First trip out west from FL.... need help
Well, we retired. :) DW and I haven't been out west and we have a 26' tt and a F150 We've been in the Smokies and WV but not out west. As this is our first trip out west and we want to take 2 ...
Forum Discussion
We've done that trip many times over the years. Rubies right at the Bryce entrance is the main CG. The shuttle bus stops right at Rubies. Rubies is certainly very touristy and there are a couple of other CG not too far away if you don't like it.
The Zion park CG is very nice but there are a number of commercial CG just outside the park. Zion is shuttle bus only you have to leave your truck in a parking lot.
Both parks have great hiking trails. And for that I suggest you start daily long walks to get yourselves ready as much as possible for the altitude. Bryce is at 8000 ft for example and there are plenty of ups and downs on the trails. Carry at least 1 liter of water with you each and more would be better. Indeed carry water with you everywhere you will dry out fast.
On the way back I suggest you go thru southern Colorado and visit Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Great Sand Dunes NP. Make tour reservations online for the Mesa Verde tours or you'll find them full when you get there.
We generally head down I-10 and once you are in west Texas turn off at Hwy 54 to go to Carlsbad which really isn't to be missed. You can then follow US 285 up to I-40. In Arizona stop at Petrified Forest/Painted Desert for a drive thru. Barringer crater is another possible stop.
As for North Rim there is a commercial CG at Jacob's Lake that we've stayed out. Nothing special about it but it's a place to stay with FHU. Someone mentioned the name up above.
The Zion park CG is very nice but there are a number of commercial CG just outside the park. Zion is shuttle bus only you have to leave your truck in a parking lot.
Both parks have great hiking trails. And for that I suggest you start daily long walks to get yourselves ready as much as possible for the altitude. Bryce is at 8000 ft for example and there are plenty of ups and downs on the trails. Carry at least 1 liter of water with you each and more would be better. Indeed carry water with you everywhere you will dry out fast.
On the way back I suggest you go thru southern Colorado and visit Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Great Sand Dunes NP. Make tour reservations online for the Mesa Verde tours or you'll find them full when you get there.
We generally head down I-10 and once you are in west Texas turn off at Hwy 54 to go to Carlsbad which really isn't to be missed. You can then follow US 285 up to I-40. In Arizona stop at Petrified Forest/Painted Desert for a drive thru. Barringer crater is another possible stop.
As for North Rim there is a commercial CG at Jacob's Lake that we've stayed out. Nothing special about it but it's a place to stay with FHU. Someone mentioned the name up above.
