2019 Trip to the Southwest - Help/Guidance please

[Ryanjb01]

Hello Everyone,

On our quest to hit all 50 states within the next 3 years, the Southwest is next on our agenda.

More specifically, Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico.

The planned locations so far include:
The Grand Canyon
Bryce and Zion
Las Vegas
Monument Valley
San Diego(Warm Pacific Waters). Or another location/town near the Pacific Ocean.
Roswell NM

To start, I am looking for campground recommendations for the above mentioned locations. Full Hook-Up sites are a must and family/pet friendly. Eventually Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana will be added to the route.

Also like to know how many days are recommended to see each location. Our total trip, including start to finish is 5 full weeks. Many of our stops will simply be for an overnight stay, back on the road in the morning.

We are Coast to Coast Deluxe members, KOA, Good Sam and AAA.

Thanks for the help,

Ryan

[Ryanjb01]

Janss wrote:
In the wide open landscape of the Southwest (excluding southern CA), sunrise and sunset are the most beautiful, magical times due to the lighting on the rocky outcroppings, canyon walls, etc. For this reason I recommend staying inside or as close as possible to the Parks. Check out Trailer Village inside Grand Canyon NP, Ruby's just outside Bryce, Goulding's just across the highway from Monument Valley...to get you started. Also check www.rvparkreviews.com

Expect CA coast campgrounds to be quite expensive.

Make reservations! These Parks and other areas in the Southwest are very busy in the summer!

There are soooo many other sights to add to your list. Have a look at grandcircle.org.

Be sure to know the pet rules at the Nat'l Parks...like dogs not allowed on trails.

Do you have an America The Beautiful Pass?

No, we do not have an America the Beautiful Pass? What is that?
Thanks for the information.

[Janss]

In the wide open landscape of the Southwest (excluding southern CA), sunrise and sunset are the most beautiful, magical times due to the lighting on the rocky outcroppings, canyon walls, etc. For this reason I recommend staying inside or as close as possible to the Parks. Check out Trailer Village inside Grand Canyon NP, Ruby's just outside Bryce, Goulding's just across the highway from Monument Valley...to get you started. Also check www.rvparkreviews.com

Expect CA coast campgrounds to be quite expensive.

Make reservations! These Parks and other areas in the Southwest are very busy in the summer!

There are soooo many other sights to add to your list. Have a look at grandcircle.org.

Be sure to know the pet rules at the Nat'l Parks...like dogs not allowed on trails.

Do you have an America The Beautiful Pass?

[Ryanjb01]

RGar974417 wrote:
When we went to the Grand Canyon,we stayed at Circle Pines KOA near Williams. Full hookups ,an indoor pool and hot tubs. Can't make any other reccomendations because we usually prefer campgrounds that are scenic with private sites.The ones we like to stay at are either no hookups or just electric.

Thanks, I will check it out. We only stay at FHU campgrounds now. Limiting I know . . . .

[Ryanjb01]

NMDriver2 wrote:
WARM Pacific waters are not to be found in San Diego or anywhere in CA 🙂 You can swim in the ocean but a summer wet suit is recommended even in Aug. As far as full hook-up coast campgrounds go I would look at https://missionbayrvresort.com/

Warm Pacific waters as compared to Northern Atlantic waters!!! Hopefully anyway. Thanks for the info. I will check it out.

If you are going to Roswell, NM (http://www.redbarnrvparkroswellnm.com/) you might as well drop down to Carlsbad Caverns and hit White Sands Nat. Monument as you pass by.

Great info and ideas.

I hope you are planning a spring trip to avoid the 100+ temps you will find around Roswell in summer.

Unfortunately, summer is the only time we can travel at this point in our lives. We will just have to deal with the heat!!

[NMDriver2]

WARM Pacific waters are not to be found in San Diego or anywhere in CA 🙂 You can swim in the ocean but a summer wet suit is recommended even in Aug. As far as full hook-up coast campgrounds go I would look at https://missionbayrvresort.com/

If you are going to Roswell, NM (http://www.redbarnrvparkroswellnm.com/) you might as well drop down to Carlsbad Caverns and hit White Sands Nat. Monument as you pass by.

I hope you are planning a spring trip to avoid the 100+ temps you will find around Roswell in summer.

[RGar974417]

When we went to the Grand Canyon,we stayed at Circle Pines KOA near Williams. Full hookups ,an indoor pool and hot tubs. Can't make any other reccomendations because we usually prefer campgrounds that are scenic with private sites.The ones we like to stay at are either no hookups or just electric.