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Grand Canyon trip extension: Zion, but not Bryce?

heathpack

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In May 2013, Mr. H and I are rafting the lower half of the Grand Canyon. That trip is 5 days and it ends at Lake Mead. From Lake Mead, we will be taken back to Las Vegas on a Thursday. Our initial thought was to stay Thurs-Mon in Vegas, but now I am thinking that idea leaves too much dissonance between the two halves of the trip. Maybe we'd be better off visiting another NP.

So I was thinking Zion, since it is closest to Vegas.

Maybe stay in Vegas Thursday, day spa/massage, nice dinner, etc and off to Zion. We could stay Fri, Sat, Sun and drive home Mon. Or we could spend the first 2 nights in Zion and one in Bryce.

Which idea would be better, do you think? I am leaning toward more time in Zion, so as not to be rushed and also to have a shorter drive home to LA on Monday. We would like to do your typical things- hike some trails, visit whatever roadside attractions there are, take and scenic drives, stop and take photos. We would also like to take a longer (maybe half day) horseback ride.

We are thinking of staying in the cabins at Zion Lodge.

We welcome any specific suggestions for Zion, and Bryce too, if the consensus is we should try to squeeze in both.

H
 

andex

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Wish i could help you with your delima? but i have no clue.
i am interested in knowing which outfitter you are using for the Grand Canyon rafting?
thanks
high probability that we will be there around the same time.
 

Steve

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Most people here on TUG seem to prefer Bryce over Zion, so I suspect that many will suggest that you make the effort to visit Bryce.

They are both beautiful parks, but I prefer Zion, so your initial idea of staying there and relaxing sounds ideal to me. Zion will be beautiful in May whereas Bryce, which is at much higher altitude, might be rather chilly.

Whatever you decide, be sure to drive the road to the east entrance of Zion (through the tunnel). It's a very cool drive. Also be sure to hike at least a few miles into the Narrows...weather permitting.

Have fun!

Steve
 

heathpack

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Wish i could help you with your delima? but i have no clue.
i am interested in knowing which outfitter you are using for the Grand Canyon rafting?
thanks
high probability that we will be there around the same time.

We are with OARS, May 12-16. You?

H
 

DaveNV

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You can do both parks. Zion is about 45 minutes outside of St. George, which is about 2 hours up I-15 from Las Vegas. Bryce is about 2 and a half hours from St. George.

I'd suggest going directly from Las Vegas to Bryce, and stay overnight there. (Ruby's Inn is a decent motel right outside the Tropic, Utah park entrance, but there are other places to stay as well.) Depending on when you arrive, you can drive to the major overlooks inside the park, and maybe do a few short hikes into the canyon. See the Bryce sunset the first day, and the sunrise the next morning. Have breakfast at the Bryce Lodge, then head back toward Zion. If you take Highway 89 South to Mt. Carmel Junction, you can enter Zion from the East side, and explore your way through the park to Springdale. Stay overnight in Springdale (Best Western Zion Park Inn is a nice place to stay, right outside the West entrance to Zion.) Spend as much time as you'd like inside Zion, and when it's time, drive toward St. George, and stay on I-15 South till you get home. It should be an easy drive.

Have fun. It's a beautiful time to visit the parks. And even though you may not be able to see everything in both, you can hit the high points, and plan another trip just to see them better.

Dave
 

Karen G

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Most people here on TUG seem to prefer Bryce over Zion, so I suspect that many will suggest that you make the effort to visit Bryce.
I'm one of those people who prefer Bryce over Zion. I was quite content to drive through Zion and admire the scenery. But, Bryce is so unique with such interesting sights. We're actually planning to go back to Bryce and do a little hiking there.

Last year we drove through some great areas of Arizona and I'd like to suggest another area to consider. We spent a couple of nights in Page, AZ, and went to Upper Antelope Canyon in addition to seeing Lake Powell. On our drive back to Las Vegas from Page, we stopped along the Colorado River and saw a couple of groups departing on river rafting tours similar to what the OP describes, so I think a visit to this area might fit in nicely before the rafting tour. I don't know how that would fit into the OP's schedule but just thought I'd throw it out there.
 

timesharejunkie4

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Zion, Bryce, Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley - there is so much to see and do in that area! I, too, am one that prefered Bryce over Zion. We did both parks from Las Vegas over a 3 day time span. We went in March are were somewhat limited by snow so I can't really say if it was enough time had the weather been good.
We did the Lake Powell segment on a separate trip and it is well worth doing. If this will be your only trip to this area, I would try to do both Zion and Bryce.
 

