Utah Nat’l Parks/no hiking

If you not have seen this, perhaps you will find it helpful
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/accessibility/index.htm

If 5 days is all you have for the canyons, might it be advisable to do fewer and not have to feel rushed or not just make a quick 'hit n run' at each place?

You may want to consider a 'rollator', so he has a place to sit whenever he needs a rest.

We went to AZ, UT and CO in August (late 40s/early 50s couple with 2 elementary school aged kids). We visited Sedona, Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Capital Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, and Rocky Mtn over 13 days (driving). We had a fabulous time and had the expectation that we want to go back another time with a non-impulsive 6yo (we skipped any hikes that we felt we would stress about my 6 yo making a life- altering decision). We saw a lot, felt happy with it, and I'll tell you that we actually hiked (1-3 hikes each) at Zion, Arches, and Rocky...everywhere else, we took our time, drove to overlooks and took shuttles. We spent maybe 2-3 hours at Bryce, driving through at overlooks, as it was raining. Even at the places where we "hiked," there's plenty for someone with limited mobility. Same thing at Capital Reef. The thing is, you can spend a week at each of these places! Grab a couple of highlights, see what you can see, and be done! I know for us, I can't wait to go back to Zion and Bryce but I'm all set with Capital Reef and Canyonlands.

Enjoy the trip and time with you dad!

Eta - get a National Parks Pass!! If you're going to a few parks, it'll save you $ your dad might be able to get reduced cost.

Joe32f - we are fine with a quick roll-through with my dad. We could maybe push it to a week, but he’d be wiped, and wants to se as much as possible. Like I said, we’d visit another time to really take it all in. We have a “rollator” that was my mom’s. He won’t use it. He’s stubborn, but I love him 😍

That is a lot of driving, and taking a rental car from Las Vegas to SLC can incur a big drop charge. Or maybe not. Be sure and check on that.

Canyonlands is a difficult park, in my opinion. It has 3 separate units and none of of them is very easy. You can drive to viewpoints in one of them, but honestly our experience there was not worth all the driving. Arches is easier to see on a visit with limited hiking, but you won’t get the best parts. And Moab is a fun town, but expensive in high season (like April and May).

Just saying that maybe it would be better, with your short timeframe, to do a loop trip from Las Vegas and back, visiting Bryce, Zion, and Capitol Reef. Try to get lodging inside the park at Zion and Bryce for that genuine “national parks” feel. But I don’t know when the Bryce Canyon lodge opens in spring.

Hi halfdozmom -
Some things you need to know about the individual parks:

Zion:
You will not be allowed to drive your own vehicle through Zion Canyon. Except for the rare instances where a visitor cannot ride them due to specific medical reasons, visitors must use the free, wheelchair-accessible shuttle buses. The buses make multiple stops at scenic points around the canyon so do a little reading about them. As well, parking lots can fill early and quickly. There is a grill and restaurant but I'd bring your lunch along. This is a VERY busy park.

https://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm
https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-canyon-shuttle-system.htm

Bryce:
There is a shuttle but you can also drive your own car to overlook parking lots at this park. Some of the viewing points are quite a number of steps away from the lots. There is a rim walk that is paved and mostly level; you do need to be able to walk to it from a parking area. They have handicapped parking spaces at overlook lots...which can be very busy. There is a seasonal dining room at the lodge, pizzaria and general store.

https://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm
https://www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm

Capitol Reef:
Your dad will enjoy the scenic drive! Lots of to be seen from behind the windshield and short stops:
https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/scenicdrive.htm

You all might enjoy a 'lil visit to Gifford Homestead too, Be sure and try to buy a little fruit pie or two made from the pioneer orchards; they sell out fast! There's no other real food in the park so pack a picnic or grab something in Torrey.
https://www.nps.gov/care/learn/historyculture/giffordhomestead.htm

He might be able to handle a stroll on a boardwalk to see the petroglyphs?
https://www.nps.gov/care/learn/historyculture/fremont-culture-petroglyphs.htm

Arches:
You're going to need advance, timed-entry reservations for this one unless entering before 7:00 AM or after 4:00 PM, and most of the arches are not visible from the road/parking areas. Still, you'll be able to see some impressive scenery; this website might be useful:

https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/arches-national-park/driving#:~:text=Take%20a%20quick%20detour%20to,South%20Window%2C%20and%20Double%20Arch.

I'll caution you NOT to just stop in the middle of the road to take it the views, though; a good way to get rear-ended or annoy others on a mission to get to popular trailheads. Pull over to designated viewing areas. No food in the park; pack lunch in a cooler.

