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Topic: Utah Vacation
Posted By: Hamnet on 12/10/16 04:40pm

Headed to Utah in September/October 2017. Here is my travel plans as of now. Please let me know if this sounds good. We will do day trips for our outings once we get to final destinations.
Day 1: Sacramento to Winnemucca,NV RV Park. (Overnight)
Day 2: Winnemucca,NV to Nephi UT. (1 night at High Country RV Park)
Day 3: Nephi,UT. to Moab UT. at Arch RV Park & Campground. (Will stay here for a few days. Maybe 4,5, or 6).
Then from Moab to Virgin UT. Stay at Zion River Resort for balance of trip (4,5 days) before heading back to Sacramento.

How does this sound along with places we plan on staying. Any and all feedback welcome.

Thank you.

Posted By: Mandalay Parr on 12/10/16 04:46pm

Sounds good. Enjoy.

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Posted By: Artum Snowbird on 12/10/16 05:26pm

The most memorable trips are those that the rig is parked, and the passengers enjoy the surroundings for a few days.

The campsites will be packed solid, so book early, get a good spot to enjoy the views, and have a great time.

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Posted By: its just me on 12/10/16 06:51pm

We have traveled 40 states and one of my favorite places is Zion Nat'l Park. Don't miss it!!

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Posted By: Searching_Ut on 12/10/16 08:20pm

Sounds like a fun trip, my only question being why Nephi Utah if your first destination point is Moab? Sounds like you're planning to take I15 down to I70 then heading East. I would take Hwy 6 at Spanish fork connecting with I70 a few miles west of Green River Utah. Hwy 6 is a good road, heavily used by truck, RV, and towed boat traffic.

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Posted By: kohai on 12/10/16 09:20pm

Searching_Ut wrote:

Sounds like a fun trip, my only question being why Nephi Utah if your first destination point is Moab? Sounds like you're planning to take I15 down to I70 then heading East. I would take Hwy 6 at Spanish fork connecting with I70 a few miles west of Green River Utah. Hwy 6 is a good road, heavily used by truck, RV, and towed boat traffic.


Ditto, most people going from Northern Utah to Moab will go through Spanish Fork canyon, through Price to Green River and get on I-70 there.

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Posted By: Mortimer Brewster on 12/10/16 09:32pm

FYI, there is going to be a lot of road construction next year in Arches National Park. It's supposed to go from March to October.

Posted By: kalynzoo on 12/10/16 11:01pm

Since your traveling through Salt Lake City, I'd suggest a day trip to Antelope Island. We really enjoyed our two trips on the well paved road, watching the buffalo, birds, and taking in the historic ranch. When in SLC we stay at the KOA. Friendly people, great location in the heart of the City. Enjoy your trip.

Posted By: Hamnet on 12/11/16 08:38am

Thank you all. I will print out responses and revisit our plans. The road construction issue will get looked at also.

Posted By: RCMAN46 on 12/11/16 08:49am

I did not see Bryce Canyon on your schedule. Google Bryce Canyon to see if it may of interest you.

Traveling in Utah in October can come with some winter weather with heavy snow. Be sure to watch the weather.

Posted By: Lauren on 12/11/16 08:57am

We have been to MANY National Parks and Bryce is one of our very favorites. Trust me, it is far better than Zion. So much beauty. But, in Oct, it might be iffy. Well, Zion might be also.

Zion River is a beautiful park but I do not recommend it. Stay in Springdale for Zion NP. Email or PM me for details.

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Posted By: profdant139 on 12/11/16 09:51am

If you go to Zion, bring bikes if possible -- great ride up the canyon, no traffic, and a great glide down.

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Posted By: MWJones on 12/11/16 10:06am

HAMNET,
Don't miss Dead Horse State Park and Canyonlands NP. - not far from Moab on HWY 313. Dead Horse SP has a nice Campground. We saw the most BUTIFULL sunset we have ever seen anywhere at Dead Horse SP.!!!!
The view from Dead Horse Point Lookout is fantastic!!!

M Jones
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Spending part of summers in South Fork, Co


Posted By: ORbiker on 12/11/16 10:22am

I agree. Bryce Canyon National Park is the best in Utah.

