I'm 2 for 2 the last two years in asking for suggestions and tips on national park trips out west (Arizona in 2022 and Colorado in 2023). Next month, in July, we're heading to Utah for 9 nights with the primary highlight being Moab (6 nights) but we've also booked two nights in Torrey at the Skyview Hotel. The national parks we're planning on seeing are Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef. We'll have 3 of us (DW, 7-year-old son and me).
Below are some considerations and planned itinerary:
1) I'll be picking up an America the Beautiful Pass from our local REI in early July. That'll take care of our park admission fees for this summer and next summer. I've also already grabbed our timed entry reservations for Arches.
2) I know it'll be hot ... as in 100+ degree hot. We did Arizona in July 2022 when it was 105-110 degrees so we're prepared to handle the heat the same way again (plenty of water/Gatorade hydration and exploring in mornings and evenings). The VRBO we're staying in has a pool that we can enjoy during the blazing hot afternoons. And similar to Colorado, I'm also aware of the altitude. We live 600 feet above sea level, and part of our plan is taking it easy the initial day to help acclimate.
3) We're flying in/out of Salt Lake City and planning to stay one night in Provo when we arrive. On our route from SLC to Provo, I was planning on driving through Provo Canyon. Is it worth it? Is there anything else worth seeing in that area? I figure we'll probably have 4 hours of useful time for exploring before settling in for the night. I'm aware of Antelope Island and the Bonneville Salt Flats, but not really interested in going that far out of the way.
4) Any recommended route from Provo to Moab to see highlights along the way?
5) We like easy/short to moderate hikes, and given the heat we'll limit hikes to shorter hikes (i.e. less than 4 miles). My son loves rock scrambles (age appropriate rock scrambles - so not near the side of a cliff). I know there are tons of hiking trails in the three national parks we're stopping at, and I know most hikes in Arches are fairly short. Any tips on specific trails that might be great options? Are there any Jeep tours in Canyonlands worth considering?
6) Any tips on how to split our time in the parks each day so we're not constantly driving from end to end and spending too much time in the car? We do plan to dedicate a full day each in Island of the Sky and Needles so we will not be trying to cram both in on the same day.
7) Restaurant recommendations for Moab and Torrey?
8) I know the Scenic Drive in Capitol Reef NP is under construction, but there still appears to be plenty to see there for a full day. Zion and Bryce will be a separate trip so if there's anything I feel we'll miss this time in Capitol Reef I'd be willing to stop there again on a future trip to Zion and Bryce.
9) I also know Grand View Point in Canyonlands Island in the Sky is closed Monday through Thursday afternoons this summer but we can plan to see it on a Thursday night or Friday.
10) My wife doesn't like doing a ton of driving. Colorado National Monument is 2 hours away (4-hour round trip) north from Moab. Bears Ears and Natural Bridges National Monument are 2 hours away south. Are either worth a day trip? We do have six nights in Moab, but we are also content with keeping the schedule somewhat relaxed and not cramming each day full.
Draft itinerary:
Day 1: Fly into SLC and drive to Provo by way of Provo Canyon. Plan is to get our bearings, check out things easy on the way, take it easy and allow for time to acclimate to the elevation.
Day 2: Drive to Moab, perhaps an evening visit to Arches NP and a first attempt to find parking at Delicate Arch.
Days 3-7: Five full days set aside for Arches NP, Canyonlands NP (Island in the Sky & Needles on separate days) and Dead Horse SP.
Day 8: Drive to Torrey - visit Goblin Valley SP on the way to Torrey.
Day 9: Capitol Reef NP.
Day 10: Drive to SLC and fly home.
Below are some considerations and planned itinerary:
1) I'll be picking up an America the Beautiful Pass from our local REI in early July. That'll take care of our park admission fees for this summer and next summer. I've also already grabbed our timed entry reservations for Arches.
2) I know it'll be hot ... as in 100+ degree hot. We did Arizona in July 2022 when it was 105-110 degrees so we're prepared to handle the heat the same way again (plenty of water/Gatorade hydration and exploring in mornings and evenings). The VRBO we're staying in has a pool that we can enjoy during the blazing hot afternoons. And similar to Colorado, I'm also aware of the altitude. We live 600 feet above sea level, and part of our plan is taking it easy the initial day to help acclimate.
3) We're flying in/out of Salt Lake City and planning to stay one night in Provo when we arrive. On our route from SLC to Provo, I was planning on driving through Provo Canyon. Is it worth it? Is there anything else worth seeing in that area? I figure we'll probably have 4 hours of useful time for exploring before settling in for the night. I'm aware of Antelope Island and the Bonneville Salt Flats, but not really interested in going that far out of the way.
4) Any recommended route from Provo to Moab to see highlights along the way?
5) We like easy/short to moderate hikes, and given the heat we'll limit hikes to shorter hikes (i.e. less than 4 miles). My son loves rock scrambles (age appropriate rock scrambles - so not near the side of a cliff). I know there are tons of hiking trails in the three national parks we're stopping at, and I know most hikes in Arches are fairly short. Any tips on specific trails that might be great options? Are there any Jeep tours in Canyonlands worth considering?
6) Any tips on how to split our time in the parks each day so we're not constantly driving from end to end and spending too much time in the car? We do plan to dedicate a full day each in Island of the Sky and Needles so we will not be trying to cram both in on the same day.
7) Restaurant recommendations for Moab and Torrey?
8) I know the Scenic Drive in Capitol Reef NP is under construction, but there still appears to be plenty to see there for a full day. Zion and Bryce will be a separate trip so if there's anything I feel we'll miss this time in Capitol Reef I'd be willing to stop there again on a future trip to Zion and Bryce.
9) I also know Grand View Point in Canyonlands Island in the Sky is closed Monday through Thursday afternoons this summer but we can plan to see it on a Thursday night or Friday.
10) My wife doesn't like doing a ton of driving. Colorado National Monument is 2 hours away (4-hour round trip) north from Moab. Bears Ears and Natural Bridges National Monument are 2 hours away south. Are either worth a day trip? We do have six nights in Moab, but we are also content with keeping the schedule somewhat relaxed and not cramming each day full.
Draft itinerary:
Day 1: Fly into SLC and drive to Provo by way of Provo Canyon. Plan is to get our bearings, check out things easy on the way, take it easy and allow for time to acclimate to the elevation.
Day 2: Drive to Moab, perhaps an evening visit to Arches NP and a first attempt to find parking at Delicate Arch.
Days 3-7: Five full days set aside for Arches NP, Canyonlands NP (Island in the Sky & Needles on separate days) and Dead Horse SP.
Day 8: Drive to Torrey - visit Goblin Valley SP on the way to Torrey.
Day 9: Capitol Reef NP.
Day 10: Drive to SLC and fly home.
Statistics: Posted by Johnny Thinwallet — Mon Jun 17, 2024 7:35 pm — Replies 5 — Views 322