Southwest trip summer 2017 - where should I reserve?

[TriumphGuy]

Hi folks,
Short summary, we are headed to these places (this order) from June 9 to July 9 2017:
- Grand Canyon
- Hoover Dam
- Zion
- lake Powell
- Bryce
- Capitol Reef
- Moab (see Arches and Canyonlands)
- Monument Valley
- Four corners
- Mesa Verde
- Durango
- Great Sand Dunes

I have reservations at GC and will be making Zion Watchman reservations as soon as the window opens up.

I had planned to leave everything else open to adjust our itinerary as the trip unfolds. For example we may skip some things, get a wild hair and go up to Rocky Mtn NP... etc.

My understanding was that GC and Zion needed reservations far in advance. I thought I could wing the rest. But I just found out that the Arches CG is closed next year for construction, which makes me think I need to grab a spot in Moab.

(Yes I know putting Lake Powell in there means some backtracking but that's the best place I thought to put it. I really want to get some Lake time with the family and rent a boat).

Thoughts on making reservations?

[michigansandzil]

No suggestions, but your trip sounds amazing. Have a great time!

[TriumphGuy]

HPYHILM wrote:
Reserve anywhere they have 50 amp, you'll need it!

True! I lucked out and got the last 50 amp site available in Zion for our dates!

[TriumphGuy]

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:
Unless you absolutely have to - I'd skip Arches in 2017.

Not only will the CG be closed - but the entire main drive will be under construction. A 'normal' summer day at Arches is a two hour wait to get into the park as the traffic backs up by the entrance stations. 2017 should be worse.

We found the Valley of the Gods drive outside Medicine Hat on BLM land much better road and just as good of sights as Monument Valley. We stayed at Goosenecks State Park - dry camping for $10 per night on the San Juan River canyon rim. Beautiful, and not crowded.

I'm really wondering about Arches. We will be so close and I have no idea if we'll be out that way again. I'm going to have to do more research ... I can get the family up super early if that's our only way to get in there in a reasonable amount of time

[HPYHILM]

Reserve anywhere they have 50 amp, you'll need it!

[Bumpyroad]

I remember at Zion it was about 100 degrees and I didn't even break a sweat.
bumpy

[Lauren]

Based on experience with the places / areas you mention I HIGHLY recommend reservations. Many do not have cancellation fee and some maybe $10-15. Sure beats looking all over the place for someplace to stay when you want to see what you came for in the first place. And then getting the leftover spots.

[Busskipper]

TriumphGuy wrote:
Thanks everyone for the input.

Yep, I know we're going into "hot" season. I had the trip planned for earlier in the year but we just couldn't swing it with the kids' schedules. So it is what it is and we'll make do.

It looks like there are reasonable cancellation policies at most of the places so I'm going to grab the spots that I can now and change later if needed. Since we already know our trip dates, we might as well.

Thanks!

I think you have made a good choice,

Travel during the heat of the day and Hike early and Late - Hot or Cold it's still Beautiful!

BOL,

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Unless you absolutely have to - I'd skip Arches in 2017.

Not only will the CG be closed - but the entire main drive will be under construction. A 'normal' summer day at Arches is a two hour wait to get into the park as the traffic backs up by the entrance stations. 2017 should be worse.

We found the Valley of the Gods drive outside Medicine Hat on BLM land much better road and just as good of sights as Monument Valley. We stayed at Goosenecks State Park - dry camping for $10 per night on the San Juan River canyon rim. Beautiful, and not crowded.

[Thom02099]

If you're going to consider adding in RMNP, you will absolutely need reservations if you want to stay inside the park, unless you stay on the west side at Timber Creek, which is all first come/first served. I've already got my first reservations for within the May window, and my first choices were already booked; I even got up early on the "window day" to book and still didn't have any luck and had to go with other choices. Between Moraine Park and Glacier Basin, you may have better luck in Glacier Basin. Watch the window, sites do go quickly.

[BubbaChris]

For Moab/Arches/Canyonlands - Consider Green River if winging it and having a hard time getting into a place. A bit more of a drive to the sights, but still a nice option.

In Green River the John Wesley Powell Museum is worth a couple of hours if looking for something air-conditioned, low key, and not crowded.

If traveling with dogs, the State Parks in Utah are more dog-friendly than National Parks - e.g. Dead Horse Point SP is right next to the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands and dogs are allowed on hiking trails.

Have fun!

[junmy3]

We sometimes check the park's reservation site for availability. Will then only make reservations when necessary.

[TriumphGuy]

Thanks everyone for the input.

Yep, I know we're going into "hot" season. I had the trip planned for earlier in the year but we just couldn't swing it with the kids' schedules. So it is what it is and we'll make do.

It looks like there are reasonable cancellation policies at most of the places so I'm going to grab the spots that I can now and change later if needed. Since we already know our trip dates, we might as well.

Thanks!

[timandsusan]

We were in Page, Az, this summer and enjoyed the Antelope Canyon Slot Canyon tours--we did the north Antelope Canyon tour and plan to return to do the south Antelope Canyon next year. Your travel time is prime "out of school" travel time in the West, reservations are usually strongly recommended--I prefer to make reservations if we are traveling at that time.

[JaneNLee]

Remember the June and July temps are in the 100's.....Make sure you have AC checked out. Have a great trip.