jldodge

We are planning to do a Grand Circle roadtrip in September/October, 2023. I could not find any discussions on this in the archives so wanted to start one here. The Grand Circle includes a number of national parks -- Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, and a few lesser known parks. We will likely fly into either Phoenix or Salt Lake City, rent a car, and take two to three weeks to make the trip. I would like any advice, comments, and suggestions on what, when & where to focus for photo shoots, e.g. sunrise/sunset spots, beyond what the available guidebooks mention.

My plan is to have two camera bodies and three zoom lenses -- zoom to 70mm, 200mm, & 400mm. Since we will be driving, I could get a bit excessive on gear so would like thoughts on what other lenses to consider. Also could add a tripod to the mix. I have a Nikon D70s converted for infrared photography that I may bring.

Thanks in advance for any help on this venture ...

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

We have taken the Grand Circle trip twice, but always with a tour because rooms, food, etc. can be a hassle. You are planning for a good time of year. Depending on how soon you get to the Utah parks you may get wonderful leaf shots. The parks you mention will be interesting and some of the tourist crush will have abated.

If your "zoom to 70mm" lens has a wide angle lower range, I think that will be your go to camera.

We are packing right now for a trip to Dead Horse Point tomorrow, so if you have any other questions or thoughts feel free to contact me at the end of the week.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

Sounds like a great trip. You don’t say what your primary bodies will be, but a wide angle lens is a definite. On a DX body, i had to use a zoom that opened up to 11mm to capture the full sweep of Mesa Arch. With a Z7II, my « landscape » kit includes the Z 14-30 as a matter of course. A good tripod is also a necessity. Have fun!

jldodge

My cameras will be a D7100 and D850. Hopefully, I will have a Z9 by then. If so, I will likely bring that instead of the D7100.

knessr

We did that same trip last Spring by RV. I would start ar either Phoenix or Las Vegas. For example if starting at Las Vegas, your route could be Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef, Canyonlands (Island District), Arches, Monument Valley Tribal Park, Grand Canyon South Rim and into Phoenix. Also don't overlook the Valley of Fire State Park between Las Vegas and Zion.

Zion will still have their Shuttle System running yet, so to get to part of the park you have to ride the Shuttle (unless you have reservations at the Lodge and then you can drive as far as the Lodge. The other side of the park, through the tunnel you can drive yourself and in my opinion, it is better for photography anyway.

Bryce also has a shuttle, but I don't advise taking it. It only hits about 4 viewpoints in the amphitheater and you can drive yourself there and to the rest of the pulloffs.

Capital Reef is the only NP with its own fruit orchards. You might be there when the fruit is ripe. You can eat as much as you want while there, and pay by the pound for what you want to take with you. Be sure to drive the 8-mile Scenic Drive and stop on the way at the Gifford House. Not only do they have a great little store inside the old homestead hous, there is a nice barn (with horses) set against the red rock background.

Canyondlands is one of my favorite parks. It is only about a half hour from Moab, but seems like a different planet. No crowds and beautiful scenery. Be sure and hike back to Mesa Arch.

And then there is Arches. I was diasppointed by the crowds, but not the scenery. Many different arches to see and photograph. Of course Delicate Arch is their flagship arch, but they are many more great ones as well.

After leaving Moab, drive south on U.S. 191 and plan to stop at Canyonlands Needle District. It is seperate from the Island District. Between 191 and the NP, stop at Newspaper Rock if you like petroglyphs.

Then head over to Kayenta, AZ and stop at Monument Valley. Goulding's Lodge and Campground is right next to the park. I recommend taking one of the tours that you can book right at Gouldings. They take you back into areas where you can drive on your own. And unless you have a four-wheel drive vehicle you most likely would not make it with your vehicle anyway.

From Kayenta, take U.S. 160 through Tuba City to U.S. 89. Go South and at Cameron, turn right on U.S. 64 to get to GC South Rim via the East Entrance. Exit out the South Entrance down to I-40 over to Flagstaff and South on I-17 to Phoenix.

That makes a nice trip without having to do any backtracking. Except for staying a Goulding's Lodge, I can't help you much as far as places to stay, but I can tell you there are places to stay close to all of the parks mentioned.

Springdale, UT is just outside of Zion and has many hotels, many namebrand like Best Western, etc. Just outside of Bryce Sanyon is Ruby's In in Bryce Canyon City. At Capital Reef, there is Torry, UT. At Canyonlands and Arches is Moab, UT. At Canyonlands, Needles is Monticello, UT. At GC South Rim you have Tusayan just outside the South Entrance.

If you have any more question, please let me know as everything is still fresh in my mind from out Spring trip. I did not go into specific places to photograph as there are just too many. Taking the Scenic Drives in most parks will get you to many of the iconic places without having to do a lot of hiking.

I'm trying to type with a damaged finger, so please excuse typing mistakes.

First photo is Mesa Arch Canyonlands. The second photo is Monument Valley.

jldodge

Very detailed and helpful response ... Thanks.

photoman43

Definitely take a tripod and try and capture some images before actual sunrise and after sunset. Many viewpoints that say good for sunrise (or sunset) may also be good for the opposite sun positions. Make sure you have a wide angle lens with you, 24mm or 20mm (in 35mm full frame. ) If you go to Monument Valley in AZ consider adding Canyon de Chelly and Petrified Forest both in AZ. In both Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly hire an Indian guide to see extra places available only to them. I stayed at the View in Monument Valley and got my guide thru the hotel. You will have a wonderful trip. I am envious.

SilverthorneRuth Loc: Silverthorne, Colorado

"We are planning to do a Grand Circle roadtrip in September/October, 2023." If you haven't already planned on it, try to find some time to visit White Pocket, out of Kanab, UT. Spectacular!

MrPhotog

Definitely add the tripod, and some colorful clothes. Make sure the self timer works and then walk into some of your landscape scenes. You become the point of interest in your composition.

And above all, enjoy the trip.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

All the places listed are great to visit. With one exception - Zion. During the time of your planned trip, you will not be able to drive in and be your own stop and go boss. I don't know about other people, but I can not stand to be under the control of anyone else when I'm trying to see/photograph anything. That cuts out a few places, but I can live with that.

knessr

The shuttle in zion is only in one part of the park. On the East side through the tunnel you can drive on your own. In my opinion. That is bt far the more photographic part of the part. While there we often saw Bighorn sheep on that side of the park.

But even using the shuttle on the south side of the park is not bad as you can get off anywhere, do what you want while there and catch the next shuttle going your way. There are shuttles stopping at each stop about every 15 minutes.

I would not count out a great park like Zion just because of the shuttles.

gwilliams6

If you have the time and the energy, dont forget both Horseshoe Bend with the Colorado river, and Antelope Canyon, both in Page, Arizona; and Monument Valley on the Arizona/Utah border.

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Mr Bill 2011 Loc: southern Indiana

My plan is to have two camera bodies and three zoom lenses -- zoom to 70mm, 200mm, & 400mm. Since we will be driving, I could get a bit excessive on gear so would like thoughts on what other lenses to consider. Also could add a tripod to the mix. I have a Nikon D70s converted for infrared photography that I may bring.
Thanks in advance for any help on this venture ...[/quote]


By all means take a wide angle lens, and definitely carry the tripod. Be sure to make reservations well in advance, and have a great trip. If you fly into Las Vegas, you could make a nice side trip to Death Valley [assuming the washed out roads are open].

Papou Loc: Ottawa, Canada

Wow, beautiful pictures.

gwilliams6

Thanks