Zion/Bryce Canyon

James:

Like George, although I have visited both Zion and Bryce several times, I too always stay in the campground. At Zion, I would recommend staying at the Lodge inside the Canyon. It is in a nice location and all the shuttles stop there. If you are staying at the lodge, you are permitted to drive your car into the canyon to the lodge. You'll still need to take the shuttle to get around the canyon floor though. Cost is a little steep. About $160 a night for two and $10 more for a third person.

If you don't stay at the Lodge in the park, I recommend you look for a place in Springdale, which sits right outside the park's West entrance and is only a mile and a half from the visitor center. There are free shuttles from Sprindale to the Park Visitor Center, from which you can catch the free shuttles that travel the canyon floor.

Approaching the Park from the East is not as convenient. Mt Carmel Jct is the nearest town, although there are some B & B's closer to the West entrance to the park. It is about 25 miles from Mt Carmel Jct to the Visitor Center. Plus, if your timing is bad, you could experience 20-30 minute delays at the one-way tunnel. Of course it is much close to Bryce.

In the past, I've always done Bryce as a day trip from Zion, although next time I'll camp so I can catch the morning and evening light.

Jim

Edit: There is also a really great bike path into Bryce from the Resort George mentioned if that is of interest to you.

James,

My wife and I were at both Bryce and Zion earlier this year in March. At Bryce we stayed at Ruby's Inn and were pleased with the rooms. It's as close as you'll get to the park entrance without staying in the park. At Zion we stayed in Springdale at the Cliffrose Lodge and Gardens. Again we were both pleased with not only the facility but the people working there as well.

James,

Just about any place in Springdale would be good - you will be right outside the gate to Zion. You can catch the bus from most any hotel in Springdale and zip into the park.

We have stayed at the Springdale Best Western Zion Park Inn - and liked it a lot.

It is more remote outside the east gate, and you can find cabins or B&Bs. You will be closer to Bryce, but father from some of the Zion photographic hot spots - like Narrows, Virgin river, etc.

Have a ball.

Thanks, guys, for the info. I will probably be going with one of my brothers and my father. My pop is not the most mobile person on the planet. Is there enough that is accessible without too much hiking that would make the trip a success?

James

James:

Zion has some pretty easy but very pleasant trails all along the canyon floor. The 2 mile Riverside walk is relatively flat, shady most of the way, and sprinkled with benches. It ends at the spot in the river where those hiking to the narrows climb in and start wading upstream. Lots of folks take off their shoes and cool their feet. The Emerald pools trails are also fairly easy and there are often waterfalls to be seen. In addition, there are numerous pullouts along the road leading to the East Entrance, with interesting natural features to be seen within a short walk.

In Bryce Canyon, there are many, many pullouts and viewpoints along the road to the top. Trails in the area of Sunrise Point and Sunset Point are pretty easily navigated.

BTW, If you get bored, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a couple of hours from the East Entrance and both the Vermilion Cliffs & Cedar Breaks NM are even closer.

Jim

P.S. In case you are thinking of striking out on your own, Angels Landing is not for the faint of heart. Glad I did it while I was still young enough to be fearless. Now, if I had only been smart enough to take a camera.

Thanks Jim. I don't know how much striking out on my own I will be doing on this trip. I typically get up earlier than everyone else does (i.e. sunrise), but after that, it is all in tandem. I just worry about my pop's balance and mobility on these things. Yellowstone, which is what we typically do together, is easy. You almost don't need to leave your car. I get my shots in the morning before everyone gets up, and we do sunset from some place reasonable.

James