Salt Lake City to Jackson, WY

[dennys67]

I am planning a roundabout trip from AZ to WI in May and am planning to spend a few days in Salt Lake City and then travel through Jackson WY to Dubois. Maps show 2 routes with just a few minutes difference. I80E to Evanston than N, or, I15N to McCarron then E on 30. I have a 32 foot Class C and will be towing with a dolly. Any thoughts, pro or con on either route?

[Arch Hoagland]

Can't help you on the route but we go to Salt Lake every two years.

Where are you going to stay in Salt Lake?

[Searching_Ut]

I drive from the Salt Lake City area to Jackson quite often. If you’re towing and concerned about about pulling hills, the route through evanston then north has gentler grades but neither route is what I consider tough. I-15 north to Idaho Falls is another route gps will sometimes try to route you on. If you take this route don’t take the route where you turn off hwy26 over Teton Pass. That route is a brake and transmission killer.

[dennys67]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Can't help you on the route but we go to Salt Lake every two years.

Where are you going to stay in Salt Lake?

I decided on Pony Express RV park. After reading the reviews I took what sounded like the lessor of 3 not so good parks. Maybe I'm wrong but not having been there before leaves few options to help decide. They had the dates available so I went with them.

[dennys67]

Originally Posted by Searching_Ut

I drive from the Salt Lake City area to Jackson quite often. If you’re towing and concerned about about pulling hills, the route through evanston then north has gentler grades but neither route is what I consider tough. I-15 north to Idaho Falls is another route gps will sometimes try to route you on. If you take this route don’t take the route where you turn off hwy26 over Teton Pass. That route is a brake and transmission killer.

Thanks for the info. Mountain driving doesn't bother me although this is a new unit so it will be a bit different. I will take a trial run towing the car to Flagstaff before the real thing tho. I will say that this is my first Ford in an RV and I am in love with the V10 and the tow, haul option. It's a beast.

[Jake21]

Originally Posted by dennys67

I decided on Pony Express RV park. After reading the reviews I took what sounded like the lessor of 3 not so good parks. Maybe I'm wrong but not having been there before leaves few options to help decide. They had the dates available so I went with them.

I personally would cancel Pony Express and book the KOA.

J

[DaveG39]

I have taken I15 to 89 through Logan then down to Bear Lake then after 89 connect 189 to Jackson several times. Should not be an issue though a grade down to Bear Lake.

[dennys67]

Originally Posted by Jake21

I personally would cancel Pony Express and book the KOA.

J

Can you please share your reasoning with that comment? Personal experiences?

[twogypsies]

Here's an aerial view of Pony Express on YouTube. There's also a YouTube on the KOA - do a search. The KOA looks very 'worn out'. It looks like Pony Express is right on the Legacy Trail - a beautiful paved trail for biking or walking.

We haven't been to either but the trail would be a big plus for us.

Nowadays almost everything is on YouTube - including your routes to Jackson. Check them out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv0J4lHvHoo

[Jake21]

Originally Posted by dennys67

Can you please share your reasoning with that comment? Personal experiences?

Sure as I have stayed at both . Pony is loud with highway traffic noise and motor-cross noise,I mean real loud. Also, there are several refineries basically across the street. It wouldn’t be bad for an overnight, but I wouldn’t want to spend much time there. also, zero shade and SLC can get very hot with a very intense sun.

Koa is very quiet and lots of grass and trees. Kinda its own little oasis. If the trail is important, you can pick it up right down the street. Also, it is closer to the Red Iguana than Pony. ;-)

J

[JFXG]

I’m with Jake....

We spent six weeks in SLC in summer of ‘14 (medical reason). The first few nights at Pony Express, but then shifted to KOA for convenience and availability when we found we’d be in town a while.

I well recall the highway noise at PE, an otherwise very nice park. The KOA has lots of trees, well cared for grass areas at just about every site, plenty of very nice staffers— all in all it was a really great place to stay, and very convenient to downtown.

And then we found the Red Iguana just a few blocks down the street on W North Temple. Wound up eating there half a dozen times or more during our stay. The Iguana is now the prime factor that drives all planned western travel to veer toward Salt Lake.

I can offer no opinion on your routes, however. Good Luck!!

[Jake21]

Originally Posted by JFXG

I’m with Jake....

We spent six weeks in SLC in summer of ‘14 (medical reason). The first few nights at Pony Express, but then shifted to KOA for convenience and availability when we found we’d be in town a while.

I well recall the highway noise at PE, an otherwise very nice park. The KOA has lots of trees, well cared for grass areas at just about every site, plenty of very nice staffers— all in all it was a really great place to stay, and very convenient to downtown.

And then we found the Red Iguana just a few blocks down the street on W North Temple. Wound up eating there half a dozen times or more during our stay. The Iguana is now the prime factor that drives all planned western travel to veer toward Salt Lake.

I can offer no opinion on your routes, however. Good Luck!!

The Iguana does have great food. And this is coming from a Tex-Mex raised boy who actually remembers Mama Ninfa in the kitchen on Navigation.

[dennys67]

I did change my reservation today to the KIA. And will give the Red Iguana a try. Thanks to everyone for the input. Nothing beats experience.

[Jake21]

Go early or there will be a line out the door. Also, there is a Red Iguana #2 a few blocks away which is less crowded. Food is good there also.