Customer Questions

Jane,
See my reply to your query on the “Can You Do Both Lower and Upper In A Day” page.
Alley 🙂

December 14, 2018 at 5:27 PM

Hello Jennifer and thank you for your visit!
Ryan is out hiking somewhere, but I’m happy to help you.
First off, it’s good that you don’t mind driving, because it’s a fact of life in this part of the U.S. Another thing you need to keep in mind is that your visit coincides with the New Year’s Holiday, and it’s going to be busy. Don’t be surprised to find hotels and tours sold out, so be open to alternatives when it comes to lodging and activities. Assuming that December 29th and January 3rd are going to be travel days, you can still get all the items on your “wish list” in, but you won’t have time to squeeze in much else.
The order in which you hit these attractions will depend on lodging availability, and your preference for either getting the longest drive of the trip out of the way first, or saving it for last. Since most people prefer option “A,” here’s what I’d recommend:
December 30th – Drive from Phoenix to Page, AZ (~4.5-5.5 hours). The drive is very scenic, so don’t be surprised if you stop to take pictures often. The Cameron Trading Post is just past the mid-way point of the drive and makes a good lunch stop. Hit the Horseshoe Bend Overlook on the way into town, parking permitting, or visit it first thing in the morning the following day. Overnight in Page.
December 31st – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise (if you were not able to do so the day prior). Take a morning tour of Antelope Canyon from the Tribal Park Entrance on US98. If Antelope Canyon tours are sold out, consider one of several alternate slot canyons that are just as scenic, but a lot less crowded. Then drive to Monument Valley (~2.5 hour drive)Time/desire permitting, take a backcountry tour of Monument Valley. Overnight in Monument Valley. If Monument Valley hotels are sold out, then check availability in Kayenta, AZ, or Tuba City, AZ.
January 1st – Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (3.5-4.5 hour drive). Here again, it’s a very scenic drive, so you will be stopping often for photo ops, especially upon entering the park at Desert View Point. There are over half a dozen Grand Canyon viewpoints, each with differing features and perspectives, between DV and Grand Canyon Village. Overnight in Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon Village is most likely sold out, so check availability in Tusayan/GC Village South (just outside the park), Valle, AZ, or Williams, AZ.
January 2nd – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona (~3 hour drive from GC Village). Take backcountry jeep tour, visit Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, or whatever else strikes your fancy. For suggestions, go to www.VisitSedona.com Overnight in Sedona.
January 3rd – Drive back to Phoenix, ~2 hours, fly home.

Now, if you end up with an extra day to allot somewhere, give it to Sedona. Sedona is the kind of place one could spend 4-5 days and still wish they had more time!
Hope that helps and that you have a wonderful visit. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂

December 14, 2018 at 5:15 PM

Hi Lilly!
With a toddler in tow, it’s probably best to avoid making any trip plans that would involve long drives. That said, they tend to be a fact of life in this part of the U.S.
Using Las Vegas as your starting point, with 2/3 days to work with, you could drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim (a 4.5 hour drive), overnight at the South Rim. Then the following day, drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (3.5-4 hour drive), tour Upper Antelope Canyon (that is the best option for families with young kids), and stop at Horseshoe Bend. Overnight in Page, AZ. Then drive back to Las Vegas (4.5-5 hour drive). If desired, you could make a detour through Zion National Park, which would add another 60-90 minutes onto your drive time.
The main obstacle you’ll be likely to encounter at this point is availability of lodging, or lack thereof, as well as spots on Antelope Canyon tours. These must be reserved in advance of your arrival, so I would recommend starting to check availability ASAP.
Best wishes for safe travels and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂

December 08, 2018 at 6:24 PM

Hi Steven and thank you for your inquiry.
Antelope Canyon is doable as a day trip from the South Rim, but not ideal, especially at the time of year you’re traveling.
The minimum drive time from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, is 2.5 hours. However, that’s wheels turning, no stops, which rarely happens, since the drive is very scenic, and you’ll no doubt find yourself stopping to take pictures. Between the turn-off onto AZ64 East and Desert View Point alone, there are over half a dozen Grand Canyon viewpoints, all with varying perspectives and features. Upon leaving the park and entering Navajo Indian Tribal Land, there’s even more to see, including, but not limited to, the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands, the Cameron Trading Post (great “brunch” stop, by the way!), Chinle formation views, the “Cut” overlook, and last, but not least, the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, which you should set aside 60-90 minutes to enjoy.
Depending on whether you tour Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, your tour will take anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hours. You would then have a 2.5 hour drive to contend with to get back to Tusayan. Another factor working against you at the time of year you’re traveling is daylength: late December is when days are at their shortest, with sunrise occurring at 7:35 AM and sunset taking place at around 5:15 PM. Driving after dark is strongly discouraged in this part of the US due to lack of ambient lighting on local roadways, and the possible presence of deer, elk, coyotes, free range cattle, and other nocturnal wildlife.
A better option would be:
20 Dec: Get an early start out of LV. You can still see Hoover Dam from the bypass bridge on US93. Upon arrival in Tusayan, maybe catch the IMAX movie, head to Grand Canyon Village and do some sightseeing around that area, including the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive, catch sunset, then go to bed. You will “lose” an hour traveling between Nevada and Arizona as they are on different time zones this time of year.
21 Dec: Get an early start on this day as well. Drive to Page, AZ. Hit the Horseshoe Bend Overlook on your way into town; if the parking lot is full that afternoon, then plan to catch it first thing in the morning the next day. Do an Antelope Canyon tour that afternoon. Overnight in Page, AZ.
22 Dec: Head back to LA. The driv from Page, AZ, to LA will take ~8.5 hours. That’s only 1 hour longer than it would have taken from Grand Canyon. Plus, you will “gain” an hour going back into California, but here again, your daylength is short: sunrise at around 6:45 AM, sunset at 4:50 PM.
Best wishes for safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂

December 03, 2018 at 3:09 PM

Hi Susanna and thank you for your inquiry.
Both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon are crowded. Neither one offers private tours, since public tours are their “bread and butter” and locking up the canyon for a single group is simply not practical.
For a more comfortable experience for your son, and a more personalized one for your entire family, I’d suggest touring one of many “alternate” slot canyons that are just as beautiful as Antelope, but a lot less crowded. In your son’s case, Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon (formerly known as “Secret” Canyon) might be the best choice since group sizes are kept smaller and there are no ladders to manage. Another plus to touring this slot canyon is that you can add a visit to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook onto your experience, which saves you from having to contend with the parking snarls that have become “the new normal” out there.
Seeing as though you have a traveler with special needs in your party, I would highly recommend calling the tour company to make reservations and express any concerns you might have. Check out the article “Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours,” which gives contact information for all the tour companies.
The only company not listed in this article is Ligai Si’Anii Tours out of LeChee, AZ; their tour of Wind Pebble Canyon may also be a viable alternative for you. For information on what they offer, visit www.HikingSlotCanyons.com
Best wishes for safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂

December 03, 2018 at 2:51 PM

Hi Ariel, and thank you for your visit!
With 10 days in Kanab, UT, there will be no shortage of places to see and do in addition to the ones you list.
In the very likely event you do not succeed in obtaining a Wave permit, you might consider doing a tour to White Pocket, Soap Creek, Pinnacle Valley, Alstrom Point – or perhaps all of the above! Though these areas do not require a permit to visit, and are theoretically accessible by private vehicles, we still encourage you to travel with a licensed tour guide. All of these areas are accessed via unpaved roads, which could be rendered impassable in inclement weather. Plus, you’d be voiding your rental car insurance by venturing off-road, leaving you on the hook for any damage you might sustain. A well-known tour company that covers these areas from Kanab is Dreamland Safari Tours, but there are several to choose from in Kanab, Paria, and Page.
As for other places you might visit, these include, but are not limited to:
– Pipe Spring National Monument
– Toroweap Overlook (here again, a guided tour is recommended due to the condition of the road)
– Snow Canyon State Park or Yant Flats (both near St. George, UT, the latter bears strong resemblance to The Wave, doesn’t require a permit, but does require some hiking)
– Volunteer at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
– Visit Moqui Cave
– Kodachrome Basin State Park
– Duck Creek
– Mystic Hot Springs in Monroe (~2.5 hour drive 1-way from Kanab)
– Brian Head and Cedar Breaks National Monument
– Johnson Canyon
– Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon
– Coral Pink Sand Dunes
For more suggestions, go to VisitSouthernUtah.com, VisitUtah.com or simply talk with the staff at the local visitors center, or at your hotel. The possibilities are almost endless!
Best wishes for safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure to pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For just $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Recreation Areas in the U.S. for 1 year’s time. The only areas it won’t work are State Parks and Native American Tribal Parks (such as Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon), but it would still likely pay for itself on this trip alone. Simply purchase it at the first National Park you hit on your itinerary.

