San Diego to Lake Havasu, then Sedona, in mid Feb?
Howdy friends! Been RV'ing awhile, this will be the start of our first x-country trip. I believe wx may prove to be a challenge. Looking for your thoughts...
Forum Discussion
The first leg is easy San Diego via I-8 (could work in Borrego Springs) to Yuma, AZ.
From Yuma take 95 north to Parker, AZ to Lake Havasu City. Stay on the Arizona side of the Colorado River for best scenery. A stop at Quartzsite is a must - if only to say you've been there. On the way to Lake Havasu City you'll pass a couple of nice state parks on the river. Stop and see if there are any openings. You might get lucky. We did!
From Lake Havasu City you 'could' take I-40 east to I-17 south to Sedona (definitely not 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona - steep) but check the weather forecast carefully. That route takes you to high elevation and possible snow.
Instead, from Lake Havasu City I'd recommend either: 1) I-40 to Hwy 93 just beyond Kingman and pick up 93 south to Wickenburg and then 74 east to I-17 (a stay at Lake Pleasant would be nice). (From Wickenburg DON'T take 89 to Prescott... you won't like the mountain drive... however you could take 89 as far as Kirkland Jct and head to Skull Valley to Iron Springs to Prescott - a LOT easier very pleasant drive). From Prescott (they can get snow, also - check beforehand) you can then take the portion of 89 to Dewey (a RV park is there - Orchard Ranch) and pick up 169 to I-17. Head north on I-17 to Camp Verde and then I'd suggest you head to Cottonwood and stay at Dead Horse Ranch State Park for your visit to Sedona. It's a beautiful campground and easy day trips to Sedona.
2) From Lake Havasu you could also backtrack on 95 south to Bouse and 72 to Hwy 60 which will take you into Wickenburg. Then 60 to 74 to I-17 north to Sedona. Lots of boondocking options around Bouse if you're ready to stop or perhaps Lake Pleasant Maricopa County Park - dry camping and also hookups.
As far as weather in February for Sedona or Grand Canyon - not precitable. We've stayed at Dead Horse Ranch and did a day trip to the Grand Canyon in warm, spring weather one year. We've been to Sedona in Feb. in pleasant light-jacket weather. We've also been to both in light snow which is absolutely beautiful although you probably wouldn't want to drive the RV in snow. Park it in Cottonwood at Dead Horse Ranch State Park and do day trips. You won't be disappointed if there's a dusting of snow!
From Yuma take 95 north to Parker, AZ to Lake Havasu City. Stay on the Arizona side of the Colorado River for best scenery. A stop at Quartzsite is a must - if only to say you've been there. On the way to Lake Havasu City you'll pass a couple of nice state parks on the river. Stop and see if there are any openings. You might get lucky. We did!
From Lake Havasu City you 'could' take I-40 east to I-17 south to Sedona (definitely not 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona - steep) but check the weather forecast carefully. That route takes you to high elevation and possible snow.
Instead, from Lake Havasu City I'd recommend either: 1) I-40 to Hwy 93 just beyond Kingman and pick up 93 south to Wickenburg and then 74 east to I-17 (a stay at Lake Pleasant would be nice). (From Wickenburg DON'T take 89 to Prescott... you won't like the mountain drive... however you could take 89 as far as Kirkland Jct and head to Skull Valley to Iron Springs to Prescott - a LOT easier very pleasant drive). From Prescott (they can get snow, also - check beforehand) you can then take the portion of 89 to Dewey (a RV park is there - Orchard Ranch) and pick up 169 to I-17. Head north on I-17 to Camp Verde and then I'd suggest you head to Cottonwood and stay at Dead Horse Ranch State Park for your visit to Sedona. It's a beautiful campground and easy day trips to Sedona.
2) From Lake Havasu you could also backtrack on 95 south to Bouse and 72 to Hwy 60 which will take you into Wickenburg. Then 60 to 74 to I-17 north to Sedona. Lots of boondocking options around Bouse if you're ready to stop or perhaps Lake Pleasant Maricopa County Park - dry camping and also hookups.
As far as weather in February for Sedona or Grand Canyon - not precitable. We've stayed at Dead Horse Ranch and did a day trip to the Grand Canyon in warm, spring weather one year. We've been to Sedona in Feb. in pleasant light-jacket weather. We've also been to both in light snow which is absolutely beautiful although you probably wouldn't want to drive the RV in snow. Park it in Cottonwood at Dead Horse Ranch State Park and do day trips. You won't be disappointed if there's a dusting of snow!
