10 days from Las Vegas to Zion, Bryce, and the North Rim is this reasonable?
Discussion
10 replies
Posted by Greg Lessard on March 4, 2011 at 9:52 AM
My wife and I have a conference in Las Vegas this summer. I am hoping to extend the trip to take in some national parks. After our conference, we can spend ten days. I am thinking of dividing those ten days between Zion, Bryce and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and returning to Las Vegas for a flight home. I have never been to these parks. Is this a reasonable amout of time? How would you divide the days between these parks? Would you consider adding the south rim and flying out of Phoenix? I would rather have more quality time and less drive time. Would you recommend a four wheel drive?
I have read some of the previous posts and their book recommendations, which I will be purchasing. If this is the wrong forum, please direct me to the correct one. I truly appreciate your help with these questions!
Greg, it all depends on your style of traveling and how much time you spend shooting, as well as how much time your comfortable driving. My photography trips are usually packed with shooting and little sleep, so I spend most of my time out and around or driving to another location. I have done Zion/Bryce/Escalante in 4 days including the 20 hours driving form Denver to that area and back, so ten days is an eternity from my perspective.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on March 4, 2011 at 11:00 AM
For the north rim, I would allow 2 mornings for Points Imperial, Final and/or Royal, and two evenings for Points Royal and Bright Angel.
For Bryce Canyon NP, I would allot two mornings for Bryce and Sunset Points and one evening.
You may wish to drive to Page and spend a sunrise at Horseshoe Bend and then go to Lower Antelope Canyon.
I would not drive all the way around to the South Rim. If you do decide to do the south rim, there are direct flights from Tusayan on the south rim to Las Vegas.
Don't overlook Valley of Fire SP outside of Vegas.
4WD would not be required for these parks.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 4, 2011 at 11:10 AM
Greg, if you plan to limit yourseld to just Zion, Bryce and the North/South Rim there is really no need for four wheel drive. However, the photography guide books will give you a lot of ideas for additional locations along your route. For instance, Toroweap is a great location to catch between Zion and the North Rim, and that would require at least a high clearance vehicle.
Personally, I would choose to skip the South Rim, since there is so much to do on the north side, but my priorities lean toward quality time.
Posted by Greg Lessard on March 4, 2011 at 4:00 PM
Thank you guys. I appreciate your input! I am glad to hear that 4 wheel drive is not necessary, because it is so much more expensive, both for the gas and the rental.
I like your choices in the time you have allotted and for the fact that they're all in the higher country which will give you some respite from the heat of summer in the desert. Best to be leisurely about it (as you are) rather than trying to cram as many places in as possible.
As Doug noted, definitely squeeze in Valley of Fire near Vegas should time allow.
10 days is a good amount of time. You can do it in less, but 10 would be good. When in June are you talking about? In heavy snow years, the North Rim can open in mid-June. This can lead to an unpleasant surprise, but it is 8800' above sea level. Have you been to the area before?
I'm almost always in favor of less driving, but don't miss out on Cedar Breaks while you're in the area for at least one sunset.
Posted by Greg Lessard on March 5, 2011 at 7:53 AM
Thank you for your advice! I will likely be there after the snow has melted. I kind of wish that weren't true I will definitely look into the Valley of Fire. My parents visited there a few years ago and loved it!
A lot depends on what you are planning on doing and where you plan on staying. Are you you going to be hiking a lot or just sight seeing? Are you staying in a hotel or camping? Are you doing any backpacking? Zion is really hot in the middle of summer. You can day hike the narrows and maybe spend one more day leisurely exploring the rest of the park, but it will definitely be around 100 degrees in the afternoons there. Bryce and the North Rim are both good bets because of the elevations. Although I think two days at each area is enough for a first visit. You don't need a 4WD at either, although it definitely gives you more options for exploring the Colorado Plateau including some parts of the North Rim. In the middle of summer, Cedar Breaks is a good alternative too. Valley of Fire is definitely worth visit, but it will be ungodly hot there in July.
Here are some other options:
1) Great Basin National Park - camp at 10,000 feet. Incredible views, great hikes, high alpine lakes, caves, bristlecone pine forests, smaller crowds. 4.5 hours from Vegas or 2.5 hours from Cedar City.
2) Ruby Mountains - another incredible wilderness area in Nevada. Sometimes called "Nevada's Yosemite". Plenty of wildflowers and water, good camping and hiking and smaller crowds.
3) Eastern Sierra via Death Valley - take a drive through Death Valley (it will be scorching) and get to the Eastern Sierra. You are like 6 - 7 hours from the eastern entrance to Yosemite. The weather will be much better. You could easily drop your entire 10 days here. Tons of things to do and places to stay. Lakes, streams, and mountains galore. Only big downside is the bugs in July and early August.
4) If you are commited to the Colorado Plateau trip - you might as well go to Calf Creek Falls too. One of the best 4 mile hikes I have ever done. It's only about an 1.5 hour drive from Bryce.
