Visit our Popular Forums

runningjill · 12-06-2016, 06:04 AM

Need advice on the best route and campgrounds to stay in along the way. Suggestions on places to see and thing to do and places to stay. We are planning a month of travel. We believe it will take us a week to get out there. Please advise.

StrmyWeather · 12-06-2016, 06:46 AM

We're planning a trip from Fl to Yellowstone for 2017, and either beyond or back. Our route is dictated on the way out by stops to see relatives in Austin and Tucson. I'll be interested in the responses but one of the 'issues' we're running into happens when we get to the Utah: there's so much to see! We were fine until we started researching both National Parks and State parks in that area. This will be our first trip to the area, but the only issue so far has been the timing of campgrounds being open in Mesa Verde and the closing of campground in Arches, but there seems to be plenty of other sites. So much to see, so little time! Good luck with the planning. Sorry I can't be specific on sites to see but thanks for starting this thread.

Cottonboll · 12-06-2016, 07:18 AM

We made that trip from Memphis last year. A couple of tips: Elk City has a city park with free water and electric hook ups. It's a long day's drive from Russelville AR where there are COE campgrounds on Lake Dardenelle. From Elk City it's pretty easy to make CO in another day. There is just not a lot to see in OK compared to CO and UT so we did a forced March. We spent several days in Durango where there are numerous FS campgrounds that take rss. We stayed there and dropped the rig and toured Mesa Verde and up to Silverton and Ouray. Worth the effort I assure you.

Lumatic · 12-06-2016, 07:27 AM

Moab itself is very commercial and there are a lot of private campgrounds. Some just a parking lot next to the highway, others a bit nicer. The National Parks campgrounds are the most natural, but no utilities (I think). In Canyonlands National Park there are 2 campgrounds, each with a different flavor. Island in the Sky is on the top of a Mesa, a bit cooler, with expansive views. The Needles is warmer located inside a small canyon camping in the rocks. There is also a campground inside Arches NP. Make reservations real early. West of Moab and Canyonlands is a cool place called Goblin Valley State Park. This where the Tim Allen sic fi spoof "Galaxy Quest" was filmed. The first part of March is Jeep Rodeo time and it is difficult to find camping anywhere. There is also BLM land to camp on. There are also some nice first come first serve campgrounds on the east bank of the Colorado a few miles north of Moab. There is also a large resort up that way. There are also some first come first serve campgrounds up in the Lasalle Mountains.

Cottonboll · 12-06-2016, 07:36 AM

Correction: From Elk City we went to Santa Fe then to Southern CO by way of Taos a great drive.Along the way we stayed at a campground on the Rio Grande I think it was a BLM campground. Then to Durango. From Durango to Needles at Canyonlands. We stayed in campsite 10 loop A. It has a cave that we napped in in the heat of the day and near rest room but not too close.From there to Moab. We camped North of Moab on the Colorado. Moab is outdoor adventure ground zero, hense campsites are precious. There are commercial campgrounds but, not our style. Arches is a wonder but crowded. We liked Needles much better.
If you want to see the real deal plan to be able to dry camp often. I will be glad to answer questions. Follow the 5 p's.

youngpeck · 12-06-2016, 09:34 AM

The Moab Jeep Safari is later this coming year, April 8-16:

http://www.rr4w.com/index.cfm

Definitely a time to avoid Moab and the surrounding area, unless you really like crowds. But, as has been pointed out, there is so much more to do, so many other areas, in southern and eastern Utah, to explore . . .

The AAA Indian Country map is indispensable for your travel not only in southern Utah but for the Four Corners area in general. It shows most, if not all, of the rv campgrounds listed in the AAA/Woodalls guide to campgrounds, as well as most of the Forest Service and BLM campgrounds. The detail is exquisite; just about all points of interest (especially for a first trip) are shown.

https://www.amazon.com/Map-AAA-Guide.../dp/B005MZ53RI

Also available through the AAA and many bookstores and gift shops in the Southwest.

Lumatic · 12-06-2016, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngpeck

The Moab Jeep Safari is later this coming year, April 8-16:.

I stand corrected on the name and dates

youngpeck · 12-06-2016, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumatic

I stand corrected on the name and dates

They seem to move the dates around. Years ago it always used to be the first weekend in April. I've been in Moab a few times during the big event, never to participate, but if one is in the right frame of mind, and has a lawn chair and a cold drink in hand, it's interesting to sit on the sidewalk and watch the procession of all the fancy four-wheel-drive rigs (both street- and non-street legal) down main street. I did what I thought was some serous four-wheel trips when I was much younger, but to see these folks, and the high level of organization that goes into the week-long series of events, is astounding. I've run across a few of the groups in the back country around Moab. Most of them have a "utility" jeep as the caboose, complete with welding rig and serious body and frame tools.

That said, you don't have to go too far from Moab during the safari to find solitude. It's big country down that way.

n2916s · 12-06-2016, 12:03 PM

Dead Horse State Oark, near Moab, has two way sites. I'd jump on Reserve America and see if anything is available -- it tends to sell out.

woodfox45 · 12-06-2016, 12:27 PM

If you have time take in Monument Valley some of John Wayne's movies were filmed there and It's a beautiful place .

pmclemore · 12-06-2016, 12:37 PM

First stop Jackson Center. Always a pleasure to visit and pick up a few indispensable items you never knew you needed.

