Community Forums

TooTallTom · 10-05-2015, 08:04 PM

We are planning a 2 week trip to Utah during the last 2 weeks of October. We are looking at going to National Parks as well as various other parks and back country Utah. We have 3 boys 8-13 and love to hike, go bouldering, explore and just have fun.

The challenge we have is, we drive a 35 Class A, without a toad. So anywhere we go we have to drive the RV. I don't mind slow challenging drives. We really want to find neat slot canyons and other areas like that to explore. I want to attempt to get down Hole-in-the-rock road and visit what I can down there.

What advice or other back country areas do you know of that I can take the RV? I am open to any and all ideas.

Thanks

Tom

Oldtrix · 10-05-2015, 09:08 PM

I suggest you visit Page AZ. You could stay at Wahweap RV park, take the Lake Powell tour boat (I presume they run the boats through Oct, but call). There is also an RV park on 98, still in town, where you could call to get picked up for the Antelope Canyon tour.

If you visit Moab, you can drive through and park in Arches NP in the MH. Monument Valley has a nice RV park and I bet you can get picked up for the park tour (we had a fabulous guide).

UTTransplant · 10-06-2015, 07:02 PM

Ruby's Inn is right at the entrance to Bryce Canyon. You can catch the shuttle right in front of the campground. Kodachrome Basin State Park (nice place!) is close to a slot canyon you can drive to. Just ask at the ranger station for directions. As noted, Arches is easily driven and offers lots of hiking. For Zion, make reservations at Watchman campground in the park. You can get to the hikes by walking. Be careful! Seven people died at Zion a few weeks ago after getting caught in a flood while in a slot canyon. I have been to Canyonlands only once so I am not as familiar win it. I do know the scenery is tremendous, as is Capital Reef.

halfwright · 10-06-2015, 07:44 PM

Goblin state park is an unusual group of formations worth going to. Nearby is Little Wild Horse slot canyon. The canyon has the usual architecture, but very little color. Still a nice hike.

Selah · 10-06-2015, 07:59 PM

If you go to Paig AZ do not miss the Antelope Canyon tour. They take you out in a jeep along a dry wash to an absolutely georgous slot canyon that you hike through.
If you can ask for Rosie as your guide.

Gordon Dewald · 10-06-2015, 08:14 PM

Zion is a must see IMO.

olywrestle · 10-06-2015, 09:19 PM

Zions for sure!
If you go to moab there is lots of areas to climb and boulder. A good blm campground near bouldering is Big Bend.

As an fyi, the 15th is the opening weekend of the deer hunt and also most of the schools fall breaks.

olywrestle · 10-06-2015, 09:22 PM

Oh and there is lots of tour guides in moab that can take you on the slot canyons etc. Without a toad, that would probably be the easiest.

Sign up to hike the fiery furnace in arches. It is ranger guided only and limited number of people

TooTallTom · 10-07-2015, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olywrestle

Zions for sure!
If you go to moab there is lots of areas to climb and boulder. A good blm campground near bouldering is Big Bend.

As an fyi, the 15th is the opening weekend of the deer hunt and also most of the schools fall breaks.

How long is fall break? Here in Minnesota we don't have a fall break.

BTW: We home school so school on the road for this trip.

olywrestle · 10-07-2015, 10:09 AM

Most of the schools are out Oct 15-18. Majority of people head south as their last trip of the season so don't be surprised if it is crowded that weekend. After that it should be smooth sailing!

TooTallTom · 10-07-2015, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olywrestle

Most of the schools are out Oct 15-18. Majority of people head south as their last trip of the season so don't be surprised if it is crowded that weekend. After that it should be smooth sailing!

Thanks for the follow up. Based on drive time we won't be getting into southern Utah until Sunday day\afternoon. So not too worried.

Tom

wa8yxm · 10-07-2015, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldtrix

I suggest you visit Page AZ. You could stay at Wahweap RV park, take the Lake Powell tour boat (I presume they run the boats through Oct, but call). There is also an RV park on 98, still in town, where you could call to get picked up for the Antelope Canyon tour.

Been there, Done that, Second Oldtrix's recommendation.

one caution: In Utah there is a road (Cottonwood Canyon Drive) This is not a road you want to take a class A down.. (I did, once) A jeep yes. in fact I'd recommend it in a Jeep. but not in a class A.

Page is just a couple miles from the Az end of that road (To the East as I recall) Enjoyed several good meals. (Dam Site Inn is fun) and a couple of escorted tours (You must be escorted.. Tribal land) Met some nice people (Sassy for one) and killed a weekend while my car was fixed (motor home survived Cottonwood CaNyon Drive.. Towed did not).

TooTallTom · 10-07-2015, 03:59 PM

Thanks wa8yxm for the advice.

Has anyone driven a Class A down Hole-in-the-Rock road? I have read that if it is dry you can drive a good chunk of it without needing a high clearance vehicle.

We really want to check out some of the slot canyons on that road.

Tom

Doggy Daddy · 10-07-2015, 04:08 PM

I spent some a great time in UT this year and went to: St. George UT - City Historical tour, Quail Lake State Park, Dinosaur Tracks Museum, Zion Nat'l Park, Ruby's RV Park @ Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park, Glen Cyn, Nat'l Park, Lone Rock Nat'l Park on Lake Powell in UT (Near AZ border), Glenn Cyn Dam Tour, Hike to Horse Show Bend,
Monument Valley, AZ (Dry Camp & Horseback Ride thru Valley). Little Hollywood – Kanab Utah, Hole in the Rock, Arches Nat'l Park,
Golden Spike RV Park, Brigham City, UT Golden Spike Nat'l Hist Site, Ogden Union Station – Train Museum, Browning Firearms Museum,
Antique Car Museum, Historical 25th Street