Zion in May '18

[tomthyme]

Hello Folks!
My sweetie and I are planning a trip to Zion National Park in early May '18. Do you guys have any tips, tricks, favorite parks, etc.?

Thanks for all the help in the past.

Merry Christmas!

Tom

[jalichty]

We stayed, twice, at a campground in Springdale right next to the Park. Can't remember the name, but fairly nice accommadations(sp) and reasonably priced. As long as you are traveling around, see if you can get to Kodachrome State Park, up by Bryce. Not as traveled as Zion and Bryce, but some nice scenery.

[yaya]

thanks

[enblethen]

I think they must mean AZ 389 from Fredonia around to UT 58 into Hurricane.

[yaya]

someone had said coming from Bryce and NOT taking the tunnel I would take 89 to 289. I cannot see 289 on the map for the life of me. Must be my old eyes.

[Njmurvin]

Another shout out for Zion River Resort. We came through Vegas. So, no problem getting to the RV park. The spaces are a bit tight, but you don't go to Zion for the RV experience. It's about a 10-15 minute drive to the visitor center at the gate. We went in September and expected smaller crowds ... NOT. Parking lot was full. So we had to pay for overflow parking. Wherever you decide to stay, GET RESERVATIONS.

[Butch50]

tomthyme wrote:
Hello Folks!
My sweetie and I are planning a trip to Zion National Park in early May '18. Do you guys have any tips, tricks, favorite parks, etc.?

Thanks for all the help in the past.

Merry Christmas!

Tom

I was just looking at Watchman campground and I would suggest you start checking the campground now and plan on booking it now also. It appears that loop B is not available for booking till 6/2/18 due to construction in this loop. This well put extra pressure on loop A which looks to be filling up also.

[Me_Again]

It is 160-170 miles for plan B route, depending on the route you take. It is listed as a 1.1 mile single tunnel, however "The Zion–Mt. Carmel Tunnel does include many windows so passenger views. So think bright sun, tunnel, bright sun, tunnel, bright sun tunnel, bright sun......

OP combination is to long. We did it with a standard cab long box 2001 RAM and 29' Cardinal and were just a couple feet under the 50' limit.

[enblethen]

Yaya:
If you can fit the length of 50 or less, go through the tunnel. If you are in MH and pulling a toad that makes you longer, disconnect toad and go through. Length is more for trailer due to switch backs going down into canyon.
You should add your rig to profile or signature to make it easier to advise.

[Likes_to_tow]

We made the KOA in Panguitch our base camp for the 5th wheel and drove to all the beautiful places. Bryce, Red Canyon, Cedar Breaks Nat Monument and Zion are all just a short drive. The folks who own the KOA live on the property and it is secure and safe. You will enjoy the scenery on the drives to the parks.

[CA_Traveler]

89, 289. I had no problems with the tunnel route with 36' MH and DW drove the toad both directions.

BTW The sit and wait was about 15 minutes as it doesn't take that long to clear the tunnel. And it's a lot less time and distance than any other route.

[yaya]

so not taking the tunnel and coming from Bryce, how would I get to Zion? We are hopefully staying at the Watchman campground.

[Bumpyroad]

all these posts about hassles with towing a RV into Zion makes me glad I used Plan B.
bumpy

[FiverBob]

As suggested, do not limit yourself to Zion only, pending your available time. Bryce is amazing. And, use the west entrance to Zion as stated.

A great strip to run is start in Moab, UT. There are days of amazing things to see from there: Arches (need several trips at morning, then sunset), Canyonlands (both from just outside Moab plus south a few miles of Moab - camera freaks will go nuts), Dead Horse State Park, perimeter run just outside Moab. Then head west to Capital Reef for an overnight - - get there early for a campsite and browse. If you have time, consider heading south into the Glen Canyon area - - great scenery. Then head to Bryce where you land on the moon (teasing - - amazing scenery). Horseback ride into the canyon is great plus terrific views of Grand Canyon from the north side here. Finally head on to Zion. We spent almost three months in this area adding in time on the south side of the canyon. So much to see and do. Don't rush. Enjoy. Take your hiking boots, cameras and binoculars. Have fun.

[enblethen]

Scenery alone the east entrance is grand!
Do not miss it whichever entrance you use.