're looking for you can see a good part of Bryce Canyon in an afternoon and watch the sunrise at Bryce Point the next day.

Zion is beautiful and I wouldn't discourage it but there are many beautiful places. Still, you probably need 2 days in Zion.

I wrote a very detailed report (search by my name).

Also, you can see my photos at:

www.travelwalks.com

Select the 2008 trip to Arches.

eznmomma

Thanks. That is very helpful. We are returning home from Cedar City, so it saves us drive time back to SLC. I see that many people do Bryce and Zion from the Grand Canyon, but I thought to save that for a trip while in Arizona.

spirobulldog

I would probably do Arches/Canyonlands/Capital Reef or
Bryce/Zion. You could fly through all of them, but there is really a lot to do in each one. I totally agree with Meyer that Moab has enough to keep you busy for 3 or 4 days. But, you could add 2 or 3 more days there, if you wanted to do even more. Consider Canyoneering with a guid, I can give you more info on this. Also consider rafting the Cateract Canyon. If you like to bicycle, Moab is the spot for that as well. Are you going on this trip soon or when?

eznmomma

We are planning to go on the trip the second and third week of September. Is canyoneering possible for novices? Same for the rafting trip. We do hike but moderate. I like to adventure but fear keeps me from doing anything truly risky.

I've been trying the hotels in the area and no surprise many of them are booked. I would appreciate any advice on some of the secondary places that are still ok. We don't expect luxury, but do like a private bath, comfy bed and great location.

Thanks.

Photodog

If you don't already have one, purchase an America the Beautiful Pass at your first park. Cost $80 but is good for admission fees to national facilities for a calendar year for everyone in car. If you are over 62 get the America the Beautiful Senior Pass for $10 good for life.

The slickrock retains the heat so be sure to drink plenty of water even if you don't feel thirsty, even in fall. Wear a hat and sunscreen at all times. The higher elevations cause sunburn sooner than sea level.

Zion has several schools to learn the basics of canyoneering however guided tours are not allowed in the park so you will be on your own. Would suggest you try a day hike through The Narrows located at the end of the scenic drive. Can get outfitted at Zion Adventure Company for about $35. Package includes a pair of dry pants which will keep your legs warm, boots and a walking stick. Start as early in the day that you can by taking the first shuttle bus. Will take about an hour to get down to start of the Riverwalk then you have a mile walk before you enter the Virgin River. Wall Street, point where 2000' walls narrow in is about 4 miles upstream from the end of the Riverwalk. Check out www.zionadventures.com for prices and info on hiking The Narrows. Could be the trip of a lifetime.

eznmomma

Thanks Photodog for the info on the Narrows. Looks terrific and a little less harrowing than canyoneering. Any other suggestions out there for not to be missed semi-adventures?


We will get the America the Beautiful Pass. The $10 lifetime pass almost makes me wish I were a little older. Well, we still hve time for that.

Ellen

MichelleY

Here is a link to our trip report from early June. We just did Zion, Bryce, & N. Rim from St. George, but this may help you out a little.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35139760

Highly recommend the mule ride in Bryce!!

MY

Photodog

If you are wanting photos, early and late in the day are best as the warm light will cause the slickrock to glow.
A great sunrise spot is the Tower of the Virgins found behind the Zion Museum. For sunset try further down the road at the bridge over the Virgin River just before the left turn onto the scenic road. The Watchman really stands out with the river at the base.
In Zion you might want to go the the Canyon Overlook Tr 1 mile roundtrip. At the overlook will be standing ontop of the Great Arch of Zion which you see driving up from Springdale. The Pa'rus Tr starts near the visitor center is 3.5m round trip along a flat paved walk which crosses the river four times. Watch out for bicyclists. If you don't do the Narrow hike the Riverside Walk 2 miles round trip goes through a beautiful area and follows the river. Emerald Pools Trail is nice. The lower one is an easy walk. If you don't like heights only go to Scout Lookout on the Angels Landing Trail. There are some real drop offs on the last half mile and is no place to "freeze up". The Kolob section of the park about 25 miles from Cedar City has the "finger canyons". It is detached from the rest of the park so not as many make the journey to see them. Outside of Rockville is the turn off to the ghost town of Grafton. Not much left, cemetery and couple of buildings.
In Bryce the colors "fade" the brighter the sun gets so get there for sunrise or late in the day. A nice hike below the rim is the Navajo Loop-Queen's Garden combo for 2.8m round trip.
Great source of info on all the national parks is www.nps.gov then click on the state and the park you want to check out.