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RLGetman's avatar
RLGetman
Explorer
May 05, 2013

West Canyon & NP Route - Avoiding steep grades -

Visiting West Canyons & NPs while avoiding steep grades. My current travel plan is coming from Grand Canyon on I40 > 93 to stay in Las Vegas, then on I15 > 9 to base camp at Rockville, Springdale or Zion NP to visit Zion, then (since my RV is too big for the eastern route 9 tunnel) do day trip(s) to visit Bryce Canyon (unless I can find a way to Bryce) and other sites in the area. I will then return to I15 and continue north to visit Salt Lake City. I will then take I15 > 26 >89 to reach Colter Bay for the Grand Teton stay, then 89 > 20 to stay in West Yellowstone for more of Yellowstone NP, and finally take 191 north to I90 to head for Gillette WY for an RV Rally in July. Using the "Mountain Directory West" this route seems to avoid steep mountain pass grades.
Roads and Routes

4 Replies

  • RLGetman's avatar
    RLGetman
    Explorer
    May 10, 2013
    Great info from all. Got my reservations in and ready to go. Thanks again!
  • 2gypsies1's avatar
    2gypsies1
    Explorer III
    May 06, 2013
    Your problem is finding a way to Bryce from Zion without going through the tunnel. Here's your solution: From Hurricane take 59 southeast into AZ and it becomes 389 to Fredonia. Head north on 89 to 12 and Bryce. This is a very easy route with no mountain grades. Another way would be from Hurricane to I-15 and then pick up Hwy 20 to 89 and 89 a little south to Hwy 12 and Bryce. This is easy, too.
    I would highly recommend that you stay at Bryce (Ruby's is a popular RV park or even in the park itself without hookups). Commuting from Zion to Bryce would be a very long day. Plus, there are many other great things to see in the Bryce area.

    Looks like you've done a good job on your route by reading the Mountain Directory. You'll have a great trip!!
  • Supercharged's avatar
    Supercharged
    Explorer
    May 06, 2013
    RLGetman wrote:
    Visiting West Canyons & NPs while avoiding steep grades. My current travel plan is coming from Grand Canyon on I40 > 93 to stay in Las Vegas, then on I15 > 9 to base camp at Rockville, Springdale or Zion NP to visit Zion, then (since my RV is too big for the eastern route 9 tunnel) do day trip(s) to visit Bryce Canyon (unless I can find a way to Bryce) and other sites in the area. I will then return to I15 and continue north to visit Salt Lake City. I will then take I15 > 26 >89 to reach Colter Bay for the Grand Teton stay, then 89 > 20 to stay in West Yellowstone for more of Yellowstone NP, and finally take 191 north to I90 to head for Gillette WY for an RV Rally in July. Using the "Mountain Directory West" this route seems to avoid steep mountain pass grades.
    Big hills are bad if one don't drive them alot.

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