Your favorite national park in the Southwest

<p>If you're going to be in the car, Bryce is ecstatic. I didn't find anything at Zion that didn't require hiking. Zion is a mountainous terrain (so light is tricky) and Bryce (the part that you'll want to shoot) and Arches are flat. Also, Arches and Bryce have red rocks that look like on fire at sunset. I'll still go with Death Valley though, it's got much more than just red rocks.<br>

ps: all that was a gross oversimplification, but it's difficult to explain the west without being there. On the other hand, you'll eventually want to visit them all multiple times, so just pick any one and go with it. Check the weather before you go, and drive safe.</p>

<p>I would say I am only into hiking as means to get some good images. The primary goal of the trip is to try an capture some good images. <br>

While I don't mind driving to a place, once I get there I'd prefer to be mostly outside of the car, rather than driving around the place. <br>

Originally I thought I'd find a place and wondering around and see what presented itself, but that is starting to sound like a naive approach now. After looking some of the images online, and considering the size of the places, I wonder if I should plan to shoot specific things. Perhaps the books will help with that. <br>

Now, I am definitely intrigued by Death Valley, have only considered it for camping someday. Would people who have been there say its equally good for hiking and photography, or more so for just hiking? How close to DV are accommodations? <br>

thanks again. <br>

Several people have commented on the weather. Is it generally unpredictable?</p>

<p>Spencer,</p>

<p>I've lived in and photographed the southwest the past 15 years. My three favorites are Moab, Page, and Grand Canyon. Monument Valley is very scenic but a lot of areas require a guide at $20.00/hr.<br>

If you are considering Moab, it might be more convenient to fly into Grand Junction, Colorado and drive over; about 100 miles and one traffic light. In addition to Arches and Canyonlands, there is Dead Horse Point and the Fisher Towers area, certainly enough to keep you busy for 4 days.<br>

Moab motels are cheap unless there is a dirt bike or off road festival happening the week you are there.<br>

Natural Bridges is west of Blanding, about 40 miles, about 120 total from Moab and really requires work and luck to get shots.<br>

Grand Canyon south rim is just what it says, GRAND. North Rim will be closed until May and offers fewer photo ops. <br>

Page has the slots and the Wave, Allstrom Point, Horseshoe Bend, more slots and cheap motels.<br>

Zion and Bryce are great as well, but as others pointed out, a lot of hiking for some shots.<br>

See some of my stuff at www.billproudphotography.com<br>

Hope this helps. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>Vegas to St. George, then on to Snow Canyon and Zion.</p><div></div>

<p>Spencer,<br>

If you're going to Monument Valley, don't miss Canyon de Chelly (pronounced de SHAY). It's not far southeast of Monument Valley and the place is spectacular. Google "Spider Rock" for an idea. It's a national monument, but it's run by the Navajo Nation, so even if Washington shuts down you can get in. Get a Navajo taco and listen to KTNN AM 660 in Navajo and English.<br>

By the way, the entrance to Monument Valley is in Utah, but the monument itself is in Arizona. That may seem like picking nits, but I've run into people who only brought a map of one state or the other.<br>

Have a great trip.</p>

<p>Another vote for Zion, a park full of natural wonders, rock formations, beautiful flora, wildlife, rivers and streams, waterfalls, and glorious hiking. Zion is smaller, and inviting for the exploration of its nooks and crannies. Relax, park your car at the Zion Canyon Visitors Center, and take a shuttle to explore Zion Canyon. There are side canyons to explore, and photographic opportunities abound. There are children's programs, and hikes with Rangers. After at least two days of exploring Zion Canyon, you can drive through the highway 9 tunnel to explore the east side of the park. Another day can be spent in the Kolob region, where you can drive the Kolob Canyons Road, or take a hike to the photogenic Double Arch Alcove. If you have more time, take the scenic drive and spend a day and one night at Bryce Canon, so you can at photograph at sunrise and sunset. April would be a perfect time to go to Zion National Park.<br>

You could stay in a cowboy cabin, and increase your vacation opportunities at a reasonable rate:<br>

http://www.zionponderosa.com/index.htm</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

<p>Actually you're probably going to have go see all of them at some point or other if not on this trip!</p>

