West - Suggestions - 3 night, 4 day road trip from LAS (flying out of PHX)

Looking for suggestions/advice. I'm going to be in Vegas for a few days on a work trip. Then g/f is flying into Vegas. We have from 1pm on Friday (LAS) to 12pm on Monday to plan an exciting and memorable trip. Right now, we're scheduled to fly out of PHX on Monday noon.

Originally, my thought was to spend Fri night in Vegas, fly to PHX Saturday AM, and spend Sat PM and Sun PM at a Scottsdale resort (free through Starwood promo - Sheraton Wild Horse).

But then I began thinking - neither of us has ever been to the Grand Canyon or really in that part of the country (south of Vegas) at all, and who knows when we will be back. Plus I think I may propose over the weekend - preferably while enjoying a very scenic hike, etc.

So -- Flyertalk experts -- looking for suggestions please. How would you spend 3ni/4days from LAS and eventually ending up in PHX? Any incredibly scenic places we can visit for a night or two? Is the Canyon feasible?

Thanks in advance!

Friday: Las Vegas to Escalante, Utah.

Saturday: Escalante to Bluff, Utah

Sunday: Bluff to Phoenix (via Sedona?)

its easily feasible.

Vegas to Flagstaff/Sedona is about 5 hours.

Flagstaff/Sedona to Grand Canyon Village is 2ish hours each way.

Flagstaff/Sedona to PHX is going to be less than 3 hours.

Stay in Vegas Friday night.

Saturday, after you've nursed that hangover for a bit, drive to Flagstaff/Sedona. Wander around, spend the night.

Sunday, drive up to Grand Canyon Village... spend the day, do some hiking, head back to Flagstaff/Sedona spend the night.

Monday, get up early and drive to PHX

I agree with Missy's recommendation. Unless you can get a room at the El Tovar at the Grand Canyon (an historic place nearly on the edge of the canyon), the other properties in that area really are quite basic. Sedona has some great resorts, and you're close enough for an easy daytrip.

Also, the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass isn't in Scottsdale. It is on the Gila River Reservation, not too far from Chandler or the Ahwatukee part of Phoenix. I'd guess a good 20-30 min drive to Old Town Scottsdale, depending on traffic and construction.

I would highly recommend going to the Grand Canyon even for a few hours. What I would do is drive from LAS to Williams AZ and then take the Grand Canyon RR to and from the Canyon( again this is what I would do, not necessarily anyone else). After the train returns depending on the time either go to Flag or Sedona. But either way drive to Phoenix via 89A. It will add time but it's an incredibly scenic drive. If you can only do part of it, go from Flag/I-40 to Sedona and through Oak Creek Canyon. Have a great trip!

I don't know how feasible Sat. really is, but look into driving from Vegas to Springdale, UT, Friday afternoon (right at the entrance to Zion National Park, which you would still have time to explore on Friday); then start early on Sat. and head to the North Rim of GCNP (should be able to make by lunch depending on stops in Zion enroute), and then proceed to Flagstaff (or someplace enroute). Can't help after that. However, driving into Zion after dark on a clear night and finding a place to park away from lighted park facilities, the stellar vistas are magnificant and should be quite romantic.

I don't know how feasible Sat. really is, but look into driving from Vegas to Springdale, UT, Friday afternoon (right at the entrance to Zion National Park, which you would still have time to explore on Friday); then start early on Sat. and head to the North Rim of GCNP (should be able to make by lunch depending on stops in Zion enroute), and then proceed to Flagstaff (or someplace enroute). Can't help after that. However, driving into Zion after dark on a clear night and finding a place to park away from lighted park facilities, the stellar vistas are magnificant and should be quite romantic.
I think this is a good suggestion but I believe that the North Rim is closed for the winter....

My thought would be head out on I-15 and go through Cedar City, UT and go to Cedar Breaks Nat'l Monument. It is a spectacular vista of Brian's Head from there.
Than head to Bryce Canyon NP (Is it open??) and than blast south around to Flagstaff and head to PHX for your flight. You'll be flying down the highway but will have a good sense of the grandeur of the Southwest....

Our photographer is on a trip in that area now shooting a bunch of new virtual tours, and we were really happy with the itinerary we have set up. Zion National Park in Utah is really beautiful, and so is Moab. Longer drive from LAS, but worth it for the scenery, I think, as are Bryce Canyon and Arches. If you want to stay farther south, Sedona would be a good destination; you could finish your trip there and then fly out via PHX.

I think this is a good suggestion but I believe that the North Rim is closed for the winter....

http://www.zionnational-park.com/sb67.htm

AZ Highway 67 Closure

Check to see if roads are open from mid-October to mid-May when services close down at the North Rim. The Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Visitor Center close mid-October each year, but the North Rim itself and the trails remain open. Note that the North Rim is a primitive area with few services. If visiting the Grand Canyon North Rim after the lodge closes, be prepared for no services after Jacob Lake.

A bit more detail from here:

http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/weather-condition.htm

Most North Rim services and facilities closed for the 2011 season on Saturday, October 15,2011, but the North Rim will remain open to visitors through November 27 or until snow closes Highway 67 leading into the park.