Looking for recommendations on Campgrounds in S. Utahand

GDC wrote:
...X3, definitely, do not pass up Zion, even if you only have 1 day. The place is beautiful and trust me, you'll be planning a trip back....

This is what I keep hearing and the reason for the day trip. If I have to drop a location from my itinerary, Zion will be it though. My thinking on the day trip is that I can trade driving time in the toad for an longer driving time and additional camp setup and tear down with the motorhome (isn't this one reason why we bring toads?).

The heat is another reason we were thinking of staying close to Bryce. Published average annual temperatures in the Bryce Canyon area are 10-15 degrees cooler than those for Zion.

Thank you all for the Campground recomendations.

The general impression I am getting is that if I can't stay in or near one of these parks I should not go. Unfortunately We are not able to this.

I think I phrased my second question poorly so I will try again. Due to the heat issue, additional outside constraints, and the fact that for this trip, Bryce Canyon is a designated "must see" and Zion is a "nice to see since we are in the area" we will be staying in the Bryce canyon area and utilize the investment we made in a toad to do a day trip to Zion. This is not negotiable, it is what it is.

Can anyone comment on road / driving conditions between say Panguitch, UT and Zion NP or Cannonville, UT and Zion NP?

Also is the route 12 scenic byway appropriate to use on the drive back to Moab with a 31ft motorhome towing a Chevy Tracker?

Thanks for the input


Greg

I certainly understand your dilemma, you've got a certain amount of time and you want to make the best of what you've got. If you can't make Zion, you won't be disappointed with Bryce, its beautiful too. Very surreal place. As far as temperatures go, I think Bryce is typically cooler because its a bit higher in elevation. Plus the majority of Zion is actually down in the canyon, which probably affects the temps too. But even if you can make a day trip with the toad, definitely do that.
If you can't stay in or near the park, then stay where you want, and still go enjoy the park. You'll still enjoy the scenery during the commute. Good luck, wish we were going with you!

GDC wrote:

Can anyone comment on road / driving conditions between say Panguitch, UT and Zion NP or Cannonville, UT and Zion NP?

Also is the route 12 scenic byway appropriate to use on the drive back to Moab with a 31ft motorhome towing a Chevy Tracker?

Cannonville to Zion Visitor Center is 95 miles. You'll be going through the tunnel and they stop traffic for big rigs to go through single file in one direction. It will be slow-going.

Panguitch to Zion Visitor Center is 75 miles and 25 miles to Bryce Visitor Center

Keep in mind that you won't be able to drive your car once you get to the Visitor Center at Zion. You need to park the car and take the shuttle.

There's also a shuttle for Bryce but it wasn't mandatory the last time we were there.

We've driven Hwy 12 many times with our 40' motorhome towing. We love it. Some don't. There's no issue for us.

Bryce canyons we stayed at Ruby's and hated it. Then stayed at Bryce Canyon Pines Campground down the road, loved it and will camp there next time. There restaurant has the best Pie, definitely stop there.

For Zion we stayed out in Hurricane Utah at Willow Wind RV park. VERY nice park. All paved all sites covered in shade. Great place. Would stay there again.

Kodachrome Basin State Park has full hookups; within 30 minutes of Bryce.

GDC wrote:
...Can anyone comment on road / driving conditions between say Panguitch, UT and Zion NP or Cannonville, UT and Zion NP?

Also is the route 12 scenic byway appropriate to use on the drive back to Moab with a 31ft motorhome towing a Chevy Tracker?...

It has been a couple of years, but I don't recall anything particularly difficult about US-89 South from Bryce to UT-9 which is the road that goes to/through Zion. UT-9 has a tunnel with height and length restrictions. UT-9 through the park also has some steep grades and areas with narrow shoulders.

UT-12 is often discussed on this forum. There is a section with steep grade and sections with narrow shoulders, steep drop offs and no gaurd rail. Many, many RVs travel it. The good news is that there is an easy and not much longer alternative. From Bryce go North on US-89 to UT-62. Take UT-62 to Koosharem where you will turn right on Browns Lane. Browns Lane will take you to UT-24 where you will turn right to Torrey and Capitol Reef National Park. If you choose not to drive it, UT-12 is worth exploring from both ends with your Tracker.

Bumpyroad wrote:

you missed the goosenecks?
bumpy

If you mean Goosenecks State Park, I purposely did not include it or the several other great attractions in the Monument Valley/Mexican Hat/Bluff/Blanding area, because they would be out of the way and I did not think that area was on the OPs route. One could certainly go from Zion to Moab via Page, Monument Valley, and Blanding and visit:
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

...X3, definitely, do not pass up Zion, even if you only have 1 day. The place is beautiful and trust me, you'll be planning a trip back....

This is what I keep hearing and the reason for the day trip. If I have to drop a location from my itinerary, Zion will be it though. My thinking on the day trip is that I can trade driving time in the toad for an longer driving time and additional camp setup and tear down with the motorhome (isn't this one reason why we bring toads?).

The heat is another reason we were thinking of staying close to Bryce. Published average annual temperatures in the Bryce Canyon area are 10-15 degrees cooler than those for Zion.

Thank you all for the Campground recomendations.

The general impression I am getting is that if I can't stay in or near one of these parks I should not go. Unfortunately We are not able to this.

I think I phrased my second question poorly so I will try again. Due to the heat issue, additional outside constraints, and the fact that for this trip, Bryce Canyon is a designated "must see" and Zion is a "nice to see since we are in the area" we will be staying in the Bryce canyon area and utilize the investment we made in a toad to do a day trip to Zion. This is not negotiable, it is what it is.

Can anyone comment on road / driving conditions between say Panguitch, UT and Zion NP or Cannonville, UT and Zion NP?

Also is the route 12 scenic byway appropriate to use on the drive back to Moab with a 31ft motorhome towing a Chevy Tracker?

Thanks for the input
Greg

trailertraveler wrote:
As for places to see, here are some links to places that we liked:

Utah 12-24 area:
UT-12 Scenic Byway
Fishlake Scenic Byway
Burr Trail
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
Kodachrome Basin State Park


Anasazi State Park
Calf Creek Falls
Hells Backbone
Capitol Reef National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Goblin Valley State Park

In the 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

Near Zion:

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

you missed the goosenecks?
bumpy

As for places to see, here are some links to places that we liked:

Utah 12-24 area:
UT-12 Scenic Byway
Fishlake Scenic Byway
Burr Trail
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Anasazi State Park
Calf Creek Falls
Hells Backbone
Capitol Reef National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Goblin Valley State Park

In the 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

Near Zion:

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

jensenst wrote:
I agree with 2gypies stay in springdale and ruby's

X3, definitely, do not pass up Zion, even if you only have 1 day. The place is beautiful and trust me, you'll be planning a trip back.