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SLC itself isn't much.

Yes. And many trails have little to no shade.
However, that's assuming you are going in spring or fall (reverse). In August, there isn't much difference whether you go there first or last.

You don't say how much time you have, so I'll just do this with the expectation you can make the trip as long as need be:
3-5 nights Moab
1-2 nights Torrey or Escalante
1-2 nights Tropic or Bryce Canyon City
2-3 nights Springdale
So that's a roughly 7-12 night trip, plus time in SLC.
And of course, you could always spend more time, if that's what you want.

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Welcome to Thorn Tree.


Depending on where you go, there may be no "down side" at all.


You are correct. By August, Arches will be as hot as it gets which is as hot as hell.



The route is feasible if you have enough time. How much total time do you have? Once you finish in Zion, the fastest way to return to Salt Lake City is back north on I-15. Since you won't drive south on this route, it will not be a backtrack.


Keep an eye on him and keep him hydrated. Sun block and a broad-brimmed hat are probably good ideas. There is a lot of driving involved in this trip. Have something to keep him occupied in the car. Always remember that places like Canyonlands are a wilderness. They are not Disneyworld.

Have a great time.

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1. I am using frequent flyer miles (traveling from the Washingtonn, DC area) and the best use of these miles has me arriving and departing from SLC. And I really want to do a loop of the parks vs. retrace my steps. Any downside to starting the trip in SLC?

Salt lake is fine. Many of the back roads east of I-15 are quite scenic.

2. Also, I am thinking of starting off in the Moab area because other travelers have said Arches gets hotter and hotter as the summer wears on...is this true?

As suggested, 'It won't matter.' Study a topo map of Utah to find the higher, cooler areas. Bryce, at 8000ft, will be quite pleasant, while the extreme southern section of the state, at the lowest elevation, (Zion to Page) will be very hot. Zion, with all the plant life, is extra hot and humid; August can be downright miserable, IMO.

3. Lastly, my schedule is pretty flexible but I cannot decide how many nights to spend in each area. I am hoping to go to Moab (to see Arches, Canyonlands, maybe Dead Horse State Park), and Capitol Reef Park, possibly Escalante Monument, and then Bryce and Zion.

HOW MANY DAYS WILL YOU HAVE?! :)
You could easily spend several days at any of these. Canyonlands is a possible exception. Along with being bloody hot, it's also remote and hard to access. You might want to skip it, or just stop for a quick view.

4. I would prefer to spend two nights in a hotel (i.e. not change every day.) Is this route feasible?

This is actually a very good thing! Without having to pack and drive to the next destination, you'll have much more time to explore local sights. Moab, Henryville, Escalante, Cannonville and Kanab are all surrounded by more interesting destinations than you could visit in a lifetime.

5. Any special tips for travel with a pretty adventurous 9 yr. old, let me know! It is he and I so I will definitely be looking into the Jr. Ranger Programs so he can be with some other kids for a little while!

Falling from a high place and snakes would be my two main worries. I don't know how focused and naturally cautious he is, but I'd at least try to impress upon him the importance of looking BEFORE stepping or reaching. You won't find a rattler around every corner, and probably won't see even one during your trip, but there are enough of them in the area to be tangible hazard. Show him some rattlesnake bite pictures - they are deliciously gruesome and might even make an impression! As for falling off a cliff - that's sort of a Darwinian process, and there's only so much you can do... :) If he eats Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs for breakfast and runs amok in the desert, he may well get hurt or even killed. ("This is not Disneyland!") If you are unfamiliar with desert hiking, you'll need to consciously 'force' both of you to drink lots and lots of fluids. A wide-brim hat and sunscreen are also mandatory! I don't want to sound all gloom-and-doom, but do want to impress the need for some caution and planning.

How much hiking and exploring do you plan on? Zillions of wonderful out-of-the-way sights and trails and destinations can be reached if you have the time and a bit of energy.

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Thanks for the advice, folks. I still need to book our plane tickets but right now our schedule is flexible as to how many days we spend in each location. My child is adventurous and I will instill the caution, hydration issue into his little head! I know he will need breaks- as will I- from the heat- so I am going to choose hotels with pools in the hotter locations (like Arches and Zion.) And he is an excellent car traveler. We live in the DC area which is a sauna over the summer so while I don't like the humidity, we are used to it. We will see how we like the dry heat of out west!

Cheers

5

I didn't see how many nights you have for this trip - seems to me critical for providing advice.

SLC is pretty dull (apart from the extraordinary Temple Square, if you especially wish to see how Mormons spend their money). And the I-15 freeway corridor north and south of the city is pretty horrible. Seems to me SLC is a good choice if you are heading north to Grand Teton and Yellowstone ... for heading into Southern Utah, it's possibly less good, and Las Vegas comes into play much more (if the miles work).

But as someone mentioned, the options from SLC to Bryce Canyon (via the backroads east of I-15) are quite scenic indeed.

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Please answer THE question: 'How many days will you have for this tour?'

:)