My family's spring break is March 20-28. I am thinking of some of the parks in the southwest, ranging from the Grand Canyon to Big Bend areas. I have never been to anything in that portion of the country and don't know what the weather would be like then but it seems like it might be a good time to visit. I might have to drive the RV out earlier and fly the kids in after I get there so that we have more time to enjoy the trip but I wouldn't expect that to be too much trouble anywhere. I hope to have a 4wd drive toad ready by then so that we can do day trips into less traveled areas, not serious off-roading though. I don't mind boondocking, actually prefer it now and then. Especially if we don't need the AC too much. I don't want to get the RV on anything a logging truck cannot do comfortably.

You can get the averages for any part of the US at www.weather.com. Type in the city then scroll down for MONTHLY and chose the month or yearly averages.A good reference is Mountain Directory West.

For us, 3200 miles round trip is too much for us to do in 9 days. We would use at least 7 of those days driving.Since you have the possibility of flying the family out, that would change the equation, especially if they flew both directions.It's a two-day drive from the Grand Canyon to Big Bend National Park, so we wouldn't do both on the same 9-day trip. - Distances are more than they seem in the west. I remember the first time we were told that the grocery store is just a short distance up the road. It was a two-hour drive. (This was in Montana.)How old are the kids?You could elect to do both the South and North Rims of the Grand Canyon - 200 mile drive. Petrified Forest is 200 miles away. Hoover Dam is 250 miles away.As far as off-road, I'll defer to others.Tom

pulsar wrote:For us, 3200 miles round trip is too much for us to do in 9 days. We would use at least 7 of those days driving.Since you have the possibility of flying the family out, that would change the equation, especially if they flew both directions.It's a two-day drive from the Grand Canyon to Big Bend National Park, so we wouldn't do both on the same 9-day trip. - Distances are more than they seem in the west. I remember the first time we were told that the grocery store is just a short distance up the road. It was a two-hour drive. (This was in Montana.)How old are the kids?You could elect to do both the South and North Rims of the Grand Canyon - 200 mile drive. Petrified Forest is 200 miles away. Hoover Dam is 250 miles away.As far as off-road, I'll defer to others.TomI have no expectations of doing the entire southwest in one trip. I would probably do just one major park or two small ones. And yes, I would fly the kids both ways. The youngest one is 16 and I don't know yet how many of the older ones will be able to join me. I might make a slow trip home and see one or two more places if the mood strikes me after the kids leave. I just want to see if someone with experience had an opinion on where I should start and what is best done that time of year. In the summer of 2014 we did Glacier, Yellowstone and a little bit of Grand Teton parks. I am trying to work out a schedule for getting to the Pacific coast this summer.

Sounds like you're going to do alot of driving. Out to Grand Canyon in March, then return home, then out to Pacific Coast a few months later?Grand Canyon south rim elevation is 7,000ft and can still get snow in March. Maybe do Big Bend and Carlsbad Caverns in March, then Grand Canyon on your way to or from Pacific Coast?There is so much to see in the West!

I think if it was me.....The Grand Canyon...and I have been there once but in a car not a coach...It is very beautiful in all the pictures you see...BUT...when you are there..it is SO POWERFUL.....

What would be your top pick for a spring break trip?

18 Replies

OutdoorPhotogra
Explorer
Dec 18, 2015
I visited the Grand Canyon in January mostly because that's when I was making a cross country trip. There was snow on the ground but it was a great time to visit with no crowds and roads were open that are closed to personal vehicles in the summer season.
Groover
Explorer II
Dec 18, 2015
CVD wrote:
Grand Canyon and Sedona - would be a good week. Sedona has many mild 4x4 trails with amazing scenery (look up Barlow Jeep rental, even if you're not a customer, they will give take time to describe trails).

Another option would be Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce.

Sedona sounds really interesting. I am getting more info on it and may focus on that and the Grand Canyon. Big Bend is still on my list but I will have to check the crowd situation. Is it good all winter? I might have to go there some other year.