December 03, 2018 at 2:41 PM

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From Ariel

Thanks Alley for the detailed answer!! We will be sure trying some of these
Happy holidays,
Ariel

December 04, 2018 at 4:34 PM

Hi Jason, and thank you for your inquiry.
With that much time to work with, you can have a wonderful time visiting the scenic wonders of Northern Arizona, Southern Utah, and then some!
As you’ve deduced, the one factor you have to keep a close eye on is weather, so having some “wiggle room” in your schedule is good in case you get delayed or detoured by a snowstorm. These tend to be more of a consideration at higher elevations, such as Grand Canyon South Rim and Bryce Canyon. Of course, it’s too soon to say exactly what the weather will be like during your visit, so you should start monitoring conditions about 2 weeks before you set out.
Given your schedule, and your interest in Route 66, you could do something like this:
January 13th – drive from Las Vegas to Seligman, AZ, with a stopover at the Grand Canyon Caverns, overnight in Seligman. Drive time (not including Grand Canyon Caverns tour): 3.5 hours
January 14th: Drive from Seligman to Sedona, AZ (~2 hour drive). Stay 2 nights Sedona offers many activities and sights to enjoy, including, but not limited to:
– Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour
– Chapel of the Holy Cross
– Easy but scenic hikes
– Spas
– Wine tastings
– Verde Valley Scenic Railroad
For more suggestions, check out Travel US News: 10 Best Things To Do In Sedona
January 16th: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hours), drive to scenic overlooks as desired on West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Drive, see IMAX movie, hike rim trail or perhaps a short distance into the Inner Canyon, overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim.
January 17th: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley. Direct drive time is ~3+ hours, but more realistically ends up being ~4-4.5 hours due to many scenic overlooks and points of interest along the way. Take backcountry tour of Monument Valley either that afternoon or the following morning, go to Forrest Gump point, overnight in Monument Valley.
January 18th: Drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ. Drive time: 2-2.5 hours. Stop at Horseshoe Bend Overlook on the way into town. Tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon or following morning. Overnight in Page, AZ.
January 19th: Drive from Page, AZ to Bryce Canyon. All kinds of things do do there, ranging from easy, scenic hikes to more difficult ones; conditions permitting, you might even try some snowshoeing or cross-country skiing!
January 20th: Drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park (drive time: 90 minutes-2 hours). Here again, no shortage of activities to occupy your time (I suggest 2 days minimum). Water-based activities, such as hiking The Narrows, may not be an option at the time of year you’re visiting, but you can easily compensate for that by being able to tour the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive in your own vehicle rather than use the shuttle buses. Stay 2-3 nights in Springdale, UT, just outside the Western border of the park.
January 22nd or 23rd: Drive back to Las Vegas (~2.5 hours). Time/inclination/weather permitting, a detour to the Valley of Fire State Park would make for a really cool “topper” to your trip!

Be sure to reserve ALL hotels and guided tours (especially Antelope Canyon) in advance of your arrival. Though January is typically a quieter time of year (which definitely has its advantages!), it is still busy. One more thing: be sure to pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For just $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Fee Areas in the US for just 1 year’s time. The only areas it won’t work are State Parks and Native American Tribal Parks (such as Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon). Even so, it will still pay for itself on the trip you’re planning to take. Pick it up at the first National Park you hit on your trip.
Best wishes for safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂

December 01, 2018 at 3:17 PM

Hello Ciara and thank you for visiting!
Assuming you are driving from Dallas, you first need to be aware that it will take you two full days (as in ~8 hours of driving per day) to make the trip to Arizona, then another couple of days to make the trip back. Albuquerque, NM would probably be the best point at which to break up the drive on the trip over; going back, you might make Tucumcari, NM your stopover point. That doesn’t give you much time for sightseeing – 2-3 days tops – but the good news is, you can visit both the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon in that amount of time.
You’ll want to visit Grand Canyon South Rim as that’s the area of the Grand Canyon that offers the most to see and do. It is most desirable to stay inside the park (Grand Canyon Village), but you might already find those hotels to be sold out. If that is the case, then Tusayan, aka Grand Canyon Village South, 7 miles outside the park boundary is your next best option. Grand Canyon hotels
Spend 1 night there, then make the trip to Page, AZ. The drive time given on Google Maps is 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens since the drive is very scenic, and there will be many places where you’ll invariably pull over to take advantage of a photo op, especially on the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon. Upon exiting the park, you’ll be on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, where there are numerous points of interest that might pique yours, including, but not limited to: the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Navajo Trading Post (good breakfast/lunch stop), Chinle formation views, the “Cut” overlook, and just South of Page, the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Regarding Horseshoe Bend, this attraction has become extremely popular, resulting in frequent parking snags. If you’re unable to find a place to park at the overlook on the way into town (and don’t improvise, you’ll get a ticket), then plan on hitting this attraction just after sunrise the following day.
As for where to stay in Page, AZ, everything from traditional hotels and motels to bed and breakfasts and repurposed apartments are available, in varying amenity classes and price points. Pick what works for your party and your budget, and book it, along with other accommodations and guided tours, ASAP.
On your 2nd day in Page, take your Antelope Canyon tour (again, book it ASAP!), then, time permitting, you might visit the John Wesley Powell Museum, take a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam, hike to the New Wave (easy), or enjoy a meal “lakeside” at the Lake Powell Resort or Antelope Point Marina.
The next day, start making the trip back to Dallas, TX. Time/inclination permitting, you might make a detour to Monument Valley, but this will tack another 1-2 hours onto an already long drive.

Good luck and safe travels, and best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂

November 27, 2018 at 2:44 PM

Hi Sang,
Unfortunately, with your limited timeframe, there’s no way you can fit all these destinations into your itinerary. To pull off the trip you’re wanting to accomplish per your post, you need at least two weeks. This time around, you realistically have three full days to work with. Assuming that April 14th will be a travel day, I’d recommend the following:
April 15th: Drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ (~5 hours), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page Optional detour through Zion National Park, add 60-90 minutes onto your drive time.
April 16th: Drive from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim (3.5-4 hour drive factoring in sightseeing, bathroom breaks, meal stops), overnight at the Grand Canyon
April 17th: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Gilbert, AZ, with a detour through Sedona (~6 hour drive), hang out with your friend.
April 18th: back to LA
Hope that helps and that you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂

November 26, 2018 at 3:57 PM

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From sang

Hi Alley,
I’m sorry that I accidentally send you the old message. I make little change for my plan. I will start from Las Vegas in early morning April 14 and will be back to LA in April 20 from Gilbert city. I’m looking for these places if it fit with my schedule, would you please give an advise where I need hotel to stay and which park do I need to book a tour .
-South Rim
-Sedona
-Arches National park
-The wave
-Antelope

Thank you very much Alley

November 26, 2018 at 6:36 PM

Hi Pat, and thank you for your inquiry.
Competition for Wave permits is pretty fierce, no matter when you try and go. The good news is that in the likely event that you aren’t able to get a permit, there is plenty of other good stuff to see in the area, including, but not limited to: White Pocket, Sidestep Canyon, Soap Creek, Pinnacle Valley, Wire Pass Canyon, Buckskin Gulch … just to name a few. Which one you visit depends on how much time you have and how much hiking you’re willing to do, or not do. Since many of these areas are located on roads that may be rendered impassable after a rain or snowstorm, we do not recommend attempting to get to them in a rental car, but to hire a licensed guide service instead.
For more information, visit our companion sites, www.HorseshoeBend.com or www.TheWaveAZ.com
Hope that helps. Best wishes for safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂

November 26, 2018 at 4:02 PM

Hi Paul and thank you for your inquiry.
You are correct in that Antelope Canyon tours are offered year-round. If you are able to pick and choose the best time of year to visit, that would be mid-October. Temperatures are just about perfect, and even though it’s still busy, it tends to be mostly adults out touring since kids are back in school.
If January is the only time you have available, you can still have an enjoyable visit to Page, AZ! Temperatures will be on the cooler side, in the 30’s and 40’s during the day, at or below freezing at night. Snow is rare, but has been known to occur. If/when it does, it tends to melt off quickly. Optimal time of day for visiting Antelope Canyon is mid-day; best time to visit Horseshoe Bend in order to find a place to park and avoid peak crowds is just after sunrise.
Good luck and safe travels, and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂

November 26, 2018 at 3:45 PM

Hi Catherine, and thank you for visiting!
Before I say anything, I have to point out that the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your itinerary. Therefore, I’m assuming you’ve already been there and do not feel the need to revisit it. If you haven’t, I recommend prioritizing it and dropping one park from your itinerary.
With the limited amount of time you have to give to Page/Lake Powell, you will have to make a choice between the Glen Canyon Float Trip or a boat rental. In terms of scenery, it’s an “apples to oranges” comparison: the GC Float Trip will take you down a 15-mile rapids-free stretch of the Colorado River, and your raft will be piloted by a trained captain, so you can kick back and relax. If you were to opt for the boat rental, you’d have to do the work of navigating, piloting, etc. As for “exploring caves,” depending on the water level, there may not be many (or any) caves to see, but I wouldn’t let that deter you from this activity. The scenery would consist of more wide-open spaces, highlighted by red rock formations of varying heights and shapes, and beaches to relax on should you desire. Since either activity will have you in the hot summer sun for the better part of a day, you will be tired, no matter what you do. I would strongly recommend overnighting in Page, AZ, then heading to the Desert Pearl. The Lake Powell Motel is a cute property, it used to be called “Bashful Bob’s” and had something of a cult following back in the day. What I like about it is that for the price of a traditional hotel/motel, you get an apartment with a full kitchen and separate living and sleeping areas. Plus, it’s “off the main drag,” but close enough to restaurants, museums, stores, etc. in Page.
Good luck and safe travels – have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂

