1

The Narrows Walk is wonderful (as is all of Zion NP) - but I am only posting here to suggest that it might be really difficult to find a tour or a bus that will leave LV really early, just to go to Zion NP, and get you back by bedtime. But everything is possible in LV if you're prepared to pay for it. I assume search engines return you nothing that fits your needs.

Perhaps check out the backpacker/hippie youth hostels in LV, to see if there is anyone there willing to share a car with you to achieve your goal.

2

It might be more feasible if you could you leave the night before, overnight at your own expense in Springdale, UT or inside the park, then return before bedtime. And be sure to check that week whether the Narrows hike is even possible -- it was posted no-hiking the April week we visited due to heavy rains and swift currents.

A Narrows hiking outfitter offers shuttle service from St. George, and suggests the St. George shuttle service from Las Vegas which has a much-later LV night return time than you'd found. I've got no personal experience with either company, but note that the outfitter has positive reviews on Trip Advisor.

Edited by: Midwesterner

3

Welcome to Thorn Tree.

Be careful booking into the lodge inside Zion National Park. If the lodge is booked up, they will put you into another location that is not necessarily within walking distance of the park lodge. It will not be obvious that they have done this unless you pay close attention to the wording on your reservation. I think you will do better in Springdale UT than you would inside the park.

I would say that you would be best advised to find someone in your group who does drive to go and hike the narrows with you even if you must bribe, browbeat, threaten, or entice them into doing it.

It’s none of my business, but what do you do at age 32 that still requires "bed checks" anyway, especially in Las Vegas? That conflicts with the reasons most people visit Las Vegas in the first place.

Good luck and have a great time.

4

The lodge inside the park is convenient, and I've never heard of someone being put elsewhere without their knowledge (the page with availability shows what you can book for any one date-- either the "motel' or "cabin" section of the lodge), but it does cost more than many hotels in Springdale. You would surely be given the choice of whether to accept what's available before paying. If any doubts, phone them. Advantage of the lodge for us was having privacy after the last shuttle into Springdale for the day and before the arrival of the first the nexst morning. I'm not aware of any lodging in the park that isn't accessible from the lodge by shuttle. We stayed at the lodge in October about 3 years ago since hotels in Springdale were booked solid due to the coincidence of fall colors and start of hunting season (for areas around, not inside, the park) falling at the same time.

5

BubbaK, my "misunderstanding" with Xanterra about the Zion Park Lodge occurred coincident with the eclipse last spring. I don't know that everything around the park was booked solid then but it was busy.

6

Thanks for the replies everyone.

If at all possible, i'd prefer to stay the nights of the 23rd and 24th in Vegas. My girlfriend (aka the boss) has booked us into her favourite hotel suite, and I think it may be considered rude to now break the news that i've decided to hole up in a Quality Inn for the night with a 6-pack instead. And Zeldasdad, what she wants me home by bedtime for is entirely our personal business. ;o)

Midwesterner, ta for the heads up on that Shuttle Service to/from St George. I was aware of the St George Shuttle; but hadn't realised Zion Adventures could get me from the NP to St. George. It needs a 3 person minimum, but I'll follow that lead on the off-chance.

Thanks to others for the suggestions about keeping an eye on whether or not the Narrows are open/weather etc; and checking out hostels in LV for others; plus the browbeat my friends option - which i've already undertaken with the subtlety and stealth of a hippo.

Another question, if I may? If I can't get to Zion earlier, or leave later - can you guys tell me the holes in this itinerary draft?

1) Bundubus from LV to Zion (via St George) arrives Sol Foods, Springdale at 10.45am.
2) Walk to Zion Adventure Company and pick up (pre-ordered) Narrows hiking gear. 11am
3) Walk (or bus) back to Zion Canyon Visitors Centre. 11.30am
4) Zion Canyon Shuttle to Temple of Sinawava. 12pm
5) Riverside Walk, 1 mile to Virgin River/Start of The Narrows. 12.30pm
6) Wade the river as far as I can go, turning back at 2pm. 2pm
7) Exit Virgin River onto Riverside Walk. 3pm
8) Walk Riverside Walk back to Temple of Sinawava Shuttle Bus Stop. 3.30pm
9) Shuttle Bus back to Visitors Centre. 4pm
10) Walk (or bus) back to Zion Adventure Company to return hiking gear. 4.15pm
11) Catch St. George Express shuttle from Quality Inn (adjacent to Zion Adventure Co) at 5pm
12) Arrive in Vegas at 8.10pm
13) Collapse

Is this naive? Doable? Be great to hear your thoughts.

Joe.

7

14) Meet the demands of the boss 9.10pm.

And Google maps shows 1.6mi from the shuttle stop at the visitors centre to the Zion Adventure Co, and 31 minutes of walking. But otherwise an ambitious plan. We have caught the shuttle from the visitors centre to the end (Riverside Walk) a couple of times ... seems to take quite a while to dawdle around, but I can't recall exactly how long.

The other (possibly sacrilegious) suggestion is that you forgo the walk up the Narrows itself, and just enjoy the park in a much better fashion, adding a couple of hours of quality time. You're scrambling over and slipping on smooth rocks most of the way up the shallow river.

8

Ahhh - all now becomes clear. If the boss has any flexibility on alternative hotel, I'd ask her to take a look at the Desert Pearl Inn in Springdale, UT. Anniversary-worthy spot recommended by others here on TT and it was a wonderful base from which to enjoy Zion NP. We stayed 2 nights there, 2 nights Las Vegas, and got a nice mix of both.

9

For anyone searching for the same trip as me in future, and looking for a little closure to this thread; the best I have come up with (as a solo traveller - there are better options if you are a group) is this:

Out: Bundubus from Vegas to Zion NP (change in St George) Dep 6am / Arr 10.45am ($66)

Return: Red Rock Shuttle Taxi from Zion NP to St George (they've told me 7pm latest) $95; connect with St George Shuttle to Las Vegas (8pm or 9.15pm $36)

Total time at Zion NP: 8hours 15mins
Total Travel cost: $197

Sure, the taxi leg ramps the price up; but it provides enough time to complete the Narrows "Bottom Up" hike to Orderville Canyon and back. If, like me, you may never be back in this part of the world and really want to do this - its cheap!

Thanks for all your help folks. Smile and stay safe.

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That sounds more like a Great Race reality TV episode. What could possibly go wrong?

I don't know how precise the public transit is in Ireland, but I doubt that the public transit works, or ever worked, with that kind of precision in Germany. You do realize that you could find yourself "stuck" at Zion until the next day if anyone's timing, especially your's, is off by 15 minutes, don't you? Would that be a "hole?" What will "the boss" have to say about that?

Lotsaluck!