Spending a week in Utah. Need help planning our trip. (Salt Lake City: how much, motel)
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Spending a week in Utah. Need help planning our trip.
Hello!
My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Utah. We will be flying into Las Vegas on Friday, May 25th to visit a friend, and make the 3 hour drive the next morning to Zion National Park to start our Utah vacation. We'll have a full 7 days to explore, as our 8th day there will be the day we fly back to New York.
We're thinking of either making our way up north and end our trip in Salt Lake City, or going east to end our trip at Arches National Park and then fly out of Grand Junction, CO.
We are mainly interesting in the outdoors and State/National Parks where we can hike, rock climbing, etc. We're not all that interested in spending time in cities, so keeping that in mind:
Which route will offer the best places to visit, or is there a better route than either of these to consider?
Whichever route you recommend, what are some places we should visit?
when you get to St George, take exit 6 and turn right. go around the curve on riverside drive. when you see the Sinclair station on your right, look left to the Bureau of Land Management field office. It will be written on the building in large letters. go in and get all the hiking, biking, camping, etc info that you need. They also have great maps of other interesting places to hike, etc in the area. Good luck on your trip, and be safe.
If you stay in southern Utah you can do Zions, Gobblin Valley, Canyonlands, Arches, and leave through Grand Junction like you suggested! If you go the northern route there are places to hike, but there nothing compared to Southern Utah
As you are driving from Las Vegas to St George, you can start your hiking experience in Nevada at the Valley of Fire State Park off of I-15. A good introduction to the amazing red rock country. It just gets better and better as you do the places recommended by Johnson15.
Also in St George is Snow Canyon State Park with lots of good trails and again those amazing red rocks.
My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Utah. We will be flying into Las Vegas on Friday, May 25th to visit a friend, and make the 3 hour drive the next morning to Zion National Park to start our Utah vacation. We'll have a full 7 days to explore, as our 8th day there will be the day we fly back to New York.
We're thinking of either making our way up north and end our trip in Salt Lake City, or going east to end our trip at Arches National Park and then fly out of Grand Junction, CO.
We are mainly interesting in the outdoors and State/National Parks where we can hike, rock climbing, etc. We're not all that interested in spending time in cities, so keeping that in mind:
Which route will offer the best places to visit, or is there a better route than either of these to consider?
Whichever route you recommend, what are some places we should visit?
Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, I can't wait to explore Utah!
For starters, if you're not interested in seeing Salt Lake City, I wouldn't bother making the drive all the way back there from the Arches. I'd just leave from Grand Junction instead.
In Zion, I'd recommend the Emerald Pools hike and, if you're really looking for something ultra-spectacular, Angels Landing (unless you're afraid of heights). There are also numerous shorter hikes, depending upon how strenuous an adventure you think you can handle. As cheesy at it may sound, there is a movie that is shown continuously at an IMAX theatre just barely outside the park entrance that is called "Treasure of the Gods." See it. The photography of Zion you'll see in it is unbelievable. You'll probably want to allow two full days in Zion.
Bryce is only about an hour and a half or so away from Zion. If you drive through the little town of Hatch between the two, stop for lunch at the Cafe Abobe. They have the best sandwiches and burgers in the state. At Bryce, talk the Navajo Loop hike starting (and ending) from Sunset Point, or if you're in the mood for a little longer hike, start at Sunrise Point, hike down on the Queen's Garden Trail and then finish up on the Navajo Loop where it exits at Sunset Point. Since you'll be in the area at a time when there is a new moon, take advantage of the fact that you'll be in what is known as a "Dark Sky Park." Drive up into the canyon after it's completely dark (maybe 10:00 P.M.) and look up at the sky. The night sky at Bryce is so dark you can see 7500 stars on a moonless night, or 2.2 million light years to the Andromeda Galaxy. Needless to say, it's breathtaking. I'd plan on one day at Bryce.
There is probably more to do in the Arches area than in either Bryce or Zion (which is not to say that it will necessarily be your favorite). You'll be staying in Moab. Check out one of the several companies who will take you on a Hummer ride up over the slickrock called "Hell's Revenge". Schedule a half-day trip rafting trip down Westwater and enjoy the class 3 and 4 rapids. Of course, you'll want to hike. Fiery Furnace is not to be missed, but you have to get on a reservation list ahead of time. Delicate Arch is magnificent, too. Those are my own two favorite hikes. And last but not least, if you feel really adventurous, check into the tandem skydiving available in Moab. If you can, plan on three days in the Arches area, or at least two.
