Hi. We are a family of 10 looking to go out west but have no idea of routes and campgrounds as such. I figured many have done these week or 2 week trips before. Does anyone have links or know of a book that simplifies routes out west and suggest certain places to stay. We are in Nashville tn.

Wow, so many unknowns. Family of 10. Do you have an RV of some type? Or tent camping? What is everyone riding in?What are your interest and what do you want to see?One week trip will not get you much past front range of Rockies, or eastern NM, and back and have any time left. Two week trip would get you a little farther.

Sorry. We have a 35’ travel trailer. We don’t have anything specific we want to see but want to travel out west seeing things. I figured people did this so often that people would have preplanned routes to different areas. We have about two weeks to go.

NCMODELA wrote:Hi. We are a family of 10 looking to go out west but have no idea of routes and campgrounds as such. I figured many have done these week or 2 week trips before. Does anyone have links or know of a book that simplifies routes out west and suggest certain places to stay. We are in Nashville tn.Older post Link on ColoradoBing Map of Route to GoldenTwo Weeks = 16.5 days IF you get everything Packed and leave right after work on Friday - getting say 6 hours in on the first night.That would leave 850 miles to get you to Golden - Two long days but possible.Then Monday would start your 11 day adventure before heading home.Think about it, what do you want to see? Colorado has it all - Mountains - Rivers - Ghost Towns - Mining Town - Ski Towns - Trails - National and State Parks....................So would this work?

Something to be aware of, with a family of 10. It could become costly, so plan accordingly. At commerical campgrounds, there is usually a statement that the occupancy rate is for 2 people, and that each additional person would be $XXX/night/person. A frequent figure is $4.50, so that would mean an additional $36/night beyond the rate for the space. In Rocky Mountain National Park, as an example, there is a limit of 8 people per site, so you would need to reserve 2 sites. In Colorado State Parks, as another example, that limit is 6 people per site, so again you would need to get 2 sites.I've used Colorado as an example, to expand off Busskipper's post above, and am very familiar with Colorado. A lot depends on what you might have in mind for a destination. The "West" covers a huge area and your interests for what you would like to see would influence answers. You may or may not like the desert. You may or may not like driving in the mountains. Driving across the Great Plains is...an experience, which you may or may not like. Do you like interstates to get there, or would you prefer to meander? What sort of tow vehicle do you have? What's the ages of your occupants/family members? Answers to these and other questions that I'm sure will come up, will help in giving you more precise information in response.

NCMODELA wrote:Sorry. We have a 35’ travel trailer. We don’t have anything specific we want to see but want to travel out west seeing things. I figured people did this so often that people would have preplanned routes to different areas. We have about two weeks to go.with only two weeks, you aren't going to be able to see much out West.Easterners have no idea how big the West is.i would focus on Yellowstone, Glacier, Tetons trip or a Grand Canyon/Utah trip, with only two weeks.

Routes and campgrounds in west | Good Sam Community

59 Replies

zb39
Explorer
Oct 31, 2017
My phone says 1587 miles from Nashville to Yellowstone....your closer than me and I have been there 7 times.
Leave friday after work or very early sat am. 3 days to get there. sat, sun mon night arrival. Take a 7 full days to see the highlights including the Tetons. Take 5 or 6 days to get home at a slower pace. JUST DO IT!
Don't let the retired crowd get you down. I went to Alaska and back in 5 weeks. 10k miles total on the coach.
Maybe when I retire I will slow down................nah!
Busskipper
Explorer
Oct 31, 2017
NCMODELA wrote:
Lantley, thank you for that insight. However, we do not have many other options to go west. 8 kids so that’s 10 of us. Vacation time is limited. Flying is too much. Hotel rooms too much. The Kids really want to see the west. So I am looking at different options. Ages 19 16 14 13 12 11 7 5. That’s why I was looking for a base camp and explore out from there. Is this my first plan no. However I do not see a way to go out there until they are older. So I have to figure out a new lab with the options I have. I am in Nashville TN so that’s a little closer than the Far East coast.

We've all had to do it so don't do anything but get excited - "YOU CAN DO IT"

Pick the location that works for your Team - then just say "I WILL"

Best of Luck,
NCMODELA
Explorer
Oct 31, 2017
Lantley, thank you for that insight. However, we do not have many other options to go west. 8 kids so that’s 10 of us. Vacation time is limited. Flying is too much. Hotel rooms too much. The Kids really want to see the west. So I am looking at different options. Ages 19 16 14 13 12 11 7 5. That’s why I was looking for a base camp and explore out from there. Is this my first plan no. However I do not see a way to go out there until they are older. So I have to figure out a new lab with the options I have. I am in Nashville TN so that’s a little closer than the Far East coast.
FunTwoDrv
Explorer
Oct 31, 2017
Bill,
From Nashville, take I40 to Clines Corners, NM. From there head North working your way to Durango, then on to Grand Lake and then over to Estes Park. Return via I70, I55 and I24 to Nashville. Yep, lots of windshield time but doable. We did this route several years ago in a span of two weeks, leaving Fri after work and getting home late Sun two weeks later. Grab a map of CO and plot routes that fit your interests...
Good Luck,
Gary
Lantley
Nomad
Oct 31, 2017
Not trying to rain on the parade but I don't think 2 weeks is enough time to do the west from the east coast via RV.
Too much driving vs. the amount of time you will have to actually tour and see stuff.
djsamuel
Nomad
Oct 31, 2017
This thread has me wanting to start planning a new trip back out west!
Thom02099
Explorer II
Oct 31, 2017
Busskipper wrote:
NCMODELA wrote:
Thank you guys for getting me started. One other question. Is there an area that we can use as a central camp and do day trips to different fun places. Like lake Colorado?

Think you got me on that one - Lot's of Lakes but no Lake Colorado?

With the ages of your Kids Think about Buena Vista and the Arkansas River - Collegiates - Rafting - On and on.

What do you Enjoy Doing on these trips?

Lot's of help just let these guys know what you want.

JMHO,

^^^^^ This. Agree with Bill, the Buena Vista/Upper Arkansas Valley would be my choice if I were in your position. Much to see/do there, and there's lots of day trips you can take, including the Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison NPs; Independence Pass to Aspen; South Park City in Fairplay; Cumbres and Toltec Railroad in the San Luis Valley. And that's just off the top of my head for some day trips beyond the Upper Arkansas.
Corky12
Explorer
Oct 31, 2017
Make Custer State Park in South Dakota your central camping spot then do day trips to Wind Cave NP, Mt Rushmore, Devils Tower, Reptile Gardens, Story Book Island in Rapid City, the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, biking/hiking the Mickelson Trail that run almost a hundred miles through the Hills, Crazy Horse Monument, Badlands NP, Minuteman Missile NHS, Wall Drug. Check Black Hills and Badlands Association for more ideas.
Busskipper
Explorer
Oct 31, 2017
NCMODELA wrote:
Thank you guys for getting me started. One other question. Is there an area that we can use as a central camp and do day trips to different fun places. Like lake Colorado?

Think you got me on that one - Lot's of Lakes but no Lake Colorado?

With the ages of your Kids Think about Buena Vista and the Arkansas River - Collegiates - Rafting - On and on.

What do you Enjoy Doing on these trips?

Lot's of help just let these guys know what you want.

JMHO,
NCMODELA
Explorer
Oct 31, 2017
Thank you guys for getting me started. One other question. Is there an area that we can use as a central camp and do day trips to different fun places. Like lake Colorado?

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Routes and campgrounds in west

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