Help us plan our trip! Zion NP

2gypsies wrote:
I guess I don't understand getting a 'base camp' and traveling two hours to see something else and then two hours back again.

I'd recommend moving to different areas. Then you can explore all day without having to drive an additional two hours back to the campsite.

I'd suggest 4 nights in Zion; 4 nights in Bryce and 3-4 nights in Capitol Reef. Stay in the parks for the best overall experience.

We're open to trying anything! It's just a pain to tear down and setup multiple times, especially when we have a 27 hour drive from home. But any things an option! That's why we ask here. :)

I agree that Zion will be hot in July and would suggest staying closer to Bryce. We were there (Zion) in October and saw temps in the mid 90's.

The Zion tunnel is also restricted to vehicle combinations of 50 ft or less and you may be pushing that limit with your rig. While we enjoyed Zion River Resort, I'd suggest staying east of the park entrance.

If you plan to drive thru the tunnel with your trailer, be sure to first check with the rangers. It is one lane for RV's due to the size of the tunnel.

I guess I don't understand getting a 'base camp' and traveling two hours to see something else and then two hours back again.

I'd recommend moving to different areas. Then you can explore all day without having to drive an additional two hours back to the campsite.

I'd suggest 4 nights in Zion; 4 nights in Bryce and 3-4 nights in Capitol Reef. Stay in the parks for the best overall experience.

We always stay at Zion River Resort in Virgin Ut. 50amp FHU and about 10 min from Zion entrance. As mentioned, drive through the tunnel (with truck) and visit Bryce (about an hour drive).

Or you can stay at Ruby's at Bryce and then drive down to Zion. A little cooler in Bryce.

Ron

Be aware that Zion in July will likely have triple digit temps (we saw 105 every day in the middle of June). It will be a little cooler up at Bryce due to the increased elevation. If you can live with less than FHU's the best deal is the Watchman CG which is actually in Zion NP. For $18 a night ($9 with a Geezer card), you get 30 amps and there is a nice two lane dump station with water throughout the CG. Some of the sites are actually on the Virgin River.

Watchman is just a few hundred yards from the visitors center and the free trams that run throughout the park. Reservations are a must and can be made up to 6 months in advance. Bryce is an easy day trip as are many of the other CG's and attractions.

:C

You could search this Forum in the RV Parks section for `zion' and read on and/or do a Google search for `zion np' and read on.
For activities I would do a Google search for `zion np activities' and read on.
To check the temps go to www.weather.com, put in Zion National Park, click on More Forecasts then scroll down and click on Month. If you do that you will find the average high for July is 90 degrees; but it is a dry heat!

Check "Zion River Resort" in Virgin UT, or "Willow Wind" in Hurricane. Both very nice parks.

After seeing Zions, drive through the tunnel and go to Bryce NP. In my estimation it is even more spectacular. Up by Cedar City is a National monument called "Cedar Breaks". It is similar but much smaller than Bryce, but worth seeing. Be warned, steep winding road, but there are RV's that drive it and there is a campground there as well. North and west of St. George is "Snow Canyon state park", worthy of a few hours and south of St. George is the "Virgin River Gorge", one of the last sections of Interstate finished in the US, and after seeing it you'll know why.

Utah is an amazingly beautiful state, with the other three NP's and many Nat'l monuments well worth the time.

Make Panquitch UT your headquarters and then you have access to Zion, Bryce and a couple others, all within an hours drive. There are several good RV Parks in Panquitch, just check RV Park Review and pick what suits you best.

If you do NOT want to visit other parks, then your best bet is Willow Wind RV Park in Hurricane UT, jut 1/2 hour from Zion. Hurricane is considered the gateway to Zion and has all the amenities you will need.