We are starting to plan for next summer 2018 going to Grand Canyon and Utah we are leaving from Missouri. We have two kids 16 and 13. Trying to figure out where to go first thinking of starting at Grand Canyon then traveling to Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands and Arches. Trying to figure out how many nights for each stop thinking of Trailer Village at Grand Canyon. We will have two full weeks to travel. On our way home we might also stop at Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado and also at Silverton and Durango to do the train ride.. Any help would be much appreciated trying to figure out our first stop either petrified forest or Albuquerque New Mexico. We like to hike, kayak, fish, and also horseback riding if you all have any tips.

That is a lot to do in 2 weeks. A couple of years ago we spent 6 days at Trailer Village and then headed to Moab, UT for 4 days to see Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky). We drove from Florida. We like to hike and found the 6 days in Trailer Village was great, and maybe could have used an extra day or two in Moab. Terrific trip though.

We recently hit all the spots you mentioned but took four weeks doing it. I recommend trimming the list or it will be one hectic trip. Many say all you will want at the CG is a day or two. That's probably true for those that can only enjoy from the view at the visitors center. We had 5 nights and enjoyed every minute. Zion...again if all ya want to do is ride the bus and get a windshield tour a day is plenty. We needed 5 days to take in the hikes. Some of the other Utah parks can certainly be done in less time if need be. Except Moab you'll want for a few days there IMO.

I agree that is an ambitious itinerary for 2 weeks. I think I would try to break it into 2 - 2 week trips.If you go to Durango and ride the Silverton Railway, try Soaring Treetop Adventures, a zipline place at about the halfway point on the train ride. It is the best zipline adventure I have ever been on. The additional plus is that you don't have to complete the whole train ride. You are dropped off for several hours of zip lining while the rest of the poor souls have to brave 4 more hours on the train. Don't get me wrong, the train ride is fun, just not 8 hours worth. When we got back on the train as it returned back to Durango, there were some haggard passengers with envious looks in their eyes.

MoRookie wrote:We are starting to plan for next summer 2018 going to Grand Canyon and Utah we are leaving from Missouri. We have two kids 16 and 13. Trying to figure out where to go first thinking of starting at Grand Canyon then traveling to Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands and Arches. Trying to figure out how many nights for each stop thinking of Trailer Village at Grand Canyon. We will have two full weeks to travel. On our way home we might also stop at Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado and also at Silverton and Durango to do the train ride.. Any help would be much appreciated trying to figure out our first stop either petrified forest or Albuquerque New Mexico. We like to hike, kayak, fish, and also horseback riding if you all have any tips.OK let's look at this - 1,400 miles to the furthest point - time 14 days? - 17 days? - how many days of TRAVEL? - How many days of Camping? - 16 an 13 - boy - girl ? boy - boy ? Girl - Girl? Not that it really matters, but in my experience they do have very different likes/dislikes.So time is critical - likely 6 days of just driving - not really fun. Hiking - Fishing Boating/Water time - Horseback riding. not really a lot of this in Utah's desert - in the Summer = HOT.Suggest you look for Water - Hike to it - Stay by it - fish in It - PLAY in IT - so that means we need to focus on IT. (JMHO) -WATER IS THE MISSION!These are the places that come to Mind (1)- Buena Vista - Twin Lakes - Arkansas River - Collegiates (2) Ridgway State Park - Ouray - Silverton - Telluride - Montrose (3) Slip into Utah hit Moab/Arches/Canyonlands/Colorado River/RT 128 (4)then Back to Colorado for Glenwood Springs - more Colorado River - slip down towards Aspen/Maroon Bells - back to I-70 to Minturn RT 24 back to Leadville - Camp Hale - Turquoise Lake/Quincys and then back on the road home.If you have your Sprinting Shoes on you will have a chance - need to eat well and be rested - lots to do everyday - not a lot of time to waste - Two days at each stop - will allow you to see them, touch them, want to have more time with them, if my timing is wrong just add more time do more things at every stop - Next trip if this is a bust just try to Tackle Utah.Any chance/ or am I just Crazy?Look over THIS MAP - Zoom in - see the water - see the FUN - Just say I WILL. The Kids will love you - I know, I have two Boys, one lives there, Colorado and the other wishes he did.JMHO,

