Looking for input/advice on taking a trip to Grand Canyon and other National Parks in area

[Carpe Diem]

Hello!  We are wondering how to go about taking a trip to Utah to see all the National Parks:  Arches, Canyon Lands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon.  We have 18 days from leaving our house to when we have to get back.

 

We have been to Yellowstone and Glacier.  We know what to do there but feel a bit apprehensive about going to the South West.

 

We are trying to decide if we should pull our pop up camper from MI or just drive in the van and get hotels or another possibility is getting a rental house and taking day trips.

 

Is it easy to find campsites?  Are there a lot of sites?  Is it difficult to pull a camper. ie. tight fit, sharp corners?

 

I am wondering also if it is necessary to go to all of these Parks or is it more like if you see one of them you have seen them all.  My husband wants to go to all of them while I am wondering if we should pick 3 and spend more time in each one.

 

Is there a favorite park?  One that has several hikes that are easy for a family?  Is there one that has more to offer with ranger talks etc?  Nicer bathrooms?  LOL!!

 

Thanks for any input you might have to share!!!

[Ravin]

How long is this trip?

 

I would plan to camp, but I like camping. Check for reservations and costs online. Most parks have that available, and other travel guide info.

[whitestavern]

Hello!  We are wondering how to go about taking a trip to Utah to see all the National Parks:  Arches, Canyon Lands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon.  We have 18 days from leaving our house to when we have to get back.

 

We have been to Yellowstone and Glacier.  We know what to do there but feel a bit apprehensive about going to the South West.

 

We are trying to decide if we should pull our pop up camper from MI or just drive in the van and get hotels or another possibility is getting a rental house and taking day trips.

 

Is it easy to find campsites?  Are there a lot of sites?  Is it difficult to pull a camper. ie. tight fit, sharp corners?

 

I am wondering also if it is necessary to go to all of these Parks or is it more like if you see one of them you have seen them all.  My husband wants to go to all of them while I am wondering if we should pick 3 and spend more time in each one.

 

Is there a favorite park?  One that has several hikes that are easy for a family?  Is there one that has more to offer with ranger talks etc?  Nicer bathrooms?  LOL!!

 

Thanks for any input you might have to share!!!

 

We did a see the west road trip 2 years ago.  We started in CO, saw some friends and spent some time in Santa Fe, then headed over to the Grand Canyon.  From there we travel to the southern Utah parks, moving from west to east (so Zion, Bryce, Capital Reef, Arches) then up to Salt Lake City, etc.  We spent 3 days at the Grand Canyon (just about right) and then two each at the others, but that included travel time between the parks.  We stayed mostly at cabins (and a hotel at the GC) If we had the chance to do it again, which we would love to, we would give ourselves a little more time at Zion and Bryce and also make a stop at Canyonlands, which weren't able to see the first time around.  Unfortunately there was a blizzard while we were at Bryce (early May!) so were unable to go down into the canyon, but it looked amazing.  I know several people like it more than the GC.  We also would've liked to do some additional hiking at Zion.  Another really fun stop for us was Goblin Valley State Park (either in between Bryce and Capital Reef or Capital Reef and Arches--I'm going from memory here). 

 

I would say bring your pop up.  However you may need to reserve quite a bit in advance to get a campsite, especially if you are traveling when kids are not in school.  We did read that the big RVs are sometimes hard to maneuver in the parking lots, but if you  have a tow behind you shouldn't have any trouble.  We were at Grand Canyon end of April and it was very crowded.  I would not recommend getting a rental house because the parks are just too far away from each other.  Also, where possible, try to camp inside the park.  The "driveways" into the parks can be miles and miles long, really adding to a commute from outside the park.

 

As far as which parks to go to, they definitely each have their own unique personality.  I would visit all of them again.  It's not if you've seen one you've seen them all. 

 

Lastly, definitely sign the kids up for the junior ranger programs (another reason for giving yourself a little more time at each park).  They are free, very educational, and a lot of fun.  And do some of the ranger talks.  We learned so much and they make it so interesting; we all enjoyed them immensely. 

 

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about anything!

 

[datgh]

When are you planning to go?  I have only been to Grand Canyon National Park so that is the only experience I can speak to.  We rented an RV and stayed in the National Park Campground right in the park. There are no hook ups in this park and that was OK for us because we like the more woodsy sights. There was an RV park which we could have stayed in that had hook ups but it is more like a parking lot and you are right on top of each other. I booked our site around the beginning of March and got one of the last ones available so don't wait to book if you are going to stay in the national park campgrounds. We live on the east coast otherwise we would have brought our pop-up camper.  I don't think you would have any trouble getting around with it. 