DanM

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You can do both parks. Zion is about 45 minutes outside of St. George, which is about 2 hours up I-15 from Las Vegas. Bryce is about 2 and a half hours from St. George.

I'd suggest going directly from Las Vegas to Bryce, and stay overnight there. (Ruby's Inn is a decent motel right outside the Tropic, Utah park entrance, but there are other places to stay as well.) Depending on when you arrive, you can drive to the major overlooks inside the park, and maybe do a few short hikes into the canyon. See the Bryce sunset the first day, and the sunrise the next morning. Have breakfast at the Bryce Lodge, then head back toward Zion. If you take Highway 89 South to Mt. Carmel Junction, you can enter Zion from the East side, and explore your way through the park to Springdale. Stay overnight in Springdale (Best Western Zion Park Inn is a nice place to stay, right outside the West entrance to Zion.) Spend as much time as you'd like inside Zion, and when it's time, drive toward St. George, and stay on I-15 South till you get home. It should be an easy drive.
Dave

I completely agree, with the exception that you should stay at the park lodge in Zion if you can get a reservation. Ruby's is convenient at Bryce but nothing is better than waking up in the park at Zion and walking to an early ranger guided hike.
 

Htoo0

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Been through both in one day. Not enough time to explore. For just driving though I think I enjoyed Zion most.
 

HuskyJim

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We are thinking of staying in the cabins at Zion Lodge.

We welcome any specific suggestions for Zion, and Bryce too, if the consensus is we should try to squeeze in both.

H

If you want to stay in the parks (and I strongly recommend that you do!) you should plan on making reservations as early as possible - they book fast. I think that you can make them as early as a year out. And you generally can cancel them, at no charge, up to several weeks prior.

The two parks are very different, so seeing both is the best option, if you have the time.

I envy your trip - absolutely gorgeous area.
 

heathpack

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If you want to stay in the parks (and I strongly recommend that you do!) you should plan on making reservations as early as possible - they book fast. I think that you can make them as early as a year out.

The entire month of reservations becomes available 13 months out. Therefore, I may make my reservations for May 2013 on April 1. That is the reason I am posting now.

H
 

Deb from NC

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We stayed in the National Park Lodges at both Bryce and Zion and they
were both just fine. The location, of course, is wonderful. As others have mentioned, be sure to book as soon as you can, then cancel if you have to.
Both parks are beautiful, but I liked Bryce better. And my husband loved it,
I think it's his favorite NP.
Enjoy!
Deb
 

KevJan

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One thing to remember if you are visiting Zion in May is that you can't just "drive through" to see it. The free shuttles start operating in April, usually around Easter. You can park your car in Springdale and then hop on and off the shuttle wherever you want. It's a great way to see the park while getting off at the Visitor's Centers and various hikes or just go for a ride. We love Zion, (but maybe it's because we are only about 20 minutes away.) When, in May, is your trip? As has been mentioned, Bryce could still be quite chilly and may even have snow.
 

Karen G

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When, in May, is your trip? As has been mentioned, Bryce could still be quite chilly and may even have snow.
What do you think the weather will be like at Bryce aorund April 12-14? Also, do you know anything about the weather around Moab, Canyonlands, & Arches around that same time period? If there is snow in the actual parks, are the highways leading up to them kept clear?
 

sue1947

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Definitely get a cabin in the park whichever park you go with. Being able to walk out to the rim at Bryce for sunrise/sunset or the stars is worth the extra money (and it wasn't that much more).
In Zion, I also second the recommendation to tour the east side of the park. In addition, if you like hiking, head up the West Rim trail. It's the same trail as Angels Landing (which will have masses of people) but keep going and you'll have much better scenery than the over hyped AL.

