Scottish family rving for first time

How far you can get depends on how much you stop to see the areas because that obviously reduces your driving time. I’m guessing that the loop you’re looking at is approaching 3000 miles and if you spend half of your days traveling and half sightseeing you’re probably covering about 200 miles a day average. Some days you can do better, one long, hard day’s drive could get you to Twin Falls from Las Vegas, it’s about 500 miles.

If I were making that trip I’d use “MS Streets and Trips” or one of the online sites to plan where I wanted to go and how long I wanted to stay. Typically, it would run over the time I had so I’d have to adjust where I went or how long I stayed until I found something workable.

If you’re going to Twin Falls you’d be remiss not to go to Yellowstone and the Tetons. You wouldn’t be able to spend much time there, but you could get a taste of it. July is prime time, though, and depending how big your RV is you’ll likely need to make an advance reservation to camp there. There are some commercial cg’s outside the park but I’ve never used them and don’t know if you’d need reservations.

If you like caves and come through northern AZ check out the Lava River Cave. It’s on hwy 180, the road from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon. It’s about ¾ mile long and colder than a well diggers behind even in summer. Not for the claustrophobic, though. Have a great trip, I’ve traveled all over the west with my two granddaughters and they are really fond memories.

susanbee wrote:
Thanks for the replies can anyone suggest good maps or books we could buy or perhaps download I have filled in visitor info for the tourist boards in colorado etc but they don't send them internationaly .....also do we need a national parks pass or would we just pay at the entrance to these parks ? although we have been to the USA many times its always been Orlando so I'm a bit nervous of just driving off into the wilderness lol !

I used mapquest for planning our trip to this area. Mapquest will allow you to save maps. You can plot point A to B to C etc. You can send the maps to your email address. I also have a Garmin GPS with Base Camp software. Not sure if you can purchase a Garmin GPS with North America maps where you live but may be worth while. If you have a Garmin you can download BaseCamp software for free. I used the internet exclusively for planning our trips. Forums like this are extremely helpful. Grand Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley, Pikes Peak, Royal Gorge, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park are all amazing.
Depending on the number of National Parks you plan to visit an annual pass may be worthwhile. It may save you some time as you just show your pass when entering the parks.

Thanks for the replies can anyone suggest good maps or books we could buy or perhaps download I have filled in visitor info for the tourist boards in colorado etc but they don't send them internationaly .....also do we need a national parks pass or would we just pay at the entrance to these parks ? although we have been to the USA many times its always been Orlando so I'm a bit nervous of just driving off into the wilderness lol !

susanbee wrote:
... our two granddaughters with us who both love caves, climbing and fossil collection

Between Rachel NV (Area 51) and Twin Falls you will be passing near Great Basin NP with the Lehman Cave. You can tour the cave (reservations needed) and see all the weird geologic features inside.

From Twin Falls I am assuming you are headed to Yellowstone? That will be a good one for the kids too -- all the geysers, bubbling springs, wildlife, etc.

The G-daughter will love Dinosaur if she is into fossils. She can walk up and touch them imbedded in the rock walls.

The other Utah Parks are also spectacular -- Zion, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon (hike the Queen Victoria's Garden trail -- the colors and shapes are like walking through a magical fairyland.)

Dinosaurs? Prolly don't want to miss

Dinosaur National Monument,
Be sure to visit the part of the park near Vernal, UT, since that's where most of the fossils can be seen at the Carnegie Exhibit Hall. You'll be surrounded by Federal, state and private camp grounds and can choose the one that appeals most to your sensibilities.

Don't know how many drivers will be travelling with you so I'd suggest not aiming for more than 200-250 miles to start.
Enjoy your stay!

You can see and do as much as you want in the 25 days. However, most people with an RV average no more than 400 miles a day. with grandchildren this is all I would ever venture to do in one day. The western states are beautiful. While in Vegas you could see Red Rock Canyon. I would make sure to get to the Grand Canyon and some of the other points that way (Bryce, Arches). Perhaps Sedona Arizona? You could go north from Colorado depending upon your plans and get to Yellowstone for a few days as well. Depends on your interest and theirs. There is a lot to see. The object is to no push so much that you don't enjoy it.