National Parks in Utah

[boss302]

We have a 36 ft. Class A and want to leave Las Vegas NV to go to the National Parks in Utah. I am a little concerned about the mountains, I see Interstate 15 is the largest highway with smaller ones going to the National Parks. Are there a lot of mountains that might cause a problem for a motorhome. I think if we park off of Interstate 15 it might be too far to drive into the parks with a car. Also does anyone have any suggestions of some nice RV parks near the National Parks. The five parks we are interested in are Arches, Zion, Bryce
Canyon, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef. Any help is appreciated.

[Ivylog]

"From Bryce to Capitol Reef you could take Hwy 12 east (our favorite) but you will have a steep hill near Capitol Reef. Many RVers do it and it's a beautiful drive through Escalante Nat'l Monument. Or...to avoid that hill, from Bryce take Hwy 12 west back to Hwy 89 north not far from Panguitch and pick up Hwy 62 to 24 east toward Torry and Capitol Reef. RV parks in Torry."

Many find 12 east from Bryce a little much for a big MH. There is no reason to go west from Bryce to 89 north as 22 north (at the entrance to Bryce) is a good two lane road that will take you to 62/24. There is a short curvy section before you get to Otter Creek SP/62 where you need to slow down a little.

[JoeH]

We did that trip last summer... the roads are no problem. We were in a 43' MH towing a pickup truck. You asked about RV parks... here's where we stayed. All FHU
Zion - Zion River Resort - paved interior roads,grass between sites, pool

Bryce - Ruby's Inn - very dusty, we were in the lower section - no shade or grass

Capital Reef - Thousand Lake RV. Shaded,grass between sites, pool, dirt interior roads

Moab/Arches,Canyonlands - Portal RV Resort in Moab. Paved interior roads, grass between sites, shade trees, pool if you are in the resort side of the park

We also went to Monument Valley and stayed at Gouldings` RV

[427435]

What MH do you have and what shape is it in-------------especially the cooling system?

We took us to these national parks with our rig without issues, including climbing from Zion to the tunnel. The drive to Capital Reef was beautiful but steep. Slow going at times, but no problems.

[PeppyPilot]

Nothing specific to add to what has been posted. Summer 2014 with similar destinations we had no problems with our gas coach. We stayed at campgrounds in Hurricane and Moab.

I would recommend at least a day trip to north rim of the Grand Canyon. It's not crowded and not commercialized. It is a drive, but well worth it.

[gswcgi]

We took our 36'DP towing a Nissan XTerra into Canyonlands & Arches National Parks last summer with no problems. Going east on US 50 and then onto the Interstates into the National Parks was no problem. You will do some climbing on the Interstates but all is doable. Better start making reservations now in any of the parks as the campgrounds are limited. Most are dry camping so you need to go in with full water and empty holding tanks. Generally no facilities in the parks. enjoy

[2gypsies1]

There should be no issues for you or your motorhome getting to the southern Utah national parks.

From Las Vegas take I-15 to Hwy 9 just north of St. George, UT. Take Hwy 9 east to Springdale and get a RV park there for touring Zion. The free national park shuttle makes stops in Springdale which is just outside the park entrance. Or you can stay in the park itself (highly recommended) at Watchman campground - electric sites and dump and water fill.

Leaving Zion, skip the tunnel because it is a steep climb and it doesn't sound like you want to do that. So head back west on Hwy 9. Then you can do one of two easy routes to Bryce. 1) go back to I-15 north and take Hwy 20 at Circleville east to Hwy 89. Go south on 89 through Panguitch and take Hwy 12 east to Bryce. Do not take Hwy 14 from I-15 at Cedar City. You won't like it. 2) Take Hwy 9 west to Hwy 59 at Hurricane. It will become Hwy 389 in Arizona. Follow it to Fredonia, AZ and head north on Hwy 89 and east on Hwy 12 to Bryce. From Fredonia you could also work in the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. At Bryce, Ruby's RV just outside the park gate is the most convenient and again, the free park shuttle stops there.

From Bryce to Capitol Reef you could take Hwy 12 east (our favorite) but you will have a steep hill near Capitol Reef. Many RVers do it and it's a beautiful drive through Escalante Nat'l Monument. Or...to avoid that hill, from Bryce take Hwy 12 west back to Hwy 89 north not far from Panguitch and pick up Hwy 62 to 24 east toward Torry and Capitol Reef. RV parks in Torry.

From Capitol Reef continue east on Hwy 24 to I-70 at Green River. Take I-70 east to Hwy 191 and Arches Nat'l Park. There are many RV parks in Moab. You can easily do Canyonlands Nat'l Park from Moab. Or you could stay at Dead Horse Point State Park at Canyonlands and tour Arches from there. Dead Horse is beautiful.

All of these routes are fairly easy. Stay as close as you can to these wonderful parks for the best overall experience. Plus, you'll save time and fuel. None of these routes have big mountains to climb.

Each national park has a great web site with lots of good information on camping, road issues/maintenance, things to do, hikes, etc. Check them out. Here is Zion's:

http://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm

Have a great trip! It's a favorite section of the country for us.

[BB_TX]

For the tunnel, know your height. The sign at the entrance shows clearance of 13'-1" at the center of the arch falling to something over 11' at each side.

[enblethen]

It is only $15 for the permit. I do not think that is expensive. You do have to keep your head turned on to remember to drive down center of tunnel.
The climb could be more intimidating to some.

[Tom_Barb]

polly sue wrote:
It is possible to go through the tunnel headed east through Zion, but you need to make a reservation, because they close it to oncoming traffic so you can drive doe the middle, which has the highest clearance. Big rigs go through every day. We waited in our Jeep the last time while several big rigs came through. It is a state highway...

Yes you can drive a coach thru, but it is restricted to size, and it is a PITA and expensive. do your home work

[polly_sue]

It is possible to go through the tunnel headed east through Zion, but you need to make a reservation, because they close it to oncoming traffic so you can drive doe the middle, which has the highest clearance. Big rigs go through every day. We waited in our Jeep the last time while several big rigs came through. It is a state highway...

[enblethen]

You should have no problems.
One thing you need to know if you are towing a vehicle and are over 50 feet long you cannot go East out of Zion hooked up. We are under fifty. You can stay at Watchman Park, then stay un-hooked and go out east entrance. It is a steep switch back road. Zion/Mt Carmel tunnel
There is a campground at entrance to Bryce, Ruby's.
Once leaving Bryce headed east the road is pretty level two lane.

[Tom_Barb]

We had no problems with a 40' coach. simply do not try going thru the tunnel in Zion national park. Brice Canyon has several good campgrounds at the entrance, and going to Zion is doable in one day by car.