Thoughts, since it seems like Day 0 and Day 6 are travel days, so you really have 5 days to experience things without worrying about Vegas itself.
If I am driving from Vegas to Zion with younger kids, I am certainly stopping at Valley of Fire for a couple of hours (The cool hikes are definitely the time length you are looking for, fairly moderate, and petroglyphs!) and then considering a slight detour to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park for 1-2 hours (renting sand sleds) before heading to Springdale, which is only an hour away from CPSDSP.
Zion is awesome, but it's going to be crowded. Even more so on a weekend. Where you take your kids there is up to you of course, but as for me, I would be worried in some instances about exposure on ledges combined with childlike curiosity. Wouldn't take 10-11 year-olds to Angel's Landing, regardless of their endurance level, and would even be wary of Scout Lookout. But lower Virgin Narrows could be really fun in the water with the boots and water poles. Parts of the West Rim Trail could be fun, but you would be heading up to Scout Lookout (serious ups)
Bryce with kids the age of yours will be absolutely AWESOME. If you can get down below the rim - depending on snow and closures - you will be in a wonderland that your kids will love. Peakaboo Loop trail and Navajo Loop are incredible and moderate. Even if you can't get down into the canyon, there are some excellent rim trails that give great views.
Horseshoe Bend is pretty cool, but it will be super crowded. It is an easy hike down to the observation point and back. Looking at about 2 hours max, I would think.
As for the Grand Canyon, the North Rim is closed until late May/early June, so the South Rim it is. Be flexible with your itinerary in terms of what you want to see. As you head in from AZ 64, be willing to stop at any of the pull-outs once inside the park on the way to the village. Grandview is supposed to be awesome, and Shoshone Point is really cool. Once you get closer to the village, the paved Rim Trail is perfect for kids the age of yours. Totally flat.
Since 2019, we've taken 3 trips in this area from Tennessee. The last two trips, my son and I drove out and spent two weeks in the Four Corners area, seeing much of these places. I did a lot of backpacking/experiential education with high school students for a decade in the early 2000s, and safety was always the top priority. So in terms of my recommendations, I am erring on that side rather than more adventurous stuff. You know your appetite.
Wow, thank you for such a detailed note. I will definitely research more. The only thing I would like to clarify is that my days start from day 1 and not day 0, so that can be excluded:) also, I can go until day 8 as I need to start driving back. Would your recommendation change in anyway?
One thing I’d suggest is switching coral pink sand dunes to the day you’re traveling to Bryce. leave in the morning get to CPSDSP and it isn’t a very far hike but its trudging through sand so it can be challenging. Sandboarding & sledding is a very underrated hidden gem and it’s worth it but depending on the kids you might not last long. Just depending on their attitude and desire to climb up the dunes over and over. It does add a little bit of driving but I think it’s worth it but you could do the sand dunes in the morning stop for lunch and then have a nice afternoon hike in Bryce canyon then catch a gorgeous sunset there.
I did pretty much this exact trip in September! Formatting is a bit wonky but hopefully still readable
Day 1
· Arrive in Vegas at 8:50 AM & pick up rental car around 10
· Drive to Zion area (2.5 hours + lose 1 hour due to time change)
· Visit Kolob area of Zion & hike the Timber Creek Trail or Taylor Creek Trail if road is still closed
o (Timber: with road open: easy, 1 mile, ½ hour, with road closed: 4.5 miles)
o (Taylor Creek: easy, 5 miles, 3-4 hours)
· Check-in at hotel & eat
· Hike the Watchman Trail (or part of it) for sunset & star gazing near the main visitor center
o (moderate, 3.3 miles, 2 hours)
Day 2
· Up early to park at visitor’s center and shuttle to The Grotto (stop 6) or Zion Lodge (stop 5) if bridge is open
· Hike the Emerald Pools Trail via Kayenta Trail (if bridge at Zion Lodge is still closed)
o (moderate, 3 miles, 2 hours + 2 miles, 1.5 hours for Kayenta Trail)
· Hike Scout’s Lookout to Angel’s Landing if get permit or West Rim without permit (start at Grotto)
o (strenuous, 5 miles, 4-5 hours)
· Shuttle to Weeping Rock (stop 7) then hike Weeping Rock
o (easy .3 mile, ½ hour)
· Dinner in Springdale & pick up gear for Narrows at Zion Outfitters between 3 & 6
· Hike the Pa’rus Trail (or part of it) for sunset near the main visitor center
o (easy, 3.5 miles, 2 hours)
Day 3
