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
farmbone wrote:
It sounds like a lot of you are suggesting visiting tons of places over our time, but to be honest, we have gotten where we like to see less and more in depth. We like staying places for 3 or 4 days at least.
Smart, smart, smart!
The time of year makes this a tougher choice. For us, the best hiking of the three is in Zion, but it is hot there in the summer. However, if you plan your day, you can still stay a little cooler. Hike the trails on the east side of the canyon in the morning and the west side of the canyon in the afternoon, taking advantage of the high canyon walls for shade. Some of the trails also climb up to higher elevations where it's cooler (Observation Point, West Rim Trail). Another interesting trail is Hidden Canyon Trail above Weeping Rock. You'll get to a sign where it says the trail ends, but you can keep going (you won't be the only ones doing so). You'll enter a deep box canyon where the high walls help block the sun. Go as far as you can up the canyon -- your scrambling abilities will dictate how far that is. Of course the Narrows is cool even on the hottest days. Take some hiking sandals or old tennis shoes to do this hike. Take your time and explore along the way. It is sooooo refreshing in there. As for camping, if you stay at Watchman CG in the park (has electric) you'll be able to soak your feet in the Virgin "River" to cool off, plus you won't have to drive to go anywhere, as you can walk to the shuttle (the only way into the canyon). Big cottonwood trees line the river which is just footsteps from some of the campsites.
At Bryce, you're up above 7000' so it is quite a bit cooler. Use the shuttle bus to get dropped off at one viewpoint, hike down into the canyon, and exit via another viewpoint, where you can catch the shuttle bus back to your vehicle. We prefer to camp near each of the parks rather than spending a couple of hours each day "commuting".
I guess if it were me, it would be three days each at GC and Zion and two days at Bryce.
