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Planning to do a road trip in the spring thru Utah & Arizona in the spring time. Not sure if I should pre-book all the hotel/motels beforehand. We'll be going to some of the popular national parks where hotels might be fully booked well in advance. The downside is we'll really be tied to a fixed schedule and won't be to stay or leave spontaneously. Looking for some suggestions on whether or not to prebook my motels.
I am sure you plan to pass through Moab. There is lots to see and several different parks. I would suggest you book in advance as they seem to book up similar to Banff. Starting the first week of March there seems to be a different event every weekend and decent places can book up quickly.
That being said I am sure you could find a place somewhere if needed.
Zion National Park is pretty cool.
Like a small scale grand canyon that you can drive through.
We usually drive to Vegas once a year and I love that portion of the road trip. We usually book a few hours prior to getting to our destination for the day. There are a lot of small towns along the way and we have never had difficulties getting a place to stay. We make the trip in the Summer.
if you're going to the popular NPs, you're better off booking ahead of time unless you're willing to camp in your car worse case scenario.
if you save it last minute (2-3 weeks before trip) then it may be all sold out or you'll find a place far from the parks.
all depends what time of the year and US has a national holiday those weeks.
april-early june you should be ok but summer i wouldnt take chances
If you're travelling in March, I wouldn't worry about pre-booking. Not pre-booking gives you a lot more flexibility. Tourist season doesn't start until the kids get out of school. Source: I've lived in three SW states.
Edit: should tell you I've never tried staying at hotels right near park entrances, my comments are all based on observations of highway traffic volume. Still, March is still totally off-season, you don't see many tourists doing stuff outside until end of may.
second this, Bryce Canion and if Arizona, Monument Valley (it is off bitten pah but pretty unusual spot.Quote:
Originally posted by mr2mike
Zion National Park is pretty cool.
Like a small scale grand canyon that you can drive through.