Bryce Canyon Area

[Dove]

My wife wants to hit Utah. Who has been? What is the best way to enjoy Bryce Canyon, Moab, Canyonlands etc?

How much time needed?

 

[ThetaZoo]

You shouldn't miss Arches NP. There are a number of iconic arches to see including Delicate Arch. It's a 30-minute drive from Canyonlands. We toured Arches and Canyonlands in 1 day. I did Bryce in a couple of hours but I tend to race through things.

 

[cohenzone]

We were on a tour, so I’m not sure the best way to get there We’ve traveled quite a bit. Bryce is near the top of my list of natural wonders. Zion, which isn’t that far away, was nice, but not quite so striking as Bryce. We were there on a perfect day, so we hiked to the bottom of the valley, I think there are several paths. It’s like being on a strange planet (I guess we are a strange planet) we missed Arches. I hear iits great.

If you haven’t been to the Arizona parks or the Sedona area it’s worth it. Of course the Grand Canyon, but Monument Valley is interesting. Lots of commercials and movies are filmed there.

 

[lne001]

I would highly recommend hiking the Virgin River in Zion NP, a beautiful slot canyon. Distance is in and out, up to 16 miles. Both my wife and I thought it was great fun. Recommend early in the morning to beat crowds, solid hiking boots (very rocky), hiking poles (see very rocky), quick dry shorts/shirt/hat, and water/snack. The canyon narrows in several spots, meaning that the water deepens and you will get wet.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

My wife wants to hit Utah. Who has been? What is the best way to enjoy Bryce Canyon, Moab, Canyonlands etc?

How much time needed?

Stayed in Cedar City for 4 days that is in between Zion and Bryce. Nice town. also there is Cedar Breaks nearby.

 

[Dove]

Thanks for the input so far. Unfortunately my wife's hip and back could limit hiking.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Stayed in St. George for about a week many years ago, nice place to stay. Close to Zion, a little further to Bryce Canyon. Bryce might be the most photogenic place I've ever been. Point a camera in any direction and you'll get a great shot. Bryce is relatively small compared to Zion. Sorry to hear your wife is hurting. Hiking is mostly what we did in the parks.

What is the timing of your trip? I think we went in early April (in fact we watched NCAA Tourney Championship games during the trip--that might've been the year UConn won men's and women's). Some of the days were warm, some were cold and stormy. Bryce in particular is fairly high elevation so winter lingers longer than some might expect.

One more note about St. George. Just outside of town is Snow Canyon State Park, rather spectacular but it is overshadowed because of the nearby National Parks.

 

[Dove]

This would be July/August. She is a teacher.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Well I don't think you will get cold, that won't be a problem. Bring sunscreen and your shades.

 

[Fishy]

Thanks for the input so far. Unfortunately my wife's hip and back could limit hiking.

It’s kinda hard to recommend these areas if you’re not going to get out into them.

You’d be limited to driving on 63 and taking pictures at the viewing areas....which would be nice, but it’d be like visiting Disney by standing at the entry gate and looking in.

 

[nwhoopfan]

It’s kinda hard to recommend these areas if you’re not going to get out into them.

You’d be limited to driving on 63 and taking pictures at the viewing areas....which would be nice, but it’d be like visiting Disney by standing at the entry gate and looking in.

I'm an avid hiker, so it's pretty much a given that's what I'm looking to do when I visit an area. However I think you can definitely enjoy Zion NP without doing a lot of walking around. Park at the visitor center, hop on the shuttle buts and ride all the way up and back down, staring up at all the beautiful multi hued cliffs and the river flowing beside the road.

 

[Dove]

She can do a few hours of dog walking in woods. So if the terrain didn't require rock jumping she may be good for 5 miles per clip.

 

[Dove]

Just now putting keyboard to Word document planning stuff out.

I am thinking flying into Vegas, not being tired stay a couple nights and then driving to Salt Lake City where we will chill for couple nights then fly out.

In between options to stay are either, Cedar City or Moab.

Anyone been to Panguitch to check it out?

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Loved Utah when I visited six years ago. Was there for five nights, which was enough for the following itinerary.

Day 1: Land in Salt Lake. Go to March Madness games and watch Harvard upset New Mexico.
Day 2: 4 hr Drive to Bryce Canyon and stayed in Bryce Canyon Best Western. Hiked most of the day.
Day 3: Hit up Coral Sand Dunes near Bryce Canyon en route to Hurricane, Utah. Ate good Mexican food in a restaurant that was in the family's house
Day 4: Hit up Zion, hiked Angel's Landing (go early), rested and checked out other parts of the park.
Day 5: Morning in Zion and then drive up to SLC for the night. Spent time checking out Utah University, drive around, watch March Madness in restaurants drinking watered down beer.
Day 6: Fly back.

I'd love to go back again, especially since I missed the Southeastern part of the state (Moab, Arches)

 

[nwhoopfan]

Day 4: Hit up Zion, hiked Angel's Landing

Really cool hike, not for those with fear of heights! At least that catwalk section right before the end.