Desert SW trip advice, please.

[DWeikert]

I'm thinking of making a trip to the desert southwest maybe late winter, early spring next year. Stops on the short list so far are Grand Canyon, Valley of the Gods (and/or Monument Valley?), and Meteor Crater.

Seeking advice to narrow down the time window as well as any other must see destinations in the area. Just looking to do some sightseeing and stargazing. I'll be boondocking so suggestions for remote sites is appreciated. Just nothing that requires advanced 4x4 skills, please. 🙂

Thanks all,

[Optimistic_Para]

Death Valley would certainly be on my list.

And I don't know if you've heard, but the Petrified Forest in AZ is now an official Dark Sky site:

http://darksky.org/petrified-forest-becomes-newest-dark-sky-park/

[DWeikert]

Really appreciate the input. I'm kind of a science/astronomy buff so if I was in the neighborhood and didn't stop to see Meteor Crater I'd regret it far more than if I felt disappointed after the visit.

Sounds like a watch the weather and be flexible kind of thing but plan around a mid/late March departure time giving me the end of March and the first couple weeks of April to explore. Anybody disagree?

Thanks again,

[garyemunson]

The old Rt 66 alignment from Seligman West to Kingman is a great nostalgic ride. Grand Canyon Caverns has a campground and is a step back in time to the 50's. Not a place I would go to a second time but a really cool thing to experience once. Places like this won't be around too much longer.

[Grit_dog]

I don't know, there's a zillion places to go.
Down south will be warm, southern half of AZ and early spring is when the desert blooms. It's crazy!
All the mountain areas, Flagstaff, Payson, White mtns, N Rim, southern Utah are in winter. Used to snowmachine in AZ/UT in some pretty good powder.
Mtns east of PHX /Mesa, Roosevelt lake.
Southern NM too
Depends if you want warm or cold.

[Buzzcut1]

if you can get there, Stoneman Crater south of Mormon Lake is a Bald Eagle wintering spot.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55402

[bighatnohorse]

I strongly recommend the south rim of the Grand Canyon - it's the view that will take your breath away at first sight. North rim, not so much.
Plus, you can boondock just outside the main entrance at the south rim. It's quite surprising but there is a national forest site about one mile or less (on the left) as one approaches the south rim National Park entrance.

I only stayed one night at the boondock site - the ground is very powdery and tended to feel "dirty" when I was there. I didn't like it, but it was a place to stay almost within the park.

[RickW]

There is a sign at the entrance to tour monument valley that says "NO RVs".

Just mention that you are a truck with some cargo and in you go.

[Juzaxadar]

Meteor Crater is not worth the entrance fee. There is better stuff around Flagstaff.

[Kayteg1]

When I would recommend North Rim - the roads are closed for several months each winter.
You can boondock outside the park for free as this is perfectly legal in AZ.
If you like the thrill- go for Sky Walk.
Monument Valley is gorgeous and I drove the loop with TC on it.
I think I stretched the ordinance, but nobody stop me.
They have big parking lot, where you can leave camper and take a loop with truck.
The Valley Campground is very basic, so don't plan for luxury.
Mexican Hat in UT is worth stopping for pictures if you are not far away.
And my all-time favorite Lake Powell with all the Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, Horseshoe Bend and more.

[bob213]

Meteor Crater would be last on my list. Monument Valley with a guided tour would be at the top of the list. From Monument Valley you could go to the South Rim if north is still closed.

[TenOC]

Two Hands wrote:
For boon docking you’ll probably want the north rim as opposed to the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

The North Rim opens late and closes early due to high altitude.

Check out Campendium and Free Camping

Nice Boondocking west of Flagstaff at the entrance to the Naval Observatory.

Free Camping at the lake at Winslow AZ where you can take it easy waiting on a corner for a girl in a red truck

[NMDriver2]

I would skip meteor crater and add walnut canyon near flagstaff. By Late March early April you should be through with the worst of winter but there is always a chance of a storm even up in May. Just watch the weather forecast and even in Jan you may have weeks with sunny sky's and fairly warm weather. A lot depends on the elevation and where you mentioned is at higher elevations vs the low desert around Tucson. You might consider day trips to the higher regions and stay lower down in the evenings. Remember you can get 45 degree difference between night and day in the high desert.

PS north rim is closed from Oct to May

[Two_Hands]

For boon docking you’ll probably want the north rim as opposed to the south rim of the Grand Canyon.