Grand Canyon and Utah 2019

[MoRookie]

Just starting to make plans for next summer. We are a family of 4- 2 kids ages 13 and 16 traveling from Missouri to Grand Canyon. We have a two full weeks just want to throw out what I have so far see if anyone thinks I need to make a few changes. Leave Friday night at Midnight stop at Petrified Forest for the first night. Then on to trailer village Grand Canyon for three nights. Leave on July 3rd head to Lake Powell for two nights to catch the fireworks on the 4th staying in Wahweap campground. Then on to Zion for 3 nights hopefully staying in Watchman campground.. Then on to Bryce staying at Rubys Inn RV Park for 2 nights. Then on to Moab for 3 nights staying maybe at Moab Valley Rv looking for recommendations for Moab. Wanting to visit Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse. Anyone with any changes or recommendations and things to do would be great.

[2gypsies1]

rangerjean wrote:
We are thinking mid April or early May. Any comments about this time frame? We are planning 2 weeks . . .

Unless you will participate in the 2019 Easter Jeep Safari in Moab then don't plan to go at that time. It's super crowded. The date is April 13-21.

Also, 2 weeks for all those parks isn't much time. Can you add more time?

[CharlesinGA]

If you haven't already, read this NP web page. There is no camping at Petrified Forest, however a couple of places nearby do allow parking lot boondocking.

https://www.nps.gov/pefo/planyourvisit/camping.htm

I was planning a similar trip and realized it was impossible to see and do everything in a couple of weeks in one trip.

If you desire to have the comforts and SECURITY of a real campground, Homolovi State Park, at Winslow not far past the Petrified Forest does have a RV campground. NM interstate rest areas have picnic an overnight areas and NM does allow overnight at the rest areas.

There is also a campground at the Sky City Casino at North Acomita Village, exit 102 in New Mexico.

I plan 500 mile legs per day, and prefer campgrounds that have hookups and I feel like will be secure places.

Charles

[rangerjean]

I am so happy to see this post as I am also starting to plan for 2019 trip. I am in Phoenix so I will be going to Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. I think that is the correct order. We are thinking mid April or early May. Any comments about this time frame? We are planning 2 weeks and have not even planned the return route...also like some hints about that. It is just my DH and myself in a big comfy dually pulling a 25' 2018 Forest River Sonoma. I am so anxious to do a long trip. I have always done dispersed camping prior to the new trailer so am looking forward to some nicer spots.
Thanks for any tips.

[4runnerguy]

For Moab, make sure you check out my long post on most things Moab:

A Primer on Moab

Maybe take one day from the Grand Canyon and stay around Flagstaff for a night. Several interesting NM's in the area: Wupatki, Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater. Flagstaff is a little higher and thus a little cooler. Unless you're doing some hiking, you can see much of the south rim in a full day. In late June, it will be blazingly hot much below the rim.

In Zion, hike trails on the east side of the canyon in the a.m. and the west side trails in the p.m. That way you'll be in the shade of the canyon walls for much of the hike. Pick the warmest day and hike up the Zion Narrows. Bring water shoes or rubber sandals as you'll be wading for much of the hike. At least 10 degrees cooler in the Narrows so a great place to spend a hot part of the day.

[caysea7254]

We just got back today from Utah. We stayed at Capital Reef National park 7 days, our favorite park and we have been to all the national parks in Utah, and We stayed 3 days in Arches National Park. No hook ups for a 2 week stay out there but we have solar so no problems. It was very hot, but we still hiked everyday just drink lots of water. Starting Spring of 2019 Arches National Park is going to the reservation system for entry into the park. they said that will help with over crowded parking lots and roadway! I totally disagree but that's what they are going to do. Tara

[Twain]

My kids loved the Flagstaff lava tubes; my son loved it more than the GC. It stays about 42* year round. About 50 miles south of the South Rim. It's free. Might need jackets, lol. Take gloves, good hiking shoes/boots and flashlights; at least one for each person as there is zero lighting. You can also boondock in the national forest in that area.

https://www.flagstaff.com/lava-tubes

[CA_Traveler]

I highly recommend Watchman CG and the east entrance. You stop at the tunnel entrance, buy a permit and proceed down the center after oncoming traffic has been cleared.

The permit is good for 7 days and the return trip.

All: There are tunnel length restriction but the OP is OK. All of the details are online. The tunnel is 16' at the center - The concern is the sides and curves hence you drive down the center.