Also:
https://home.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/timed-entry-pilot.htm
https://home.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/physical-mobility.htm

Canyonlands:
The closest unit to Moab - and the only one your dad would be able to manage a bit of - is Island In the Sky, some 32 miles out of town.
https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/islandinthesky.htm

You can drive the road in your own vehicle, and there are a few accessible viewpoints. No food; pack a cooler picnic.
https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/physical-mobility.htm

Accommodations: if you haven't made them yet, you need to do that right away as they fill quickly for the season! I'll agree with the comment above that trying to do all 5 in 5 days is going to involve a lot of time in the car.
Hope this helps!

Your dad should qualify for either a lifetime ($80) or annual pass ($20) for admission to parks. It includes admission for passengers in the same vehicle. Here’s the website with all the details:

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/senior-pass-changes.htm

Renee - I knew about the pass for him, but not passengers! Thanks!

Has your dad tried used trekking poles instead of a cane? My friends' elderly (90's) parents find using two poles is much easier. Just how far can he walk? half a block? half a mile? Can he go up and down gentle inclines?

The last time I went to Utah NP's was with a friend from Seattle for a quick visit in mid-October. We had both been to Zion and Bryce together before and both wanted very much to go back. We were both feeling lazy on that trip and did very little hiking. We flew in/out of Las Vegas, rented a car there. In Zion we spent a lot of our 2.5 days there just driving. Zion was pretty crowded, Bryce had lots of visitors but didn't feel crowded.

We stayed in Springdale and drove into Zion (as far as cars are allowed) and up through the tunnel to the eastern entrance and back, pulling over often just to admire the view and take photos. One day we drove to the visitors center - there's a big parking lot but it was full and we spent a lot of time cruising it waiting for someone to leave. A lot of the campers park there for multiple days - I even saw several vans that looked like people were living in them. The day we spent in the valley we took the Springdale shuttle to the visitors center the park shuttle from there. With your dad's mobility issues, I don't think it would be worthwhile to do most of the shuttle stops since getting to the viewpoints involves either long walks for uphill climbs. I don't know if you'd get better views from the bus stops that you get on the bus. At the Lodge stop, you can walk to the Lodge (gift shop, restaurants, toilets and a nice view). Anything more sounds like it would be too difficult. If you have time, visit the other part of Zion - Kolob Canyons which is also a scenic drive. The most scenic drive is from the eastern entrance to the tunnel in the morning with the sun at your back.

We staying just outside Bryce - there are several levels of accommodations and a pretty good buffet-style restaurant (that also has a full menu and table service). We spent 2 nights - one full day there. The shuttle was operating but optional. We drove to all the lookouts. Some of the lookout spots were short, easy walks from the parking, others weren't. There really isn't much to see unless you walk right up to the viewpoints.

It's been years since I visited the other parks. I do remember very scenic driving in Arches, and there must be scenic overlooks at Canyonlands.

If you do a round-trip Las Vegas (which may save you money on the rental car), the loop I'd choose is Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches then on the interstate, stopping in Kolob Canyons on the way back to Las Vegas. It's a little less driving time than going to SLC. Driving on the interstate is mostly not scenic. Canyonlands is a "spur line" from Arches/Moab.

... drove into Zion (as far as cars are allowed) and up through the
tunnel to the eastern entrance and back, pulling over often just to
admire the view and take photos

Yes! As Chani said, that drive down into the canyon from the eastern entrance is a honey: LOTS of visual drama.
And I didn't mean that YOU would stop in the middle of the roads at Arches so sorry if it sounded that way. It was more a caution about other drivers who may slow or stop suddenly. My DH had to have eyes on the road when following certain sightseers. :O)

I am hoping that your dad has a handicap placard that will help you find parking spots at the busiest lots. ???

How far is this short distance that your dad can walk? Sometimes you cannot park too close to anything, such as the visitors centers. Can he walk 200 yards? How far can he walk now? Does he walk much at all? Five days of multiple stops, getting out of the car and making your way to overlooks, would that be within his ability?
If his only walking now is at home simply walking around the house, the trip could be very taxing?
April May is not too far away but maybe he could train up with some more extended walking and perhaps some upper body stuff for using the cane and if he falls. You will also be at altitude compared to Portland.
If he really wants to go, he should use it as motivation to train up. A good goal for simply walking from parking lots to overlooks and back. Would be 1/4 mile minimum. The walk, plus the endurance to do so repeatedly over 5 days. Otherwise he may prefer to sit in the car while you go about your viewing.

You will also be at altitude compared to Portland.

