Central Florida to Grand Canyon

We typically take different routes there and back. I find things to do or see along the route. Sometimes it is our rest stop or is near where we stop for the night. There is so much to see in Co., AZ and UT and between there and Florida. If you have some places in mind that is a start. I would look at the state tourism sites, Trip Advisor, etc to see what might be interesting.
It is a long haul out there. Just a thought but it may be more relaxing to do week one as a base camp, week two move around, and week three as a base camp before you head home. X2 on finding some higher elevations to visit.
If you let us know the ages of your children; your interests; dog, etc we could provide better ideas.

Just have to say that some of my most fabulous drives have been in southwest CO on regular paved roads, not "4WD backcountry roads".

Let's face it...everyone has their favorite sites. But northern AZ and southern UT and southwest CO are all very worthy destinations.

Actually the North Rim isn't that hot (64 deg average in June), it is at much higher altitude than the South Rim and generally the snow isn't even cleared until late May. Not to take away from Colorado where we spent last summer and several others besides that over the years. But for spectacular sights you cannot beat the Grand Circle/Loop. Some of the parks in that, are hot: Zion/Arches but others are not Bryce for example.

And to really appreciate Colorado you need to do some of the 4WD backcountry roads like the Alpine Loop. Rocky Mountains NP is a lesser Glacier too.

pmbarber wrote:
Hello all. I was looking for a little advice on our next road trip.

My family and I are planning our next summer camping trip out west.

We pull a 26ft travel trailer.

We thought our first trip ever out west we would start with the Grand Canyon and the surrounding areas.

We have about 5 weeks to explore, but that includes the drive out there and back to Florida.

I know the Grand Canyon does not take that long to see.

Can anyone recommend other areas to visit during the road trip out, and other interesting places to visit in the Southwest area?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Little advice - First off, you do know it's HOT in the desert in the Summer.

Being from Florida I'd guess you might enjoy Seeing and Experiencing things that are Just Cooler and still Amazing along with being really Fun. So I'll suggest a change in Venue, Have you considered Colorado?

Wild, Beautiful, Cool, Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, Canyons and Vistas? - Think about it - Yup this is Colorado.

Don't get me wrong, the Grand Canyon is is pretty GRAND - but if I only had one place to go and wanted to just enjoy myself in the Summer it would not be to fight the Crowds at the GCNP.

Let's get to the facts - Family, guessing this means Kids - First trip - 2,000 miles ONE WAY to the location - 5 weeks total so likely will spend a week to get out and a week to get back - Leaving 3 weeks to explore - Other INTERESTING Places we might see/enjoy/explore/hike/play/remember - Colorado is Part of the Southwest, IMHO the Best Part of IT.

Look over this post on options in Colorado if this works let us know and we can help out.

Images

Few more



JMHO,

If coming across I-10 in Arizona, plan a stop near Benson (50 mi east of Tucson) and take a tour of Kartchner Caverns. It's a living cave and the tour is beautiful. (We gave it!) This is a state park and the campground with electric is very nice and scenic. We love our national parks and have been to Carlsbad a few times but Kartchner is so much better in our opinion. Carlsbad isn't a 'living' cave meaning that it's not growing and 'dripping'.

OutdoorPhotographer wrote:
You could stop at Carlsbad Canyon on the way over and it would break up the drive.

Antelope Canyon is on my to do list. NE AZ.

Yeah but that would add many hundreds of miles to the trip since it is way out of the direct path.

You could stop at Carlsbad Canyon on the way over and it would break up the drive.

Antelope Canyon is on my to do list. NE AZ.

agesilas wrote:
Good idea I'd go thru Cortez and head east on US 160 which brings you right past Mesa Verde and Great Sand Dunes NM. Incidently if you have kids with you Great Sand Dunes and Coral Pink Sand Dunes SP are big hits with them.

Yes, I agree this is another good alternative. In fact, we did just that some years ago when we visited Bryce and took Utah 12 up to Torry and Capitol Reef, then over to Moab and Arches. From there we did just as you suggested and went on to Mesa Verde. If this route is chosen, Durango and the great train ride is a possibility, and then one could turn down at Pagosa Springs, go through Chama and on to Taos and Santa Fe before heading on back to I-40.

Not that all of these could be done, but to show that there are several good possibilities. It could be a great trip including much more than the Grand Canyon--without adding too many more days.

"And if I were in Moab, I'd plan my return trip to go back across Colorado. Perhaps a drive down from Montrose to Ouray then back up to Black Canyon of the Gunnison, across to Salida and out to Pueblo--as an example.
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Good idea I'd go thru Cortez and head east on US 160 which brings you right past Mesa Verde and Great Sand Dunes NM. Incidently if you have kids with you Great Sand Dunes and Coral Pink Sand Dunes SP are big hits with them.

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"As a native East Texan I would suggest this variation on the section of the route above. Take something like US 69 near Tyler to go up to US 82 at Sherman, then pick up 287 near Wichita Falls. This will avoid most of the congestion of DFW and will be a much more pleasant drive. "
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I've seen you mention this several times but this time I highlighted it on my map so next time I'll be able to find it. We'll give it a try next time. Probably this summer tho we may take the southern route since we want to do some trails at Payson AZ.

agesilaus wrote:
The Grand Canyon is the bottom of what's known as the Grand Circle, starting out at the North Rim (we much prefer the NR) it includes Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Arches NP, Canyonlands NP and Capital Reef with many smaller parks in the area including Petroglyph SP (State Park), Pink Coral Sand Dunes SP, Vermilion Cliffs NM, Dead Horse SP, Monument Valley, Natural Bridges and many others.

Concur. And if you start at North Rim you can go north to Zion, then Bryce, then follow Utah 12 to Torry and Capitol Reef, then on to Moab and Arches. This will give you plenty in Utah, though there are many other possibilities. I'm suggesting this as a route with highlights that will not require much backtracking.

And if I were in Moab, I'd plan my return trip to go back across Colorado. Perhaps a drive down from Montrose to Ouray then back up to Black Canyon of the Gunnison, across to Salida and out to Pueblo--as an example.

As a driving route I suggest I-10 to MS, up to I-20, across to west of Dallas and US 287.

As a native East Texan I would suggest this variation on the section of the route above. Take something like US 69 near Tyler to go up to US 82 at Sherman, then pick up 287 near Wichita Falls. This will avoid most of the congestion of DFW and will be a much more pleasant drive.