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Moab and vicinity

jfkmk
Explorer
Explorer
My wife and I are planning a trip to Moab, Canyonlands, Arches, etc. in November. Unfortunately, we will NOT be camping, as we only have a week for this trip. We will be renting a 4wd, so we can get to out of the way destinations. The plan is to fly in to Salt Lake City and drive down.

My questions are, what are the "don't miss" sites? Anything in between Salt Lake City and Moab that is a must? Any particular place to stay and/or eat?

We do like hiking, love the beautiful sites, out of the way places. We're in the beginning stages of planning and appreciate any tips from those who have been there!

Thanks!
18 REPLIES 18

huachuca
Explorer
Explorer
4runnerguy wrote:
We ran across a large gathering of Scamps or Casitas up at Horsethief CG last fall. Might have been 20+ in the CG.


Horsethief will be one of our stops. I think some of the folks on this trip may have been part of that group.

If you see a NC tagged Tacoma with a 19' Scamp and an old, fat, white headed guy hanging around a good looking younger gal, that would be me. Drop by and chat for a bit.


Al

4runnerguy
Explorer
Explorer
huachuca wrote:
We'll be part of a group of sixteen molded fiberglass campers (Scamps, Casitas, Escapes, Olivers etc.) that will be exploring public lands in southern Utah for three plus weeks in May.
We ran across a large gathering of Scamps or Casitas up at Horsethief CG last fall. Might have been 20+ in the CG.
Ken & Allison
2 Camping Cats (1 diabetic)
1996 4Runner, TRD Supercharger, Edelbrock headers
2007 Fleetwood Arcadia, Honda EU2000i
4 mountain bikes, 1 canoe, 4 tents, 8 sleeping bags, 2 backpacks
(You get the idea!)

huachuca
Explorer
Explorer
We'll be part of a group of sixteen molded fiberglass campers (Scamps, Casitas, Escapes, Olivers etc.) that will be exploring public lands in southern Utah for three plus weeks in May. The plans are to spend most of the time hiking and/or driving rather than the campground centered activities of most rallies. Hopefully, I'll have some good suggestions for you by June.

Thanks for the thread and for the advice of those who've responded so far.

timandsusan
Explorer
Explorer
We have been to Moab about 6 times over the past 6 years and never run out of things to do. Just getting to some areas like the sections of Canyonlands will take time. The Valley of the Gods and Moki Dugway are not really near Moab--try staying closer in Bluff--it is about 120 miles south of Moab. Enjoy the scenery.

2gypsies1
Explorer II
Explorer II
Keep in mind that for November you'll have an 'average' temperature of 60 for days and 35 for nights. Dress for it!

If you don't have 4-wheeling experience be honest with the rental agency so they can guide you to doing the correct runs. In November there won't be a lot of wheelers on the trails to help you.

If you have extra time you could go down to Monument Valley for a tour if you've never been there. The park has a lodge and there's also one at Gouldings just outside the park. If returning to Salt Lake City - from Monument Valley either head to Page, AZ and then to Zion Nat'l Park then to I-15 north to Salt Lake. Or...from Monument Valley head north again a short distance to Blanding and take 95 to 24 to Torrey (Capitol Reef Nat'l Park) and take Hwy 12 to (Bryce Nat'l Park) to 89 north to Salt Lake. Of course, you won't have time to really explore those extra parks but a drive-through will entice you to come back for more! Have a good trip!!
Full-Timed for 16 Years
.... Back in S&B Again
Traveled 8 yr in a 40' 2004 Newmar Dutch Star Motorhome
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

kohai
Explorer
Explorer
I've heard the La Sal Loop Road is great for a relaxing drive. I'm doing this next time.
2014 Primetime Crusader 296BHS
2015 GMC 2500HD Denali

BarryG20
Explorer
Explorer
Between Price and Moab is the San Rafael Swell and the Green River Desert you could easily spend a week there

These websites certainly aren't the cats meow for each location but give general idea a quick search will reveal more you could link several of these togethor on the way down

Rochester Creek Panel
https://www.roadtripryan.com/go/t/utah/san-rafael-swell/rochester

Buckhorn was panel
http://www.utahoutside.com/2012/05/explore-buckhorn-wash-in-the-san-rafael-swell/

head of sinbad panel one of my favorites
http://www.sanrafaelcountry.com/san-rafael-swell-head-of-sinbad.html
on this website there is a maps section that may be helpful for several of these sites

swaseys cabin
http://www.sanrafaelcountry.com/san-rafael-swell-swaseys-cabin.html

black dragon canyon
http://www.sanrafaelcountry.com/san-rafael-swell-black-dragon-wash-rock-art.html

Great Gallery this is one of the best in the world a bit out of the way but imho worth it
http://www.hikingwalking.com/destinations/ut/ut_se/canyonlands/horseshoe_canyon/horseshoe_canyon_detail

In Arches National Park make sure and due the primitive loop hike at the end of Devils Garden as well as Delicate Arch not sure how much you hike but we can do both in the same day as well as see the other main points in the park
https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/upload/ARCHmap.pdf

Canyonlands National Park
Island In the Sky Mesa Arch, Shafer Trail for the ride back to Moab
https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/maps.htm

Dead Horse Point on the way to Island in the sky anytime great sunrise, sunset super great, night sky if clear awesome
https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse/

Needles District
https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/needles.htm

Hike to Druid Arch, going through Chessler Park, return through the Joint and Devils Kitchen long day but so great. You can cut substantially by looking at map and turning around or taking variations back to trail head if you hike this is stuff you don't want to miss
https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/maps.htm

Gemini Bridges, Utah 128 through Fischer Valley, Las Sal Mountain Loop Road the list is endless out there

Best breakfast in town is at the Moab Diner
2016 Jayco 28.5 RLTS

jfkmk
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks all for your suggestions! I had talked to the Moab travel bureau and they indicated September and October are very busy, which is why we chose early Novemver.