St Louis - Gateway to the West museum, arch and camp at the casino queen. Free shuttle to casino and restaurants.

Cabela's store and campground in Sidney NE. Then south through Flaming Gorge to Dinosaur NM. Arches, Canyonlands, Goblin Valley. Near Goblin Valley is the Horsehead Canyon unit of Canyonlands that has many pictographs including the Grand Gallery that has picts resembling space aliens.

Pat

lindaebrewer · 12-06-2016, 02:34 PM

We were in Moab in October 2016. Thought we could see everything in 3 days. HAH! Wound up staying 8 days! Went to Arches on 4 different days. Saw/hiked to all but 2 arches available to the public. Amazing, amazing, amazing!!! Canyon Lands took 1 day. Dead Horse Point took 1 day. So MUCH to see. Get the combined App from Gypsy Guide for your drives into the parks. You'll learn so much. Loved the town. Stayed at http://www.highwaywestvacations.com/...es/canyonlands in town. (Check my review on Yelp.) Were able to walk dogs to huge dog park & were also in walking distance to grocery store & restaurants.

fireball · 12-06-2016, 02:52 PM

We went to Moab in June of 2013, and the average high while we were there was 118. It may be a dry heat, but it was definitely not something we were used to. We stayed at the Riverside Oasis Rv park very close to the entrance of Arches on the banks of the Colorado, and I would stay there again just not in the summer.

carl2591 · 12-06-2016, 02:56 PM

how's the weather and crowds in Oct. was that the first part of the month or toward the end. You can get snow up there in oct i hear, you see anything.?

what is this app you are referring to Gypsy guide, is that a good one for the area.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindaebrewer

We were in Moab in October 2016. Thought we could see everything in 3 days. HAH! Wound up staying 8 days! Went to Arches on 4 different days. Saw/hiked to all but 2 arches available to the public. Amazing, amazing, amazing!!! Canyon Lands took 1 day. Dead Horse Point took 1 day. So MUCH to see. Get the combined App from Gypsy Guide for your drives into the parks. You'll learn so much. Loved the town. Stayed at http://www.highwaywestvacations.com/...es/canyonlands in town. (Check my review on Yelp.) Were able to walk dogs to huge dog park & were also in walking distance to grocery store & restaurants.

OTRA15 · 12-06-2016, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runningjill

Need advice on the best route and campgrounds to stay in along the way. Suggestions on places to see and thing to do and places to stay. We are planning a month of travel. We believe it will take us a week to get out there. Please advise.

It might help to identify the month(s) you plan to travel in. Weather could be an important factor at certain times. Do you have any planned stops or way points to visit relatives etc.? Also, are you limited to exactly one month for the round trip, or is the end date flexible? Are there any major vacation times when you will be traveling such as Memorial Day, the Fourth, Labor Day and so forth?

A few more details will help you get better advice here IMO.

Peter

Lumatic · 12-06-2016, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngpeck

it's interesting to sit on the sidewalk and watch the procession of all the fancy four-wheel-drive rigs (both street- and non-street legal) down main street.

Not to mention having my Airstream surrounded and dwarfed by the half million dollar plus Prevosts and other big box Class A motorhomes.

Gneiss Guy · 12-06-2016, 04:04 PM

From NC, you have your choice of I40, through Memphis and Oklahoma City, or I60 through St. Louis, Kansas City and Denver. We generally prefer the northern route, as it is usually a bit cooler. If it works for you, camp at Rend Lake in southern Illinois. We like the city park at Herrmann, MO, as there is a great winery and a good German restaurant there. There are a couple of COE rervoirs in Kansas that are nice camping spots. Kansas is really a pretty neat place if you don't go into it expecting to be bored. Colorado has lots of nice places to camp, once you get through Denver. Colorado National Monument, near the western border, is a lovely place.

When you get near Moab, there are lots of lovely places. Just be sure to book them well in advance! Dead Horse SP is delightful. The key to an enjoyable visit to the high desert is to lay low during the heat of the day. Get out early for a walk or a drive, spend most of the day reading in the shade, then get out again after supper. As you can tell, I love that Area!

Climber · 12-06-2016, 06:34 PM

I second the rec for Dead Horse Point SP. Because of the almost total lack of night time light pollution, plus its 6,000' elevation and generally clear desert air, it's one of the great star-gazing places in the US.

It's an easy drive to Canyonlands NP, and Arches NP is less than an hour away.

But reserve as soon as you can.

Have a great trip!

mojo · 12-06-2016, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireball

We went to Moab in June of 2013, and the average high while we were there was 118. It may be a dry heat, but it was definitely not something we were used to. We stayed at the Riverside Oasis Rv park very close to the entrance of Arches on the banks of the Colorado, and I would stay there again just not in the summer.

You won't be staying there again as it has been leveled for new development.

Climber · 12-06-2016, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojo

You won't be staying there again as it has been leveled for new development.

I'm not surprised, the Moab area has been overrun by tourists, many from Europe and Asia. It's a sad fact, but the entrances to Arches and Canyonlands NPs can sometimes resemble LA grid lock, even in mid-summer w/ 100F plus temps.

Edward Abbey is rolling in his grave