This year we are heading out to a shortened route around the Western States. Our DD is getting married in September so we have to be on the West Coast then. So, we decided to hit Utah and Colorado. I know of many of the parks in Utah, Bryce, Moab, etc. My question has more to do with the roads and issues I might run into with a larger rig. I've seen Utah 12 and it's easily doable. I've also run Hwy 1 along the coast in California so narrow roads and steep drop offs don't bother me. (it might Debi, but that's another post...) Any insight you might be able to provide as well as campgrounds for big rigs would be appreciated. I am 65' with the toad....thanks....Dennis
I am also looking for help with Yellowstone National Park...I have posted that question HERE. I appreciate any info....Dennis
* This post was
edited 02/27/12 01:02am by Executive *
Dennis and Debi
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Executive wrote: This year we are heading out to a shortened route around the Western States. Our DD is getting married in September so we have to be on the West Coast then. So, we decided to hit Utah and Colorado. I know of many of the parks in Utah, Bryce, Moab, etc. My question has more to do with the roads and issues I might run into with a larger rig. I've seen Utah 12 and it's easily doable. I've also run Hwy 1 along the coast in California so narrow roads and steep drop offs don't bother me. (it might Debi, but that's another post...) Any insight you might be able to provide as well as campgrounds for big rigs would be appreciated. I am 65' with the toad....thanks....Dennis
I am also looking for help with Yellowstone National Park...I have posted that question HERE. I appreciate any info....Dennis
Dennis,
Take a look at what Mpond did last summer -- a little over the top but the pictures are great and the information is right on -- After that look over 4runnerguy for the best info on Colorado.
BOL, you will be back -- too much to see in the short summer you have planned.
BOL,
Busskipper
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You shouldn't have too much of a problem on any of the smaller highways as we went to Zion and Bryce two years ago and towed our 26' enclosed trailer on hwy 12 down through Cannonville and Fruita area. The only place we were not able to go was through the Mt. Carmel tunnel as they wouldn't let me through with the length. Even when we have gone through flat towing the Jeep they made us unhook going through the tunnel.
Ruby's Inn has a nice campground that is Big Rig friendly and a great location for visiting Bryce NP as well as down around Cannonville, Kodachrome basin and Boulder area.
The SW Colorado area is about the same. When visiting Ouray, CO we go in from the north side going through Montrose rather than up hwy 550 from Durango. Roads are good and not any narrower than anywhere else we have been.
If you miss the "million dollar" highway(US-550) from Ouray to Silverton, you have missed the most scenic road in Colorado. It is doable in your rig, as we have done it in ours, N to S, however it is more pleasurable in the toad....
Bob & Betsy(FishNFanatic) - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever" '05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins-Pulling our '11 Silverado LT, Ex Cab 6.2L NHT 4x4, w/2010 Rzr or 01 V Star in back. Where the wheels are stopped today
Thanks for the info everyone...@The Texan I did that "tour" several years ago, but I had the kids and driving a 745I so it was a pleasure...very beautiful road...Dennis
Most routes in Colorado, that are major highways should be no problem for you. One exception would be Colorado route 82 from South of Leadville to Aspin. I believe it is limited to 35 feet overall length due to sharp curves. Good luck / Skip
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For Bryce and Zion, we stayed at the KOA in Cedar City and it was about 30 to 40 minutes drive to each park.
You may want to consider Bridger, Montana as a base for Yellowstone. It is a great little cowboy town, with two reasonably good rv parks. It is only a few miles to the north Yellostone entrance. We stayed at Rocky Mountain RV Park, and there were elk just outside the post and rail fence of the park.
All roads to parks are easily accesible for big rigs.
Because of mining, logging and ranching you will find heavy trucks almost every where. Switchbacks can be very tight, the ones I've seen are well marked.
Many national forest campgrounds will be to small for you, Heims peak in CO comes to mind.
That said, I would take time to see Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods, Bridges NP, Arches NP Colorado Monument. The Delores River is a nice drive, too. Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Grand Mesa. If you go over McClure pass you will be near Marble and down Avalanche creek to see where the Washington National marble was quarried. The narrow railway bed is along the creek and you can still see where it slid off the rail cars into the creek. In the NW corner is Browns Hole now called Browns Park , Robbers roost also the upper end of the Green river. There is also Dinosaur NP near Rangely.
On your second day....:-)
You might be a little late for Peaches, but I would check in Palisades near Grand Junction. Pssst don't tell anyone how good they are. For that matter if you like corn on the cob Olathe Sweet corn there, too. Green River UT has the best melons I've ever had.
An interesting stop near Hanksville is Goblin Valley State Park. They have a campground (no hookups) but even if you don't stay, it is worth wandering through the "Goblins"
as for Yellowstone Fishing Bridge will be nasty tight but doable I"d recommend Grizzly in West Yellowstone.
I'm 35'
Fishing Bridge:
Grizzly back in:
and before somebody comments on my parking skill, Grizzly had 5" of snow on the ground when I parked. Couldn't see the edge of the site
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) Any insight you might be able to provide as well as campgrounds for big rigs would be appreciated. I am 65' with the toad....thanks....Dennis
