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Original poster

Southern Utah

35 replies

magicmischief · 06/02/2025 16:24

Has anyone been? I'd love some top tips or hidden gems to see. Going in June, flying to Las Vegas, 7 nights so not very long.
We love national parks, wildlife and also some downtime! Maybe something refreshing on the river while in Moab.

Thanks in advance!

PS we have done the big sights California/ Nevada already, hence choosing Utah this time.

OP posts:
DPotter · 06/02/2025 16:49

7 nights will not be long enough!

Zion NP - amazing place. Best bit was a float down the river on individual inflatables. great walks, beautiful scenery. we were there 2 full days

Bryce Canyon NP- out of this world landscapes. Easy top level walk, bit more tricky walk lower in canyon. full day visit

Kodachrome state park - a more gentle open landscape - still beautiful. full day

Monument valley - on border with Arizona. stunning. think we were there day and a half. had a local guide for a day.

We didn't get as far north as Moab, so can't comment on the parks more local to there.

Thing we missed out on - a rodeo. We were part of a group tour and so couldn't stop at a rodeo we saw when heading out of Bryce over to Kodachrome

MalleusMaleficarumm · 06/02/2025 16:55

I’ve been to Zion NP, it’s absolutely beautiful. We stayed in Springdale in a small hotel which was lovely, there are great restaurants too. Highly recommend the Mexican place if it’s still there!

Original poster
magicmischief · 06/02/2025 17:01

Great stuff!!!

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
Daisy03 · 06/02/2025 17:38

Monument valley is amazing, lake Powell is not too far from there and has amazing canyons you can boat or walk through

Daisy03 · 06/02/2025 17:40

Monument valley has a hotel inside the park called the monument view hotel, each room has an amazing view, it's run by native Americans, was an amazing place to stay

cloudjumper · 06/02/2025 17:41

Bryce Canyon and Arches NP are amazing

ErrolTheDragon · 06/02/2025 17:49

We lived in the US for a couple of years and had a holiday which included a road trip in Arizona and southern Utah with rafting through the grand canyon in the middle.

We didn't do as much in Utah as we'd originally planned because we didn't realise the road atlas we were using (this was way before sat nav!) had a smaller scale for it. But we went to Zion, stayed in the lodge surrounded by an incongruously green lawn - really beautiful. And Bryce... weird and wonderful. One of DHs colleagues was a descendant of the eponymous Bryce, apparently he said 'it's a hell of a place to lose a cow'. Grin

AFingerofFudge · 06/02/2025 17:51

Bryce Canyon is amazing, we were there last April. We did the Queens Garden trail which was beautiful. Ponderosa canyon is also recommended.
At Zion there are so many different trails and you can't go wrong really, they all have amazing views. We ate at an incredible Mexican restaurant in Springdale called Oscars.
We did a 12 day trip flying in and out of Vegas (and only staying a few hours each time before heading to the hills!) We travelled around 2000 miles taking in the parks, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Holbrook, Prescott, Sedona and back into Vegas. It was all incredible and there's nothing I wouldn't do again!

ProfessorLayton1 · 06/02/2025 17:58

Daisy03 · 06/02/2025 17:40

Monument valley has a hotel inside the park called the monument view hotel, each room has an amazing view, it's run by native Americans, was an amazing place to stay

Second this, breath taking views!

KenAdams · 06/02/2025 17:58

Yes, the narrows are amazing

ProfessorLayton1 · 06/02/2025 17:59

I guess if you are there only for a week, it's better that you do maximum of 2/3 parks. One of my favourite place in the world is Zion and hiking in the Virgin river.

Redrosesposies · 06/02/2025 18:02

Did you know that Utah exports almost $Billion dollars of gold to the UK every year?

Misses the point of the thread completely but a fascinating fact nonetheless.🤣

Original poster
magicmischief · 06/02/2025 20:01

Redrosesposies · 06/02/2025 18:02

Did you know that Utah exports almost $Billion dollars of gold to the UK every year?

