Itinerary check for senior (Arches, Canyonlands, Natural Bridges)
Hello all, I'm planning a 5 day trip based out of Moab for my father (79M) and myself (39F). Due to his health conditions, we won't be hiking- just driving to explore this beautiful part of the country together. Although he can handle a walk, as he bikes 30m/day indoors, I'm not sure about his comfort level at the altitude and heat. He let me know he needs plenty of sleep and some down time to rest each day.
I would love feedback about the itinerary I came up with. Please let me know of short walks and vistas accessible by car!
We are visiting the week after Labor Day, so temperatures and crowds are both factors I considered.
Wednesday
arrive Moab airport 2pm
explore town or swim, dinner + Moab Film Museum, rest
lodge in Moab
Thursday
drive through Arches*
lunch break, rest
Dead Horse Point
lodge in Moab
Friday
Canyonlands- Island in the Sky**
lunch break
stop at Needles Overlook, outside Canyonlands
lodge in Monticello
Saturday
Natural Bridges National Monument
lunch break
Goosenecks State Park
lodge in Monticello
Sunday
time for any uncovered ground, last stops
lunch in Moab
flight leaves Moab at 3pm
*I’m so turned off by reports that you need to arrive at Arches by 5am and deal with impossible parking conditions! Is it insane to just drive through the park, to catch glimpses of the structures from the roads? Or do you recommend putting up with parking and lines in order to experience amazing nature, unmediated by a car?
**How safe is it to park at Canyonlands visitor centers with our luggage inside the car?