Thanks for the tips guys!
CVD
Explorer
Dec 14, 2015
Grand Canyon and Sedona - would be a good week. Sedona has many mild 4x4 trails with amazing scenery (look up Barlow Jeep rental, even if you're not a customer, they will give take time to describe trails).

Another option would be Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce.
Executive45
Explorer III
Dec 14, 2015
Lake Havasu, Arizona....I guarantee it'll be an eye opener for a 16 yr old kid from Tennessee....just sayin....:B.....Dennis
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Dec 14, 2015
Are you hikers? If so, you might consider Grand Canyon (there are many hikes other than to the bottom of the canyon); Sedona, AZ - wonderful hikes and some 4-wheeling; (flying into Flagstaff would be a good option)
Zion Nat'l Park and Arches (Moab). Bryce is much higher elevation and it will be much colder than the others.
Groover
Explorer II
Dec 14, 2015
I assume that Big Bend gets unpleasantly warm during the summer when school is out, that is why I thought about trying to do it during spring break. But, if it is going to be real crowded then I may have to go somewhere else. Is the Grand Canyon going to be unpleasantly cold then? How much is there to do then at the Grand Canyon? I read somewhere that most visitors drive up, take a few pictures and then leave the same day.

I just watched a National Geographic special on Yellowstone and was amazed at how much of that park I did not see in the week I was there.

What about some of the smaller parks in the general vicinity: Bryce Canyon, Dunes, etc.? It doesn't have to be a National Park, I find that I often enjoy less crowded local parks as much with their smaller crowds and quieter atmosphere.
prstlk
Explorer
Dec 14, 2015
Big bend gets my vote. Stay in alpine and venture out from there. Lots to see and do
tatest
Explorer II
Dec 14, 2015
I've been across to Flagstaff (enroute to Phoenix) during Spring Break, found the weather OK across Texas, New Mexico and Arizona on I-40.

But this is about the time of season change, it can be the last of winter or the first of spring. People from here go to northern New Mexico for skiing some years, and I-40 is on the southern edge of that. Similarly for the ski season in northern Arizona.

Even if it is still sort of winter, there can be plenty to see and do on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, and at the parks enroute (e.g. Petrified Forest).

Moab's spring begins in March, but the bigger off-roading gatherings are towards the end of the month. It gets busy enough that you should be thinking about firm reservations well in advance, last two weeks of March and into April.

I've used San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country as Spring Break destinations, if it is too early to go somewhere more local (like the Ozarks) that particularly year. That's because they are close for me. I've also used Nashville a couple of years, and the Smokies one spring when spring came early to the mountains. That's another direction for you.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Dec 14, 2015
From Pulaski, TN here are some options to go to the West/Southwest along with some 4-wheeling:

Big Bend Nat'l Park - 1180 miles via I-30/I-20 to Monahans, TX then SR18 south to US385. However, there would be no convenient airport nearby.

Grand Canyon - South Rim - 1525 miles via I-40
1855 miles via I-20/I-10/I-17

Moab, Utah - 1555 miles via I-24 North to I-64 to I-70
1618 miles via I-40 to Gallup, NM to 491 North to 191 North
Moab is the ultimate for 4-wheeling of all abilities. There's also Arches Nat'l Park and Canyonlands Nat'l Park to explore.
wolfe10
Explorer
Dec 13, 2015
I would wait until you are about 10 days out and can see the weather window for at least the beginning of the trip.

I would also rule out high elevation such as Flagstaff/Grand Canyon that early in the year.

Big Bend would likely have the warmest weather of the places you mentioned and some very nice back roads for your toad (we have driven most of them in a VW bus). And, some interesting things to see and do along the way, particularly from San Antonio west on U.S. 90.

And, depending on the weather, you can shoot south from home to reach better conditions.

And, at least for most, a 3000 mile week is enough!