Bogley

Richard Barron · Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 1182 Location: Byng, OK, USA

Based on what I am seeing on the web, there isn't much in terms of hotel/motel services during the week of July 21-25. Do you imagine I will be able to find camping nearby? An alternative is to stay farther away, in Cedar City or Escalante. Notions? Ideas?

DiscGo · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 4042

I would suggest just camping, but I'm cheap.

I am sure that if you decide for certain where you are wanting to spend your time, we can help you find a place to camp.

I barely can afford the gas to these places yet alone a hotel. I have never had an issue finding a place to camp.

For that matter, I recommend you guys just hike the Narrows. You are in the shade and the river for most of the hike, so the temp doesn't really matter. Zion is an awesome place.

tanya · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 5829 Location: Las Vegas

There are lots of places to stay!

http://www.brycecanyonhotels.net/

http://www.brycecanyoncountry.com/lodging.html

http://www.utah.com/lodging/brycecanyon.htm

http://www.brycecanyonlodge.com/

http://www.bryceviewlodge.com/

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-479812-bryce_canyon_vacations-i

stefan · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 4656 Location: somewhere

Richard Barron wrote: I am looking to take a week of vacation this month, maybe with our son Mitchell, who is 15. I don't like hiking in the desert heat, so I was thinking that Bryce Canyon might be a good destination. Since it is at 7000 feet, is it cooler than the lower desert areas in July? Is there enough hiking to keep us entertained?

hi richard. aside from the fact i tend to prefer to spend my time very far off the beaten path, bryce has always been one of my favorite places.

many would suggest a combination of bryce and zion. i think there is a lot of wonderful places in bryce, but, outside of the amphitheatre it's mostly pink cliffs and extensive conifers (which always turns me on). anyway, as you probably already know, the national park guide cover is a photo taken at sunrise at inspiration point. this is a superlative place to watch the sunrise. highly recommended. get out early with your breakfast and enjoy the entire sunrise from dark to light.

as far as hiking, i'd recommend the fairyland loop trail, anything around the amphitheatre and various places off the road to the south, especially the trail from yovimpa point along the rim to the point where the trail drops down to riggs spring. there are fantastic vantage points along this trail (and off the trail). the cliffs where the trail drops down to riggs spring catch magnificent sun in the morning. i've camped out there on the rim and enjoyed them when the cliffs burning red in the mornin' sun

the under the rim trail is best when enjoyed as a multiday backpack IMO.

Quote:
Finally, what's the best route to get there coming from the southeast?

do you mind modestly rugged dirt roads? if approaching from powell, the cottonwood wash road is quite nice and you could enjoy many places along the way (like yellow rock & kodachrome basin). also through capitol reef, over boulder mtn and through escalante along highway 12 is as good as it gets in utah for scenic highway drivin'.

enjoy ... greatly looking forward to your photos.
:2thumbs:

Richard Barron · Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 1182 Location: Byng, OK, USA

Tanya, so far everything is coming up already booked/full. I guess I'll end up camping. So back to my original question: is tent camping easy to find, or will I end up driving circles for hours waiting for vacancies? Any ideas would be helpful. -R

Richard Barron · Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 1182 Location: Byng, OK, USA

Still hunting for suggestions. :nod:

Win · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 438 Location: Toquerville

See if Tanya has a room/rooms. The T-bird is about 70 miles from Bryce but you can get there over Skutempah Rd and do Willis Creek or the Bull Valley Gorge loop. Cedar Breaks is not too far either. I know it's not ideal but might work.

How about the campground at Red Canyon? There is also a KOA on Rt 89 just south of Hatch.

Win

Richard Barron · Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 1182 Location: Byng, OK, USA

Thanks to everyone for their ideas. I am pursuing a couple of promising leads, so it looks like the trip is a green light. See you on the trail! -Richard

Richard Barron · Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 1182 Location: Byng, OK, USA

Okay, I am home from my trip. Details will follow. -R

Richard Barron · Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 1182 Location: Byng, OK, USA

Okay, here I am. Do you think Bryce Canyon makes my butt look big? ;>)

DiscGo · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 4042

Richard Barron wrote: Do you think Bryce Canyon makes my butt look big? ;>)

:roflol: :roflol: :roflol:

tanya · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 5829 Location: Las Vegas

Is this it? Tell us more about your trip. I am so sorry I did not get to meet you.