We know we won't see everything, and we'll be back again when we have more time. I just hate to miss out Simply waiting until we have more time.

4runnerguy, I'm looking forward to the Moab brewery already!

Again, I appreciate everyone's suggestions, keep them coming!

4runnerguy
Explorer
Explorer
Hey, six days there is better than a lot of people do. We always joke about the people we see with a camera hanging out the window, taking a video. We call it the six NP's in five days tour. 😉 When they get home, they can look at the videos and see what they should have seen when they were there.

From SLC, I'd head right down to Moab and spend your time there.

The biggest limitation in November in the short days. We have been out there for several Thanksgivings and sometimes we have to hit the trail when it's still pretty cool in the morning as the sun sets so early.

If you like hiking, I'd plan on two full days in Arches. Just hiking to the major arches like those in the windows section and Sand Dune and Broken Arch takes some time. Head up to Delicate Arch near sutset for great pictures. If you have the stamina, hike the trail out of Devils Garden. Lots of arches along the trail and the side trails. Return via the primative trail.

Definitely do a tour of the Island in the Sky at Canyonlands. There are some shorter hikes up there, but nothing major. Mesa Arch and Aztec Butte are sdcenic and interesting. At the end, Grandview Point is another sunset picture opportunity.

I don't know how much 4x4 experience you have, so the will determine what to try. One reasonablly non-technical route we love is the White Rim Trail around Island in the Sky. The White Rim is nearly 2000' lower than the Island in the Sky. Several short trails off of it. It will take most of a day to do it, so start early. The hardest part are the approaches to Murphy Hogback but any decent jeep can handle it. I've always dropped in on Shafer Trail and done the loop clockwise, but if you go down Mineral Bottom first, you can exit via the Potash Road which eventually parallels the Colorado River. There are some interesting petroglyphs on the walls alongside the road when you're eight or so miles below Potash.

Don't miss the drive up river along UT 128. The hike out to Fisher Towers is interesting. That time of year you might have the trail to yourselves.

Plenty of rooms available in November as the crowds have thinned. One interesting place we have stayed a couple of times is the Inca Inn. Funky might best describe it. Bathroom tile is from the 50's but it is clean. Rates quite high on TripAdvisor, but I think it's because it is quaint. Most of the big motel chains have places there.

For restaurants, we like the Moab Brewery. (Or is that because of the beer?) Pasta Jays has outdoor seating, and even in the fall, they have plastic windows they roll down to keep the heat in. If you're hungry, Zax's has a pizza/salad buffet. The Blu Pig looks interesting but we haven't been there yet.

If you have a shopping card from one of the Kroger affiliated stores, you can use it at City Market for gasoline. Generally the best prices in town.
Ken & Allison
2 Camping Cats (1 diabetic)
1996 4Runner, TRD Supercharger, Edelbrock headers
2007 Fleetwood Arcadia, Honda EU2000i
4 mountain bikes, 1 canoe, 4 tents, 8 sleeping bags, 2 backpacks
(You get the idea!)

crasster
Explorer II
Explorer II
6 days is better than none. 2 weeks is what you at LEAST want. So beautiful there.
4 whopping cylinders on Toyota RV's. Talk about great getting good MPG. Also I have a very light foot on the pedal. I followed some MPG advice on Livingpress.com and I now get 22 MPG! Not bad for a home on wheels.

jspringator
Explorer
Explorer
6 days THERE; not counting travel days. That is all I can do until I retire.
Jim & Sherri
02 Winnebago Sightseer 27c Class A;
"Scout" Springer Spaniel, gone but not forgotten;
"Boo" Chocolate Labradoodle.

GordonThree
Explorer
Explorer
donkeydew wrote:
i hope 6 days is a misprint. you will not even scratch the surface in that time.


X2 ... That's a lot to cover in six days, even rushing.
2013 KZ Sportsmen Classic 200, 20 ft TT
2020 RAM 1500, 5.7 4x4, 8 speed

donkeydew
Explorer
Explorer
i hope 6 days is a misprint. you will not even scratch the surface in that time.

jspringator
Explorer
Explorer
I will have 6 days out there in September. I'm going to do the North Rim, Mokee Dugway with Valley of the Gods, and Monument Valley. I plan on taking all the time I need at each spot. I would like to see other things, but I want to throughly enjoy these 3 places without feeling rushed. The only rushing I'm going to do is getting out there and back.

I'm taking the motorhome. I was considering taking my convertible, but traveling by motorhome is so darn convenient. I'm bringing a 225cc dualsport motorcycle for the Dugway and VOG.
Jim & Sherri
02 Winnebago Sightseer 27c Class A;
"Scout" Springer Spaniel, gone but not forgotten;
"Boo" Chocolate Labradoodle.