Itinerary for seeing National Parks

Question

I’m in the beginning stage of planning a trip to some of the national parks at the end of May. The following are the parks that I would like to visit. South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Bryce and/ or Zion national Park , Antelope Canyon, and Death Valley. We definitely want to do hiking and are pretty much fit and able to do this.

Could anyone give me a rough itinerary for flying into Las Vegas, (or would Phoenix be better?.). I will only have six days, And will be coming from Pennsylvania.

Is this too many parks? Should some parks be eliminated for this trip.? Never been to any of the Parks, so would appreciate any info you can provide.

Answer

It sounds like an amazing trip! With six days to explore, you can definitely visit some of the top national parks in the southwest. However, the distances between them are quite vast, so it's important to plan carefully to make the most of your time. Below is a rough itinerary based on flying into Las Vegas, as it's generally more convenient for visiting several of these parks, though flying into Phoenix could be an option depending on your preferences.

Day 1: Arrival in Las Vegas
Fly into Las Vegas and pick up your rental car (you'll need a car for getting to the parks). After arriving, you could spend the day exploring a bit of Las Vegas if you'd like, but since you'll be on the go the next few days, it might be better to get an early start the next day.

Day 2: Drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (4-4.5 hours)
Start your day early and drive from Las Vegas to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The drive is about 4 to 4.5 hours, and you'll want to arrive with enough time to explore. You can do a short hike along the Rim Trail or explore other parts of the South Rim. Popular hikes include the Bright Angel Trail (moderate to strenuous) and South Kaibab Trail (strenuous). Be sure to catch sunset or sunrise at one of the viewpoints.

Short hikes: Rim Trail, Yaki Point
Strenuous hikes: Bright Angel Trail, South Kaibab Trail

Day 3: Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon and Page, AZ (2.5-3 hours)
On day 3, drive from the Grand Canyon to Page, Arizona, which is home to the famous Antelope Canyon. The drive takes around 2.5 to 3 hours. Antelope Canyon is best explored with a guide, as the slot canyons can be tricky to navigate without one. Be sure to book your tour in advance. Afterward, you can check out Horseshoe Bend, which is a short hike (about 1.5 miles) to a stunning viewpoint of the Colorado River.

Antelope Canyon: Book a guided tour (Upper or Lower Canyon)
Horseshoe Bend: A short 1.5-mile round-trip hike to the viewpoint

Day 4: Drive to Bryce Canyon National Park (2.5-3 hours)
From Page, drive to Bryce Canyon, which will take about 2.5 to 3 hours. You can explore the famous hoodoos (tall, thin spires of rock) and do some hiking. The Navajo Loop Trail is a popular choice for a relatively short but scenic hike. Another great option is the Queen’s Garden Trail, which is one of the park’s most scenic trails and offers great views of the hoodoos. Try to arrive in time to catch sunset or sunrise over the park’s unique landscape.

Short hikes: Navajo Loop Trail, Queen’s Garden Trail
Strenuous hike: Peekaboo Loop Trail

Day 5: Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park (1.5-2 hours)
On Day 5, head to Zion National Park, which is only about 1.5 to 2 hours from Bryce Canyon. Zion offers stunning views of sandstone cliffs and canyons. Some popular hikes include the Angel’s Landing Trail (strenuous, with a steep incline) and the easier Riverside Walk, which leads to the famous Emerald Pools. If you're not up for a strenuous hike, Zion offers beautiful scenic drives as well.

Short hikes: Riverside Walk, Emerald Pools
Strenuous hikes: Angel’s Landing, The Narrows

Day 6: Drive back to Las Vegas (2.5-3 hours)
On the final day, drive back to Las Vegas (2.5 to 3 hours). Depending on your flight time, you may have a few hours to explore some of the Las Vegas Strip or catch a quick show before your departure.

Is this too many parks?
This is a pretty ambitious itinerary, but if you’re okay with long days of driving and quick visits to the parks, it’s definitely doable. Keep in mind that hiking and exploration will take several hours at each park, so be prepared for a full schedule. However, if you'd rather take it slower, consider skipping one park. If you're particularly fond of canyons, Zion and Bryce might be your highlights, and you could skip Antelope Canyon, though it's very unique. If you're interested in less driving, flying into Phoenix would make more sense for an itinerary focused on the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Zion/Bryce.

Would Phoenix be better?
Flying into Phoenix could be a better option if you prefer to avoid a long drive from Las Vegas. Phoenix is closer to both the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon, which would reduce driving time. From Phoenix, you could drive to the Grand Canyon (about 3.5 hours) and then to Page for Antelope Canyon (about 2 hours). Afterward, you could visit Zion and Bryce in the opposite order, or visit only one of them, depending on how much time you want to spend in each park.

Overall, it’s a matter of balancing driving with the amount of time you want to spend hiking and exploring. Each of these parks offers unique features, and you’ll have an unforgettable time no matter what you choose!

Itinerary for seeing National Parks

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