Need recommendations for Arizona, New Mexico trip
We are planning a trip where we have never been before and would like some advice and suggestions.
The wife and I retired this summer and have a 2017 Ford dually diesel 4X4 and a 34 foot 5th wheel. We had a 24 foot 5th wheel for over ten years and did some camping mostly in Oregon, Washington and Yellowstone with the kids in the early days on 2-week vacation trips at a time. Recently with the 34 foot 5th wheel we have been out 3 to 4 times on mostly 4 day stays and one trip this past summer a 2-1/2-week vacation. So we are not a total newbie to RVing.
Here is a brief trip layout/route we are planning for approximately one month from Salem, Oregon.
Go to Mt Shasta City for one night; 5 nights through Nevada Valley of Fire & Zion. Arizona: 5 days, Vermillion Cliffs/Marble Canyon; Grand Canyon & Window Rock. New Mexico: 4 days Santa Fe, Church of San Jose De Gracia & Taos area. Colorado: 3 days in Mesa Verde National Park. Utah: 3 days @ Arches National Park. Head back home with one-night stay around Boise/ Mountain Home, ID area and one night at John Day, Oregon.
Here is where we need help and probably more.
• Trip planning time: We were planning the trip starting in mid-April of 2019 hoping to hit mid 70-degree weather. But read on the forum that the weather is not the best at that time of the year, snow and colder/freezing temperatures at night. So, we are switching plans to mid-May. Trying to beat the 90-degree weather. Right or wrong planning time?
• Route Planning: I am retired now and don’t have to be in a rush like before. Like quiet, scenic routes. What routes do you recommend?
• Heard a recommendation about keeping the gas tank above ½ full mark if possible because lack of gas stations along the route?
Where to camp over night?
• Where do you recommend for camping sites? Like to have full hook-up most of the time or electricity, water and a dump site, but I know that isn’t possible sometimes. Like State/ Federal forest camping mostly. Really don’t mind sometimes staying at KOA’s or private RV sites that don’t feel like a Wal-Mart parking lot. Don’t like a beat-up old trailer park along the railroad tracks or to be packed in like a cattle yard.
• How about reservations and timing?
• Do I need to post this topic on any other area of the forum also?
We plan on being gone for a month and any recommendations for sites to see, where to stay or anything that would hopefully make this a safe, enjoyable trip for this newly retired couple would be greatly appreciated.
Note: If you are ever planning a trip to Oregon/Washington state area, make sure to get reservations and planning 6-9 or even 12 months in advance for camping sites anywhere. For example, the coast camp sites are mostly full all summer and into the fall.
The wife and I retired this summer and have a 2017 Ford dually diesel 4X4 and a 34 foot 5th wheel. We had a 24 foot 5th wheel for over ten years and did some camping mostly in Oregon, Washington and Yellowstone with the kids in the early days on 2-week vacation trips at a time. Recently with the 34 foot 5th wheel we have been out 3 to 4 times on mostly 4 day stays and one trip this past summer a 2-1/2-week vacation. So we are not a total newbie to RVing.
Here is a brief trip layout/route we are planning for approximately one month from Salem, Oregon.
Go to Mt Shasta City for one night; 5 nights through Nevada Valley of Fire & Zion. Arizona: 5 days, Vermillion Cliffs/Marble Canyon; Grand Canyon & Window Rock. New Mexico: 4 days Santa Fe, Church of San Jose De Gracia & Taos area. Colorado: 3 days in Mesa Verde National Park. Utah: 3 days @ Arches National Park. Head back home with one-night stay around Boise/ Mountain Home, ID area and one night at John Day, Oregon.
Here is where we need help and probably more.
• Trip planning time: We were planning the trip starting in mid-April of 2019 hoping to hit mid 70-degree weather. But read on the forum that the weather is not the best at that time of the year, snow and colder/freezing temperatures at night. So, we are switching plans to mid-May. Trying to beat the 90-degree weather. Right or wrong planning time?
• Route Planning: I am retired now and don’t have to be in a rush like before. Like quiet, scenic routes. What routes do you recommend?
• Heard a recommendation about keeping the gas tank above ½ full mark if possible because lack of gas stations along the route?
Where to camp over night?
• Where do you recommend for camping sites? Like to have full hook-up most of the time or electricity, water and a dump site, but I know that isn’t possible sometimes. Like State/ Federal forest camping mostly. Really don’t mind sometimes staying at KOA’s or private RV sites that don’t feel like a Wal-Mart parking lot. Don’t like a beat-up old trailer park along the railroad tracks or to be packed in like a cattle yard.
• How about reservations and timing?
• Do I need to post this topic on any other area of the forum also?
We plan on being gone for a month and any recommendations for sites to see, where to stay or anything that would hopefully make this a safe, enjoyable trip for this newly retired couple would be greatly appreciated.
Note: If you are ever planning a trip to Oregon/Washington state area, make sure to get reservations and planning 6-9 or even 12 months in advance for camping sites anywhere. For example, the coast camp sites are mostly full all summer and into the fall.