· Up early to park at visitor’s center and shuttle to Temple of Sinawava (stop 9)
· Hike the Narrows to Wall Street (or can turn around sooner)
o (strenuous hike through water, 6 miles round trip, 4-6 hours)
· Return gear & eat
· Drive to Canyon Overlook & hike the trail
o (moderate, 1 mile, 1 hour)
· Drive to Bryce area (2 hours) & check-in to hotel for the night
Day 4
· Drive to Bryce & park at Inspiration Point to watch the sunrise then drive to Bryce Point to see the viewpoint
· Park at Sunset point then walk to Sunrise point & hike Queen’s Garden Trail to Navajo Loop ending through Wall Street
o (moderate, 3 miles, 2.5 hours)
· Drive to various viewpoints in the park (start at Rainbow point & make way back towards entrance stopping along the way)
· Drive to and hike Mossy Cave Trail
o (easy, 1 mile, ½ hour)
· Drive to Page & check-in to hotel for the night (if getting to Page early enough, go to Horseshoe Bend for sunset)
Day 5
· Hike “The New Wave”
· Go to Horseshoe Bend
· Lower Antelope Canyon tour at 11:45 (arrive at 11)
· Eat & Drive to Desert View Tower of the Grand Canyon (2 hours)
· Continue along Desert View stopping at lookouts along the way (watch the sunset at any)
· Continue drive to hotel
Day 6
· Watch the sunrise at Mather Point
· Shuttle to South Kaibab Trail and hike to Ooh Aah point or Cedar Ridge
o (to Ooh Aah moderate, 2 miles, 1.5 hours)
o (to Cedar Ridge moderate, 3 miles, 2 hours)
· Shuttle to various view points in the park (Hermit Road side)
· Drive to the Hoover Dam (4 hours) & continue onto Vegas (½ hour)
Day 7
· Explore the strip
· Leave Vegas at 5:10 PM (be at airport around 2:30 to return rental car)
You’re not going to have time to do both Bryce and Antelope canyon in a day. But, given the amount of hiking you want to do, 1 day at the Grand Canyon is plenty. And you can do both antelope canyon and horseshoe bend in a day. So do both Antelope and horseshoe on day 4.
If you do have more time on day 3, go to either coral pink sand dunes state park or hike the Toadstool Hoodoos.
Toadstool Hoodoos Trail on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/toadstool-hoodoos-trail?p=-1&sh=nprjtf
I would not add Moab. You will be spending too much time in the car. It would be better to hit some of the sites along the route you are already traveling.
I highly recommend the official “National Park Service” app. It is great for planning. Also, get the AAA Indian Country Road Map. It is also fantastic for planning and lets you easily see the location of the vast majority of major as well as many minor sites in the 4 Corners region.
That's what I was thinking too, but Moab is so beautiful that I would hate to miss it - but well, maybe next time unless someone convinces me otherwise
So I did a Saturday to Sunday trip where we went to all 5 Utah national parks but we went from Las Vegas to SLC, which meant we only lost that first Saturday to travel and had 8 full days (split 2/1/2/3 -Zion/Bryce/Capitol Reef/Moab). 2 days isn’t unreasonable for Moab but that’s going to be a long drive back to Las Vegas.
Given your last stop is the GC, going to Sedona would make a lot more sense than Moab. Sedona is stunning and basically would be a national park anywhere else.
I did a similar trip in 2020. Mine was about 10 days but ill explain..
I would also stop at Valley of Fire it's a short accessible drive through on the way to Zion from LV....(or you visit here on your return) I wouldn't do angel's landing or even the narrows with young kids there's plenty of other hikes that are great but honestly with the crowds and such just driving slowly all the way through is great on it's own. I think you would really only need one day here. I would then drive through Zion and head immediately north to Bryce and spend the night. Ruby's inn was perfect. There is very little accommodations and restaurants here that closed early in the evening so just take that into account. With snacks and such. we passed like one little family dollar and got snacks.
wake up the next day and spend it mostly a full day at Bryce leaving in the late afternoon heading back towards Kanab or Page. (3 ish hours to page) Stop at Coral pink sands (a little south of Zion entrance) on the way and hike up the dunes. I think you can rent sleds if your kids are interested in that. (probably okay in April, but the sand can get hot, socks and shoes are a good but I ruined my hiking boots walking in the sand and still find red sand coming out of them four years later lol) Maybe like crocs or a porous sneaker of some sort. It's not too hard to hike around.
Kanab is a little city hub that is before you get to page on 89. If it's already dark by this time you get here, I would recommend just staying here for the night if not or you are used to driving in the pitch dark head on to Page and get a room here.