Personally, in the middle of the summer I'd avoid the Colorado Plateau unless you are absolutely committed to seeing it. Even Brcye and the Grand Canyon will be slightly uncomfortable during the day. The other places will be downright hot 24/7. Personally, I'd recommend going to California. Here's what I would recommend for the Colorado Plateau.
1) Great Basin - 2 days/2nights
2) Bryce Canyon - 3 days/2 nights with a day trip to Calf Creek Falls
3) Grand Canyon 2 days/2 nights
4) Page 2 days/1 night
5) Zion 1 day/1 night - hike the Narrows and leave.
5) Valley of Fire - day trip from Vegas - camping might be too hot!
Good luck!
Michael
Posted by Greg Lessard on March 5, 2011 at 9:14 PM
Thanks for the advice Michael! Everything I have read so far, including the advice above claims that zion, Bryce and the North Rim will be reasonable, temperature wise. Average highs from 80-88 in July. Is this incorrect?
Your welcome Greg! For Bryce and the North Rim that sounds about right. If you are talking about Zion Valley, it is normally a lot hotter than that. I was there at the end of June last year and it was well over 100 degrees. Even on a cool day in July, it will be in the low 90's at best. It will most likely be unpleasantly hot. Valley of Fire will be around 105 for an average high in July. Page will be in the low to mid 90's, but can get even hotter. I was there on June 3rd last year and they had record breaking heat - the high reached 104. My point is...generally speaking it is not going to be pleasant. That being said, it is monsoon season so you could catch some great conditions for photography. You might also consider Monument Valley, which kind of epitomizes the SW IMO...it is a little out of the way from the other places though....
Discussion
10 repliesI have read some of the previous posts and their book recommendations, which I will be purchasing. If this is the wrong forum, please direct me to the correct one. I truly appreciate your help with these questions!
Sincerely,
Greg Lessard
For Bryce Canyon NP, I would allot two mornings for Bryce and Sunset Points and one evening.
You may wish to drive to Page and spend a sunrise at Horseshoe Bend and then go to Lower Antelope Canyon.
I would not drive all the way around to the South Rim. If you do decide to do the south rim, there are direct flights from Tusayan on the south rim to Las Vegas.
Don't overlook Valley of Fire SP outside of Vegas.
4WD would not be required for these parks.
Personally, I would choose to skip the South Rim, since there is so much to do on the north side, but my priorities lean toward quality time.
As Doug noted, definitely squeeze in Valley of Fire near Vegas should time allow.
10 days is a good amount of time. You can do it in less, but 10 would be good. When in June are you talking about? In heavy snow years, the North Rim can open in mid-June. This can lead to an unpleasant surprise, but it is 8800' above sea level. Have you been to the area before?
I'm almost always in favor of less driving, but don't miss out on Cedar Breaks while you're in the area for at least one sunset.
A lot depends on what you are planning on doing and where you plan on staying. Are you you going to be hiking a lot or just sight seeing? Are you staying in a hotel or camping? Are you doing any backpacking? Zion is really hot in the middle of summer. You can day hike the narrows and maybe spend one more day leisurely exploring the rest of the park, but it will definitely be around 100 degrees in the afternoons there. Bryce and the North Rim are both good bets because of the elevations. Although I think two days at each area is enough for a first visit. You don't need a 4WD at either, although it definitely gives you more options for exploring the Colorado Plateau including some parts of the North Rim. In the middle of summer, Cedar Breaks is a good alternative too. Valley of Fire is definitely worth visit, but it will be ungodly hot there in July.
Here are some other options:
1) Great Basin National Park - camp at 10,000 feet. Incredible views, great hikes, high alpine lakes, caves, bristlecone pine forests, smaller crowds. 4.5 hours from Vegas or 2.5 hours from Cedar City.
2) Ruby Mountains - another incredible wilderness area in Nevada. Sometimes called "Nevada's Yosemite". Plenty of wildflowers and water, good camping and hiking and smaller crowds.
3) Eastern Sierra via Death Valley - take a drive through Death Valley (it will be scorching) and get to the Eastern Sierra. You are like 6 - 7 hours from the eastern entrance to Yosemite. The weather will be much better. You could easily drop your entire 10 days here. Tons of things to do and places to stay. Lakes, streams, and mountains galore. Only big downside is the bugs in July and early August.
4) If you are commited to the Colorado Plateau trip - you might as well go to Calf Creek Falls too. One of the best 4 mile hikes I have ever done. It's only about an 1.5 hour drive from Bryce.
Personally, in the middle of the summer I'd avoid the Colorado Plateau unless you are absolutely committed to seeing it. Even Brcye and the Grand Canyon will be slightly uncomfortable during the day. The other places will be downright hot 24/7. Personally, I'd recommend going to California. Here's what I would recommend for the Colorado Plateau.
1) Great Basin - 2 days/2nights
2) Bryce Canyon - 3 days/2 nights with a day trip to Calf Creek Falls
3) Grand Canyon 2 days/2 nights
4) Page 2 days/1 night
5) Zion 1 day/1 night - hike the Narrows and leave.
5) Valley of Fire - day trip from Vegas - camping might be too hot!
Good luck!
Michael