Verizon does have service at Grizzly. We were able to make several calls from there, no problem. I figured we'd better do it before heading into the middle of the park, where - as I knew - there was no service at all.
Thanks for all the input ... really appreciated. I am getting less nervous and more excited about this
Here is the plan:
Tues - PHX to Bryce Canyon, UT 460 mile 7:15 drive (I-17/US-89)
Wed - Byce Canyon
Thur - Bryce to St. Anthony, ID 520 mile 7:40 drive (US-89/I-15 thru Salt Lake City and Idaho Falls)
Fri - Riding the St. Anthony sand dunes on my ATV
Sat - St. Anthony to Yellowstone 102 mile 2:00 drive (US-20)
Sun - YS
Mon - YS
Tues - YS
Wed - YS
Thur - YS to Grand Teton 98 mile 2:10 drive (US-89/US-20)
Fri - Grand Teton/Jackson Hole
Sat - Grand Teton to Monument Valley, UT 707 mile 11:40 drive (I-15 back through Salt Lake City but then Eastern Utah via US-6/US-191)
Sun - Monument Valley
Mon - Monument Valley to PHX 345 mile 5:30 drive
Once I get back I am immediately picking up the wife and a friend and we are headed back up to Powell with the boat but no RV for a several days - me and SPARKER1 are on the same page
Heres the remaining questions now:
- Gotta research Bryce Canyon and Monument Valley more. Where to stay here ??? What to do and should I stay a full day at these places or move on in less than a day ... sure stuff to do but 1 day max at these for this trip. Also open to replacing Monument Valley with Zion if its more recommended. It is just convenient to stop at one of these three given my driving distances trying not to drive at night (sun up starts for sure)
- Don't think I really have much a choice but any of these roads best to avoid and take another route or a better route in genral that is not off the beaten path too much since doing this alone ???
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Given some of the terrain, some of your daily travel legs seem a little ambitious. For example, Bryce to St. Andrew. 520 miles seems ambitious by itself, but to do it in 7:40 is an average of about 70 miles per hour. You might need to rethink your travel speeds, and allow time to smell (and photograph) the flowers.
Yes, you are correct .. that time is for auto's ... I plan to add a couple hours to that but honestly not going to stop much with the rig attached except fuel, food, etc.
Id opt to stay in Island Park too. Henry's Lake State Park has water and electric with a dump on site plus if your taking the quad, there is plenty of area to explore. I stayed at Red Rock CG in Island Park, A full hook up campground with reasonal rates. Grizzly is surely nice and close by to the West gate, but IMHO, over priced for what you get. After all, you arent going to be spending much time at the campground. Id love to have two glorious weeks by myself there(wife wouldnt like it too much though)..but heck, you can do what you want, when you want. Have Fun....
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GO!!!! You won't regret it!!! We made the trip this June for the first time. Loved Yellowstone and the Tetons. You asked about a travel guide........ the best one I've found is sold at all of the Yellowstone General Stores and Bookstores. It's by Travel Brain. Lots of pictures and information. It's about $40. You can see it at http://www.travelbrains.com/Destinations/Yellowstone/Yellowstone.html
Will no cell phone coverage I assume there are alot of pay phones in the park given the amount of people passing through, correct ??? I just dont see any confirmation of this but gotta be ...
Quote: I assume there are alot of pay phones in the park
Not a lot, no. The hotels will have a few, usually located in a spot off the lobby. Probably expensive to use - don't expect them to be the basic AT&T service.
For Bryce Canyon, we stay at Ruby's Inn & RV Park to get full hook-ups. There is also a NP campground without hook-ups. There are some others closer to Rte 89 in Panguitch. One day in Bryce Canyon is enough to drive (or ride shuttle) to all overlooks. You can also do a little hiking, but not much.
Monument Valley can easily be seen in a day, but you won't necessarily get the good sunrise it is famous for. We stay at Goulding's RV Park, very nice with hook-ups. There is a Navajo campground right at the park without hook-ups. It puts you right there for sunrise.
I am also concerned about your driving distances. It can be done, but will be very tiring. Also, as you pass some of the major attractions (Zion, San Rafael Reef, Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, etc, etc, you will be tempted to stop for "just a while". There goes your driving schedule.
Monument Valley is great, but you are going a long distance out of the way just to see it, while passing up Zion NP and other good spots. You might consider holding Monument Valley for a future trip when you can include Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and San Rafael Reef.
Good luck, and PM me with any specific questions I can answer.
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