Vegas-Grand Canyon-Monument Valley....

[lisana]

We're hiring a car for three days from Las Vegas at the end of July and want to visit the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and possibly Bryce Canyon/Zion. Is this do-able in three days (stopping over for two nights)? Is it worth making the extra journey to Monument Valley or Bryce/Zion? Also where would be the best places to stay? There doesn't seem to be much inexpensive accommodation near monument valley, and we don't have a tent so we can't camp.

Any other tips would be welcome. We bascially have three days to make the most of a road trip from Vegas....

Thanks

[Mark Sedenquist]

We're hiring a car for three days from Las Vegas at the end of July and want to visit the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and possibly Bryce Canyon/Zion.

Even with daylight savings time and the longer summer days, that would be really, really pushing it in three days. Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum. As you've possibly read on this forum, it is a full five hour trip one-way between Las Vegas and the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Yes, all of those places are magnificent, but all will have summer road traffic on them and you will be delayed.

If you left at the crack of dawn from Las Vegas (more or less) you could get to the south rim and drive the rim road stopping at the various view points and still reach Tuba City or Kayenta for your first night.

See Monument Valley Tribal Park, in the early morning light -- the drive is magical -- it's a little bit rough, but doable in a 2-wheel drive.

2nd Night re-trace your route to Kanab, Utah and then drive through Zion NP on your way back to Las Vegas on day three.

Here's a field report that covers some of this route. In fact, you could follow this route and see Bryce this way, but you'd miss the Grand and Monument Valley.

Mark

[Southwest Dave]

Hi,

Following Marks suggestion, Cameron offers lodgings but is nearer to the GC than MV. Depending on how long you spend at MV you could possibly get to the lovely town of Springdale on Zion's doorstep which would give you time to take the free shuttle into the main canyon and enjoy some walks before heading back to Vegas.
I think you are definitely going to have to decide between MV and Bryce and if you choose Bryce you could visit the North rim of the Grand canyon which is a lot closer to Zion. This is also a less crowded option and you would avoid any congestion at the Hoover dam.

[lisana]

thanks very much. We've decided going to Monument Valley is probably a bit too far so will head to Grand Canyon and then go to Zion/Bryce on day 2.

Thanks again

[Southwest Dave]

Have you decided which rim you are going to visit? If you are going to South rim I would get an early start from Vegas for the GC and stop out the other side of the East entrance and then following day head for Bryce, take in the views and stop in Springdale/Zion overnight giving you quite a bit of the following day to walk through the fabulous Zion canyon before heading back to Vegas. If you done it in reverse I would stay near to Bryce [ Ruby's Inn ?]on night one and around or in the GC on night two.
These are very popular locations and you would be best of trying to find lodging options asap, as quite possibly it is already to late if you wish to stay inside the parks.

[lisana]

we have decided to visit North Rim because it seemed to make more sense being closer to Bryce and Zion. We have managed to get lodgings at the North rim and at Spingdale so think we're all set!

[Southwest Dave]

Great scenery, all 3 parks are spectacular in there own right and not long to go now before the off !
Pop by after your trip and let us know how it all worked out, have a great time !

[Mark Sedenquist]

We have managed to get lodgings at the North rim and at Spingdale so think we're all set!

Wow, good work. I've tried several times and no luck thus far...

Mark

[lisana]

Been back a few weeks now so thought i'd let you know how we got on. Had no trouble at all driving from Vegas to North rim, thought it would be difficult driving out of Vegas but as the freeway runs right past you can get out really easily. It took about 4 and a half hours to drive to the rim and it was a perfect place to stay for us, not too busy and fairly reasonable to say you are right on the edge of the Grand Canyon! We had a lovely meal overlooking the canyon and spent the evening with a drink stargazing! If anyone else is planning to go be aware you need to book if you want an evening meal as it gets booked up. Otherwise there is a deli where you can get slices of Pizza etc. This is where was got a cheap breakfast. We thought a day was enough here as it was too hot to go trekking into the Canyon anyway. We just did all the short treks and scenic drives. We then headed to Bryce that was about 3 and 1/2 hours. Again a day was enough for short treks. We then headed to Zion and stayed in Springdale (think it was called the red rock inn, amazing breakfasts and lots of places to eat in Springdale) We did think we could have done with an extra day in Zion as we both really loved the scenery and there are a lot of varied treks to do. We both really liked the pools trek and were glad we made the effort to trek to the upper pool.

Overall we had a really great time in this area of America and would highly recommend it!

[Southwest Dave]

Welcome back, pleased to hear you had a good time. We loved the Emerald pools hike in Zion, and as you say there are so many others to choose from, it makes it a great place to spend some time.

Thanks for popping by with the update.