West - Itinerary PHX-Flagstaff-Bryce-Zion-GrCanyon-Sedona, Comments Please

Sorry for late posting but just found this site!
Any comments (negative or positive) on the following itinerary & hotels/car rental/etc would be appreciated.
Any recommendations on other things to do/restaurants would be great (on a budget).
We have been trying to get to Grand Canyon for 20 years.
Gave up having an extended trip and we’re doing a whirlwind trip 8/29 – 9/5.
Reasonably healthy 60 & 62 year old (married for 40 years).
Been walking 3.5 miles over our bridges (only hills we have in our town) to acclimate a little.

Itinerary:

8/29
Southwest Flight (change in Denver 2/12 hour layover)
SUPERSHUTTLE service to HERTZ HLE – WEST INDIAN SCHOOL ROAD Dinner with cousin – onto FLAGSTAFF recommendation for reasonable, CLEAN hotel??? Days Hotel-Butler Ave???

8/30
Get up EARLY, onto BRYCE CANYON for afternoon
Late afternoon – check into ZION PARK MOTEL for 2 nights
Rest a little, then do easy hike at ZION NATIONAL PARK – any suggestions????

8/31
Get up EARLY
Rent equipment for hiking ZION NARROWS– suggestions for OUTFITTER???
Hike Zion Narrows bottom up as far as we can.

9/1
More hiking in Zion – suggestions???
Spend night at BOB BON INN in Kanab

9/2
Drive to GRAND CANYON – check into BRIGHT ANGEL CABIN for 2 nights
Easy hike or drive – suggestions ???

9/3
Get up EARLY, hike BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL (as far as we can)

9/4
Drive to SEDONA (just added this stop)
Suggestions for hikes/sites/etc.???
Staying at THE VIEWS INN

9/5
Back to Phoenix for flight out
Car rental allows return to HERTZ AT PHX AIRPORT (with no extra charge)
??any problems encountered doing this
Only one-hour layover in Denver – changing planes but still Southwest
??plenty of time

8-29: So you arrive PHX and plan to drive to Flag, no problem. There really are no amazing hotels in Flag.

8-30: Why do you plan to drive all the way up to Bryce and then back down to Springdale? The drive from Flag ( I assume through Page and along the bottom of the Escalante) will be a long day, mainly because you will want to stop numerous times because of all the interesting things to see and do. Driving to Bryce means you are adding an extra two hours or so on that day, and then turning around and driving back down to Zion. I recommend just driving to the Zion Park Motel on 8-30, and then using it as a base to drive up to Bryce on 8-31 or 9-1.

Zion National Park: Driving through the tunnels carved into the rock walls of the canyons, and looking out of the gallery windows carved for air vents is fantastic. Turn on Gustav Holsts' "The Planets" suite full blast, roll down the windows and honk your horn in time to the brass and percussion of "Mars" as you drive slowly along. The park rangers love this.

8-30: After you cross into Utah north of Page, near the little town of Big Water, there is a park office / museum on the south side of 89. It makes for an interesting stop, and we have met science teams coming in from the Escalante digs with things like the jaw bone of a T-Rex.

9-2: The drive from Kanab to Bright Angel will again be a full-day event, particularly depending on how you get around the canyon. I recommend going around the east side again - if you do, and you took 89A to get up to Zion, try taking 89 on your way back, or vice versa. Both roads offer some of the most interesting scenery in the US, like the opening scenes of the original Plant of the Apes movie with Charlton Heston.

Cedar City, UT: The Sullivans at 301 Main Street is the best greasy spoon in the town.

Sedona, AZ: The Coffee Pot at 2050 on 89A is the best greasy spoon in the town. The Red Planet Diner at 1655 on 89A is the corniest. Avoid all the Thai and Indian places in Sedona and Oak Creek; they are really poor.

Sedona, AZ (Oak Creek): If you are staying in a motel down in Oak Creek, the Blue Moon Cafe and the Red Rock Coffee House have been decent eateries, but have also suffered from high prices and lack of upkeep as the place has gentrified. Our last visits to either one were not very good, but this may be a one off.

Sedona, AZ: The Chapel of the Holy Cross, built into the side of the hill, is a very interesting way to spend an hour. The Pink Jeep Tours are also well worth the time, although if you are driving a rental, you can beat it up driving around yourself without the commentary, I suppose.

Flagstaff, AZ: Flag has some really terrific Thai restaurants. Dara Thai, Swaddee Thai, and Pato Thai, for instance.

Kanab, UT: Rocking V Cafe used to be very good, although I haven't eaten there in several years. Same thing for Big Al's Burgers.

Black Canyon, AZ: The Rock Springs Cafe (exit at Black Canyon from the I-17) is one of the oldest restaurants in Arizona, and is halfway between Sedona and Phoenix Sky Harbor. Great pies, although it has become more famous recently and thus has taken the usual turn down in terms of service, etc.

Rental car return at PHX Sky Harbor: The rental car facility is to the west of the airport, but returns are usually pretty good at Hertz. Once you return your car, you will take a free Sky Harbor bus to Terminal 4 for Southwest. Coming from Sedona, you will take the I-17 through Black Canyon and down into Phoenix. Take the I-10 east to Phoenix Sky Harbor and follow the rental car facility signs.

