Canyonland of Capitol reef

[mexicokid]

I am going from Sedona to Vancouver BC and love hiking and scenery and have seen all the big parks but not these two...which would you choose and which route..thanks les

[Lauren]

Different strokes; that is what makes the world go round.

[2gypsies1]

For Needles we stayed in their campground. It's very nice and big rigs can fit.

[agesilaus]

We stayed at Monticello instead on Moab when we were visiting Needles district last summer. This was because it is a little closer, it is higher and somewhat cooler than Moab, and it isn't a tourist trap. I hate staying in those. Can't say that the CG was all that great but the ones we stayed at in Moab weren't any better. Monticello is also closer to some other interesting places but then so is Moab.

[Lauren]

Up to God as for best colors but that should be about perfect. That is when we will again be there this year as well.

Needles is 80 miles from Moab - with 160 miles round trip; shorter from Monticello (not much there). I would rather be hiking that spending all that time driving to and fro.

[reubenray]

Lauren wrote:
Thunder Mountain is right. And we are going their in Sept for the fall colors again this year - 5th time. We stay at Thousand Lakes.

Given the choice of the two it is Capitol Reef without question.

If you visit Island In The Sky section of Canyonlands it is a paved good road to drive around and see. The south section is a long ways from anyplace.

To compare go to www.LaurenBarbara.com and the Wanderings link to Utah to National Parks to see pix.

Enjoy.

When is the best time for the fall colors? We will be there in late September/early October.

[LewBob]

Lauren wrote:
Only problem with Needles is that it is so far from Moab or anyplace.

Just me, but I consider that a plus.

[Lauren]

Only problem with Needles is that it is so far from Moab or anyplace.

[2gypsies1]

Good choice for Capitol Reef but next time....do Canyonland Needles. Nice hikes there, too!

[mexicokid]

thanks for the good answers I have decided it will Capitol reef and I look forward to the hiking there thanks so much les

[LewBob]

I'd like to put in a good word (or more) for the Needles District of Canyonlands. The access road is paved to the visitor center and campground (27 sites, fills in spring and fall). Amazing hiking from the campground (7-12 mile day hikes) into the heart of the needles (magical red sandstone formations). Lots of boondocking options on BLM land adjacent to the park.

[Lauren]

Thunder Mountain is right. And we are going their in Sept for the fall colors again this year - 5th time. We stay at Thousand Lakes.

Given the choice of the two it is Capitol Reef without question.

If you visit Island In The Sky section of Canyonlands it is a paved good road to drive around and see. The south section is a long ways from anyplace.

To compare go to www.LaurenBarbara.com and the Wanderings link to Utah to National Parks to see pix.

Enjoy.

[Thunder_Mountai]

We've been to Capitol Reef 5 times in the last ten years. The last time was for 10 days. The hiking is like no other Park. Crowds just don't exist. We stayed in the NP campground in Fruita once. About as nice as they get especially in the spring with the fruit trees in bloom. In the fall you can pick fruit. The nicest FHU park in the area is Thousand Lakes in our opinion. If you have high ground clearance the drive across the river and out the NE corner of the Park is beautiful. Not technical wheeling. If you are an avid hiker do the Grand Wash, Upper Muley Twist and Spring Canyon. The slot canyons are great.

[2gypsies1]

Capitol Reef for awesome hikes!

[lbrjet]

Hiking wise Capitol Reef. We have been to all the Utah parks and am going back to Capitol Reef this fall for another stay.