Very good point, treemoss! Bryce averages 8,000 feet; Capitol Reef averages around 5,000 feet; Arches ranges from abt. 4,0OO to 5,000+ feet, and Island in the Sky is abt. 6,000 ft. Your dad is apt to feel the locations on the higher end.

One more note: The drive on highway 12 from Panguitch to Torrey (traveling between Bryce and Capitol Reef) is rated one of the most scenic in the U.S. so you'll get an expensive eyeful of really terrific scenery there too!! Make a stop at Kiva Koffeehouse near Escalante for a stretch, potty stop and a beverage or lunch. https://www.kivakoffeehouse.com

https://www.visitutah.com/Articles/The-All-American-Road-Scenic-Byway-12

Do keep your eyes open for open-range livestock, most especially on the Boulder Mountain stretch.
Sorry for all the posts but this is our favorite region of the US so I'm sort of passionate (ya think!!!??) about helping others learn to love it too.

Thank you! Such great info!

My dad does have a parking placard

He can walk a bit. He does his own grocery shopping and can get around but very slowly. I like the idea of trekking poles. I have some of my own

Will take the altitude into consideration, thanks!

There is a wonderful place to stay along Highway 12 between Panguitch and Torrey, if that fits into your itinerary. Boulder Mountain Lodge offers very nice accommodations in a scenic and peacful setting, and the restaurant is terrific.

https://boulder-utah.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/boulder_mountain_brochure.pdf

Speaking of lodging, always use the official websites for the hotels or lodges, whether inside or outside the parks. Do not use third-party reservation services such as Nationalparkreservations.com. They charge a non-refundable service fee, have different cancellation policies than the official website, and on occasion employ deceptive bait-and-switch practices. This has been reported many times on Tripadvisor.

If you are having trouble finding the official website for a particular hotel or lodge, just ask here and we can help.

Lola - thanks for the heads up!

Five days for the "mighty five" = one day per park, and a lot of driving. I'd join with the suggestion to focus on Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef. While you have to ride a shuttle into Zion Canyon, I don't think that applies if you have a room at Zion Lodge. However, I'd be surprised if the Lodge (or the one at Bryce) has any rooms left for this spring. And, if staying at the Lodge, you'd still need the shuttle to go anywhere else in the canyon.

The highway between Panguitch and Torrey (i.e. between Bryce and Capitol Reef) is indeed one of the most beautiful I've ever driven, and deserves its reputation. Boulder Mountain Lodge is a very good place to stay and/or eat if it fits your schedule, though again it may be full by this time.

Good luck putting this trip together and best wishes to your intrepid dad!

FYI - we are changing plans to early September 😊 too many other plans for the spring

While you have to ride a shuttle into Zion Canyon, I don't think that
applies if you have a room at Zion Lodge.

Guests can drive as far as the lodge (we stayed there some years ago) but not any further into the park, and parking at the lodge can be full if you go into Springdale for dinner and come back later in the evening. It's a scenic drive in, though, and maybe would be enough for you. I don't think you're allowed to stop anywhere along the way but maybe someone else knows differently.

We enjoyed our stay at the lodge the first time - and got a nice jump on our hike into the Narrows before the masses - but the rates had gotten just too high for trip #2's budget so we stayed in Springdale and enjoyed a much more varied array of places to eat than at the lodge. Parking in Springdale, other than at in-town accommodations, can also be a pain during high season....which is when you're going to be there.

Canyonlands Island in the Sky: true that accessible viewpoints for people unable to walk a bit of distance are fewer rather than more but the views you CAN see are worth the trip. Take a look at this young lady's descriptions and pix of her wheelchair visit of Green River, Grand View Point and Buck Canyon Overlooks at the park?
https://www.littlemissturtle.com/canyonlands-national-park-in-a-wheelchair/

Nearby Dead Horse Point State Park (you'll pass the entrance road on your way to IITS) that's mentioned in Ms. Turtle's blog piece is a possibility too but again, he has to be able to walk a bit on the paved paths; you won't see anything from the car. It's also a state park so not covered by the National Park pass but what a view! Honestly, it's sort of a shame that your dad is unwilling to use a wheelchair as I think he'd be able to experience more at most of the parks if he really can't walk very far at all. No matter, what a lovely thing you're doing to make him an adventure!

Arches had many more pull-outs where you could get off the main road
to look at something (granted, our trip was before the current
shuttle-bus/reservation system).

Just to clarify, Pete, there is no shuttle system at Arches, although there are some commercial tours. The reservation system is for entering via your own vehicle as visitation became too heavy to accommodate the traffic/designated parking.

Kathy, you’re preaching to the choir! But my dad is stubborn 😝

Thanks for the info!