Suggestions for our X-Country Itinerary
I am planning our trip for August 2018 and would welcome some suggestions from you guys. I've been to all of these locations with the exception of Capital Reef, but my wife and four kids (11,9,7,5 in ...
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It can be hit or miss regarding the heat. We were there this past August, Zion to Mesa Verde to Arches, and it was actually pleasant. Of course they had a pretty big monsoon season, too. And we lost our awning while in Mesa Verde to a freak gust of wind from a surprise thunder storm. But still it can be very hot. We really lucked out though, each place we visited either before or after we were there had flash flooding occur, fortunately none while we were there!
This was our second trip to Zion, the previous year we went from Grand Canyon to Zion like you're planning. We were actually more impressed with Zion than GC! The idea of being in the canyon and looking up at the walls, rather than staring into a big ditch, is more awe-inspiring. Not that the Grand Canyon isn't awe-inspiring, it's just so immense that you don't really get a good idea of it. If that makes sense.
Another thing on that particular part of your trip, you need to plan on going around Zion to come in from Springdale. At Kanab, UT you would go south on 389 toward Hurricane and up Highway 9 to Springdale.
There are tunnels and switch backs that the park service will not allow vehicles over 50 feet in length to go through. This will add about an hour to your trip into and out of Zion. We have a 32 foot motor home and toad that adds up to 51 feet, they at least let us slide, with a stern caution on tackling the switch backs on the other side of the tunnel.
On the way to Bryce Canyon, the easiest route might be up I-15 and over.
Hope you have a great trip and plenty of entertainment for the kids!
This was our second trip to Zion, the previous year we went from Grand Canyon to Zion like you're planning. We were actually more impressed with Zion than GC! The idea of being in the canyon and looking up at the walls, rather than staring into a big ditch, is more awe-inspiring. Not that the Grand Canyon isn't awe-inspiring, it's just so immense that you don't really get a good idea of it. If that makes sense.
Another thing on that particular part of your trip, you need to plan on going around Zion to come in from Springdale. At Kanab, UT you would go south on 389 toward Hurricane and up Highway 9 to Springdale.
There are tunnels and switch backs that the park service will not allow vehicles over 50 feet in length to go through. This will add about an hour to your trip into and out of Zion. We have a 32 foot motor home and toad that adds up to 51 feet, they at least let us slide, with a stern caution on tackling the switch backs on the other side of the tunnel.
On the way to Bryce Canyon, the easiest route might be up I-15 and over.
Hope you have a great trip and plenty of entertainment for the kids!
