Car Camp/Backpack Labor Day Trip - North Rim, Zion, Powell

[PHeller]

Hey folks!

I need some suggestions on a good itinerary for a car camping/hike-in Labor Day Weekend trip that will span from Flagstaff (home base) to North Rim, to Zion and over to Lake Powell. We're hosting some friends who are avid outdoorsmen(and women) and they can sleep anywhere, so we're trying to avoid paying for camping.

Friday- We'd like to leave Friday evening and camp somewhere between Lees Ferry and Jacob Lake. Car Camping preferred, hike-in is fine too.(Need ideas for camp spot) Badger Creek, FSR225, FSR258A?

Saturday - Hit North Rim for 10-20 mile hike on Saturday (Need ideas for hike). Drive late Saturday afternoon to Springdale area, find a camping site outside the park. (Need ideas for camp spot) Someplace along Hancock Rd? Not sure if we'll use a truck or my wife's Fit, so sand is our worst enemy.

Sunday - Explore Zion - Find camping between Mt Carmel and Paria. Red Canyon Rd, State Line BLM, Johnson Canyon Rd, Paria River Gravel Pits or White House Trailhead.

Monday - Explore area around camp, enjoy cool waters of Lake Powell and do a short hike on the way back to Flag.

Any suggestions welcome!

[SAMBA]

Gooseberry Mesa, a world-class mountain biking area, offers dispersed camping, and is probably less than fifteen or so miles from Springdale.

[azbackpackr]

Widforss Trail for your 10 mile hike at N. Rim. Nice and cool, stays up out of the heat.

[hikeaz]

Hey folks!

I need some suggestions on a good itinerary for a car camping/hike-in Labor Day Weekend trip Friday- We'd like to leave Friday evening and camp somewhere between Lees Ferry and Jacob Lake. ..................
Any suggestions welcome!

If it is open when you get there, stop by the Forest Service visitor center at Jacob Lake to get a free paper map of the Forest Service roads.
If time allows I would camp off of SR 67 on one of the Forest Roads. It will be much cooler up there (vs. Badger, etc.) and to me, prettier.

Free campsites all along the forest service roads of the Kaibab National Forest - not just forest road 241, which is where I usually go if I get up there later. FR22, 5 miles north of Grand Canyon National Park is open year-round and is likely the closest 'free' camping to the park.

[PHeller]

Any easier-to-access trails that involve water within North Rim of GC? Or rather, anything we could hike within 8 hours?

I didn't think I could camp along SR67 as I was in the National Park and that would require a permit, but it looks like it isn't until you're a good 15-20 miles in till you hit the NP boundary.

Any campsites along Rt.9 coming into (or out of) Zion on the North side?

[nonot]

Just FYI but Zion is a disaster on Labor Day weekend, and the parking lot can fill up as early as 8 AM, severely limiting what you can see in the park.

White House TH is not exactly car friendly, I would recommend that only if you have high clearance. There are probably better options off of just about any road up in that area though, except for the Wave TH, it is unlikely you will have much competition for spots. I have crashed off to the side of the road leading to the coral sand dunes, but it is a really crummy spot that is just conveniently located in terms of the drive to Zion based upon when I tended to leave town.