May 2016 trip to the SW

JCasper wrote:
Looks like we've revamped our plans. We are going to go to Disneyland for 4 days and then drive the coast back home. We will still take the fifth wheel. So now I'm looking for a few good places to camp along the California coast.

In addition to this trip I'm going to turn a work trip to Alaska into a family vacation in July.

You now have new requirements and you'd probably get more results by re-posting for the California coast.

Looks like we've revamped our plans. We are going to go to Disneyland for 4 days and then drive the coast back home. We will still take the fifth wheel. So now I'm looking for a few good places to camp along the California coast.

In addition to this trip I'm going to turn a work trip to Alaska into a family vacation in July.

JCasper wrote:

rv2go wrote:
2800 miles at 400 miles a day = 7 days of driving. Doesn't sound like much fun.

In 2012 we did glacier, Rushmore, Yellowstone and Tetons in 2 weeks. 4,300 miles.

May be doable, but not much fun for kids stuck in the back for days on end. I was lucky enough that my parents took me camping all over the western US when I was young, and I remember those few times they did trips with very long and unavoidable driving legs (like when we went to Banff and Jasper). Pretty miserable travel days. So my advice is based on what your kids would like best.

Personally, if southern UT is on your agenda, I'd skip both Disneyland and NM on this trip. Disneyland is way out of the way if you want to take in UT, and SoCal is a really tough place to drive with a big 5er anyway. :E

If Disneyland is a must, I'd skip UT altogether and add things like the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and Old Town. Lots of touristy things to do in that area. The, return via the NP's in CA like Sequoia and Kings Canyon or head along the coast north of SF to places like Bodega Bay. You'll eat up two weeks pretty quickly.

If you decide on southern UT (we live close enough to spend several weeks there every year), it's two very long days of driving from your home. I'd plan on a minimum of three full days at Zion, two days at Bryce, two days at Capitol Reef, and four days at Moab/Arches. With a day between each to break down, drive, and set up, you're nearly at three weeks right there. (The roads between parks for the most part aren't interstate and there are lots of photo stops along the way.) If there was one area to add, it would be to head into SW CO and visit Mesa Verde NP for a couple of days.

Whether climbing around the arches, rafting the Colorado, hiking up the Zion Narrows (water level permitting), playing in the Virgin River at Zion, climbing around the ruins at Mesa Verde, or hiking (or taking a burro ride?) into Bryce, there are weeks worth of activities to give your kids experiences they won't get at home and any of which would be much more fun than sitting in the back of a truck for hours on end.

BTW, City of Rocks is about an hour from the interstate and some of that is on dirt roads and the camping can be dusty if it hasn't rained in a while. Another option is Willard Bay SP in UT. Right off the interstate, although that might be quite a haul for the first day for you.

Keep in mind distance here in the south west, 350 miles 4-56 hours vegas to Anaheim, further than from Portland to Nor. Cal border!

Traffic has not improved since you were here last so the 55 MPH towing speed throughout CA won't be an issue near any large city since you will pray to get up to THAT speed.

I understand the time constraints, we had to many years of how far can we go vacations. with kids don't blink during the next 50 mile or you will miss .....

Busskipper wrote:

JCasper wrote:
I'm thinking about a trip to Disneyland in the middle of May. We thought we'd go there for a few days then maybe travel up through Bryce, arches, etc and back home. I'm planning on two weeks, but also considered stretching it to 3 and going to NM for a while.

We will be leaving out of Portland, Oregon. We have 3 daughters, 15, 10, and 7 at the time we will be going.

So, any recommendations for this general area. Last time we were at arches was 2008.

We will be traveling with a 40' fifth wheel.

Just a thought, if May is normal you might want to reverse the trip – May in the Southern parts of Utah can be HOT, so the sooner (cooler) the better. If you last went to Utah seven years ago then only one daughter remembers anything…….? So a repeat will be in order, lots to see in Utah.

Girls will love the trip, might think about spending a little time in San Francisco also as they will likely enjoy the seeing the touristy areas (Fisherman’s and Ciardelli Square) and it’s right on the way. The drive along the Coast will also be enjoyable. (if the trip is reversed, so the coast is on the way home it will also allow for some decompression and reflection)

Salt Lake City could also be fun – especially if a couple ski resorts are thrown in, Park City, comes to mind.

