Spring Itinerary Questions - Vegas to Phoenix

Question

Hello!

I've tried to answer a number of questions in advance of this post by reading past itinerary posts and have just reached a point where I would love you to lay eyes on mine and give me some direction.

We are a family of four: Me, my husband, and two daughters 12 and 8 (will be almost 13 and 9). Youngest is in 3rd grade so unfortunately we won't be able to do the evert kid outdoors park pass this year for her. We will be traveling over our kids spring break. We don't mind taking them out for a day or two if it really makes a difference but are trying to minimize the amount of days missed.

This is the first trip to this part of the country for all of us except for a trip to Sedona I made early this year for work. We live in North Carolina.

Here is our proposed itinerary with some questions sprinkled throughout:

Saturday, April 12th - Fly from NC to Vegas then drive to Zion

Sunday, April 13th - Explore Zion National Park - we are interested in hiking the Narrows, also read about Canyon Overlook Trail and ebikes on canyon highway

Monday, April 14th - travel from Zion to Bryce Canyon - unsure if we should spend time in Zion then go to Bryce or just get to Bryce

Tuesday, April 15th - Bryce to Page - we would like to explore the lower Antelope canyon slots and see Horseshoe Bend. My understanding is afternoon can be better for exploring the slots - if so, should we schedule an afternoon apt for the slots on this day.

Wednesday, April 16th - Page to Grand Canyon: we would like to hike Ohh-Ahh, see the sunset and sunrise. We have reservations inside the park at Maswik Lodge for this night already (thank you RedRox for consistently posting this advice!).

Thursday, April 17th - Grand Canyon to Sedona - I have read about stopping at Wupatki trail and eating at Cameron Trading post on the way.

Friday, April 18th - Sedona - hikes we are considering for today, tomorrow or the day we arrive are Oak Creek Canyon, Devil's Bridge Trail (we know we need a Sedona pass), and thought a Pink Jeep Tour would be fun.

Saturday, April 19th - Sedona to Phoenix and fly home to NC. This is a red eye usually so I suspect we will have some time to explore that morning if we want.

This is no missed days of school, we don't mind taking them out a day or two if it would really make a difference in the way the trip feels and also in what we get to see but I feel unsure where to place an extra day and what to do.

I really appreciate any advice or tweaks! Thank you in advance for taking the time to help us!

Answer

Your itinerary covers a lot of ground in a relatively short period, and it’s well-planned for a family of four with kids aged 8 and 12. Here’s some detailed feedback and suggestions to optimize your trip while keeping it enjoyable for the whole family.

Saturday, April 12th – Vegas to Zion

Driving from Vegas to Zion is roughly 2.5–3 hours. If you arrive early, consider stopping at the Kolob Canyons section for a short scenic walk to stretch legs. Kids will enjoy seeing the red rock formations.

Sunday, April 13th – Zion

Hiking the Narrows is an iconic experience but can be physically demanding. Consider starting at the Riverside Walk to the start of the Narrows, which is easier and shorter, especially with your younger child.
Canyon Overlook Trail is a short, manageable hike with spectacular views. Perfect if you want a quick scenic stop.
If considering e-bikes, make sure to check rental availability and age restrictions for your kids. A half-day ride along the Pa’rus Trail can be fun and scenic.

Monday, April 14th – Zion to Bryce Canyon

Driving from Zion to Bryce is about 1.5–2 hours. You could explore a few more viewpoints in Zion in the morning, then drive to Bryce and catch sunset at Sunset Point or Inspiration Point. This allows some flexibility without overdoing hiking.

Tuesday, April 15th – Bryce to Page

Lower Antelope Canyon tours are often best in the morning or early afternoon. Booking a mid-afternoon tour can be good for lighting, but check with the tour company for exact times, especially for spring.
Horseshoe Bend is a short walk from the parking area (~0.75 miles round trip), easy for kids and adults alike. Sunset can be very crowded, so plan accordingly.

Wednesday, April 16th – Page to Grand Canyon

Driving to the Grand Canyon South Rim is about 2.5–3 hours.
Hike the Ooh-Ahh Point trail—it’s short (~1.8 miles round trip) and a good introduction to rim hiking for your children.
Catch sunset at Hopi or Yaki Point; sunrise can be done early at Mather Point if you want both experiences.

Thursday, April 17th – Grand Canyon to Sedona

Stop at Wupatki National Monument for a quick visit (about 1 hour). Trails are easy for kids.
Cameron Trading Post is a great lunch or snack stop with native arts and souvenirs.
Driving to Sedona is around 2.5–3 hours, giving time to settle in and explore your lodging area.

Friday, April 18th – Sedona

Devil’s Bridge Trail is moderately strenuous (~4 miles round trip). If your children are comfortable with hiking, go early to avoid crowds and heat.
Oak Creek Canyon is scenic for a short walk or picnic.
Pink Jeep Tour is excellent for families and offers a fun adventure with minimal physical effort.

Saturday, April 19th – Sedona to Phoenix

If your flight is a red-eye, you may have a short morning for a quick walk or breakfast in Sedona. Driving to Phoenix takes about 2 hours, so plan accordingly for airport check-in.

Additional Suggestions:

If you can add an extra day, consider spending one more night in Zion to allow a full-day Narrows hike or to explore Kolob Canyons. This reduces travel fatigue for kids.
Alternatively, add a night in Sedona to split activities: one day for hiking and another for the Pink Jeep tour plus relaxation.
For meals, consider packing snacks and water for longer drives and hikes. Many viewpoints have limited options.
Ensure reservations for Antelope Canyon and Pink Jeep tours are made well in advance—they can sell out during spring break.

Overall, your itinerary is feasible, but minor tweaks with an extra day in Zion or Sedona could make the pace more comfortable for your children. The combination of scenic drives, short hikes, and iconic sites provides a well-rounded first visit to the region.

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