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Old 03-11-2014, 07:37 AM
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Arizona/Utah camping

We're planning a trip out west this year, but this time we'll be camping (tents). We'll be out there the week after July 4th. Planning on hitting Arizona and Utah, primarily Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. Along the way we'll ride the Devil's Highway, hit the Painted Desert, Meteor Crater and a bunch of other sites.

I'm looking for advice and suggestions from those who have done this or something similar. What are some of the can't miss places? Any suggestions on campgrounds? Anything to be wary of? Any help would be appreciated.
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Old 03-11-2014, 07:55 AM
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Mike and Patti just did pretty much all of that trip...but I don't think they were camping
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Old 03-11-2014, 08:13 AM
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We did not tent, we hotel/friends and family. But the parks are awesome, Zion, Bryce, Red rock canyon, Grand Canyon are all must see. If you get the chance Mesa Verde is really cool. We did stop and see the crater and it was fun to stand on the corner in Winslow Az. There was an off road we took that was pretty, but Mike will have to come along and tell you where that was. It will be quite hot that time of year, lots of sun block and G2.
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Old 03-11-2014, 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Sleeveless View Post
We did not tent, we hotel/friends and family. But the parks are awesome, Zion, Bryce, Red rock canyon, Grand Canyon are all must see. If you get the chance Mesa Verde is really cool. We did stop and see the crater and it was fun to stand on the corner in Winslow Az. There was an off road we took that was pretty, but Mike will have to come along and tell you where that was. It will be quite hot that time of year, lots of sun block and G2.
Yup. Everything she said. Plus:

July/Aug/Sep is the monsoon season in the desert southwest. I can't tell you how many frick'n storms we detoured to avoid. We were not on any set schedule, or location timeline, so I could modify the route as needed. Rain gear on, raing gear off, rain gear on, rain get off.. Lightening ahead both sides of the highway, choose another route. Thunder storms with a big grey wall cloud all the way to the deck, then turning orange (Dust Storm in the cell).

Out there, choosing another route might be a 200 mile detour, or more.

Top of Million Dollar Highway is chilly in the morning, even in August.

Don't ever leave town with at least 100 miles of fuel in your tank.

Personally, I wouldn't tent that time of year. Hot during the day and plenty of rain to saturate your stuff and I hate packing wet gear.

Wanted to see Monument Valley, but just didn't have the time. That, and much of the valley I'm told is dirt roads. The back way into Zion from the interstate about 80 miles west of Grand Junction, CO that follows the upper Colorado River was really cool. But it's hotter than hell down in the canyon, and the only place we saw to stop was a resort along the river. We stopped anyway and paid more for burgers and drinks than anywhere else I've ever been, but we didn't have other options.

Unless your on an adventure bike, stay on the paved roads. There was one really cool rock formation along this route I wanted to ride out the dirt road to see up close. Then the apparent hard packed surface just disappeared under the front tire and we almost did a Russ.

Carry extra water. You might never need it, but you might come across someone elese who does like we did.

Give me a call sometime and I can fill you in later, or see you at ES.
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Old 03-11-2014, 02:11 PM
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If you get close to Zion, you're real close to the North Rim of Grand Canyon, I'd say that is the better side to see, not as crowded and spectacular.
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Old 03-11-2014, 03:33 PM
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Mesa Verde is one of my favorite places in the world and there is a great Anasazi museum n Dolores. When we were there, we drove up into the mountains on the Dolores River and found some very nice campsites on the river. I didn't have correct change one night so decided to just put in the extra two dollars and forget about it. About a month later, the campground caretakers sent me change!

We were there in July and didn't find the heat intolerable, especially in higher country. Long-sleeved loose cotton shirts and broad-brimmed hats are pretty comfortable in dry heat. People also tend to forget that the desert can get downright cold at night, even in the summer.

Another favorite place is Hovenweep Canyon, but it is for connoisseurs of prehistoric ruins and desert conditions, and maybe not for anyone who likes their history neatly restored and their walking paths paved. Of course, it has been several years since we were there so no telling what the BLM has done to ruin the place (so to speak).