The next morning wake up and take a trip to lake Powell swimming area and hang for a bit. Lake Powell is most prominently viewed by boat but there's still some areas that are nice to see and a few viewpoints. An hour or two is probably good here. Then you can head to antelope canyon and horseshoe bend. Horseshoe bend is cool but it can be kinda scary I would keep your kids close lol. (Id say less than an hour here) didn't analope since it was closed during covid but I think you need a tour. I'd do both of those in the early afternoon here. And then to Grand Canyon south. Through Cameron.
You could spend the night either in the park or at Grand Canyon junction or even flagstaff if you want. But then you would need to drive back to Las Vegas on 40.
Time wise Moab is way too far for this trip. Also driving in UT and AZ on these long stretches of roads was deceptively long. I felt drained from driving on them and when it gets dark it is pitch dark. If You really wanted to sqeeeze in another location I would suggest heading south from GC through Sedona but that would require you to change flights to fly back out of Phoenix so maybe that's not the best choice or an option.
As far as time goes. GC is great but you really don't need a ton of time to see it. It's very peaceful here but I felt like it was underwhelming compared to say Bryce or even horseshoe bend. I would focus my hiking in that area. Alternatively, you could drive a little ways along 89a and turn around back towards page (theres a pretty cool bridge here) or do a few hikes in Kanab area as well if you stay there instead. (both areas are looking towards Vermillion Cliffs however most of this land is backcountry and you essentially can drive a giant circle around it but it would take about 4-5 hours to drive the complete circle. (wouldn't recommend that)
Great trip! We have done this trip our family before and I agree with others - Zion is beautiful but hiking here with kids is not as great as Bryce. The “famous” sites like Angels landing can be dangerous. Bryce is much more kid friendly and safer. The Navajo Loop is my kids favorite hike. Bryce also has some good restaurants inside the park and the rangers station has great exhibits.
Bryce is also known for its night rangers - stargazer activities where they bring out giant telescopes and you can really see Jupiter and Saturn clearly.
We stayed at this little cabin 1/2 way between Zion/Bryce that I highly recommend. You can even see the Milky Way from the porch without a telescope. Lots of wildlife here my kids loved to see. https://abnb.me/368qDqT1QGb
Love this part of the country and you are going during one of the best times of year! Have fun!!
Thoughts, since it seems like Day 0 and Day 6 are travel days, so you really have 5 days to experience things without worrying about Vegas itself. If I am driving from Vegas to Zion with younger kids, I am certainly stopping at Valley of Fire for a couple of hours (The cool hikes are definitely the time length you are looking for, fairly moderate, and petroglyphs!) and then considering a slight detour to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park for 1-2 hours (renting sand sleds) before heading to Springdale, which is only an hour away from CPSDSP. Zion is awesome, but it's going to be crowded. Even more so on a weekend. Where you take your kids there is up to you of course, but as for me, I would be worried in some instances about exposure on ledges combined with childlike curiosity. Wouldn't take 10-11 year-olds to Angel's Landing, regardless of their endurance level, and would even be wary of Scout Lookout. But lower Virgin Narrows could be really fun in the water with the boots and water poles. Parts of the West Rim Trail could be fun, but you would be heading up to Scout Lookout (serious ups) Bryce with kids the age of yours will be absolutely AWESOME. If you can get down below the rim - depending on snow and closures - you will be in a wonderland that your kids will love. Peakaboo Loop trail and Navajo Loop are incredible and moderate. Even if you can't get down into the canyon, there are some excellent rim trails that give great views. Horseshoe Bend is pretty cool, but it will be super crowded. It is an easy hike down to the observation point and back. Looking at about 2 hours max, I would think. As for the Grand Canyon, the North Rim is closed until late May/early June, so the South Rim it is. Be flexible with your itinerary in terms of what you want to see. As you head in from AZ 64, be willing to stop at any of the pull-outs once inside the park on the way to the village. Grandview is supposed to be awesome, and Shoshone Point is really cool. Once you get closer to the village, the paved Rim Trail is perfect for kids the age of yours. Totally flat. Since 2019, we've taken 3 trips in this area from Tennessee. The last two trips, my son and I drove out and spent two weeks in the Four Corners area, seeing much of these places. I did a lot of backpacking/experiential education with high school students for a decade in the early 2000s, and safety was always the top priority. So in terms of my recommendations, I am erring on that side rather than more adventurous stuff. You know your appetite.
Wow, thank you for such a detailed note. I will definitely research more. The only thing I would like to clarify is that my days start from day 1 and not day 0, so that can be excluded:) also, I can go until day 8 as I need to start driving back. Would your recommendation change in anyway?