This is a great trip you have planned - have a great time.

I suggest:

You have a full moon--I suggest making the most of it..

Wed 8/29: fly into PHX...wish I knew arrival time. Visit your cousin. You can find some good prices. Most of the Flagstaff hotels are in one area.

I suggest jut using Kanab as a base and stay in Kanab for 3 nights at one place....

Thu 8/30 drive to Zion via Marble Canyon (89A)...drive to Zion for the evening. stay in Springdale.

Fri 8/31 drive up to Bryce Canyon for the day...you should stay till after dusk and watch the full moon rise over Bryce Canyon...stay at BW in Bryce or stay in Kanab. From Kanab its about a 75-90 min drive.

Sat 9/1 Do Zion for the day...then drive and look to stay overnight in Kanab,Pageor Marble Canyon..

Mon 9/2 morning tour of Antelope Canyon (Roger Ekins tour) then drive 2+ hrs night at GC. Evening after parking take the shuttle bus (only access) to the western part of the park.

Tue 9/3 Bright anglel trail night at GC. Personally I dont know your condition but if you are not an experienced hiker do not try to do this trail in full. You can do part of it then turn and come back.

Wed 9/4Sedona...take a tour---one outfitter is the pink jeep tour that takes you to the backcountry. night in sedonaThu 9/5 fly out of Phoenix.

Flagstaff to Bryce is a 5 hr drive approx. If you do Bryce on Thursday you need to stay till after sunset to get the moon over the canyon. The moon rises within the final hr of sunshine. You could break up the drive by stopping in Page for lunch and doing antelope canyon tour (about 2-3 hrs).

My suggestion:

Wed: fly into PHX ...drive to Page
THU: do antelope canyon in the AM then to Bryce through sunset...drive to Kanab for the hotel (check in to hotel when you pass through up to Bryce) or stay at Bryce
FRI: Do Zion for the day..stay at a hotel in Springdale and use the shuttle system
SAT AM do Zion...drive to Marble Canyon via US 89A then to Falgstaff for the evening
SUN: do GC stay atGC
MON: do GC stay at GC
TUE: AM drive to Sedona...tour in the afternoon..stay in sedona at night.
WED: drive to PHX for flight home

I suggest something different:

Fly into St. George, UT and rent a Hertz (http://www.hertz.com/rentacar/bb-8657875/drive-into-arizona-for-as-little-as-$5-per-day-special-offer) car for $5/day to drive one-way to PHX via Bryce Canyon, Zion, the Grand Canyon, and Sedona. That way, there is no need to backtrack and you make the most of your time.

If St. George does not work for you (because SW does not fly to SGU), you can fly into SLC and rent a car for $5/day to PHX. Southwest will change your flight at no extra cost to you (except a possible fare difference).

8-29:
Cedar City, UT: The Sullivans at 301 Main Street is the best greasy spoon in the town.



Ceder City is out of the way big time in traveling....there are issues with UT-14 with construction.

I suggest something different:

Fly into St. George, UT and rent a Hertz (http://www.hertz.com/rentacar/bb-8657875/drive-into-arizona-for-as-little-as-$5-per-day-special-offer) car for $5/day to drive one-way to PHX via Bryce Canyon, Zion, the Grand Canyon, and Sedona. That way, there is no need to backtrack and you make the most of your time.

If St. George does not work for you (because SW does not fly to SGU), you can fly into SLC and rent a car for $5/day to PHX. Southwest will change your flight at no extra cost to you (except a possible fare difference).

What he could do is just fly into SLC on southwest and stil use this.

From there....
Wed--fly into SLC--to Torrey (3 hr drive)
Thu -- Drive Ut 12 in AM, Bryce Canyon in the PM...drive to Kanab for the night
Fri--Zion...stay in Springdale
Sat--.drive to flagstaff via Page (do Antelope Canyon)..evening with cousin..stay overnight in Flagstaff
Sun/MON grand canyon
Tues...to Sedona
Wed to PHX and fly home.

I recommend just driving to the Zion Park Motel on 8-30, and then using it as a base to drive up to Bryce on 8-31 or 9-1.


Thanks for all your great suggestions, especially the one about driving to Zion Motel on 8/30. Really appreciate your help.

you should stay till after dusk and watch the full moon rise over Bryce Canyon

Can't wait to check out all the recommendations but this is my favorite one so far - thanks so much for taking the time to reply.

If St. George does not work for you (because SW does not fly to SGU), you can fly into SLC and rent a car for $5/day to PHX. Southwest will change your flight at no extra cost to you (except a possible fare difference).

I'll know better next time, should have posted something months ago:(
It makes so much sense to just drive one way; however changing flights to fly into SLC at this point would cost almost as much as the roundtrip ticket to PHX. I was curious about $5/day car rental. Are they much cheaper to rent in SLC?

I was curious about $5/day car rental. Are they much cheaper to rent in SLC?

It's the semi-annual Hertz deal: "Drive Into Arizona for as little as $5 per day!"
"This offer is available for vehicles rented in California, Colorado and Utah and dropping off at Corporate Airport and Neighborhood locations in Arizona."

