Alberta to Arizona in October

[CanadianGal]

Hey Y'all

In October I will be drivng my dad down to Arizona and was wondering what some MUST sees would be. Im not looking to go to far off the path, however it would be cool to see some tourist spots along the way... "The biggest" this or that, best diner, cheap and clean hotel/motel....

Our trip will begin in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and head down into Montana on the I-15, passing though Idaho and Utah.

We will continue into Las Vegas and take the I-93 into the Grand Canyon. I was looking at the skywalk but I think we would be good with just going to a tourist look out... (this is where I'd like some advice).

We will then head down the I-40 to Yuma, Arizona.

I would really love to hear what advice some of you may have... :)

thanks in advance.

[glc]

Welcome to RTA!

You didn't say how much time you have for this trip, but if you are going to Yuma this is what I'd suggest:

Get off I-15 in Utah at Exit 95, take UT-20 east to US-89. Take that south through Panguitch and take UT-12 east to Bryce Canyon. Stop at the visitor's center and watch the movie. Then head down to the end, turn around, and stop at the viewpoints on the way back out. This will take you about half a day.

Retrace your steps back to US-89 and take that south. If you have time, go through Zion. This warrants a full day. If not, continue on US-89 and stop at the Glen Canyon Dam and look around. Continue to AZ-64 and take that into the Grand Canyon east entrance. Stop at the viewpoints on the way in. If you have time, park in the village and take the shuttle bus to Hermit's Rest. You can get off at any of the viewpoints, then take the next bus (every 15 minutes) till you get down to the end. When you get on the bus to go back to the village, it goes all the way without stopping.

Leave the park via the south entrance and take AZ-64 to Williams. Get on I-40 west to Ash Fork and take AZ-89 through Prescott to Congress, then AZ-71 to US-60. Take that west to I-10, take that west to US-95, then take that south to Yuma. This is faster and more scenic than taking the Interstates through Phoenix.

Note - if you don't have time or don't want to see Bryce and/or Zion, I'd still follow that routing - UT-20 to US-89 - to the Grand Canyon rather than going through Las Vegas.

Forget the Skywalk - it's expensive ($80 US or so) and is not in the actual national park. It's owned and run by the local Native American tribe.

[Lifemagician]

Forget the Skywalk - it's expensive ($80 US or so) and is not in the actual national park. It's owned and run by the local Native American tribe.

I.e. $80 per person, whereas you can see all the national parks in the US for a whole year, together with all the occupants of your vehicle for a mere $80. On top of that, the Skywalk is nowhere near as spectacular as the national park, and cameras are forbidden... including phone cameras. (I am not sure how they police that.)

Lifey

[CanadianGal]

We are looking to do it in 3-4 days... was on the fence about going through vegas, and never though about going through bryce or Zion... thanks for the ideas.

[CanadianGal]

ya i saw that about the cameras and stuff. how ridiculous, Id rather see the veiw and take pictures.

[glc]

With no sightseeing and going by most direct route, it's 3 days just to drive from Calgary to Yuma. So - the only thing you will have time to see in 4 days is the Grand Canyon, and that will be a bit rushed - you will have about half a day to spend there. You will need to plan overnights in Dillon MT and Panguitch, and the 3rd night in Tusayan on your way out of the GC.

[CanadianGal]

thanks so much for the advice much appreciated :)

[DonnaR57]

I should add that Grand Canyon is on I-40, but Yuma is on I-8. You can take US-93 out of Las Vegas down to I-40, go over to the Grand Canyon. Then you have a choice: either retrace your way back down I-40 west to US-95 south to Yuma, or go through Flagstaff, through Phoenix, around Phoenix on the North Loop, to I-10 west, to AZ-85 south to Gila Bend, and then west on I-8 into Yuma.


Donna

[glc]

Donna, did you read post #2?

Leave the park via the south entrance and take AZ-64 to Williams. Get on I-40 west to Ash Fork and take AZ-89 through Prescott to Congress, then AZ-71 to US-60. Take that west to I-10, take that west to US-95, then take that south to Yuma. This is faster and more scenic than taking the Interstates through Phoenix