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icotta's avatar
icotta
Explorer
Apr 22, 2016

Southern CA to Nashville via Utah National Parks

We are planning a trip to Nashville from southern CA starting the middle of May 2016 and would like to visit the Utah National Parks on the way. I have read various posts but have not found any that talk about the best routes once you leave Moab going east. Any suggestions on I's vs highways would be greatly appreciated. We have about 3 weeks to make it to Nashville so want to be able to see some sights along the way.

14 Replies

  • lbrjet wrote:
    Not in any particular order.

    Monument Valley
    Valley of the Gods
    Natural Bridges National Monument
    Gooseneck State Park
    Colorado National Monument
    Mesa Verde National Park
    Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
    Ouray, CO
    Rocky Mountain National Park
    Pikes Peak
    Durago Silverton railroad
    Ride the free gondolas in Telluride


    Thank you. I will look into these sites.
  • Thank you for your suggestions. We have not done a great deal of mountain travel so we may look into lower routes.
  • icotta wrote:
    We are planning a trip to Nashville from southern CA starting the middle of May 2016 and would like to visit the Utah National Parks on the way. I have read various posts but have not found any that talk about the best routes once you leave Moab going east. Any suggestions on I's vs highways would be greatly appreciated. We have about 3 weeks to make it to Nashville so want to be able to see some sights along the way.


    Welcome to the Forum!

    With your rig (2012 39QB4)my first question is how comfortable are you with it in the mountains? If the answer is very, then these routes should be fine, IMHO, most of the roads in Colorado are great for RV's and I've been on anything that I might recommend, (I Love to Drive in the MOUNTAINS>) First many of the high Mountain Passes might/most likely, still be snowed in so you will need to explore the valleys.

    Leaving Moab, follow rt 128 out to 70 this is a great drive. Then into Colorado start with Colorado National Monument Then Head to Ouray - Ridgway and find a CG From here you are able to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison - Ouray and Silverton - Telluride -and Trout Lake.

    From here head to Gunnison Lake/Town possibly up to Crested Butte and Lake City - if ant trails are open you might rent a 4X4 to explore - then over Salida - Buena Vista - if they are having a good snow melt the Arkansas River is one of the best in Colorado.

    Now to Leadville Quincy's and Turquoise Lake Check to see if Independence Pass is open - great drive that takes you in to Aspen and to Maroon Bells.From Buena Vista either rt 91 to I 70 and on to Denver or possible the Great Sand Dunes NP.

    My brother just drove through last week during the snow storms - He said He'd be back.

    Hope this is of some help,
  • Not in any particular order.

    Monument Valley
    Valley of the Gods
    Natural Bridges National Monument
    Gooseneck State Park
    Colorado National Monument
    Mesa Verde National Park
    Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
    Ouray, CO
    Rocky Mountain National Park
    Pikes Peak
    Durago Silverton railroad
    Ride the free gondolas in Telluride