Any info on experiences on how to see Utah without moving the trailer every night. Coming from the west. Typical route: Zion, Monument Valley, Moab, etc. I have done this trip on a motorcycle staying at three different motels but maybe this is impossible with a trailer. Thanks for any input.

I would think a route starting at Zion would go first to Bryce Canyon, then Capitol Reef, Arches/Moab, then Monument Valley and ending at the Grand Canyon. We have done the Grand Circle several times and have made the circle both directions. Certainly the amount of time you have for the total trip will dictate how much time you spend in any one location. The place we stayed the longest has always been in the Moab area. With Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse SP you can spend a week without seeing everything there.

How many different locations did you stay along this route?

Maybe it would help to know what you are interested in. We like to hike and explore ruins in the less crowded (and often more remote) areas. In addition we like to have our dog with us which tends to put us on BLM, National Forest, and National Monument land. So our usual haunts are the Escalante area, Arizona Strip, San Raffel Swell, Comb Ridge/Cedar Mesa, and Moab areas. There are great places in any of these locations to set up a base camp from which to explore. But first you have to decide what you are interested in (i.e.; the ruins tend to concentrate in the SE corner of the state where the best slickrock hiking tends to be a little further north. Exploring these areas tends to take a bit of adventure as there are few marked (or even identified) trails. But for those who have the skill and willingness to explore, the rewards are great. If, on the other hand, you are into National Parks (and all their accompanying rules), there are plenty of those in Utah as well. Trails in the parks will be better marked ..... and traveled.I suggest you start with this book.Hope this helps,Steve

I am planning on probably up to 10 days in Utah. My wife is a photo bug so the plan is to view the vast scenery. We probably won't do much hiking because we will have 2 dogs with us. I have 4WD but don't plan on many off road adventures.My goal is not to have to pull the trailer everywhere we go so I'm trying to plan multi-nite stops where we can venture out during the day.

We really can't see making one base camp for exploring Utah. It's much, too much, driving and as long as you're driving you might as well be moving your RV, too, and it'll give you more time to explore the area rather than having to do a long drive back to the campsite.It's neat to wake up and easily explore new surroundings.

Utah base camp? | Good Sam Community

lfloom
Explorer
May 24, 2014
We spent 3 weeks - we stayed at:

Zion (had reservations for one night, and then switched to south CG)
Kodachrome
an RV Park in Escalante (there is only one)
Fruita (Canyonland NP)
Dead Horse SP
Moab Rim RV Park in Moab (not recommended)

The two RV parks were used because we did not get into the state or national CGs. Of the list Fruita is my clear favorite.
vermilye
Explorer
May 23, 2014
I also recommend the series by Laurent Martres (and others). I've used the books for finding a number of photo locations. I have many photos of the area on some of my journal pages:
2011 Trip
2012 Trip
2014 Trip
5outta6
Explorer
May 23, 2014
Yep, we have the book..........
Bob_Landry
Explorer
May 17, 2014
+1 on the book recommended by Steve. This guy has written everal volumes about photographing the entire SouthWest and each one is a bible for photographers. I had to replace the first volume because I wore mine out.
5outta6
Explorer
May 17, 2014
Epilogue

Our Utah trip was great. Here's where we ended up staying:

Dayton RV Park, Dayton, NV
KOA Ely, NV
Shady Acres, Green River, UT
Spanish Trail, Moab, UT
Cadillac Ranch Bluff, UT
Page RV Park Page, AZ
Zion River , Virgin, UT
Whiskey Flat, Hawthorne, NV
5outta6
Explorer
Feb 07, 2014
Input from others; the more the better......
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jan 31, 2014
What kind of information are you lacking?
5outta6
Explorer
Jan 31, 2014
Anymore input will be appreciated.
5outta6
Explorer
Jan 07, 2014
thanks for the info; I checked the Moab site and found this for April:

Sat-Sun* 12-20 2014 Moab Easter Jeep Safari
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jan 06, 2014
No, you don't need reservations if you're flexible as to where you stay. You'll find a site.

The only exception would be Monument Valley. There's only one full hookup place and it Gouldings just outside the park. They are redoing the dry camping area in Monument itself so don't know when it will be open. That's our favorite - right in front of the Mittens. Otherwise you'll have to choose a park in a nearby city north of Monument but still, you won't need reservations at that time of year.

Ruby's is huge and there are many other opportunities in the area, including in Bryce itself. Page area has sites or great boondocking at Lone Rock, part of the national recreation area. You might want to check the Moab city website to find out if there will be a Jeep rally at that time but otherwise, there are plenty of RV parks and excellent dry camping areas in all directions. Dead Horse Point State Park is excellent. Have fun!

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