Disney – is a day (JMHO) – with arrival and departure being day before and day after the visit – It’s not Orlando. (I’m not a fan of the area)

In a 40’ 5th wheel you are going to be on some real roads, so you might need to plan for a few slower driving days in the state of Utah. Might need to make many of the spots just drive bye’s so as to not run out of time.

Work hard on getting the extra week but if not just need to really be willing to PUSH IT.(If not plan on leaving after work on Friday and driving late on just the excitement of the trip )

Vegas to Zion through the tunnel and then to Bryce – After Bryce – Rt 12 and all the sights – Kodachrome – Escalante – Capital Reef – Goblins – will all be on the route – Then over to Moab – I would base camp near the city and catch Arches and Canyonlands with day drives – Including Rt 128 along the Colorado River. If Utah is first just map it in reverse, so it works – the problem is that lot’s of space between the attractions.

List of just a few;

Window Rock
Canyon de Chelly
Monument Valley
Lake Powell Dam and the Lake itself
Antelope Canyon
Grand Canyon (North or South)
Sedona
Kingman
Lake Mead
Vegas
I-15 along the Virgin River
Zion
Bryce
Rt 12
Kodachrome
Escalante
Capital Reef
Goblin Valley SP
Arches
Canyonlands
Rt 128 out of Moab along the Colorado River
Mesa Verde

Seems as the more I say the more I feel I’m leaving out – let’s call this the beginning and see how things progress.

BOL,

Last time we were in Utah, we did go in reverse order and I probably will do that again.

You're right about their ages, that's why we are thinking about going again. The extra week would be nice, but I don't know if I can swing it between OHSET and 4H stuff.

Last time we stopped at Lake Powell, antelope canyon, the Grand Canyon and all that area. This time I think I may cut those out to spend some extra time In other places.

I'll start mapping it out and see what we can make work.

I will definitely stop for a day in Vegas to see friends, and over to Disney for a day or two.

rexlion wrote:
Personally, I have a hard time getting excited about NM. To me it's mainly a state to be driven through to reach CO, UT or AZ. (Apologies to NM lovers.)

Red Canyon is just east of Bryce Canyon and is worth a couple of hours at least; the arches trail is great. From Bryce, I'd suggest taking Hwy 12 north over the shoulder of Boulder Mountain; there are spots where you can see for miles and miles. Drive through Capitol Reef, then north on Hwy 95 and turn off to Goblin Valley SP; I guarantee your kids will love walking around the giant sandstone "goblins" (they look more like giant mushrooms to me) and playing hide & seek in the crevices at the campground. There is a narrow slot canyon just a few miles north and west of the SP, I've read, if you want to hike one of those. Then head to Arches.

Arches NP is one of my favorites. If you like Arches, you'd probably like the CO National Monument near Grand Junction. More great sandstone features and spectacular views. Definitely worth a half day at least, and good camping either in the park or at the SP closer to town.

The drive north through the SLC area is very scenic, with mountain views. The family might like to stretch their legs by clambering around City of Rocks near the southern border of ID.

Since you are from OR, have you ever been to Wallowa Lake SP? I've seen photos, and they make me want to go there.

I've only been to NM once, and that was for work. I'm ok with cutting it out.

Arches and canyon lands are both on the top of my list, along with Zion and Bryce.

I'll check out the city of rocks, could be a stopping point for the first night.

We went to wallow a lake last year. It is a beautiful place and will be a place we visit again.

JCasper wrote:
I'm thinking about a trip to Disneyland in the middle of May. We thought we'd go there for a few days then maybe travel up through Bryce, arches, etc and back home. I'm planning on two weeks, but also considered stretching it to 3 and going to NM for a while.

We will be leaving out of Portland, Oregon. We have 3 daughters, 15, 10, and 7 at the time we will be going.

So, any recommendations for this general area. Last time we were at arches was 2008.

We will be traveling with a 40' fifth wheel.

