Rethinking 2 week visit out West

[caysea7254]

My DH and I planned to visit RMNP and then on to the National parks in Southern Utah then on to the Grand Canyon. Ok now we think that is way too much for a 2 week trip!! We dont want to spend our whole vacation driving! We just enjoying wildlife viewing, short hikes and beautiful scenery. hook ups are not a must unless it is really hot. We travel with our 13 yr. old Doxie. we have been out west once to western Colorado and Moab. Love the west!!We are just at disadvantage cause we only have 2 weeks and driving from Indiana makes it hard!!! So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks Tara

[Busskipper]

caysea7254 wrote:
Thanks everyone for your info. 2Gypsies we are leaning toward your suggestion but after Bryce think we will go to Escalante Natl Monument and drive route 12. Depending on time! That's what we are thinking now but Sept. is a ways off so plans could change again. Thanks again! Tara 🙂

Think you are following a really GOOD suggestion.

BOL,

[caysea7254]

Thanks everyone for your info. 2Gypsies we are leaning toward your suggestion but after Bryce think we will go to Escalante Natl Monument and drive route 12. Depending on time! That's what we are thinking now but Sept. is a ways off so plans could change again. Thanks again! Tara 🙂

[Itching2go]

For several years, whenever we'd visit the Rockies on a two-week 'budget' from Indiana (Fort Wayne), we'd head out on 70 to the Colorado Springs area, then head north up I-25 to RMNP, spending 4 or 5 days at each. Heading back, we'd either grab I-80, or drop down to I-70 if we wanted to avoid the Chicago area. If you look at a map of the US, the Colorado section of the Rocky Mountain range is the furthest east, and reachable from Indiana within 2 or 3 days depending on how hard you like to drive.

This year, it's the Teton's, Yellowstone, and then the Black Hills for us, but that's with three weeks time available for the trip.

[2gypsies1]

Since hubby really wants to see Grand Canyon then it's a no-brainer. 🙂 How about doing a tour of 3 gorgeous canyons on this trip?

Take I-40 to Flagstaff and head north on Hwy 89 about 20 miles. On the right will be a sign for Sunset Crater Volcano Nat'l Monument. Drive about 3 miles and just before the Monument gate is a beautiful national forest campground called Bonito. No hookups but this area has cool temps in the summer. From there enter the Monument and do the loop drive to the volcano area and tour Wupatki Nat'l Monument - a wonderful Indian dwelling. This would be a 2-night stop or if you've stopped near Flagstaff the previous night this loop drive can be done with your RV to save a 2-night stay.

Then continue north on 89 to Hwy 64 at Cameron, AZ and west to the Grand Canyon. Trailer Village is the only RV park with hookups in the park and is highly recommended. The free shuttle stops at the campground entrance close to the rim itself. Ride it all day, getting on & off wherever you want for short strolls along the rim or shopping or restaurants. 2-3 nights recommended at minimum.

Exit the park via the same road Hwy 64 and take Hwy 89 further north to Alt 89. Just beyond this intersection is a road closure right now to Page but Alt 89 is open and is a beautiful drive to Jacob Lake (& the North Rim of the Grand Canyon but no need to tour this if you've done the South Rim because of your timeframe). At Jacob Lake continue on Alt89 to Fredonia, AZ and go to Zion Nat'l Park via 389 toward Colorado City, AZ/Hurricane, UT. Stay in the park at Watchman campground (electric) or just outside the park in Springdale, and free shuttles to see the canyon.

Exit Zion via 9 to Mt. Carmel and Hwy 89. Continue north to Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park, staying either in the park - no hookups but cool weather or just outside the park at Ruby's with hookups.

That's probably all the time you'll have before having to return home via 89 North to I-70. You will have seen three gorgeous national parks all with completely different canyons. Whatever you decide, have a great trip even though it will be fast. If that's all the time you have just make the best of it and come back for more! It's better than not seeing these parks at all.