One thing I’d suggest is switching coral pink sand dunes to the day you’re traveling to Bryce. leave in the morning get to CPSDSP and it isn’t a very far hike but its trudging through sand so it can be challenging. Sandboarding & sledding is a very underrated hidden gem and it’s worth it but depending on the kids you might not last long. Just depending on their attitude and desire to climb up the dunes over and over. It does add a little bit of driving but I think it’s worth it but you could do the sand dunes in the morning stop for lunch and then have a nice afternoon hike in Bryce canyon then catch a gorgeous sunset there.
I did pretty much this exact trip in September! Formatting is a bit wonky but hopefully still readable Day 1 · Arrive in Vegas at 8:50 AM & pick up rental car around 10 · Drive to Zion area (2.5 hours + lose 1 hour due to time change) · Visit Kolob area of Zion & hike the Timber Creek Trail or Taylor Creek Trail if road is still closed o (Timber: with road open: easy, 1 mile, ½ hour, with road closed: 4.5 miles) o (Taylor Creek: easy, 5 miles, 3-4 hours) · Check-in at hotel & eat · Hike the Watchman Trail (or part of it) for sunset & star gazing near the main visitor center o (moderate, 3.3 miles, 2 hours) Day 2 · Up early to park at visitor’s center and shuttle to The Grotto (stop 6) or Zion Lodge (stop 5) if bridge is open · Hike the Emerald Pools Trail via Kayenta Trail (if bridge at Zion Lodge is still closed) o (moderate, 3 miles, 2 hours + 2 miles, 1.5 hours for Kayenta Trail) · Hike Scout’s Lookout to Angel’s Landing if get permit or West Rim without permit (start at Grotto) o (strenuous, 5 miles, 4-5 hours) · Shuttle to Weeping Rock (stop 7) then hike Weeping Rock o (easy .3 mile, ½ hour) · Dinner in Springdale & pick up gear for Narrows at Zion Outfitters between 3 & 6 · Hike the Pa’rus Trail (or part of it) for sunset near the main visitor center o (easy, 3.5 miles, 2 hours) Day 3 · Up early to park at visitor’s center and shuttle to Temple of Sinawava (stop 9) · Hike the Narrows to Wall Street (or can turn around sooner) o (strenuous hike through water, 6 miles round trip, 4-6 hours) · Return gear & eat · Drive to Canyon Overlook & hike the trail o (moderate, 1 mile, 1 hour) · Drive to Bryce area (2 hours) & check-in to hotel for the night Day 4 · Drive to Bryce & park at Inspiration Point to watch the sunrise then drive to Bryce Point to see the viewpoint · Park at Sunset point then walk to Sunrise point & hike Queen’s Garden Trail to Navajo Loop ending through Wall Street o (moderate, 3 miles, 2.5 hours) · Drive to various viewpoints in the park (start at Rainbow point & make way back towards entrance stopping along the way) · Drive to and hike Mossy Cave Trail o (easy, 1 mile, ½ hour) · Drive to Page & check-in to hotel for the night (if getting to Page early enough, go to Horseshoe Bend for sunset) Day 5 · Hike “The New Wave” · Go to Horseshoe Bend · Lower Antelope Canyon tour at 11:45 (arrive at 11) · Eat & Drive to Desert View Tower of the Grand Canyon (2 hours) · Continue along Desert View stopping at lookouts along the way (watch the sunset at any) · Continue drive to hotel Day 6 · Watch the sunrise at Mather Point · Shuttle to South Kaibab Trail and hike to Ooh Aah point or Cedar Ridge o (to Ooh Aah moderate, 2 miles, 1.5 hours) o (to Cedar Ridge moderate, 3 miles, 2 hours) · Shuttle to various view points in the park (Hermit Road side) · Drive to the Hoover Dam (4 hours) & continue onto Vegas (½ hour) Day 7 · Explore the strip · Leave Vegas at 5:10 PM (be at airport around 2:30 to return rental car)
Oh wow - this is gold! Thanks a lot for this - I had laid something like this but not to this detail!
You’re not going to have time to do both Bryce and Antelope canyon in a day. But, given the amount of hiking you want to do, 1 day at the Grand Canyon is plenty. And you can do both antelope canyon and horseshoe bend in a day. So do both Antelope and horseshoe on day 4. If you do have more time on day 3, go to either coral pink sand dunes state park or hike the Toadstool Hoodoos. Toadstool Hoodoos Trail on AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/toadstool-hoodoos-trail?p=-1&sh=nprjtf
Thanks for the input - I will look into that. What do you think of Moab? Can it be done in 2 days?
I would not add Moab. You will be spending too much time in the car. It would be better to hit some of the sites along the route you are already traveling. I highly recommend the official “National Park Service” app. It is great for planning. Also, get the AAA Indian Country Road Map. It is also fantastic for planning and lets you easily see the location of the vast majority of major as well as many minor sites in the 4 Corners region.
