Moab (arches,canyonland, grand canyon) or cedar city ( Bryce ,Zion, Durango)
mesquite47 said
06:34 PM Oct 28, 2013
Limited vacation time in July which would you chose ?? how hot will it be ?? cooler in one than the other?? or just bite the bullet and do it all ,,,, thats alot of travel from Dallas Tx in 2 week time frame would love to see it all, but don't want to kill ourselves either,, would love your input
Moab (Arches, Canyonland, Grand Canyon) or Cedar City (Durango, Bryce, Zion)
Technomadia said
07:25 PM Oct 28, 2013
They're all beautiful and worth the trip. And they're all connected into one giant geological formation - I loved traveling the escalante over the course of a couple of weeks to bring all the pieces together.
It's going to be rather warm in July, no matter how you shake it. I recall we were in Zion once in early August, and it was around 105.
But really, you can't go wrong with any of them.. it'll be an amazing adventure.
- Cherie
Bill and Linda said
08:20 PM Oct 28, 2013
We’ve been to all of them and it’s really hard to choose.If you can get camping reservations IN Arches - boondocking only facilities there - I guess I would go for Arches and the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, etc. as a package if I had to choose..However, Bryce is the probably most spectacular place we’ve been in the lower 48 as far as OH MY! reactions. It was one of those perfect days and nights.Bryce is really dark at night and the sky, without a moon, is beyond spectacular. You see stars and the Milky Way like you never have before close to any city.The colors and formations of Bryce in the morning are likewise just spectacular. Amazing.
Due to the altitude they will be fairly comfortable. But it is July. Check out the altitudes for the Arches campground in the park (not Moab) and Bryce for example.
Sort of like asking which of your children you love the most:All.
Bill
TheHarveys said
07:18 AM Oct 29, 2013
We did the Moab, Arches trip you are considering, leaving from our home in Hurst, TX. It can be done in two weeks. I would recommend extending the trip to include Monument Valley. I would further recommend Gouldings RV Resort in Monument Valley. It is a very nice campground. We would love to go back again...but, when you are still working, there are so many places to see and only so much vacation time. Whichever one you choose, I am sure you will enjoy your trip.
-- Edited by TheHarveys on Tuesday 29th of October 2013 07:26:13 AM
el Rojo and Pam said
03:59 PM Oct 29, 2013
When we went to Moab we also included Mesa Verde in SW Colorado and a brief stop at the 4 corners monument. In Moab we took the river cruise with the lights. It included dinner and was fun. We met many foreign travelers taking the river cruise. We spent several days in Moab exploring the jeep trails in the Canyonland NP.
Bill and Jodee said
10:59 PM Oct 30, 2013
TheHarveys wrote:
We did the Moab, Arches trip you are considering, leaving from our home in Hurst, TX. It can be done in two weeks. I would recommend extending the trip to include Monument Valley. I would further recommend Gouldings RV Resort in Monument Valley. It is a very nice campground. We would love to go back again...but, when you are still working, there are so many places to see and only so much vacation time. Whichever one you choose, I am sure you will enjoy your trip.
-- Edited by TheHarveys on Tuesday 29th of October 2013 07:26:13 AM
Cindy and Jeff,
The Gouldings website doesn't have any pictures of the RV campground and I'm wondering how it is on spacing between sites. Rig size doesn't look like an issue but I'm wondering if it is typical "resort" parking lot or more spread out. We love the area and are still looking for a nice place to land for a couple weeks next Spring. Thanks!
The blog has some beautiful pictures. We found the sites at the park to be adequate. They were not what one would necessarily consider spacious, but I guess that depends on your point of view. We could have easily stayed there a month if only we had the time.
The campground is beautiful with truly beautiful views of Monument Valley. The museum is quaint and the restaurant in the hotel is good. We ate there several times. You get great views of monument Valley from your window table in the restaurant. For a treat, let me recommend the Indian flatbread served with butter and honey...and a glass of prickly pear ice tea. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
As an aside, you can take a small hike right from the backside of the campground and see a small arch close up.
Bill and Jodee said
02:07 PM Oct 31, 2013
Perfect! Thanks for the pics and the review - we will most definitely give it a try. And fry bread is my favorite!! A Navajo Taco is always on the agenda when in the area (or in Quartzsite where they are almost as good ).
Jodee
Neil and Connie said
04:32 PM Oct 31, 2013
All good but it really depends on what you want to see. Connie and I found that Arches wasn't as cool as Canyonlands was; particularly the southern portion of Canyonlands which is just Wow!. The arches were cool but not as spectacular. I've always heard that Bryce and Zion were the best places out there. All will be pretty warm in July I think. We stayed at the Moab Campground which is just north of Moab city and the first RV park south of the Colorado…don't stay at the second one going south as it was dumpy…it's the one with the hotel attached where as Moab CG only has sites and cabins.
