Southwest National Parks in November

[GreenSalsa]

I have a great opportunity to travel the Southwest this November (launching from Colorado Springs, CO).

I will have about three weeks of vacation time and was thinking of touring the Southwest US from 5-26 November. While it seems like a lot of time, I live in southeastern North Carolina so I will lose at least 4 days of "vacation time" to just driving.

I was curious about "winging it" (no reservations) and hitting up Dinosaur National Monument, Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park (finally get to climb Angel's landing!), and spend a couple of days at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Then probably start back to NC, keeping south on I-40 / I-20 (hitting up a couple of sites along the way like Arizona Crater).

We are an experienced RVing family; we understand our visits to some of the parks might be limited to just two days. We know there will be a lot of setting up and moving--it's not ideal, but we are comfortable with that if it gets us access to the park system.

Finally, we are a family of four (Dad, Mom, two daughters 14 and 12) and like to hike and climb (LOVE rock scrambling).

From just a casual overview, the weather looks perfect. Cool days and cold nights but I have a couple of questions:

How full will the campgrounds be in the areas DURING the month of November? Should we make reservations or are they pretty empty?

Any notable park closures? Am I missing a park or location you would recommend?

Thoughts?

[2gypsies1]

If you think you need more time I'd eliminate Dinosaur Nat'l Monument. It's good but not in the same category as the rest.

At Arches, definitely make reservations to go on the Fiery Furnace ranger-led hike. It's very unique and fun.

If you're planning Grand Canyon South Rim there are some nice Indian ruins around the Flagstaff area: Wupatki Nat'l Monument, Walnut Canon Nat'l Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano Nat'l Monument is interesting.

You could even work in Sedona, AZ for some great hiking if coming in from the south.

I think we could all add many other suggestions that would overwhelm you! 🙂

Have fun planning your trip!

[monkey44]

Most of above is right on target, so we won't add much except to say you will have a ball. We're jealous !!!

[littlemo]

We took a 3 month trip out west in September, October and November. We stayed in Watchman campground in Zion and it was fine. Zion is beautiful and we took a day trip to Bryce which is awesome also. In Zion you are down in the Canyon looking up and in Bryce you are at the top looking down. Each one has it's own spectacular beauty.
After we left Glen Canyon on our way to Zion we stopped in Kanab at Hitch-N-Post RV Park for a couple of nights and took a day to drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. AWESOME!
I know we missed a lot more in southern Utah but it was getting too cold for us so we headed on out for Nevada and California.
Have fun!

[GordonThree]

I just completed a visit to 10 national parks/monuments in December 2015. I was glad I went that time of year. Very few people in Utah, and the scenery is even better improved by the contrast of a little snow.

In Utah, all the federal and state parks were open, none of the private parks were open. Kodachrome Basin's full-hookup sites were available, and the water was still on.

In California's Death Valley, the private parks were open and busy. The federal parks were moderately full... that was Christmas weekend

In Arizona's South Rim, the private park was open, the federal park was open, water was shut off. VERY BUSY, just after Xmas weekend. As I left South Rim, the traffic backup to get into the park was over six miles long. Propane was hard to find in northern Arizona. Unlike Utah, where every large gas station seemed to fill propane.

In New Mexico, I stayed in a private park in Santa Fe, did not visit any federal/state campgrounds. Water was on but the ownership was not allowing "hookups", just fill/dump and then disconnect. Like Arizona, finding a place that filled propane versus exchange was difficult.

Overall, the private parks I ran across that were closed had done so in September or October - so you'll likely see the same in November.

If you're good at being self sufficient, and don't mind filling your water tank by hauling jugs from gas station bathrooms, etc - you'll have a great time!

[4runnerguy]

Generally you shouldn't need reservations. You will find quite limited facilities in places. For instance, the main CG at Dinosaur is closed. Instead, they open the group CG to everyone. The SP's in that area have turned off their water. Don't miss the Utah Field House in Vernal. Full of dinosaur bones and reconstructions. Great complement to the bone wall at the NM itself.

We often camp at Moab near Thanksgiving. We have found that the weather can be quite nice, although once in a while, we don't go because of early snows. We're in a PUP, so we're much more susceptible to cold. If you like scrambling, you'll love Arches. Take the hike out to Double O Arch and return via the primitive loop. Great fun.

Bryce can get snow by that time, as can the north rim of the GC. Zion is usually nice. (The main problem with snow is it can make the trails tricky or they may get closed. Still plenty to see however.)

