dandekarv Loc: Lake Forest, Ca, US

We are planning a driving trip next summer to Colorado and Utah. Our route will be that we will start from Colorado Spring then to Durango, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Arches National Park and Back to Denver. We may proceed to Rapid City.
It is a big trip and we have plenty of time to plan.
I will be taking my photographic gear with me. We welcome any suggestions from knowledgeable and experienced individuals of interesting places not to miss on this route and photographic opportunities. Since we are driving, we are flexible to add and or change route.
What time of the day would you recommend taking pictures at Bryce and Arches national Park?

BullMoose Loc: Southwest Michigan

I'll be doing just about that exact route in three weeks (except in reverse order). We've been to each of these parks several times, and each has it's own merit. The two you ask about, Bryce and Arches are both excellent morning and evening shoots. Many place at each for both times of the day.

I'm assuming since you're coming from Colorado Springs to Durango, you're going the "million dollar" highway through Silverton. If not, look into it. That drive would be one of the higlights on this trip. If you do, you'll be right by Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Then after Durango, you'll drive right past Mesa Verde, another one worth the stop. Then after that, on your way to Arches and the Moab area from Bryce, you can take the scenic road (I think it's route #12) over the Hogback through Capitol Reef National Park. While you're in Moab, you should even catch Canyonlands Nat. Park which is just across the road from Arches.

We'll be there for 12 days this time, and there won't be time to catch everything in that time. I haven't even touched on the smaller National Monuments like Hovenweep and Natural Brides, or Monument Valley (only a couple hours out of your way).

Can not go wrong in this area.

fhuhman Loc: Jefferson City, MO

We just took the same trip. Consider Antelope Canyon. The north rim of the Grand Canyon. Bryce was the best part of our trip, I would plan on getting there late afternoon for the golden hour and getting early morning shots the next day. Ruby's motel has great rooms at a reasonable price and is close to the entrance of Bryce.

roder10 Loc: Colorado Springs

My home: so don't forget when you are in Colorado Springs to visit the Garden of Gods Park. Excellent photo opportunities morning and evening on the Palmer Trail. Also, the US Air Force Academy Chapel is open most of the time for photos. Interesting subject. Enjoy!

dandekarv Loc: Lake Forest, Ca, US

Thanks Bullmoose. We will plan on going to Mesa Verde. We will be spending a night at monument valley and page.

Dandekar

dandekarv Loc: Lake Forest, Ca, US

Thanks Fhuman;
We will look into Ruby's motel. We will be spending 3 nights at Bryce canyon.

Dandekar

dandekarv Loc: Lake Forest, Ca, US

Roder;

yes sir, Thanks

Dandekar

SueMac Loc: Box Elder, SD

Depending on when your trip is....just don't come to Rapid City during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally unless that is your main goal. It is early August.

Besides Mt. Rushmore, there is Crazy Horse, Custer St Pk, Needles Hwy drive, Spearfish Canyon drive, Wall Drug (tourist trap, but a lot of Native Am. history there too), Badlands NP.

Lots to see here but very different than Utah

dandekarv Loc: Lake Forest, Ca, US

Thanks Sue;

We are planning to be in Rapid City late June ot early July..

Dandekar

Willy Loc: Alaska

These books are a great resource.
http://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Southwest-Vol-1-Southern-Utah/dp/0916189236/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437831417&sr=8-1&keywords=laurent+martres
http://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Southwest-2--Arizona-2nd-Ed/dp/0916189139/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1437831417&sr=8-2&keywords=laurent+martres
http://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Southwest-3--Colorado-Mexico-Soutwest/dp/0916189147/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1437831417&sr=8-3&keywords=laurent+martres

The best time of day at Bryce & Arches, or
anywhere else for that matter is sunrise & sunset.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Since you'll be going thru Denver Estes Park is only a hours drive and usually has a lot of Elk. Rockie Mountian NP

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Since you’ll be going thru Denver you might consider going to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain NP, about a hours drive. Normally Elk hang out on the golf course and in the square downtown. There are many photo ops in town and the park.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

While in Page, do not miss the Lower Antelope Canyon. Ken's Tours offers specific Photographers tours (DSLR and tripod are required), cost was $50.00 in June. Group size is usually 10 people or less and you get preference on moving from one section to another and spending as much time in an area as you chose. Also, very near, like 2 miles out of town is the Horseshoe bend of the Colorado that you don't want to miss. It is free, the only cost is the walk from the parking area - 3/4 miles down hill to get there and the same distance back uphill - worth the effort is physically able.

stumbo Loc: Prescott, AZ

When you go to Moab, I would highly recommend connecting with Jon Fuller, Moab Photo Tours, who is a Professional Photographer. Take either the sunrise or sunset tour and it will be money well spent as he lives there and knows the best time of day to get the best light on the most recognized monuments. The same applies to Monument Valley. I highly recommend Majestic Monument Valley Touring Company. I took both the sunrise and sunset tours and would recommend the sunrise tour for the best light. You need a Navajo tour guide to go out into areas that are off limits to non-Navajo's. Also, you need a vehicle with at lease two to three gears to navigate through the heavy sand roads. There's a loop road that you could take on your own but you would need an SUV or high clearance vehicle as this road is rough and has several severe low sport. Not recommended for a sedan model vehicle. There's a distinct advantage to using guides for your trip through these two parks as they will know where to take you for the best light on all of the icons in the parks. I hope this helps. Good luck on your trip. It sounds like a wonderful time and you will have a good assortment of scenes to see and shoot. When you get back, we would love to see some of your pictures. Here's are two shots, one in Arches and one in Monument Valley

Balanced Rock in Arches National Park at Sunset

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One of the Monuments in Monument Valley at Sunrise

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The Totem Pole and The Holy People in Monument Valley at Sunrise

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cwhonda Loc: SLC, UT.

I live in Salt Lake City and the local paper just reported that Arches National Park is thinking of taking park visits by reservation only, with a time and date. Just a heads up in case, have a great trip. Side trips in Moab would include Deadhorse Point and Canyond Lands.