Road Trip - Zion & Grand Canyon

Have you looked at a map? If you're planning on the South Rim, you're going to be driving over 700 miles in two days.

With or without an infant, I wouldn't want to do this. The Grand Canyon and Zion each deserve two days.

I'd pick one or the other, and probably stick with Zion, because it's closer.

And in June, it can be very hot in both parks, with temps in the 90s to over 100. Plus it is very last minute to be looking for lodging in three weeks from now.

Good luck!

gigiyildiz,
Do I understand you correctly, that you plan on driving from Zion (after an overnight near there) to the Grand Canyon and back to Vegas in one day? That is almost the whole day in the car, with little time out of it to look at the Grand Canyon. Doable, yes,with an early departure, but I fear you may be shortchanging the Grand Canyon. Will your friends feel that they saw enough of the Grand Canyon? And will the little one be restless being in a car seat or rucksack the whole day? Also, extreme heat is expected then, so do take that into account. I wish you luck.

Zion is so hot right now and so is the Grand Canyon. I would not take a baby out in that kind of heat. The idea of all that driving to those two locations in that time frame is unrealistic. If you must, get a nice place to stay with a nice pool in Springdale and visit Zion for a part of the day. I think you are required to take the shuttles into the park during the summer.
From the website:
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (the road that starts north of Canyon Junction) is closed to private vehicles when park shuttles are operating. The park is a large place and, even when shuttles are running, you can drive a private vehicle on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (which connects State Route 9 through the park), the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, the Kolob Terrace Road, and Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive.

gigiyildiz,
I just remembered that some National Parks require a timed reservation to enter. Zion does not, but you cannot drive in there. You must take a shuttle bus in. From recent reading, the parking lot there (where you get the shuttle bus) fills up very early in the morning, as hikers want to do their thing before it gets too hot. Alas, the days of just driving to a National Park and "dropping in" are long gone.
I hope this trip works out for you, but perhaps you may need scale it back some. Check the NP website, recreation.gov for more information.
Best of luck!

Hello,

When our daughter was very little, she seemed to have about a 5 hour tolerance per day for car time.

If your goal is showing your friends some gorgeous scenery, then Sedona and the Grand Canyon are both about a 4 1/2 hour drive one way. You could choose just one of these and have a really nice, quick trip with spectacular scenery.

Sedona has an advantage in that you can stay right in town where the easy hikes are everywhere. Views in every direction. No need for timed entry or shuttles.

The Grand Canyon will be harder to get a room at the park this time of year. You will probably need to stay outside the park at Tusayan, which is fine, just kind of removed from everything. When you get inside the park, you will need to take the free shuttle to the various lookouts. No big deal if the weather stays in the 80s, which it is right now. But it does require standing in line.

I've only been to Zion once, but I loved it. However, the two things that made it special aren't really doable for you this trip --- hiking the Narrows one day and hiking Angels Landing another day. Without those two hikes, I'd be willing to skip Zion. I think it would be best saved for another time.

I hope this helps.

Presumably you have 3 row seating in your vehicle, or will the friends have their own car?

Which rim of the Grand Canyon were you planning on visiting? Even doing the North rim involves a lot of driving, especially on the 2nd day.

If using just one vehicle, how soundly does the baby sleep in a car? Soundly so you and your friends can converse or will everyone have to keep quiet so as not to disturb it?

Trying to do both places on an overnight trip is extremely ambitious.

Thank you to all those who have replied so far! I appreciate the advice and agree with what everyone’s saying. I think it will definitely be too much. We are thinking of alternatives. I’ve heard Sedona gets pretty hot too?
If anyone knows any other road trips from vegas that we could do with our little one that would be great. We are open to doing the beaches in California (just the quieter and prettier ones)! But we do have limited time, only one night so that gives limited options!

Take a look at this and see if you get inspired.

https://withinhours.com/200-miles-of-las-vegas-nv

We don't have quieter beaches in Southern California in June. Crowded, yes! What about Big Bear (3.5 hours) or Mammoth (5ish hours)? Beaches are well over 5 hours one way. For one night though do you really want a 10 hour round trip car ride? And remember the drive to So Cal from Vegas isn't scenic.

Just a thought....go high. Weather will be cooler in the mountains. Within about 200 miles from Vegas, FLagstaff (Wupatki Natl. Monument, Lowell Observatory, forests) or Sequoia N/P and Kings Canyon N/P in California (home of the tallest and biggest trees in the world, beautiful redwood forests). Check Recreation.gov for info on the national parks and monuments (fees, reservations, facilities, etc.)
Best of luck
p.s. Sedona will be hot also!

You are going to be in the middle of a major desert in the hottest time of year. Locals will be going to Lake Mead to get in the water. If you want a one day trip where it's cooler and you can hike I suggest looking at Lone Pine or Bishop on Hwy 395. You can go into the eastern side of the Sierra's from there. Nice hiking around Whitney Portals or Lake Crowley.

If you are starting from Las Vegas, I am afraid you will not find anyplace within a 5-hour drive (one way) that isn’t going to be very hot. Too hot for the baby, and for you if you are carrying him or her in a soft pack.

Anyplace in California will involve a long drive across desert, and it will still be hot when you reach your destination. Bishop, as suggested, is going to be 99 today, and it could be even hotter at the end of the month. Its does get cooler as you drive up into the mountains to hike, but above 8000:feet the trails on the east side of the Sierra are all barren and rocky, with little or no shade. It is all too easy for a baby to become dehydrated in those conditions.

The only enjoyable option I can think of is to get on a plane and fly to Salt Lake City for Park City, 30 minutes away. You can be there in 4 hours from Las Vegas. It is nice and green, and cool. Here are today’s webcams:

https://www.visitparkcity.com/park-city-webcams/

It is a pretty little resort town with lots of lodging available due to the ski lifts. And easy trails, especially if you take a lift up. Do watch out for moose.

gigiyildiz,
I hope you come back to the forum and let us know what you finally decided to do, and how it went. Have a good time!