DebbieM said
05:10 AM Nov 1, 2013
We were there in July several years ago. They are all so gorgeous and have so much to offer. For me, Bryce was my hands down favorite! But in Zion you can do the river hike that is unbelievable! Great to do when it's hot!
Have a great time, you can't go wrong!
cejones4210 said
04:34 PM Nov 5, 2013
Bill and Jodee wrote:
TheHarveys wrote:
We did the Moab, Arches trip you are considering, leaving from our home in Hurst, TX. It can be done in two weeks. I would recommend extending the trip to include Monument Valley. I would further recommend Gouldings RV Resort in Monument Valley. It is a very nice campground. We would love to go back again...but, when you are still working, there are so many places to see and only so much vacation time. Whichever one you choose, I am sure you will enjoy your trip.
-- Edited by TheHarveys on Tuesday 29th of October 2013 07:26:13 AM
Cindy and Jeff,
The Gouldings website doesn't have any pictures of the RV campground and I'm wondering how it is on spacing between sites. Rig size doesn't look like an issue but I'm wondering if it is typical "resort" parking lot or more spread out. We love the area and are still looking for a nice place to land for a couple weeks next Spring. Thanks!
Jodee
We stayed at Gouldings this summer, it was nicer than the reviews would lead you to believe, but the sites are pretty close together. We liked being so close to Monument Valley as we got up at 4 in the morning, to drive over to watch the sun rise behind the "Mittens" . It was so worth it.
We did Arches also but stayed at a campground in Moab, can't remember the name. Making the loop of Arches, Zion, Bryce, Canyonland and the Grand Canyon would be a spectacular trip!!! We did that loop about 25 years ago, so I know it's doable, but I would have liked to spend more time in each location, but work does get in the way of our plans. :)
TXRVr said
05:37 PM Nov 7, 2013
mesquite47 wrote:
Limited vacation time in July which would you chose ?? how hot will it be ?? cooler in one than the other?? or just bite the bullet and do it all ,,,, thats alot of travel from Dallas Tx in 2 week time frame would love to see it all, but don't want to kill ourselves either,, would love your input
Moab (Arches, Canyonland, Grand Canyon) or Cedar City (Durango, Bryce, Zion)
That would be 2400 miles in two weeks. To use your words, you will probably kill yourselves. Two years ago, I spent a month in Utah and AZ (I live in TX) doing all the rock and hole-in-the-ground places. The four that we most enjoyed were Arches, Canyonland, Capital Reef (not on your list), and Monument Valley. Lots of Kodak moments among them.
Purchase an America the Beautiful annual pass to save some bucks on entrance fees, take a backpack with lotsa water, have good hiking shoes, and expect to be in better shape that you were before you started.
Steve and Kate said
11:00 PM Dec 17, 2013
We live in our 5th wheel on top of Cedar Mountain 12 miles outside Cedar City from May-October (or when the snow gets too deep). I think it would be your best choice. Easy day trips to Zion, Bryce, Cedar Breaks, Fremont Indian ruins and many others. North Rim of Grand Canyon a further drive but still a day trip if done by car. Las Vegas NV is just a short trip away too. July 2013 was not weather perfect. Think of the flooding in Boulder CO---that hit Cedar City Utah first and we had several weeks of rain. No flooding issues, but it would dampen (pardon the pun) the vacation. Temps at Zion are hot in July, getting into the 100's; Bryce and Cedar Breaks are cooler due to high altitude-getting into the 70-80's. Night temps can get really cool at the higher elevations. Several nice RV parks in Cedar City, a very low cost and very nice one in Kanarraville just 9 miles outside of town. If you choose Cedar City there are many things to do including great outdoor theatre, interesting boutique shopping, great hiking and 4 wheeling. Too bad you can't wait another 5 weeks and come when the colors change--it is awesome. Want more info-send me a private message. Kate
-- Edited by Steve and Kate on Tuesday 17th of December 2013 11:12:03 PM
-- Edited by Steve and Kate on Tuesday 17th of December 2013 11:17:22 PM
CWinLV said
09:28 PM Jan 2, 2014
The Bryce/Zion//Durango trip will be cooler due to the high altitude (Zion will be hot, though). All areas mentioned are absolutely beautiful and not to be missed!
Limited vacation time in July which would you chose ?? how hot will it be ?? cooler in one than the other?? or just bite the bullet and do it all ,,,, thats alot of travel from Dallas Tx in 2 week time frame would love to see it all, but don't want to kill ourselves either,, would love your input
Moab (Arches, Canyonland, Grand Canyon) or Cedar City (Durango, Bryce, Zion)
It's going to be rather warm in July, no matter how you shake it. I recall we were in Zion once in early August, and it was around 105.
But really, you can't go wrong with any of them.. it'll be an amazing adventure.
- Cherie
We’ve been to all of them and it’s really hard to choose. If you can get camping reservations IN Arches - boondocking only facilities there - I guess I would go for Arches and the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, etc. as a package if I had to choose.. However, Bryce is the probably most spectacular place we’ve been in the lower 48 as far as OH MY! reactions. It was one of those perfect days and nights. Bryce is really dark at night and the sky, without a moon, is beyond spectacular. You see stars and the Milky Way like you never have before close to any city. The colors and formations of Bryce in the morning are likewise just spectacular. Amazing.
