Flagstaff vs. Las Vegas

[ferrelldebbie]

We are flying from Ohio to rent a Class C camper to do the Grand Loop of the national parks in Utah plus the Grand Canyon. Most books and websites say to fly to Vegas which is a 5 hour drive to the Grand Canyon. Flagstaff is only 90 minutes. Also, I think the RV rental place is at the airport in Vegas but somewhere else in Flagstaff. Does anyone have any experience or advice for how to start our trip? We are hoping to see Bryce, Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, and possibly 1-2 others. We will be traveling 10 -14 days in June. Also, has anyone stayed in Trailer Village at the Grand Canyon? Thanks!

[2gypsies1]

Most likely you'll get the cheapest air fares to Las Vegas but check Phoenix, also. I think it would be costly into Flagstaff and you'll have to change to a small plane to get into there. You'll just need to check prices of air fare and rentals.

Definitely stay at Trailer Village at the canyon itself. The free shuttle stops right there. Walk down the Bright Angel trail if only 1/8-1/4 mile. It will give you a very different perspective of the canyon.

You will be coming in via the south entrance off I-40. When you leave, exit via the east entrance on to Hwy 89 and head north into Utah.

With only 10-14 days try to spend two nights at each stop and you'll need one day on each end for your departure and return of the RV so you'll have about 8-12 days @ 2 nights each = 4-6 parks.

So I'd recommend Grand Canyon, Zion (Watchman campground in the park) - exit east to 89 north and the mentioned tunnels will not be an issue with any rental; 89 north to Hwy 12 east to Bryce - the park has two dry campgrounds (no hookups) or else stay at Ruby's RV at the park entrance and the free shuttle stops there to take you into the park. Try to do a hike below the rim. It will be like a fairy wonderland down there.

Continue on Hwy 12 to Capitol Reef - the campground in the park is shaded and very pleasant. No hookups. There are RV parks in nearby Torrey.

Then Utah 24 to I-70 east to 191 south to Arches and as previously noted, the campground will be closed but there are plenty of RV parks in town. If you're hikers, try to reserve ahead of time the ranger-led Fiery Furnace hike. It's awesome and there's a lot of shade for it.

If you feel you have the time then head south on 191 to Monument Valley and stay at Gouldings. Take a tour.

Then you'll be heading back to Las Vegas via Arizona 160 west to Hwy 89 south to Flagstaff and west to Las Vegas.

Don't try to cram too much into your short stay. These parks involve a lot of driving time.

You'll have a great trip even though it will be hot. People have to travel when they can and if you have no other options then enjoy! Drink LOTS of water in these desert regions.

[D_E_Bishop]

To answer your question about TV, it is relatively new is laid out very well in my opinion. Add Antelope Canyon to your stops. It is just north and east of Page, there are three outfits to serve you. There are two on the right left side of the Hwy going toward Monument Valley. The one closest to the Hwy is in my opinion is the best.

The construction in Arches is supposed to be conducted during the day, but you know how that goes. The big campground will be closed during construction but a much nicer one is a State Park at Dead Horse Point.

I know how you feel about seeing all you can and you can see that area but I'd read about it a lot and narrow stuff down. You can drive over from Vegas to the GCNP and then over to Page, the up to Monument Valley and the up to Blanding UT to see Muley Point, Goosenecks, Natural Bridges, Mexican Hat, CanyonlandsNP, Upper Colorado River, Arches and more. Five days of driving around once there and three days from GC and then up to Bryce and Zion. I suggest Blanding because it is easier to find space there during school vacation. So now you have five or six days left for Bryce and Zion. There is so much to see up that way.

Oh yeah, Mary at the Monticello Visitors Center has a lot of great ideas. The others there are pretty good but Mary is fantastic. Monticello is also a good place to home base for that area.

Enjoy and if you're like most you'll be planning your return on the flight home.

[russkerri]

You asked about Trailer Village. We stayed there in 2015 and thought it was great. It's very convenient to everything. As someone else said, you'll need to book it quite a ways out since it's a popular area.
Here's a review I wrote with some pictures: Trailer Village

[Rocky2]

I would suggest Ten X forest service campground, about 4 miles from the south rim,at Grand Canyon. Dry camping in a nice forested area. That said, I would go to the North Rim on any visit to the Grand Canyon. It is a more direct route to the other stops on your tour of the national parks.