<p>But if you're looking at the Moab/Arches area for now then another source of potential local attraction/photo points are the various stops along the so called <a href="http://www.dinosaurdiamond.org/">Dinosaur Diamond</a> between Price, Vernal, Grand Junction and Moab. The leg between Vernal and Grand Junction takes you past the southern side of Dinosaur Monument so you might as well <a href="http://www.nps.gov/dino/quarry-visitor-center-update.htm">go in and check out</a> the Fossil Trail or if you're looking at a fall trip the spectacular wall of bones in the Quarry Exhibit (will hopefully be finally open for visitors again this October). Another good Dino siversion north of Vernal is <a href="http://www.utah.com/stateparks/red_fleet.htm">Red Fleet State Park</a> where you can hike in to see dinosaur tracks by accessing from the road at the north side (not the southern main entrance) along the hike you can also take interesting shots of dwarfed pines and junipers in deep red landscape.</p>

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<p>Now, I am definitely intrigued by Death Valley, have only considered it for camping someday. Would people who have been there say its equally good for hiking and photography, or more so for just hiking? How close to DV are accommodations?</p>

 

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<p>Death Valley is a wonderful place for photography, at least as good as any of the other locations. It is also a vast area, about 1-1/2 times the size of the state of Delaware, so it doesn't fit your desire for a compact destination. There is a lot to see, but you will be doing a lot of driving also. Because it's so big, it is definitely not crowded, particularly if you get off the beaten path. There are accommodations in the park, at Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek (and a private facility at Panamint Springs), plus several campgrounds. Staying outside the park is not a good option because the driving distances are so great anyway. Stovepipe Wells is very popular with photographers because it is close to the dunes for morning shooting. Don't even think of going in the summer.</p>

<p>Death Valley is a long way off, It may be 2.5 hours from Vegas, but once in the valley, EVERYTHING is quite a distance from each other, and the speed limit will make them seem further away. From the center of the valley, for instance, the "Race Track, is hours away. 27 miles on rough dirt road, one way, plus the miles up to Scotty's Castle to the start of the dirt.</p>

<p>For a few day explore, If you could see Zion and Bryce Canyon, as well as the area just east of Zion, where the Checkerboard Mesa is, might be enough on your plate. I would love to add Antelope Canyon, but it's a good drive from Zion. Use Google Earth and zoom in to see lots of people's picture of all of these spots.</p>

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<p>I've been to all the major parks out that way. In my opinion they are all mostly equally spectacular, different, and also similar in many ways. Everyone has their favorites but that doesn't really mean they will be your favorite. The distances and times are bigger than you might think. With 3-4 days I would minimize your driving time. Fly to Vegas and go to Zion. If you run out of things to do because you don't want to hike that much, you can go to Bryce.</p>

<p>Dartmoor. Definitely Dartmoor.</p>

<p>Another good opportunity very close to Las Vegas heading east is Valley of Fire State Park, perhaps worth a pass through on your way to Utah.</p>

<p>Something else to consider given your limited time and desire to see lots is not flying round-trip to the same city. Southwest Airlines has their fare structure so there's no penalty for flying into Las Vegas and then flying home out of some other city such as Phoenix or Salt Lake or Albuquerque and I think other airlines do likewise.</p>

<p>My work recently took me from my home in Maryland out to Los Angeles. I arranged a rental car for a week with pick-up in LA and drop off in Las Vegas and I flew home from Las Vegas. The car rental was $210, I was floored by how cheap it was for a full week. I took a weeks vacation and spent time in Joshua Tree NP, old Rt 66, Mojave Preserve and Death Valley. It was a fantastic week of photography and between 3 great nights camping in the parks and cheap motels it cost very little (but for the gasoline to feed the car ;-).</p>

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<p>FWIW, Delta now flies jets (via Skywest Delta Connection) into St. George, Utah's new airport. Car rentals in St. George are likely a lot less expensive than in Las Vegas, partially offsetting ticket costs. If you have three days, my vote would be for Zion, Snow Canyon in St. George, Bryce Canyon and Page, AZ (Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon). You could also consider Pink Coral Sands State Park (sand dunes) and Cedar Breaks National Monument (depending on time of year). Flying in and out of St. George would eliminate essentially a day of travel to and from Las Vegas and reliable/clean 'mom/pop' motels in St. George are far less expensive than in Las Vegas or most of Utah, for that matter.</p>

<p>I just (quickly) checked flights from BOS to St. George in UT. Unfortunately, there don't seem to be many good options there. Some even required a connection at LAX. It looks like the time I'd save not driving would largely be eaten up by extended flight time. I'll have to double check this though. <br>

