Grand Canyon North Rim, Zion, Bryce Canyon

We spent a couple of days at both Bryce and Zion last spring. It was enough, but if you want more hiking (we don't do a lot) add another day each. One other item and I'm not sure if someone mentioned it, don't forget to go out the west side of Zion north to the Kolob Canyons area, still part of Zion and really nice. Half a day for that trip. While at Bryce, spend another half day or day to go to Kodachrome Basin State Park. It's about half an hour to 45 minutes away from Bryce. If you have a higher ground clearance vehicle than we did (2013 Fusion), you can go past Kodachrome into Escalante National Monument and on to the Grosvenor Arch. Another fun side trip is Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, between Zion and Kanab. It's a couple hour visit, but pretty and unusual. Just food for thought. Spectacular area of the country.

Allworth wrote:
I have not read every word of every post. Most seem good, but a couple of things come to mind: (Sorry if I am repeating somebody)

Leaving North Rim, try to go by Pipe Springs NM. Interesting take on early settlements.

While it is possible to go from Ouray, CO directly to Santa Fe, that takes you over the Million Dollar Highway, through Silverton, Durango, and Pagosa Springs. You don't want to do the first two segments unless you are VERY experienced in the mountains. We have done it both ways with fivers, once 28' and the last time with 35'. I don't have any problems with it but the high country is my second (and favorite) home.

Glad your trying to fit in Pipe Springs NM, it's a well worth stop.



They have a really tour of the Ranch and it's history


Pipe Spring a farming area that the public can pick from at no extra charge, we took advantage of that situation.



In case you don't know there is a RV park just up the road from Pipe Springs NM.

I also vote for Zion-- Watchman Campground. Bring innertubes for the kids to float in the river. Great shuttle around the park, and you can walk to restaurants, shopping in Springdale.

Mtrain wrote:
I also vote for Zion-- Watchman Campground. Bring innertubes for the kids to float in the river. Great shuttle around the park, and you can walk to restaurants, shopping in Springdale.

Floating (tubing), the Virgin River at Zion is prohibited and with good reason. In June with the temps at 100 the water temp was 48 and the current very treacherous. Simply put it is very dangerous to do so. Lots of folks do it but it is a very bad idea. :E

I believe they were traveling in August. River is lower and calm by Watchman...

Mtrain wrote:
I believe they were traveling in August. River is lower and calm by Watchman...

It is prohibited (year round), because it is dangerous year round. There are lots of rivers, creeks and streams that are swimmer/kid friendly, the Virgin River in Zion is not one of them. Lots of logs, rocks and and snags and any precipitation upstream can turn a fairly calm section into a torrent without warning in mere minutes. Be safe out there. :C

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. We really enjoyed our last family camping trip to Henderson Beach State park and just enjoyed staying there all week. We like hiking, playing games together, enjoying the campfire and visiting. I don't want to spend all the time in the car going from place to place like we did when the kids were younger. So.. if you had to pick two places to camp, which would you choose?

North Rim, and Bryce.

Did anyone mention that you can ride bikes up the Zion Canyon? There are no cars allowed, and the buses are very courteous -- one of the greatest rides we have ever done. Not difficult, take it slow on the way up, and then coast back down. And the views from a bike are jaw-dropping -- much better than from a car or a bus:

Farmbone, I'm with you. We no longer do the Chevy Chase vacations. We try to stay at a place 3-4 days least, as you say. That way you really enjoy the place and don't feel like you gotta go back there because you missed this and that. We went to North Rim of GC only for a day. Drove all the way from South Rim where we had been hiking. I would definitely stay there longer than one day. Beautiful. North Rim and Bryce will be much cooler than Zion. Zion will be HOT in August. We camped in the Park and rode the bus a lot. Be sure to hike The Narrows. It will be crowded, but keep going past the crowds. We went about 6 miles and then came back. Wear some old sneakers or shoes that can be wet and take hiking pole. We have been to Zion twice and it is OK, but we preferred Bryce (also 2X) so I would spend more time there. I would avoid that tunnel at Zion with fifth wheel (we did not have our 33' fifth wheel when we went there). We are avid hikers. There was a gorgeous long hike at Bryce which I can't recall name of. Maybe Fairyland Loop???

As for the tunnel at Zion go to this website:

http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/the-zion-mount-carmel-tunnel.htm