Misses the point of the thread completely but a fascinating fact nonetheless.🤣

Crikey!!!

OP posts:
AllTheWatersTurnedToClouds · 06/02/2025 20:11

We went in June and it was over 45 degrees and i very nearly passed out on the Hoover Dam. Just so you know how hot it can be. Vegas was unbearable

Original poster
magicmischief · 07/02/2025 08:53

@AllTheWatersTurnedToClouds yes, we are expecting huge heat - but I manage better with high dry heat than humidity (that's what I'm telling myself, anyway!).
We're aiming to do morning 'activities' as much as possible and certainly no long hikes in the middle of the day.

OP posts:
SaguaroBlossom · 07/02/2025 09:04

All these places are fabulous! Moab - giving me goosebumps thinking about Thelma and Louise, the ending was filmed there (not Grand Canyon). We went to a bakery in Moab for breakfast muffins - and the guy running the shop was from Sheffield! Years ago now but lovely memories .

AllTheWatersTurnedToClouds · 07/02/2025 14:17

magicmischief · 07/02/2025 08:53

@AllTheWatersTurnedToClouds yes, we are expecting huge heat - but I manage better with high dry heat than humidity (that's what I'm telling myself, anyway!).
We're aiming to do morning 'activities' as much as possible and certainly no long hikes in the middle of the day.

Very sensible. It's a beautiful part of the world. The view from the giftshop at Monument Valley doesn't look real.

NigelHarmansNewWife · 07/02/2025 14:26

We loved Zion NP. Springdale is an interesting small town - you can walk into the park or get a bus iirc.

HoldingTheDoor · 07/02/2025 14:30

DPotter · 06/02/2025 16:49

7 nights will not be long enough!

Zion NP - amazing place. Best bit was a float down the river on individual inflatables. great walks, beautiful scenery. we were there 2 full days

Bryce Canyon NP- out of this world landscapes. Easy top level walk, bit more tricky walk lower in canyon. full day visit

Kodachrome state park - a more gentle open landscape - still beautiful. full day

Monument valley - on border with Arizona. stunning. think we were there day and a half. had a local guide for a day.

We didn't get as far north as Moab, so can't comment on the parks more local to there.

Thing we missed out on - a rodeo. We were part of a group tour and so couldn't stop at a rodeo we saw when heading out of Bryce over to Kodachrome

Why would you want to go and see animals being injured, terrified and abused at a rodeo?

www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/12/rodeo-is-cruel-and-abusive-its-time-for-new-zealand-to-ban-it

DPotter · 07/02/2025 14:47

HoldingTheDoor · 07/02/2025 14:30

Why would you want to go and see animals being injured, terrified and abused at a rodeo?

www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/12/rodeo-is-cruel-and-abusive-its-time-for-new-zealand-to-ban-it

Edited
Show quote history

Fair point - hadn't thought of it from this angle

HoldingTheDoor · 07/02/2025 14:50

DPotter · 07/02/2025 14:47

Fair point - hadn't thought of it from this angle

Show quote history

That’s understandable. It’s usually painted as harmless fun and the cruel reality of it is hidden. But a big thank you for being willing to listen and reconsider.

Original poster
magicmischief · 07/02/2025 19:18

So excited!

OP posts:
Original poster
magicmischief · 07/02/2025 19:18

Daisy03 · 06/02/2025 17:40

Monument valley has a hotel inside the park called the monument view hotel, each room has an amazing view, it's run by native Americans, was an amazing place to stay

Great tip - thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
magicmischief · 23/02/2025 15:57

Adding another question!
Has anyone gone horse riding in the area? We'd like to go and would love a recommendation!

OP posts:
ZoeyBartlett · 23/02/2025 16:10

We've been at Bryce - you can ride down into the canyon. It was scary but fab! canyonrides.com/bryce-canyon-horseback-riding/