L.A to see Grand Canyon, LV, Bryce & Zion Canyon + a few more!

Hi everyone. I am planning a trip for mid September and am starting in Los Angeles. I would like to visit Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Lake Havasu, Hoover Dam, the Sequoia National park & Havasu Falls. We will have 7 full days to explore everything!
I just want to know if this is feasible to do, and what the best/quickest route would be. I am confused about which routes to take, since there are so many... but a route that is a straight shot (or close to it) is what we're looking for.

Any tips will be appreciated. If you can add anything along the way that we should not miss, please feel free to add. Thanks!

Welcome!

7 days is not enough to see all those attractions. You will have to remove Havasu Falls and Sequoia to even have a chance. Havasu Falls is a 10 mile strenuous hike in - and 10 miles back out. Sequoia is out of the way.

Even with those 2 removed, you will be pretty much constantly on the run. The most efficient route is:

I-10/CA-62/AZ-95 to Lake Havasu
AZ-95/I-40/AZ-64 to the Grand Canyon
AZ-64/US-89/UT-12 to Bryce Canyon
UT-12/US-89/UT-9 to Zion
UT-9/I-15 to Las Vegas
Hoover Dam as a day trip from Las Vegas
I-15 back to LA

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

I agree, to do that little lot you will end up rushing through and not seeing much of anything ! I would head direct to the GC south rim from LA and spend the next day exploring the park, either staying there the night or out of the east entrance, such as the Cameron Trading post, or you could head to Monument valley. Day 3 to Bryce and day 4 drive from Bryce to Zion NP and stop the night in the park or Springdale, a lovely little town near the west entry point. Explore Zion and drive to Vegas mid afternoon to arrive in the evening on day 5. From Vegas you could head to Lake Havasu via Hoover Dam, or continue to Twentynine Palms and take a detour through Joshua Tree NP on the way back to LA.

First off, thank you both very much! This is very helpful for planning our trip. I wanted the most efficient timing for this trip, but want to see as much as I can, while taking in the beauty of everything. I am thinking of either skipping Hoover Dam, Havasu Lake, or Zion to increase time at the Grand Canyon. I don't even know what I'd do at Zion, but I'm sure it is breath-taking... What do you think?

I think Zion is a wonderful National Park [as they all are] and as you will be headed right by there, it would be a shame not to spend a day there walking alongside the Virgin River with the Red rock canyon walls towering above you. There are many Trails and viewpoints such as Emerald Pools and Weeping rock and you can even wade into the Virgin River through the Zion Narrows.

If you eliminate Lake Havasu, you can drive from LA to the GC in one long day via I-15/I-40.

At the other end, you *could* see Hoover Dam on the way back to LA from LV.

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Originally Posted by Southwest Dave

I think Zion is a wonderful National Park [as they all are] and as you will be headed right by there, it would be a shame not to spend a day there walking alongside the Virgin River with the Red rock canyon walls towering above you. There are many Trails and viewpoints such as Emerald Pools and Weeping rock and you can even wade into the Virgin River through the Zion Narrows.

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Southwest Dave, you are right. After reading about and looking at the wonderful photos of Zion, I am pretty set on at least spending a whole day there. I think I will actually camp overnight.

glc, I am thinking about skipping Lake Havasu. We were only going to do a day trip there to maybe have a picnic, but I'd rather go straight to the Grand Canyon.

So according to both of you, do you suggest that I go from L.A to Grand Canyon-to Bryce Canyon- to Zion- to Las Vegas- back to L.A?

If I take this route, will I land at the north or south rim of Grand Canyon?
Also, we want to avoid traffic as much as possible... so we are thinking of leaving at 10-11 p.m. Is that a good idea? I would love to see the sunrise, but we may not catch it, since apparently, it takes 8-9 hours from L.A.

Thanks again for your replies. Clearly, I am clueless, haha. Thank you for your wonderful suggestions!

The south rim is easier to get to, you can't make it to the north rim in 1 day from LA. It is NOT a good idea to leave at that time - leave before morning rush hour and get to the GC well before sunset - then you can see the sunset and the next morning's sunrise. You can try booking lodging in the park, but if it's not available Tusayan is the closest to the park. That way it won't take long to get out of the park after sunset and back in again before sunrise.

