Any route suggestions from GNR to Grand Canyon?

[CaptBill]

We will be leaving Forrest City Iowa in July, for our firstever trip to the Grand Canyon. I am thinking of going through Colorado, as an old military service buddy that I haven't seen in 25 years, may be there about that time, but that isn't certain.

Can any of you suggest a best route to travel? Will be pulling a toad behind our 36DP, and also, since we have no reservations anywhere, I am wondering if we should go to Williams, Az, and ride the train to G.C.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptBill We will be leaving Forrest City Iowa in July, for our firstever trip to the Grand Canyon.

During the GNR the iRV2 National Rally is occurring and unfortunately you will have missed it by the time you get there.

You can however visit the National Rally thread to find out any number of information items about Grand Canyon and the area. We stayed at the KOA on the road into the Canyon and traveled up to the GCNP in our car.

[Ray,IN]

If you don't already have reservations, you may have difficulty staying inside the park. Here is the link to reservations: Grand Canyon National Park - Campgrounds (U.S. National Park Service)
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[Chickadee]

Capt. Bill:

G'morning from Mitchell, SD. Gotta agree w. "DriVer" about staying down in Williams and driving your car up to visit the S. rim of the canyon. Wife and I stayed at the G.C. Railroad Depot RV Park in Williams (great location!!), and we did take the train up but later simply drove our toad to the Canyon. Enjoyed driving ourselves MUCH more than the train ride since with our car we could tour the WHOLE S. rim, stopping at various overlooks and other attractions at our leisure and although the train ride was o.k., the scenery along the way certainly isn't spectacular, and....once you get off at the Canyon, you have only 3 hrs. to poke around (mainly around the main visitor area only), then it's back on the train back to Williams.

As far as which route to take from Forrest City through Colorado, and down to Williams, AZ, it kinda depends on where in Colorado you're looking to hook up w. your old military buddy. I presume you're thinking about I-80 West from DesMoines, then hooking onto I-75 (NE Colo.). Then where do ya want to meet your buddy??

IF...your planning on heading S. along the mtns. from Denver, to Colorado Spirngs, to Pueblo, etc., one route WE would take (w. 45' MH Pusher, towing car) would be highway #160 West out of Walsenburg (on I-25 S. of Pueblo) ALL the way to highway #89 in AZ (just W. of Tuba City), then follow 89 S. to I-40 at Flagstaff and on West to Williams. Now....having said that, ya do need to be o.k. with taking your rig over Wolf Creek Pass located on that Colorado Rt. 160 between South Fork and Pagosa Springs. It's almost an 11,000 ft. pass, and a good climb up and steep down, BUT, your Horizon and Jeep shouldn't be a problem and if ya have two drivers you may disconnect the jeep and drive both over separately. The reason we like this route is spectacular scenery, also, stop around Durango and spend a day and/or take your toad up to visit Silverton (just N. of Durango) and, stop at Mesa Verde Park (W. of Durango), take a drive through the park w. toad/see cliff dwellings), cont. W. on Rt. 160 stopping at "Four Corners" monument, then consider spend a night or two at Gouldings RV park in Monument Valley (short side trip on Rt. 163 into Utah...BEAUTIFUL!!), then on to Williams.

As the kids say........or...NOT!! If ya don't take 160 then I guess I-25 from Colorado S. down to I-40 in New Mexico and W. to Williams.

Whatever....ENJOY. It'll be a HOOT!!

Steve & Lynette

[ARROWVP38]

Williams has a fire going on north of I-40 in the area of rt 64 road to the G/Calso flagstaff has two major fires 89 n going out of flag was shutdown today and the HARDY fire in flag is giving the hot shots problems

[paz]

Another option for the South Rim, especially if you can't get reservations at Trailer Village inside the park, is Camper Village right outside the park entrance. We've never stayed there, and I don't know if you can still get reservations there or not, but it is very close and convenient.

However, with the wildfires around Flagstaff, this might be a good year to visit the North Rim.

[CaptBill]

Thanks everyone, for the info and suggestions. We are saving it and plqnning our routes with this in mind.

[Bill Adams]

You have a chance to have an amazing trip! My route would take me from FC, IA to Des Moines, Omaha, Denver, Glenwood Springs, Moab (Arches and Canyonland) a side trip to Cortez, CO to visit the cliff dwellings, 4 corners, and while it would add some mileage, Canyon De Chelly. If you are making a round trip maybe you can plan one or the other in one direction and the other on the way back. The Grand Canyon is a discussion all it's own and there are no wrong choices.