Zion vs. Bryce campgrounds

ctomallo wrote:
Thank you all for the advice! I do appreciate it. We have 2 1/2 weeks (18 days) set aside for this trip. I feel good about the first half of our trip out to Yellowstone (which was originally our primary destination). Our plan is for the 1st 11 days to be traveling west to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons & spending 6 days in Yellowstone. After that, we are totally up in the air/flexible about where to go.

My original thought was to maybe take you to Glacier NP and keep the trip in the same loop but IMHO that is just too far to drive back in two days. (1800 miles) But it is 1900 miles from the north rim home so still bad. From the little info you have given us I think I’m safe in assuming that this is the first real trip and that you have not driven an RV these distances before? That said – if you are able to average 50 MPH driving your RV you are good, so North Rim is like 36-+ hours of SOLID driving back. That is THREE really – really LONG days to get home.

We are checking out of Yellowstone on Sunday morning & need to be back in Ohio by the following Sunday night. We need to leave 2 days to drive back to Ohio (probably head out Friday pm to start our trip home), so about 5 days for other stops. I do realize we are trying to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time, and that all of these destinations could be a week long stay on their own. However, since this is our first time out, I was thinking we could get by with some short stops to check them out and decide where we want to come back to in future years, for further exploration. I know we can't do a lot of "activities" in the parks with our limited time, but I wanted to show my kids this amazing country we live in. (And my husband & I have never been to any of these places, so we're excited to see them too!)

So with a lot of thought I will make this suggestion as to a change to the route/destinations.

Let’s leave Yellowstone and head to Thermopolis and have a good Soak in the Mineral hot tubs then Head down the Wind River Valley toward the tip of Colorado and Utah. Catch Flaming Gorge and Dinosaur NM. Because you nave the urge for the Desert you could catch Colorado NM or side over to Arches and Canyonlands for a quick Peek then take Rt 128 out of Moab following the Colorado River back to I-70 Now follow that to what has been called the most beautiful part of the Interstate system the over under construction along the Colorado River as you leave Glenwood Springs. Now you will drive through the Ski towns Vail etc – usually lots happening in the Summer – hike or bike if time permits. Then to the Eisenhower tunnel to Breck/SIlverhorne – more Ski areas – now drive to Exit 244 getting off on Rt 6 following Clear Creek to Golden Colorado the home of Coors Beer and a really fun town. (If timing is right might spend the night in Clear Creek CG)

My girls are excellent travelers & are used to traveling 13-15 hours in our mini-van, so RV driving will not be a problem. However, hiking in 100 plus degree heat will do them in! I definitely don't want to end our trip on a sour note. Perhaps we should skip Zion/Bryce all together and spend more time at the North Rim? I'm still researching the North Rim & don't have much info yet. I know it's cooler & much less crowded then the south rim though. Again, I am completely open to advice and travel itinerary ideas- places to stay/things to do, etc.

Now for the fun – the drive home – 1250 miles of pure FUN, maybe not, but a loooong run home—on I70 – not a short run but less than the 1950 from the North Rim –

Thanks again for any information you can provide.
Cara