So wife wants to check this out late July, probably will have kids with (19-23) All good with hiking and looking forward to that. Any other must see things in the area while we are there? Fishing opportunities out there as well? Thanks

Will you have 19 to 23 kids or kids 19 and 23 years old?

Reservations are necessary as it might be crowded. With the CV19 one never knows how busy the park will be. Great place to visit and there's a lot to see.

Bryce Canyon NP is like 1-2 hours from Zion. North Rim of the Grand Canyon is like 2-3 hours from Zion. The North Rim of Grand Canyon is better in my opinion.

There are trout streams and lakes not too far from Zion near Panguich.

There have been numerous threads about Utah vacations. Anywhere you go here is simply amazing.

This year may not be the best to visit, though. The entire area of the five national parks is in Exceptional Drought status, which is the worst category possible. By late July there may be severe water restrictions in place that could impact a visit. At this moment, that's only a possibility, but it would be terrible if you arrived and everything was suddenly closed.

My family did the Big 5 last year. Beautiful area! Get reservations! The crowds are bad and much worse this year. No joking. We were unable to secure reservations so we were unable to see part of Zion. We had hoped to hike angels landing and the narrows. Without reservations you can’t even get near that area.
I know someone who arrived today to hike angels landing. Arrived at 3:30am to get in line and wait on the shuttles that take them there. I personally would not put that much effort to hang with a crowd. I prefer solitude!
Good luck and enjoy the parks.

Its gonna be hot. Understatement of the year.

Great basin nat park in Nevada was a unknown jewel back when I worked there. Well worth a couple days, like being in a paperback western.

Bryce Canyon ..Been to 45 states and Bryce is in the top 3 places..

Bryce is astounding. You arrive through an unremarkable sage flat, go through the entrance and walk down a plain pine-bordered path. You turn left and climb a few stairs up a 10-ft embankment that blocks your view to the east.

And at the very top, you will stop dead in your tracks, your jaw drops, and you become utterly speechless at what plunges away in front of you. It is a moment and a sight you will recall the rest of your life.

^^^^^^^^^^ What Rocky said, in spades. Very spectacular place. Take binoculars, there's lots to see.

It truly is. It is also highly varied. It's like a completely new world with almost every mountain pass you top.

Thanks fellas, when you say reservations, are you talking shuttle reservations? My wife thought shuttle passes were discontinued May 28. Sounds like Bryce is a must for us...

If I may suggest you get a National Park Pass before the trip to save on all the entrance fees. You might stay in Cedar City and visit Kolob Canyon just a few miles south of there on I-15 as an "appetizer" for the other parks. And don't miss seeing a play at the Utah Shakespeare Festival - one of the finest in the world. You can make day drives to Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, and the others from there. On your way through Bicknell, DO stop for lunch and a slice of pickle pie. Really.

Each park will have different rules about how many visitors they can handle and when. Some do require time slot reservations. Go to each one WELL in advance (like NOW) to see if you need to book a time slot or arrange shuttle bus seats.

Just to point out - it rhymes with "lion".

By the end of July maybe the temps will be lower/better...prob not

Although Zion elevation varies...expect 4000' average

Bryce is where ya wanna be in July at 8000' plus

Expect traffic/crowds of course

Highway 12 east of Bryce & Boulder are worth the drive/look see

Oh yea.....bring your own water.....really......

coming from Iowa ?

Hiking at Utah elevations if not climatized can be issues for some...just a thought

It will be hot and crowded but still worth the effort. If you can read a map and are in decent shape there are places to access the backcountry that see far less traffic. If you don't have a gallon of water per person at hand at all times stay in the towns, this is unforgiving country once you leave the pavement.

I have traveled the world and Southern Utah is a unique gem in natures crown.


mike r

for example.....

105-108* all this week coming.....

Maybe reconsider.....

High Unita Mtns in NE Utah........low 70 highs

The best thing to do in Zion this time of year is to hike the narrows. At least you are in the water for some of it and can cool off - along with 1000 other aholes who are going to be wanting to do the same thing. Too hot & crowded for Zion NP this time of year IMHO.

I hear ya, its what Mama wants...

Hint: rent E-bikes to see the park. Beats the bus and you can go at your own pace.

Understand too what Algea water is too while hiking in the Park

One good flash flood should clean it out........

https://www.thespectrum.com/story/n...est-level-ever-recorded-utah/5462237002/

Zion is worthy, Cedar Breaks and Bryce were very cool. Bryce has its very own personality.......Zion will be crowded, seriously crowded. Although July with the heat might be not so busy? A lot of Zion is paved walking 'paths'...

Angels landing, oh hell ya.....

And has you've heard it will be blazing hot in July.

E bikes might add a new wrinkle, thanks

go to grande staircase escalante. less people just as good as Bryce and Zion

Bring water. Lots of it. And something to carry it in and with.

Reservation for lodging, eating, tours might be necessary. Before the sickness some people reserved a year in advance. Now you never know

big flash flood in Zion today, over 1 inch of rain, state highway closed, active technical SAR operation.

I see you also got schooled by a Mormon.

I'm sooooo glad the wife and I made this pilgrimage back in the summer of '86. Visited with my sister in LV and went to the Grand Canyon and stayed on the east rim. Not crowded a bit.

Beautiful place but we made the mistake of going down to the Phantom Ranch in the bottom (was easy) the climb back sucked. Several Coorsl light 16's and a shower made things right.

Heading back to the east rim found a German couple broke down with their RV in our campsite. Not a biggie since we were wheeling a Suzuki Samarai and was using a Black Ice backpacking tent that might just fit me now.

Only problem was we left the tent open with just the fly and the east rim had thunderstorms so our bags on top of closed cell pads were floating in 2" of water. Bummer.

Recovered from that and spent a night on the north rim and then went to Zion and then to Bryce with nary a reservation. Impossible today maybe not even next year if planning.

Why go places where you aren't wanted, and everyone you don't like already is there?

Flash floods starting early this year

May be a sign of things to come this summer

https://www.ksl.com/article/5019578...-after-flash-floods-sweep-southern-utah-