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Which state park to visit for a day trip?

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by PokerFaceNJ, Sep 29, 2013.

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  1. PokerFaceNJ

    PokerFaceNJ Low-Roller

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    My wife and I always do one day trip outside of Vegas on each visit. This year we are choosing between two: Valley of Fire or Zion National Park. After reading many reviews on both, I am kind of leaning to Zion as it sounds beautiful. My only concern is that is appears to get very cold weather after October and we are heading out in early November. Anyone visit both? Thoughts?

    Thanks!
     
  2. VegasBJ

    VegasBJ VIP Whale

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    I have been to Zion a handful of times and it is very beautiful with some nice trails for hiking. Yes, you have to be careful in early November for cold weather and possible snow.
     
  3. johnvic

    johnvic VIP Whale

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    Zion is beautiful. I went in September and needed a jacket so November will be crisp. It's not too long a drive but if you like to hike get going early.

    On your way you can stop at the Moapa Truck Stop. It's nothing great unless you want fireworks but you can get a snack, gas and native stuff. When you get closer to Zion there are towns but I believe it's a long stretch of nothing special.
     
  4. NandJfrmNJ

    NandJfrmNJ VIP Whale

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    We've been to both many times. If you can only do one, I would go with Zion. Have you been to Bryce? If not, that would be my first choice.
     
  5. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    Zion is gaw-jus, but it's about a 2-3 hour trip each way.

    Valley Of Fire is maybe 40 minutes away and is spectacular if you go in the mid-late afternoon for the light.
     
  6. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    I visited the VOF last year. it is nice, if you go late in the afternoon you get a view of the deep red mountains. go to their web site to see what sights are available, was kind of neat to see. It was easy to get to as it isn't that far outside of vegas. VOF's draw is that the surroundings are red from the rust in the dirt so have a nice deep red look apart from the regular colors. Kind of like the grand canyon with the colors.

    btw, there also is a store outside the VOF where you can buy fireworks and snacks. you can't play with the fireworks in the VOF though.

    Not sure about zion, I will have to go there one day.
     
  7. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    no, you can't play with the fireworks in the valley (i'll take your word on that) but evidently lighting them off behind the building is perfectly acceptable, as evidenced by the hundreds of spent shells on the desert floor. so weird!
     
  8. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    I visited VOF a couple summers ago and it was astounding! Could not recommend it any higher!
     
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  9. travelfiend

    travelfiend High-Roller

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    I have been to both, quite honestly Zion is the more spectacular scenery in my opinion but also a solid 2.5 hour drive each way, while Valley of Fire is like others said maybe 45 minute drive. If you do Zion, you could always stop in Mesquite at the small casinos there, just to cross off your list if you are so inclined. If your trip was 6 days or longer, I would do Zion, if shorter, I would do Valley of Fire which is pretty cool and some nice trails (I remember one particular one, can't remember name sorry, that was just what I call bouldering, the trail was marked just by cairns) Just my 2 cents worth.
     
  10. 3544quebec

    3544quebec High-Roller

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    Would Death Valley be in the running for scenery or does Zion beat it hands down?
     
  11. NandJfrmNJ

    NandJfrmNJ VIP Whale

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    DV is a different kind of scenery but we think it's fascinating in a different way and Jan would be a great time to go there. It's sometimes stark and foreboding depending on what parts of the park you go to. Badwater is the lowest point in the US and interesting to see. No matter which park you choose you will enjoy. There's always next time to see another and something else to look forward to.
     
  12. 3544quebec

    3544quebec High-Roller

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    Thanks for the advice - any difference if my visit is this Friday (assuming my trans-Pacific flight makes it) rather than Jan - too hot? We did survive an Arizona/Nevada road trip last month. Loved all those But its a dry heat tee shirts in Tombstone
     
  13. NandJfrmNJ

    NandJfrmNJ VIP Whale

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    Depends on how much walking you want to do. Weather forecast for Fri is 89. I'm sure it will be tolerable unless you plan to do major hiking.
     
  14. Film-Noir

    Film-Noir High-Roller

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    VOF + a Pow/Bang!

    VOF!
    Soo many things to see, hike, walk & drive/explore.
    As the day gets later, the Brilliant colors start popping in the Formations.

    For after sunset fun, stop at the Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza for Fireworks,
    & low price Smokes/Liquor they even have slots inside.
    The fireworks there buyable year round, & they even have place outside to shoot them off. Win/Win.

    A fun way to finish off a day trip/excursion!

    Zion is Beautiful, but an All day affair just to get there & back, 6 Hrs+
    (3Hrs + each way, kills a lot of the day)
     
  15. 3544quebec

    3544quebec High-Roller

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    So, my Friday trip seems ill-timed. Will the federal government shutdown affect entry to any/all of VOF/Zion/DV?
     
  16. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    Depends on what kind of scenery you want.

    Zion is far more picturesque and more relaxed. Death Valley has some gorgeous views such as Dante's View and some unusual ones such as Artist's Palette and Ubehebe Crater, but it's very hot and quite desert-y.

    One thing about Zion is that they no longer allow you to drive in the north end of the canyon. It's shuttles all the time. It actually makes for more of a relaxing trip. Just be aware that the outbound shuttles toward the end of the afternoon are often packed to capacity!
     
  17. HoyaHeel

    HoyaHeel Grammar Police & Admin

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    Zion and Death Valley are National Parks and therefore shut down now.

    Valley of Fire is a state park and I think it should be unaffected.:peace:
     
  18. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    How do you value your time and experiences?

    I don't know that I'm the one to answer the OP's question or the one on the other thread about the canyon or or or ...

    We travel to experience, and for us we value new experiences as much as the tried-and-true, and perhaps more. We love wild spaces as much as Manhattan. Having said that:

    On the Wow scale VoF does not compare with Zion. It is pretty, probably unique given where a lot of folks live, and on its way plus side it is a excursion you can easily do in a day, with time to spare.

    Zion is a national park for a reason. Like the Grand Canyon or Tetons or Everglades, it is singular. I don't think such places warrant a drive by and a wave. That's just the way I'm wired. I don't think my viewpoint is tainted because we've been to Vegas so many times and therefore we can "afford" to take time away from being in a casino gambling. In fact, I'd say if one gets to this part of America only sporadically, then the waste is not finding a way to split casino and purple mountain majesties.

    As noted, Zion would be a long day, but if the alternative is never seeing it, get up early and check out one of the really cool corners of America. And contrary to reports, you're not driving through Siberian wastes to get there as Mesquite is a bit more than an hour from Vegas and St. Geo another 40, where you'll get off to go to the main part of the park. St. Geo is a great little town, too.

    P.S. You could find wicked weather there then, it could be beautiful. Hopefully it is clear and just cool.
     
  19. bardolator

    bardolator Lifelong Low Roller

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    I'm with Ken. Zion is worth more than a few hours, but better to see it that way than not at all. There are also scenic drives to and from Zion.

    With any luck, the national parks will be open again by the time you visit.

    Bryce will be cold in November. It's not that far from Zion but is often much colder, and its amenities are pretty basic. Zion is in a nice little town.
     
  20. NickyDim

    NickyDim Hockey is life

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    A close by State Park for a nice picnic is Floyd Lamb with natural spring lakes.

    [​IMG]

    Not grand like a national park but it is a State Park you can visit in a day trip.


    But of the others that were talked about, if you don't want to be totally toasted by the time you get back, your best bet would be Valley of Fire or Red Rock, you can be back in 1/2 day from either. Zion is just too big a trip for one day.
     
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