 

Other than making sure we had reservations in the National Park Campground we winged everything else as far as camping but it wasn't always easy as there is nothing and I mean nothing between little towns and unless there is a McDonalds with wifi it is hard to figure out where we were going to stay next.  My poor DH who loathes McD's spent quite a bit of time in them on this trip.  We have a hot spot and couldn't pick up any signal in most places in Arizona other than around a major city. Make sure you are well stocked up on provisions before leaving a town and everyone has used the facilities because you won't find a bush to sneak behind!

 

We went the first week in May and it was cold.  We didn't expect that.  It was down in the twenties at night but day temperatures were comfortable sweatshirt weather.  There are shuttle buses through out the park which we utilized for where ever we wanted to go.  We spent three nights at the Grand Canyon and my families concensus was that two would have been plenty.  By then we had been from one end of the park to the other and had spent a morning hiking down into the canyon and back up.

 

If you can make time in your loop, definitely go through Monument Valley.  It's even cooler than the Grand Canyon in my opinion.

[LifeLovePassion]

When are you planning to go?  I have only been to Grand Canyon National Park so that is the only experience I can speak to.  We rented an RV and stayed in the National Park Campground right in the park. There are no hook ups in this park and that was OK for us because we like the more woodsy sights. There was an RV park which we could have stayed in that had hook ups but it is more like a parking lot and you are right on top of each other. I booked our site around the beginning of March and got one of the last ones available so don't wait to book if you are going to stay in the national park campgrounds. We live on the east coast otherwise we would have brought our pop-up camper.  I don't think you would have any trouble getting around with it. 

 

Other than making sure we had reservations in the National Park Campground we winged everything else as far as camping but it wasn't always easy as there is nothing and I mean nothing between little towns and unless there is a McDonalds with wifi it is hard to figure out where we were going to stay next.  My poor DH who loathes McD's spent quite a bit of time in them on this trip.  We have a hot spot and couldn't pick up any signal in most places in Arizona other than around a major city. Make sure you are well stocked up on provisions before leaving a town and everyone has used the facilities because you won't find a bush to sneak behind!

 

We went the first week in May and it was cold.  We didn't expect that.  It was down in the twenties at night but day temperatures were comfortable sweatshirt weather.  There are shuttle buses through out the park which we utilized for where ever we wanted to go.  We spent three nights at the Grand Canyon and my families concensus was that two would have been plenty.  By then we had been from one end of the park to the other and had spent a morning hiking down into the canyon and back up.

 

If you can make time in your loop, definitely go through Monument Valley.  It's even cooler than the Grand Canyon in my opinion.

Where did you fly into? Who did you rent the rv through? We are looking into a trip this spring or fall. 

[NorthwestMom]

We went to the Grand Canyon in July. It was hot but not terrible UNLESS you were planning to hike down into the canyon, which we were not. We stayed in a hotel in Flagstaff and drove in to the South Rim for the day. We used the park shuttle to get to trails along the rim. One day was enough for my kids. DH was disappointed that our youngest was too small to do the mule ride. LOL.

 

I assume you are planning on going to the north rim if you are also doing all the other parks?

 

My impression is that the camping books up quickly. 

 

The Grand Canyon looks different than the parks in Utah. Your trip sounds fantastic to me.

[BrittanyM]

It is definitely not "if you seen one you've seen them all." I've been to Grand Canyon and Zion and they are very different. Zion you can just drive through unless you want to hike back into it. I've heard Bryce is amazing and I definitely want to go there someday. Lake Powell is also in that area and might be a fun stop to consider. It is a beautiful lake and they have a decent campground.

[creekland]

Bryce is our favorite of these parks, so definitely allow more time there.  Zion and Arches are awesome too.  All three have incredible hikes.

 

The Grand Canyon is neat - worth a stop - but to be honest, we liked the other parks better probably because we had already "seen" the Grand Canyon, not literally, but in commercials, shows, and whatever else it makes an appearance in.  We got there and pretty much said, "Yes, this is it."  We did hike the hermit trail along the ridge and a little bit down into the canyon - plus we took a different trip outside the park that took us to the rim, helicoptered us down, did a short raft trip on the Colorado River, then back.  That was neat, but pricey. 

 

Capital Reef is neat, but you see a lot driving by it (still stop at the Visitor's Center to learn more).  It's not quite as impressive, but if you go when the fruit is ripe, they let you pick some to eat it.  ;)

 

Monument Valley is impressive.  If you want a quick little detour, Goosenecks is impressive (very quick stretch break - great for teaching about meandering rivers).

 

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

 

We have not been to Canyonlands.

