Necrobump b/c the wife (no pics) and I will be hitting three of the Utah NPs in mid-May, so we're starting to plan. Staying in the Torrey area for the first three nights when we'll see Capitol Reef NP. Then Moab for 4 nights. The tentative plan is to hit Arches one day and then spend two exploring Canyonlands. Need suggestions re: things to do in each park, hikes, places to eat, breweries, etc. We'll have the Bronco, so no issues with going offroad.
Tentative itinerary:
Day 1: Drive from SoCal to Torrey area.
Day 2: Capitol Reef "Fruita" area; Visitors Center; Gifford Homestead; Fruita Schoolhouse; Scenic Drive, etc. -- need suggestions on hikes. Thinking of Hickman Bridge, Cassidy Arch and/or, Capitol Gorge during the day. Goosenecks/Sunset Point at sunset.
Day 3: Trying to decide between two options. Option #1 = Notom/Bullfrog road down to Waterpocket Fold, then west on Burr Trail up the switchbacks and across the park into Boulder. Dinner at either Hell's Backbone Grill or the Burr Trail Grill, and then drive Highway 12 north to Torrey. Option #2 - the Cathedral Valley Loop in the northern part of the park. Thoughts? For those who have done both or either, let me know what you think.
Day 4: Travel from Torrey to Moab. Stop at Goblin Valley State Park on the way and (time permitting) maybe hike some of the Little Wild Horse slot canyon near Goblin Valley. Other suggestions?
Day 5: Arches -- try to take in as much as we can in one day. The wife has already been to Arches once. This will be the first time for me. We will be there mid-week (and before a lot of schools let out for the summer), so hopefully the crowds won't be terrible. Need suggestions re: "must-sees" in the park and dinner places in Moab.
Day 6: Canyonlands -- Island in the Sky District. Trying to work out the details. Definitely interested in the Shafer Trail, driving the Grandview Point road, Dead Horse Point, Gooseneck Overlook, Potash Road, Mesa Arch, White Rim overlook hike, etc. Thoughts/suggestions?
Day 7: Second day in Canyonlands. At this point, I'm wide open. Not sure if we'll need more time in Island in the Sky district or go to another part of the park. Definitely open to suggestions re: how to fill this day.
Day 8: Drive part-way home. Overnight in Vegas. Hit Lotus of Siam and the blackjack tables.
Day 9: Finish drive home.