Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Advice on family trip

We are planning an extended family trip (13 people) August 1-9 arriving in Vegas. Would appreciate advice on itinerary. We thought we would spend 4-5 days exporing Zion and Bryce while staying in a house rental. We also want to see the Grand Canyon. Should we go from the Zion area to the north or south rim? Lodging sounds limited at the north rim.

Day 1

Arrive in Vegas from Chicago, spend the night...or begin drive to Zion

Day 2

Drive to Zion area and settle in a vacation rental

Day 3,4,5

Zion and Brcye exploring

Day 6,7

Drive from Zion to Grand Canyon (north or south rim)

Spend two nights

Day 8

Leave Grand Canyon and drive back to Vegas fro flight home

Any advice on itinerary (including airports)and lodging in Grand Canyon area appreciated!

Advice on family trip

We are planning nearly the same trip but ours is coming up fast. April 3-11th. I am still trying to decide where to stay at the GC. We have reservations inside both Zion and Bryce parks. Was wondering if you had looked into any sort of rafting experince at the GC?

Advice on family trip

Sorry...did not look into it but was thinking of it. Please advise if you find any good info. Thanks, Sheila


The GC north rim is more convenient to Bryce and Zion, but it is still very remote and lodging and activity options are limited. If this is your first visit to the GC and you have a large family group you will find more accomodations and many more activities, viewpoints and learning opportunities at the South Rim. I%26#39;d suggest that you look into a visit there after Bryce and Zion.


I agree with RedRox.....South Rim for first time visitors. You could also stop for a day/night in Page/Lake Powell and see Antelope Slot Canyon and Horseshoe Bend overlook, among other things. Then travel south on Hwy 89 and enter Grand Canyon on the east rim road near Cameron.


If you are heading north to Zion out of Vegas and only have a week, my advice would be to stay on the North side of the Grand Canyon. There is so much to do in Southern Utah alone that a week does not come close to being enough time. Although, the North rim Grand Canyon does not have as much tourist stuff as the South rim, it still is a great place and lower key. The lodge there is spectacular and the historical cabins nice if you can get one. If you drive all the way around the canyon and back to Vegas it is bit rushed in my opinion with all you want to do in Utah. Although, there is a one-day smooth water float trip on the Colorado near Page that is very scenic http://raftthecanyon.com/ and another smooth water float through Black Canyon on the Colorado, below Hoover Dam http://www.blackcanyonriveradventures.com/ . There is also a fun one-one day whitewater trip in the Western Grand Canyon, but it is on the South side of the canyon 165 miles east of Vegas. http://www.rivers-oceans.com/ and www.destinationgrandcanyon.com/runners.html have information on this trip. If you decide to circumnavigate the Grand Canyon any of these rafting trips could be easily be added.

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