Grand Canyon and Moab

4runnerguy wrote:
Sedona can be downright hot in mid summer. Plus pretty busy. Oak Creek Canyon north of town is a surprising respite from the heat.

We were in the Sedona area a couple weeks ago - unbelievable traffic and even crowded trails. They even had volunteers out on the streets direction traffic. Forget about parking for trails along Oak Creek Canyon unless you're there at 6am. Oak Creek Canyon (Hwy 89A) will have construction all summer - one lanes and some full closings. Check first. We have vowed never to return and just keep the memories with us of years ago and less congestion.

If you are going this year, be aware of construction in Arches NP. They had the park closed from 7 pm to 7 am Sun through Thursday when we were there a couple of weeks ago.

If you want scenery more than a wild 4x4 ride, try the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands. Doable in a day and really a fantastic experience. (Some of the hard corp mountain bikers actually ride the entire 100 mile loop in a day :E )

People have already mentioned our favs around Flagstaff: Wupatki, Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater. Sedona can be downright hot in mid summer. Plus pretty busy. Oak Creek Canyon north of town is a surprising respite from the heat.

WOW. Thanks for all the input. This helps

In moab, check out the river tour at "Canyonlands at Night" great tour and good dinner too. They are less than a mile from Arches National park. And also check out lower Antelope Canyon.

SleepyBadger wrote:
Going to stop at Monument valley while travelling between the two?

We are planning on spending a night dry camping at Gooseneck State Park this summer.

More than a day's worth of things to see in the Monument Valley to Moab area:
Monument Valley
UT-261 the Moki Dugway
Goosenecks State Park
Hovenweep National Monument
Natural Bridges National Monument
Bluff Fort
South Fork of Mule Canyon and House on Fire
The Valley of The Gods
Sand Island Petroglyphs
Edge of the Cedars State Park
Dinosaur Museum

Going to stop at Monument valley while travelling between the two?

We are planning on spending a night dry camping at Gooseneck State Park this summer.

There's also the Lowell Observatory. For dining, if you like brewpubs, The Lumberyard Brewing Company is definitely worth a visit.

Do a Google search for `______ tourism' and put the city, state, area or other location in the blank space and read what the specialists recommend.

Here are some links to places we enjoyed.

Moab area:
Kane Creek Road
Potash Lower Colorado Byway
Upper Colorado River UT-128 Scenic Byway
Sago Canyon
Dead Horse Point State Park
Arches National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Needles District
Newspaper Rock

Flagstaff Area:
Sunset Crater National Monument
Wupatki National Monument
Walnut Canyon National Monument

South of Flagstaff in Sedona/Cottonwood/Camp Verde:
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
the town of Jerome
the town of Sedona
Schnebly Hill Road

In or near Flagstaff...Drive the loop road which includes Sunset Crater and Wupatki Nat'l Monuments. Check out the Cinder Hills OHV area located off Hwy 89 shortly before the turn for Sunset Crater NM. Riordan Mansion State Historic Park and Lowell Observatory are also located in Flagstaff.

I like Walnut Canyon too. Also east of Flagstaff is Twin Arrows Casino.

Of course, I definitely recommend Sedona!