First major RV trip

[Jim K57]

We are recently retired and taking our first major trip west in our 40' Monaco. We plan to leave Florida April 1 and head west thru TX to AZ and be near Las Vegas by May 5 so the wife can fly home for a week. After her return we will then head to Cedar City, Moab and then to Yellowstone. We would like to be leaving Yellowstone in mid-June the latest.

We would like to be flexible if possible. A few questions:

- Should we focus on making reservations?
- RV park recommendations for Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Cedar City, Moab and Yellowstone?
Any planning recommendations for rookies not wanting to be fixed to a schedule?

Thanks,
Jim

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by Jim K57

We are recently retired and taking our first major trip west in our 40' Monaco. We plan to leave Florida April 1 and head west thru TX to AZ and be near Las Vegas by May 5 so the wife can fly home for a week. After her return we will then head to Cedar City, Moab and then to Yellowstone. We would like to be leaving Yellowstone in mid-June the latest.

We would like to be flexible if possible. A few questions:

- Should we focus on making reservations?
- RV park recommendations for Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Cedar City, Moab and Yellowstone?
Any planning recommendations for rookies not wanting to be fixed to a schedule?

Thanks,
Jim

Learn to Boondock. This will help with not wanting a fixed schedule.

Start earlier if possible - Can Get HOT in April in the Southwest.

Major areas in Season will require reservation if you want to stay with FHU's (Fishing Bridge is Closed in Yellowstone this Year.

Good list ;

-Camera(s), binoculars, fully charged cell phones and chargers
-full tank of gas/fuel, good map(s)/GPS
-Layered clothing, with the outer layer a rain proof/windproof hooded jacket. Long pants recommended this time of year. Sweatshirt/sweater/vest to put under jacket, Hiking boots, gloves
-Sunscreen, Chapstick type stuff with sunscreen and a full brimmed hat, (such as a Tilly hat).
-A cooler with plenty of water, lunch &/or snacks for all on the trip. Folding chairs....in case you want to picnic.

Couple of sites that might help - Moab from 4runnerguy and Stan Parker's Album

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/f...d/29448394.cfm

Stan Parker's Photo Galleries at pbase.com

Work more at what YOU want to see and DO. Lots out there and you are really cutting the time short.

Best of Luck,

[Scooter]

Try Campground Reviews - Trusted Reviews of Campgrounds & RV Parks and www.rvparky.com

[Mr_D]

If headed to a destination I make reservations, for travel days I wing it and find a Wal*Mart or rest area. I tend to travel long and hard and never know exactly how far I'll get in a day.
As mentioned Fishing Bridge is closed and is the only in park location for 40' rig. West Yellowstone has some decent parks. Years ago we stayed at the KOA and it was so bad we only stayed one night but that may have changed now.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi Jim! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

I can't be much help with the trip but noticed you are kinda new on IRV2 and wanted to say hello! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[Limegreencj5]

Your trip to Yellowstone better include reservations. Buffalo Crossing RV Park is next to the main entrance, and is a beautiful park. Many choose to stay at the KOA’s, however they are both crowded and dirty. In Flagstaff go a few miles to Williams, and the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park is just as beautiful. We are not boondockers, I want as many amenities as we can find.

[TeamReif]

Originally Posted by Limegreencj5

Your trip to Yellowstone better include reservations. Buffalo Crossing RV Park is next to the main entrance, and is a beautiful park. Many choose to stay at the KOA’s, however they are both crowded and dirty. In Flagstaff go a few miles to Williams, and the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park is just as beautiful. We are not boondockers, I want as many amenities as we can find.

Agree with Limegreencj5. We are not boondockers though we could do a night at Walmart when required. We stayed at Buffalo Crossing last summer and thought it was great. Good location for getting the most out of Yellowstone and great location in the town of West Yellowstone. We are staying at the KOA in Flagstaff in March and I’m just hoping it works out because, as Limegreen said, many are both crowded and dirty.
Although I have to say, since you are going to Yellowstone, just a few hours North is one of the best KOAs at Glacier National Park. I’d go there again.

