Summer trip to Antelope Can and Escalante?

steveandjil wrote:


One other option is the only major Natnl park I've not been to in the west - Rocky Mountain. Any comments here?

Since you've never been to Rocky I highly recommend that you go.... just not in summer as you have planned. The crowds are horrendous and everyone is in a hurry because they're using their vacation days. It's a gorgeous park with excellent hiking trails so don't hesitate to visit. Try to work it in June or late Sept. It will still be crowded but not as bad. That park is just too close to civilization so it's an easy trip for those living nearby. Also, for those coming from the east it's the first park they'll come to and naturally, they will want to stop. We've volunteered there in the summer so we kind of know about the crowds. :) By the way... they utilize approximately 1,000 volunteers in that park. Naturally, very few have the opportunity to stay in the park as we did because most come in for only the day from nearby towns.

Don't be hesitant about the 4-wheeling trails along Hwy 12 or up in the Capitol Reef Nat'l Park area. They're not all difficult and you won't be the only one on them. Stop at the Visitor Centers for trail info or Google.

Do the Antelope Canyon tour spending two nights at Page. Glen Canyon Rec Area has a very nice RV park with hookups overlooking the lake for the summer heat. Work in a tour of the Dam, also.... very interesting. Then head up Hwy 12!

There's nice 'cool' dry campground in the Dixie Nat'l Forest around Hatch, also. Or head north to Heber City, UT area for 4-wheeling.