November 26, 2018 at 3:40 PM

Hi April and thank you for your inquiry.
If you want to include Monument Valley in your trip plan, it’s almost a “six of one/half a dozen of another” proposition as to where you put it. If you were to hit it right after the Grand Canyon, it would be ~a 3-hour drive, going direct, but that rarely happens. The trip, especially the portion that goes along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon, is very scenic, and you’ll no doubt find yourself stopping along the way at attractions such as Grand Canyon scenic overlooks, Chief Yellowhorse’s curio stand, the Little Colorado River overlook, the Cameron Trading Post (excellent “brunch” stop), the Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks, Navajo National Monument the Elephant’s Feet, and the Navajo Code Talkers Museum… just to name a few. With this in mind, a 3-hours-and-change drive could easily turn into a half-day adventure. The drive to Page from Monument Valley would then be about 2-2.5 hours, and you could tour Lower Antelope Canyon on your way into town since the Tribal Park Entrance is just off US98 Southeast of Page. The drive from Page to Phoenix would then be ~4.5 hours.
If you were to opt to go to Page before Monument Valley, the same driving rule applies: a 2.5 hour drive “on paper” is actually more like 4 hours or so in reality. If you do it this way, you could hit the Horseshoe Bend Overlook on your way into Page, then tour Lower Antelope Canyon on your way to Monument Valley (you’ll pass the Tribal Park Entrance on your way out of town). The trip back to Phoenix would then run ~4.5-5 hours. The key factor in making this plan work is availability of lodging at Monument Valley. Hotels/motels are few and far between in that area, so don’t be surprised if you find everything sold out. The View Lodge is generally regarded to be the best in the area, seconded by historic Goulding’s Lodge. If nothing is available there, then the town of Kayenta, AZ (~30 minutes away) would be your next best option.
If you can’t find lodging in Monument Valley, you might indeed skip it this time around and opt to hang out in Page for a couple of days. That said, there may be a possibility to “have your cake and eat it too” with regards to Monument Valley: take a scenic flight over it out of Page, Arizona. Westwind Air Service offers fixed-wing airplane tours over Lake Powell, Monument Valley, and other local attractions by prior arrangement. For more information, visit their website, AND call their local office at 928-645-2494.
Please keep in mind that you’ll be traveling in winter, and cooler weather will be the norm. Be sure to pack appropriate clothing, and start monitoring local weather conditions about 2 weeks before you get set to travel.
Have a safe trip, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂

November 26, 2018 at 3:20 PM

Hi Ellen, and thank you for your visit today!
Christmas is a wonderful time to travel in Northern Arizona and visitor numbers definitely seem to support that sentiment. However, as you’ve discovered, some activities are on seasonal hiatus. “Into The Grand” appears to be one; others worth noting are water-based activities such as Lake Powell Boat Tours and the Glen Canyon Float Trip . Daytime temperatures are a usually too cold to enjoy these anyway.
The good news is, though, the majority of Page, AZ’s other signature activities are in full operational mode, including the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, Antelope Canyon and other slot canyon tours, the John Wesley Powell Museum, and the Glen Canyon Dam… just to name a few.
Even though some local activities are scaled back for the season, Christmas remains a busy time of year, so all lodging and guided tours should be reserved ASAP. Don’t worry, you’ll find plenty of wonderful ways to occupy your time! Start monitoring the weather about 2 weeks before you get ready to travel, and be prepared to pack clothing suitable for cooler weather, including jackets, scarves, and gloves.
Best wishes for safe travels, and a Happy Holiday Season 🙂
Alley

November 21, 2018 at 2:14 PM

Dear Theresa,
All I can say is “W-O-W!” Thank you so much for letting us know how your vacation went, and that our trip planning advice helped you get the most out of it. That’s cool that you were able to add Death Valley and the Valley of Fire to your itinerary; that’s just one of many advantages to traveling in late fall. They’re both beautiful places, but I certainly wouldn’t want to go to either one of them during the scorching heat of summer!
If you have the time, you might also post reviews of the hotels, restaurants, tour companies, and other businesses you patronized on your vacation. They always like to hear what they did right and what they might have gotten wrong in order to serve future customers better.
Thank you again and best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂

November 19, 2018 at 2:52 PM

Hi Julie and thank you for your inquiry.
Lower Antelope Canyon can be enjoyed, and has been enjoyed, by families like yourselves. Bringing Kids To Antelope Canyon However, keep in mind that backpack carriers may or may not be allowed by Lower Antelope Canyon tour outfitters (that situation, is, shall we say, ‘somewhat fluid’). If they do allow you to carry the littler one on your back, you’ll need to exercise caution so that he/she doesn’t bump their head on a rock overhang. If they don’t allow the backpack carrier, keep in mind that Lower Antelope Canyon is 600m long, and has several ladders and staircases that you’ll need to manage with that extra weight. Before committing, I recommend you watch this Full Walk-Through Video of Lower Antelope Canyon
As for easy hikes to do at the Grand Canyon, the Rim Trail is scenic, mostly flat, and manageable for most. It is also paved, so you can take a stroller on it if desired. If you want to venture below the canyon rim a ways, the Bright Angel Trail would be the easiest way to go. Just remember 1 hour down = 2 hours out. Food and water must be carried if you wish to spend any more than 1 hour’s time hiking or go any further than 1 mile. It’s also a very rugged dirt path, so no strollers, plus you might want to bring some hiking poles.
Good sunrise/sunset spots? That’s easy: anywhere on the canyon rim! For sunset, I’m fond of Grandview Point, which is ~5 miles East of Grand Canyon Village, but you’ll find it less crowded than Hopi Point and other popular overlooks. Yavapai Point and Mather Point are good for sunrise, and is fairly easy to reach on the Village Loop Shuttle, but you’ll find a lot of people at these overlooks.
Good luck, safe travels, and have a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂

November 17, 2018 at 4:54 PM

Dear Abhi,
Hello and thank you for visiting our site today!
Unfortunately, I cannot endorse this plan. The simple reason is too much driving. You’re looking at a grand total of 30 hours of driving in order to pull this all off.

On Day 2, for example, when you say “visit Hoover Dam, then proceed to Page,” Hoover Dam is located South of Las Vegas and will require about 2 hours time to get there, look around, get back to Las Vegas, then, you’re looking at about a minimum of a 5-hour drive to Page. I know that Google maps puts the drive time from Las Vegas to Page at around 4.5 hours, but around here, you need to pad those by ~20%. Why? Because all of these routes are very scenic and you’re invariably going to find yourselves stopping to take pictures, not to mention the occasional bathroom break, grabbing lunch somewhere (unless you bring a cooler with snacks), etc.
Another couple of factors potentially working against you at the time of year you’re traveling are daylength and weather. Daylength is short: sunrise in Arizona occurs at around 7:30 AM, and the sun goes down shortly after 5:00 PM. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to lack of ambient lighting on local roadways, and the possibility of encountering deer, elk, coyotes, free range cattle and other nocturnal animals.
Regarding weather, you could encounter freezing rain, sleet, snow – or all of the above in one day! The destinations you’re wanting to to visit, especially Yosemite and Sequoia (by the way, Yosemite is not a “quickie” day trip from Sequoia), could get large amounts of snow, which could throw your trip plans on the trash heap.
In light of the long drives required, and the potential for bad weather to mess up your plans, I’d recommend taking Death Valley, Sequoia and Yosemite off the table and saving them for another time. Concentrate on the incredible destinations that are within easier access to Las Vegas. I’d recommend modifying your itinerary as follows:
Day 1: Fly to Las Vegas, stay overnight
Day 2: Proceed to Grand Canyon South Rim, visit Hoover Dam on the way, overnight at Grand Canyon (~4.5 hour drive from Hoover Dam)
Day 3: Head to Page, AZ (~4 hour drive taken at a leisurely pace, many viewpoints to stop at en route), stop at Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, stay overnight in Page, AZ
Day 4: Tour Antelope Canyon and the Glen Canyon Dam, do some hiking, visit the John Wesley Powell Museum, stay 2nd night in Page.
Day 5: Head to Bryce Canyon, UT, in the morning, head to Bryce Canyon (~3 hour drive), overnight in Bryce ***at 8,000′ above sea level, this area can also get a lot of snow, so keep your eye on the weather
Day 6: Go to Zion National Park (~2.5 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, UT
Day 7: Back to Vegas (~3 hour drive), fly home

As you can see, with this trip plan, your total drive time is cut nearly in half, and you still have ample opportunities for sightseeing, hiking, exploration, etc. If you’ve already been to some of these places, you could add a second night in Zion or the Grand Canyon. Other possible substitutions that won’t take you too far afield include, but aren’t limited to: Sedona, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Brian Head/Cedar Breaks National Monument, Coral Pink Sand Dunes (Kanab, UT), Snow Canyon State Park (near St. George, UT), and Valley of Fire (near Las Vegas).
For more suggestions, check out our Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona & Southern Utah
Best wishes for safe travels, and a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂

November 16, 2018 at 4:47 PM

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From Diana

I give you a lot of credit for tackling a question even a travel agent would have found frustrating! And not even a thank you?

Kudos to Alley!!!

December 07, 2018 at 3:00 AM

Leena,
Yikes, this is WAY too much driving in too short a time, especially with a toddler in tow! You’ll need to a. free up more time to pull this off or b. take a good hard look at a map and concentrate your sightseeing on destinations that are closer, such as Sequoia, and perhaps Yosemite and/or Death Valley.

