We plan on going thru the National Parks (Bryce, Zion, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands & ?) in a couple of weeks. Any info on what roads to take will be appreciated.
We travel in a Fleetwood Expedition 40'diesel and tow a CRV.
Thanks
Tom
Don't let the nay sayers frighten you about the Escalante area, there are a few seep grades in this area, just keep it slow and you'll do fine. Don't worry about getting diesel along the way, for there are enought places to buy fuel.
I would suggest that you read some of the trip report in the Truck Camper forum at the link below. For there are many posted reports on the very area you want to see and travel with lots of photos.Any further question for me just use the PM system.
Avoid Utah scenic Hwy 14. It is very pretty with a bunch of switchbacks. Didn't know any better and did not come here for information. We found another route out of Bryce that was a 4 lane road and so much easier but cannot recall the number. The hwy met up with I15 North of Cedar City.
There are always pros and cons to some roads here in the west - UT included.
You should be aware that there is a tunnel / hills & switchbacks to deal with on Hwy 9 going into Zion from the east; the alt route down thru AZ is a little longer but quite nice.
Hwy 12, the Escalante Staircase has severe grades, switchbacks and unprotected dropoffs with little shoulder going thru the hogback area.
All OK to deal with if your comfort level is such. You do not have control over, however, those that take their half out of the middle. On the other hand, if you are bigger than them, you can claim the middle I guess.
Mountain Directory West is a good source of info for roads here throughout the west.
Be safe.
DW of 50 great years, Barbara
2nd Best Friend-"Aussie" Terrier, Sadie
2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3
2006.5 Chev 3500 3LT XCab 4x4 Dmax Allie
Jcghill wrote: Avoid Utah scenic Hwy 14. It is very pretty with a bunch of switchbacks. Didn't know any better and did not come here for information. We found another route out of Bryce that was a 4 lane road and so much easier but cannot recall the number. The hwy met up with I15 North of Cedar City.
Due to a landslide last fall, Hwy 14 has limited access only at night and on weekends. One section is still unpaved.
There is no four lane road to and from the Bryce area. Hwy 20 between US-89 and I-15 is the best route to I-15 at this time. Good road conditions with passing lanes where needed.
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2004 Ford 350 Super Duty 2W Dirve Long Bed PU
2008 327RLT Montana Mountaineer 35 ft. 5th wheel 2005 Alaska and other Trip Logs
Jcghill wrote: We found another route out of Bryce that was a 4 lane road and so much easier but cannot recall the number. The hwy met up with I15 North of Cedar City.
I think you're confused. There's only one road into and out of Bryce area and that's Hwy 63. It does connect to Hwy 89 that does go up to I-70, but it's not 4-lane either.
For the OP.... we have traveled all of southern Utah and all roads are doable in your rig. As previously mentioned, there are some steep grades and drop offs on some roads, but if you are experienced and confident of your abilities... you won't have any problems.
We were just at Capitol Reef a couple of weeks ago and it was starting to get pretty warm then. Be prepared for some warm weather.
Good luck
Ron
Ron & Sandie
'08 Safari Simba SBD35 CAT C7
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We are planning a similar trip this summer - but will be going from Canyonland area towards Byrce/Zion. We have a similar rig and, while we sometimes take torturous routes when necessary, we do not really enjoy long stretches of switchbacks, steep grades, narrow winding roads, making reservations for travel thru tunnels etc while traveling in the MH (great fun in the toad)
so we plan to see Canyonlands, Arches etc near Moab, then take US 191s to US 163, see Monument Valley etc, then US 160 to AZ98 to Page, AZ - play at Lake Powell, visit the N. Rim, then US 89 through Kanab then onto Zion area. Will likely backtrack the same route (US 89) to AZ 64 towards the South Rim of Grd Cyn as opposed to going towards Vegas.
Have not actually traveled this route before so I too would appreciate any better suggestions.
'04 Safari Zanzibar, 40', 3 slides, 400 Cummins ISL
Honda Odyssey toad, 2-15 yr old Balinese cats
first coach
Without getting into the debate on whether to drive the motorhome on UT-12, I will tell you that if all you do is drive through, you will miss many of the great places to see along the way like the Burr Trail, Hell's Backbone, Calf Creek Falls and others. Take a day or two exploring in your toad from one end or the other or both.
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