Route advice to stay cool SD-CO-UT-AZ-OK-AR

[TedandElle]

We're full-timing and move 1-3 times every month, depending on how much time off from work I have that month. We're in ID now and heading east to Yellowstone and then Rapid City, SD. We're reserved in SD through July 15th, and our next firm plan is Oct 20 in Arkansas to meet some friends.

I know I would like to go Colorado Springs to Grand Junction to Moab to Petrified Forest, then east on I-40 through Oke City and in to Arkansas. Timeframe is roughly 90 days; we're not talking about hurrying here.

It seems if we start July 15 from Rapid City, it will still be hot in CO, UT and AZ. Ideally I'd like to hit those places after it starts to cool toward the 70s but before snow is a threat for our 36' MH and toad.

I'm thinking of possibly heading north to Fargo or the UP of MI and then back-tracking towards CO. Or maybe staying in SD, leaving before Sturgis, and hanging out in Casper, WY for a bit.

Any suggestions? I know this is quite open-ended, but I'd love to hear any ideas you might have. Thanks!

[TonyDi]

I was in Moab and Panguitch last July and it was nice. Very dry and warm during the day but pleasant at night. I only used my AC for two days out of 20.
Northern AZ and southern are two different places. Phoenix 120. Flagstaff 80. We were in Williams for 10 days and never used the AC. Couple of mornings we needed the heat pumps.
You may not get the same weather as we had but it's not overly hot.
p.s. I hate HOT!

[BFlinn181]

ELEVATION. It can be pretty hot all the way into Canada during those months. Going higher, instead of North, would be my choice. Many places in Wyoming or Colorado will be hot during the day +80º or more, but cool down when the sun goes down. If you go up to 7-9,000 feet, and temps aren't as high during the day, and it gets downright cold at night.

I'd pick places with trees at some elevation, you won't avoid summer heat, but it will seem cooler. I've been in SD in July, and Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado too. All (except SD) have places with trees at elevation. I've also been through Casper, WY in July, not my cup of tea. Lots of wind, sun, and open land outside the town.

[Parks]

Our family was in Sheridan, WY last summer in early August and the weather was beautiful and the town was great. Such a neat place. Temperature wise seem like what your looking for. Also, out favorite town I all of Montana is Ennis. Don't know much about the RV park there but Ennis is our happy place. Weather is great there too. Also look up Henry's Lake, ID and Island Park, ID. Both in NE ID near the Montana border and are neat little towns with great weather in the summer.

Ennis RV Village

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by TedandElle

We're full-timing and move 1-3 times every month, depending on how much time off from work I have that month. We're in ID now and heading east to Yellowstone and then Rapid City, SD. We're reserved in SD through July 15th, and our next firm plan is Oct 20 in Arkansas to meet some friends.

I know I would like to go Colorado Springs to Grand Junction to Moab to Petrified Forest, then east on I-40 through Oke City and in to Arkansas. Timeframe is roughly 90 days; we're not talking about hurrying here.

It seems if we start July 15 from Rapid City, it will still be hot in CO, UT and AZ. Ideally I'd like to hit those places after it starts to cool toward the 70s but before snow is a threat for our 36' MH and toad.

I'm thinking of possibly heading north to Fargo or the UP of MI and then back-tracking towards CO. Or maybe staying in SD, leaving before Sturgis, and hanging out in Casper, WY for a bit.

Any suggestions? I know this is quite open-ended, but I'd love to hear any ideas you might have. Thanks!

I think someone mentioned the key to this is Elevation.

So IMHO get into Colorado, (Slight bias here as that is my "other" state) - just the BEST -if on July 15th you are in a HOT spell just drive to Leadville, From here you will be Good to Go, Quincy's for dinner - Tourquoise Lake - Camp Hale - Independence Pass and Twin Lakes and Maroon Bells - Buena Vista - K's for a good Lunch - Collegiates for great Hikes - Arkansas River for a float - New Brown's Canyon NM - From Here head down to Salida and Gunnison Lake - catch Crested Butte - Balck Canyon of the Gunnison NP on down to Ouray - Telluride - Silverton - Trout Lake - Dunton - Lake City - Alpine Loop - 4X4 trails to die for - All the time enjoying the the High Mountain Wildflowers, warm days cool Crisp Nights, with some of the wildest most beautiful country in the USA.

Add to that if you can time it so as to still be in the Mountains for the last 10 days of September you will enjoy - https://lynn.smugmug.com/Travel/Colo...pens/i-tsVRkXg - Just the most beautiful time to be there - Then after your meeting on Oct 20 in Arkansas, swing back to catch Utah and all it has to Offer - without Crowds - without Heat - and with just no problems over the Winter.

Hope this is of some help.