Arizona Itinerary

Hi, My husband and I and another couple are travelling to Arizona this summer (end of June). I am having trouble deciding how long to spend in each area. We have about 10 days.Here is what I have so far and would appreciate comments:

Day 1 Thurs - arrive in Phoenix,stay overnight (visiting relatives)

Day 2 Fri - drive to Sedona, stop and see Jerome on the way. Stay overnight in Sedona for three nights

Day 3-4 Sat,Sun - While in Sedona, take VerdeCanyon railroad, and see other sites.

Day 5-8; Mon - Thurs - This is where I am so undecided. Relatives suggested visiting North Rim of canyon and also seeing other sites north such as Antelope Canyon, then driving the north roads to Vegas. We will stay somewhere in this area four nights. I would love ideas, should we stay in one place or stay in two? Visit North or visit south rim?

Day 8 or 9 till end of trip - Drive to Vegas, stay two nights, see Hoover Dam, fly home from Vegas on last day

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Arizona Itinerary

The North Rim is beautiful but much less developed than the South Rim. You can drive to some viewpoints, but hiking is needed for others. If you want to go to the North Rim, you should reserve lodging right away. The main lodge, North Rim Lodge, fills up fast, and the rest of the lodging is cabins which are described as rustic. Other lodging is an hour away.

It is 250 miles or 5 hours from Sedona to the North Rim Lodge. If you left early morning, you could go to Antelope Canyon on the way.

If you don%26#39;t plan to go to Zion and Bryce Canyon NPs, the South Rim may be better for you. It takes roughly the same amount of time to drive to Las Vegas from the North Rim as the South Rim as the north roads are more mountainous and winding.

It is 2 hours from the South Rim to Page, and lots of other things to see in the area. The South Rim has lots more lodging and services.

Arizona Itinerary

Bobbear is right about the North Rim, but I would go for it, if I were you. It%26#39;s a lot less crowded than the South Rim. Yes, the amenities are pretty basic; but they are clean, well-maintained and safe. The character of the North Rim is different in terms of vegetation and climate. The surrounding forest is more like the type you would experience in British Columbia. From there, you can go through southern Utah and easily hook back around to Vegas.

Would definately do the North Rim for one night, drive up to Bryce for 2 days and one (or2)nights, then thru Zion on the way to Vegas.

Bryce is very good for dayhiking, and the color and light are fantastic. Horseback riding there is fun too.

Zion has Angels Leap hike, and the checkerboard rock, but the rest is up the river, or even outside the canyon itself. Grand old lodge, but still like Bryce better.

South Rim is like Disneyland. Just too many people. I only go there on full moon so I can go out to the viewpoints at night.

Thanks for all the suggestions. We will go to the North Rim from Sedona and try to stay there one night if we can get a reservation. I was thinking from there, we could go to Page, stay at least overnight, take time to see Antelope Canyon (if we didnt see on way to North Rim) and also take the Colorado river float trip that leaves from there (half day). After that we could go on through the north on the way to Las Vegas. Does this make sense? Should we still take a stay overnight in Bryce along the way?

Morganism,

Take a leisurely walk from GC Village to Hermit%26#39;s Rest - about 2-3 hours and you%26#39;ll barely meet anyone except at the viewpoints. Even then, just wait until the shuttle bus has left and you have those incredible spots all to yourself (except at sunset, of course !). I%26#39;ve done it twice in April and twice in July/August - hardly a soul around. Alone at the Abyss, shuddddder !

Bryce will be the last cool weather you see, in the summer. Take the horseback ride there.

Sunrise there is actually more spectacular there than at the Grand Canyon.

Bryce is not on your way from Page to Las Vegas but a visit is recommended. Awesome NP.

It%26#39;s 2.5 hours from NR to Page and the riverfloat app. takes 5 hours so there%26#39;ll be little time to visit Antelope Canyon as well. Also best for a visit to Antelope Canyon is midday but it will be extremely busy that time of year. If you want to visit both Page and NR I would go Page first, then NR and drive to Bryce from NR then. If NR is booked try SR but it%26#39;ll also be hard to get a reservation.

Just mho, but on a first visit a would prefer SR over NR. Not only the ride to Hermits Rest, but also at the east rim (between GC Village and Desert View) you%26#39;ll have plenty of room to enjoy.

Tet