Start at GCNP for a couple of nights. Then to Zion for a couple, then Bryce. Forget about Moab and Arches this trip. Not enough time and really hot in the summer. Instead, head straight to Durango. Do the NGRR. One or two FULL days at Mesa Verde. Make sure you get reservations for the guided cliff dwelling tours. Petrified Forest is barely OK in my book. Consider getting to Flagstaff for Walnut Canyon, Wupaki, and Sunset Crater NM's. At 7700', not bad weather even in the summer.With two weeks including travel time, you'll be beyond busy with this itenerary anyway.

Grand Canyon and Utah | Good Sam Community

vermilye
Explorer
Jun 10, 2017
While Capitol Reef may not hit you in the face as much some of the other National Parks in southern Utah, it does have some impressive scenery.

A photo of Pectol's Pyramid from the Rim Overlook Trail:
More Photos of Capitol Reef:
profdant139
Explorer II
Jun 11, 2017
Watch out for Jon's advice -- his photos can make a parking lot look enticing. ;)

(Just kidding, of course.)
Rangerman40
Explorer
Jun 11, 2017
Lauren wrote:
Been there, done that a few times. Personally, I would switch a night of Zion for one more at Capitol Reef. Just like something else, everyone has an opinion! :-)

I agree with this completely..... Zion felt more like an amusement park with the shuttles and lines and boatloads of people. Capitol Reef is my favorite of all the Utah National Parks.
Busskipper
Explorer
Jun 11, 2017
profdant139 wrote:
Watch out for Jon's advice -- his photos can make a parking lot look enticing. ;)

(Just kidding, of course.)

True;

vermilye wrote:
While Capitol Reef may not hit you in the face as much some of the other National Parks in southern Utah, it does have some impressive scenery.

A photo of Pectol's Pyramid from the Rim Overlook Trail:
More Photos of Capitol Reef:

Yes, So True
Busskipper
Explorer
Jun 11, 2017
Rangerman40 wrote:
Lauren wrote:
Been there, done that a few times. Personally, I would switch a night of Zion for one more at Capitol Reef. Just like something else, everyone has an opinion! :-)

I agree with this completely..... Zion felt more like an amusement park with the shuttles and lines and boatloads of people. Capitol Reef is my favorite of all the Utah National Parks.

As we really do not enjoy the Shuttle or Crowds - we always will schedule our tips to ZION in the off season.

"The Zion National Park free Shuttle Service in Zion Canyon and Springdale will resume on Saturday, March 11, 2017 and will operate into late November. During this time the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive will be closed to private vehicles."

But in the Off Season it is not nearly as crowded and is Shuttle Free.

Just the way we like it, so you are correct, hard to enjoy in the Summer - as Yogi used to say " nobody goes there anymore,it's just too crowded"

Not that this works for everyone but it sure works for me.

JMHO,
Lauren
Explorer
Jun 11, 2017
A few years ago we hiked the Rim Overlook Trail from one end to the other - it is amazing and pretty tough. We now do and love Cohab Canyon Trail as we "age".
vermilye
Explorer
Jun 11, 2017
Thanks for the comments. Speaking of parking lots, If you ever want to see the need for the shuttles, visit the park the week before the shuttles start. A parking lot is what the entire Zion Canyon Scenic Drive looked like the day before they started the shuttles in 2014. Cars parked on both sides of the road hundreds of yards on either side of the usual stops. Many section one lane only. I'll never do that again!

While I don't like the shuttles, many of the national parks are getting so crowded that they are necessary. I prefer to have my vehicle (with my gear) handy when I stop to take photos, but that is becoming an impossibility in many parks.

Some of the parks have photographer's passes - for example Denali that let you drive your own vehicle. A bit too expensive for my budget, plus I probably wouldn't qualify, but I was very envious of the guy camped next to me as he drove by me while waiting for the bus!

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