It takes approximately 4 hours – wheels turning, no stops – to drive from San Jose, CA, to Sequoia National Park. It then takes ~9 hours, again, driving direct, to get from Sequoia to Zion. Eliminating Sequoia from your “wish list” doesn’t improve the situation much, you’re still looking at ~ a 10 hour drive. You should consider breaking up the drive in someplace like Primm, NV, or Las Vegas, NV.
The trip from Zion to Page, AZ, takes 2-2.5 hours. It is not necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. With a 2-year-old, you’re better off sticking with Upper Antelope Canyon and saving Lower for another visit, preferably once they’re around 6-7 and better able to make their own way through the canyon. Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon Whether you visit Upper or Lower, you MUST go with a guided tour since the canyon is situated on Native American Tribal Lands. If you’re finding that Antelope Canyon tours are sold out, consider touring Antelope Canyon X.
Regarding things to do in Zion with children, there’s no shortage of easy but scenic hikes.
I don’t recall when your visit was scheduled for, but if it’s for the near future, keep in mind that it’s cold here. You’ll need to pack jackets, gloves, scarves, and other warm weather clothing for you and your child’s safety and comfort.
But the main take-away here is I cannot endorse your plan as it stands. It seems to me that you don’t fully comprehend the distances and drive times involved. You should get a better sense of the potential difficulties before you pack up your family and hit the road.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

November 15, 2018 at 5:23 PM

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From Leena

Thanks Alley, such a meticulous reply, answering all my concerns.. amazing…

we removed sequoia from the plan.. we are driving directly to zion with a break at Las Vegas.

Wed (21stNov) start from sanjose and drive to Vegas, stay overnight
Thu : start from Vegas to Zion.
Fri : spend in zion
Sat : Monument valley (or) Powell lake + horse shoe bend
Sun : upper or(and) lower antelope and start to Vegas
Mon : drive back to SJC from Vegas.. with a break at sequoia.

any suggestions here?

would you recommend monument valley or Powell lake? which one is good?

also would you recommend staying one night near Zion and 2 nights near page?

or any common place for staying all 3 nights that is almost equidistant to Zion + antelope + monument valley?

November 15, 2018 at 10:05 PM

Hi Emily,
Lower Antelope Canyon tours depart from the Tribal Park Entrance on US98. Time to safely allot for this activity, factoring in transportation time from and back to Page, AZ, is 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

November 12, 2018 at 4:32 PM

Hi Jen!
I think that your youngest is not too young at all to enjoy most of the popular family activities in the area. I wouldn’t recommend taking him/her on any long, difficult hikes, certainly, but kids as young as 4 can take part in the Glen Canyon Float Trip. Younger kids are also welcome on Antelope Canyon tours (the main branches, Upper, Lower and X); age limitations may apply on some of the alternate slot canyons. Lake Powell boat tours and kayak tours are also an option, but you’d probably want to keep these on the short side.
As for when you visit, I agree that August is way too hot and way too crowded. April 2019 should still be doable as long as you get a couple of important elements reserved: Grand Canyon lodging and Antelope Canyon tours. If you are able to pick and choose when you visit, though, honestly, the absolute best time of year is autumn, meaning late September/early October. I realize that that may not be conducive to your kids’ school schedules, however.
Anyway, good luck and safe travels, and have a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂

November 12, 2018 at 4:29 PM

Hi Melissa, and thank you for your visit!
Your itinerary looks quite well-planned. Since you specify where you’re staying for most of your itinerary, that makes me wonder: do you have your Grand Canyon hotels reserved? If not, I’d get on that pretty soon, as lodges inside the park tend to book up a year in advance. If you can’t find availability in Grand Canyon Village, then Tusayan/aka Grand Village South is your next best option.
Regarding the North Rim, it is not necessary to go there in order to have a fulfilling visit to the Grand Canyon. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful, but 1. lodging options are extremely limited there, and 2. there’s only a small area, square mileage-wise of the Grand Canyon that you can realistically and practically see from the North Rim. The South Rim has much more to offer in those respects, and is easier to navigate by car. If you insist on including it in your itinerary, you’ll need to find a place to stay, if not in the park, then somewhere nearby, such as Kanab, UT or St. George, UT. Otherwise, you’ll make an already long drive even longer: Zion to Hemet, CA via Joshua Tree is ~430 miles, 8 hours.

Throw the North Rim into the mix, you’ll tack on another 225 miles and another 5 hours onto the trip.

A way you can “have your cake and eat it too” here would be to fly over the North Rim from Grand Canyon South Rim. Airplane and helicopter tours depart from the Grand Canyon National Park Airport and include enough flight time over the North Rim for you to get a sense of how different it is from the South Rim.
Good luck and safe travels. Have a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂

November 10, 2018 at 8:35 PM

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From Melissa Hardy

Thank you and I LOVE the idea of the helicopter ride over! Of course I do want to have my cake and eat it too!

I took your advice and reserved all my hotels now, because I saw some of my choices are already taken!!! (yikes)
They do sell out early.

I did make a change based on the hotels, which may flow better. New itinerary is:
Day 1: Drive from Vegas to Bryce Canyon, we wont have too long in the park but can enjoy the shuttle and sunset at inspiration point 🙂
Day 2: Zion National Park! Cant wait to hike and explore.
Day 3: North Ridge, and Page. Antelope Canyon
Day 4: Sunrise at Horseshoe Bend overlook, Riverview Trail hike, Monument Valley
Day 5: Drive to South Rim! Hike Explore
Day 6: Wake up on Southern Rim, enjoy sunrise, And drive through Joshua Tree State Park to Hemet CA.
Thank you for everything.

November 16, 2018 at 7:16 PM

Hello Teresa, and welcome!
First off, GOOD CALL for giving Sedona the time it deserves. You won’t regret it, there’s plenty to see and do. In addition to the activities you list, you might consider a hike to the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon or perhaps the world-famous Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour; just to name a few. www.VisitSedona.com
The Grand Canyon is one of the easier parks in the area to self-tour. All the viewpoints are open to private vehicles, with the exception of those on the West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Road, which is served by a free shuttle system. As for mule rides at the Grand Canyon, the one that goes to Phantom Ranch, IMO is the best one. It’s an overnight trip, a ton of fun, and… booked a year in advance, so probably not going to happen for you. What you might consider instead is taking a horseback ride to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook in Page, AZ. It doesn’t descend below the rim, but offers a novel means of getting to the overlook without having to contend with the typical parking hassles. If you don’t opt for the Lake Powell kayak trip, another activity you might consider taking part in whilst in Page is the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. It does not go through any rapids, but is still a wonderful scenic family activity.
Now – let’s talk about how you might fit Zion National Park into all this. You might accomplish it by 1. dropping 1 night in Sedona and/or 2. dropping that night in Flagstaff prior to flying out of Phoenix. Zion is a huge, beautiful park that requires at least 2 days of your time to do justice. Then, rearrange your itinerary a bit so that you don’t have to make too long a drive at the end of your trip. Maybe schedule Zion in between the Grand Canyon and Page, and hit Sedona last on your trip.
BTW, the reason I suggest you can get by with just one night from the Grand Canyon is because you’ll actually do a big chunk of sightseeing at the South Rim on the drive to Page. The most efficient route naturally takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints you can stop at. Upon exiting the park, you’ll be on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, where there’s even more to see.
So, a revised trip itinerary would look something like this:
4/19 – Arrive in Phoenix, drive to Page (4-5 hour drive), spend 2 nights
4/21 – Drive to Zion (~2 hour drive), spend 2 nights in Springdale, Utah
4/23 – Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hour drive [realistically speaking]), spend 1 night
4/24 – Drive to Sedona, spend 2 nights

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to book your Grand Canyon hotels and Antelope Canyon tours. These two trip components will be the most important elements of your tour around which the rest of your plans will revolve, and evolve.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels, and have a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂

November 10, 2018 at 8:17 PM

Hi Jenny and thank you for your compliments!
With your timeframe, you should be able to pull off everything on your “wish list.” Before committing to flying into Phoenix and out of Vegas (or the other way around), check rental car drop-off fees. They can be pretty steep for returning a vehicle to any other location besides where yo picked it up in this part of the country due to the distances between cities. Also, if you do manage to find a decent deal for doing a PHX-LAS loop, you should build more time into your itinerary so you can include Sedona. It’s a stunning area with lots to see and do, so you should plan on spending at least 3 days.
Since Hoover Dam is so close to Las Vegas, it’s pretty easy to include a stop there on your tour. It just depends on what’s most convenient for you.
The “lynchpin” around which all your plans should evolve, and revolve is Grand Canyon lodging. Hotels at the South Rim book up to a year in advance, so now is not too soon to start checking availability. Ideally (IMO), you should hit the Grand Canyon first as that will be the longest drive of the trip (4.5-5 hours). You could hit Hoover Dam on the way. You could do a tour of just the Visitor Center or go down deeper into the Power Plant, depending on your curiosity. Those cost money; however, it costs nothing at all to just drive over it and take a look. Hoover Dam Tours
After visiting the Grand Canyon, go on to Page, plan to spend at least 2 days, especially if you want to take part in water-based activities like the Glen Canyon Float Trip or the Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour. Then head over to Bryce for 1 night, Zion for 2. In Zion, plan on staying in Springdale, UT, as there are more hotels there to choose from than inside the park, and it will put you just 3 hours from Vegas for the final leg of your trip.
Be sure to purchase an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass as well. For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Fee Areas in the U.S. for 1 year’s time. It doesn’t work for Native American Tribal Parks, such as Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley, but it would still pay for itself on a 7-day trip through the major sights of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

