So I am thinking about taking year or two to explore the western US (AZ,NM,ID,CO,UT,MT) I am working on compiling a list of sites to stop at along the way. I will be leaving from GA, with the adventure beginning at least past MO area. This is my partial list:I want to make an effort to stop at attractions that are usually featured on "top ten" lists (travel channel,etc) I am interested in touring factories,gold mine,silver mines ghost towns, locations that were used to film movies (Hornick, Iowa 1984, Children of the corn) I would like to try and get to Banif and maybe Alaska before the southern southwest. Let me know what you think. I am pretty open. I believe I would be starting my trek right after X-Mas. I would eventually like to stay at the grand canyon (south rim) for an extended period of time also.I did a trip like this back in the 80'sCarhenge, Alliance, NebraskaEnchanted Highway, Regent, North DakotaHole n' the Rock, Moab, UtahCadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TexasSan Luis Valley, ColoradoRocky Mountains of WyomingThe Wild West, KansasThe Southwest's Four Corners Colorado's Mesa Verde National ParkColorado's Cripple Creek Gold RushGlacier National Park, through the Cascades, SelkirkTerra StudiosDurham, ARBlue Bell Creameries (Broken Arrow, OK)Broken Arrow, OKWillis Granite ProductsGranite, OKBraum Family FarmTuttle, OKKansas Underground Salt MuseumHutchinson, KSUnion Pacific Railroad?s Bailey YardNorth Platte, NEBroken Boot Gold MineDeadwood, SDSpirit Mound StationVermillion, SDMt. Rushmore GoldRapid City, SDDakota Gasification CompanyBeulah, NDAntelope Valley StationBeulah, NDSmokejumper CenterMissoula, MTTeton HomesCasper, WYAviat Aircraft Inc.Afton, WYLaramie River StationWheatland, WYPhoenix Gold MineIdaho Springs, COStranahan's Colorado WhiskeyDenver, COUS Mint (Denver, CO)Denver, COVery Large ArraySocorro, NMShidoni FoundrySanta Fe, NMEagle Ranch (Pistachio Nuts )Alamogordo, NMKennecott Utah Copper CorporationMagna, UTMotoSatSalt Lake City, UTSweet Candy CompanySalt Lake City, UTBonneville Salt Flats, UtahMonument Valley, UtahDavis-Monthan's Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center FacilityTucson, AZGood Enough Mine TourTombstone, AZMorenci Copper MineMorenci, AZQueen Mine ToursBisbee, AZThe Mineral Discovery CenterSahuarita, AZ

When in Amarillo, go see Palo Duro Canyon. They do have campgrounds there but you can't get cell service if that matters. Worth the drive!

...this is your 'partial' list? I see you're planning a year or two for the trip. You will be able to cover all of the above and more.We've done the Arizona Morenci Mine and Bisbee's Queen Mine and Sahuarita's Mineral Discovery Center. Liked them in that order.You can't go wrong with any of the national parks on your list. For the Grand Canyon, if you want hookups, stay in the park at Trailer Village. If you're not a hearty hiker then 4-5 days is probably long enough.Enjoy your trip!

See all of the national parks and recreation areas in Utah - in fact see all of the national parks that are along your route. Drive designated scenic roads when possible. Explore western Colorado. Planning a trip with a lot of stops can be unwieldy. I started making maps which has helped me immensely with planning. Check it out by clicking the link below.

When in Utah, doing all 5 Nat'l parks and Hovensweep, east of Blanding.

Since you have expressed some specific interests, here's some additional ideas while you are in Colorado:1 - The South Park area, specifically Fairplay and Alma. In Fairplay, there's South Park City, a recreation of the old west, with a collection of buildings that were moved there from other locations in South Park. Authentic and as western as you can get, IIRC they've also had movies/TV shows filmed there.2 - Canon City/Royal Gorge area. While severely damaged by fires a couple seasons back, the Royal Gorge area is quite beautiful. The bridge itself wasn't damaged, and there's been a lot of rebuilding going on. There's a tramway to the bottom of the gorge and a train that runs through the gorge that are fun to see/do.3 - In Manitou Springs/Colorado Springs area there's a tremendous choice of things to see/do. There's the Pike's Peak Cog Railway. Seven Falls. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Will Rogers Shrine. Garden of the Gods. Air Force Academy. Olympic Training Site. LOTS of museums.3 - In southern Colorado, I'd highly recommend the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad tour, starting in Either Chama NM or Antonito CO (can start at either point on the train, and take a bus back to start point). There's also variations such as half trips from either point. My personal preference is to start in Antonito CO, since it's high desert area, and watch the gradual scenery change as one gets to higher elevations. It straddles and crosses the CO/NM border many times as it gets into alpine territory, stops for lunch at Osier, and then drops down dramatically into Chama NM. There's a thread on here about camping in Chama NM, and one can also start the trip there, or grab the bus there and go to Antonito to start. Either way, it's a must see/do experience!4 - Mesa Verde/Durango/Cortez. I'd also recommend the Silverton & Durango Railroad while you're down in the 4 Corners/Mesa Verde area. Lots to see and do around Durango and Cortez. Just walking around town in both is a fun way to spend the day. Old West museums in both towns. Mesa Verde could be a camping destination if you'd like, you can camp inside the park. There's also the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument outside of Cortez. A trip down to the 4 Corners monument is a fun day trip. 4 - You've got Denver on your list and there's a whole lot to see and do there, depending on where your interests take you. Couple of places that might interest you -- The Colorado School of Mines Museum on it's campus in Golden; lots of mining historical information, and a collection of moon rocks. Colorado Railroad Museum is also in Golden. Coors Brewery tour, if you're into that sort of thing, also in Golden. Several good State Parks in the area to stay at, as well as some good CG in the Golden area, including Chief Hosa Lodge and CG, the oldest CG in the United States. That's just the tip of the iceberg for some of the things to see/do in Colorado!