If I went with the Zion / Bryce Canyon suggestion would I be better served with a four wheel drive vehicle, or will flavor car do?<br>

Thanks again for all the wonderful, rich, responses. There's lots of really great info here. </p>

<p>For only a few days you don't need 4WD. </p>

<p>Big Bend National Park-mountains, beautiful river with great kayaking, abundant wildlife...and most of all, NO crowds...as long as you don't come during spring break.</p>

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<p>If I went with the Zion / Bryce Canyon suggestion would I be better served with a four wheel drive vehicle, or will flavor car do?</p>

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<p>For a 3-5 day visit, you almost certainly will be staying on paved roads, suitable for a passenger car. Be aware that Bryce Canyon road is at 8,000-9,000 feet of elevation so winter driving conditions are possible for much of the year. (Bryce is quite beautiful in the snow however.)</p>

<p>The only parts of Utah I've been to are SLC and inside Four Corners, so no comments about that.<br>

My favourite places: Canyon de Chelly, Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon. None are for natural wonder though, all anthropological sites. At Chaco Canyon, you might run into a dozen people, it is VERY remote.</p>

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<p>At Chaco Canyon, you might run into a dozen people, it is VERY remote.</p>

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<p>Chaco Canyon is a fascinating place. Your comment made me think of a piece I saw a while back in which the rangers at Chaco listed the questions they were most frequently asked. High on the list was "why did the Indians build so far from the highway?" Also near the top was "how many undiscovered ruins are there?"</p>

<p>I think Moab is your best bet. Having lived in Vegas, Salt Lake, and Phoenix, I'd fly into SLC and drive down to Moab (you can look at Nine Mile Canyon on the way). Moab is relatively cheap and there are a lot of places for good pictures. You do NOT want to spend all your time in the car, but if you get bored in Moab, head south and then west on Utah 95, then back north to SLC at the junction in Hanksville.<br>

<a href="../photo/1120233">http://www.photo.net/photo/1120233</a></p>

<p>Now that this thread is winding down a little I wanted to post one last thank you to everyone who has provide me with such a wealth a info. As a result, I am already thinking about my second and third trips (someday) not just my first. <br>

Thanks again. I'll post results here. Thanks again! </p>

<p>Holy Cow, lots of advice here! I think the best was a few posts back that suggests you really can't go wrong in this area of the country. Different strokes and all that as far as the various qualities of the National Parks. Anyway, here's my 2 cents as well:</p>

<p>I live in Tucson, and my recommendation would be Zion/Bryce out of Vegas. I've been to every park in the region, and more than once to Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce. I would spend the bulk of the time in Zion, and make an overnight trip to Bryce (shoot sunset, sunrise the next morning, hike a bit among the hoodoos, then back to Zion). Every park is beautiful, just different. In Zion, I would <em>highly</em> recommend renting drysuits in Springdale and hiking up the Narrows...best $100 (for two outfits) I've ever spent in a National Park (besides the $200 I spent to get married in Yosemite!). The photography in the Narrows isn't necessarily unique, but it's gorgeous and a spectacular hike. Zion has peaks, river/creeks, high hikes with views, low hikes, etc. I think it offers a more total package than any of the other parks in the area.</p>

<p>If you haven't been to the Grand Canyon, it's hard to pick something else, and you could easily fill 3-4 days shooting sunrises/sunsets, but the hiking is somewhat limited (into the canyon or along the rim, not much else) so the middle of days may be a bit uneventful. It is truly a marvel though.</p>

<p>As far as visiting Tucson, don't. Saguaro NP is beautiful, and the Sonoran Desert Museum is fantastic (not really a "museum" or a "zoo," but better than both). Unfortunately, they don't hold a candle to the Utah parks.</p>

<p>Sedona is beautiful, and not quite like anywhere else I've been, but I still wouldn't put it on the same level as the Utah parks.</p>

<p>Finally, for 3-4 days, I'd keep your area of exploration small. Each park in that area has plenty to fill that many days</p>

<p>Todd</p>

<p>Let me qualify my response... My favorite park for photography "in the Spring before masses of tourists arrive and while the waterfalls are still flowing abundantly" is Yosemite National Park in Central California. However I dislike that park after the hoards of tourists arrive.</p>