[Limegreencj5]

Yea, don’t get me wrong, the right KOA can be a wonderful experience. We use KOA’s about 50% of the time. Good Sam has a great trip planner feature that I use extensively. My kids make sure I over amenitieize (not sure if it’s a word) than under.

[twogypsies]

Flagstaff: We love Bonito national forest campground at the entrance of Sunset Crater Nat'l Park. We also like Pinegrove national forest campground.
For hookups and big rigs I'd recommend J&H RV Park rather than KOA. KOA is very tight. Narrow roads.

Moab: Check the dates for the Jeep Jamboree as that's an extremely busy time. Unless you're going Jeeping I'd avoid the time period.

Grand Canyon South Rim: The very best place to stay with hookups is in the park itself at Trailer Ranch RV. You can walk to the Rim from there and also the free shuttle stops there. You can ride the shuttle and get off when you want to do some hiking on the Rim Trail and catch the next bus coming by. If you take the train from Williams you will only have a few hours to tour the park - definitely not enough. If you drive yourself from Williams it's a long boring drive and you probably won't do it more than once.

Cedar City: Any special reason? If you want to do Zion Nat'l Park then stay in Springdale. The free park shuttle stops there.

Bryce Nat'l Park? You could work this in. It's a beauty and unlike any other. From UT I-15 go north to Hwy 20 and take that over to UT 89 south to Hwy 12 to Bryce. If you want hookups stay at Ruby's at the park entrance. Once again, the free park shuttle stops there.

Yellowstone? We stay in the park at either Mammoth (no reservations accepted - get there early morning) or Madison. At Madison we drove in and easily secured a cancellation. Outside the park at West Yellowstone we love Baker's Hole national forest campground a couple miles out of town. Beautiful.

Grand Teton Nat'l Park: If going to Yellowstone it would be a shame to pass this up. It's right next door. It's completely different from Yellowstone in looks and things to do. The hiking is awesome. Take a gentle float trip down the Snake River in the park and you just might see a moose in the water with you. We did! Don't try to do both Yellowstone and Grand Teton from one base. It's too much driving. Grand Teton we love Gros Ventre campground in the park.... second is Colter Bay campground. Both accept no reservations but with 300 sites each we've never had a problem getting a site for our 40' MH.

Have a great trip. You need to stay longer!

[allenb12]

Albuquerque-American RV Park
Moab-Moab Valley RV Resort
Yellowstone-West Yellowstone Grizzly

[F4Gary]

On your way to Vegas, just plan the night before, figure out about where you want to stay and call ahead the night before or when you stop for lunch.
I use RV Park Reviews, Gas Buddy, and Google Maps. Easy peasy.
Yellowstone (never stayed there) will require reservations well in advance, like now.

[Jim K57]

Thanks for all the feedback seems that the timing can be important . Our plan is to leave FL April 1.
Pensacola 2 nights
New Orleans 2 nights
Boondock near Beuamont, TX
Waco TX 4 nights
Carlsbad, NM 2 nights
Albuquerque 4 nights
Flagstaff 10 nights
Grand Canyon 4 nights
Cedar City area 17 nights while the wife leaves for a week May 5
Moab 8 nights
SLC boondock.?
Yellowstone by June 1 - hos many nights for a slow roll through the Park
Want to leave Yellowstone mid-June

See any issues with the initial plan ideas ?

[mricet1005]

Albuquerque: American RV Resort

Moab: Portal RV Resort or Dead Horse Point State Park (will definitely require reservations and soon)

[mricet1005]

Originally Posted by Jim K57

Thanks for all the feedback seems that the timing can be important . Our plan is to leave FL April 1.
Pensacola 2 nights
New Orleans 2 nights
Boondock near Beuamont, TX
Waco TX 4 nights
Carlsbad, NM 2 nights
Albuquerque 4 nights
Flagstaff 10 nights
Grand Canyon 4 nights
Cedar City area 17 nights while the wife leaves for a week May 5
Moab 8 nights
SLC boondock.?
Yellowstone by June 1 - hos many nights for a slow roll through the Park
Want to leave Yellowstone mid-June

See any issues with the initial plan ideas ?

Is there a reason to stay in Albuquerque 4 days. Not much to do there. I liked Santa Fe much better!