Zion and Yellowstone Trip (need recommendations)

Looking to do a trip with my gf from California out to Yellowstone National Park. Its roughly a 17 hour drive. Seeing how the drive passes through Utah figured we could stop and check out Zion on the way out. Looking for some recommendations from people who have been and/or know the parks. Mainly, what camp sites you'd recommend. Don't have an RTT it would be good ol' fashioned tent camping. Thinking of going Some time next year probably October?

 

@Cuffs should be able to help. She knows that area, I think.

I was out there in March, but we stayed at a condo in Brian Head and used that as our base rather than camping.

 

Only reason we want to camp is to save the money we'd spend on an AirBnb or what have you and put it towards the trip itself. But would definitely be open to hearing about condos/AirBnb's to possibly book for a night somewhere in the mix to shower, sleep in a bed lol

 

Brian Head is about 90 minutes from Zion. We opted to use a Condo rather than camping because we flew into Vegas and didn't want to try to fly with enough camping gear for a week, lol. And since we hadn't been out that way before, we wanted something that was centrally located between a few parks/monuments/rec areas so we could explore as many as possible.
Not sure what's in the area for AirBNB's; the only one we stayed at the entire trip was in Page, AZ during our round-about route back to Vegas.

 

Gotcha. But yeah I feel like camp gear for a week might be a lot but planned out with enough time in between we should be ok lol.

 

For sure. Especially if you're driving; you won't have to worry about getting killed with baggage fees, and you should have plenty of cargo space.

If you look into AirBNB's, Virgin, Rockville, & Springdale are the towns that I remember driving through on the way into the canyon that you should look in to. Of course, a quick google search will probably show you some others that I don't remember, lol.

Have fun! Make sure you hike Angel's Landing, if you're crazy enough to not hate heights. I do hate heights, and if the GF had told me what I was getting into I'd never have done it, lol.

 

Hello! Thanks @Noelie84 for the mention!

Whatcha need @Rudyp.27 ?? Husband works for Zion NP, Im a volunteer and one of their ambulance drivers.

 

Curious to hear about Zion as well since that is next on my list

 

Hey! Thanks for jumping on this thread and responding! Basically, just looking for recommendations for what camp sites are recommended and how long in advanced we need to book them. Thinking October? of next year which i know is a waaaayyyys away but i really want to plan this out as well as possible to make the trip more enjoyable. We've never been to either park so just want to to find the best spot to enjoy the park

 

Also, in Zion besides angels landing what other parts of the park are a "must" to see?

 

Don't bathe in Old Faithful.

 

lol, noted.

 

Didn’t forget y’all. Had errands to run then it got late. I’ll be back tomorrow!!

 

Temple of Sinawava. Ensure you have walking or hiking stick, water shoe and time

 

When it comes to the Yellowstone area, @MTgirl is an expert. Wife and i took a 2 week trip through WY, MT, ID and at least half of our itinerary was following MTgirl's awesome suggestions.

 

Damn, I should upload my photos from Zion to get you psyched up for the trip

 

Yellowstone is awesome, best place that i usually camp at is the Indian creek Campground, if i remember right check out is around 2 but get there early, campsites go fast. awesome fishing there too. check out sheepeaters.

 

No worries I appreciate it!

Awesome, i'll have to look into that

Would love to here some of her input

 

do they do reservations?

 

nope first come first serve. made that trip from Cali many times.