First trip out west from FL.... need help

We stayed in Kanab and traveled to GC, Bryce and Zion on different days. Do NOT try to do Zion on a weekend!!!! HOLY COW it's a busy place! We stayed at Kanab RV Corral. Nice small park. Kanab is an hour or two from each of the parks. We don't do a lot of hiking, so seeing each one for a day was sufficient. :) The drives to the parks were awesome.....we were there in the fall and the colors were nice!

We left from Florida and headed west, stopping first at a WalMart parking area overnight, then to the New Orleans French Quarter RV Resort for a few days of jazz and peoplewatching. It's within walking distance of the French Quarter, so perfect for us.

We also stayed in the Kanab RV Corral campground - great spot. Another spot we really liked was the City of Bernalillo campground, NM (just north of Albuquerque) - full hookups right on the Rio Grande.

In Zion, we had a spot in the Watchman NPS Campground, but no full hookups. From there we moved to Kodachrome Basin State Park which is perfectly located between Bryce and other areas we wanted to visit. Then on to Capitol Reef, Fruita Campground. There's a map from RV Parky on my blog post here that shows our route. This was last March - May 2015... http://trailertraveler.net/wandering-west-tour-de-lance-1685-1st-30-days/

Enjoy your trip, take your time!

Howdy!

If you don't have one already and over 62 get yourself a senior National Parks pass. It only cost you $10.00 and good for life. Lots,of National Parks out west. Also gets you a discount on some camping in NP's and Corp of Engineer parks.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

Planning for May and June is ideal time for the area. Things can get very hot later, even compared to Florida.

I-40 is OK route but is rather northward from Florida. If you are taking that route, suggest you include a visit to Hot Springs Ark and the Petit Jacque SP near Little Rock. Also don't miss a quick turnoff to see the Meteor Crater in eastern AZ. Almost forget -- Elvis still lives in Memphis from time to time, I am told, so include Graceland stop.

I also suggest a visit to Carlsbad Cavern in NM, as it is the best cavern trip we had taken in the NP system. Also opportunity to drive through Roswell MN, which seems to have been possessed by alien minds in the 50s and still looks pretty much as in the old newsreels.

Check out 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona, steep in places but may be OK for you. Page is optional, take 89/89A to Jacob lake and down to N Rim. Check with the rangers about parking, they might even let you park at a non site at the CG. Otherwise there are dry paid CGs on the way in to leave the TT.

Camp in Zion if you can, you'll need a permit at the tunnel on 9 and as I recall it's 50' limit for a trailer combo, so you're OK. There are several CGs at Mt Carmel Junction otherwise. And there are several CGs along the road to Bryce. There are other parks in the area if you have time. Otherwise backtrack to Flagstaff then 40/20.

No matter which way you go, you are going to have a wonderful time. Is there any particular reason you want to go out I-40 and where do you plan to access it? Since we have home bases in Florida and North Carolina, we have different ways of heading west. When leaving from Florida we usually go out I-10 (& I-12) to west of New Orleans then (1) I-49 and US 71 to Ft.Smith AR. When leaving from NC we get on I-40 west of Knoxville and follow it all the way.
We often leave the interstate at Albuquerque and go north on 550. This gives us an opportunity to see Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison. From 550 you can access 491 and 191 to wander around in Southern Utah seeing so much great stuff I can't even list it here. OR you can go on to west if Gallup and take 191 to Petrified Forest,Canyon de Chelly and etc. OR you can follow your original plan of going to Flagstaff to the North Rim and etc. There is so much to see that you can't go wrong. We have towed a 24' TT all over the four corner area many times and found most secondary roads to be passable. lizzie

There is a USFS CG just before the gate/entrance to the N Rim. I would cancel the lodge and stay in this CG that's about 15 miles from the lodge for two nights. I would not worry about reservations for it in May... Not sure they even take them. Parking at the rim is limited. You could still eat at the lodge and hundreds mule deer come out at dusk so the drive back to the CG is a must do.

We've done that trip many times over the years. Rubies right at the Bryce entrance is the main CG. The shuttle bus stops right at Rubies. Rubies is certainly very touristy and there are a couple of other CG not too far away if you don't like it.

The Zion park CG is very nice but there are a number of commercial CG just outside the park. Zion is shuttle bus only you have to leave your truck in a parking lot.