Usually pops up around August 1st for travel mid August to early October.

It's the semi-annual Hertz deal: "Drive Into Arizona for as little as $5 per day!"
"This offer is available for vehicles rented in California, Colorado and Utah and dropping off at Corporate Airport and Neighborhood locations in Arizona."

Usually pops up around August 1st for travel mid August to early October.

This is done with many car rental shops.

They need to transport their cars from one geographic location to another.

Another common deal is a one way rental from the midwestern or north eastern states and driving cars to florida at a similar $5 rate.

They have similar deals in the spring when they need to move inventory from the southern states to the northern states.

This is done with many car rental shops.

They need to transport their cars from one geographic location to another.

Another common deal is a one way rental from the midwestern or north eastern states and driving cars to florida at a similar $5 rate.

They have similar deals in the spring when they need to move inventory from the southern states to the northern states.

Indeed.

Can't wait to check out all the recommendations but this is my favorite one so far - thanks so much for taking the time to reply.



On Thursday the moon rises around an hr before sunset

On Friday about 15 minutes before sunset it rises

Saturday it rises about a half hour after sunset.

This is a blue moon (second full moon in a calendar month).

In Bryce the Canyon mainly faces East so the moon rise will be in the background from your view point.

Any reason that you're taking a Super Shuttle to the HLE on Indian School Rd. instead of just renting from Hertz at the airport? If it's to avoid some taxes, you're arguably going to spend that much by using Super Shuttle. If you want to avoid paying Super Shuttle altogether, you can take the light rail from the airport stop to the Central / Indian School Rd. stop and walk the 2 blocks.

Any reason that you're taking a Super Shuttle to the HLE on Indian School Rd. instead of just renting from Hertz at the airport? If it's to avoid some taxes, you're arguably going to spend that much by using Super Shuttle. If you want to avoid paying Super Shuttle altogether, you can take the light rail from the airport stop to the Central / Indian School Rd. stop and walk the 2 blocks.

The rental away from the airport was $100 less with no extra charge to return to airport; SuperShuttle with coupon was only $24 for both of us. Thought about the light rail but considering heat/suitcase, it was worth the money to us. Have you had trouble with SuperShuttle at PHX?

The rental away from the airport was $100 less with no extra charge to return to airport; SuperShuttle with coupon was only $24 for both of us. Thought about the light rail but considering heat/suitcase, it was worth the money to us. Have you had trouble with SuperShuttle at PHX?

Nope, used SuperShuttle a couple of times in the past and haven't had any problems with them. I'm shocked at the price differential between the airport and the HLE! I've rented off airport before when it was more convenient but the price differential wasn't anywhere near that much!

One other suggestion, check the price for the HLE at 5017 E. Elliot, it's at Elliot and the I10. They're a very large off airport facility and may have a better selection than the Indian School location and distance from the airport is closer.

One other suggestion, check the price for the HLE at 5017 E. Elliot, it's at Elliot and the I10. They're a very large off airport facility and may have a better selection than the Indian School location and distance from the airport is closer.

Since, I'm heading north wanted to rent on that side of the airport. But thanks to your suggestion, checked other Hertz - got a GREAT rate at Motor Mile HLE, 1125 North Scottsdale Road (Corolla - $124 total). Going to ask on Hertz forum but have you heard any bad things about this location.

Sounds like a fantastic trip.

I did the Bright Angel Trail in April, got the whole way to the plateau!

Some photos of the hike in my TR if you click the link.

Nope, used SuperShuttle a couple of times in the past and haven't had any problems with them. I'm shocked at the price differential between the airport and the HLE! I've rented off airport before when it was more convenient but the price differential wasn't anywhere near that much!

Taxes and fees at PHX are out of control. Not surprised at all at the $100 difference.

Since, I'm heading north wanted to rent on that side of the airport. But thanks to your suggestion, checked other Hertz - got a GREAT rate at Motor Mile HLE, 1125 North Scottsdale Road (Corolla - $124 total). Going to ask on Hertz forum but have you heard any bad things about this location.

I have never been to that site....

I have rented off airport a few times. It s hit and miss depending on where the rental car place is and whats around it. Ones that can be more reliable if you are targeting a specific type of car would be ones located near automalls/repair shops.

Also with Hertz they have some corporate only rental car locations wher they dont rent to other people. I saw a deal from hertz a few months ago but couldnt rent from there because I needed some corporate code to do so.

Taxes and fees at PHX are out of control. Not surprised at all at the $100 difference.

Its not taxes/fees...its rates.

If you go on Kayak and pull rates....there are "special" rates listed in ads for usually budget or avis that when you click on them gives you reasonable rates.


I would also look at hotwire

Through the airline you can get some good rental car deals...with southwest one of them is AVis.

Sounds like a fantastic trip.
I did the Bright Angel Trail in April, got the whole way to the plateau!
Some photos of the hike in my TR if you click the link.

Loved ALL your photos; wish we could attempt the whole Bright Angel Trail but I know our limits. We plan to start early and hopefully we can make Indian Garden.