November 08, 2018 at 9:13 PM

Hi Lupe,
What a coincidence, I lived in Oceanside, CA, for a time myself, albeit some time ago (late ’80’s). Bet it’s grown a lot since then!
As to whether you have enough time to visit both Antelope Canyon and the Grand Canyon in the timeframe you have, unfortunately, the answer is no. It will take you a minimum of 10 hours to drive from Oceanside to Page. You’ll then need ~2.5 hours to tour Antelope Canyon. You should also stop by Horseshoe Bend while you’re here, which will take another 60-90 minutes of your time.
The drive time from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim is given as 2.5 hours on Google Maps, but that figure rarely materializes in the real world. The drive is very scenic, and you’ll no doubt find yourself stopping to take pictures, especially on the Desert View Drive on the Eastern rim of the Grand Canyon. 3.5 or even 4 hours ends up being a more accurate figure. Then, the drive from the Grand Canyon back to Oceanside will take you at least another 8 hours (I know, I did that drive a few times!). In the summer months, you may be able to pull it all off, but in January, daylength is still quite short: sunrise occurs at about 7:45 AM, sunset at about 5:15 PM.
Unless you can free up another day so you can spend the night both at Page and the Grand Canyon, I would recommend sticking to the Grand Canyon this time around, and saving Page, AZ for a later/warmer timeframe when you can do some exploring on Lake Powell, or perhaps take the Glen Canyon Float Trip. Grand Canyon hotels
While it is possible to see both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in one day’s time, it’s not necessary in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. If you’re physically up for doing Lower Antelope Canyon, I’d stick with it, and use the time to enjoy other sights and activities in the area.
Hope that helps ~ Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years!
Alley 🙂

November 07, 2018 at 10:02 PM

Hey Ryan,
Sorry to hear that you’re finding a lot of negative reviews on TakeTours, but it’s probably a blessing in disguise that you found out about them before committing your hard-earned money and being disappointed. Self-driving is really the better way to go as this gives you more freedom and flexibility to enjoy the sights on your own schedule and pace.
As for Antelope Canyon, however, you absolutely must have advance reservations for a guided tour prior to arrival. Thanksgiving is a busy time of year, so you should book your reservations as soon as possible. You cannot count on just driving up to the canyon and purchasing tickets for the tour when you show up.
Since it is ~5 hours’ drive each way from Las Vegas to Page, we recommend spending the night at one of our local hotels for optimal safety, comfort, and enjoyment for your family.
Good luck and safe travels, and have a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂

November 05, 2018 at 8:28 PM

Hi Ronaldo,
Unfortunately, you are correct: you and your wife applying separately for Wave permits for your family would be a “no no.” However, all applicants are allowed to pick three dates they’d be available to hike.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Good luck on your Wave permit application, and for more tips on what to do in the very likely event you don’t get a permit, visit our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Happy Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year,
Alley 🙂

November 05, 2018 at 4:42 PM

Hi Kelly and thank you for visiting today!
In theory, your plan is doable, but you’re rushing things. The first “red flag” I notice is that you’re not giving Sedona enough time. This area has a lot to see and do and really should be given 2 days minimum in order to do it justice. www.VisitSedona.com Ditto for Zion; huge park, lots to explore, you’d probably end up kicking yourself if you only spent 1 day there.
In order to give one of these areas more time, I’d recommend taking Las Vegas off the table. It doesn’t have much to offer for folks under 21, plus would make for a long trip back to Phoenix when you’re already tired of driving. In order to minimize drive time toward the end of your vacation, I’d recommend moving Sedona to day 7. That way, you’d only have a 2-hour drive back to Phoenix, vs. a 5-6 hour slog.
Mapped out, the trip would look something like this:

Note that I’ve shuffled a couple things around, having you hit Page, AZ first, then Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon South Rim, and Sedona. The important things to nail down right now are Grand Canyon lodging and Antelope Canyon tours.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels, and best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂

November 05, 2018 at 3:51 PM

Hi Donna and thank you for visiting our site!
My first question would be are you locked into your hotel reservations in Sedona and/or Scottsdale? If not, you might want to rethink your plans a bit so you can spend the night at the Grand Canyon, and also at Page, AZ (gateway city for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend). The main reason I suggest this is because of the driving distances involved. The drive from Sedona, AZ to Grand Canyon South Rim takes ~2.5 hours each way; similarly, the drive from Sedona, AZ to Page, AZ takes ~3 hours. However, these figures rarely materialize IRL as they are wheels turning, no stops. Both drives are very scenic and you’ll no doubt find yourself stopping to take photos.
Another consideration: sunset and/or sunrise at the Grand Canyon really shouldn’t be missed, and you don’t want to be driving back to Sedona or Scottsdale at night. Ambient/artificial lighting is kept to a bare minimum in Northern Arizona. What’s more, wildlife like deer, elk, coyotes, and such have a tendency to hang around the roadsides after dusk, ratcheting up your risk of getting into a car accident.
If possible, get a hotel room at the Grand Canyon and at Page, AZ as well.
As for “Slippery Rock,” I think you’re actually thinking of Slide Rock State Park. This is a natural waterslide that is one of Sedona’s most popular attractions. Unfortunately, at the time of year you’re visiting, it might be a bit too cold to get into the water. Therefore, you might want to plan doing some other things, which, fortunately, are in no short supply in Sedona! If you’re interested in a bike rental, there are several companies in town who can supply the equipment, and suggest good, easy trails for your family. For other recommendations, go to www.VisitSedona.com
For Scottsdale/Phoenix, popular activities and attractions include but certainly aren’t limited to, Old Town Scottsdale, Taliesin West, the Commemorative Air Force Museum, and the Desert Botanical Garden.
As for tour tickets to purchase in advance, Antelope Canyon is definitely one to have lined out before you arrive. In the event you find Antelope Canyon tours sold out, there are numerous slot canyons in Page, AZ that are just as beautiful and a lot less crowded.
Hope the helps – have a safe trip and a happy Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years!
Alley 🙂

November 01, 2018 at 3:49 PM

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From Donna

We are committed to our place in Sedona however we could re-think Scottsdale and maybe book a night in one or both of the other places you mentioned. Thanks for the advice!!!

November 03, 2018 at 11:36 AM

Hi Fabien and thank you for visiting our site!
First off, I wouldn’t recommend an RV rental at the time of year you’re visiting. Colder weather tends not to agree with RV’s, especially the water pipes, which can result in inconvenient and sometimes costly breakdowns. Overnight lows on the South Rim area already dipping down into the 20’s (Fahrenheit), so I would recommend traditional hotels or vacation rentals. At the Grand Canyon, it’s definitely preferable to stay as close to the rim as possible so you can experience sunrise and/or sunset over the canyon. Grand Canyon hotels
On November 2nd, where you indicate you’d like to “visit Lake Powell,” at this time of year, your options are going to be somewhat limited because boat tours are on seasonal hiatus. Since you are planning to drive to Monument Valley that afternoon, I’d recommend touring Lower Antelope Canyon in the morning, then maybe popping down to Antelope Point Marina for lunch. The restaurant is right on the lake, and walking around the marina complex is a pleasant way to take in some of the views. The marina is located within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, so you will be required to pay an entrance fee of $25/vehicle.
Thus far, your itinerary looks well-planned — until you get to Sedona. It’s about a 4-hour drive from Monument Valley to Sedona to begin with, and then you’re only giving it one night. You’re going to find that’s nowhere near enough to partake of all that area has to offer. 3-4 days minimum tends to be the typical recommendation for a first-time visit. If that’s not possible this time around, try to at least free up another night to stay there. Rest assured, you won’t regret it! Visit Sedona
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 29, 2018 at 1:10 PM

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From Fabien

Alley,
Thank you so much for your response! We appreciate the time you took to read through my questions and address each point.

October 30, 2018 at 12:36 AM

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From Dave P.

Alley:

I appreciate your insightful responses and suggestions to your inquiries. My wife and I plus two sons, 19 and 16 will be in AZ during the second half of Nov. The entire family will be together for a minimum of 9 days (Nov 18th – Nov 26th), with the possibility of two additional days. We can depart from Phoenix on either Nov 18th Sunday or Nov 19 Monday to head North. We have identified so many things we would like to see, we are having a difficult time picking what would be the most important and realistic for our time frame. We mostly want to see natural sights (read: not museums). The only tour we have scheduled so far is for Lower Antelope Canyon on Thursday, Nov 22nd., with a possible stop at the Antelope Point Marina for lunch and Horseshoe bend in the afternoon. Of course we are interested in the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Sedona, possibly Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, etc. We would appreciate your suggestions on how to plan out the itenerary with potential stops to include and ideal locations to stay along the way. In addition, if there was a way to incorporate sights south of Phoenix,, like Tombstone, Sonoran Desert, etc. (we will have location available in PHX as a ‘home base’ while in AZ) we would like to see if that would be possible too, even if it means extending through Wed, Nov 28th.

November 04, 2018 at 11:14 PM

Hi Kansha, and thank you for visiting our site!
You can have a wonderful trip by flying into either airport. What I would recommend is checking airfares for both options. They can differ quite widely for no obvious reason, so it’s worth investigating.
One thing I notice, however, is that Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are absent from your itinerary. If you’ve been there before and are content to skip them, that’s fine. If you haven’t been there before, though, you should definitely plan on at least 1 day in Page, AZ to experience these iconic landmarks. Besides, you pretty much have to pass through there anyway.
If you end up flying into Las Vegas, a good one week itinerary would be:
2-3 nights – Zion
1 night – Bryce
1-2 nights – Page
1 night – Monument Valley
1-2 nights – Grand Canyon South Rim
If you use Phoenix as your “staging” city, a good itinerary would be:
1 night – Monument Valley
1 night – Page
2-3 nights – Zion
1 night – Grand Canyon South Rim
2-3 nights – Sedona
In both cases, the order in which you visit the various attractions will likely hinge on lodging availability at Grand Canyon South Rim. After you figure out which airport you’ll fly into, check on Grand Canyon hotels. The next most important element is Antelope Canyon tours.
In general, you can expect colder weather at the time of year you’re visiting. While all the parks will be open, the possibility of encountering snow is fairly good, especially in higher elevation areas like the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion. In the lower elevation parks, like Page, Monument Valley, and Sedona, that usually translates to rain. Regardless, start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel, and pack a few items of warmer clothing just to be on the safe side!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 25, 2018 at 12:29 PM

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From kansha

Thanks Alley !!

