I can’t remember if I actually posted on that other thread (re: GC), but I’m one who doesn’t really have an urge to go there. The grandeur of Zion took my breath away, and Bryce was even more beautiful (in my opinion). My vote would be to see those two - totally doable in a couple of days from Vegas.
This must be why Zion is so crowded. Utah National Parks are over-paved. Too easy to get around. It feels like going to a zoo to see caged animal than experience nature. In Zion, instead of animal it is tall peaks. It may as well be caged. They are very hard to get to. Smaller parks should be left unpaved for better nature experience.
No need to drive to the visitor’s center if you stay at a hotel in Springdale. Buses run through Springdale every 15 minutes and will pick you up and take you to the visitor’s center where you can get the park shuttle. Or if you have a close enough hotel you can just walk to the visitor’s center. The Desert Pearl Inn is just under a mile walk to the Visitor’s Center. Springdale is a very cute little town in a gorgeous setting too.
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I could not disagree more. We were so impressed with the levels of accessibility for all visitors at the Utah Nat’ parks. We opted to hike in both Zion and Bryce, but thought it was wonderful that visitors of all abilities and mobility levels could view the grandeur. Our national parks belong to all, imo.
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Zion is “crowded” because it’s gorgeous, but there is hardly any traffic because cars aren’t allowed in unless you stay in the lodge inside the park.
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I can only speak to our experience in mid Sept. OP is driving from LV and won’t have checked in at any hotel in Springdale prior to the day’s events, was my thought, so parking might be an issue. We had to wait for a shuttle that wasn’t full, both in Springdale and inside the park (we stayed at the lodge; it was cheaper than the hotels and we could often walk rather than waiting for an empty shuttle) That’s to be expected, but if you don’t have limitless time it might matter.
We had a wonderful time and it is mind-blowingly beautiful. But I’m not sure it makes a better day trip from LV than the Grand Canyon.
Well your experience is more recent than mine so I defer to you!
It should also preserve the nature. If accessibility trumps everything else, why don’t we also pave down to the bottom of Grand Canyon or pave up to all of the fourteeners in Colorado as they did Pike’s peak.
The scenic drive is free from traffic when the shuttle runs. That’s only a small portion of the park however. The eastern part is also very beautiful and traffic is intolerable. I maintain Utah parks are more crowded than needed compared to similarly beautiful places.
Dh REALLY wants me to see the GC so that’s what we are doing. No Zion.
Next question: If I do a tour that picks up in Tusayan, where should we spend the night?
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We stayed at the Grand Hotel in Tusayan two years ago. It wasn’t anything fancy, but probably the nicest in town there. Restaurant was pretty good there.
Hope you have a great trip! Good to get it decided. The Grand Canyon is definitely worth seeing since you are “in the neighborhood”.
Tusayan is a few minutes away from the entrance to the Grand Canyon, so my recommendations would be similar to a Grand Canyon trip in general.
If you are okay with spending a few hundred per night, you may want to stay in Grand Canyon Village, within the park. There are many types of rooms. Some have a view of the canyon. Some are more luxurious. Some are rustic cabins. They sell out early, so good to book months in advance.
If you want better value, corresponding quality rooms in Williams cost a fraction of the price. Williams could also be convenient, if you want to check out the Bearizona drive through safari while visiting the area. Williams is ~1 hour from Tusayan/entrance to Grand Canyon and on the way when driving to/from Vegas.
OK, we are set. Flying in on a Saturday, going to a show, Sunday picking up a rental car and driving to the GC. Staying at one of the hotels in Tusayan as we can walk to the pickup point for the tour. Then the tour and we can head home or stop on the way or just do whatever we want until we turn the car in. Fly home Wednesday.
The good news is I am now obsessed with seeing the natural beauty in Utah and will try to get there, maybe without dh!
Thanks, all!
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