Due to the altitude they will be fairly comfortable. But it is July. Check out the altitudes for the Arches campground in the park (not Moab) and Bryce for example.
Sort of like asking which of your children you love the most: All.
Bill
We did the Moab, Arches trip you are considering, leaving from our home in Hurst, TX. It can be done in two weeks. I would recommend extending the trip to include Monument Valley. I would further recommend Gouldings RV Resort in Monument Valley. It is a very nice campground. We would love to go back again...but, when you are still working, there are so many places to see and only so much vacation time.
Whichever one you choose, I am sure you will enjoy your trip.
-- Edited by TheHarveys on Tuesday 29th of October 2013 07:26:13 AM
Cindy and Jeff,
The Gouldings website doesn't have any pictures of the RV campground and I'm wondering how it is on spacing between sites. Rig size doesn't look like an issue but I'm wondering if it is typical "resort" parking lot or more spread out. We love the area and are still looking for a nice place to land for a couple weeks next Spring. Thanks!
Jodee
A recent blog entry from our friends that shows Gouldings - http://www.mytripjournal.com/travel-757407.
The campground is beautiful with truly beautiful views of Monument Valley. The museum is quaint and the restaurant in the hotel is good. We ate there several times. You get great views of monument Valley from your window table in the restaurant. For a treat, let me recommend the Indian flatbread served with butter and honey...and a glass of prickly pear ice tea. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
As an aside, you can take a small hike right from the backside of the campground and see a small arch close up.
Jodee
All good but it really depends on what you want to see. Connie and I found that Arches wasn't as cool as Canyonlands was; particularly the southern portion of Canyonlands which is just Wow!. The arches were cool but not as spectacular. I've always heard that Bryce and Zion were the best places out there. All will be pretty warm in July I think. We stayed at the Moab Campground which is just north of Moab city and the first RV park south of the Colorado…don't stay at the second one going south as it was dumpy…it's the one with the hotel attached where as Moab CG only has sites and cabins.
We were there in July several years ago. They are all so gorgeous and have so much to offer. For me, Bryce was my hands down favorite! But in Zion you can do the river hike that is unbelievable! Great to do when it's hot!
Have a great time, you can't go wrong!
We stayed at Gouldings this summer, it was nicer than the reviews would lead you to believe, but the sites are pretty close together. We liked being so close to Monument Valley as we got up at 4 in the morning, to drive over to watch the sun rise behind the "Mittens" . It was so worth it.
We did Arches also but stayed at a campground in Moab, can't remember the name. Making the loop of Arches, Zion, Bryce, Canyonland and the Grand Canyon would be a spectacular trip!!! We did that loop about 25 years ago, so I know it's doable, but I would have liked to spend more time in each location, but work does get in the way of our plans. :)
That would be 2400 miles in two weeks. To use your words, you will probably kill yourselves. Two years ago, I spent a month in Utah and AZ (I live in TX) doing all the rock and hole-in-the-ground places. The four that we most enjoyed were Arches, Canyonland, Capital Reef (not on your list), and Monument Valley. Lots of Kodak moments among them.
Purchase an America the Beautiful annual pass to save some bucks on entrance fees, take a backpack with lotsa water, have good hiking shoes, and expect to be in better shape that you were before you started.
We live in our 5th wheel on top of Cedar Mountain 12 miles outside Cedar City from May-October (or when the snow gets too deep). I think it would be your best choice. Easy day trips to Zion, Bryce, Cedar Breaks, Fremont Indian ruins and many others. North Rim of Grand Canyon a further drive but still a day trip if done by car. Las Vegas NV is just a short trip away too. July 2013 was not weather perfect. Think of the flooding in Boulder CO---that hit Cedar City Utah first and we had several weeks of rain. No flooding issues, but it would dampen (pardon the pun) the vacation. Temps at Zion are hot in July, getting into the 100's; Bryce and Cedar Breaks are cooler due to high altitude-getting into the 70-80's. Night temps can get really cool at the higher elevations. Several nice RV parks in Cedar City, a very low cost and very nice one in Kanarraville just 9 miles outside of town. If you choose Cedar City there are many things to do including great outdoor theatre, interesting boutique shopping, great hiking and 4 wheeling. Too bad you can't wait another 5 weeks and come when the colors change--it is awesome. Want more info-send me a private message. Kate
http://s982.photobucket.com/user/aspenridge9256/library/
-- Edited by Steve and Kate on Tuesday 17th of December 2013 11:12:03 PM
-- Edited by Steve and Kate on Tuesday 17th of December 2013 11:17:22 PM
The Bryce/Zion//Durango trip will be cooler due to the high altitude (Zion will be hot, though). All areas mentioned are absolutely beautiful and not to be missed!