Will definitely look into visiting Page and explore Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. I was not aware that they will be open and hence skipped them.

What do you suugest i should be doing in Zion and Sedona

Thanks again

October 25, 2018 at 7:02 PM

Hi Nathan,
Google Maps is something of a double-edged sword for those of us in the tourism industry, especially in this part of the U.S. Why? Because the figures given online rarely materialize “IRL.” The drive from Las Vegas to Page, realistically, takes ~5 hours, factoring in varying speed limits, road construction, etc. For first-time visitors, it usually ends up taking longer than that since the latter half of the trip is very scenic, and you’ll undoubtedly be stopping to take pictures. Popular photo ops along this route include, but aren’t limited to, the Virgin River Gorge, Quail Creek State Park, Pipe Springs National Monument, the town of Kanab, Utah, views of the Paria River Valley and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the Big Water Visitors Center and the “New” Wave.
Another possible variation on the drive would be to make a detour through Zion National Park which, again, could lengthen your drive out to 6 hours or thereabouts. Whichever way you go, it’s definitely too nice a drive to rush!
I don’t recall seeing when you were planning to visit, but if your trip is planned for sometime within the next few weeks, you’re also running up against shortening daylength. In November, sunrise occurs at about 7:00 AM, and sunset occurs at about 5:15 PM. If you’re visiting in spring, summer, or fall, you would have a couple more hours of daylight to work with, but you’d still be playing a game of “beat the clock” by trying to accomplish this itinerary as a day trip from Las Vegas. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting on local roadways, plus the presence of deer, elk, coyotes, and other wildlife to raise the risk of an accident.
In short, is this itinerary possible as a day trip from Las Vegas? Maybe, with some careful planning and the discipline to resist the temptation of the inevitable “wow, look at that!” moment. Is it practical or enjoyable? IMO, no. You’ll have a much better experience by staying overnight in Page, AZ.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 24, 2018 at 12:48 PM

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From Nathan

Thanks Alley, I will take this into account when planning our trip (its not until Aug / Sept 2019)

October 25, 2018 at 9:29 PM

Hi Chris,
“Drive-by sightseeing” is not something we recommend. You’ll regret not giving these attractions the time they deserve.
Another important consideration is daylength; at this time of year, it’s rapidly shortening. Sunrise occurs at ~6:45 AM, and sunset occurs ~5:30. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to lack of ambient light on local roadways, plus the tendency of nocturnal wildlife like deer, elk, and coyotes to be running around them. You want to get all your driving for the day done by sunset.
With 2.5 days to spare after hiking in Zion, here’s what I would suggest:
1. Get as early a start as you possibly can out of Zion and head to Bryce. Do your packing the night before. The drive from Zion to Bryce takes ~1.5 hours, then plan for another 4 hours or so to drive the 38-mile round-trip scenic loop drive. Afterward, drive to Page (2.5-3 hours), overnight in Page. Page, AZ hotels
2. Hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, tour Antelope Canyon, then start making your way to Grand Canyon South Rim around noon (the North Rim is closed at this time of year, plus there is more in the way of visitor facilities at the South Rim, as well as a larger geographical area of the canyon that you can actually see). Even though Google Maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, that rarely happens. It’s a very scenic drive where you’ll invariably be stopping to take pictures along the way, so 3.5-4+ hours ends up being more realistic. Overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim.
3. Head back to Las Vegas. It’s about a 4.5 hour drive from the South Rim. Time/desire permitting, you might take a morning helicopter flight over Grand Canyon North Rim on your way out of the park.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 23, 2018 at 2:11 PM

Hi Cassie and thank you for visiting today!
First off, I wouldn’t recommend an RV rental at the time of year you’re visiting. It’s going to be cold here, too, and that can cause all kinds of complications with RV’s, especially with the water delivery systems. Another consideration is distances between attractions here, which you are underestimating. You certainly won’t save any time, and money-wise, it would probably be a wash vs. staying in conventional hotels.
Another “red flag” is your prioritizing Grand Canyon West instead of Grand Canyon South Rim. Grand Canyon South Rim, the National Park, is where the vast, colorful, picture postcard views can be seen. Yes, it is a 4.5-5 hour drive from Las Vegas, but if you haven’t been there yet, you should definitely cross Grand Canyon West off the list and devote the majority of your time to Grand Canyon South Rim and Page.
Since you’re planning to visit during the Thanksgiving holiday, it will be busy, so lodging must be booked ASAP. Try to find lodging inside Grand Canyon Village, if at all possible. If that area is already booked, then Tusayan/GC Village South is your next best option, about 7 miles outside the park. If that area is booked, then look at Williams or Flagstaff. Grand Canyon hotels. BTW, it would be best to hit Hoover Dam on this leg of your trip, not on the back end.
The drive to Page is given on Google Maps as taking ~2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens as the trip is very scenic and you’ll no doubt be stopping to take pictures along the way. 3.5-4 hours is a more realistic figure. Antelope Canyon tours are operating on Thanksgiving day and advance reservations are strongly recommended. While in Page, be sure to stop at Horseshoe Bend. Glen Canyon Dam is quite impressive as well, some say even moreso than Hoover!
Your plan to visit Zion en route from Page to Las Vegas is also not a great idea, especially at the time of year you’re traveling. Daylength is short (sunrise 7:10 AM, sunset 5:10 AM), and you want to be sure you get to wherever you’re going before sunset. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the US due to lack of ambient light, and the possible presence of nocturnal wildlife like deer, elk, coyotes, etc. near local roadways makes it a dangerous proposition. Besides, Zion is an incredibly large and beautiful park, one you definitely shouldn’t limit to just a “drive-by” sighting. Think about saving it for another trip when you can spend 3-4 days.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

October 23, 2018 at 1:26 PM

Hi Alyssa,
Thank you for visiting our site! We wish you the best of luck on getting a Wave permit, and hiring a guide is a great way to ensure that you get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you do opt to go that route, you do not need to secure a permit for your guide. They are automatically, as you put it, “piggy-backed” onto your permit. For a complete list of authorized guides for The Wave and other scenic areas of the Vermilion Cliffs and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, visit our companion site, TheWaveAZ.com.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 22, 2018 at 4:34 PM

Hi Cindy!
First off, it takes ~4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ. Since December is considered “shoulder” season or “off” season, you’ll find that water-based activities are on seasonal hiatus, so a 2 day/1 night visit is usually sufficient for touring Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, the Glen Canyon Dam and the other local attractions that are still operating.
If you have a few days to work with, other areas you might consider visiting include, but are no way limited to, Grand Canyon South Rim, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Monument Valley. Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona & Southern Utah
Keep in mind that the time of year you’re visiting is winter. Snow is a very real possibility in the higher elevations of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah (Grand Canyon, Bryce, etc.), which usually translates to rain in the lower elevations (Page, Zion, Monument Valley). Best case scenario, it will most likely be cold, so be sure to pack accordingly. Start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get ready to travel.
Best wishes for a safe trip!
Alley 🙂

October 22, 2018 at 12:50 PM

Hi Cindy,
How many days do you have? LOL
Since December is considered “shoulder” season or “off” season, some activities, namely, water-based tours, will be on seasonal hiatus. Therefore, you can have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ, in just 1-2 days. In addition to touring Antelope Canyon, you should also plan to visit Horseshoe Bend.
Other attractions in the area you might consider exploring include Zion, Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Arches/Canyonlands, just to name a few. Taking two weeks to enjoy quality time at all these attractions is definitely not unheard of!
Hope that helps you get started in your planning. Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂

October 23, 2018 at 2:21 PM

Hi Irina and thank you for visiting us!
Your itinerary is doable, but still raises a few “red flags.” First off, be sure to verify that rental car drop-off fees won’t be cost-prohibitive for picking up a vehicle in Salt Lake and dropping it off in Las Vegas. Due to the distances between cities in this part of the U.S., and difficulties involved in getting vehicles back to their point of origin, many rental car outlets impose fairly hefty fees for one-way rentals.
Secondly, there are a couple of parks where you only plan to stay 1 day that really deserve more time to do them justice, namely, Moab and Zion. If it is at all possible to free up 3-5 more days for this trip, you definitely won’t regret it!
Another modification I’d recommend making is to hit Grand Canyon North Rim after Bryce and before Zion in order to minimize backtracking. Placing Zion as the last stop on your itinerary will put you closer to Las Vegas when it comes time to wrap up your vacation, especially if you get your lodging in Springdale, Utah, on the Western border of the park.

Since Grand Canyon North Rim lodging options are fewer in number and smaller in scale, I would check availability there first, then let the rest of your plan evolve around that. If you find that all North Rim lodging is sold out, you might consider a. taking a day trip from Page (the drive is ~2.5 hours each way) or b. changing up your plans slightly and going to Grand Canyon South Rim instead. The South Rim offers more in the way of hotels, restaurants, and other facilities, not to mention a much larger geographical area of the Grand Canyon you can actually see. A revised itinerary would have you go from Moab to Bryce Canyon, then to Zion, heading South to Page, AZ, then Grand Canyon South Rim.

