US Hwy 191 - the Devil's highway and beyond

[campersuzid]

Almost ready to hit the road!!! This year we'll be driving the length of US Hwy 191 from Douglas, AZ to Loring, MT and the Canadian border (almost 2,000 miles). I have a list of places list of places of must stop (Canyon de Chelly NM, Arches NP, Yellowstone NP and such) but am looking for less well-known locations. Places like this restaurant in Chinle, AZ that reportedly serves an outstanding Fry Bread plate and hiking trail near Blanding, UT with a bunch of cliff dwellings high above. You know, places travel writers don't mention for one reason or another. Our first stop will be at a little State Park in Safford, AZ that is said to have a spring fed hot-tub - doesn't that sound cool!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Mello_Mike]

You've gotten some great recommendations, thus far. I would add Trail of the Ancients to the list.

[TexasShadow]

X 2 to that road from Morenci up to Alpine...there was definitely a length limit to it two, three years ago. Some hairpin turns on a narrow highway. So check before heading that way.

Up above Vernal UT is the Firefighters' Memorial campground up near the top of the pass, very scenic, very nice campground with elec, water and dump. A good place to stay a couple days and unwind.

Further north, in WY, about 20 miles northwest of Pinedale, is a little Federal campground on the Green River. It has elec. water and dump station. Nice overnight spot for getting into Jackson early the next day.

[trailertraveler]

Some of the places I did not see mentioned are Bluff Fort and the Blanding Dinosaur Museum. In Vernal there is the Utah Field House Museum. North of Vernal are Red Fleet and Steinaker state parks.

Between Stafford, AZ and Alpine; there use to be a length limit and a low clearance tunnel that you may want to check into. If you are able to go that way, there are some nice Forest Service campgrounds near Hannagan Meadow and more near Big Lake. One of the Madonna of the Trail Monuments is located in Springerville.

Hope you have a Great Trip!!

[johnna]

Utah Side trips off 191 are:

http://www.nps.gov/hove/index.htm
http://www.nps.gov/nabr/index.htm
http://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ashley/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5212203

[nina_70]

We spent a bunch of time around 191 in UTAH this spring, boondocking & hiking to the ancestral pueblos. There is a TON to see around there.

For boondocking we stayed at Comb Wash just west of Blanding, UT. Easy spot for any size rig although you can find more remote spots around if you explore.
I have info on the boondocking spot HERE

There is also some rather spectacular boondocking further south on the rim of Goosenecks State Park (free).
Info on that HERE

While in Blanding we hiked to the ancestral ruins at House On Fire, Mule Canyon & Butler Wash. I wrote about our experience at these spots HERE. We saw just a teeeeeny bit of the dwellings in the area. This site is an excellent resource showing you ALL the dwellings around the Mesa's there: CLICKY. Every single red dot on that map is a dwelling!! Here's a link to how to get to House On Fire: CLICKY.

While in the area I HIGHLY recommend a drive south to sightsee the Valley Of The Gods. If your rig is small enough there is some OUTSTANDING boondocking in that valley too. I wrote about our experience HERE

Also while in the area go to Twin Rock Café in Bluff, UT and try out the Navajo Pizza. It's special stuff!

[campersuzid]

I love museums - I'm putting this one on my list - thanks.

[NCWriter]

Don't know if you are a museum fan, but if you are interested at all in the ancestral Puebloans/Anasazi, the Edge of the Cedars State Park in Blanding has a phenomenal collection of artifacts, as well as ruins you can tour right out the back door.

They have the largest A.P. pottery collection in the four corners region. There's even clothing like a rare red macaw feather sash, little woven sandals and so on, that I found fascinating.