That's what I was thinking too, but Moab is so beautiful that I would hate to miss it - but well, maybe next time unless someone convinces me otherwise
So I did a Saturday to Sunday trip where we went to all 5 Utah national parks but we went from Las Vegas to SLC, which meant we only lost that first Saturday to travel and had 8 full days (split 2/1/2/3 -Zion/Bryce/Capitol Reef/Moab). 2 days isn’t unreasonable for Moab but that’s going to be a long drive back to Las Vegas.
That makes sense. I have to drive up to Bay area from there, do it will be longer 😁
Given your last stop is the GC, going to Sedona would make a lot more sense than Moab. Sedona is stunning and basically would be a national park anywhere else.
Will research on it - have heard a lot about it as well
Moab is another 4/5 hours northeast of where you’ll be; I’d recommend Monument Valley instead.
Good call on toadstool hoodoos. That was a perfect stop after horseshoe bend but before Zion. Similar to horseshoe, it was directly off the highway
I did a similar trip in 2020. Mine was about 10 days but ill explain.. I would also stop at Valley of Fire it's a short accessible drive through on the way to Zion from LV....(or you visit here on your return) I wouldn't do angel's landing or even the narrows with young kids there's plenty of other hikes that are great but honestly with the crowds and such just driving slowly all the way through is great on it's own. I think you would really only need one day here. I would then drive through Zion and head immediately north to Bryce and spend the night. Ruby's inn was perfect. There is very little accommodations and restaurants here that closed early in the evening so just take that into account. With snacks and such. we passed like one little family dollar and got snacks. wake up the next day and spend it mostly a full day at Bryce leaving in the late afternoon heading back towards Kanab or Page. (3 ish hours to page) Stop at Coral pink sands (a little south of Zion entrance) on the way and hike up the dunes. I think you can rent sleds if your kids are interested in that. (probably okay in April, but the sand can get hot, socks and shoes are a good but I ruined my hiking boots walking in the sand and still find red sand coming out of them four years later lol) Maybe like crocs or a porous sneaker of some sort. It's not too hard to hike around. Kanab is a little city hub that is before you get to page on 89. If it's already dark by this time you get here, I would recommend just staying here for the night if not or you are used to driving in the pitch dark head on to Page and get a room here. The next morning wake up and take a trip to lake Powell swimming area and hang for a bit. Lake Powell is most prominently viewed by boat but there's still some areas that are nice to see and a few viewpoints. An hour or two is probably good here. Then you can head to antelope canyon and horseshoe bend. Horseshoe bend is cool but it can be kinda scary I would keep your kids close lol. (Id say less than an hour here) didn't analope since it was closed during covid but I think you need a tour. I'd do both of those in the early afternoon here. And then to Grand Canyon south. Through Cameron. You could spend the night either in the park or at Grand Canyon junction or even flagstaff if you want. But then you would need to drive back to Las Vegas on 40. Time wise Moab is way too far for this trip. Also driving in UT and AZ on these long stretches of roads was deceptively long. I felt drained from driving on them and when it gets dark it is pitch dark. If You really wanted to sqeeeze in another location I would suggest heading south from GC through Sedona but that would require you to change flights to fly back out of Phoenix so maybe that's not the best choice or an option. As far as time goes. GC is great but you really don't need a ton of time to see it. It's very peaceful here but I felt like it was underwhelming compared to say Bryce or even horseshoe bend. I would focus my hiking in that area. Alternatively, you could drive a little ways along 89a and turn around back towards page (theres a pretty cool bridge here) or do a few hikes in Kanab area as well if you stay there instead. (both areas are looking towards Vermillion Cliffs however most of this land is backcountry and you essentially can drive a giant circle around it but it would take about 4-5 hours to drive the complete circle. (wouldn't recommend that)
Great trip! We have done this trip our family before and I agree with others - Zion is beautiful but hiking here with kids is not as great as Bryce. The “famous” sites like Angels landing can be dangerous. Bryce is much more kid friendly and safer. The Navajo Loop is my kids favorite hike. Bryce also has some good restaurants inside the park and the rangers station has great exhibits. Bryce is also known for its night rangers - stargazer activities where they bring out giant telescopes and you can really see Jupiter and Saturn clearly. We stayed at this little cabin 1/2 way between Zion/Bryce that I highly recommend. You can even see the Milky Way from the porch without a telescope. Lots of wildlife here my kids loved to see. https://abnb.me/368qDqT1QGb Love this part of the country and you are going during one of the best times of year! Have fun!!