Going north to Alaska on route #89 questions?
DW and I are planning an adventure to Alaska at the end of our 2015 snowbird season. We plan to start north around the first of April. Not sure if this is the correct forum for the questions I have, but MODs feel free to put this wherever you think is best.
For this Alaska trip we will be starting from Flagstaff, AZ and head northerly to Great Falls, MT before crossing the border into Canada around the second week of May. We were thinking about driving on Route #89 between these two cities. We are in no hurry and would plan to hit any attraction that is recommended. We like to boondock occasionally, are not against staying at State Parks & Federal Parks, and we would be happy to foot the bill for commercial campgrounds whenever this is the best choice.I noticed on Google maps that #89 goes fairly close to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone NP, but am not sure if these attraction would be open or would be too far off #89 for a day trip.
So, my question is: Is #89 a good route to take from Flagstaff to Grand Falls to see the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and be an advisable route for hauling a 38’ fifth wheel RV?
Any pros and cons would be appreciated and your recommendations for places to see and camp at would be welcomed. Many thanks!
Lakeside
Ivylog replied:
I like 89 although I’d use 89A so you can go to the North Rim too assuming it’s open. I would probably camp (USFS) at Jacob’s Lake and drive down to the N Rim. Before you get to Bryce is Red Canyon USFS CG. As you come out of Bryce I’d take 22 straight ahead and stay at Otter Creed SP and then 62 and 24 back to 89 at I-70 briefly. 89 to Salt Lake is not that interesting so I’d take 28 over to I-15 all the way north to SLC. There’s a pretty good pull after Logan and then a good decent into Bear Lake but worth it. It’s going to be COLD that early and make sure the south entrance into Yellowstone will be open that early. I have not been north of I-90 on 89 so cannot help with that part as we usually go west to Glacier. We had snow on the Alcan at Ft Nelson on May 20 but fortunately they plowed it or it would have been interesting. Many places were not open yet and the road was excellent until after Whitehorse. Should be a great trip.
CaptainObvious replied:
If you decide not to go to Grand Canyon, note that 89 is closed prior to Paige, AZ. There is an alternate route 89T that is a newly paved Indian Road. Last I checked google maps has 89T but not Apple maps.
X2 on 89 being boring from about Spanish Fork, UT to Logan, UT. It’s all stop lights and urban city centers. You could skip Salt Lake by taking I89 from Provo and going through Park City. Provo Canyon is a little steep but not too serious. Going through Bear Lake to south Yellowstone is quite beautiful.
From lakeside: Thank you Ivylog and CaptainObvious, your information is helpful and much appreciated.
For this Alaska trip we will be starting from Flagstaff, AZ and head northerly to Great Falls, MT before crossing the border into Canada around the second week of May. We were thinking about driving on Route #89 between these two cities. We are in no hurry and would plan to hit any attraction that is recommended. We like to boondock occasionally, are not against staying at State Parks & Federal Parks, and we would be happy to foot the bill for commercial campgrounds whenever this is the best choice.I noticed on Google maps that #89 goes fairly close to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone NP, but am not sure if these attraction would be open or would be too far off #89 for a day trip.
So, my question is: Is #89 a good route to take from Flagstaff to Grand Falls to see the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and be an advisable route for hauling a 38’ fifth wheel RV?
Any pros and cons would be appreciated and your recommendations for places to see and camp at would be welcomed. Many thanks!
Lakeside
Ivylog replied:
I like 89 although I’d use 89A so you can go to the North Rim too assuming it’s open. I would probably camp (USFS) at Jacob’s Lake and drive down to the N Rim. Before you get to Bryce is Red Canyon USFS CG. As you come out of Bryce I’d take 22 straight ahead and stay at Otter Creed SP and then 62 and 24 back to 89 at I-70 briefly. 89 to Salt Lake is not that interesting so I’d take 28 over to I-15 all the way north to SLC. There’s a pretty good pull after Logan and then a good decent into Bear Lake but worth it. It’s going to be COLD that early and make sure the south entrance into Yellowstone will be open that early. I have not been north of I-90 on 89 so cannot help with that part as we usually go west to Glacier. We had snow on the Alcan at Ft Nelson on May 20 but fortunately they plowed it or it would have been interesting. Many places were not open yet and the road was excellent until after Whitehorse. Should be a great trip.
CaptainObvious replied:
If you decide not to go to Grand Canyon, note that 89 is closed prior to Paige, AZ. There is an alternate route 89T that is a newly paved Indian Road. Last I checked google maps has 89T but not Apple maps.
X2 on 89 being boring from about Spanish Fork, UT to Logan, UT. It’s all stop lights and urban city centers. You could skip Salt Lake by taking I89 from Provo and going through Park City. Provo Canyon is a little steep but not too serious. Going through Bear Lake to south Yellowstone is quite beautiful.
From lakeside: Thank you Ivylog and CaptainObvious, your information is helpful and much appreciated.