Mmmmm. I envy you your trip. It's a great area.
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Old 03-14-2014, 09:40 PM
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Daniel, if you want an extraordinary ride take Arizona 89A from from Prescott --> Jerome --> Sedona. That ride is something to behold. While in Prescott, visit Whiskey Row.
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Old 03-14-2014, 11:01 PM
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That's a great suggestion Daryl. I've been on that road and Jerome is an amazing site in itself, and Sedona is one cool town. . I don't know if we have enough time to do all that and see everything we are wanting to see.

So far this is our list: (In order)

Ride like sheeite to Las Cruces
Devils highway north from Lordsburg
The Painted Desert
Petrified Forest
Stand on a corner in Winslow Arizona
Meteor Crater
Grand Canyon South Rim
Grand Canyon North Rim
Bryce Canyon
Zion National Park
Moki Dugway
Mexican Hat
Monument Valley
Canyon de Chelley

I'd love to squeeze in Sedona and Jerome, but they are kind of the opposite direction. I've been studying the maps hard to try to find a way. I'd also like to squeeze in some of old Route 66 somewhere.
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Old 03-15-2014, 01:05 AM
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That's a great suggestion Daryl. I've been on that road and Jerome is an amazing site in itself, and Sedona is one cool town. . I don't know if we have enough time to do all that and see everything we are wanting to see.

So far this is our list: (In order)

Ride like sheeite to Las Cruces
Devils highway north from Lordsburg
The Painted Desert
Petrified Forest
Stand on a corner in Winslow Arizona
Meteor Crater
Grand Canyon South Rim
Grand Canyon North Rim
Bryce Canyon
Zion National Park
Moki Dugway
Mexican Hat
Monument Valley
Canyon de Chelley

I'd love to squeeze in Sedona and Jerome, but they are kind of the opposite direction. I've been studying the maps hard to try to find a way. I'd also like to squeeze in some of old Route 66 somewhere.
If you only have a week, that's a mighty agressive schedule.

We did the North Rim, Bryce Canyon AND Zion all in the same day. It was a looooong day, and we didn't dilly dally. We started at dawn and didn't get to the hotel until just at sunset. Didn't really spend much time in Zion either. Just kind of rode through with a couple stops for pictures very late in the afternoon. It's a good ways from the South rim to North rim. You could probably do them in one day, then leave Zion and Bryce for another day. There is a camp ground on the highway where the turn off to the north rim heads out the point. A small general store and restaurant across the street too.

Some people schedule their arrival in certain places to capture the best sun angle for the pictures. If your pressed for time, you'll probably not give this a thought.
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Old 03-15-2014, 06:06 AM
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FYI, there is a store that sells Rt66 stuff across the street from the corner in Winslow az.
There are some great things on your list that we didn't get to see, maybe we have to go on another trip.
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Old 03-15-2014, 10:00 AM
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Myself I would make the North Rim a priority, if you are going to see the Grand Canyon and it's within a few hours ride to Zion.

And Bryce is just North a bit, from those two, about a day or less, on I 15 from St George UT/ Hurricane UT, East of Ceder City UT
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Old 03-15-2014, 10:27 AM
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Myself I would make the North Rim a priority, if you are going to see the Grand Canyon and it's within a few hours ride to Zion.

And Bryce is just North a bit, from those two, about a day or less, on I 15 from St George UT/ Hurricane UT, East of Ceder City UT
Agree about the north rim.

When I went a few years ago, I preferred the north rim more than the south rim. Being higher in altitude, its cooler for one thing, so you get a nice break from the desert heat. They normally open the gates mid-May or so, depending on snow, but its worth a check nonetheless. From the north rim, a trip to the south rim and back would kill two half days and a night. Still fun, but if you are crunched for time...
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Old 03-16-2014, 11:12 AM
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I was planning a night at the South Rim followed by a night at the North Rim
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Old 03-16-2014, 11:21 AM
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a night in a cabin at the north rim is the shnitz !!! been there several times !! when I was in my 20's (frikin forever ago) I spent a summer at the south rim. I worked as a waiter in the EL Tovar hotel restraunt .. oh the things that went on that summer OMG ....

I spent many a day and nights hiking in the canyon !!!

I hope to get out there on the bike next year !! WHOOOT
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