I agree, don't leave late at night as it's going to be counter productive. You will be tired all next day and your sleep patterns will be disrupted for the trip. Hit the road early [5-6pm] after a good nights sleep and have time to see part of the GC and witness a sunset.

As you are thinking of camping at Zion NP you will have the equipment so why not try and get a camping spot at the South rim ? I would get on to both options asap to see if there are availabilities, Mather campground at GC is in a good location and just a realtively short walk to the rim for that sunrise ! Watchman Campground in Zion is recommended and from both you can catch the free shuttle buses to various parts of the parks.

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Hit the road early [5-6pm]

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You mean AM, right?

Here is where you get campground reservations at the GC, and here is Zion camping information.

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Originally Posted by glc

You mean AM, right?

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Yeah, that's the one ! [Been a long day]

Thanks again for your replies. Per your suggestions, we will be leaving at 4 a.m for our trip. We will definitely try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep (although I'm not sure I will be able to, due to the excitement :D). This is our up-to-date itinerary (we already booked our campgrounds + hotel):

2 nights stay at the Grand Canyon
2 nights stay at Zion NP
2 nights stay at Las Vegas

We definitely had to think it through to make sure we could spend a full day at each national park. I wish we didn't have to skip Bryce, but we really don't want to miss exploring Zion. We also really wanted to go to Havasu Falls, but I have read that it is a 10 mile hike in--therefore not recommended to go as a day trip.

Do you suggest any places to not miss in the Grand Canyon and Zion NP? We want the full GC experience! So far, we are planning on visiting the Hopi House... and horseback riding in the GC. Not sure what we will be doing in Zion yet. Clearly, there are much more to do in both places. Even suggestions on small activities or places to visit during our ride to GC, Zion, or Vegas will be appreciated!

As you enter each park, you will be given a map of the park and other brochures and a newspaper, all of which set out what is to be had at which spot. Makes for some good bedtime reading the night before. Further more, there are rangers at the gates, information centre and throughout the park to answer any further queries which arise as you are exploring the parks. Previews of most of this can be seen on the NP website.

Make good use of all the resources when you are there. It will enhance your experience.

Lifey

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Even suggestions on small activities or places to visit during our ride to GC, Zion, or Vegas will be appreciated!

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As you leave the GC out of the east gate you will pass Cameron Trading Post, it's a little touristy but nice to stop at and browse their wares. Glen canyon dam would also make a nice 'pit stop' if you have the time. Before you head through the Mt Carmel Tunnel in Zion there is the 'Canyon overlook Trail', check it out at on the Zion NP guide.

On route to Vegas you could take a drive through 'Valley of Fire State Park'.

Along 89, between Cameron and Kanab, there is Big Water UT. Before you get to the town, which is not along the highway, you will see the sign to a rangers' station on the south side of the highway. This is a place worth stopping, even if you do not have any questions to ask. Besides the fact that the rangers - like all rangers - are full of valuable information, it is the unique layout of the buildings and the approach, which is worth checking out. The rangers will be happy to tell you the significance of it all.

An alternative between Cameron and Kanab would be to take Alt89. A little longer, but with just as many amazing attractions. The Navajo Bridge - go see the interpretative centre; Vermillion Cliffs and Marble Canyon; Lees Ferry Landing. For the latter, turn onto Lees Ferry Road at Marble Canyon (on the northern side of Alt 89) and follow it about 6 miles to the landing. (This is where many of the raft trips through the GC start.) Along the way you will come past the most wonderful rock formations, which are right by the road. Many have explanatory signs with them. At the Landing you can step into the Colorado river. There are a few interesting little side trips to explore as well. A real gem, so rarely visited.

South of Page, but I can't remember if it is along 89 or Alt89, is Horseshoe Bend. There is a signpost on the road. From the parking area it is a short hike to the overlook of the Colorado River. Another activity worth doing.

You will need to choose carefully, as the above, together with those Dave mentioned, are no where near all the attractions along these roads. Keep alert, and you will chance upon many more.

Lifey