Which NP to see in southern Utah?

[Apgaer]

I'm planning to go to Grand Canyon NP in July 2017. Want to also go to one of the NPs in southern Utah. Which one should I see? Traveling in a 5 th wheel - no boon docking.

[Selah]

The sout rim of the Grand Canyon has views that shows the shear magnitude. It is also more commercialized. The north rim is less commercial and has more interesting geological features. See both if you can.
If I had to pick just one it would probably be Bryce Canyon. It is spectacular but all of the NP is the area are special. Can't really go wrong on any of them.

[twogypsies]

The southern Utah national parks are all fairly close together and since you're traveling a long distance from Alabama, I'd suggest you try to fit them all in. How often will you return?

Grand Canyon - South Rim - definitely stay at Trailer Village in the park itself. The free shuttle stops right at the RV park entrance and you can also take a stroll to the Rim from the RV park. Full hookups. Mid-80's in summer.

Grand Canyon - North Rim - much cooler temperatures if visiting in summer. Dry campground - no hookups. Much quieter on this side but smaller viewing areas you can get to easily. 70 to low 80's in summer.

Zion Nat'l Park - stay inside at Watchman campground - electric and water fill and dump station. Free shuttle to take you to the end of the canyon. Hiking is uphill from the canyon floor. Can be hot in summer but has shade. There's a RV park just outside the entrance in Springdale and the park shuttle stops there.

Bryce Nat'l Park - has two dry campgrounds with water fill and dump station. Ruby's RV just outside the park entrance is the best place to stay for hookups. The free park shuttle stops here, too. Low 80's in summer; sometimes a little cooler. Most hiking is down amidst the gorgeous spires then up to get out of the canyon. It's like a fairy wonderland.

Capitol Reef Nat'l Park - has a very pleasant dry campground with trees and RV parks near the entrance in Torrey. A range of good hikes. Nice 4-wheeling area.

Canyonlands Nat'l Park, Moab - best place to stay is Dead Horse Point State Park with lovely views into the canyons below. This is a big 4-wheeling area with limited hiking. Hot in summer - 90 to 100. Very little shade.

Arches Nat'l Park, Moab - 2017 will be a bad summer for visiting - lots of construction on roads - could be delays, and the dry campground will be closed completely all summer. There are many RV parks in Moab and also BLM or national forest areas for dry camping. At Hwy 128 along the Colorado River there are quite a few of little campgrounds - no hookups but shade trees. Moab is a 4-wheeling meca. Hot in summer - 100 deg.

South of Moab is Canyonlands Nat'l Park - Needles Unit. Some nice hikes and completely different in looks than the North Unit. Hot in summer - 100 deg.

South of Needles Unit - Natural Bridges Nat'l Monument - small park with dry campground for small RVs. Unique hiking with some sturdy ladders to climb. Hot in summer - 100 deg.

Further south in Monument Valley - not a national park but has a lot of old West history. Gouldings RV is the only park nearby - nice views. There's also a dry campground right in front of the famous 'Mittens' formation. Tours available. Hot in summer - 100 deg.

So....take your choice(s). Every one is completely different and you won't be disappointed with any of them.

Each park has an awesome web site listing camping info, things to do, road info, alerts such as some things closed, etc. Check them out. We've been to all the parks over and over again. We love them!

Have fun planning!

[Skip426]

Welcome to iRV2.

What direction will you be traveling to the Grand Canyon ?
Will you be coming up from the south, Flagstaff area , then going around to Vegas , before going to Utah ?
July travel around, the Grand Canyon and the Utah parks will be hot, hot, hot, and seeing the best views, in most of the parks , involves some hiking .

[MisterT]

try the drive between MesquiteNV, thru the 'Narrows'AZ, to StGeorgeUT on I15

what a wild and dramatic drive!

also, stay overnight in the most beautiful Walmart you'll ever see - on SR9 in HurricaneUT - what a snow capped mountain view!