Unfortunately, that would most likely mean taking Monument Valley off the table, unless you could free up an extra day or two and hit it between Page and Grand Canyon South Rim.
As to your other inquiries, it is not necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. If you’re physically up for doing Lower, stick with it, then use the time you saved by not touring Upper for other things, such as visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum and the Glen Canyon Natural History Association, taking one of many easy but scenic hikes in the Glen Canyon area, taking the scenic Lakeshore Drive loop to Lake Powell Resort, or even firing off a few rounds at Gunfighter Canyon, Page’s new indoor shooting range.
Regarding visiting Lake Powell, you must keep in mind that it is huge, therefore seeing the whole thing is pretty much impossible. A boat tour to Rainbow Bridge will allow you to see quite a bit of it, but will take up the better part of a day. Another fine water-based activity worth considering is the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip.
The best time to visit Horseshoe Bend during the summer months is just after sunrise for cooler temperatures and minimal crowds. Going later in the day, you’ll risk not being able to park and having to come back at another time. We’re not kidding. “Help! There’s No Place To Park At Horseshoe Bend”
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 22, 2018 at 12:42 PM

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From Irina

Thank you very much for your help and suggestions!!!

October 27, 2018 at 5:14 PM

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From Irina

Hi Alley,

I was going through your recommendations and I would spend 2 days in Zion and 1.5 days in Arches.
What would you suggest regarding going through National Monument park or stay in the North Rim Grand Canyon?
Should I do Moab-National monument-Page-Bryce-NRGC(without staying there at all) – Zion-LV?
I wanted one extra day in Page because I wanted to visit the Wave in Vermillion Cliff, but if I won’t win a lottery, should I do another trail there? Or I can skip it and stay in Grand Canyon?
So many beautiful places and so little time! Hard to decide!

Thank you in advance,
Irina

October 28, 2018 at 12:49 AM

Hi Rhonda and thank you for visiting.
No worries about repeating previously posed questions, you won’t be the first and certainly won’t be the last!
Scheduled air service is not yet offered from Las Vegas to Page, but it soon will be. Contour Airlines will resume regular flights from LAS-PGA as of 11/6, but flights will only run on certain days of the week. Check www.ContourAirlines.com for exact schedules and fares.
Once you arrive in Page, you should definitely plan on renting a car for optimal freedom and flexibility. Uber/Lyft are just now starting to establish themselves here, but from what I’ve heard, they’re not 100% reliable. Not a problem you want to encounter when you need to get to a scheduled activity, like Antelope Canyon tours. Avis is the sole car rental outlet at the Page Municipal Airport.
Weather in late November can run the gamut from sunny and cold to rainy or snowy. Start monitoring Page, AZ weather conditions about 2 weeks before you travel so you can best gauge what kind of clothing to pack.
For a 1.5 day stay, must-do activities are Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. Water-based activities won’t be an option, but you might consider taking a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam, visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum, doing one of many easy but scenic hikes in the area (weather permitting), or firing off a few shots at Gunfighter Canyon, Page, AZ’s new indoor gun range! For more suggestions, check out “The Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, AZ.”
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

October 18, 2018 at 1:18 PM

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From Bri H.

Hey there, you have the most informative responses I’ve seen. Wanted to ask you about my potential itinerary Nov 15-22, for four adults. I have two options, one is driving in AM and one is in late afternoon/right after sunset.

15: Arrive to Las Vegas in the AM
16: Drive in AM to Zion, try and squeeze in a hike in Zion.
17: Spend the day in Zion, leave to Bryce
18: Wake up in Bryce, spend day in Bryce, leave to Page
19: Wake up in Page- Horsehoe Bend, Lower/Upper Canyon (should we do both? which is better that time of year?) Sleep in page
20: Wake up, head to Desert View Drive @ Grand Canyon, spend few hours there, Drive to Sedona to sleep
21: Sedona
22: Sedona, leave from Phoenix airport @ night

15: Arrive to Las Vegas in the AM
16: Drive in AM to Zion, try and squeeze in a hike in Zion.
17: Spend the day in Zion, sleep in Zion
18: Drive to Bryce in AM, spend day in Bryce, sleep in Bryce
19: Drive to Page in AM- Horsehoe Bend, Lower/Upper Canyon (should we do both? which is better that time of year?) Sleep in page
20: Wake up, head to Desert View Drive @ Grand Canyon, spend few hours there, Drive to Sedona to sleep
21: Sedona
22: Sedona, leave from Phoenix airport @ night

Let me know your thoughts, any must does, or anything to be mindful of. Really appreciate it! THANK YOU.

October 18, 2018 at 2:47 PM

Hi Laurie,
Wow, thank you so much for your feedback! We’re so glad to hear that your family enjoyed your vacation. Hope you didn’t run into too much rain.
If any of your friends and/or family are planning trips out here in the future, be sure to send them our way, as well as to our companion sites: www.horseshoebend.com and www.thewaveaz.com I’d also recommend posting feedback on the hotels, restaurants, and tour companies you patronized on Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, or whatever consumer review sites you prefer. They are always grateful to hear how they did!
Take care and have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s,
Alley 🙂

October 17, 2018 at 2:26 PM

Hi Yana and thank you for your compliments!
I’m getting the distinct impression that you have yet to fully comprehend the distances involved in your travel plans. Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are NOT located in or near Grand Canyon National Park. They are located near the town of Page, Arizona and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. It then takes anywhere from 3-4 hours to drive from Grand Canyon. Therefore, touring the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in a single day really isn’t that feasible. I would recommend modifying your travel plans to give you an extra day to devote to Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and all the attractions Page, AZ has to offer. If this isn’t possible, then devote your time to the Grand Canyon and plan to return to the area when you have more time, like a week or so.
As for your other queries,
1. It is always better to stay at the Grand Canyon. That way you can catch sunrise and/or sunset there.
2. Day tour to South Rim and Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend: if you are asking whether it’s possible from Las Vegas, yes it is. Visiting Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas
3. Better to go on your own for more freedom and flexibility.
4. There are a few tour companies that go to both Grand Canyon South Rim and Antelope Canyon, but very few. You would also need 2 days to participate. Tours4Fun 2-Day Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell Tour
Hope that helps. Please don’t hesitate to contact us again if you have further questions!
Alley 🙂
P.S. One more thing: driving at night in Northern Arizona is strongly discouraged due to the lack of ambient lighting on local roadways, plus the tendency of nocturnal wildlife like deer, elk, and coyotes to congregate around them. Any driving should be done prior to sunset.

October 17, 2018 at 1:07 PM

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From Yana

Hi Alley,

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, we understand that Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend is near the town of Page, which is 3-4 hours drive from Grand Canyon.

After reading some of the recent posts, tours itineraries, we decided to allocate 2 days (12-13Nov) for our canyons trip and tour on our own =)

Day 1 – Grand Canyon
– Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon (3-4hr)
– Experience Route 66 and stop at Hoover Dam
(Any recommended scenic route, Scenic stops along drive)
– Explore South Rim and visit the 14 best viewpoints
– Catch sunset at Grand Canyon (Any tips?)
– Spend the night in Tusayan

Day 2 – Horseshoe bend and Antelope Canyon
– Drive from Tusayan to Horseshoe Bend (2.5hr)
(Any scenic route? Do you think it is possible for us to visit Lake Powell?)
– Hike to Horseshoe Bend viewpoint (1hr)
– Tour Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon (2hr)
(Noticed that 10.30am and 1pm timing cost more. Assume these are better timing for tour?)
– Drive back to Las Vegas (5hr)

We are still considering if we should do 1.Vegas-Grand Canyon-Page-Vegas or 2.Vegas-Page-Grand Canyon-Vegas.

Let me know what you think. Thanks!

Cheers,
Yana

October 18, 2018 at 4:25 AM

Hi Jaideep!
I would not recommend driving from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, then to Page in the same day.
It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. It then takes anywhere from 3-4 hours to drive to Page, AZ. I know that Google maps lists the latter drive time as ~2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. It’s rare that people end up doing that because the drive is very scenic and there will be many photo opportunities you’ll want to take advantage of. You also want to avoid driving at night in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting and the possible presence of nocturnal wildlife such as deer, elk, coyotes, and such.
A much better plan would be to overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim, then get an early start to Page, AZ to catch an Antelope Canyon tour. Be sure to book Antelope Canyon tours, Page, AZ and Grand Canyon accommodations well in advance of your arrival.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

