I know it is early, but we are planning a trip in 2012 to Utah (Monunent Valley & Lake Powell) we were there years ago.(back then we had a tent) Any ideas where to stay and other places to see. We like to start planning early , so we don't have to rush when the time comes. Any help is appreciated. I like to have electric etc, but my husband likes to rough it alittle more (even know having a hybred in not roughing it) Any state parks or private parks you can recommend? (planning early always helps us to get through the winter months.) Last year we went to Myrtle Beach and everyone on the forum gave us information.
We went to Utah this year with no idea where to go or what to see. Moab was our first stop and from there we saw Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. While there we planed the next months stay in Utah. We saw several National parks in Utah and then went to Wahweap RV and Campground in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. We stayed there a week it was so nice.
The parks in Utah are close enough that you can check them out when you are there. We never stayed at a bad one in the two months we were gone.
Our 2007 trip through Utah was one of the most spectacular we have ever done. We came up through NM into Colorado to go see Meas Verde (see that if you can) then we took 491 into Utah then 95 up to Hanksville. Then 24 & 12 to Bryce Canyon. The grand Canyon is impressive but Bryce is spectacular. Then onto Zion.
That part of the trip we called the "WOW" highway. My wife took so many pictures in those few days that she had to put a band-aid on her shutter finger.
The only RV place that I wouldn't recommend was Ruby's in Hanksville. Is was alright but not much else.
The less you plan the more options you have.
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How long do you plan to stay in the area? Are you bringing a boat of some sort? What time of year? As others have mentioned, Wahweap campground near paige AZ is a great spot to camp on lake powell. You can tour the dam, take in horseshoe bend, and I highly recommend taking a day to do the tour boat ride to Rainbow Bridge. It's a great way to get a taste of the lake powell area.
As for the monument valley area, again how much time do you have. Will you have a 4X4 vehicle available to your? How active are you guys, ie are you hikers? Have you been to Arches, canyonlands etc yet?
I'll be watching this post closely, we plan on doing that same trip sometime in 2012. We're thinking of doing this trip sometime end of August, beginning of September. What's the weather like during that time of year?
If you are planning on seeing the Grand Canyon, you might want to consider the north rim. It's a shorter drive from Lake Powell, and from what I've read it's supposed to be a really nice (and secluded) area. Your husband will get the "roughing it" that he wants, and you will get the opportunity to set up camp wherever you think is nice. Pay attention to the weather (depending on what time of year you go), because it is at elevation and will be cold unless you are there during a warm month.
botterbein wrote: I'll be watching this post closely, we plan on doing that same trip sometime in 2012. We're thinking of doing this trip sometime end of August, beginning of September. What's the weather like during that time of year?
Remember southern Utah has a lot of variation. You can get up in the mountains at elevations in the 11k feet range, or down in the high plains desert. Lake Powell at full pool elevation runs abut 3,700 feet, and you can expect temps to be in the upper 90's to low 100's degree range in the August to Sept time range. It is also the monsoon season, and you might get an isolated thunderstorm in the afternoon or evening. Myself, I love the thunderstorms. The rain darkens the landscape colors, and makes the reds in particular darker and richer in color. If you're really lucky, it will rain enough to create some fantastic waterfalls to view. That said, it is a desert, and your odds of getting much rain are slim. Should it happen though, just avoid slot canyons, and bottoms of the many washes in the area.
As for higher elevations, like around Bryce canyon, the nights will start getting quite cool in September, but the days are generally really nice that time of year. I think it's one of the best times of year to explore the area.
Thankyou everyone, for all the great ideas. We will be going in July and will be out there about 8 days. We like to bike, hike, fish etc. Really looking forward to it.
bonniebear1 wrote: Thankyou everyone, for all the great ideas. We will be going in July and will be out there about 8 days. We like to bike, hike, fish etc. Really looking forward to it.
My first recommendation for 8 days in July would be the Moab area, depending on your heat tolerance. You can expect temps to peak at over 100 degrees most days in that time period.
For two or three days I'd probably stay at Dead horse point State park in a site with elec hookups (Water and sewer aren't available) From there, there are some fantastic bike trails .you can ride, also spend a day or so exploring this part of canyonlands. More than likely your tow vehicle is a truck or van, so I'd then take the shaffer trail from canyonlands down along the river you've been looking at for the last couple days, exploring the canyon, and hiking to some of the arches you can get to in this canyon.
I'd then move the rig down to Moab and take a couple days exploring and hiking through Arches NP I'd then probably move again to one of the forest service campgrounds in the Natural bridges area, take a day from there to take in the Park, another day to go down towards monument valley goosenecks SP etc, and yet another day to drive down to the hite marina area of lake powell. You'll have only just started to hit the sites, but it would be fun, albiet somewhat warm.
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