 

We camped at Bryce and loved it, but did tent camping so can't tell you about turns, etc, for a camper.  It was too hot for tent camping at Zion and Arches when we were there.  At the GC we opted to stay in a motel along the rim - just to do it.

[Soror]

We are planning the same sort of trip right now, I think will have around 14 days, but dh has to double check that. We're thinking early May but after reading some of your reports of blizzards I'm not sure but it seems the longer we wait the busier it will be.

 

Very, very tenative schedule so far:

1- drive 8ish hrs- stay in north TX ??

2- drive 7 hrs- Carlsbad Caverns

3- Carlsbad Caverns

4- Drive 10 hrs- to Grand Canyon

5 Grand Canyon

6 Drive 3.5 to Zion

7-10- Hit Zion, Byrce, Arches- not sure if it would be better to camp at different spots or just pick one and drive here and there during the day

11- Drive 7 hrs Mesa Verde

12 Mesa Verde

13 Drive 7 hrs- stay in North TX or Oklahoma ???

14 Drive 10 hrs home

 

We need some in between spots to break up the driving in either OK or TX, haven't found those yet. Dh is afraid it will be too cold to camp and reading you ladies I think he is probably right. My parents do have a little camper trailer we could borrow, I know that would cost more in gas to pull it but I'm wondering if it would be worth it still, especially as it would make packing way easier and we really need to be able to cook to save money and ensure we can have gf food.  An aunt and uncle mentioned a cool train ride but it seems it is expensive. I looked up the mules, expensive too. I'm wondering what we can do that is on the cheap and maybe pick one thing that is a little special to do. We love to hike and adventure but our kids are 2,5, (will be)8 and 10, so we are limited. We are fine with backpacking the younger ones but I know some don't even allow them under certain ages. 

 

 

I really wanted to hit the Sequioas while we were over that way but it is still another 8-9 hrs one way from the Grand Canyon and we've already got enough driving that I think anymore would be pushing our luck. We'll just have to hope we can get another trip some other time, perhaps sometime we could find cheap plan tickets and stay with relatives that live in California.

[Cafdog]

I am NOT a camper, but can recommend a nice hotel at the Grand Canyon.  We stayed at The Grand Hotel in Tusayan a couple of years ago.  http://www.grandcanyongrandhotel.com/  Nice place, clean rooms, and a good on-site restaurant - with live music most nights!  It's about a ten minute drive to the park gates - and much cheaper than the onsite park hotels.

 

[Carpe Diem]

Oh my goodness.  I am sorry.  I forgot about my post here.  Thank you everyone who replied.  To answer some questions we would have about 18 days to travel from home and back.  We could get a couple more days if needed.  We were planning May 22 to June 8th.  However, I think that would put us at arriving Memorial Day weekend which would be bad I think.

 

Thanks again.  I promise to check back again sooner.  Not sure what was going on in my life but something must have come up!!!!

 

 

[NorthwestMom]

 It's about a ten minute drive to the park gates - and much cheaper than the onsite park hotels.

 

Also, there are lots of free shuttles into the park from Tusayan. We parked in a free parking lot in Tusayan and used the free shuttle service and it was great!

[Kessepha]

Sounds like a fun trip!  We did this last summer and loved it! 

 

A camper would ride fine, its mostly big flat open spaces out there.  We flew into Las Vegas and rented a van.  It is a lot of road between any two points so plan on lots of riding time.  There are some neat things though between points, if you explore. 

 

We went from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam.  LV and the Dam were hotter than an inferno, 107 degrees that day with a hot wind blowing across the dam.  But really it was a delight!  Mostly because it was unusual for us easterners!  Then we made as much road time in the evening as we could and stopped in Williams AZ (hotel... I don't camp!) which is a cute town about 45 minutes from the Grand Canyon and on Route 66.  Gotta love Route 66 at Williams!  Any closer to the canyon and you will need to plan on camping.

 

Also on Route 66 further east is a big ol' crater made by a meteor impact.  We saw a sign and went on a whim.  I swear the kids liked it better than the Grand Canyon.  Yeesh! 

 

We also went to Four Corners National Monument, which is pricey now that the Reservation charges admission.  Not worth doing unless it is a lifelong dream to stand in four states at once. 

 

Cortez Colorado is a stopping place for Mesa Verde.  I would say Mesa Verde is a don't miss.... a bit further east than is on your itinerary, but stunning and counts for a school day!  I would rather die a million deaths than take a camper up there, though, that is very twisty turny.  Even in our rented van, my husband was sure we were going to die!  Also not a place if you get altitude sickness at all. ever.   The cliff dwellings are astonishing, though and very worth the days adventure.