the great road trip | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

newk
Explorer
Aug 01, 2014
Drbolasky wrote:
zippyphil wrote:
I am in GA area and am questioning if I should just fly west to maybe MT, AZ,NM and buy my RV there instead of my hometown. I don;t know if this would be financially beneficial.

Many folks buy their rig in Montana - no sales tax. Do your homework, though.

Enjoy & safe travels.

But they'll catch up with you when you license it in another state! The only out-of-staters to save money buying a MH in Montana are those who set up a corporation in Montana to buy said MH... and some states are going after their residents for this and collecting... and more.

As one who lives in the west, RVs are usually cheaper in the midwest. There's more competition there, and you can avoid a lot of the transportation/delivery costs.
gswcgi
Explorer
Jul 29, 2014
You left out one of the prettiest places in the US, Lake Tahoe!!
TyroneandGladys
Explorer
Jul 28, 2014
The Mammoth Site in South Dakota. Little Big Horn National Monument and Devils Tower.
profdant139
Explorer II
Jul 28, 2014
Maybe save some time for Lone Pine, Calif, and the Alabama Hills, where so many westerns were filmed. There is a great film museum, and the visitor center south of town can give you locations of various famous movies. Oh, and the Sierra Nevada is right there, too, in case you are interested in doing some hiking. Summers are hot, winters are cold, spring and fall are great.
zippyphil
Explorer
Jul 28, 2014
So far I think i really the Damon Avanti rigs. class A 28' perfect size for me as ?I have changed my plans a bit. I nay be staying on BLM land in CA or AZ and some areas area really tight. I definitely don't need a 35'+ monster.
MPond
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
Busskipper wrote:
zippyphil wrote:
thanks for the replies. I would like to take a lot of time an plan plan and plan. I think breaking the trip would be easier. I am in GA area and am questioning if I should just fly west to maybe MT, AZ,NM and buy my RV there instead of my hometown. I don;t know if this would be financially beneficial.

I might suggest that you spend a little time in and RV if you do not have one already. All of us find that we develop different styles of travel and that will affect the choices we make in both travel and RV selection. I have been using RV's for over 50 years and my choices have changed as I have grown older and Hopefully a little wiser, in the days we just traveled we used smaller Class B units then we went to a C which lead to an A which lead to larger and larger A's so now we have a Coach that is more comfortable than most houses and we can travel far and wide, That said we have found that the area we love the most are the Mountains and Rivers of Colorado. there we can drive 5 miles or 500 miles and enjoy every minute.

Back to the point I was trying to make, you need to find your comfort zone and plan so you totally enjoy the trip, the romance of camping is not just in the planning but in the also in the surprises you find while on this adventure. You need to go to places and get out and meet the people and touch the sights, we have enjoyed a tour through the Coors plant as well as an all day hike to Hidden Lake. These are totally different but are both great things to do.

First thing is to find an RV you enjoy then get out and start the adventure, because if the bed is not comfortable or the shower is to small then the trip is not that much fun. Get the right unit then get the right attitude then work on the plan.

Sorry , don't mean to sound like a preacher.

JMHO,

This is excellent advice!

Actually, both points are good advice - 1: Taking the time to find the right RV, and 2: Trying a variety of activities (Coors brewery vs. Hiking to Hidden Lake). :B

Obviously your main point was about finding the right RV, but I think you were right on both counts.
Busskipper
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
zippyphil wrote:
thanks for the replies. I would like to take a lot of time an plan plan and plan. I think breaking the trip would be easier. I am in GA area and am questioning if I should just fly west to maybe MT, AZ,NM and buy my RV there instead of my hometown. I don;t know if this would be financially beneficial.

