Customer Reviews

Moon Zion and Bryce (Moon Handbooks)

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Beauty is an interesting, abstract concept that is very tough for young children to grasp. I recall as a young child hiking on a "sky island," a forested mountain above the desert floor, and realizing that beauty was in the trees around me which I contrasted with the desert floor. I don't recall where I was or my age. I do, however, recall where I first found beauty in the desert. I was 8 years old and visiting Zion National Park. I was utterly infatuated with the towering cliffs, the hike to Angel's Landing (not generally recommended for 8 year olds and their 6 year old sister) and absolutely devastated when I discovered that a visitor center relief map of the park was sold out by the time I got my allowance. Drat. But I have remained a fan of the the southern Utah Parks ever since. If you want to explore these parks, be sure to pick up this guide, which covers far more than just Zion and Bryce Canyons.

Like many other Moon guidebooks, this one offers a glimpse into all forms of recreation. You will benefit from the book whether you plan a quick few day auto tour or a week long hiking excursion. Each location includes a list of scenic highlights, trails to take (the emphasis is on short walks to half day treks, though a few longer excursions are included), other recreational opportunities (cliff climbing, off road vehicle use) and where to stay and eat, depending on your budget. Side bars within the text discuss everything from natural history to how one can order beer, wine, and coffee with minimal inconvenience. I was happy to discover a few hostels where one can actually make an extended stay at a reasonable price.

The best part of this book, however, is that it covers a variety of parks you might not otherwise think to visit along the "Grand Tour." Yes, Zion, Arches, Bryce, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef are all spectacular. But Cedar Breaks National Monument will simply take your breath away (especially if you do any hiking there--it is well above 10,000 feet) and most people drive right by. State Parks like Snow Canyon (a near rival to Zion minus the crowds and annoying tour bus) and other recreational areas (Red Canyon near Bryce) are also covered in this book. Indeed, if you like your visits on the slightly less regulated side, these are fabulous destinations, as is nearby Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument. In all, this is a fine book for planning your southern Utah vacation. And by all means, take the kids. Part of growing up is experiencing beauty firsthand in all its myriad shapes.

I already purchased Moon's Utah and thought I'd get this book, believing it would go into much further detail on the national parks. WRONG! This book is basically a short version of the Utah book, leaving out areas north of the park and duplicating most of the info about the parks that you can find in the larger book. I wish I would have known that so I could have saved my money.