Just a thought, if May is normal you might want to reverse the trip – May in the Southern parts of Utah can be HOT, so the sooner (cooler) the better. If you last went to Utah seven years ago then only one daughter remembers anything…….? So a repeat will be in order, lots to see in Utah.

Girls will love the trip, might think about spending a little time in San Francisco also as they will likely enjoy the seeing the touristy areas (Fisherman’s and Ciardelli Square) and it’s right on the way. The drive along the Coast will also be enjoyable. (if the trip is reversed, so the coast is on the way home it will also allow for some decompression and reflection)

Salt Lake City could also be fun – especially if a couple ski resorts are thrown in, Park City, comes to mind.

Disney – is a day (JMHO) – with arrival and departure being day before and day after the visit – It’s not Orlando. (I’m not a fan of the area)

In a 40’ 5th wheel you are going to be on some real roads, so you might need to plan for a few slower driving days in the state of Utah. Might need to make many of the spots just drive bye’s so as to not run out of time.

Work hard on getting the extra week but if not just need to really be willing to PUSH IT.(If not plan on leaving after work on Friday and driving late on just the excitement of the trip )

Vegas to Zion through the tunnel and then to Bryce – After Bryce – Rt 12 and all the sights – Kodachrome – Escalante – Capital Reef – Goblins – will all be on the route – Then over to Moab – I would base camp near the city and catch Arches and Canyonlands with day drives – Including Rt 128 along the Colorado River. If Utah is first just map it in reverse, so it works – the problem is that lot’s of space between the attractions.

List of just a few;

Window Rock
Canyon de Chelly
Monument Valley
Lake Powell Dam and the Lake itself
Antelope Canyon
Grand Canyon (North or South)
Sedona
Kingman
Lake Mead
Vegas
I-15 along the Virgin River
Zion
Bryce
Rt 12
Kodachrome
Escalante
Capital Reef
Goblin Valley SP
Arches
Canyonlands
Rt 128 out of Moab along the Colorado River
Mesa Verde

Seems as the more I say the more I feel I’m leaving out – let’s call this the beginning and see how things progress.

BOL,

REXLION - Mike - Used to make a run from Wichita Falls TX down thru LUBBOCK picking up US380 and crossing into NM to pick up I25 at San Antonio and go south to T or C (Elephant Butte) NM on work trips. Nothing but miles and miles of much of nothing but it has it surprises... I would get a couple of days dispersed TENT camping along the way and one of the strange encounters I found was BLACK RATTLE SNAKES. I guess they live off the dark lava rocks though-out that region just before crossing the RIO GRANDE River. I would head for some rock formations to spend the night on the NM153 road just off of US380 that eventually feeds the secured TRINITY site.

Certainly takes you back to nature there...

Roy Ken

Personally, I have a hard time getting excited about NM. To me it's mainly a state to be driven through to reach CO, UT or AZ. (Apologies to NM lovers.)

Red Canyon is just east of Bryce Canyon and is worth a couple of hours at least; the arches trail is great. From Bryce, I'd suggest taking Hwy 12 north over the shoulder of Boulder Mountain; there are spots where you can see for miles and miles. Drive through Capitol Reef, then north on Hwy 95 and turn off to Goblin Valley SP; I guarantee your kids will love walking around the giant sandstone "goblins" (they look more like giant mushrooms to me) and playing hide & seek in the crevices at the campground. There is a narrow slot canyon just a few miles north and west of the SP, I've read, if you want to hike one of those. Then head to Arches.

Arches NP is one of my favorites. If you like Arches, you'd probably like the CO National Monument near Grand Junction. More great sandstone features and spectacular views. Definitely worth a half day at least, and good camping either in the park or at the SP closer to town.

The drive north through the SLC area is very scenic, with mountain views. The family might like to stretch their legs by clambering around City of Rocks near the southern border of ID.

Since you are from OR, have you ever been to Wallowa Lake SP? I've seen photos, and they make me want to go there.

rv2go wrote:
2800 miles at 400 miles a day = 7 days of driving. Doesn't sound like much fun.

throw a couple 750 mile days in there and it really cuts it down. Haha.

In 2012 we did glacier, Rushmore, Yellowstone and Tetons in 2 weeks. 4,300 miles.

With the kids horse events it's hard to spend more time away.