I might suggest that you spend a little time in and RV if you do not have one already. All of us find that we develop different styles of travel and that will affect the choices we make in both travel and RV selection. I have been using RV's for over 50 years and my choices have changed as I have grown older and Hopefully a little wiser, in the days we just traveled we used smaller Class B units then we went to a C which lead to an A which lead to larger and larger A's so now we have a Coach that is more comfortable than most houses and we can travel far and wide, That said we have found that the area we love the most are the Mountains and Rivers of Colorado. there we can drive 5 miles or 500 miles and enjoy every minute.

Back to the point I was trying to make, you need to find your comfort zone and plan so you totally enjoy the trip, the romance of camping is not just in the planning but in the also in the surprises you find while on this adventure. You need to go to places and get out and meet the people and touch the sights, we have enjoyed a tour through the Coors plant as well as an all day hike to Hidden Lake. These are totally different but are both great things to do.

First thing is to find an RV you enjoy then get out and start the adventure, because if the bed is not comfortable or the shower is to small then the trip is not that much fun. Get the right unit then get the right attitude then work on the plan.

Sorry , don't mean to sound like a preacher.

JMHO,
trailertraveler
Explorer
Jun 01, 2014
Here is a list of some of the places we have visited and enjoyed in Utah, Arizona and New Mexico:

Utah:
Ut-12 Scenic Byway,
Calf Creek Falls,
Hells Backbone,
Burr Trail,
Fishlake Scenic Byway,
Kane Creek Road,
UT-261 (the Moki Dugway),
Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway,
Potash Lower Colorado Byway,
Upper Colorado River UT-128 Scenic Byway,
Goosenecks State Park,
Hovenweep National Monument,
Natural Bridges National Monument,
Bluff Fort,
South Fork of Mule Canyon and House on Fire,
Cedar Breaks National Monument,
Rainbow Bridge National Monument,
Sago Canyon,
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park,
Goblin Valley State Park,
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park,
Kodachrome Basin State Park,
Anasazi State Park,
Dead Horse Point State Park,
The Valley of The Gods,
Edge of the Cedars State Park,
Dinosaur Museum,
Dinosaur National Monument,
Utah Field House State Park,
Sago Canyon,
Monument Valley,
Arches National Park,
Canyonlands National Park,
Needles District,
Capitol Reef National Park,
Bryce Canyon National Park,
Zion National Park

Arizona:

Sunset Crater National Monument,
Wupatki National Monument,
Walnut Canyon National Monument,
Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well National Monuments,
Tuzigoot National Monument,
Palatki and Honaki Ruins,
V-Bar-V Heritage Site,
Verde Canyon Railroad,
Fort Verde State Park,
Cathedral Rock,
Gold King Mine,
Jerome State Historic Park,
Pipe Spring National Monument,
Hubble Trading Post Historic Site,
Homolovi Ruins State Park,
Petrified Forest National Park,
Saguaro National Monument,
Meteor Crater,
Canyon de Chelly National Monument,
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum,
Pima Air and Space Museum,
Titan Missile Museum,
the town of Jerome,
the town of Sedona,
Schnebly Hill Road.

New Mexico:
Fort Union National Monument,
Pecos National Historic Site,
Bandelier National Monument,
Petroglyph National Monument,
El Malpais National Monument,
El Moro National Monument,
Aztec Ruins National Monument,
Salinas Pueblos National Monument,
White Sands National Monument,
Tent Rocks National Monument,
Acoma Sky City,
Pueblo Cultural Center,
Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano,
The Very Large Array,
Tucumcari,
The Blue Hole,
Cumbres & Toltec Railroad,
Salmon Ruins,
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,
Rio Grande River Gorge,
Mining Museum,
Carlsbad Caverns National Park,
Turquoise Trail,
Chaco Cultural Historical Park,
Mimbres Museum,
Geronimo Springs Museum,
Old Mesilla,
Geronimo Trail,
Pinos Altos,
Rockhound State Park,
City of Rocks State Park,
Poncho Villa State Park.
Jim_Shoe
Explorer
Jun 01, 2014
When planning my first trip out west, I started by googling "South Dakota Tourism". One of the best sites I found. Everything they linked to wasn't of interest to me, but I would have missed some hidden gems without it. Over time, I've done this for nearly every state that I've planned to visit or pass through.
If you don't believe it, do the search for the state where you live. I bet there are places in your own state that you didn't know about but sound interesting enough to try on a long weekend.
Drbolasky
Explorer
Jun 01, 2014
zippyphil wrote:
I am in GA area and am questioning if I should just fly west to maybe MT, AZ,NM and buy my RV there instead of my hometown. I don;t know if this would be financially beneficial.

Many folks buy their rig in Montana - no sales tax. Do your homework, though.

Enjoy & safe travels.

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