[Lauren]

Dick always says the average time at the Grand Canyon is 3 hours; I ask him where he got that info but he has never replied. That might be true for the train rides from Williams but not near true for the rest. Do you want to say you have been there (needs maybe 3 hours) or that you have SEEN it. Seeing it takes 2-3 days minimum.

We are going back for 6 days this Fall - be our 8th time I think. Once at N R and decided that was not worth the time to drive in and all. You see about 10% of the Grand Canyon there. Love the S R and so much to do and see and all times of day - sunrises and sunsets are the best.

And, yes, good walk / hikes as well. Comment about Bright Angel Trail - going even 1/2 mile down - is right on.

I do a lot of photography there - for my / our own pleasure and I sell prints and am published.

Enjoy one of God's masterpieces.

Lauren

[MoRookie]

Thanks for everyone's comments we understand it will be hot when you have two kids you can only travel in the summer time so you travel when you can if you want to see anything. And we always leave at midnight the kids sleep all night this is how you can get more hours on the road. We take turns driving so this helps. We plan on trying to get some water time in like some of you have suggested. Lake Powell the narrows at Zion a pool at Bryce and in Moab we might try rafting. Any other suggestions from anyone would be great.

[johnwalkerpa1]

A few Grand Canyon notes....

The south rim of the grand canyon gets VERY crowded in the summer...but there are some ways around SOME of the crowds. The worse crowds are often at the overlooks at sunset and the return shuttles...but that's one time you just have to suck it up and deal with the crowds...the sunsets are worth it...remember to look toward the EAST too at sunset time...that is often the nicest view.

My favorite thing is to hike the west rim trail. I like to leave soon after sunrise. You won't be alone but the huge crowds won't be there until later in the day. Plus, its cooler first thing in the morning and you'll see some wildlife.

The trail is easy but take plenty of water and snacks. The nice thing about this trail is it goes between the major overlooks....while much of the trail is away from these oasis's of humanity, you always have the option to opt out of the hike and get on the shuttle bus at any of the overlooks if its too hot or someone gets tired. This way you can hike as long as you like without worrying about getting back. At each shuttle stop just make sure you have the stamina left in the tank to get to the next one. Some of the stops are relatively close together while others are over 2 miles so watch your map.

Also, take the Bright Angel Trail below the rim. My knees don't allow me to go far but just 1/2 mile puts you in a whole different world. Unless you are a hardened athlete it will take 3 times as long to come back up as it does to go down so avoid getting stuck down there in the heat of the day.

Enjoy....

[huachuca]

We just returned to NC from five weeks in northern AZ / southern UT and could easily have spent more time there. Beautiful area with lots to do.

We did our hikes early in the day returning by lunch and used the afternoons for inside activities and backroad drives. One thing we really enjoyed was the boat tour out of Wahweap Marina to Rainbow Bridge. We opted for the afternoon trip which took the better part of seven hours including an hour on site for the short hike to the Bridge. Not inexpensive but I'm really glad we did this.

If you have access to a 4WD vehicle, check with the Park Service, Forest Service and/or BLM offices for recommendations. Bullfrog/Notom road was nice and we also took the Burr Trail spur for a bit more excitement. https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/roads.htm

If you're interested in more hikes or offroad suggestions, drop me a PM.

[RedRocket204]

Two Jayhawks wrote:
Some of these destinations are going to be Over run with hot sweaty tourists. I'm just thinking maybe remove a few stops, relax a little more, Maybe have a few days where everyone can recharge at a RV park swimming pool mixed in.

That's what is so nice about "The Narrows" trail in Zion. Perfect for mixing it up and cooling off.

[2gypsies1]

I think your trip plan is just fine. I think people forget that when you have children and have limited vacation time you just do what you can. As to the comment that the kids will tire of seeing 'rocks'. These are one-of-a-kind national parks. They are unique and an awesome experience. Your kids will have great memories. At their ages, this may be the last big trip you'll be able to do together. Yes, it will be hot but I'm sure you're used to it. Have a great trip!!

[naturist]

That's an ambitious travel schedule, to say the least. I suspect nobody's going to enjoy that 16 hour drive. I shudder at the prospects of leaving at midnight. But, hey, it's your trip not mine.

I've been to many of those places, and they are all beautiful. And yes, they certainly will be hot in the summer.

The number one recommendation I can make is to to keep your travel plans flexible. Be prepared to change your plans, stay an extra day, or leave a day early (an unlikely event, IMHO, but still . . . ).

And with the route you've plotted, you might consider adding the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It is 2,000 feet higher in altitude, and very much different from the South Rim.

[ppine]

I have only two words for you.
May and October.