<p>I am going to Arizona and Utah for about a week. I have never been to that area of the country before. I am definitely going to Arches National Park (because it has been my dream to see it for quite a while) and the Grand Canyon (because I would like to hike it). I don’t think I will be able to go much outside this area, because the driving distances are just so vast.</p>
<p>But I am looking for any must-sees in the area as well as any hidden gems. I am flying into and leaving from Phoenix, AZ.</p>
<p>You can’t go wrong with any of the National Parks in southern Utah. Arches, Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands are all spectacular. If you’re already doing Arches and the Grand Canyon, you could probably choose one more park to visit without overcrowding your itinerary. </p>
<p>Depending on how you decide to structure your trip, flying in and out of Las Vegas might save you a bunch of driving time over the Phoenix option. </p>
<p>Thank you! Out of the ones you listed, do you have a favorite (I will definitely be going to Arches).</p>
<p>I already have my flight, so changing the arrival/departure is not an option at this point. Also, I would kind of like to see the Sonoran Desert, so Phoenix may not be a bad spot.</p>
<p>I like Zion. It’s located in the southwest corner of Utah, along with Bryce Canyon. </p>
<p>If you’re looking to minimize driving, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef are clustered together over in the eastern part of the state more near Arches. </p>
<p>Go to Lake Powell, depending on your group & interests, rent a jet ski &/or take the tour boat up to Rainbow Bridge. You can also rent SUP in town or at the marinas and there are also float trips down from the Dam to Lee’s Ferry. There is a tour of the dam that is pleasant and a nice way to get out of the sun if you need a break.</p>
<p>A lot depends on what you will want to do. You can do Antelope Canyon, I believe both upper and lower tours on one ticket.</p>
<p>Phoenix is about 5-6 drive to Page/Lake Powell and you can do anything on the “Grand Circle” from there, Google that.</p>
<p>Flagstaff is a great little town on the way to the GC. About 2.5 hours from Phoenix. Are you looking to do stuff here in the Phoenix metro area or not? What area of the country do you live in now (for contrast)? What time of year are you thinking? </p>
<p>There was a similar thread earlier this year you might be able to search for. </p>
<p>I am going to with one other person. I am very adventurous and have various interests. Of course, I want to take in the natural beauty and be in the great outdoors. But I also love history and culture. I am also curious about the Native American culture of the region. Also interested in dinosaur fossils. As you can see, I am pretty much open to anything interesting and new. </p>
<p>I would be open to doing stuff around Phoenix. </p>
<p>I am from the Northeast, and a huge appeal of the region for me is how different the Southwest is from my region. </p>
<p>In Phoenix you can go to the Heard Museum, which specializes in Native American artifacts. The Desert Botanical Garden is great for plants. If you have time you can go to Flagstaff up through Sedona; just make sure the road from Sedona to Flag is open. We really like Walnut Canyon, which is a fantastic ruin just east of Flagstaff. You can also see Wupatki Ruins outside Flagstaff. Some ruins that are more out of the way but lovely and more remote are Navajo National Monument and Canyon de Chelley. On the Navajo Reservation near Tuba City there are some dinosaur tracks that are preserved. You park and pay a guide to take you. We prefer the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It’s about 1000’ higher and much less touristy, but it’s more out of the way. But you can make it on your way as you’re heading to Utah. You’ve gotten some great advice on what to do in Utah. </p>
<p>You’re right about the distances being vast - and you don’t want to spend your entire trip driving. So limit yourself to the Grand Canyon area and the area around Moab. Trying to get to Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon will just make the trip so much longer. I’m pretty familiar with the Moab/Arches area so will focus my comments on that area. If you take Rts. 160 (goes through Tuba City - see PhxRising comment) and 191 to Moab, you’ll go through the town of Bluff (right on the Utah border). This is a rather alternative town for Utah and would be a fun place to spend the night. They have some hostel-like lodging facilities, interesting restaurants, lots of artists, and great hiking trails. You can also easily reach Monument Valley from here. Then head up to Moab - Arches is wonderful, but there are so many other areas, such as Dead Horse Point (my very favorite) and Canyonlands, that are equally worth the visit. You could probably easily spend the rest of your time exploring these areas, but if you want to do more, head up to the interstate (70), go west to Rt. 24, and visit Capital Reef National Park. While smaller and less spectacular than most of the other Utah parks, many of us from the area enjoy this park the most. The town of Torrey is also lots of fun. But if you do head that way, make sure you look carefully at a map before heading back to Phoenix. There aren’t a lot of roads in the area. Have a great time!!</p>
<p>What about hiking the Narrows of Zion? Heard that it is cool.
I think I’ve heard about white water rafting at the bottom of grand canyon and you see the canyon from below.</p>
<p>Thank you for all the ideas! Please keep them coming. I will be looking through them all as I finalize my itinerary.</p>
<p>Rafting in the Grand Canyon seems amazing, but, correct me if I am wrong, I believe you need to get permits/a spot for it well over a year in advance.</p>
<p>Go to <a href=“https://raftthecanyon.com”>https://raftthecanyon.com</a> to check out full and half day rafting trips. There seems to be plenty of availability especially on the weekdays. Rafting closes for the season in mid November. </p>
<p>Raft the canyon is on the Colorado River north of the Grand Canyon, you access them from Page (Lake Powell) so that is an easy add on day in the same area as the Lake.</p>
<p>If you go to that website, the first slide on their cover photo is Horseshoe Bend, if you go to Page & Lake Powell, take 45-60 minutes and do Horseshoe Bend, it is about 5 minutes south of town and you just park and have a gentle hike to the edge, literally looking 1,000 feet down at the river. Pretty cool & very Darwinian, no handrails, oh, and no fees.</p>
<p>Thank you! I will definitely check out the rafting! And the meteor crater sounds amazing.</p>
<p>Is Salt Lake City itself and/or the desert or the Great Salt Lake themselves worth checking out, since I am in Utah, or is it not worth the drive that far north?</p>