After tips, comments and a little discussion with DH it looks like for the time we have my original plan from Phoenix through Utah 5 and home is too much trip. Now We are planning a couple days at GC the a couple at Zion. I think we can just do a short visit to Bryce on the way to Capitol Reef (suggestions for where to stay here??).
DH would like to head back from there and return on a different route including Mesa Verde and Durango. I would love recommendations for the return route and best campgrounds. We do not require fancy places with full hookups.