Utah road trip

[dfandrews]

Paul,
When visiting Cottonwood, AZ we stayed at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. We recommend it. There is electricity at the sites. Restrooms/showers and grounds are clean. If you're on the upper loop the view is all the way across the valley to Jerome and Clarkdale.

A few of the things to see/do:
-Jerome is a town full of switchbacks, sitting on the side of a mountain of copper (literally). Lots of history.
(Just don't try to tow a trailer on AZ-89A through town, due to the switchbacks).
-Clarkdale: home of the Verde Canyon Railway. The Railroad was built to haul copper out of the area. More history.

-Sedona / Slide Rock is an easy day trip.


We spent several days in the area.

[saguarocat]

We just visited Kodachrome and Te-Ah on our way to Durango.


Bonito CG between Cameron and Flagstaff on Hwy 89 was a pleasant overnite stay. It is right next to Sunset Crater NM that had a quick hike through the lava fields. We overnighted at Gooseneck State Park at Mexican Hat. No amenities other than trash and a pit toilet for $10. Nice walk around the rim above the San Juan.


Hwy 89 between Cameron and Hwy 160 was rough as was Hwy 491 between Hwy 160 and Gallup.


There was road work on Hwy 89 between Page and Kanab with short 10 minute delays in a couple spots.

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Paul,
When visiting Cottonwood, AZ we stayed at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. We recommend it. There is electricity at the sites. Restrooms/showers and grounds are clean. If you're on the upper loop the view is all the way across the valley to Jerome and Clarkdale.

A few of the things to see/do:
-Jerome is a town full of switchbacks, sitting on the side of a mountain of copper (literally). Lots of history.
(Just don't try to tow a trailer on AZ-89A through town, due to the switchbacks).
-Clarkdale: home of the Verde Canyon Railway. The Railroad was built to haul copper out of the area. More history.

-Sedona / Slide Rock is an easy day trip.


We spent several days in the area.

I second everything Don says about the Cottonwood, Jerome, Sedona area! We also stayed in the upper loop of Dead Horse S.P. and loved it!

[alanmalk]

Be sure to stop in and see the campground host in site 35, Devils Garden, Arches National Park. We do have cancellations that we can use for new campers.

[John in Santa Cruz]

I found Arches NP just way too crowded for our tastes, especially since we couldn't go for any real hikes, just short strolls from the various parking lots as my wife has bad knees. That said, I'm glad we went. We were camping at Dead Horse Point SP, and got up early and made it to the line about 30 minutes before they opened, so only were queued about an hour... but this was 5 years ago, 2019.

if you're in that general area, do make a day trip down to Canyonland's Needles District, south of Moab, that was much less crowded, and there were lots of places for short walks to cool places with only a few people. I would like to go back and visit Canyonlands Maze region with a 4x4, as well as do White Rim Rd (also 4x4) around the Island in the Sky. Now, when I say 4x4, I have an Expedition 4x4 which will have good 33" all terrain tires, its got 4L and a locking rear differential, but it is by no means a 'rock crawler', I'm just interested in exploring a few 'easy' 4x4 roads. The Escape will stay in camp.

[Randy in Maine]

Originally Posted by Telescopist

I would say that the Utah 12 aka Scenic 12 Byway should be avoided for towing. John Wemesfelder and I took a day trip on it in his truck last spring. I wouldn't want to tow my 21 up and over this road. .

The last time I drove that road (in 2022) I remember saying to myself, "I am glad I don't have my new trailer behind me."

[jnfrombigt]

Originally Posted by Randy in Maine

The last time I drove that road (in 2022) I remember saying to myself, "I am glad I don't have my new trailer behind me."

Hey, I may regret it but "no guts no glory" or something like that.
Or the line from Kris Kristofferson's Silver Tongue Devil "You takes your own chances and pays your own dues"

[Randy in Maine]

I would like to suggest a YouTube video, "Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Understanding It" (a little over on hour long), for those wanting to learn a bit more about the the monument. It is quite informative and may be helpful for those planning a trip to the area.

[MarkinVan]

This is all such great information. thank you. We are leaving Vancouver tomorrow morning heading for Salt Lake City (Park City) for a needed one day meeting the week of the 16th -20th to be determined on the 12th. Why fly? Back in Vancouver at the end of the month. Get to write off the fuel. Life is good.

[MarkinVan]

One question please - Any recommendations on campgrounds with good swimming?

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by MarkinVan

One question please - Any recommendations on campgrounds with good swimming?

on our 3-4 week trip in southern Utah, we didn't see any swimming pools at any of the campgrounds we stayed at or looked at... that area is all pretty much desert, water is precious. The big lakes are full of power boats and jet skis, which isn't my thing, and isn't something I'd want to be swimming near. Maybe there are swimming holes along the Green River ?