 

Arches is amazing!  Its a few hours north west of Mesa Verde and a lovely drive most of the way.  Not as many gas stations as you'd like (a constant problem out west) but quaint and you get a feel for the land.  Once you're at Arches the Canyonlands by Night River Cruise is incredible fun for the whole family just outside the park in Moab UT, includes dinner and cowboy games and they're really lovely with the kids.  Also they have a ton of hummingbirds that hang out there, so if the only Hummer you've ever seen is a Ruby Throat, you're in for a treat.  I think theirs are Black Chinned Hummingbirds.   Maybe some Rufous hummingbirds, too.   Take a jacket as the canyon gets cool at night, but don't miss that tour!   Moab is a cute town, too... great place to stay.

 

Our final national park was supposed to be Black Canyon of the Gunnison, but by the time we got to Montrose CO, we were parked out and skipped it.  We have friends in Montrose so we just took an extended stay there before driving across the Rockies into Denver to visit our godchildren. 

 

Anyway, I think you'll have a splendid vacation.  I would  limit to 3 parks, though, and budget time for road travel and side trips.  Keep your schedule loose and explore a lot.

 

Have fun! 

 

[City Mouse]

I recently found out that there are many national park campgrounds where soft sided pop-up campers are not allowed due to problems with bears. You may want to check the rules for specific campground before you leave.

[IfIOnly]

What ages are your youngest? I'm not a worrier by nature so did not expect this, but my youngers being at the Grand Canyon freaked me out big time. They had to hold our hands at all times near the canyon but even many feet away I was still uneasy and on high alert. My kids listen well and all, but, yikes. We did see elk there close up (on foot and in the car) and that was way cool. :)

[Spring Flower]

I've been to Arches, Zions, and the north rim of the Grand Canyon. All were beautiful and unique. I'm so jealous that you are going! I wish I could come! 

[Spring Flower]

Also, I've heard the south rim of the Grand Canyon is much more touristy than the north rim. I've only camped on the north rim but my husband has camped both and much prefers the north rim. 

[G5052]

Another one to consider is Chaco Canyon in New Mexico in the Four Corners region.  I love desert though, and there are a lot of intriguing mysteries associated with the ruins there.

 

Mesa Verde is good, and so is Bandelier, but that is yet further for you.

 

It just depends how much Anasazi culture you want! 

[creekland]

Another one to consider is Chaco Canyon in New Mexico in the Four Corners region.  I love desert though, and there are a lot of intriguing mysteries associated with the ruins there.

 

Mesa Verde is good, and so is Bandelier, but that is yet further for you.

 

It just depends how much Anasazi culture you want! 

 

We loved Chaco!  It's so remote and the star gazing is second to none IMO - nice desert (clear) air and no big lights around.  The ruins were intriguing too.

 

And yes, Mesa Verde was impressive & worth a visit too.

 

Whether one goes to Chaco or not depends upon how they feel about remote I suppose.  We loved it.  There's a pony out there competing with Chaco Canyon as his name.  ;)

 

Adding a link - the web page hasn't been updated, but Chaco is on it.  (Sailor was one of ours too, but he wasn't named for a national park.  We have theme's each year and Sailor's was "occupations."  Swears Like a Sailor is a show name chosen by his owner... :glare: Chaco's was "National Parks," so he's from the same year as Acadia, Sequoia, and Rainier.)

 

http://simplytrainingthoroughbreds.com/Meet_the_Show_Team.php

 

[cougarmom4]

Definitely all of the parks you mentioned are different and unique...not a "seen one, seen them all" type of experience! Someone up thread mentioned staying in one place and going to Zion's, arches, Bryce, etc. as day trips; they are far enough away that you should travel to each one and plan to stay nearby, IMO. I'd say the highlights of what you had mentioned would be the Grand Canyon, Zion's, and the Arches in Moab (with a stop by Goblin Valley on your way there). A pop-up trailer would be perfect.

 

Goblin Valley is our family's favorite....I highly recommend a stop! A bit out of the way, slightly less known, but it is a huge "playground" with interesting rock formations that you can climb all over and hike through. I will see if I can figure out how to post a photo or you can just google goblin valley, I'm sure. In case you are interested, there is a campground there (or you can even pull off the road in some areas and just camp the night). Bathrooms are primitive and there are no restaurants so be sure to bring your lunch.

 

The hike to Delicate Arch was a tough one for me (not in the greatest shape...), but it was absolutely the most amazing experience to make it to the top and so worth it! ;-). Each of the parks will have family friendly hikes that should give you a taste...but also plenty for the more adventurous.

[Miss Peregrine]

Have fun! I was just thinking about you and wondering how you have been. Glad to see you. :)