Need advice on Yosemite, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon (South Rim)

Would love to hear comments on what to see at these places in a short period of time.

We have a time share and are heading to Vegas in July for a 10 day trip. Our thought is take a few "day" trips (maybe two for Yosemite) and return to Vegas each night. According to Google Maps, these places are about 4 hours each direction and we thought seeing a few of these places would be a good intro. In reading some of the posts, I'm beginning to wonder if less would be more like some have suggested.

With that said, what would you recommend as must see or must have shots for this time of year and considering the drought in California? Can you really make it to Yosemite in 4 or 5 hours from Vegas? Where is a good place to stay for a night around Yosemite?

If you had to pick 2 from the list, where would you go?

Also concerning equipment, I have a 70D, just bought a Canon 70-200 2.8 II, Tokina SD 12-24 f4 (if) DX and a Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II. (I have the standard kit lenses too)
My next upgrade is either the Tokina or the Tamron. What do you recommend for their replacement? Not sure if I can swing the upgrade before we leave, but maybe I could rent something.

Thanks for any input!

Im curious to read the responses as Im going to Zion later this summer.

Just from what I know living in CA and going to Vegas frequently, returning to vegas each night doesnt seem feasible or a good use of your time. you're going to spend 8+ hours a day driving leaving you little time to visit the destinations each day. you may be better off making it a two day trip in each park or whatever you decide so you arent as rushed each day

Thank you for your input Chantheman. We really want to see as many different places as possible but we don't want to drive to many 8 hours days. So I think we are trying to narrow things down a bit.

I'm really hoping some others have input as to must sees or must photos.

Too funny. I'm heading to Vegas>Yosemite>Vegas>Bryce>Yellowstone>Mt Rushmore in Oct. Don't have my daily schedule worked out yet, but lots I want to shoot. Bucket list kind of thing.
I'll tag along here to listen in and add anything I figure out.

I highly recommend http://www.michaelfrye​.com/yosemiteapp.html which is an app with excellent details of photo opportunities in Yosemite. We went the 2nd week of May. My humble renderings can be seen at http://www.padrephotog​raphy.com/yosemite

Have fun..

All the places that you listed are wonderful, but none are day trips from Las Vegas; just too much driving to make this a feasible option in my opinion. If you are willing to ditch using LV as your base, you can make a great loop through southern Utah and northern AZ in 10 days. I think you will find the article linked below to be a useful reference:

http://www.tripadvisor​.com …he_Grand_Circle​-Utah.html

As for the "less is more" idea, I'm all for it. I like to spend more time in fewer places so that I am not rushed and so I can get into more in depth exploration at those destinations. You might want to pose your questions on the Trip Advisor forums as well to get some additional perspective and options. Here's the link to the Utah forum for a starting point:

http://www.tripadvisor​.com …rum-g28965-i411-Utah.html

Thank you all for the tips and input! We have decided to remove Yosemite from this trip. But after booking a hotel at the southern entrance to Yosemite Google maps painted a clear picture! 6 h 24 min from our place in Vegas to the hotel. Since we were planning to stay a night we were still considering it. Then I found out Mariposa Grove is closing beginning July 6th for 2 years! Ugh! Well, just means we'll have to book a week at Yosemite in a couple more years!

We're still going to try and pull off trips to the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon! So here goes nothing!

Google Valley of Fire State Park. Its a wonderful spot for red rock photography, especially HDR, about an hour drive from LV. There is also a red rock called place near Vegas but it isn't as nice as Valley of Fire.

Hoover Dam is also about 45 minute drive from Vegas.

Thanks John from PA!

July is somewhat unintersting in Yosemite unless you are checking out the high country. The most popular areas are in the valley which won't be as amazing in July especially since it's so dry.

Red Rock Canyon... Not as nice as VOF, but still worth a trip.

Thanks for the ideas! Definitely added them to our itinerary!

If you head over to Yosemite then you might take a look at Mono Lake Tufa's and the ghost town of Bodie. http://www.parks.ca.go​v/?page_id=509