This was our first National Park camping adventure, and boy was it "Grand." We flew into Phoenix and back home out of Vegas 10 days later, renting a minivan to fit all of our gear. The drive was absolutely amazing as the landscape and vegetation seemed to completely change every 20 miles or so. It is hard to put into words how beautiful it all was.
Flying west saved us time, compared to driving, but it required meticulous planning and packing. For example, we packed our tent. Since we were in the market for a new one, we knew we would put it in the campsite donation bin at Zion rather than pay the baggage fee to bring it back. Also to save on baggage fees, we ordered some of the more clunky gear - two inexpensive adult sleeping bags, a blow-up mattress, and a cooler - from the Walmart in Flagstaff ahead of time so we could easily pick them up. This meant more goods for the donation bin, which we watched as some happy campers became their new owners while we were still packing up. Even with buying the extra stuff, it was much cheaper than a hotel would have been, and MUCH more fun.
My oldest son was a fourth-grader, so we were able to visit the parks and monuments for free through the Every Kid Outdoors program (https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm).
Whether you are camping or not, here's an itinerary that we highly recommend. We left on a Friday afternoon and came back on a Sunday (10 days). Our trip was in mid-April, and the temperatures ranged from 30-82 degrees, so if you go then, pack a variety of clothes and layers.
Day 1: Fly to Phoenix, stay in a hotel on the north part of town.
Day 2: Rise and shine. You're out west! We ate breakfast at the hotel and drove north to explore Montezuma's Castle National Monument, where Native Americans built houses into cliffs. We ate lunch in Sedona and hiked Bell Rock, a vortex that is supposedly conducive to healing and meditation. My youngest son meditated his fear of heights away here, he said. Then we drove to Flagstaff through Oak Creek Canyon, eating at a brewery along Route 66 before spending the night at a Flagstaff hotel.
Day 3: While eating breakfast at the hotel, we asked if there was still any snow anywhere. Being mid-April, we knew our chances were low. But the hotel clerk told us that if we drove to the Grand Canyon via Highway 180, we might be able to find some patches. We followed her advice and were able to have a snowball fight on the way! Out of nostalgia, we stopped at the now-closed Bedrock City to see Fred Flintstone and the gang. (I remembered this place in Valley from a childhood visit to the Grand Canyon; they are now building a raptor ranch there). And then we entered the Grand Canyon National Park. We set up camp at Mather Campground and got our first fabulous views of the Grand Canyon at Yaki Point.
Day 4: Woke up as five elk were passing through our campsite. We gave these calm, beautiful creatures their space as they munched on grass and moved along. Then we hiked down the Bright Angel Trail into the Grand Canyon, just 3-miles total down and up, which was plenty strenuous for us. Magnificent views! We caught a Ranger Program at the Visitor Center, and the boys worked on their Junior Ranger badges.
Day 5: Explored the eastern part of the canyon and the Watchtower, as well as a Native American settlement at the Tusayan Ruins. It started to rain, so we visited the museum at Yavapai Point, did laundry and took $2 showers at the campsite. (Read more about our Grand Canyon adventures here).
Day 6: Woke up early and watched the sun rise at Yavapai Point. Packed up camp. Drove to Antelope Canyon, where we had a 1 p.m. tour reserved. I am not exaggerating when I say Antelope Canyon may be the most beautiful place I have ever seen. (Read about Antelope Canyon here.) Stayed at a hotel in Kanab, Utah.
Day 7: Zion! We traded views down into the Grand Canyon for views upward toward beautiful sandstone cliffs. We set up camp at the Watchman Campground and took the shuttle to hike Lower Emerald Pool (the upper pool was closed), Weeping Rock, and the Grotto Trail.
Day 8: Hiked up the Watchman Trail for beautiful cliff-top views of the park and Springdale. Took the shuttle to the Riverside Walk, which leads to the Narrows. The Narrows was closed due to snowmelt. We would love to come back and do that hike. Packed up camp and stayed at a cheesy casino in Mesquite, Nevada. Why? I am still not sure. But it had a pool and a shower, unlike the Zion campsite. (Read more about Zion here).
Day 9: Explored the Las Vegas Strip (PG version as we had the kids) and the Hoover Dam with one of my best friends from high school who lives there now.
Day 10: Flew home.
Comentarios