Utah's National Parks

[ICTJOCK]

This past summer, I had a chance to check out two additional of Utah's awesome national park options,    Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.

The Bryce experience was the one I was waiting for as I had been encouraged that direction by my Dad some year's ago.    The weather was amazing in the low 80's,  clean  areas and not too many visitors.    Stayed in Bryce Canyon City.    The only issue there is the whole place seems to close down about 9:00 p.m.,  so if you get in later,  no restaurants are open.    Bryce isn't too large,  but the sights are amazing.   Loved the trails and people were friendly.

Had been to Zion when I was a toddler,  so I remember nothing.   Had been encouraged to enter from the east side of the park  (which clicked well coming from Bryce) by another COM member here and it was well worth it.   The northern part of the park is only accessible via bus and not by personal car,  but it was awesome.    Didn't stay longer than about a day and a half as temps were about 110 in the area.  Did explore the "northwest passage", some of which fell outside of the park.      Overall a fantastic experience and would encourage anyone to go if you get the chance.

Edited January 1 by ICTJOCK

[foxy]

Bryce and Zion are astounding and totally different from each other. The best time to visit I think is in October. The temperatures are cooler and slightly less crowds as families with kids are usually back in school. 

[+ azdr0710]

yes, October is a great time of year for southern Utah......a buddy and I were backpacking several years ago on a remote southern Utah plateau in October and, at one point, I saw blue sky, white cotton-ball clouds, green evergreens, yellow cottonwoods, red Indian paintbrush, orange slickrock cliffs, and purple lupine (and a skanky brown cattle tank!) - all in one visual sweep......one of the great views I've experienced in one of the great regions of the world........ 

[+ augustus]

Bryce Canyon is nice but watch out for mountain lions.  Do NOT turn your back on them if they see you and don't run either.