Utah & Arizona road trip

[Manhattan]

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.

[craigcd]

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.

[mr2mike]

Zion National Park is pretty cool.
Like a small scale grand canyon that you can drive through.

[bleu]

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.

[taemo]

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

[FixedGear]

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.

[Waldi]

Originally posted by mr2mike
Zion National Park is pretty cool.
Like a small scale grand canyon that you can drive through.

second this, Bryce Canion and if Arizona, Monument Valley (it is off bitten pah but pretty unusual spot.