Wife and I are going to do the big circle. We are in NY. Trip is going to be very casual, no set in concrete plans. We figure on high tailing till we hit the Mississippi, and then slowing down to look around.We figure on eight to twelve weeks. Our emphasis will be on Nevada,Utah.When should we leave to avoid the wicked heat. Spring or fall and how early or late.

A lot depends on how far north you plan on staying. In the spring you will run across late snow in the northern states and if you are after April you will have the heat in the southern states. Let us know a little more about the areas you want and we can help more.

We snowbird so we're out longer in a larger loop. We have left Michigan in the beginning of Sept and headed up to U. P. and across to Lake Itasca headwaters of the Mississippi then over to the Badlands, Black Hills, Denver(some ac) and Moab around Oct 15(some ac/some furnace). Stayed there two weeks and headed for Goblin Valley, North St George area, Overton Nv, Ft Mohave, Parker, Bouse, Quartszite, Yuma, Houston and back up in the spring. We hit Yuma/Socal end of Nov beginning of Dec and weather is great. We have been in Cottonwood/Sedona aroud Nov 1 to 8th then hit Congress until 25th of Nov.Then Quartzsite 22nd Of NovOgilby Rd Socal Dec 13th. then back up to the Q on Jan 11th. On 19th Jan headed toward Houston. Stayed in Casa Grande 2 days then Escapees Benson 3 days then Junction Tx 2 days and then in to Houston.Sort of helterskelter how I wrote it but you get the idea. We travel with the intention of not having it too hot. We'd rather be a little too cool but have had to run the generator a few times during the afternoon. We always shoot for boondocking and then places like Escapees and seldon pay for a full campground. When we have paid for a campground in places like Moab it's about $45+ per night. We have stayed in Moab until the end of Oct and my son returned to Denver to see snow days later. One year in Black Hills/Wall area we ran the ac a lot around mid Sept. If you stayed out 3 months you may want to be dipping back down into Tx Ar Tenn etc.2017 we stayed in Houston area until end of April and were running the ac all the time. DW was telling me all sorts of dates as I was typing, hope it gives you an idea of fall travel.

Leave after Sept 1. Go west to Utah and head S. It may be Chilly in SW Co-to Flagstaff if you go to the mountains. My cousins live in S Co and say it always frost's by Sept 10.My friend got killed by a bear. Ya! He choked on a green Gummy Bear.

Here in west central Illinois, we've been running in the 80's and lower 90's and often with high humidity so heat index 90's to 100 or more. Occasional breaks in the 70's. That's typical and will be through August. Adjust a little up or down south to north. Another factor, if you wait until at least some schools have started (mid to late Aug) the typical campground population will change from families and young to seniors; quieter, less crowded, earlier to bed, etc. You didn't say what you mean by the "circle" or if you will start across the north or south; big difference. May through June would be good unless you make it to high altitude(cold).

If you leave NY when some of these southern areas are cooler and stay 3 months, you may be trying to get home while it is snowing. Some of these areas are hot until late Sept, which would get you home about Christmas. I would leave late August, try to stay north a month or so, then head south to the warmer areas. Then try to get back by mid November. Have fun.

The Big Trip | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jul 16, 2017
Do you need a 3rd?!!! I don't think my wife will kiss me too much. Sounds like a great plan.

Have a good trip!
Captain_Happy
Explorer
Jul 16, 2017
Right now in the state of Utah it's in the low 100's to mid 90's. The southern part of the state is even (110) hotter. Southern Nevada right now is in the 100+ degree range. I'd say September would be a great month to be in Nevada or Utah. October it starts getting colder, but still nice weather. Utah is one beautiful state. And the people are even greater.
PghBob
Explorer
Jul 16, 2017
To a great degree, your trip weather will depend on your route. For example, it can snow any month in Yellowstone, and it has snowed on us there in June. The chances of snow in that area, and I imagine other elevated areas, goes up dramatically in mid to late September.

In the Sierra, likewise. Two weeks ago while in Sequoia NP, the main road through the park was closed to vehicles without chains (us), due to an overnight multi-inch snowfall that was not predicted. One of the major roads in Yosemite was still closed at that time because of snow, another closed due to a major rock slide.

We have also been partially closed out of other parks like Crater Lake and Glacier in the "summer" due to snow.

So in general, I would agree with others who have stated to go north at first, then work your way south to complete your loop. Be prepared to deal with weather issues, e.g. take warm clothes, as it is part of the adventure. Have a great trip!
azrving
Explorer
Jul 15, 2017
Depending on your route a couple other places that we have camped are the Valley Of Fires in Carrizozo Nm and Palo Duro Canyon in Tx. Not worth driving real far out of the way but interesting places. Red Rocks amphitheater Morrison Co is a nice day stop. Buffalo Bill grave site and museum is also near there at Lookout Mountain for a quick stop. Rocky Mt National Park is a nice day drive. In Co just before you enter Utah is Rabbit Valley boondocking area which has a nice hiking trail with over views of the Colorado River. The aspen in the Las Sal mountains near Moab are beautiful in the fall.

La Sal
Padlin
Explorer
Jul 15, 2017
2 years back we left right after Labor Day to do 10 weeks in UT and CO, weather wise it worked out very well. You could go a little earlier but don't plan on using campgrounds during the holiday. Might run into the same on Columbus Day.
JimK-NY
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2017
Well if you are leaving in the next few weeks, don't head south. High tail it northwest. I recommend the Canadian rockies, Washington/Oregon/California coast. Then hit Yellowstone and work your way south into southern Utah. Return through the southern States. That is my usual "Big Trip" when leaving NY. This year I will have to miss the Canadian Rockies, but will include the Yellowstone, the coast, Utah, then Nevada, California and especially Mojave and Death Valley. Hopefully I will be on the road in 2 weeks and back after Thanksgiving.
TenOC
Nomad
Jul 15, 2017
Start after school starts. Then start out north to Yellowstone etc. Let the snow chase you south. The fall (all yellow) colors will be better and the wild life will still be active as they prepare to mate.
kzspree320
Explorer
Jul 15, 2017
If you leave NY when some of these southern areas are cooler and stay 3 months, you may be trying to get home while it is snowing. Some of these areas are hot until late Sept, which would get you home about Christmas. I would leave late August, try to stay north a month or so, then head south to the warmer areas. Then try to get back by mid November. Have fun.
Jayco-noslide
Explorer
Jul 15, 2017
Here in west central Illinois, we've been running in the 80's and lower 90's and often with high humidity so heat index 90's to 100 or more. Occasional breaks in the 70's. That's typical and will be through August. Adjust a little up or down south to north. Another factor, if you wait until at least some schools have started (mid to late Aug) the typical campground population will change from families and young to seniors; quieter, less crowded, earlier to bed, etc. You didn't say what you mean by the "circle" or if you will start across the north or south; big difference. May through June would be good unless you make it to high altitude(cold).
Passin_Thru
Explorer
Jul 15, 2017
Leave after Sept 1. Go west to Utah and head S. It may be Chilly in SW Co-to Flagstaff if you go to the mountains. My cousins live in S Co and say it always frost's by Sept 10.

My friend got killed by a bear. Ya! He choked on a green Gummy Bear.