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Katman1100's avatar
Katman1100
Explorer
Dec 12, 2017

Utah/Arizona camping and off road Around the 1st of year

I am a last minute traveler and we just decided to go out west for a few weeks over the holidays and staying for about a month.
I have been in the area before, but never in the winter. We will also have a Suzuki samurai with us to go explore some of the off road trails in the area.
I am looking for recommendations and place to go, trails to take that aren't to extreme and places to camp or boondock. I know this is a big area and just looking for some highlights. We will have approximately 3 weeks in the area,but don't want to stay in the cold the entire time. That is why we will be heading to Southern Arizona for most of the trip, I think.
I am thinking about some time in Moab, The Monument National Park, and the Grand Canyon, before heading to warmer weather.
I have no idea as to where in Arizona to head that will be warm and would have trails and nature to enjoy. I know there is a lot out there, but just looking for recommendations.
Also we will be traveling with 2 kids 8 and 11 if you have ideas for them as well.
Thanks,
Roads and Routes

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  • Katman1100's avatar
    Katman1100
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2017
    Thanks for the tips. I am definitely looking for the warmer weather. I am only going thru Utah this time because I am picking up a vehicle in Grand Junction Colorado on my way to Arizona so I figured I might as well enjoy a few of the sites on the way south. If it is to cold though we will just keep on driving south and visit another time. My plans are totally flexible. We do have a smaller rv it is a 24' born free and I am planning on flat towing a samurai.

    Has anyone ever used the Guide to Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails 2nd Edition by charles wells? This was recommended to me as a good resource for finding trails near wherever I happen to be. Also what about the app or gps card that goes with that book? It looks pretty good from what I can see online.
  • SteveAE's avatar
    SteveAE
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2017
    Katman,
    Utah might be a bit cool (especially if you are looking for warmer weather). Use elevation to control the weather (lower = not as cold) You might want to look at the Hite area. There is some great boondocking in the area, slick rock hiking, and some cool little slot canyons (probably ice in the canyons in the winter). I don't know about riding, but there probably is.
    Comb Ridge, SW of Blanding, might be another possibility. There is riding there. Great hiking and lots of ruins too if you poke around. Great boondocking at hwy 95 and road 235.
    When you get tired of the cold, head SW to the lower deserts of S. Arizona.
    Have fun.
  • DennisVR's avatar
    DennisVR
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2017
    In Arizona I would recommend the Lake Havasu area. I boondocked on BLM land outside of there and could get on my quad and ride from my campsite in all directions and ride for miles. I was there for 5 weeks and put 500 miles on my quad.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Dec 12, 2017
    Chiricahua NM in southeast AZ is a good spot if you haven't been there before, FT Apache is in that area too. The area is loaded with history. Lots of campsites in the area and in the park if you have a smaller RV. I'd mainly stay in AZ this time of the year but you can expect CG to be filled with snowbirds. Utah really depends on the weather, could be nice one day and a blizzard the next.
  • jamesu's avatar
    jamesu
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2017
    We were in Zion and Bryce Canyon in December, 2009. It was very cold and lots of snow on the ground. We tried one short day hike back to a waterfall in Zion and had a dickens of a time getting back to the car before dark because we did not have cleats or equipment needed for traversing on the extremely icy trails. Other than that our experiences were awesome...we had the whole places to ourselves and Bryce was breathtaking with snow covered hoodoos. Lots and lots of snow on the ground at Kodachrome SP. We were at the Majestic View Lodge in Springdale, which for us was a much better accommodation than would have been Kodachrome on that visit.
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2017
    Free camping for December at NB NM

    Avoid Capitol Reef, they roll up the sidewalks, even closing gas stations.

    Kodachrome was great. Partly closed but many back in and pull through.

    Bryce and Zion were taken over by California, absolute madhouse can't imagine how busy it would be in July 4 vs Christmas

    Likewise the South Rim. However the campground was not busy just the park.

    BTW none of these were warm except Zion. I was happy with teens and twenties most days.
  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2017
    You'll be fine in AZ so long as you stay out of the mountains. Lots of trails.

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