This is Natural Bridge view point.
[image]DSC03233 by orbiker, on Flickr

US 50 in a good road to go back home on.

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Posted By: BubbaChris on 12/11/16 11:39am

Another vote for Bryce while going from Moab to Zion. An alternative would be a day trip from Zion area to Cedar Breaks NM to get just a little taste of what Bryce is like.

Also a 2-hour stop at Goblin Valley State Park is worth considering for the totally bizarre sandstone structures.

Zion River Resort is very nice, but pricey. The main advantages are being able to make reservations as far in advance as you'd like, and the pool, etc. Watchman CG in Zion is a better option if you're not going to be spending a lot of time at the RV park. I'd start with reservations for Zion River Resort and then cancel them if you can get a space in Watchman.

If staying in/around Springdale (outside the West entrance to Zion), be aware they don't allow restaurants which have the same name & menus as other locations. So do some reading up in advance on where to target if dining out. The exception is Subway, who recently won a years-long suit over the issue. I find Oscars particularly fun, charming, and filling.

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Posted By: 2gypsies on 12/11/16 03:46pm

October is absolutely perfect for Zion and Bryce and for any of the southern Utah parks.

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Posted By: X-OEM on 12/12/16 08:29am

Agree with Bryce as a "do not miss". Take the shuttle in and take the walk along the canyon back down to the next shuttle stop. Ask the ranger in the visitors center - it is a popular option and so worth the time.

Also agree with Springdale or even Hurricane as a better choice. WillowWind RV Park in Hurricane is where we stayed. It is less than 30 minutes from Zion. Be prepared for crushing crowds in Zion even during your timeframe. We just did the September/October Utah trip this last fall. Same with Arches.

Canyon Lands was by far my favorite. Do not miss all of the overlooks at the north end of the park as well as Dead Horse State park. Monument Valley is worth the trip but you don't seem to be going that way.

Weather can be challenging the later you stay. Just pay attention to the long range forecasts. You will not get snowed in or stranded but could put a damper on seeing the sites and being comfortable while doing it.

* This post was last edited 12/12/16 08:49am by X-OEM *

Posted By: Hamnet on 12/12/16 09:27am

Thank you all again. Will start marking up my map again, will be changing some things. Want to start making rv park reservations

Posted By: Busskipper on 12/12/16 12:55pm

Hamnet wrote:

Thank you all again. Will start marking up my map again, will be changing some things. Want to start making rv park reservations


Late to your Party but - What is the Mission? - 2 weeks in Utah to see Arches NP and Zion NP? Or are you after the full boat (a lot of Utah and touch of Colorado) for a month?


Touch of Colorado - Aspen's

There is just a LOT to SEE and DO in Utah, and IMHO October is a GREAT month to be there.

Best of Luck

Lake Powell - Monument Valley - Capital Reef - Slot Canyons - North Rim - Goosenecks SP - Goblins SP - Kodachrome SP - Escalante...........

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Posted By: Bob806 on 12/12/16 02:11pm

Good ideas here as usual.

Kodachrome Basin State Park is another nice stop in the Bryce Canyon vicinity. We have only camped in Utah twice, and we spent 4 nights at Ruby's Inn CG by Bryce, drove across to Moab for 5 nights. Both were so scenic.

I haven't been to Zion or Glen Canyon (Lake Powell), but that's on my list. You'll have fun for sure in Utah.

Posted By: oldcat1 on 12/12/16 02:34pm

Unless you are more comfortable on the interstates, why not take I80 to Hwy 50 (at Fernley, NV) to I70 (at Salina, UT) About 50 miles shorter and you would not have to deal with Salt Lake City.

