Another Whirlwind Trip to Arizona/Utah and the National Parks - 2015 - Updated 4/19 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Another Whirlwind Trip to Arizona/Utah and the National Parks - 2015 - Updated 4/19
Another Whirlwind Trip to Arizona/Utah and the National Parks - 2015
Welcome to my pre-trip report. The thought for this trip came about as finishing up what we tried to do 2 years ago at this time. We were trying to get in most of the National Parks in Utah/Arizona that we could during spring break. You can read about our last adventures here….. A Whirlwind Trip to Arizona and Utah National Parks
In planning that trip, we were trying to see The Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Monument Valley, Arches, and Canyonlands. With the limited time we had available for spring break (sorry but there is no way I was going out there in the summer when it was close to 100 degrees) we just couldn’t fit them all in, and took Bryce and Zion out of the trip. Hopefully we could fit them in during another trip in the future. The future has now arrived. The benefit of traveling out West during our Spring break (this year April 11th thru the 19th) is that it seems most of the West Coast is not on break. The crowds were very low for our last visit, so I’m hoping the same is holding true for this one, which I think it should be as I have left some things to the last minute this week, and there was still availability for what I wanted to do.
The rough plan was to fly into Vegas, spend a couple of days at Zion, a day or two at Bryce, and then back to Vegas. Along the way, and thru my Trip Advisor guidance (I’d highly recommend them), I decided to add a couple of days at Page, Arizona as well. This was on my radar back for the first trip but there was just no way that we could fit it in. Couple that with the fact that there was a landslide on the main road to get to Page from the Grand Canyon which now caused a major detour, and it was out. They just reopened the road again last week, over 2 years later, although this time we are not affected as we are coming in from the West this time and not the South. I decided to book at canyoneering adventure with a company in Springdale (at the gates to Zion) after I got the okay from Alexa. For those who read my last report, Alexa is greatly afraid of heights. The Grand Canyon was a bit much for her if there wasn’t a guardrail separating her from the edge. Thru the canyoneering adventure, we’d be rappelling down some rocks and such, but she said she’d go for it. I also booked a river raft trip on the Colorado River in Page to see the sights (smooth water trip). At this point, the weather looks like it is going to cooperate. On our last trip, while mostly rain free, we did have some snow in Arches, and it was unseasonably cold for most of our stops (40s and low 50s). This trip is looking to be in the upper 60s and mid 70s, even Bryce which should be in the 60s during the day.
So here’s a rough view of our plans at this point……..
Saturday, April 11th – Fly out to LAS from BDL, direct on Southwest. Pick up rental car (small SUV). Overnight at the Marriott Grand Chateau (no casino ). Matt has requested to see the fountains at the Bellagio, which the rest of us have already seen. Otherwise get dinner and walk the strip.
Sunday April 12th – Drive to Page AZ with maybe some stops along the way. No real plans. Check into hotel (Comfort Inn). Maybe tour Upper Antelope Canyon if we arrive early enough, or Glen Canyon Dam. Sunset at Wahweap overlook.
Monday April 13th - Raft trip at 10:30. Tour Lower Antelope Canyon after that, or Upper Antelope Canyon if we haven’t made it there yet. And Horseshoe Bend.
Tuesday April 14th – Drive to Bryce Canyon. Do the scenic drive in the park and maybe do some light hiking. Check into hotel (inside the NP). Sunset inside the park.
Wednesday April 15th – Up early for sunrise at Bryce. Drive to Zion. Go to the Visitor Center and do some light hiking. Check into hotel (Desert Pearl Inn)
Thursday April 16th – Canyoneering at 8:30 AM. Light hikes in the afternoon.
Friday April 17th – More hiking in Zion. Would like to do the Narrows if we could. See anything else we missed along the way.
Saturday April 18th – Drive back to Vegas. Stops along the way. The flight home doesn’t leave until 5 PM so we have lots of time to explore.
I guess that’s about it. If I’ve left anything out, or if anyone has any suggestions of things to add, by all means speak up! At this point, we’re all ready to go and are just waiting for the day to arrive.
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We're back! Got in at 2AM this morning. It was a great time! Bryce was a bust mainly due to the weather, Page was great - so glad I included that, and Zion was beautiful! A little cooler than expected, but what can you do. Hopefully will start the report sometime this week once I get everything put away and the shopping done!
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Sorry your Bryce weather wasn't the best. We wished we had scheduled more time there (we had 3 days, 2 nights) because we had thunderstorms each afternoon that limited our time.
I so want to do that vacation again. Can't wait to relive it through your trip report.
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At this point, we’re all ready to go and are just waiting for the day to arrive. 
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home! Sorry Bryce was a bummer. I've really enjoyed your FB pics. 
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