[agb2529]

We did a 2 week "front range" loop in 2010 and thoroughly enjoyed it - coming from Illinois, so about the same distance as you. 4 nights at RMNP - great scenery & hiking, had an awesome site in the C loop of Moraine overlooking the valley where we would just sit & relax in the morning (unusual for go-go folks like us). 4 nights at Mueller S.P., used as a base for Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods,etc. 3 nights at private CG in Canon City, Royal Gorge & rafting. 2 nights at San Luis Lakes S.P., hit the Great Sand Dunes N.P. (a don't miss!!), train ride out of Alamosa to a cool amphitheater in the mountains with an afternoon bluegrass extravaganza headlined by Michael Martin Murphey (remember "Wildfire"?). Great trip, enough time in each spot to actually be relaxing, even the teenagers ended up having a good time (whether they wanted to admit it or not). Starting at RMNP and going all the way down to the Grand Canyon would probably be too much driving for the time you have, pick one or the other.

[TyroneandGladys]

RMNP then to Rifle Falls State Park then to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park then to Mesa Verde / Durango area then Royal Gorge and the Great Sand Dunes on the way home

[DesertHawk]

crabbin cabin wrote:
Tara - give up long drives and enjoy the 2 weeks you have!
Deserthawk said "
Or skip Colorado & head to New Mexico:
A little south of Colorado (1,278 mi, 19 hours 32 mins. Work your way down to I-70 W then down through Kansas, a little of OK & TX into NM over to I-25 between Raton & Las Vegas):"
But I70 does not get close to OK, TX or NM. It does intersect I25 in the center of Denver!
I concur with her recommendation of Bandelier! A gorgeous place and very interesting if you are into learning about our ancient native culture. We have been there a couple of times. But - it will be hot from June on! From IN (where? it would be a great 2 week vacation to go there and Santa Fe, then home but Deserthawks instructions on route is a bit baffling.

Didn't mean to Baffle anyone, but I had added a THEN after I-70 (Work your way down to I-70 W, THEN down through Kansas, a little of OK & TX into NM over to I-25 between Raton & Las Vegas).

Didn't mean I-70 all the way, only to Kansas City then must cut south & west to get to NM. But by taking US 54 toward Liberal (could take I-35 down to the 54 to Wichita), then work over to Clayton, NM & on to Springer & I-25 on US 56/64. There are some US & State Hwys. in between, but didn't route the whole way.

PS would not need to go all the way to Liberal...US 160, then US 83 S to KS 51 to US 56 W.

😉 DesertHawk happens to be a he, however.

Tara, Thanks!

Between Clayton & Raton is the Capulin Volcano Nat'l Mon't. A Neat Place. ------ But no Camping

Near Clayton, Clayton Lake State Park. Never been to it, however.

Not far S of Springer, just off I-25 is Fort Union Nat'l Mon't. At Las Vegas (older place than the one in NV) Storrie Lake State Park, but we have used the Walmart there to do a few overnights.

NM State Pks. are a bargain, $10 without electric $4 more for electric. No entry fee on top of camping fee (no day use if camping) like CO & TX state parks. Most have free showers as well, but not all.

One can also get to Santa Fe via the "Back Roads" as well.

From Raton. I have driven US 64 E to Taos. Scenic but could be slow at times. Goes to Eagles Nest and through Cimarron Canyon & Cimarron (the town), etc. High elevations by Eagles Nest. NM Vietnam Veterans Memorial is near Eagles Nest as is Cimarron Canyon State Park. Eagle Nest Lake State Park has a small campground (19 sites) now, but no showers. Note: Keep on US 64 at Clayton. No need to go to Springer. Sugarite Canyon State Park by Raton. Near Eagle Nest, Cimarron Canyon State Park, but no showers, it seems.

From Taos, S to Santa Fe, an easy drive. NM 68 S to US 285 S to Santa Fe.

NM-518 from Las Vegas to Taos should be a good route as well. Driven it years ago.

Taos :::::::: NM ByWays

Bandelier Nat'l Mon't is off US 285. We were there in August last year. Not too hot at all. Cools off quickly after sundown each evening. I believe we were there years ago in July. Warmer during the day, but cool nights.

Los Alamos is a very neat small city in itself. Free bus system with very neat buses. Very pretty setting up in the high country. Somewhat of a gated community as well. We only drove through & stopped at a SuperMarket. A nice town. http://www.visit.losalamos.com/
http://www.losalamosnm.us/transit/Pages/default.aspx

More on Santa Fe an older post. Hope the links still work.

:C Black Hills are a neat place to see, should be closer, too. Black Hills-An Old Post The Hills with Ponderosas (what give the Black to Black Hills) does remind me of New Mexico. Lot of Wild Life & Nice Scenery.

