Road between Grand Canyon and Arches

[ferrelldebbie]

I was wondering about some nice places to stop and picnic or sightsee between. Grand Canyon and Arches. Thanks!

[trailertraveler]

paulj wrote:
...The simplest route it US160 to US191. Using US163 for part of that gives access to Monument Valley, Mexican Hat, Goosenecks State Park...

Also along this route are: Bluff Fort, Sand Island Petroglyphs, South Fork of Mule Canyon and House on Fire, The Valley of The Gods, Edge of the Cedars State Park, the Dinosaur Museum, Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, and Newspaper Rock.

[paulj]

The simplest route it US160 to US191. Using US163 for part of that gives access to Monument Valley, Mexican Hat, Goosenecks State Park.

UT261 climbs the switchbacks of Mokee Dugway, and also pass the start of the dirt Valley of the Gods drive.

Natural Bridges NM is accessible from 261 or 95 from 191.

East of 191 is Hovenweep NM

US89 to Page (with possible side trip on 89A to Marble Canyon crosisng) gives access to sights in south central Utah - north rim Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef. But those are all destinations in their own right, not just waysides on the long way around to Arches.

276 crosses Lake Powell on a ferry at Halls Crossing.

[ferrelldebbie]

Sorry, guys! Admitted newbie with a rented C class here. Hubby is used to trucks of all sizes so he can do the tough stretches. I will take over on the highway stretches. Thank you so much for all of your help.
Debbie

[agesilaus]

Sometimes you need to be proactive and reed the profile on newbies.
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I confess it never occurred to me, and actually seems a bit much to expect people to investigate the OP before replying. And I just looked at her profile which says nothing informative. I guess you went back and read all nine of her posts to come across that info. Sorry I have other things to do.

[WILDEBILL308]

agesilaus wrote:
Do you mean Hwy 12? I guess I'm immunized to concern over roads like that. I started driving on them back in California in the 70's when I was in the Navy there. I found the most hair-raising switchback I've ever been on, on some dirt road north of Napa. I couldn't find it now If I wanted to. But maybe you have a point, other than the extreme grades for maybe 5 miles on 12 I don't think the road is that challenging. But again I'm a poor judge of other peoples mountain driving abilities.

If you mean Hell's backbone, I wouldn't drive an RV on Hell's Backbone, tho actually I don't recall any extreme grades or switchbacks. But we stopped and turned around after the bridge so I don't know what the last part of the trip is like. As I recall it was about 90 percent a drive in some very nice forest areas and the other 10 percent that bridge area, which I guess is where it got it's name. I just looked at a description of the rest of the road and it must get more 'interesting' so we stopped too soon.

But on the other hand did I miss something? The only thing I saw from the OP contained no info on what he was driving or what type of RV either. And his address line just says 'west'. Someone who lives out 'west' stands a better chance of some experience with mountain roads than someone from FL (like me) does after all. My wife for example refuses to touch the steering wheel once the first real mountain shows up on the horizon.

Sometimes you need to be proactive and reed the profile on newbies.
Bill

[agesilaus]

Do you mean Hwy 12? I guess I'm immunized to concern over roads like that. I started driving on them back in California in the 70's when I was in the Navy there. I found the most hair-raising switchback I've ever been on, on some dirt road north of Napa. I couldn't find it now If I wanted to. But maybe you have a point, other than the extreme grades for maybe 5 miles on 12 I don't think the road is that challenging. But again I'm a poor judge of other peoples mountain driving abilities.

If you mean Hell's backbone, I wouldn't drive an RV on Hell's Backbone, tho actually I don't recall any extreme grades or switchbacks. But we stopped and turned around after the bridge so I don't know what the last part of the trip is like. As I recall it was about 90 percent a drive in some very nice forest areas and the other 10 percent that bridge area, which I guess is where it got it's name. I just looked at a description of the rest of the road and it must get more 'interesting' so we stopped too soon.

But on the other hand did I miss something? The only thing I saw from the OP contained no info on what he was driving or what type of RV either. And his address line just says 'west'. Someone who lives out 'west' stands a better chance of some experience with mountain roads than someone from FL (like me) does after all. My wife for example refuses to touch the steering wheel once the first real mountain shows up on the horizon.

[WILDEBILL308]

agesilaus,retired in utah, I don't think I would be sending the OP on roads like that. Think Rookie, first time driving a rented rig.
Bill

[retired_in_utah]

Highway 12 is a very scenic and interesting route. I have done it several times with my 5er and, although a narrow and steep road in some places is very doable if you take it slowly and use a little caution.

[agesilaus]

We were camping in Escalante and drove the Backbone in our 2012 4WD F350. But my wife's Corolla could just as easily have done it. I would not tow an Rv around the route tho.

[WILDEBILL308]

agesilaus wrote:
Whoops yes, Hell's Backbone not Devil's. I found it failed to live up to the name but it was an excellent drive none the less.

Excellent drive in what?
Bill

[agesilaus]

Whoops yes, Hell's Backbone not Devil's. I found it failed to live up to the name but it was an excellent drive none the less.

[trailertraveler]

agesilaus wrote:
Then if you are taking the scenic route, turn off further along onto Ut 12 east. It has steep and winding road spots so be warned but it is -very scenic-. If you go that way you'll pass Bryce Canyon NP. Then pass Escalante State Park just before Escalante (good slot canyons in the area along with the Devils Backbone Drive), Then ahead is Anastazi State Park Museum at the town of Boulder. 12 ends at Hwy 12, to the left is Capital Reef NP turn right to go to I-70. Take I-70 east for about 30 miles and exit at US 191 south to Moab.

Here are some links to places along the Ut-12 Scenic Byway: Burr Trail, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Anasazi State Park, Calf Creek Falls, Hells Backbone and Bryce Canyon National Park.

UT-12 runs from US-89 South of Panquitch to UT-24 at Torrey. UT-24 connects to I-70 at Vermillion to the West and near Green River to the East. Capitol Reef National Park is East of the UT-12/24 junction. Just North of Hanksville, UT-24 will take you past Goblin Valley State Park.

[WILDEBILL308]

I stopped in Las Vegas for about a week going between Grand Canyon and Arches. Sorry I couldn't help myself. But it is true.
Bill

[2gypsies1]

If you're talking about a one-day drive between the two, it's about 350+ miles depending which route you take. That's a long day of two-lane roads to include siteseeing. Plan to stop midway for a couple days and explore before continuing onward. Bryce Nat'l Park would be my recommendation and then take Hwy 12 toward Arches.