[Mortimer_Brewst]

There's going to be road construction at Arches National Park next summer. Anyone going there should expect long delays.

[aguablanco]

At least 105* staring in Vegas and possibly 100* plus for the rest of the trip. Just sayin'. You can rent an RV in Phoenix probably cheaper than Vegas. Look at craigslist and see what you think.
RichH

[Rug]

You will be going right past Page AZ.
Stop in and do a boat tour of the canyons.
You might want to do a trip out to see the Rainbow Bridge. This is a must see.

[naturist]

In 2011 we did something similar to what the OP proposes. I had a week-long professional conference in Vegas over the Labor Day weekend, and dragged our TT to Vegas for the conference. At the end of that, my bride flew out to Vegas, and we dragged the trailer through Kingman to the South Rim, staying for several days in Trailer Village. The way to get around on the South Rim is via the free shuttle bus system, and we made use of it to explore the South Rim.

We then dragged the TT around the east end of the Canyon and spent a couple more days enjoying the North Rim, which is a very different place. We then went west on 89 to Bryce, then to Zion, before returning to Vegas, where my bride caught another flight home. I dragged the TT back home by myself.

The journey from Vegas to the South Rim is a one-day trip. You MUST have reservations in Trailer Village, although there are campgrounds just outside the park in Tusayan where you might not need them.

We did not hit other places, except Kodachrome State Park, on our journey, which was limited to two weeks by the vacation time my wife could get. It should be noted that we like to go somewhere and explore a bit, rather than rushing from one attraction to the next as others often do. If you have only two weeks, the number of sights you will be able to take in will depend upon your travel style. Given your proposed itinerary, I think you would do well just flying into Vegas and renting there.

Do be aware that entering Zion via the eastern park entrance will take you through a tunnel with height restrictions that not all rental RVs can pass. In case yours doesn't, you have to circle around and enter the park from the west.

[Nutinelse2do]

Nothing would be bad about starting your trip from Vegas, except for traffic in the City.

It's a pretty drive once you get on the outskirts of Kingman area and start heading NE, on the presumption that you will be going to the Grand Canyon first. Otherwise, just head North on 15 up to Utah.

It will be very warm, so be prepared for heat.

Have a great trip

[Busskipper]

ferrelldebbie wrote:
............... We will be traveling 10 -14 days in June. ...................

You do know it's HOT IN UTAH IN JUNE!!!! If this does not involve kids - you might think about looking at the weather and the time of year you go.

Just a Thought,

[Busskipper]

ferrelldebbie wrote:
We are flying from Ohio to rent a Class C camper to do the Grand Loop of the national parks in Utah plus the Grand Canyon. Most books and websites say to fly to Vegas which is a 5 hour drive to the Grand Canyon. Flagstaff is only 90 minutes. Also, I think the RV rental place is at the airport in Vegas but somewhere else in Flagstaff. Does anyone have any experience or advice for how to start our trip? We are hoping to see Bryce, Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, and possibly 1-2 others. We will be traveling 10 -14 days in June. Also, has anyone stayed in Trailer Village at the Grand Canyon? Thanks!

Just a thought - usually Vegas is a Lower Cost to fly in and out of.

So have you considered coming into Vegas - getting a great deal on a Hotel and a meal in Vegas getting, your RV in the morning and then driving to Zion and the rest of Utah's Parks. Map and possible route Having done this when the Kids were in Collage this was a cheaper and fun trip for us. You can save a lot of money by flying in and out of Vegas. JMHO

Merry Christmas, and let us know what you decide.

:@

[azdryheat]

Most all of the renters (mostly foreign) I've run into rent in Vegas.

[rv2go]

We stayed at Trailer Village in GCNP this pass October. Nice CG close to the shuttles.

In our travels with in the National Parks system, seems like we meet more that rent from Las Vegas than any where else.

If you can work it into your schedule, I would add Valley of Fire State Park.. It is located just a few miles north of Vegas.

[SCVJeff]

Flagstaff is a regional airport, but PHX as a major airport is hours closer to Flagstaff than LAS. but if you are doing a grand loop, Vegas is likely closer to the end of that tour. Maybe it makes sense to arrive and depart from different airports.

Yes, stayed at that CG but it was a lifetime ago and remember nothing about it.