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Vegas and Canyons

Replies: 6 - Last Post: Feb 2, 2013 12:49 PM Last Post By: simonwantstotra...

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simonwantstotravel

simonwantstotravel avatar

Jan 31, 2013 6:49 PM
Posts:  12

Vegas and Canyons

Hi TT'ers,

Hoping I can tap into the collective wisdom out there. I will be visiting NV and AZ at the end of April. I have 6 nights and want to spend one night in Vegas and the rest seeing the Canyons. I know it's not enough but it's all the time I've got. I'll be driving so mobility won't be an issue. My only consideration is that I want to spend one day at Antelope Canyon. Everything else (Bryce, Zion, Grand, Monument Valley) is up for debate. Any thoughts on what makes the most sense route wise and time wise?

Looking to do a bit of hiking if possible, but really just want to absorb the scenery (and take copious pictures) as much as possible. To that end, fewer crowds would be better but I suppose crowds are inevitable at some point.

Thanks in advance!

Simon

libbyh

libbyh avatar

Feb 1, 2013 5:15 AM
Posts:  2,412

1

We did this tour, which took 4 days and covered everything you mention except Antelope Canyon. If you followed the path they took and added in Antelope Canyon along the way, you should be able to just about do the lot.

bzookaj

bzookaj avatar

Feb 1, 2013 5:44 AM
Posts:  5,224

2

A simple route:
Night 1 - Las Vegas
Night 2 - Springdale
Night 3 - Bryce Canyon or Tropic
Night 4 - Page
Night 5 - Grand Canyon Village
Night 6 - Las Vegas
Feel free to use that sixth night elsewhere (another night in Springdale or Grand Canyon wold be good).

FlagStuff

FlagStuff avatar

Feb 1, 2013 8:43 AM
Posts:  612

3

My only consideration is that I want to spend one day at Antelope Canyon. Everything else (Bryce, Zion, Grand, Monument Valley) is up for debate.

Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon should be essentials, everything else should be up for debate (including Antelope Canyon). That being said, you can do all of this. With 6 nights. I might suggest the following:

Night 1: Vegas
Night 2: Grand Canyon
Night 3: Monument Valley (arrive in the late afternoon and stay inside MV at Gouldings or The View)
Night 4: Page (Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in the afternoon)
Night 5: Near Bryce Canyon (leave Page early, spend afternoon at Bryce)
Night 6: Springdale (at Zion)

I consider this really rushed, in that you're driving 2-4 hours every day and don't have a full day at any destination. An alternative might be:

Night 1: Vegas
Night 2: Grand Canyon
Night 3: Page (leave GC mid-afternoon, arrive in the evening, save Antelope for the next morning)
Night 4: Near Bryce Canyon (leave Page noon, spend evening at Bryce)
Night 5: Springdale (Bryce in the AM, Zion in the afternoon)
Night 6: Springdale (all day at Zion)

Obviously, you can move things around so you have a full day at Grand Canyon instead of Zion if you prefer, or leave Zion in the evening and spend night 6 back in Vegas.

travelwiz13

travelwiz13 avatar

Feb 1, 2013 6:24 PM
Posts:  134

4

Bryce and Zion are really nice -- Zion, in particular, is quite spectacular!

ianw6705

ianw6705 avatar

Feb 1, 2013 11:42 PM
Posts:  8,207

5

I agree fully that extra time at South Rim > Page > Bryce Canyon > Zion is much more rewarding than rushing to include Monument Valley. MV is quite dramatic, but your time is better spent on a smaller loop - MV is better included on a longer loop to Moab or Colorado. I also recommend you go counter-clockwise, approaching Zion from Bryce Canyon. And on your return from Zion NP to Las Vegas, drive through the Valley of Fire SP just off I-15 - it is very spectacular indeed.

simonwantstotravel

simonwantstotravel avatar

Feb 2, 2013 12:49 PM
Posts:  12

6

Great advice everyone. Thanks! Sounds like MV will have to be saved for another trip. @ianw6705 - thanks for the heads up on Valley of Fire SP. I'll look into that :)

Cheers,
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