2gypsies wrote:
24/12 is a gorgeous route to take but don't forget there's much more in that whole areas other than Bryce. Do you have more time? There's Arches Nat'l Park, Capitol Reef, Bryce, Zion, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon.....
^^^^^ I Agree ^^^^^
And don't forget the State Parks and side drives along the way -
Map of Not so Direct but Beautiful, RouteOut of Denver on I-70 jump off on RT 58 towards Golden, take RT 6 as it follows Clear Creek to Idaho Springs and rejoins I-70 - then through the Tunnel past Breck and Silverthorne to RT 91 and Leadville - follow that to RT 24 taking you past Camp Hale, Red Cliff and Minturn, just a beautiful drive on the Backside of Vail and the Ski resort - rejoin I-70 at Minturn - to Glenwood Springs - there you need to exit to the Local park for the Colorado River and the over and under Interstate on the side of the cliffs, Just one of the great example of the Highway not ruining the beauty of the Mountains (Side trip, if you can to Maroon Bells/Aspen, the most photographed Rock in Colorado) - sort of a normal interstate drive to Grand Junction where you could jump off to see The Colorado National Monument, before you head into Utah.
Now as you enter Utah be sure to Jump off at Exit 214 to follow the Colorado River into Moab - again the opportunity to see a few National Parks and State Park, before you jump back on the Interstate to catch Goblin State Park (Capitol Reef NP is also available) from there you will enjoy Escalante SP and Kodachrome SP before driving the RT 12 Hog Back and entering Bryce NP.
Hope this is of some help, and Hope you have set aside Weeks not Days to see and enjoy this part of the Southwest.
Best of Luck,