If you're starting your driving trip from Las Vegas, think about the following: When driving from Las Vegas toward Zion (Springdale, UT), you will pass Red Rock Canyon. That's worth a couple of hours detour. In Zion the weather should be pleasant. Springdale is the best place to stay. There are shuttle buses running from Springdale which take you to most of the best viewpoints in Zion Canyon. As we have discovered in visiting numerous national parks, the "bottom up" views tend to more spectacular (and more photogenic) than the "top down" views.The two best hikes in Zion Canyon, as previously mentioned, are Angel's Landing and the Narrows. At that time of year it may be too cold to hike the Narrows. From Zion it is a relatively short drive to Bryce. When you are driving out of the canyon to Bryce, don't forget to check out the overlooks down into the canyon. In the high country, as you are driving away from Zion, there are numerous overlooks with incredible scenery, including numerous short hikes. When you get to Bryce, you will probably stay in the vicinity of Ruby's Inn. The weather at Bryce is considerably colder than at Zion, as it is about 4,000 ft. higher in elevation. We have seen snow in Bryce in June. There are numerous overlooks at Bryce with spectacular views. The one "must" hike is to hike into "Queen's Garden" This is a short (about 1 mile) hike with incredible views (not unlike hiking on the moon)! From Bryce, there are numerous options en route to the Grand Canyon. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon would probably be closed in the spring and, if open, might be extremely cold. You may have to skip this part of the trip. En Route to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, if it fits your schedule, an overnight stop in Page (on the shore of Lake Powell) would be worthwhile. In Page, an easy guided hike into Antelope Canyon would be a treat for everyone. On to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The elevation is high and the weather will be cold. The views are extraordinary. Unfortunately, the farther you hike into the Canyon the more spectacular the views. Hiking at this elevation could be problematic unless you have spent several days acclimating to the altitude. The hikes, for the most part, are steep and difficult. Don't even think of hiking to the bottom unless you are all very experienced hikers, extremely fit, and well prepared with ample water. Lodging in Grand Canyon could be problematic. Be sure you have reservations well in advance. Enjoy the trip!

Good information.

Be aware that in the high country, you never know what the weather will be, sometimes even hour to hour, much less day to day. Camping in the High Sierras, I have observed bright sunshine in one canyon while it was raining in the next canyon over. Fishing opening day at Lake Crowley for 17 years running (weekend closest to the first of May), one year it was no-shirt weather, while another, trout thrown into the bottom of the boat froze in 30 minutes. Another year, the wind was blowing so strongly that gravel was flying through the air, and several hundred boats either beached or at docks were totally destroyed. And a couple of years, I was skiing at Mammoth Mountain on the Fourth of July! One never knows!!!

Being affected by elevation - or not - is very much an individual thing! I don't recall that I've ever been over about 10,000 feet, but never have suffered any kind of ill effects. On the other hand, my parents, and my then older teen-age son did - breathing. My parents just took it easy, and didn't do anything strenuous. My son would hike with me, but had to stop a lot at that elevation.

I suggest you do not want to miss the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, but to see the beauty - and the grandeur - you don't need a lot of time - or mule rides to the bottom of the canyon, though that's OK if you're up for it and have the time allocated. Zion and Cedar Breaks are beautiful, but the lesser experiences in my opinion. The outstanding one is Bryce Canyon - both as to magnificent color and incredible rock formations - and is NOT to be missed. (The first time I visited Grand Canyon, I was disappointed, as I had expected much more color. On later visits, I came to appreciate it much more - for what it is, not detract for what it is not.)

I never had the opportunity to see the slot canyons, always wanted to, but now will not have the chance. It apparently is not too easy to do now, and must be planned (reserved) well in advance - as apparently everything these days!!! Pictures I have seen are incredible.

It seems apparent that ANYWHERE you wish to vacation these days, reservations many months in advance are required, and in some areas, only achievable through luck in a lottery! So get everything lined up as soon as possible!!! It's been six years since I last was at Grand Canyon (I was living in Phoenix), so I suspect things are even more restrictive than at that time.

All the best with your plans and trip, take lots of pictures - and let us see them, please.

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

It can be windy in the spring. You are in a wide open area so I would limit the number of lens changes. The telephoto and wide angle lens would be my choice. If you are planning to hike the trails you will not want the extra weight of carrying multiple lenses. I have been to all 3 and the North and South rims of the canyon. Bryce is my favorite. As mentioned the North rim of the canyon is much more remote and not as developed which is good and bad.