Sue
 

heathpack

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One thing to remember if you are visiting Zion in May is that you can't just "drive through" to see it. The free shuttles start operating in April, usually around Easter. You can park your car in Springdale and then hop on and off the shuttle wherever you want. It's a great way to see the park while getting off at the Visitor's Centers and various hikes or just go for a ride. We love Zion, (but maybe it's because we are only about 20 minutes away.) When, in May, is your trip? As has been mentioned, Bryce could still be quite chilly and may even have snow.

Our Grand Canyon raft trip is May 12-16. We expect to be in Zion/Bryce May 17-20.

We definately do not want to just drive through whatever park and we are leaning towards spending the full time in Zion for this trip, leaving Bryce, Monument Valley, and the other suggestions for a later trip. Our logic being that weather will be ideal in Zion in May, we want to actually spend some time hiking, etc and we really dont want to be rushed.

I am not really getting an understanding of what Bryce offers for most people over Zion, but then again I have not yet made the effort to educate myself fully on each park.

Thanks everyone for you input, would love to keep hearing opinions.

H
 

tschwa2

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I think it may be that more people visit in the summer and summer in Zion can be too hot. We went a few years back in mid June. The Grand Canyon was in the upper 80's. Bryce was in the lower 80's and Zion was about 105 degrees. We took the shuttle through Zion and it is not so scenic along the shuttle path. All the best scenery required a hike of a mile or more. I think exploring Zion in May without rushing is a good idea.
 

Karen G

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I am not really getting an understanding of what Bryce offers for most people over Zion, but then again I have not yet made the effort to educate myself fully on each park.
I find the scenery to be spectacular at Bryce. There are also hike you can do down into the canyon. You can drive through the park stopping at each lookout point and view the stunning sights.
 

Deb from NC

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I think the main reason we enjoyed Bryce more than Zion was because
when we were there, Zion was mobbed! The more popular hikes were like
a Disneyland ride..hiking in line :( Whereas Bryce was much less crowded.
Also, the colors of the rocks and "hoodoos" in Bryce Canyon were incredible,
great if you're into photography at all. I will say the hiking in Bryce
was more strenuous..more changes in elevation (at least the hikes we did)
Don't get me wrong, Zion was beautiful too, and I have no doubt our
preferences were formed in part by the crowds (or lack thereof!)
Deb
 

susieq

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I find the scenery to be spectacular at Bryce. There are also hike you can do down into the canyon. You can drive through the park stopping at each lookout point and view the stunning sights.

Count me in for another vote for Bryce. Both were spectacular, but I think the main differences were that in Zion you're looking up, where Bryce you're looking down. The link above is beautiful ~ I think Bryce is my favorite NP. Oh, and we did go in July, saw all 3, (Bryce, Zion, and GC), and honestly I didn't notice a difference in temp. Whatever you decide, have a great time!! :wave:
 

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The weather in both Zion and Bryce are very impossible to predict the past few years. Some years it has been close to 100 at Zion and in the 50's at Bryce on the same day. If I remember correctly, last year if not the year before, we (Zion) had temperatures in the 90's in May and then it snowed the week school let out. You would be very fortunate to have temperatures at Bryce warm enough without a jacket.
 

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Just want to clarify that I LOVE all the National Parks! Zion is closer to home and so I spend more time there. Zion and Bryce are two totally different experiences. I would most certainly recommend Bryce for the summer and early fall because of the cooler temperatures in the higher altitude.
 

Karen G

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KevJan, do you know anything about Moab, Canyonlands, and Arches weather? We were planning to go there mid-April.
 

KevJan

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Go to www.weather.com. I feel really stupid to have to admit it, but I have travelled to all 50 states the Caribbean islands and 10 foreign countries but have never been to these parks and they are practically in my backyard. I plan to visit sometime this year, probably in the fall.
 

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KevJan, do you know anything about Moab, Canyonlands, and Arches weather? We were planning to go there mid-April.

Hi Karen,

I'm not KevJan, but I can tell you that April is a great time to visit Moab, Arches, and that area. You should have high temperatures around 70 degrees with lots of sunshine. (Of course, that's not guaranteed.) The Moab area is much warmer than Bryce Canyon, but it is not as warm as St. George and Zion.

Have fun on your trip!

Steve
 
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