Both parks have great hiking trails. And for that I suggest you start daily long walks to get yourselves ready as much as possible for the altitude. Bryce is at 8000 ft for example and there are plenty of ups and downs on the trails. Carry at least 1 liter of water with you each and more would be better. Indeed carry water with you everywhere you will dry out fast.

On the way back I suggest you go thru southern Colorado and visit Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Great Sand Dunes NP. Make tour reservations online for the Mesa Verde tours or you'll find them full when you get there.

We generally head down I-10 and once you are in west Texas turn off at Hwy 54 to go to Carlsbad which really isn't to be missed. You can then follow US 285 up to I-40. In Arizona stop at Petrified Forest/Painted Desert for a drive thru. Barringer crater is another possible stop.

As for North Rim there is a commercial CG at Jacob's Lake that we've stayed out. Nothing special about it but it's a place to stay with FHU. Someone mentioned the name up above.

We have been to the North Rim twice with our 24ft Class C (not towing) and were able to park without difficulty. As I recall, the parking is lined for car spaces, so you will have to take up a number of spaces with your rig. Depending on how crowded it is on the day you arrive that could be a problem. You probably should call the lodge and ask them about parking. An alternate for your consideration would be to stay at Kaibab Camper Village at Jacob Lake and make a day trip or two to the rim. FYI, the food at the nearby Jacob lake Inn is very good.

While at the North Rim, take to drive to Cape Royal and Point Imperial for great views.

For Bryce Canyon my suggestion would be Ruby's Inn Campground.

flguppie wrote:
Well, we retired. :) DW and I haven't been out west and we have a 26' tt and a F150 We've been in the Smokies and WV but not out west.

As this is our first trip out west and we want to take 2 months to do it (May + June) we have questions.....

1. We are thinking about going I-40 to Flagstaff and down to Sedona AZ for a week. Then drive 89 & 89a to Page and then to the North Rim of the GC. I was able to book one night in the lodge at the north rim on May 22 (so far that is all I have booked). I couldn't get in the campground at the NP on the north rim sooooo.....Does anyone know if you can leave your truck and tt hooked up and just parked at the lodge parking lot while staying at the lodge (like cars do)? We could leave the fridge on propane and the battery should last one night (I think). But do they allow that? IF not where to go?

2. Once we pull out of the North Rim.....where to? Something near Zion and Bryce? She isn't for dry camping and we are using the tt as a mobile hotel...so staying in full hookups is what we look for.

3. After Bryce....best route home?

any help is appreciated. (sorry for the length of this post)

Right off the bat I might suggest Carlsbad Caverns and Canyon de Chelly. Both are interesting and will help fill in some of the time on the road with enjoyable stops.

For where to park the Truck and Trailer just call the Hotel/Lodge they will have the correct answer. If you need more info on spots along the North Rim I think you will need to be up near Kanab, UT to find sites. Zion and Bryce then up to Capital Reef and Goblins (just do a search on each of these areas for a ton of info) then Moab and Rt 128 to Colorado.

Now if you can extend a couple of weeks we can really Hook You Up in Colorado.

A list that I have gotten off the forum that just helps out.

• Don't let the mountains scare you.
  
  The main roads, such as you find in red in the Atlas, are more like our/eastern interstates. Unless I'm really hoov'ing it, I try to avoid the interstates west of the Mississippi.
  
  Not only is it more fun but most of the time it is smoother - no trucks.
  
  Lots of the smaller towns will have fair grounds or other type lots you can park for a small charge or free. Reservoirs are another great CG resource.
  
  Reservations are over rated and can be a real pain.
  
  Don't overplan.Two hours is all we usually have a firm plan for.
  For long trips, we select a few major sites/destinations and wing it between them.
  
  Good Weather and good Company, often make the Best memories no matter where you are.
  
  If you work on your rig think about bringing a creeper and Voltage tester - few tools - remember you can get what you need in a Wal*Mart or Home Depot along the way - and use their parking lot as your shop.
  
  I have also found that out West Wal*Mart gas and diesel is often the cheapest.;
  
  Hang your Keys on the Antennae crank - just so you remember to put it down.
  
  When you enter a state the welcome center will give you paper maps and CG info.
  
  At least drive through places along the way, even if you don't stop.
  
  Take THREE pictures every time you think one will due - Keep the Mirror out of the Picture - Clean the Windshield so you get good pictures. Sometimes the pictures through the front windshield will really tell a story.
  
  

Pictures of places along the way

Good Luck,