Forum Discussion

Chuck___'s avatar
Chuck___
Explorer
Dec 06, 2018

Need recommendations for Arizona, New Mexico trip

We are planning a trip where we have never been before and would like some advice and suggestions.
The wife and I retired this summer and have a 2017 Ford dually diesel 4X4 and a 34 foot 5th wheel. We had a 24 foot 5th wheel for over ten years and did some camping mostly in Oregon, Washington and Yellowstone with the kids in the early days on 2-week vacation trips at a time. Recently with the 34 foot 5th wheel we have been out 3 to 4 times on mostly 4 day stays and one trip this past summer a 2-1/2-week vacation. So we are not a total newbie to RVing.

Here is a brief trip layout/route we are planning for approximately one month from Salem, Oregon.
Go to Mt Shasta City for one night; 5 nights through Nevada Valley of Fire & Zion. Arizona: 5 days, Vermillion Cliffs/Marble Canyon; Grand Canyon & Window Rock. New Mexico: 4 days Santa Fe, Church of San Jose De Gracia & Taos area. Colorado: 3 days in Mesa Verde National Park. Utah: 3 days @ Arches National Park. Head back home with one-night stay around Boise/ Mountain Home, ID area and one night at John Day, Oregon.

Here is where we need help and probably more.
• Trip planning time: We were planning the trip starting in mid-April of 2019 hoping to hit mid 70-degree weather. But read on the forum that the weather is not the best at that time of the year, snow and colder/freezing temperatures at night. So, we are switching plans to mid-May. Trying to beat the 90-degree weather. Right or wrong planning time?
• Route Planning: I am retired now and don’t have to be in a rush like before. Like quiet, scenic routes. What routes do you recommend?
• Heard a recommendation about keeping the gas tank above ½ full mark if possible because lack of gas stations along the route?
Where to camp over night?
• Where do you recommend for camping sites? Like to have full hook-up most of the time or electricity, water and a dump site, but I know that isn’t possible sometimes. Like State/ Federal forest camping mostly. Really don’t mind sometimes staying at KOA’s or private RV sites that don’t feel like a Wal-Mart parking lot. Don’t like a beat-up old trailer park along the railroad tracks or to be packed in like a cattle yard.
• How about reservations and timing?
• Do I need to post this topic on any other area of the forum also?

We plan on being gone for a month and any recommendations for sites to see, where to stay or anything that would hopefully make this a safe, enjoyable trip for this newly retired couple would be greatly appreciated.

Note: If you are ever planning a trip to Oregon/Washington state area, make sure to get reservations and planning 6-9 or even 12 months in advance for camping sites anywhere. For example, the coast camp sites are mostly full all summer and into the fall.

13 Replies

  • As for fuel, I always plan my fuel stops ahead of time on my planned routes. I tow a 5th wheel with a diesel truck, so I prefer a truck stop or station that has separate diesel pumps for bigger rigs. I set a target of 200 miles between fuel stops, which leaves about a quarter of a tank for my truck. Planning ahead will probably eliminate the need to refill at the half tank level. It is probably advisable to stop in between at 100 mile intervals to stretch your legs and answer the call of nature. If you have on board toilets, all that is required for intermediate stops is a place to pull off the road.

    There are many POI lists and trucker apps that can help you find suitable fuel stops on your route.
  • What type of things do you want to see? Arizona is full of Indian Ruin parks, especially in the North Central section of the state. Those are best seen in cool weather since they are mostly in the hot desert. Of course in the far north is the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Vermillion Cliffs and Pipe Spring NM are close. You need to look at their web page to see when they open. The are many back country drives in the area.

    Further south is the South Rim which is open all year.

    As for CG what type are you looking for? FHU or fewer services?

    The south of the state has Saguaro NP, Chiricahua NM but that only allows smaller RV's and we couldn't find any close by commercial parks. The NF/BLM cg are also size limited. It's a interesting park tho. Ft Apache is close and well worth a quick look around especially the cemetery with fascinating headstone inscriptions. Mary Anderson aged 24 killed by Apaches and so on.

    Karchner Caverns (sp?) is also down there and is said to be a great cave. Reservations for tours required. It's on our list. Tombstone a tourist site is worth a drive by and Bisbee is worth a stop too with a mine tour.

    I'm just touching on all the places to see in the state there are many more. The Desert Museum in Tucson for example and Mt Lemmon.

    I'll leave NM for someone else.
  • Might think of making a stop at Williams, Az.-fun place to visit along RT 66/40 and you can take a really fun train ride from there to the Grand Canyon. Has RV Campgrounds. Also, saw you mentioned Zion Nat Park-Bryce Canyon is another great place to visit/tour.

    https://experiencewilliams.com/things-to-do-in-williams-arizona/
    https://utah.com/bryce-canyon-national-park