Let us know how much you loved Southern Utah when you get back!
Make sure you have Lots of water on you at all times. The National Parks do Not allow pets on their trails so please keep this in mind if you plan on bringing a pet.
Try this for a vacation. I envison you flying home out of Grand Junction, Colorado as you stated.
Day 1. Las Vegas to Zion National Park. Katzpur has given you a good list of things to do inside the park.
Day 2. Drive through Zion up to the summit past Checkerboard Mesa and out of the park to Highway 89. North on Highway 89 until you make the turn south of Panguitch into Bryce Canyon National Park. If you want to stay in a motel than arrange to stay at Ruby's Inn. If you want to camp, than camp at the Sunrise Campground inside the park.
Day 3. Take some of the many hiking trails that lead downwards into Bryce Canyon. There are some amazing rock formations you should definitely see. The "hat rack" is interesting. When you are done head out of the park and drive towards Tropic. Follow the highway from Tropic to Escalante. Drive north out of Escalante to the BLM Calf Creek Falls Campground and trail. Again, if you are camping this is a great place to spend the night. If not, spend the night in a motel in Escalante and either do this hike late on day 3 or early on day 4. You want hike to Calf Creek Falls. Its about four miles in each direction, but very worthwhile. The falls are just beautiful.
Day 4: Drive north from Escalante/Calf Creek Falls through the Dixie National Forest towards Capitol Reef National Park. You may want to take the Burr Trail through the most remote portions of Capitol Reef Park. If you do, take the turnoff at Anasazi. Much of the "trail" is paved now, but it takes you through some of Utah's most rugged country. When you exit the trail up north at the main highway, drive towards Fruita and the park visitor center. If you are camping, than spend the night in the park at the Fruit Campground. If not, drive outside the park towards the west and find lodging in or around Torrey (its just outside the park). If you ask, there is swimming hole and waterfall in the Fremont River inside Capitol Reef National Park. Its very refreshing after a hot day. If you ask, you may find some Indian Petroglyphs on some of the trails. Do take the time to hike on some of the many trails in Capitol Reef.
Day 5. Drive eastbound out of Capitol Reef National Park and follow the signs to Hanksville. You have the option of seeing Goblin Valley State Park at Hanksville if you wish. Or, you can keep going. Follow the highway through Natural Bridges National Monument. This is worth seeing too. Although, I think its a bit overrated. Eventually, the road will take you to Blanding in San Juan County. At Blanding, you want to head north to Moab. Make a reservation and check into a motel here. Moab is a great place to visit, but I've never thought the camping around the area was very good.
Day 6: Drive to Arches National Park outside Moab. Definitely take the hike to Delicate Arch (best done in the morning). Than drive to the "Windows" section of the park. There are about four arches in a very small area that you can walk to and photograph. Further up the road are rock formations and a place called the Devil's Garden. This is definitely worth hiking. I would recommend you spend most of the day in the park. Other things that are possibilities when you are done with the park include a drive up "Potash Road" by the side of the Colorado River. This is best done just before the sun sets. If you had the time, you could also arrange a short float in rafts on the Colorado River. I can recommend Western River Expeditions for this purpose.
Day 7: Drive out of Moab north towards Interstate 70. Take the turnoff to Canyonlands National Park and Deadhorse Point. Actually, both are great places to visit, but with limited time, I'd pick Canyonlands. Drive to the observation point at the very end of the road in the park. There, you will be treated to the very dramatic sight of the Green River and the Colorado River flowing towards one another and eventually reaching a confluence at a point miles south of the observation area. When you are done head out of the park to Interstate 70 and drive east. You should be able to get to Grand Junction in plenty of time.
Day 8: Fly home.
Have a great trip. I wish I had time to do all this.
You guys are all awesome, thank you for the great suggestions! We are definitely going to do the southern route to Grand Junction, it seems spectacular. My girlfriend and I can't wait!
And yes, we will be sure to have tons of water with us.
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