Must See in Arizona

[66 Baylee]

We have a trip planned for Las Vegas to Grand Canyon in September. Would like to see as much as possible in 8 days. Spending 2 days at Grand Canyon. What are some "must see scenic areas" other than Grand Canyon in Arizona's North area? We have 4 days from the time we leave Las Vegas until we check-in at the hotel in Grand Canyon so would like to see some of the best in Northern Arizona in that timeframe.

[imported_Bob]

1. River sports at Bullhead City or Lake Havasu
2. Drive from Peach Springs to the Colorado River on the Hualapai Reservation (Diamnod Creek Rd)
3. Hike the loop trail on top of Hualapai Mountains at Kingman (Hualapai Mountain Park)
4. Ride the Grand Canyon Railroad
5. Hike to Supai, "Shangri-La" in the Grand Canyon (reservations required). Waterfalls and cold water swimming.
6. Lowell Observatory at Flagstaff
7. Walnut Canyon (Indian ruins)
8. Wupatki Natl Mon.
9. Sunset Crater Natl Mon.
10. Meteor Crater Natl Mon.
11. Cameron Trading Post
12. Oak Creek Canyon (camping, fishing and hiking)
13. Jerome (old mining town)
14. Petrified Forest Natl Mon.
15. Hubbell Trading Post at Ganado
16. Canyon de Chelly
17. Navajo National Monument
18. Lake Powell
19. North Rim, GC
20. Lee's Ferry Natl Historic Site
21. Pipe Springs Natl Mon.
22. Hopi Villages/Old Oraibi (oldest continuously inhabited settlement on the North Anerican continent)
23. Summer aerial ski-lift rides at the Arizona Snow Bowl (north of Flagstaff)
24. Planes of Fame Museum Annex at Valle (jct of US180 and SR64)
25. Verde Canyon Railroad at Camp Verde/Clarkdale
26. Arcosanti (a live experiment in sustainable/environmental living as envisioned by Paolo Soleri, architect/philosopher)
27. The Museum of Northern AZ (Flagstaff).
28. Flagstaff Festival in the Pines (summer arts/music festival)
29. Sharlott Hall Museum at Prescott
30. Phipps Museum of Western Art (Prescott).
31. Drive old Rt66 between Ash Fork and Oatman.

[imported_Bob]

Schnebley Hill Road from Sedona to I-17 -- dirt road -- goes right up the face of the canyon. It begins where SR179 turns across Oak Creek just below Tlaquepaque, at the east end of the bridge. Very scenic.

This is a don't miss and can be done in a passenger car.

I would consider doing a circle. Grand Canyon, Lake Powell at Page, AZ, Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park before heading back to Las Vegas.

If this is a one way trip, then do Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, Lake Powell and Grand Canyon.

These will take up all your time and they are the BIGGIES in the area.

Utahtea

Hello,
I'm looking for advice about the following possible trip:
Start/End Las Vegas:
I15 to Zion
Alt89 North Rim
Glen Canyon Dam
89 to Bryce
12 to Hanksville
95 to Natural Arches
163 through Monument Valley
160 back out to Four Corners
191 to Chelly
191 to Painted Desert
Petrified Forest
I40 to Sunset crater
89 to Cameron
64 to Grand Canyon Village
back out to I40 up to Hoover Dam
178 to Death Valley
back to Vegas via 95

my question for you who know the area is:
Are we trying to do too much in 8 days!
(I can guess the answer, however I'd be grateful for any advice on how to maximise the amount we can see given that this is going to be during August and we don't want to be stuck in traffic or vast numbers of people.)
Are there any areas to AVOID during the high season without missing highlights??

many thanks in advance for your advice.

chris jackson
(ps anyone fancying a road trip to the UK let me know, I'm a cartographer and know the roads over here pretty well)

[Robert Schaller]

Yes, you are trying to do too much -- but it can be done. It'll be lots of driving -- I figure the route you suggest is about 1900 miles -- and about 38 hours+ of driving time.

Figuring a MINIMAL 4 hours in each major stop, and lesser amounts in smaller ones (Sunset Crater, for example), you can do this in 6 days. This leaves you two days to play with. Personally, I'd suggest spending at least part of it (the extra) taking a Navajo-led tour at Canyon de Chelly. keep in mind that 4 hours isn't much time in most of these magnificent places, and you'll want to spend more.

The biggest crowds will be at the South Rim GC, and at Zion/Bryce, I believe. But they are manageable -- nothing as crowded as you'd find at Westminster Abbey even on a winter morning! Despite the numbers of people, they are worth seeing -- just get reservations for your lodging ahead of time (if you can) at these two places.