I-40 across the country

Don't forget the Big Texan in Amarillo.

Several stops in the Flagstaff area have already been mentioned (highly recommend) however I did not see any mention of the Lowell Observatory. Pretty interesting place.

Lowell Observatory

You have a very ambitious schedule! While I know you have limited time, I will join others in suggesting you scale back your plans. Arkansas has some great camping once you get back the delta. Hot Springs is a good place. You could spend more time to/from the Grand Canyon and see some great sites close to I40.

I would recommend the Tom Sawyer campground in W Memphis, Arkansas for the Memphis area.

We hope you have a wonderful journey!

azdryheat wrote:
Graceland is a must do.

You are not serious, are you?

I suggest you go to the National Park Service's website, www.nps.gov. and research what sites will be along your route. You will find everything from historical, cultural, and scenic sites. Each site will have a junior ranger program where the kids can earn a ranger's badge for learning about the site. Some even have camping! Many are free! Much better experience than visiting the tourist traps!

I realize that is of the essence for you, but I'd like to suggest that you wander off I-40 now and then, at least, to experience Historic Route 66. Let the kids see what America used to be like before the interstate highway age, big box stores and hotel chains.

Have a great trip!

Acoma Pueblos in New Mexico

md_procouple wrote:
If the kids like animals the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Farm is a must! They also have a walk in bird cage where you can feed the birds. Its located in Picocho Az. between Tucson and Phoenix My husband and I loved it. Good Luck and Happy Caming

No where near the I 40

There a lot to see along I-40. In Amarillo, there is Palo Duro Canyon State Park and the Big Texan on Old Route 66.

In New Mexico, Tucumcari still has dinners along Historic Route 66 and numerous murals painted on buildings plus other attractions like the foundry at the Community College. Santa Rosa is another Route 66 town and has the The Blue Hole and Santa Rosa Lake State Park which has a nice campground.

In Albuquerque there is Petroglyph National Monument, the Pueblo Cultural Center, the Turquoise Trail and the Sandia Crest Highway.

In and near Grants are the Mining Museum, El Malpais National Monument, El Malpais National Conservation Area, El Moro National Monument and the Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano.

Acoma Sky City is said to be the longest occuppied location in the U.S. They give tours of the pueblo and there is an RV park next to the casino.

Homolovi Ruins State Park is near Winslow where you can stand on the corner. Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest National Park are not far from the Arizona/New Mexico border.

In the Flagstaff area are Sunset Crater National Monument, Wupatki National Monument, and Walnut Canyon National Monument.

Sedona/Camp Verde/Cottonwood are about an hour South of Flagstaff with Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well National Monuments, Tuzigoot National Monument, Palatki and Honaki Ruins, V-Bar-V Heritage Site, Verde Canyon Railroad, Fort Verde State Park, Cathedral Rock, Gold King Mine, Jerome State Historic Park in the area.

All this before you even get to the Grand Canyon.

If you do make it to Utah, in the Moab area in addition to Arches National Park, there is Kane Creek Road, Potash Lower Colorado Byway, Upper Colorado River UT-128 Scenic Byway, Sago Canyon, Dead Horse Point State Park, Canyonlands National Park, Needles District and Newspaper Rock.

In the Bryce Canyon National Park area are Ut-12 Scenic Byway, Fishlake Scenic Byway, Scenic Backways off UT-12, Burr Trail, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Anasazi State Park, Calf Creek Falls, Hells Backbone, Capitol Reef National Park, and Goblin Valley State Park.

In the area between Moab and Monument Valley are UT-261 the Moki Dugway, Goosenecks State Park, Hovenweep National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument, Bluff Fort, South Fork of Mule Canyon and House on Fire, The Valley of The Gods, Edge of the Cedars State Park and the Dinosaur Museum.

Much more to see and do than you will have time for so you will have to pick and choose.

tdst51 wrote:

md_procouple wrote:
If the kids like animals the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Farm is a must! They also have a walk in bird cage where you can feed the birds. Its located in Picocho Az. between Tucson and Phoenix My husband and I loved it. Good Luck and Happy Caming

I'm pretty sure that would be I10, not I40.

Correct...on I-10W just a few miles down the road from us.