Utah Bound

[Jayd]

Planning a 3 week trip from Ashland, Oregon to parks in Utah in June. Planned on going via Moab. Any logistical suggestions as to which parks to visit and where to stay?

Thanks all!

[Lumatic]

Utah has too many fine choices to list. What kind of experience are you looking for? The main sites in the National Parks, tourist amenities, or off the beaten track? Utah has them all.

[Woosch]

Our Utah National Parks trip was one our favorites. Wish we had more time to go to the state parks as well. We stayed in Moab to visit Arches and Canyonlands. (Spanish Trails RV park) From there we went to Mesa Verde (Colorado) and stayed at Mesa Verde RV resort. Don't miss Durango and the narrow gauge railroad. Next stop was Monument Valley where we stayed at Goulding's. Didn't care for it much. I hear there is a KOA nearby now. Bryce Canyon-Ruby's is just outside the main gate. Zion-Watchman CG has 30amp on two loops. Capitol Reef-Thousand Lakes in Torrey was ok.
During the warm months we stay at places with 30 amp so we have A/C. I would much rather stay in the parks if I can.
You are in for a real treat!
Have fun.

[Jayd]

Looks like a good starting point is Moab. We are looking for national park visits and non commercial off the beaten path experience too.

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by Jayd

Looks like a good starting point is Moab. We are looking for national park visits and non commercial off the beaten path experience too.

Moab is a very commercial tourist town providing services to tourists.

For off the beaten track consider just for starters:

• Goblin Valley State Park
• Horseshoe Canyon (4x4 or high clearance) world famous pictographs
• Burr Trail (Capital Reef)
• San Rafael Swell
• Black Dragon Canyon
• Dukes Slickrock RV Park, Hanksville

[Woosch]

Dont know what kind of route you are taking but you might want to fit Great Basin in there somehow. I dont recall why we chose to start at Arches but either way would have been fine.

[LolaT]

We were just in that area. Near Moab, I would definitely visit Arches. The campground there is nice and very close to all the hikes but reservations are hard to get. You can stay at an RV park in Moab of course but we noticed there is dispersed BLM camping at Cooper Ridge about 15 minutes north of Arches. There is also primitivie BLM camprground sites at Horse Thief about 25 min away.
Another stop would be Dead Horse Point State Park. And from there, Canyonlands NP Island in the Sky District. They have 12 site walk-in campground.

Be aware, that after the turnoff for Dead Horse SP and Canyonlands, there is no where to fill up your trailer with water. You have to get water in Moab or elsewhere.

Other places to venture out to: Capitol Reef, Escalante, Goblin Valley.

You can see my recent post mostly about Canyonlands (including Needles District further south), including photos here

[Airwave503]

Planning mountain bike trip from Protland, OR, family of 4, boys 15 & 17, 22' Spaceliner. Last week of March 2020 (Spring Break)

Friday - leave after work with empty water tank to save weight, drive 7-8 hours, overnight in Mountain Home in the Walmart parking lot.

Saturday - leave early, arrive Black Dragon Canyon mid-day, explore by bike. Head to Goblin Valley where we'll have a 2 night reservation. Fill up water tank and auxiliary containers. Explore Goblins.

Sunday - Explore Goblins, out and back day trip without AS to Horse Thief Canyon (worth it?)

Monday - Pack up, top off water, head to Arches, maybe stop by Green River SP and ride the Athena Loop trail.

Monday through Thursday - BLM free camp around Arches NP and Island in the Sky areas doing the many awesome looking rides. Ration water.

Thursday - Time for a little civilization and pampering. Check into Moab Valley RV & Resort for 2 nights. Spendy but looks nice with swimming pool & hot tub. Explore Moab and Dead horse.

Friday - Out and back day trip without AS to Needles.

Saturday - pack up, leave for Mountain Home by mid-day, overnight.

Sunday - return to Portland by afternoon wishing we had another week in Moab.

Thoughts? Should I get a State Park pass or any other passes to save costs?

Thanks in advance,
--Jason