Getting to Utah National Parks by air
Mar 24, 2017, 10:21 am
#1
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Getting to Utah National Parks by air
...or as close as possible.
Utah seems to have quite a few amazing places to visit. Parts of Grand Canyon, Zion NP, Arches NP, Bryce, Monument Valley... however not so many quick ways to get there.
Would love to take Mrs for a weekend stay in The View Hotel but getting there is a huge pain! Would really appreciate some thoughts on cutting down the travel time. I am mostly looking to make weekend or 3-day weekend trips.
I understand these places are huge and deserve lot more time but unfortunately, I am pretty tied on vacation for this year.
Any suggestions?
Utah seems to have quite a few amazing places to visit. Parts of Grand Canyon, Zion NP, Arches NP, Bryce, Monument Valley... however not so many quick ways to get there.
Would love to take Mrs for a weekend stay in The View Hotel but getting there is a huge pain! Would really appreciate some thoughts on cutting down the travel time. I am mostly looking to make weekend or 3-day weekend trips.
I understand these places are huge and deserve lot more time but unfortunately, I am pretty tied on vacation for this year.
Any suggestions?
Mar 24, 2017, 11:03 am
#2
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For Monument Valley and Capitol Reef, look at trying to fly into Page AZ (PGA). Boutique Air also offers flights to Moab from DEN and SLC.
For Zion, look at trying to fly into St. George, Utah (SGU)
For Zion, look at trying to fly into St. George, Utah (SGU)
Mar 24, 2017, 12:50 pm
#3
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Thanks for the info on Page.
I was looking at Cortez, CO based on Boutique Air connectivity from DEN. Still a solid 2hr-2.5hr drive to the destination.
I guess all of them are meant for longer stays and not quick getaways.
I was looking at Cortez, CO based on Boutique Air connectivity from DEN. Still a solid 2hr-2.5hr drive to the destination.
I guess all of them are meant for longer stays and not quick getaways.
Mar 26, 2017, 6:14 am
#5
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I've found the same thing on my trips to Utah's red rocks country: a flight to LAS (or SLC) plus additional driving time beats flying to a smaller airport. It's faster and cheaper. Primarily that's because flying to one of those smaller airports has always required a connection for me, whereas I have plenty of nonstop options to LAS and SLC coming from SFO/SJC/OAK. If OP can find a nonstop to SGU or PGA, or if LAS/SLC requires a connection anyway, or if OP finds driving particularly onerous, the calculation would be different.
Mar 26, 2017, 2:24 pm
#6
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Fair points ^
One itinerary, though, I might suggest (although it may depend on whether you can get cheap enough flight into Moab/PGA) is to fly into Moab on Boutique, rent a car one-way (this may be pricey, but sometimes not) and head south doing Arches N.P., Capitol Reef N.P. and Monument Valley. (works the other direction, of course, too)
One itinerary, though, I might suggest (although it may depend on whether you can get cheap enough flight into Moab/PGA) is to fly into Moab on Boutique, rent a car one-way (this may be pricey, but sometimes not) and head south doing Arches N.P., Capitol Reef N.P. and Monument Valley. (works the other direction, of course, too)
Mar 26, 2017, 4:07 pm
#7
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Mar 26, 2017, 5:27 pm
#8
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I've found the same thing on my trips to Utah's red rocks country: a flight to LAS (or SLC) plus additional driving time beats flying to a smaller airport. It's faster and cheaper. Primarily that's because flying to one of those smaller airports has always required a connection for me, whereas I have plenty of nonstop options to LAS and SLC coming from SFO/SJC/OAK. If OP can find a nonstop to SGU or PGA, or if LAS/SLC requires a connection anyway, or if OP finds driving particularly onerous, the calculation would be different.
Mar 28, 2017, 7:30 pm
#9
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For Bryce Canyon NP, the nearest airport is Cedar City (CDC). Cedar City is also the closest airport to Great Basin National Park in Nevada. For Capital Reef National Park, the closest airport is Provo (PVU). But since only Allegiant presently flys to Provo, Cedar City and SLC are about tied for second closest.
Mar 29, 2017, 9:47 pm
#10
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Boutique flies to Moab from both SLC and DEN: http://www.moabairport.com/274/Flight-Schedule
Mar 30, 2017, 8:02 am
#11
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Moab (CNY) is ~75-80 miles closer to Capitol Reef Park than PVU.
Boutique flies to Moab from both SLC and DEN: http://www.moabairport.com/274/Flight-Schedule
Boutique flies to Moab from both SLC and DEN: http://www.moabairport.com/274/Flight-Schedule
Apr 2, 2017, 2:42 pm
#12
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A number of years ago, I flew into SGU, requiring a connection with a terminal change, at LAX. I flew back out of LAS. I also agree that the additional drive is probably usually a good trade-off for avoiding a connection. And I seem to recall that there was a significant delay in LAX, so we arrived in SGU much later than planned.
On this trip, I stayed in Springfield, UT. From there, I was able to tour Zion NP easily. I was also able to do a (very long) day trip to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. It was way past sunset when I came back through Zion on the return, but it was a clear night and the star field was astounding.
On this trip, I stayed in Springfield, UT. From there, I was able to tour Zion NP easily. I was also able to do a (very long) day trip to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. It was way past sunset when I came back through Zion on the return, but it was a clear night and the star field was astounding.