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Posted By: Hamnet on 12/13/16 08:00pm

HWY 50
oldcat1 and ORbiker. You mention Hwy 50. Possible option.
I don't have any specific reason to go Interstate 80 to Reno, then to Salt Lake City, then to Moab. Going 50 ftom Sacramento to Moab is about 100 miles shorter but no big deal. I may take 50 to Moab and also on way home. Depends what feedback I get and additional research about 50 across Nevada.
Does anyone have info on Hwy 50 from Lake Tahoe across Nevada. How is the road? Two lanes or four, places to get diesel fuel, rv parks, etc. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Traveling with 40' 5th wheel, 2016 3500 Chevy dually, I will be putting a 61 gallon fuel tank in place of the 36 stock tank before leaving.
Thank you

Posted By: DanNJanice on 12/13/16 08:14pm

Hamnet wrote:

HWY 50
oldcat1 and ORbiker. You mention Hwy 50. Possible option.
I don't have any specific reason to go Interstate 80 to Reno, then to Salt Lake City, then to Moab. Going 50 ftom Sacramento to Moab is about 100 miles shorter but no big deal. I may take 50 to Moab and also on way home. Depends what feedback I get and additional research about 50 across Nevada.
Does anyone have info on Hwy 50 from Lake Tahoe across Nevada. How is the road? Two lanes or four, places to get diesel fuel, rv parks, etc. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Traveling with 40' 5th wheel, 2016 3500 Chevy dually, I will be putting a 61 gallon fuel tank in place of the 36 stock tank before leaving.
Thank you

Highway 50 is a good road, mostly 2 lane, but little traffic and usually passing lanes on inclines. However, this is called the loneliest road in the US for a reason. Towns are small and far between. I have never had any issue finding fuel, but if you need repair work (say on a diesel engine) you could find yourself far from a dealer/mechanic capable of doing the work, with no cell phone reception. Personally, I enjoy these out of the way places, but thats just me.

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Posted By: oldcat1 on 12/14/16 10:38am

There are RV parks along that route, but they are pretty bare bones. There are several federal and state campgrounds (and of course boondocking) if you don't need hookups. There is a wonderful steam railroad museum in Ely, NV. Great Basin National park is also on that route and has a beautiful campground and an amazing cave tour. Time permitting, you could also consider taking Hwy 24 through Capital Reef instead of I70. Torrey, UT has some nice RV parks and if you enjoy hiking, Capital Reef is hard to beat.

DanNJanice is right on. It is a lonely road with spotty cell service. But it's good surface and mostly flat. With a new truck and a 61 gallon tank I would not hesitate.

Posted By: ORbiker on 12/14/16 08:17pm

DanNJanice wrote:

Hamnet wrote:

HWY 50
oldcat1 and ORbiker. You mention Hwy 50. Possible option.
I don't have any specific reason to go Interstate 80 to Reno, then to Salt Lake City, then to Moab. Going 50 ftom Sacramento to Moab is about 100 miles shorter but no big deal. I may take 50 to Moab and also on way home. Depends what feedback I get and additional research about 50 across Nevada.
Does anyone have info on Hwy 50 from Lake Tahoe across Nevada. How is the road? Two lanes or four, places to get diesel fuel, rv parks, etc. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Traveling with 40' 5th wheel, 2016 3500 Chevy dually, I will be putting a 61 gallon fuel tank in place of the 36 stock tank before leaving.
Thank you

Highway 50 is a good road, mostly 2 lane, but little traffic and usually passing lanes on inclines. However, this is called the loneliest road in the US for a reason. Towns are small and far between. I have never had any issue finding fuel, but if you need repair work (say on a diesel engine) you could find yourself far from a dealer/mechanic capable of doing the work, with no cell phone reception. Personally, I enjoy these out of the way places, but thats just me.


There is a LOT of straight stretches that look like this.

In front
[image]

Over the shoulder to the back.
[image]

Some stations look like this.
[image]

The flat long stretches are 20 to 25 miles or so and then the road goes up for a small strip of hills, then back down to another straight stretch.
[image]

[image]

Eureka is a very interesting old town.
[image]

Posted By: Hamnet on 12/16/16 07:38am

Orbiker, thanks for the pictures. A couple pictures reminds me of Eastern Oregon. We spent time in Eugene and Blue River Oregon over the past years as parents lived in Blue River for yesrs. I can deal with the stretches of roads per your pictures. Roads look good to me.

Posted By: Opie431 on 12/16/16 10:47am

Bryce Canyon is incredible. Zion is more famous but Bryce magnificent.

