Utah Vacation

[Hamnet]

Headed to Utah in September/October 2017. Here is my travel plans as of now. Please let me know if this sounds good. We will do day trips for our outings once we get to final destinations.
Day 1: Sacramento to Winnemucca,NV RV Park. (Overnight)
Day 2: Winnemucca,NV to Nephi UT. (1 night at High Country RV Park)
Day 3: Nephi,UT. to Moab UT. at Arch RV Park & Campground. (Will stay here for a few days. Maybe 4,5, or 6).
Then from Moab to Virgin UT. Stay at Zion River Resort for balance of trip (4,5 days) before heading back to Sacramento.

How does this sound along with places we plan on staying. Any and all feedback welcome.

Thank you.

[Hamnet]

HWY 50
oldcat1 and ORbiker. You mention Hwy 50. Possible option.
I don't have any specific reason to go Interstate 80 to Reno, then to Salt Lake City, then to Moab. Going 50 ftom Sacramento to Moab is about 100 miles shorter but no big deal. I may take 50 to Moab and also on way home. Depends what feedback I get and additional research about 50 across Nevada.
Does anyone have info on Hwy 50 from Lake Tahoe across Nevada. How is the road? Two lanes or four, places to get diesel fuel, rv parks, etc. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Traveling with 40' 5th wheel, 2016 3500 Chevy dually, I will be putting a 61 gallon fuel tank in place of the 36 stock tank before leaving.
Thank you

[oldcat1]

Unless you are more comfortable on the interstates, why not take I80 to Hwy 50 (at Fernley, NV) to I70 (at Salina, UT) About 50 miles shorter and you would not have to deal with Salt Lake City.

Safe Travels.

[Bob806]

Good ideas here as usual.

Kodachrome Basin State Park is another nice stop in the Bryce Canyon vicinity. We have only camped in Utah twice, and we spent 4 nights at Ruby's Inn CG by Bryce, drove across to Moab for 5 nights. Both were so scenic.

I haven't been to Zion or Glen Canyon (Lake Powell), but that's on my list. You'll have fun for sure in Utah.

[Busskipper]

Hamnet wrote:
Thank you all again. Will start marking up my map again, will be changing some things. Want to start making rv park reservations

Late to your Party but - What is the Mission? - 2 weeks in Utah to see Arches NP and Zion NP? Or are you after the full boat (a lot of Utah and touch of Colorado) for a month?


Touch of Colorado - Aspen's

There is just a LOT to SEE and DO in Utah, and IMHO October is a GREAT month to be there.

Best of Luck

Lake Powell - Monument Valley - Capital Reef - Slot Canyons - North Rim - Goosenecks SP - Goblins SP - Kodachrome SP - Escalante...........

[Hamnet]

Thank you all again. Will start marking up my map again, will be changing some things. Want to start making rv park reservations

[X-OEM]

Agree with Bryce as a "do not miss". Take the shuttle in and take the walk along the canyon back down to the next shuttle stop. Ask the ranger in the visitors center - it is a popular option and so worth the time.

Also agree with Springdale or even Hurricane as a better choice. WillowWind RV Park in Hurricane is where we stayed. It is less than 30 minutes from Zion. Be prepared for crushing crowds in Zion even during your timeframe. We just did the September/October Utah trip this last fall. Same with Arches.

Canyon Lands was by far my favorite. Do not miss all of the overlooks at the north end of the park as well as Dead Horse State park. Monument Valley is worth the trip but you don't seem to be going that way.

Weather can be challenging the later you stay. Just pay attention to the long range forecasts. You will not get snowed in or stranded but could put a damper on seeing the sites and being comfortable while doing it.

[2gypsies1]

October is absolutely perfect for Zion and Bryce and for any of the southern Utah parks.

[BubbaChris]

Another vote for Bryce while going from Moab to Zion. An alternative would be a day trip from Zion area to Cedar Breaks NM to get just a little taste of what Bryce is like.

Also a 2-hour stop at Goblin Valley State Park is worth considering for the totally bizarre sandstone structures.

Zion River Resort is very nice, but pricey. The main advantages are being able to make reservations as far in advance as you'd like, and the pool, etc. Watchman CG in Zion is a better option if you're not going to be spending a lot of time at the RV park. I'd start with reservations for Zion River Resort and then cancel them if you can get a space in Watchman.

If staying in/around Springdale (outside the West entrance to Zion), be aware they don't allow restaurants which have the same name & menus as other locations. So do some reading up in advance on where to target if dining out. The exception is Subway, who recently won a years-long suit over the issue. I find Oscars particularly fun, charming, and filling.

[ORbiker]

I agree. Bryce Canyon National Park is the best in Utah.

This is Natural Bridge view point.
DSC03233 by orbiker, on Flickr

US 50 in a good road to go back home on.

[MWJones]

HAMNET,
Don't miss Dead Horse State Park and Canyonlands NP. - not far from Moab on HWY 313. Dead Horse SP has a nice Campground. We saw the most BUTIFULL sunset we have ever seen anywhere at Dead Horse SP.!!!!
The view from Dead Horse Point Lookout is fantastic!!!

[profdant139]

If you go to Zion, bring bikes if possible -- great ride up the canyon, no traffic, and a great glide down.

[Lauren]

We have been to MANY National Parks and Bryce is one of our very favorites. Trust me, it is far better than Zion. So much beauty. But, in Oct, it might be iffy. Well, Zion might be also.

Zion River is a beautiful park but I do not recommend it. Stay in Springdale for Zion NP. Email or PM me for details.

[RCMAN46]

I did not see Bryce Canyon on your schedule. Google Bryce Canyon to see if it may of interest you.

Traveling in Utah in October can come with some winter weather with heavy snow. Be sure to watch the weather.

[Hamnet]

Thank you all. I will print out responses and revisit our plans. The road construction issue will get looked at also.

[kalynzoo]

Since your traveling through Salt Lake City, I'd suggest a day trip to Antelope Island. We really enjoyed our two trips on the well paved road, watching the buffalo, birds, and taking in the historic ranch. When in SLC we stay at the KOA. Friendly people, great location in the heart of the City. Enjoy your trip.