LONG......
We are planning a 2-3 month trip from the east coast to the west, then back.
OK, let’s dig into this a little more – you need to commit to the 90 day time frame IMHO, there is a BIG difference in the two – more than 50 per cent more time in the West with 90 days – BIG – BIG DEAL – this will mean having the opportunity to see a lot more of the Beauty and Amazing Landscapes you drove all this way to see. This will give you time to stop – smell the Roses/Cactus/Wildflowers of the West/Rockies.
We have two weeks planned to travel from Teton down to the Grand Canyon,
Take a few minutes and Google Map the area – zoom in – now zoom out – BIG AREA – I think you might need a little more time, just a thought. When we do Utah – we can easily spend a 5-7 day period in and around each major National Park, do a search – Escalante – Kodachrome – Goblins – Rt 12 – Rt 128 – Monument Valley – Lake Powell – Salt Lake City – Jordanelle SP – Wasatch Mountains – Dinosaur NM – Rafting – La Sal Mountains – Goosenecks – Mesa Arch – North Rim – Mexican Hat – Antelope Canyon - ……………………………………………………
and would like to see Zion, Arches, Monument Valley, and??, along the way.
You do Know that there are 5 National Parks in Utah – plus the North Rim – So………
There is just sooooo….much more in Utah – to miss anything is a shame and I’m sure you will be back but to not take a little more time is just, just not fair to YOU.
Link - https://utah.com/itinerary/grand-circle-tour
This is just a fly by tour but will get you back for more, again and again.
I’m looking for some advice on good scenic routes to travel to keep off the interstates. Scenic two lane blacktop is my choice,
As I’m sure you will find – almost every ROAD will lead you to or by something you never thought you would see………. Take your time – do a little research and if you look just a little, IMHO, you will not find a road that does not reward you at least a little – and Many will just Amaze You.
but I’ll use the interstates if there isn’t a great scenic choice or we need to makeup time.
In Utah some of the I’s will Amaze you Too, so hard to make a wrong choice, unless you just refuse to SLOW Down and enjoy the Country you are in.
So between Teton and the Grand Canyon,
You have a whole lot of Country here so IMHO, this is not a trip from A to B, but a Trip that could use the whole Alphabet .
are they any really good scenic routes I should make sure I travel on? Any real standouts that I can plan routes between the various landmarks and parks?
Do not Miss RT 12 and RT128 – there are few drives, in Utah, that have made a bigger impression in My Minds Eye.
We will be traveling in a 20’ Class B van so most any road won’t pose a issue (even Sitgreaves Pass out of Oatman AZ which is on our list).
Just a note here – personal opinion – take a day or two out of the B and enjoy a few of the Grand Hotels in the National Parks – IMHO, many are as much a part of the History and Sights of the parks that they need to be used, studied, and enjoyed as much as the sights and sounds of these Great Treasures called the Nation Parks (Yellowstone – Zion – Grand Canyon, North and South just to mention a few, all have Historic Lodges)
Also, any suggestions on exceptional boondocking would be welcome. We are planning on a mix of campgrounds, BLM, overnight parking, as situations dictate.
On the Boon docking thing – keep in mind the Weather – once June hits Utah can have periods in the 100 degree range and make this difficult without A/C. We seldom make reservations and will Boon Dock often but we also are educated, so we will find locations that have Elevation and are Cool so we can enjoy the trip.
If there are some exception boondocking locations, we will try to work those in the plan.
So many that it would be impossible to even start, they are all along any route you may pick.
Thanks
Tried to address your questions and point you in what I think might be the right Direction – we are all different so only YOU can make these decisions.
You have not mentioned time of Year – Critical – for any really accurate advice – What is the entire route of this Trip - Sounds like the big Loop Tour of the Rockies and the Southwest – IMHO, if you have the time (appears you do) that you can select where you go and when you visit you might think a little more about the total route in relationship to the weather and the seasons. We tend to try to DO the warmer parts of the Southwest in the Cooler months and the Rockies in the Warmer months (sort ‘a makes sense to me) So think about your Routing, and Timing, as these are season dependent areas, and your time would be much better spent if the snow has melted in the Rockies and the Sun is still low in the Desert.
Another suggestion is to get into a few Urban areas to just allow you to recharge along the way – Denver – Boulder and Salt Lake – Park City might give you a break.
Work on the routes and the stops, and like you did here break them into smaller parts so they can be addressed as you go and get back to the Forum – you can get more info than you ever imagined.
Ps. You are going to spend at least three weeks in Colorado??????
Hope I was able to help out a little, Best of Luck
Edit
Trailer Life Site let me cut and Paste my reply thanks;
Busskipper
Maryland/Colorado
Travel Supreme 42DS04
GX470-FMCA - Travel less now - But still love to be on the Road
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