Heading west in Mid August

Take the scenic route from Glacier to Utah and go south from Missoula through Hamilton and Challis into Stanley so you can spend some time there - it's beautiful, particularly in the fall. Then you can go over Galena and down into Sun Valley, and you might head east from there to check out Craters of the Moon before heading south into Utah.

Here's Glacier's web site and note that all national parks, national monuments have a wonderful site like this. It gives details on things to do, camping, road information, etc.

https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/gtsrinfo.htm

If you were planning to take your RV on Going-To-The-Sun Road there are size restrictions. There's also a free shuttle that takes you to the top and also vehicle tours. The road can close at any time due to weather but officially it'll be open until Oct 16. You shouldn't have any problem with your timeframe.

We appreciate all the great suggestions. I have the trip mapped out on RVPARKY.COM and time framed at 30+ days. Of course, we will surely find ourselves modifying as we go, which could alter our stops and stays. I am surprised that Colorado could have cooler temps in early Sept than Glacier? Thinking 4 days at Glacier in early Sept. then move to CO. or Utah, depending on weather and other stops we find interesting.

martinto wrote:
Looking to make an extended trip from South Carolina to points west. Targeting Glacier by end the end of August, hoping it may be a bit cooler there than points further south. Expect to make a leisurely run to Utah, Bryce Canyon and other Utah sites in September. Then start heading east through Colorado. Would like to hear from those that have made similar trips and if our timing is good for campground availability and risk of weather during the northern part of the trip. Anticipating 4-6 weeks. Mostly private campgrounds and make reservations while in transit between stops.

Lot's of good advice - IMHO - you will have a Great trip - might just add that the last week of September and the First Week of October are/should be reserved for the Colorado Passes.

These Pictures show why I always try to be in Colorado, end of September first part of October. Once you have seen it hard not to try to get back to it, I had missed it every year for 10 years then flew out to see it - in 2009 - have managed to fly back out 5 more times and it never gets old, just more beautiful. Just get a list of Colorado Passes and try to work your trip around them in September, IMHO you will not be disappointed.

If you can try to do Utah right after Colorado - will be a little cooler and a lot more refreshing. Couple of spots we try to mention to people to make the effort to see are - Rt 12 - Rt 128 -as many State Parks as possible.If the Snow hasn't fallen hard yet you can still get into the North Rim.

Lake Powell is also Awesome - Antelope Canyon - and you could join Ivy at the Ballon festival - just too many people for me.

Not sure this is what you were after but just trying to help in the thought process.

BOL,

2gypsies wrote:
The first two to three weeks of September is ideal for Glacier and Yellowstone/Grand Tetons. We've always had good fall weather - cool nights/mornings, warming up nicely during the day.

Heading south from there the southern Utah parks are great through October. Bryce is the highest elevation so it'll be cooler than the others.

Sounds like a nice trip in our favorite parts of the country! Enjoy.

I agree with this. Do be prepared for a cold snap with extra bedding, etc. At worst you could get stuck for a couple of days waiting for roads to clear up. So have plenty of supplies on hand.

The first two to three weeks of September is ideal for Glacier and Yellowstone/Grand Tetons. We've always had good fall weather - cool nights/mornings, warming up nicely during the day.

Heading south from there the southern Utah parks are great through October. Bryce is the highest elevation so it'll be cooler than the others.

Sounds like a nice trip in our favorite parts of the country! Enjoy.

The end of Sept could be a bit late for CO, but you could hit it lucky and see some good weather.
re private campgrounds: A good one in Torrey UT is called 1000 Lakes. It is a couple miles from Capital Reef N Park. If you aren't bothered by mountain roads, take 12 from Torrey south when you're headed to Bryce Canyon Park.
If you're going through CO from UT on 1-70, take 50 south from Grand Junction and then east to Pueblo, etc.
a decent rv park called Heart of the Rockies is about 10 miles west of Salida, CO on 50.
These are not resort type rv parks.

I would not take two weeks to get to Glacier. I might do Yellowstone/Tetons before Glacier depending on the cold Wx forecasts... Yellowstone can be colder than Glacier. I would do CO (higher elevations/cooler) before AZ... AZ cooler at the end of Sept. We do three months out West without reservations during the summer months so finding sites in Sept will not be a problem.

We are doing the Albuquerque balloon fest in early Oct and will be doing much the same as you and at much the same time, but leaving off Glacier. I'll get to WY in 2-3 days and spend 7+ days there then south to CO for a couple weeks and then west to Moab, then Zion/Bryce, and then N Rim before Albuquerque.

I would suggest getting a small generator and start staying in USFS CGs several days/week. Often this will get you closer to the sights and save some money.