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Message
Two weeks - "Out West National Parks"
Posted on 10/17/24 at 10:52 am
Posted on 10/17/24 at 10:52 am
Planning for a two week trip, beginning a few days before Memorial Day next year.
My current best idea is to fly into Vegas, rent a car, do Utah one week, SLC or Park City for the weekend (national parks will be packed) and then Grand Teton and/or Yellowstone the following week. Maybe fly back to MSY from Denver? (We have friends in CO.)
Here's some background / assumptions:
-We (Me, Mrs. Sheep, Lil' Ms. Sheep (aged 10)) have done national parks before. We are experienced travelers.
- I would tent camp, Mrs. Sheep will not, so we will stay in hotels, probably of a Hampton Inn-level (for this trip).
- When we go to national/state parks, we usually hike - but 5-6 miles is kind of the max. Half day stuff. We won't be dragging it 14 miles into the wilderness and back. Many times we have done a 3-4 mile hike in the morning, had lunch and done the same in the afternoon.
- We don't just drive through the NPs, we usually get out and walk around a bunch. Sometimes we spend multiple days, sometimes it's just one full day in a park.
- We've been to SLC, Park City and Grand Teton before (and want to go back), Lil' Ms. Sheep has not seen this part of the world.
How would you structure a trip like this?
My current best idea is to fly into Vegas, rent a car, do Utah one week, SLC or Park City for the weekend (national parks will be packed) and then Grand Teton and/or Yellowstone the following week. Maybe fly back to MSY from Denver? (We have friends in CO.)
Here's some background / assumptions:
-We (Me, Mrs. Sheep, Lil' Ms. Sheep (aged 10)) have done national parks before. We are experienced travelers.
- I would tent camp, Mrs. Sheep will not, so we will stay in hotels, probably of a Hampton Inn-level (for this trip).
- When we go to national/state parks, we usually hike - but 5-6 miles is kind of the max. Half day stuff. We won't be dragging it 14 miles into the wilderness and back. Many times we have done a 3-4 mile hike in the morning, had lunch and done the same in the afternoon.
- We don't just drive through the NPs, we usually get out and walk around a bunch. Sometimes we spend multiple days, sometimes it's just one full day in a park.
- We've been to SLC, Park City and Grand Teton before (and want to go back), Lil' Ms. Sheep has not seen this part of the world.
How would you structure a trip like this?
5
Posted on 10/17/24 at 12:15 pm to Sheep
We did Yosemite and Zion a few years back. We enjoyed staying in the lodges in the park. You have to book when they open up reservations to get a chance.
Cuts down on all the back and forth travel to the towns outside the park.
Not too cheap but well worth it.
Zion was impressive with great hikes. Would spend 2 days minimum there.
Cuts down on all the back and forth travel to the towns outside the park.
Not too cheap but well worth it.
Zion was impressive with great hikes. Would spend 2 days minimum there.
Posted on 10/17/24 at 12:37 pm to Sheep
This may be a little help. Years back we did the Mighty 5. Flew into vegas and out of SLC. TD Travel Review with Pics
You can't go wrong with any of the things you posted. Colorado is awesome as well. Here is a similar style giant loop of a week we made through that state. RMNP/Black Canyon/Mesa Verde...etc
One thing to keep in mind is areas like Moab will likely be pretty hot during the day in late May/June. The Needles in Canyonland and Arches are some of my favorites, but that great basin desert region heat can be dangerous.
You can't go wrong with any of the things you posted. Colorado is awesome as well. Here is a similar style giant loop of a week we made through that state. RMNP/Black Canyon/Mesa Verde...etc
One thing to keep in mind is areas like Moab will likely be pretty hot during the day in late May/June. The Needles in Canyonland and Arches are some of my favorites, but that great basin desert region heat can be dangerous.
This post was edited on 10/17/24 at 12:42 pm
Posted on 10/17/24 at 1:05 pm to Sheep
LINK
We stayed at Wander Camp when we were at the Grand Canyon. I know they have other locations and they also have different competitors. I would say that they are not on the high end boujee glamping side of things. For that trip that was the best sleep we got and the beds were surprisingly great. The views you get at night under the stars are worth it.
I'd recommend doing some part of the trip this route.
We stayed at Wander Camp when we were at the Grand Canyon. I know they have other locations and they also have different competitors. I would say that they are not on the high end boujee glamping side of things. For that trip that was the best sleep we got and the beds were surprisingly great. The views you get at night under the stars are worth it.
I'd recommend doing some part of the trip this route.
Posted on 10/17/24 at 1:27 pm to Pfft
quote:
You have to book when they open up reservations to get a chance.
I think I've already missed that window (for next year).
Posted on 10/17/24 at 2:53 pm to Pfft
quote:
Zion was impressive with great hikes. Would spend 2 days minimum there.
