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?

[dbob62180]

TriumphGuy wrote:
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

There are only 2 campgrounds near Monument Valley. Gouldings is the most 'central' and fills up fast. There are quite a few campgrounds in the Moab area but I would still reserve.

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?

[MarkTwain]

The last time I went to Lake Powell, 10 yrs. ago, it was a dried up lake with little water. We could not rent a pontoon boat to sight see because there was not enough water.:(

[Nutinelse2do]

All those places you mentioned, with the exception of North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Colorado, and Bryce, will be well over 100 degrees.

North Rim, Lake Powell, Utah, and Colorado are the only places you will need a reservation. Most people don't go the other places you are going that time of year because it's about 30-50 degrees too hot.

Hope you have dual ac's, and find some shade. I would not recommend primitive camping, with no hook ups at any of those places, especially if you are bringing animals with you.

Have a great trip!

[agesilaus]

Nunyadamn wrote:
I live just outside of Phoenix, AZ - have you thought about how hot it will be in the middle of the summer for some of those places? I personally try to get away from the desert in the summer and head to the beach.

Many of the parks are at much higher altitude than Phoenix, which I agree is hotter than heck. Bryce is at 9000 ft for example. Yellowstone is also at higher altitude. Arches is very hot tho. Capitol Reefs is sort of inbetween, it can be hot there. North Rim of the Grand Canyon is higher and cooler than the South Rim.

[Nunyadamn]

I live just outside of Phoenix, AZ - have you thought about how hot it will be in the middle of the summer for some of those places? I personally try to get away from the desert in the summer and head to the beach.

[agesilaus]

- Grand Canyon--absolutely needed
- Hoover Dam-no
- Zion--probably a good idea
- lake Powell-no
- Bryce-- Yes tho I thought that the in park CG maybe no reservation.
- Capitol Reef- probably yes
- Moab (see Arches and Canyonlands)
- Monument Valley-- no
- Four corners--no
- Mesa Verde--yes
- Durango--no
- Great Sand Dunes--the CG was never full the times I've been there

[Bumpyroad]

goosenecks and mesa arch.
bumpy

[huachuca]

There are lots of dispersed camping opportunities and smaller public campgrounds that do not take reservations in the Four Cornets area if that style of camping would work for you. For Lake Powell and Glen Canyon NRA, check out Lone Rock Beach primitive camping and Lee's Ferry. We stayed at and enjoyed both when in that area last Fall. Kaibab NF and BLM lands also offer a number of possibilities so I don't think reservations are a must unless you really want to stay within a certain Park.

We'll be in southern Utah for a month next May with more than a dozen other campers and have made reservations only for Watchman and the North Rim. The rest of the time we have a primary spot picked out along with two or three nearby alternates if the first choice is full.

Hope you have a great trip.

[MarkTwain]

Reservations---
Make as many reservations as possible! You can always cancel or reschedule. Just check the cancellation policy requirements for each park! Getting to an RV park and they are full is not my 2st choice