Western US Camping Trip
Replies: 25 - Last Post: Sep 20, 2012 8:59 PM Last Post By: firsttimecamper
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17
Hobo, you don't seem to be a real fan of driving; 6 hours in the car is just getting warmed up!While I'll admit that roads like 189 through Big Piney offer somewhat spartan views, even these endless grasslands have a certain beauty. 'Hellish' seems a rather dramatical description. If nothing else, enduring a few hours of barren prairie make you appreciate the forests and mountains all the more.
There are more than a few wonderful roads in Wyo.
14/16 from Buffalo to YS.
89 From Teton NP to Logan
Any of the roads heading north from YS.
etc.
19
We would definitely be up for seeing only a few of the original ideas. I've read a few books but wanted to see what people thought. I have done a few weekend camping trips in the New Hampshire and Vermont areas with borrowed equipment and enjoyed it.20
Okay we've narrowed it down a bit. Here's a route we're thinking abouthttp://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=207555519723237653430.0004ca104465d9917dd91
We would fly into Salt Lake City (this is flexible), stay a night and just stop in Provo for a waypoint. Then have two nights (flexible) in Canyonland, Arches, Grand Canyon and Zion and finish the trip in Las Vegas. Any other things to see around that way or advice on those parks?
22
Personally, I don't think any destination on the revised list in #20 requires 3-4 days to see most of their highlights, and nor does it take a whole day to drive between them. The OP wishes to see a lot, so I think they should dedicate two nights to some parks (Arches NP, GCNP), and one night to the others (Canyonlands NP, near Monument Valley, Page for Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon NP, Zion NP, etc).And OP I can really recommend (after Canyonlands NP), Hwy 163, including Natural Bridges NM, Valley of the Gods, Goosenecks SP, and the Moki Dugway drive into the San Juan Valley before Monument Valley - all much more rewarding than going to the Four Corner point - much.
23
As suggested, I'd definitely give the 4-corners site a pass.Leaving the Canyonlands area, you have two options.
1. Head south along 191 in the direction of Monument Valley
2. Backtrack slightly and tour the Hwy 24/95 or 24/12 corridors.
IMO, either fork of #2 is the better route.
There are SO many interesting things to see in the area. Give this a look... http://goo.gl/maps/GXW5b
What to do comes down to your activity level and interests.
24
On the other hand, maybe you can see alot.You must have some quality spare time, Flaggers ... to find such sites.
And I agree with this very much: "Anyway, the ultimate point is not to get hung up on covering as many miles and ticking off as many separate destinations as possible, the point is to make each day worthwhile." And Goosenecks SP, Natural Bridges NM, the Moki Dugway, and a drive-through Monument Valley - ain't a bad day ...