I don't know if you have a toad, but you'll find difficulty parking your rig at many of the turnouts in those NP's, significantly limiting your sightseeing ability. The shuttle at Zion runs on weekends only in November and on weekdays, parking is very limited in the canyon for large RV's. at Zion, besides Angels Landing, you might also consider a hike into Hidden Canyon (above Weeping Rock)if the snow hasn't hit yet. One can continue quite a ways beyond where the sign says end of trail by scrambling. Kind of fun to figure out what's the best way to continue upward.

[Busskipper]

GreenSalsa wrote:
I have a great opportunity to travel the Southwest this November (launching from Colorado Springs, CO).

I will have about three weeks of vacation time and was thinking of touring the Southwest US from 5-26 November. While it seems like a lot of time, I live in southeastern North Carolina so I will lose at least 4 days of "vacation time" to just driving.

I was curious about "winging it" (no reservations) and hitting up Dinosaur National Monument, Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park (finally get to climb Angel's landing!), and spend a couple of days at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Then probably start back to NC, keeping south on I-40 / I-20 (hitting up a couple of sites along the way like Arizona Crater).

We are an experienced RVing family; we understand our visits to some of the parks might be limited to just two days. We know there will be a lot of setting up and moving--it's not ideal, but we are comfortable with that if it gets us access to the park system.

Finally, we are a family of four (Dad, Mom, two daughters 14 and 12) and like to hike and climb (LOVE rock scrambling).

From just a casual overview, the weather looks perfect. Cool days and cold nights but I have a couple of questions:

How full will the campgrounds be in the areas DURING the month of November? Should we make reservations or are they pretty empty?

Any notable park closures? Am I missing a park or location you would recommend?

Thoughts?

Leaving from Colorado Springs in November starting on the 5th - There is a good chance you will have snow in Colorado - but there is also a good chance you will still be able to travel almost everywhere with little issue, (Son Lives in the foothills outside Denver and they tent camped in October this year in the Mountains with no issue) S, DIL, 10, 9,3,3 GD's) so IMHO, YOU WILL HAVE A BLAST.

You will only need to drive back - correct? Mid week to midweek? do you think you could add Thanksgiving to the travel time? Maybe having it at say River-walk in San Antonio? JAT

Winging it will not be a problem in your rig - We never make reservations and have never had an issue, worst case is just stay in Wal*Mart for the night.

Weather is something that will dictate a lot - we have done the North Rim as late as the end of November,(notable as a Park Closure on October 15) One year while the Boys were still in College we did Angels Landing in shorts and T's -December 21st - then Bryce in the Snow on the 22nd. Just keep the propane full and the diesel full and you will not have an issue.

In November you should be able to stay in the park for most of your stays, they will be open but limited services.

Elevation in Colorado is the key so just keep you ear to the weather and be smart. Thinking you might be lucky and be able to catch the Bells before the first real snow - It should be on your Bucket list right up there with Angels Landing.

Thinking if the Snow is late and the roads are clear (they should be) heading out Rt 24 to Buena Vista through Leadville then over on 24 to Minturn/Vail/I-70 to Glenwood Springs possibly to the Bells then on to Vernal - then back down to 70 getting off at Rt 128 in Utah to Moab
Arches then on over to Goblins and Capital Reef - Rt 12 to Bryce then on into Zion (Be sure to check on the Roads over Dixie Nation Forest on Rt 12 as it can get early snow - rarely)

After Zion on to South Rim? No Monument Valley or Mesa Verde?

Then the long Drive home -

Sounds great it will be the time of their lives -

NOTE- need a lightweight Tripod/good camera for family pictures in all these locations.

Best time of the year for Utah!

BOL,

[Lauren]

First - thank you for your service.

You are hitting some of the classic parks. Good.

Not sure what you are looking for for sites. In November some places many well be closed. Example is Ruby's Inn at Bryce and it will be COLD at Bryce then anyhow due to altitude. Trailer Village at the South Rim is open year round though I think. Do your homework.

[tragusa3]

Sounds like a great trip!

I don't know much about your direct question, but a couple of thoughts.

1. When at Zion, hike Angel's Landing (as you said) and The Narrows. That time of year, I suspect you might want insulated bibs for the cold water. There are many other things, but those would make an awesome 2 day visit.

2. At Grand Canyon, definitely hike into the canyon. Several choices.

3. On your way down to I40, Sunset Crater has a pretty good hike on the lava flows. It wouldn't be more than a 3 hour stop, but worth it. Also, Walnut Canyon gives you a quick look at cliff dwellings (4-5 hour stay). If time, Petrified Forest was better than expected. We spent about 3 hours there, but wished for a whole day.

If you haven't seen the report that I've linked below, you may want to. It covers my suggestions and several others that you mentioned.

Thank you for your service.