Suggested Loop and Attractions

[Brent_and_Gina]

Gina and I are planning a 2-month loop heading north from Little Rock, Ar in late August. Honestly don't have a route preference, but want to get Tetons, Yellowstone, something cool in Oregon (crater lake??), south to redwoods, san fan/napa valley, and east to canyonland maybe on way home. Other than that general route, we'd love to hear some inputs, destinations, attractions, cool campgrounds, what-have-you. Appreciate the inputs guys.

Brent

[padredw]

Good Question. I was only comparing the route via Fort Worth as mentioned in the post above. With that comparison, my comments stand.

Now, what surprised me is that the route through Texarkana, Wichita Falls, Amarillo, etc. is only 50 miles further. So it is not so extreme a choice as might first seem and, depending on where one wished to stay overnight and what kind of roads, etc., might still be chosen.

CORRECTION: On more careful checking I find the actual difference is 35 miles.

Still, I can't disagree with your comment about staying on I-40.

[Brent_and_Gina]

padredw wrote:

From home we take I30 to Ft Worth then 287 to Amarillo. From there take 287 to Dumas then hit 87 to pick up I25 in Raton Pass. We travel on 25 until Colorado Springs then take 287 again to

Overall good suggestions, but I would certainly recommend one variation. At Texarkana take US 83 all the way to US 287 then follow the route as suggested.

Us 82 is a pleasant drive across north Texas which avoids all the congestion in and around Dallas/Fort Worth.

In the past we used to take US 380 from Greenville to Denton to Decatur, but that route has become highly congested. Many traffic signals, heavy traffic, etc.

Maybe I missed something in earlier posts, but the only reason I can see to go by Fort Worth would be a desire to visit Fort Worth.

Interesting route. Why not take 40 to Amarillo and avoid the southern route? I'm already on 40.

[padredw]

From home we take I30 to Ft Worth then 287 to Amarillo. From there take 287 to Dumas then hit 87 to pick up I25 in Raton Pass. We travel on 25 until Colorado Springs then take 287 again to

Overall good suggestions, but I would certainly recommend one variation. At Texarkana take US 83 all the way to US 287 then follow the route as suggested.

Us 82 is a pleasant drive across north Texas which avoids all the congestion in and around Dallas/Fort Worth.

In the past we used to take US 380 from Greenville to Denton to Decatur, but that route has become highly congested. Many traffic signals, heavy traffic, etc.

Maybe I missed something in earlier posts, but the only reason I can see to go by Fort Worth would be a desire to visit Fort Worth.

[littlemo]

From home we take I30 to Ft Worth then 287 to Amarillo. From there take 287 to Dumas then hit 87 to pick up I25 in Raton Pass. We travel on 25 until Colorado Springs then take 287 again to Laramie then on I80 till Rawlins then 287 again to Lander then up through Togwotee Pass to GTNP. This last part through Togwotee pass is awesome! Make sure to drive the Beartooth HWY in your toad while you are at YNP.

Google map

When you make your rounds and are back to the Canyonlands make sure you go on over to southern Colorado to Durango-Silverton area of Colorado. Then you can head out through Pagosa Springs to Santa Fe and south to I40.

Sounds like a great trip. Have fun.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

For Tetons we stayed at Wind River RV Park in Riverton WY and drove into the Tetons.
For Yellowstone, we stayed west of Cody at Yellowstone Valley Inn and drove to Yellowstone. Easy drive.
I would also do Glacier National Park if you have time. We stayed at Glacier Meadow RV Park west of East Glacier in Essex, MT
Collier Memorial State Park is near Crater Lake and was recommended to us by fellow RVer. We decided to stay at Seven Feathers Casino RV Park off I-5 and drive to Crater Lake.
For Redwoods we stayed at 2 parks: KOA in Crescent City CA and Ancient Redwoods RV Park in in Redcrest. While you're in Crescent City take the scenic drive Howland Hill Road.

[Brent_and_Gina]

Great suggestions so far. FYI, I am a little afraid of heights. Did east yellowstone to Cody and was seriously on edge! Confederation bridge (PEI) freaked me out a little too. Thanks guys. Please continue.

[TyroneandGladys]

Little Rock, AR to Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower to Little Big Horn to Yellowstone to Grand Teton National Park to Glacier National Park to The Dalles OR to Cape Lookout State Park to Coos Bay OR to Crater Lake National Park to Lake Tahoe to Zion National Park to Durango CO to Santa Fe NM to Palo Duro Canyon TX State Park and then back home.

[TyroneandGladys]

delete

[Pigkisser]

Driving and camping on the Oregon coast is great. They have wonderful state parks along the Pacific and since you are going towards the end of summer you may be in luck as far as getting reservations.

[rexlion]

From Tulsa I usually make haste to the mountains of northern NM and make my way north through Colorado, to take advantage of the cooler temps and great scenery.

Wolf Creek Pass north of Pagosa Springs has a great view of the valley and a short walk to Treasure Falls. The drive from Durango to Ouray is spectacular, but some folks get nervous about the dropoffs along the roadway and the many sharp curves. As an alternative, head west from Durango to Cortez area and then north toward Telluride. You might enjoy the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Don't miss driving through the Colorado National Monument (allow at least a half day) to see some great sandstone formations and scenic overlooks.

The Tetons should be great at that time of year. I'm looking forward to going back there this summer and taking the boat ride across Jenny Lake to walk a trail or two east of there; my brother says it's fabulous. Most everyone seems to say that Colter Bay is a great CG there.

When you head west from Yellowstone, I understand that northern Idaho is quite scenic. And I've seen pictures of Wallowa Valley across the border in E Oregon that make me want to go there sometime. Plus that whole Oregon/N.Cal coastline sounds wonderful. Have a great time.