GC and Big 5 in Utah March 24,2019-May 4

Seems to be rather early to me. Expect snow.

Check road conditions and webcams of state dot and national parks now.

March is pretty early for most of that.

If you are flexible as to your itinerary, this could be a great time to go -- nice cool weather! Head for low elevations if it is snowy. Have fun!

Bryce NP avg. weather: April 54 high; 29 low 8"snow; May 64 high 37 low 2" snow; Sept. 70 high 42 low 0.1" snow

Arches NP avg. weather: April 71 high low 42; May 82 high low 51; Sept 88 high low 55; Oct 74 high low 42

Grand Canyon: April 50 - 60 high, low 32

These parks all have different elevations so different weather. Naturally, each year is different for weather. We've been at the Grand Canyon in February and it was gorgeous and warm but that's a rarity.

Also keep in mind that in Moab is a big Jeep rally around Easter and which is April 21 in 2019. The place is extremely crowded.

If you like cool weather then you won't have a problem in April for your trip. Otherwise, can you switch your trip to September/October for warmer and better weather?

Each national park has an excellent web site giving lots of good information such as weather averages, things to do, special alerts, road information, camping, etc. Check them out for each place you want to visit.

Here is Bryce Nat'l Park's with the weather history:

https://www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/weather.htm

Another option would be to drive to the Tucson/Phoenix areas in March (spring flowers) and tour around and then head north in April/May.

mburtis wrote:
Starting to plan a trip arriving

last week of March for

6 weeks. Lookin for input on

best routes for that time of year.

First thoughts were to hit GC last week of March and then

Zion,

Bryce,

Cap Reef and then

Moab for Arches and CY.

Could do it backwards based on normal weather ???

Any thoughts or

suggestions Welcomed.

Mark

Great time of Year - Cool, no Crowds, and 6 weeks will give you time, even if you have a few days of weather.

Best trip we ever took to Bryce was in December during an eight inch snow storm - Red an White go together :)

If i were you I'd start with Canyon de Chelly - pushing to Monument Valley and then into GC on RT 64 from the East.

Two areas that might be weather Critical would be Bryce Snow - Makes it even more spectacular.

And Moab for Heat in May, which will make the hikes a little more work, but if you start early and finish late you should be fine.

With your time frame be sure to get a list of Utah's State Parks - Escalante/Kodachrome/Goblins are all right on the way with a few others that might find their way into your route. Kolob Canyon is not to be missed in Zion, along with Angles Landings as they both require time and effort but will provide great rewards.

We have always been off season campers and the rewards are many.
Moab - 4runner's Link needs to be planned around the many event's.

RT 12 is awesome as is RT 128 along the Colorado River - Green River right of I-70 is worth the stop.

SLC is IMHO as good as a National Park and should also get some time along with Dinosaur NM and Flaming Gorge and Lake Powell, and the Slot Canyons.

6 weeks, might need to add a couple more if possible, as there is just so much to see, and then to exit through Spring in Colorado................

Keep us all in the loop as your planning goes forward,

Best of Luck,

Thanks for all the input and keep it coming. As some have mentioned I am somewhat concerned about the weather but really wanted to avoid the crowds starting in June.?? One additional question is how imperative is it to make reservations especially if we push the trip into June?

Looks like a great trip! Our experience over the past 12 years is that family travel in the West starts around mid June, peaks quickly, and then slows in mid August. As a single RVer, you should be able to find camping spots even in crowded areas--but it may cost more in some cases. So much to see and do in that area of the US, you will probably have to plan a return trip!