Another suggestion is that you will not be far from Sedona (about 2 hours from the south rim) a great place to photograph with good hiking trails, accommodations and restaurants. You could then fly back home from Phoenix.

So you're flying into Las Vegas. There has been a lot of talk of the North and South rims of the Grand Canyon in this discussion. There is another rim that is closer to Las Vegas, the West Rim. It is on an Indian Reservation. There is no lodging. There is one restaurant. This is a place for a day trip from Las Vegas, since you can't stay over. You could also see it on the way to somewhere else. We were there when it was not considered to be busy. You have to take a shuttle from the parking area to to the canyon. If you're put off by the number of tourists in these pictures, keep in mind that this is deserted compared with the South Rim. There are some nice views, but there is no real hiking. One interesting thing is that there is a spot where you can look over the edge and see the car that went over the cliff at the end of Thelma and Louise. They really crashed a car over the edge of the canyon. The property has a lot of fake Indian teepees and huts with signs explaining what they are. They are not well maintained. The restaurant has a line to get in. There is also the famous glass skywalk that hangs over the canyon. You can't take a camera or even a cell phone out on the glass because you might drop it. When we were there, we didn't want to wait in the line to walk on it. I didn't take any pictures of it, so here is a link to images of the skywalk.

https://www.google.com/search?q=grand+canyon+glass+bridge&rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS874US874&sxsrf=ALiCzsbeEuzhB0qn2fCv9aV-XrUgtqtEBQ:1651419552521&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&vet=1&fir=LOvysWuNPXiJrM%252Cck724GXD1gc2aM%252C_%253BLIwQp87Qyfc6DM%252Cp4ii5n2OuSDAwM%252C_%253BqKt_4DeVIG7BsM%252CwxmlpXLGCxMeaM%252C_%253BL-8pHIcvtr82YM%252Cck724GXD1gc2aM%252C_%253BWx8DxfKeC9-gmM%252CHbJJw7HhwjUmpM%252C_%253BMlTeJ_Mb3abDzM%252CURzinX3ULXLiJM%252C_%253B3zY0VkdI33JyWM%252Coy5XaikTJIL41M%252C_%253BR5OOal3wq6Q-rM%252CtB7fK81Q55FA9M%252C_%253BMhaIC65LlUSAEM%252Cg5mjHW6rJRJqPM%252C_%253BJZ_iD6xuCpZgaM%252CNi0rTci8w1oXhM%252C_%253B1PisCL_Z8jo0EM%252CoRuy-bNWrJINJM%252C_%253BEGQvuh72PeIdyM%252CxjXfh_7DlS1zXM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kREu5Zwg3llR93g7NE5MmqTT9Zvqw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjMibae0b73AhVJJzQIHcIhACcQ9QF6BAgQEAE&biw=1920&bih=969&dpr=2#imgrc=LIwQp87Qyfc6DM

I've read most of the responses, and I'm shocked by the number of folks who are jumping to redesign your vacation. I'd suggest weighing their suggestions very carefully.

In my judgement, it would be a serious mistake to drop Grand Canyon from your itinerary with grandkids involved. It is an iconic world site, with nothing close to similar anywhere else. In addition to being big, if you are willing to take the time to learn even a little bit about it it is a fascinating place. If something has to be dropped, my suggestion would be to drop one or even two of the other destinations before dropping GC.

The Barringer (Winslow) Meteor Crater is not too far east of Flagstaff on I-40. It is actually privately owned, but would also be a great stop for the grandkids. Death and destruction are topics they can identify with, and there were quite a bit of both as a result of that meteorite. They had quite an array of entertaining and educational materials and experiences last time we stopped.

I like the desert, but the desert is big. There are numerous worthwhile places and things to see, but they are not very close together, as are points of interest in your part of the country. You'll have to work and plan to see them. Remember to watch your gas gauge. Half a tank is a good trigger to fill up.

Grand Canyon still in the 20's at night and high about 60. Bryce is even colder with highs in low 50's. Zion is warmer in the 40's to the 70's.
So for a vacation for me that is way too cold.
Also remember the elevation is 8,000' so for low level easterners air is thin for walking much. I observed this a lot when I lived in AZ and spent much time in the area watching lowland visitors.
You can easily catch the highlights in 7 days for all 3 locations. In fact 1 day each allows for catching great views at each then moving on.
Contact each park for maps and good information including just google each site for lodging and tours.
I never do tours so no info. As far as lodging I just catch as catch can except for the Grand Canyon as I have a house not far from it and a nephew in Kanab which makes Zion and Bryce easy to get to.

But I would say April is a bit early and late May would be far better for all 3.
Have fun whatever you choose.