Community Forums

winningteam · 01-28-2021, 06:24 PM

Headed North from Tucson in May. #1 - Please advise on good route for Big Rig access with tow for site seeing in the Grand Canyon.

#2 We are then planning to go North to Page. Is it better to stay somewhere close and take the Tow into the GC area or can we go 180 to 64 in the rig then back over to 89 and go north to Page

#3 Also potential good campgrounds in Sedona and Grand Canyon with Pull thru if possible

twogypsies · 01-28-2021, 11:50 PM

Tucson to Sedona - I-17 north. Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood is a very nice place to stay for visiting very busy, Sedona. A lot to see from there - drive up to Jerome, Tuizigoot Nat'l Monument, possibly taking the day trip train ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad, Montezuma Castle Nat'l Monument and an easy drive into Sedona.

Then I-17 north to Flagstaff and yes, 180/64 is a good highway for a big rig. Stay at Trailer Village in the park itself for the best overall experience. The free shuttle stops there and you can also walk to the Rim. Definitely walk down the Bright Angel Trail if only for 1/2 mile or shorter. It's a different experience being below the Rim as everything else is up on top.

Leaving Trailer Village head east on 64 to 89 north and on to Page. Take a boat tour, tour Antelope Canyon, tour the dam, stay at Waheap RV part of Glen Canyon Nat'l Rec Area.

Are you then doing the southern Utah national parks? If so... to get to Zion you could continue on 89 into Kanab, Utah. Tour Best Friends Animal Sanctuary - a no kill facility for all animals in a beautiful red canyon. Coral Pink Sands State Park has dunes of the color that you won't believe. Could also tour Pipe Spring Nat'l Monument near Fredonia, AZ.

If staying on Hwy 9, Utah for Zion, from Kanab go a little farther south back into AZ (could do another day trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon via AZ Alt 89/67) or at Fredonia, AZ pick up AZ389 west which becomes UT59 taking you into Hurricane, UT then UT9 east to Springdale/Zion Nat'l Park.

Leaving Zion .. if you don't want to do the steep climb and the tunnels then take Hwy 9 west to I-15 north and at Circleville pick up Hwy 20 east to 89. (From I-15 don't take Hwy 14 at Cedar City - very steep). From Hwy 20, head south on 89 to Panguitch, UT and pick up Hwy 12 to Bryce Nat'l Park (Ruby's is a good place to stay). Leaving, take Hwy 12 to Torrey for touring Capitol Reef Nat'l Park. Leaving take 24 to I-70 heading east and pick up 191 south to Arches and Canyonlands Nat'l Parks.

All favorite places of ours! Enjoy!!

winningteam · 01-29-2021, 12:05 PM

Twogypsies, for sure want to spend time at Friends Animal Sanctuary. Can you recommend a place to stay in that area for a day or two while we visit the sanctuary?

ByeTheWay · 01-29-2021, 01:46 PM

Re: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
There are plenty of places to Boondock in the area N of Kanab. I notice your SKPs so join Days End for details. There is an extra fee for Days End.

twogypsies · 01-29-2021, 04:42 PM

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (a tour is recommended): https://bestfriends.org/sanctuary/pl...visitor-center

This is a new RV park in Kanab & much needed:

https://gprvresort.com/?gclid=CjwKCA...BoCiWMQAvD_BwE

There's also Kanab RV Corral and a couple campgrounds in nearby Jacob Lake.

Just outside of Jacob Lake on 89A are some close to the road boondocking spots.

We stayed near Grand Canyon North Rim (boondocking) and another time at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. We've also stayed at DeMotte national forest campground just outside the gate of Grand Canyon North Rim.

P.S. (We're SKPs, also)

allenb12 · 01-30-2021, 05:26 PM

We stay at Rancho Sedona when visiting Sedona.

RoadEyePie · 02-01-2021, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winningteam

Headed North from Tucson in May. #1 - Please advise on good route for Big Rig access with tow for site seeing in the Grand Canyon.

#2 We are then planning to go North to Page. Is it better to stay somewhere close and take the Tow into the GC area or can we go 180 to 64 in the rig then back over to 89 and go north to Page

#3 Also potential good campgrounds in Sedona and Grand Canyon with Pull thru if possible

I was going to say, you need to wait for TwoGypsies, he's an encyclopedia on the western states. But I see he already found you.

twogypsies · 02-01-2021, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadEyePie

I was going to say, you need to wait for TwoGypsies, he's an encyclopedia on the western states. But I see he already found you.

'she'

CamJam1 · 02-03-2021, 06:39 PM

+1 on Dead Horse Ranch State Park. Personally I find Sedona a bit crowded for big rigs (lots of roundabouts in the middle of town now too) but Dead Horse SP is close enough for a nice day trip to Sedona in the toad and the town of Jerome is just up the hill from there too.

Avoid driving the moho on Hwy 89A from Sedona to Flagstaff or from Clarkdale to Prescott. It's fine though from Cottonwood to Sedona and Hwy 260 from Cottonwood to I-17 is good as well. There are lots of roundabouts on 260 too, but they're sized for big trucks so nothing more than a slight inconvenience.

I live 12 miles from Sedona. Up the Creek in Page Springs is my favorite local restaurant. Not fancy, but good food and local color, overlooking Oak Creek. It was John McCain's favorite local haunt too as his ranch was just up the road from there.

rmarling · 02-07-2021, 08:30 PM

Keep an eye on the National Park update page, the East entrance has been and still is closed. You have to enter and exit from south entrance only, and take 180 back to 89 toward Flagstaff then north to Page as of now.

winningteam · 02-21-2021, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (a tour is recommended): https://bestfriends.org/sanctuary/pl...visitor-center

This is a new RV park in Kanab & much needed:

https://gprvresort.com/?gclid=CjwKCA...BoCiWMQAvD_BwE

There's also Kanab RV Corral and a couple campgrounds in nearby Jacob Lake.

Just outside of Jacob Lake on 89A are some close to the road boondocking spots.

We stayed near Grand Canyon North Rim (boondocking) and another time at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. We've also stayed at DeMotte national forest campground just outside the gate of Grand Canyon North Rim.

P.S. (We're SKPs, also)

We saw the new park last year on our way back from Alaska to Tucson but couldnt remember the Name! Thank you. Have you heard of any big rigs staying at the RV site in the sanctuary or is it to small?

twogypsies · 02-21-2021, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winningteam

We saw the new park last year on our way back from Alaska to Tucson but couldnt remember the Name! Thank you. Have you heard of any big rigs staying at the RV site in the sanctuary or is it to small?

Here are reviews of the Sanctuary sites. If you read the review of a volunteer who parked there, he states he had a 45'.

https://www.campgroundreviews.com/re...sanctuary-6691

CamJam1 · 02-22-2021, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (a tour is recommended): https://bestfriends.org/sanctuary/pl...visitor-center

This is a new RV park in Kanab & much needed:

https://gprvresort.com/?gclid=CjwKCA...BoCiWMQAvD_BwE

There's also Kanab RV Corral and a couple campgrounds in nearby Jacob Lake.

Just outside of Jacob Lake on 89A are some close to the road boondocking spots.

We stayed near Grand Canyon North Rim (boondocking) and another time at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. We've also stayed at DeMotte national forest campground just outside the gate of Grand Canyon North Rim.

P.S. (We're SKPs, also)

Be sure to get a blackberry milkshake from the store if you stop at Jacob Lake!