I've done Zion twice and honestly don't think you need more than 2 days. It all depends on the hikes you want to do. If you're looking at doing something time consuming like the narrows, that will take a full day. The next day, you could easily get in a couple different shorter ones. Just make sure you drive in to Zion from the east on Hwy 9.
Both times, I've stayed between Zion and Bryce in an airbnb. Alton the first time and Duck Creek Village the second. They're both 45 min to an hour from each park. I always opt for airbnb vs a hotel, but it's up to you.
A very common hike is the Navajo Loop Trail > Queens Garden at Bryce, but if you want to make a full day of it, go the opposite direction - Queens Garden > Navajo > Peekaboo Loop and walk out up the Navajo Loop switchbacks. It's all about 9 miles, but it's pretty unforgettable. I did it this last April on Spring Break with a 7 and 11 year old. Several stops and lunch/snack/water breaks. Probably took 4-5 hours.
I would also highly recommend a stop in Hanksville. It's convenient for Capitol Reef and Goblin Valley(state park). Plus you have Factory Butte right there, which is like being on the moon. You can get to the Maze portion of Canyonlands from that side, but it's a long way. I don't think there are any hotels in Hanksville.
I stayed in Spanish Valley(just south of Moab) last week and did Canyonlands, Arches and mtn biked at Moab. There are a decent amount of hotels in/around Moab, but again, I opt for a house if I can get one.
Arches can be done in a day(you'll need a timed entry) and Canyonlands is so spread out that you'll need 2 if you really want to explore it. We did a pretty big hike in Islands in the Sky(Murphy Loop) since Needles takes a good bit longer to get to from where we were. It was high 80's even in mid October, so be prepared and plan well there. Depending on what you do/where you go hiking, you can get lost very easily. It's very remote.
Posted on 10/17/24 at 3:40 pm to Sheep
May and early June is "Mud season" for wyoming/ GTNP/ Yellowstone. So I'd definitely go there second. Snow is a good chance in the mountains in May, even the end of the month. So just be warned, it isn't the best time to visit there. Really late June starts their true spring and summer visiting time. Not that you can't enjoy it, just be forewarned. Rivers will be high, snow is melting, and its very muddy/ wet.
Don't overlook getting a hotel in the parks, many of them have a sort of waiting list. While they are expensive, I do think a lot of them help between less travel and just adding to the experience.
I did a 17 night RV trip starting in Florida, drove to the Grand Canyon, and drove home with stops at the Utah NP's, Carlsbad Caverns, Denver, etc. I wouldn't suggest the drive from the southeast, but the RV in the NP's was fantastic and is a fantastic way to see Yellowstone/ GTNP.
Don't overlook getting a hotel in the parks, many of them have a sort of waiting list. While they are expensive, I do think a lot of them help between less travel and just adding to the experience.
I did a 17 night RV trip starting in Florida, drove to the Grand Canyon, and drove home with stops at the Utah NP's, Carlsbad Caverns, Denver, etc. I wouldn't suggest the drive from the southeast, but the RV in the NP's was fantastic and is a fantastic way to see Yellowstone/ GTNP.
Posted on 10/18/24 at 5:50 am to Sheep
Friend,
This seems like two separate trips. I do not think you will get the full experience if you try to do all the Utah parks in a week. It can be done and there are plenty of week long itineraries online that show how you can shuttle from one park to the next, allowing you to get a few pictures, a casual walk, and bragging rights as though simply entering the gates of a park is the same as experiencing the park. I cannot imagine going to one of the marquee national parks, be it Yosemite, the Grand T*****, the Grand Canyon, Zion, or Yellowstone, and not spending at a minimum three days at each. Even three days is barely scratching the surface at these marvels. Zion alone is a three to four day park.
Do everything you can to stay at the national park lodge. This is perhaps most important at Zion, where the unfortunate staying outside the park are at a distinct disadvantage catching the intrapark bus system. The lodge itself is the least impressive of the lodges at the great parks, but few park lodges offer more convenience to being in the park than Zion’s.
If you are able to stay in the park, get reservations through Xanterra only. There is a scam website that tricks thousands every year by acting like rooms in the lodges are available at any time. The small print says if a room is not available inside the park, a reservation at an outside hotel will be made. This website, called USparklodging.com, uses a bot to check the Xanterra site for availability, which is rare on a random check, and then books you outside the park at a subpar hotel and adds a service charge. I believe you are also not allowed to cancel. I have read horror stories, so please, just use Xanterra’s website for inside the park reservations regardless of which park. Do not be discouraged when there is no availability when you check. Check often and you will, Gid willing, get a room. Mother and I have never been unable to stay within a park when we have so desired, as I will check many times a day until a reservation opens. I have even been blessed with day of reservations at Phantom Ranch, the hardest lodge reservation in America, in the past on multiple trips. Persistence pays.
