Multiple days in Bryce Canyon National Park

[momeason]

Has anyone spent multiple days at Bryce Canyon National Park?
We are planning a Utah National Park tour. Bryce looks amazing but it seems that most people just drive through. Is it worth 2-3 days? We like short hikes of less than 5 miles with big rewards.
I was planning to do the horseback ride but the one person I know that did it said it was boring and she would rather walk the trails herself.
Utah offers so much. This is the most difficult trip I have planned yet.
Timeshare travel is great but the timeshares are not near all sights.
It is so much work to find lodging in multiple locales and figure out how long to stay in each place. I have found a centrally located house rental that I may do to avoid moving as much.
I am sure the scenery will be worth it in the end. Any tips?

 

[Mike&Edie]

We did Bryce last week in one day. What we really wished we had more time for was at Zion. The walk to the narrows was amazing. We also did Valley of Fire State Park and Cedar Breaks. All lovely.

 

[sue1947]

Definitely spend at least 1 full day hiking in Bryce. If you want to limit yourself to just 5 miles per day, then spend 2 days. The formations are amazing and hiking through them is well worth the time. The people who just drive up and look from the edge are missing so much and getting just a superficial look at things. Hike down into the canyon during the day but also plan on being near the rim for sunrise and/or sunset. The difference in the colors with different lighting/shadows is worth seeing.
The horse groups I have seen were all on different trails that intersect at various points so the hiking and horseback riding experience may be very different. Personally, I agree that the hiking experience there would be better.

Sue

 

[momeason]

Thanks for the advice. Now to find lodging. October is peak and everything decent is full...not much to choose from in the first place.
I am on waiting lists.

 

[momeason]

We are definitely spending several days at Zion. I have lodging there. It is not as remote as Bryce.

 

[riverdees05]

Any recommendations for lodging in or near Zion and Bryce?

 

[Lydlady]

I know there are timeshares in St. George and in Brian Head. Or you could stay in one of the parks, or Springdale which apparently has shuttles that go into Zion. We stayed in Brian Head years ago and went to Bryce Canyon for a day. We have lodging in Springdale for our Zion trip this fall.

 

[andex]

we missed Bryce last month because of time constraints we were very disappointed. But we enjoyed Antalope canyone, horseshoe bend, glen canyon, and Zion. are highlight was Angels Landing at Zion. Its an amazing hike,(we underestimated the climb, it is dangerous!!) Disclosure said...Great memory that i will cherish for years to come!

 

[Talent312]

A few years ago, we rented a car in Vegas and over the course of a week, drove to Cedar Breaks... Brice... Zion.. and Grand Canyon (both rims). Of these, I'd have to say that Zion was my favorite.

 

[momeason]

We are spending 2-3 weeks in Utah. I just found a hospitality host in Kanab. It is about 75 miles to Bryce, but the drive will be scenic. Her home is central to many of the Southern Utah attractions so we will have lots of flexibility.
We already had a Destin week booked in mid September at Emerald Grande and then we recently booked the Hyatt Pinon Point in Sedona for mid October. We are probably going to spend the 3 weeks between in Southern Utah. ..after a long cross country trip to get there.
Now that I have found a wonderful hospitality host for Southern Utah, planning is a lot more flexible.
We may tack Las Vegas on at the end and then a long cross country trip back.
Hubby bought a used Toyota Highlander 4 wheel drive yesterday for the trip.
We wanted a 4 wheel drive last year in Sedona and we know it will come in handy in Utah.

 

[Sandy VDH]

The time required depends on if you plan on hiking at all while you are at either Bryce or Zion.

There are easier hikes at Zion (as well as some vary difficult) that don't require at big change in elevation. I have bad knees and changes in elevation are a killer for me.

Bryce is also at a higher altitude than the Zion. So breathing is more difficult as the air is thinner.

If you plan on hiking allow more days, if you just planning on sight seeing from the various spots on the rim, than 1 full day will be enough.

Just did the Yellowstone to Vegas 2500 mile trip last month.

 

[coachr32]

We use Brains Head time share resort when we are traveling to the Zion, Bryce, and Cedar Breaks area. It is close to Cedar breaks. However it is a one to two hr drive to the other parts. We enjoy the drives. We usually stay one week at the resort. It is at approx. 9000 ft.

 

[andrea t]

We stayed in Bryce for 2 days/1 night in one of the cabins in the park. It was wonderful. We love the evening ranger walks and lectures.

 

[GregGH]

Have done southern Utah many times in late Oct ...would do a trade show in Vegas then explore ... I just can't say enough nice things about all of southern Utah from Moab to St. George area. Some of our best trips have been on side roads ( e.g.: try the Kolob Reservoir Rd west of Zion NP ) ... use caution as many roads are prone to flooding ... but if you love rocks - you will love this state.

Hwy 9 out of Zion very gets old ... have a great time in Utah ... get lots of maps ... heaven if you like rocks ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Plateau

Greg

 

[geoand]

There is a long history of threads

in the Western board. Discussions revolve along what to see, how to see, where to stay etc.