Zion & Bryce Canyon - Recommendations?

Mike_Grammer · June 27, 2012, 8:29pm

Glad you enjoyed it Chad—did you get to Canyonlands at all? I really like that park as well. Happy to hear you did have some sunshine for Bryce. I was on a cross-U.S. month-long tour about 30 years ago and unfortunately our one morning at Bryce was clouds/rain. I have vowed to get back there. Zion a different look that I liked as well.

brianmcbrearty · July 12, 2015, 3:47pm

Can I resurrect this one? I’m thinking about the once in a lifetime (presumably) trip to Grand Canyon. And further thinking I’ll fly to Vegas (know my way around there already, thx.) spend a night or two, hit Chada, and drive out.
One week vacay. Round trip outta Vegas. Figuring Zion, Bryce, Grand. Family of Five, kids = 11, 9, 7.
Make me wise, please?

Barry_L_i_p_t_o_n · July 12, 2015, 4:22pm

Chad Richardson:

An over due follow-up for Zion. Desert Pearl was a great reco from the board, with a riverside room providing privacy and a stunning view of the river and mtns. Best meal was at Whiptail Grill, a quirky and small place with primarily Mexican fare. Bit and Spur was also good and a better atmosphere. Hiked part of the Narrows and some of the trails in the extreme north of the park (back up the interstate, though I can’t recall the name).

I personally enjoyed the more intimate, less crowded, more surreal aspects of Bryce, though lodging and meal choices were much more limited. My wife thought Zion was better, largely due to hotel and restaurants, and despite some crowd and the need to take a bus into the park. I’d certainly recommend and revisit either. Thanks to everyone who provided insight and opinions they really helped make for a better trip!

I also preferred Bryce for the reasons you mention and the sunsets. Surprised people thought “you can do it in a day” as I would be content with Wall Street on consecutive days. It just seemed more spectacular (surreal is a good word) although I didn’t get to far off the road in Zion.