October 17, 2018 at 12:58 PM

Hi Kristi and thank you for your compliments on our itinerary.
First off, you must realize that the time of year you’re traveling is the “transitional” period between winter and spring up here. Weather will be on the cooler side, which IMO is a plus, but late March is notorious for having that one last snowstorm of the year blow through. Pack a few pieces of warmer clothing just to be on the safe side, and start monitoring local weather conditions about 2 weeks before you get ready to head out this way.
Your plan to use Las Vegas as your staging city is a sound one, and if you want to catch some Route 66 highlights, the drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim is the ideal leg of your trip to do so. Seligman, AZ, which was the partial basis for the town of “Radiator Springs” in the Cars movies, is just a short detour off what is normally about a 5-hour drive. It still maintains that kitschy, “frozen in time” vibe which you’ll no doubt find endearing and fascinating. Stop at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-in for a burger and some laughs. This leg of your trip is also where you’d want to hit Hoover Dam, or just get a bird’s eye view of it from the bypass bridge.
Given your priorities and time frame, what I would recommend for you is this:
03/23 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon with stops at Hoover Dam and Seligman, AZ en route, stay at Grand Canyon South Rim ***note: due to the size of your party, you’ll need to get at least 2 rooms in each location; state fire codes forbid more than 5 people sleeping in one hotel room**
3/24 – Sightseeing in Grand Canyon: explore Grand Canyon Village Historic District, ride free shuttles out to the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive overlooks, see the IMAX movie (in Tusayan, just outside the park), take in a NPS ranger program, catch sunset, etc., stay another night at Grand Canyon South Rim
03/25 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley – normally ~a 3-hour drive w/no stops, but you’ll definitely be stopping at the viewpoints along the Desert View/East Rim Drive of the Grand Canyon, the Cameron Trading Post (Navajo tacos are YUMMO!), maybe the Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks. Stay overnight in Monument Valley, or Kayenta, AZ or Tuba City, AZ
03/26 – Do early tour of Monument Valley, then drive to Page, AZ. It’s ~a 2-hour drive, but keep in mind, you have to factor in a time difference: Arizona DOES NOT observe Daylight Saving Time, the Navajo Reservation DOES, so – you’ll “lose” an hour going from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley, then “gain” it back as you drive to Page. Tour Antelope Canyon on the way into town. Spend the night in Page, AZ. **Page, AZ has a number of vacation rental properties that might be able to accommodate your entire party, so that would be worth checking out**
03/27 – Hit Horseshoe Bend around sunrise, then do Glen Canyon Float Trip . Afternoon activities you might partake of include, but aren’t limited to the John Wesley Powell Museum, the Glen Canyon Natural History Association, tour of Glen Canyon Dam, hike to the “New” Wave (it’s easy). Spend 2nd night in Page, AZ.
03/28 – Drive from Page, AZ to Bryce Canyon (~3 hours), maybe hit the Big Water Visitors Center or the Moqui Cave in Kanab, UT on the way. Overnight in Bryce Canyon. Time permitting, take park shuttle around the canyon rim.
03/29 – Take Bryce Canyon park shuttle if you didn’t get to do it the day before, then drive from Bryce to Zion National Park. ~90 minutes, plan on staying in Springdale, UT on the Western border of the park. Time permitting, take Zion Canyon park shuttle, do some easy hiking.
03/30 – More exploration of Zion National Park. 2nd night in Springdale, UT.
03/31 – Drive back to Las Vegas (2.5 hours), maybe make a detour to Valley of Fire State Park, fly home.
One possible “change-up” of this loop would involve dropping Zion and possibly Bryce from your itinerary, and spending your last 2-3 days in Sedona, Arizona, then flying out of Phoenix. However, before you commit to that, check on rental car drop-off fees. They can be pretty hefty for dropping a vehicle off anywhere other than where you picked it up.
Even though your trip may seem far in the future, I strongly recommend getting reservations in place immediately for lodging and any guided tours you may be interested in, especially Antelope Canyon. This attraction has become crazy-popular of late and I’m already getting reports of Spring 2019 dates being sold out. If you find that to be the case, consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons that are just as beautiful, but a lot less crowded.
*Whew* Good luck and safe travels! Please don’t hesitate to contact us again if you have any other questions.
Alley 🙂

October 15, 2018 at 1:46 PM

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From Kristi Gidley

Thank you!!! I will let you know how things go…
appreciate your time and expertise!

October 20, 2018 at 7:32 PM

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From Jighnesh Patel

This is a WONDERFUL itinerary and very helpful as I am currently planning our Arizona/Utah Christmas break Road Trip. We are 11 people. Starting from Las Vegas and end it Las Vegas. Is any way I can squeeze Arches National Park in this itinerary. Please be advice me with this big group.

November 08, 2018 at 5:37 PM

Hi Sarah,
First off, good on you for planning your Grand Canyon vacation well in advance. In order to make the most of your time at the park, it is best to choose lodging either within its boundaries or as close to it as possible. That way, you have easy access to the rim for sunset and sunrise viewing. Staying in Williams will put you 1 hour outside the park, and possibly necessitate nighttime driving, which is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. Tusayan, aka Grand Canyon Village South, is about 7 miles outside the park. It takes ~20 minutes to drive to the canyon rim from this area, which is better than 1 hour. The only Air B&B property located in this community is a bungalow-type home that rents for $283+/night. The next nearest bed and breakfast type facilities are going to be down around Valle, AZ, about 30 miles South of the canyon rim.
Grand Canyon Park Village, as the name implies, is right inside the park. There are 6 hotels in this area, 5 of which are run by Xanterra South Rim, and 1 which is run by Delaware North Corporation. What these properties may lack in amenities, they more than compensate for in terms of location. 4 hotels are located right on the canyon rim (but they don’t guarantee a view of any kind), the other 2 are located from 1/4 mile to 1 mile from the rim. If there are any rooms available inside the park for your travel dates, I would recommend casting aside any unrealistic expectations of luxury or convenience, and booking them. Trust me, I used to work at the South Rim and if I had a dime for every time people offered their eye teeth, last dollar, arm and leg, etc. for even a broom closet inside the park, I’d be lying on a beach sipping mai-tais. Here is a list of Grand Canyon hotels in order of proximity to the rim, and hence, desirability: Grand Canyon South Rim hotels
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 15, 2018 at 1:06 PM

Dear Praful,
Hello and thank you for your compliments!
First off, driving after sunset in this part of the U.S. is not recommended. This is due to the lack of artificial/supplemental lighting on local roadways, plus the tendency of nocturnal wildlife like deer, elk, coyotes, etc. to congregate around them. So, it would be best to head for Page, AZ ASAP after your mule ride. Sunset occurs at roughly 6:00 PM at the time of year you’re visiting. This means you won’t have time for stops; you need to be in “wheels turning, get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible” mode.
Sunrise the next morning will occur at roughly 6:45 AM. Be at Horseshoe Bend as soon as possible after sunrise for ease of parking and fewer crowds, then try to book an Antelope Canyon tour as soon as possible after that. You don’t have time to do both Lower and Upper, plus it’s not necessary to tour both branches of the canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ. This late in the game, you’ll need to find whatever is available that morning and get it booked ASAP. If you find that Antelope Canyon tours are sold out – which is a very real possibility at this stage – consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons that are just as scenic and far less crowded. I like Antelope Canyon X and Cathedral Canyon personally.
If possible, try to get your sightseeing in Page, AZ done by noon or 1:00 PM. The reason I suggest this is because, normally, you’d have done some sightseeing on US89 on the drive from Grand Canyon to Page, AZ. Since you’ll be racing with the sunset on your drive day, you won’t be able to do that. What you will be able to do is make up for some of your time lost on the drive from Page down to Phoenix. Some stops we highly recommend are: the “Cut” overlook, the Cameron Trading Post, Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments (just North of Flagstaff), and Sunset Point Overlook (just North of Black Canyon City).
Regarding lodging in Page, AZ, here again, if you don’t have something booked already, you’ll need to settle for what’s available. October is prime time to visit Northern Arizona, and people know that, so hotels, vacation rentals, guided tours, etc. are bound to be quite busy. For recommendations of lodging in Page, AZ and other cities, visit TripAdvisor or Hotels.com.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

October 15, 2018 at 12:50 PM

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From Praful Gupta

Hi Alley,

Thank you for much for the reply back.

How much time would it be to drive from south rim to Page on Sat evening without any stops? Can we make the drive in 3 hours straight since sunset is at 6 pm?

We will have time in south rim on Friday since we are not doing anything on Friday except drive from Phx.

Any recommendations to view fall colors on our drive from Phx to South rim? I read somewhere about Hart Prairie road and Snowbowl. Are they too off of a detour to do?

Thanks
Praful

October 16, 2018 at 2:48 AM

Hi Pamela,
The boat tours will go to the same place, regardless of where you take it from. The Antelope Point Marina tour, by virtue of being closer to Antelope Canyon, will be shorter. Also, they run tours through some of the winter months, unlike Lake Powell Resort, which usually goes on seasonal hiatus in late October-early November. The boats used by Antelope Point Marina are also open-air, while Lake Powell Resorts’ boats are enclosed.
Similarly for Upper Antelope Canyon, all the tour companies offer pretty much the same program, right down to the footsteps, and the penny. Therefore, there’s no need to fret over who’s best, etc. Book an Antelope Canyon tour at a time that works for you and enjoy it.
Other activities in the Page/Lake Powell area that you might consider doing include, but aren’t limited to: Visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum and Glen Canyon Natural History Association (they’re next door to one another), the Navajo Village Heritage Center, the Glen Canyon Dam/Carl Hayden Visitors Center, the “New” Wave, the Big Water Visitors’ Center 13 miles Northwest of Page, or perhaps a walk on the Rim View Trail.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 08, 2018 at 12:36 PM

Hi Ashley,
Check out our article on Visiting Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas. Self-driving will give you the most freedom and flexibility to see the things you want to, but if that’s not an option, remember the adage “you get what you pay for” as far as guided tours go. Companies to check with include, but are not limited to, Viator, Tours4Fun, TakeTours, GCTours and Globerouter.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 05, 2018 at 6:43 PM

Hey Carin,
Oh, I can believe it! Antelope Canyon has become super-popular in the last few years and Antelope Canyon tours are selling out months in advance. You might try contacting the various outfitters directly by phone or e-mail to see if you can get on a waiting list, or to see if cancellations have occurred.
Contact information is as follows:
Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours 928.645.5594 chieftsosie@yahoo.com
Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours 928-645-9102 tours@antelopecanyon.com
Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours (928)380-1874 aacptreserve@gmail.com
Navajo Antelope Canyon Tours 928-698-3384 no e-mail
If you do indeed discover that Antelope Canyon tours are sold out on your desired date, you might consider touring one of several alternate drainages of Antelope Canyon that are just as beautiful, but a lot less crowded.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 04, 2018 at 7:03 PM

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From Ingrid

Hi Carin,

I read somewhere that you can buy tickets for April 2019 next month (November). We will try to visit Antelope Canyon a few days later, 29 April.
Enjoy your time!

October 04, 2018 at 7:52 PM