Community Forums

Mean1255 · 07-01-2013, 10:59 AM

I will be traveling to Utah soon and wondering how major roads were for driving 35' motorhome pulling jeep? I am curious because I read some reviews saying that State Highway 12 going to Bryce was very narrow? Has anyone travelled the route from Moab to Bryce then on to Zion? If so, could you give your opinion on the route and how the drive would be with the aforementioned motorhome?

Thanks,

mean1255

J Birder · 07-01-2013, 11:44 AM

Highway 12 is no more narrow than any other typical 2 lane highway. Parts of it are rather steep, but there are no really sharp curves. If I remember correctly. the entire road has reasonable shoulders. We pulled our 5er over it last October, and I would not expect that you should have a problem.

The scenery is spectacular, especially along the hogback ridge. You'll know it when you see it. If you do go that way, you will be going right by Capitol Reef National Park. It is a real gem that receives far too little attention. Don't just pass it up.

Joel

smlranger · 07-01-2013, 11:50 AM

I don't remember all the route numbers, but we drove from Bryce to Monument Valley and then up to Moab and the roads were fine. That was in a 36' DP pulling a Ford Explorer. From Bryce we made our way to Page, then I believe it was route 12 to a junction near Kayenta, then up 163 to Monument Valley.

If you are driving from Moab, it would really be great to at least drive through Mounment Valley. It is pretty amazing to see, especially when you approach from the north on 163.

Tom3205 · 07-01-2013, 01:13 PM

You will have a spectacular trip. Nat'l park campground at Arches is tight. Not big rig friendly. We parked at a private campground for 3 days and drove car all over the place, all the way down to canyonlands. The road to Torrey is fine. Capital reef is a must see. From Torrey to Escalante On rte 12, is quite a drive. plenty of scenic overlooks. Just drive slow, take your time. From Escalante to Bryce is just fine. Actually, the scenery is "AWESOME"..!!! There is a tunnel in Zion, that you pay for a "permit". They then stop traffic so only you go thru. The "look-outs" in the wall are narrow, and don't give you much time to see out.. Both Zion and Bryce offer "shuttles" thru the park, don't have to drive just ride and enjoy.. I am jealous, can't wait to go back.!!

Tom3205 · 07-01-2013, 01:20 PM

We did the trip in Sept. of 2009. Should have made reservations for Zion. Park was full before noon. Private park, closest to Park was $39.00.. At Bryce, we stayed outside the park at "Bryce Pines". So, reservations would probably be necessary there too.

RetiredFPD · 07-01-2013, 06:24 PM

Just made the trip from Monum Vly to Moab, then up and around to Cedar City. We pull a 40' FWTH. The reason we like Cedar City is it's close to Bryce (1.25 hrs), Zion (1 hr), and reasonably close to North Rim of Grand Can (3.5 hours - we do it on the M/C as a day ride - we leave about 8 am and are back by 4 p). The roads are fine (from MV to Moab, 163 - 191 area both great roads and beautimus). Some downhill and climbs on 163 thru the Mexican Hat area but no sweat. We stayed in Goulding's RV in MV....nice place. In Moab we stayed ay OK RV Park & Stables (see both of my reviews on RV Reviews) liked it. If you're going to only go to Bryce from Moab, then you'll turn south on 89 off of I 70, but if you want to hit more than Bryce.... CC is a good place to operate out of. Small RV park in CC owned by Best Western Town & Country....we stay here every June for a month. Pretty little town CC is. 6k ft so not as hot. BE ADVISED. Hwy 9 thru Zion has a looooong tunnel and access is controlled. If you have a big rig, you get charged extra to go thru it. O/A length limit is 65ft and NO PLACE to turn around once you get to the tunnel

skigramp · 07-02-2013, 07:32 AM

three comments:

Capital Reef is quite fascinating ... there are some great trails for your jeep ... we drove some of them in our four wheel drive SUV ...
Goblin Valley State Park is a fun place to go too ... it is well worth a couple of hours there
Hwy 12 between Boulder and Escalante has some steep places ... but they are not long ... so go slow at the top ... but it is a SPECTACULAR drive!

Enjoy Utah ... we have fallen in love with that corner of the world

chuck123 · 07-05-2013, 06:56 PM

I agree with everyone we drove Hwy.12 from Bryce to Moab. You must go slow in places but the scenery was worth it much cooler than the interstate.

Tom3205 · 07-11-2013, 11:20 AM

please, let us know how everything went. How much fun you really had. Thanks.

RVThere · 07-11-2013, 02:35 PM

You will drive the Hogback - 12% grade, no guard rail, no shoulder, curvy road. It is a rite of passage for any RV'r.

Check out the video below!

The Hog Back on Hwy#12, Utah on Vimeo

J Birder · 07-15-2013, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVThere

You will drive the Hogback - 12% grade, no guard rail, no shoulder, curvy road. It is a rite of passage for any RV'r.

Check out the video below!

The Hog Back on Hwy#12, Utah on Vimeo

That is a nice video, but it doesn't give a view of the extreme drop offs on both sides of the road.

Joel

beaverfever · 07-15-2013, 02:25 PM

hiway 12 is driven by hundreds of rv's each month with out a problem.
it as a state hiway with 12 foot lanes not a goat trail.
it is probably the most scenic road in utah and should not be missed
just my 2 cents.
enjoy

smlranger · 07-15-2013, 07:07 PM

Nice video but does not seem as challenging (for an RV) as the Beartooth Highway from Red Lodge, MT over to the SE entrance to Yellowstone. Did that in a 36' DP pulling a Ford Explorer. No problem, great scenery, glad we did it at least once.

MRUSA14 · 07-15-2013, 07:47 PM

I have done both. The Beartooth is amazing but no place for a big rig, IMHO. I drove it in a class C and it was a handful. I could not really enjoy the scenery as I had to keep my eyes glued to the pavement. When I was finished, I wished that I could have done it in a car, so I could have been more relaxed and seen more.

I drove Utah Rt 12 in a 41 foot DP with toad. It was most enjoyable, and I was never uncomfortable driving it. The scenery, like the Beartooth, is awesome, but I was able to enjoy the Utah drive much more.

When I get a chance I will do the UT drive again. Not so sure I would redo the Beartooth as I have done it and it was a bit hair-raising.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smlranger

Nice video but does not seem as challenging (for an RV) as the Beartooth Highway from Red Lodge, MT over to the SE entrance to Yellowstone. Did that in a 36' DP pulling a Ford Explorer. No problem, great scenery, glad we did it at least once.