Grand Canyon North Rim, Zion, Bryce Canyon
Hello, we are driving from Texas for a trip to the North Rim and then on to Zion and Bryce.. I'm thinking 4 days at the North Rim and 2 nights each at Zion and Bryce Canyon. ( Or should it Bryce a...
Forum Discussion
Not knowing your planned route to get to the North Rim area, here's a suggestion to get you started:
Arizona I-40 at Flagstaff: spend a night if you're ready to stop - at Bonito national forest campground just outside the entrance gate of Sunset Crater Volcano Nat'l Monument just north of Flagstaff on Hwy 89. It's a beautiful campground - flush toilets, no showers and no dump station. Then when you leave, do the Sunset Crater loop which will take you past Wupatki Nat'l Monument if you want to check out the ancient dwellings. Continue on this short loop drive and it will take you back out to Hwy 89.
Continue north on AZ89 and pick up Alt 89 taking you to Jacob Lake, AZ. There are campgrounds there - dry and full hookup - or you can continue on 67 to the North Rim and stay in the park's campground. No hookups but there is a dump station, water fill and pay showers, small grocery, restaurant. With your children's ages and since you mentioned you enjoy hiking, plan on at least 2-3 nights at the North Rim.
Then go to Zion via 67 back to Jacob Lake and pick up Alt 89 into Fredonia, AZ. At Fredonia take AZ389 which becomes UT 59 at Colorado City. Continue on UT 59 into Hurricane, Utah and east on Hwy 9 to Zion. This is the no tunnel route. There are full hookup parks in Springdale and you can catch the free park shuttle right in this small town. Or you can stay in the park itself at Watchman campground - electric sites and a dump station and water fill. The sites are shady. You can easily walk to the visitor center to pick up the free shuttle into the canyon. Zion has some very nice hikes by using the shuttle. Just get on and off wherever you want and pick up the next shuttle. Again, if hiking, plan on at least 3 nights in Zion.
Leaving Zion - with your 32' RV you can easily use the tunnel route if you want. Just get on Hwy 9 and continue east to Mt. Carmel Junction at Hwy 89 and continue north on 89 to Hwy 12 and Bryce.
Or...leaving Zion...if you don't want to use the tunnel, backtrack the way you came (UT 59/AZ389 to Fredonia, AZ and take 89 north to Hwy 12 and Bryce.
Or...leaving Zion...head west on Hwy 9 to I-15 north. Go north to Hwy 20 (good for RVs) and head the short distance east to UT 89 then a short distance south to Panguitch and to Hwy 12 and Bryce. Don't take Hwy 14 at Cedar City from I-15. It's very steep and curvy. Take Hwy 20 instead.
Bryce - either stay at Ruby's RV just outside the park gate for full hookups. It's a huge complex with restaurants, laundry, fuel, repairs. If you don't need full hookups stay inside the park. Both places have the free shuttle for touring the topside rim. However, to really get the feel of Bryce and again, since you enjoy hiking, definitely take a couple trails down into the canyon. It's an awesome experience to weave in and out of those magnificient hoodoos. You won't get the same feeling if you stay up on the rim. 3-4 nights here if you plan to hike.
We would never advise anyone to try to stay at a base camp for these Utah parks and try to see them by long day drives. That's not how to experience the parks. It's best to stay IN them or very nearby.
Don't know how you want to get back to Texas but from Bryce you could continue on Hwy 12 and stop at night or two in Escalante and hike Calf Creek Falls (wear you swimsuit). Then continue on 12 to Capitol Reef and Hwy 24 to I-70 for your return home.
Lots of options. We've been to these parks often and are hikers so we know you'll definitely enjoy them. Have a good trip!
Arizona I-40 at Flagstaff: spend a night if you're ready to stop - at Bonito national forest campground just outside the entrance gate of Sunset Crater Volcano Nat'l Monument just north of Flagstaff on Hwy 89. It's a beautiful campground - flush toilets, no showers and no dump station. Then when you leave, do the Sunset Crater loop which will take you past Wupatki Nat'l Monument if you want to check out the ancient dwellings. Continue on this short loop drive and it will take you back out to Hwy 89.
Continue north on AZ89 and pick up Alt 89 taking you to Jacob Lake, AZ. There are campgrounds there - dry and full hookup - or you can continue on 67 to the North Rim and stay in the park's campground. No hookups but there is a dump station, water fill and pay showers, small grocery, restaurant. With your children's ages and since you mentioned you enjoy hiking, plan on at least 2-3 nights at the North Rim.
Then go to Zion via 67 back to Jacob Lake and pick up Alt 89 into Fredonia, AZ. At Fredonia take AZ389 which becomes UT 59 at Colorado City. Continue on UT 59 into Hurricane, Utah and east on Hwy 9 to Zion. This is the no tunnel route. There are full hookup parks in Springdale and you can catch the free park shuttle right in this small town. Or you can stay in the park itself at Watchman campground - electric sites and a dump station and water fill. The sites are shady. You can easily walk to the visitor center to pick up the free shuttle into the canyon. Zion has some very nice hikes by using the shuttle. Just get on and off wherever you want and pick up the next shuttle. Again, if hiking, plan on at least 3 nights in Zion.
Leaving Zion - with your 32' RV you can easily use the tunnel route if you want. Just get on Hwy 9 and continue east to Mt. Carmel Junction at Hwy 89 and continue north on 89 to Hwy 12 and Bryce.
Or...leaving Zion...if you don't want to use the tunnel, backtrack the way you came (UT 59/AZ389 to Fredonia, AZ and take 89 north to Hwy 12 and Bryce.
Or...leaving Zion...head west on Hwy 9 to I-15 north. Go north to Hwy 20 (good for RVs) and head the short distance east to UT 89 then a short distance south to Panguitch and to Hwy 12 and Bryce. Don't take Hwy 14 at Cedar City from I-15. It's very steep and curvy. Take Hwy 20 instead.
Bryce - either stay at Ruby's RV just outside the park gate for full hookups. It's a huge complex with restaurants, laundry, fuel, repairs. If you don't need full hookups stay inside the park. Both places have the free shuttle for touring the topside rim. However, to really get the feel of Bryce and again, since you enjoy hiking, definitely take a couple trails down into the canyon. It's an awesome experience to weave in and out of those magnificient hoodoos. You won't get the same feeling if you stay up on the rim. 3-4 nights here if you plan to hike.
We would never advise anyone to try to stay at a base camp for these Utah parks and try to see them by long day drives. That's not how to experience the parks. It's best to stay IN them or very nearby.
Don't know how you want to get back to Texas but from Bryce you could continue on Hwy 12 and stop at night or two in Escalante and hike Calf Creek Falls (wear you swimsuit). Then continue on 12 to Capitol Reef and Hwy 24 to I-70 for your return home.
Lots of options. We've been to these parks often and are hikers so we know you'll definitely enjoy them. Have a good trip!