If you do stretch your time and end up in Yellowstone and the T*****, consider flying back from Jackson Hole. Flights are usually cheap and it is one of the best airport experiences in the world. The view taking off and landing there is a wonder. I would assume the only reason you are considering flying out of Denver is that you are also visiting Rocky Mountain NP. Otherwise, you’re adding eight or more hours of driving time.
Yours,
TulaneLSU
This seems like two separate trips. I do not think you will get the full experience if you try to do all the Utah parks in a week. It can be done and there are plenty of week long itineraries online that show how you can shuttle from one park to the next, allowing you to get a few pictures, a casual walk, and bragging rights as though simply entering the gates of a park is the same as experiencing the park. I cannot imagine going to one of the marquee national parks, be it Yosemite, the Grand T*****, the Grand Canyon, Zion, or Yellowstone, and not spending at a minimum three days at each. Even three days is barely scratching the surface at these marvels. Zion alone is a three to four day park.
Do everything you can to stay at the national park lodge. This is perhaps most important at Zion, where the unfortunate staying outside the park are at a distinct disadvantage catching the intrapark bus system. The lodge itself is the least impressive of the lodges at the great parks, but few park lodges offer more convenience to being in the park than Zion’s.
If you are able to stay in the park, get reservations through Xanterra only. There is a scam website that tricks thousands every year by acting like rooms in the lodges are available at any time. The small print says if a room is not available inside the park, a reservation at an outside hotel will be made. This website, called USparklodging.com, uses a bot to check the Xanterra site for availability, which is rare on a random check, and then books you outside the park at a subpar hotel and adds a service charge. I believe you are also not allowed to cancel. I have read horror stories, so please, just use Xanterra’s website for inside the park reservations regardless of which park. Do not be discouraged when there is no availability when you check. Check often and you will, Gid willing, get a room. Mother and I have never been unable to stay within a park when we have so desired, as I will check many times a day until a reservation opens. I have even been blessed with day of reservations at Phantom Ranch, the hardest lodge reservation in America, in the past on multiple trips. Persistence pays.
If you do stretch your time and end up in Yellowstone and the T*****, consider flying back from Jackson Hole. Flights are usually cheap and it is one of the best airport experiences in the world. The view taking off and landing there is a wonder. I would assume the only reason you are considering flying out of Denver is that you are also visiting Rocky Mountain NP. Otherwise, you’re adding eight or more hours of driving time.
Yours,
TulaneLSU
This post was edited on 10/18/24 at 5:57 am
Posted on 10/18/24 at 7:20 am to RaginCajunz
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Posted on 10/18/24 at 7:36 am to Riolobo
Rent an RV. We are planning a trip to similar parks out there and doing that.
If lil sheep is in 4th grade now, make sure you get the free national park pass for 4th graders, it covers them in the summer between 4th and 5th grade too.
If lil sheep is in 4th grade now, make sure you get the free national park pass for 4th graders, it covers them in the summer between 4th and 5th grade too.
Posted on 10/18/24 at 8:32 am to CharlieTiger
That highway 9 drive is incredible. Coral Pink Sand dunes was also cool.
Posted on 10/18/24 at 8:40 am to TulaneLSU
That’s definitely a ton of driving as said OP. It’s certainly doable, but you really want to consider that. It’s amazing drives and going to be a lot of scenery, but it’s a lot from Mammoth in north Yellowstone to Vegas google maps says it’s just under 12 hours and 787 miles.
If you are going to cover that much ground I really can’t suggest staying in the parks or doing an rv or camping enough. Being able to enjoy the mornings and evenings in the parks really is fantastic.
The Zion campsite was incredible, on our walk to the bathroom we had a buck chase a doe through the campsite and the doe jumped out of nowhere and got within 4-5 ft of hitting my daughter. They are very quiet generally and overall jsit save you time from driving back and forth, you can save 2-4 hours a day from staying 30 mins away.
If you are going to cover that much ground I really can’t suggest staying in the parks or doing an rv or camping enough. Being able to enjoy the mornings and evenings in the parks really is fantastic.
The Zion campsite was incredible, on our walk to the bathroom we had a buck chase a doe through the campsite and the doe jumped out of nowhere and got within 4-5 ft of hitting my daughter. They are very quiet generally and overall jsit save you time from driving back and forth, you can save 2-4 hours a day from staying 30 mins away.
Posted on 10/18/24 at 10:05 am to baldona
Maybe reverse it. We did a trip years ago with our kids. Flew into Vegas. Day in Zion, 2 days in Bryce, 1 in death valley (drive through), 2 n sequoia/king's canyon/ 2 in yosemite.
If you fly into San Fran you can do Yosemite - King's canyon/Sequoia - drive through death valley - zion - bryce - then hit utah as you head to CO.
If you fly into San Fran you can do Yosemite - King's canyon/Sequoia - drive through death valley - zion - bryce - then hit utah as you head to CO.
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