The Devil's Tower in WY is worth dropping by, perhaps a day trip would work. A little driving for sure, not too bad maybe. Maybe a 2 hr drive...2 1/2 hrs taking your time. One way. From Custer to Newcastle to Sundance to the Tower. Devil's Tower

Perhaps an overnight at Palisades State Park over by Sioux Falls would be neat. Never been there.

[caysea7254]

Desert hawk loved your pics and suggestions! NM looks beautiful! Still taking all this info from everyone in.

[caysea7254]

Thanks everyone for suggestions. Ok when we went out west in sept. of 2007 our 1st stop was mueller state park for a few days and did sight seeing in Co Springs from there went on route 50 to Gunnison then to ridgeway state park and visited Ouray then went to Moab for a few days then to the 4 corners then to Mesa verde, Durango then home. Was nice trip seen a lot but too rushed. Will take everyone suggest and rethink this trip. And we did stay on another vacation at Custer state park for 2 weeks and loved it. Stayed at Game lodge campground. The thing is hubby wants to see Grand Canyon! Thinking thinking! DH doesn't like to do the planning he leaves that to me, too much! Lol

[crabbin_cabin]

Tara - give up long drives and enjoy the 2 weeks you have!
Deserthawk said "
Or skip Colorado & head to New Mexico:
A little south of Colorado (1,278 mi, 19 hours 32 mins. Work your way down to I-70 W then down through Kansas, a little of OK & TX into NM over to I-25 between Raton & Las Vegas):"
But I70 does not get close to OK, TX or NM. It does intersect I25 in the center of Denver!
I concur with her recommendation of Bandelier! A gorgeous place and very interesting if you are into learning about our ancient native culture. We have been there a couple of times. But - it will be hot from June on! From IN (where? it would be a great 2 week vacation to go there and Santa Fe, then home but Deserthawks instructions on route is a bit baffling.

Similarly RMNP and home will be a good two week vacation for you. I have relatives in N. Indiana and have been there several times from when we lived in Denver area.

[kalynzoo]

Sounds like a wonderful trip. If you don't try to overplan, something I am often accused of, you can see a lot, enjoy a lot, and not make too many plans. I'd take I-40, see the Highway 66 museum at Elk City, use Williams AZ as a base for the Grand Canyon, I really like Circle of Pines KOA, Then the 160 through Indian Country (Monument Valley) to the 550 to Mesa Verde base camp in Durango. The train ride to Silverton is a lot of fun. Stay on the 160 to the I-25 up to Denver, DO NOT TAKE THE 550 WITH THE RV, I love Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park is the basecamp. I'm affraid that will take most of your two week. But it will be a fantastic trip through some absolutely beautiful country. I didn't list the many places to stop along the way.
Happy Trails.

[dbbls]

For great scenery and lots of wildlife go to Custer State Park in South Dakota. Lots to see and do in the Black Hills region.

[RoyB]

A friend of mine is on going west right now- He certainly is doing alot of driving - staying one or two nights somewhere then driving again. He has had a couple of non-show stopper breakdowns but it had to be fixed so thats another worry to deal with.

What I have seen some folks do is fly out to Phoenix or some big place like that - Then rent a MH and do the tour that way. Of course the big downside for me would be I don't get to have my personal toys...

Renting is probably cheaper than the 2500 miles trip and the hassle that goes along with it.

Two weeks might get us to Oklahoma haha...

Another way I have some folks do is to swap your MH. Folks can fly out and head out for a weeks trip with your stocked up MH. You do the same on their end with their stocked up MH...

I made a whole bunch of trips from VA to Wichita Falls TX doing extended work the last year before retiring. The work job might be two weeks sometimes three weeks. We would drive the weekends getting there almost non-stop driving. Got to go camping at various places over the work weekends and then take a long way back home to VA... That worked out pretty good for us..

It was funny a couple of times - always went the same route going and out of habit seems like we made the same pit stops along the way. Folks started making comments like "Hey glad to see you all again haha..." I guess you don't see many off-road trailers like mine... One hotel would let us sleep in the back of their parking lot which also had 120VAC utility back there for the handyman. That was nice...

Two weeks sure isnt alot of time. We sometimes stay that long at a real nice spot enjoying ourselves...

Roy Ken

[LindaAnn]

Tara, DesertHawk always has the best recommendations and pictures and details. The suggestions he made to you sound wonderful--I am ready to go to some of the places he mentioned and ride that train! We love New Mexico!!