Help with Big RV Trip Planning

doctormdj wrote:
So we are planning a big trip leaving out of Southern California (Orange County) out to Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone and back. I've got it mapped to about 2650 miles and 13 nights to make the journey. I'd love some feedback from anyone who has made a trip like this. Where to stay? What is the best places that we simply must see?

I'm locked on my time to make the trip from Aug 7 and home on the Aug 20. I set the path up to get home on time and not have too long in a driving day as my wife will not take the wheel.

We are driving our 40ft 2011 Berkshire 390BH and pulling a 2012 2 DR Jeep Rubicon. It will be me, my wife, Grandma and our 3 girls ages 4, 6 and 8. I've divided the days up to each stop that give us time to take the Jeep into see something. If we need more or less time and should move the time from one spot to another I'd love your thoughts.


Depart Home 7-Aug
Portal RV Resort - Portal RV Resort, Moab Utah 7-Aug to 9-Aug 2 nights (See Arches NP)
Jellystone of Estes - Estes Park, CO Campground & RV Park - Welcome to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park? of Estes 9-Aug to 11-Aug 2 nights (See Rocky Mtn National Park)
Mt. Rushmore - Mount Rushmore KOA | Camping in South Dakota | KOA Campgrounds 11-Aug to 14-Aug 3 Nights (See Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull)
Grizzly RV Resort - Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park and Cabins 14-Aug to 18 Aug 4 nights (See Yellowstone and Tetoin NP
Thousand Lakes RV Park - Thousand Lakes RV Park, Campground and Cabins - Torrey, Utah - Home 18-Aug to 20-Aug 2 Nights (Drive Hwy12. See Bryce and Capital Reef)
Home by Aug 20

Ok.. These are the RV spots I chose just by googling around and the places we picked out. Any of these good, bad, add this... take away this... be sure to go here? Any help would be great.

Thanks a million!!!!

We have been to all of these places, but not like that!! As already mentioned, you really seem to be attempting to cover a lot of area and attractions. Ask yourself- are you attempting to do that just to check them off a list that says you have "been" there? Or, would you really like to take some time and really enjoy and appreciate the sights your attempting to take in? Also, how much recovery time would you have after getting back home with your schedule? :B

Sounds like you need to stop and reprioritize what is really important for you and your family to take from a trip of this magnitude.

I would drop RMNP, even though we think it is one of our great national parks. You wouldn't even have time to scratch the surface there, especially if you want to get some wildlife sightings.

Your oldest may/should be able to have an appreciation for what Mt. Rushmore represents and what a feat its carving was. It really doesn't take that long if all you want to do is walk in, see it, take a few pictures and then leave. There is a great area at the lower level that explains the entire project that would take more time.

Arches NP can be driven through in a day, with 2 or 3 stops to walk in and get a closer look at them. HOWEVER, that time of year is HOT and there is absolutely NO shade in Arches. The kids may/could have a problem with that, so you would all want to have plenty of water with you.

Bryce Canyon is spectacular, one of all time favorite national parks. I first visited it as a kid and it made a lasting impression on me. When I got back as an adult, it didn't disappoint me/us in the least. It can be covered in one full day from the rim, but would take at least 2. One of the things about our national parks is spending time in the visitors center, seeing the film about the park and letting the kids get involved with the junior ranger programs and activities. That is hard to do in one or two days.

Yellowstone NP - what can I say about one of our national and world wonders? This has so many things and wonders to see, that even your youngest should enjoy it. The wildlife sightings will/should be great and memorable as well. The junior ranger programs will give the kids lots of things to look for and appreciate as well.

My recommendation is to give at least 4-5 days to Yellowstone, several (2) in Bryce and several days for Mt. Rushmore and other attractions in the Black Hills that the kids would enjoy. That would seem to me a more relaxed and enjoyable vacation trip for the entire family over your "endure" proposal!! :B It would also allow you some layover/emergency days as well as time to enjoy the roses and for the kids to run off steam and the extra energy. It would also give you a reason to plan an easier trip to RMNP for the future.

Have lots of memory cards for the cameras. Enjoy your trip, that is what vacations are for!