Get information on things in each area you are going to. Some things that do not make the National Parks are great.

If you have children 4 and up Goblin Valley will be a great stop for one day.

Posted By: frizzen on 12/16/16 03:33pm

Jealous

I need some wild

Posted By: X-OEM on 12/18/16 12:02pm

I think Busskipper had the right question and observations. There is a lot to see in Utah besides Arches and Zion. You length of stay at each place is probably ties to how much you plan on hiking.

Example, Arches is beautiful but if you just take your car in and stop at the viewpoints you can be finished in a day. If you take some of the beautiful hikes, I would imagine three days would be pushing it.

Zion is the same thing, take the shuttle, get off at the stops, look around (with you and a few million of your closest friends!!). However, there are great hikes which would extend you stay MORE than one day.

Canyonlands would be two days minimum without hiking. Staying in Moab is doable, but the south and central parts is one full day and the north viewpoints and Dead Horse SP the second.

Bryce and be done in one day but the drive from Zion TO Bryce (or the other way0 is also the better part of a day as well. Lots of reasons to stop and smell the roses along the road. Forgot the highway number but you can miss it.

As others have mentioned, there are a TON of sites to see. To do it justice, based on your time frame, you would need two more trips to see everything.

We spent 6 weeks in Utah this last fall and it was not even close to being enough. Send away for tourist pamphlets from the state and you will start to see the challenge you have. It is or should a trip that is on everyone's bucket list that is for certain.

Posted By: timandsusan on 12/19/16 07:04am

We visit Utah regularly to see the G-kids and always get in another visit to a beautiful Nat. Park--just pick one. One suggestion at Bryce is to visit during a dark (no moon night) and take in the Ranger led star viewing with their telescopes. You have so many great recommendations--more than 1 trip will be needed.

Posted By: ppine on 12/19/16 09:13am

You can't see everything, but Utah has it all.
I would suggest some more time outside of the National Parks. Then it is much easier to get away from the crowds. Take a day hike where you see no one. Have some time for contemplation.

Posted By: vermilye on 12/19/16 11:33am

For some unusual hikes to ruins, check out House on Fire on UT 95 about 15 miles west of Blanding, UT. About one mile down a fairly flat hike in the South Branch of Mule Canyon to the first ruin (House on Fire). Many more if you want to hike the entire length of the canyon. While interesting, the "official" Kiva is a mile or two past the dirt road to the parking for the hike up the canyon.

[image]

Another hike to a ruin in the area is south of UT 95 on Cigarette Springs road, which is off UT 261 near milepost 20. Around 3.4 miles down Cigarette Springs Road is an area you can park for the hike. A bit more difficult than the hike to House on Fire, but an interesting ruin. Some useful directions here.

[image]

Some photos & descriptions of the area from my 2014 trip start here.

Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
My Photo & RV link blog


Posted By: MPond on 12/28/16 01:52am

MWJones wrote:

HAMNET,
Don't miss Dead Horse State Park and Canyonlands NP. - not far from Moab on HWY 313. Dead Horse SP has a nice Campground. We saw the most BUTIFULL sunset we have ever seen anywhere at Dead Horse SP.!!!!
The view from Dead Horse Point Lookout is fantastic!!!


I have to second this. We've done all the NP's in Utah, and they're all amazing. But Canyonlands NP and Dead Horse Point SP are 2 of our favorites!

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Posted By: Hamnet on 12/28/16 08:12pm

Thanks again for responses. Have rv sites selected in the park areas. Now deciding where to stay from Sparks NV to Moab area on way to Moab. Have decided on 3 days Moab, 4 days in Torrey and 5 days in Bryce area. Then back home.

Posted By: dgminer on 01/01/17 11:59am

We are planning our spring summer trip from the East Bay, going down to Bakersfield, then over to Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, Moab, up to Grand Tetons, then Yellowstone come home by way of Washington, maybe stop at Lassen depending on the weather then back home. We love the red rock country, and Bryce Canon is the best place

Posted By: Lauren on 01/01/17 12:51pm

Bryce in one day is like saying you can "see" the Grand Canyon in one day.

In both cases like that you can say you have been there; but you have not really SEEN them.

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