landfree1

We stayed at The Red Rock Inn in Springdale when we were in Zion several years ago. We loved it! They have nice clean rooms. Ours had a small fridge in the BR area so we could store leftovers from our huge breakfast basket they brought to our door each morning. You pick the time. There is a small table and chairs on a small patio. They knock on the door and leave the basket for you on the table. If it is too cool for outside, eat inside. It always had a hot breakfast item as well as fresh juice, coffee or tea, yogurt, bread of some kind, and fresh fruit, hence we put some of this in the fridge for later for a snack. You are within walking distance of a bus that takes you to the park. There used to be a really nice jewelry store at the end of the hill that sold handmade jewelry. There are several restaurants within walking distance as well. There used to be a walkway up to another level with a swing and table for sitting. It is just beautiful in the evening and very quiet. We loved sitting up there after a long day of hiking and just watch the stars. We would go back just to stay there. It is actually four units that are attached, not a house. I think there were three of these units. We never heard our neighbors, so very quiet.

NancyB1219

Thanks landfree...it is not kid or pet friendly though so will not work for our family.

luvtravl

Is there any way to talk your brother out of taking the dog? The dog will extremely limit your options. At Zion for example you ride a shuttle bus that doesn't allow pets and, as others have said, you cannot leave it in the car due to the heat. Also consider that there may be EXTREME heat in some locations that time of year and you won't be able to allow the dog to walk on pavement for even short distances without burning it's feet.

NancyB1219

He's very attached to his little dog. We will just have to adjust our sites based on pet...he and his wife will probably alternate staying with it.

WhereAreWe

Have you actually discussed the advice given here about the dog with your brother? Or just assuming that he will take the dog no matter what? I don't want to beat a dead horse but you are really being forced to plan a trip around a little dog...and that doesn't seem fair to you, your kids or even your brother and his wife.

Dogs are not allowed in any park lodging, so you cannot stay inside the park. That is a huge disadvantage for the Grand Canyon, as it is much nicer to stay in the park and be able to watch sunset/sunrise and walk around after the day trippers have left. There is a kennel on the South Rim to board dogs, but if someone is willing to board a dog with a kennel I'm not sure why they wouldn't be willing to leave the dog in the care of someone they trust at home.

The only trail to walk on with a dog at the South Rim is the Rim Trail. At Zion, they would be restricted to the Pa'rus Trail (not allowed on the shuttle into the main canyon). Bryce allows pets on one section of the rim trail. Arches doesn't allow pets on any trails.

Basically this trip will consist of you and your kids and one of them going off to see something, then coming back to the other one sitting in the car with the dog. And then waiting for that person to go see the same thing and inconveniencing the rest of the group, or forcing one person to miss a lot of interesting sights.

I would strongly encourage you to share this advice with your brother, and think long and hard about how important it is to accomodate a little dog at the expense of the rest of the group. I have 3 little dogs myself and I would never take them on a trip like this. There is simply no reason to hold the group hostage to a little dog and plan your lodging and sightseeing around it. If I was in your shoes, I would tell my brother to leave his dog home, and if he's unwilling to do that then plan the trip without him. That's all I'm going to say, other than good luck and I hope it works out for all of you.

http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/pets.htm
http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/pets.htm
http://www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/pets.htm
http://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/pets.htm

NancyB1219

Yes, I have shared pet info and policies with him. As I said, we will work around the issue.

sharondi

The Canyon Ranch Motel in Springdale is a great spot and has pet friendly rooms.

NancyB1219

Thanks, sharondi...we'll keep them in mind.