GRAND CIRCLE 1 week RV/Campervan
May 3rd, 2016, 10:10 AM
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GRAND CIRCLE 1 week RV/Campervan
Hello all! In the very preliminary stages of planning a one week trip for myself, husband, and 10 year old son to visit some National Parks in the Grand Circle.
Fly into Vegas Friday night 10/22, rent a small RV or camper van Sat through Sat and fly out of Vegas Sun, 10/30.
I am overwhelmed with information!
Any itinerary advice? Must sees (esp for kids), places to camp, what is realistic to do in a week? We are not afraid of a little adventure and some good hikes.
Thanks so much for your help.
Fly into Vegas Friday night 10/22, rent a small RV or camper van Sat through Sat and fly out of Vegas Sun, 10/30.
I am overwhelmed with information!
Any itinerary advice? Must sees (esp for kids), places to camp, what is realistic to do in a week? We are not afraid of a little adventure and some good hikes.
Thanks so much for your help.
May 3rd, 2016, 10:47 AM
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This map with lists of distances to places was posted a while ago by another poster. I've found it useful for planning a trip like this.
http://ohiohickstraveltips.weebly.co...-utah-map.html
Once you've figured out what you want to see/do, make sure you really want to do it in a RV/camper and that you can get a place to camp at the places you want to visit.
A typical circle (that can be done in either direction) might be: pick up camper early in the AM, drive to Hoover dam, visit the dam. Drive to the south rim of Grand Canyon, see sunset, spend the night. Up early, see sunrise,have breakfast, hike down either Bright angel trail or south Kaibab trail for an hour or so, then back up. Have lunch, Visit the VC, Hike along the rim trail towards Hermit's rest, hop on the bus when you feel tired. Have dinner Spend the night.
Pack up and leave towards the east on 64, stop at the overlooks you haven't seen, head north on 89, take a tour of Antelope Canyon spend the night near Page.
Pack up drive to Bryce, view hike, spend 2 nights so you can see sunrise.
Pack up head to Zion view hike spend 2 nights.
Head back to Vegas.
Be aware that hours of daylight are getting short in October, so try to get your driving done on these narrow, curvy roads that deer and elk sometimes use too while you can see. It is very dark when the sun goes down. The north rim of Grand Canyon may be closed and probably will have no facilities open that late in the year.
You might want to visit Valley of Fire state park on the way back to Vegas.
Always fill your gas tank when it gets below a half and carry food and water.
You might also want to check the option of renting a regular car and staying in hotels/motels/lodges, it will be easier finding parking in the parks and will probably be less expensive.
http://ohiohickstraveltips.weebly.co...-utah-map.html
Once you've figured out what you want to see/do, make sure you really want to do it in a RV/camper and that you can get a place to camp at the places you want to visit.
A typical circle (that can be done in either direction) might be: pick up camper early in the AM, drive to Hoover dam, visit the dam. Drive to the south rim of Grand Canyon, see sunset, spend the night. Up early, see sunrise,have breakfast, hike down either Bright angel trail or south Kaibab trail for an hour or so, then back up. Have lunch, Visit the VC, Hike along the rim trail towards Hermit's rest, hop on the bus when you feel tired. Have dinner Spend the night.
Pack up and leave towards the east on 64, stop at the overlooks you haven't seen, head north on 89, take a tour of Antelope Canyon spend the night near Page.
Pack up drive to Bryce, view hike, spend 2 nights so you can see sunrise.
Pack up head to Zion view hike spend 2 nights.
Head back to Vegas.
Be aware that hours of daylight are getting short in October, so try to get your driving done on these narrow, curvy roads that deer and elk sometimes use too while you can see. It is very dark when the sun goes down. The north rim of Grand Canyon may be closed and probably will have no facilities open that late in the year.
You might want to visit Valley of Fire state park on the way back to Vegas.
Always fill your gas tank when it gets below a half and carry food and water.
You might also want to check the option of renting a regular car and staying in hotels/motels/lodges, it will be easier finding parking in the parks and will probably be less expensive.
May 3rd, 2016, 06:07 PM
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Be forewarned, if you are doing this trip in 2016, Thursday 10/21-Sun 10/24 is Fall Break for ALL Utah schools. There will be droves of people in all Utah parks. I would visit the Grand Canyon etc first and then make your way to Bryce and Zion--at any rate, make any camping reservations you can now so that you have a place to camp.
May 4th, 2016, 02:29 AM
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Renting RV
If this is your 1st time, read # 4 at this site.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...oad_Trips.html
>> Personally test EVERYTHING before you leave - EVERYTHING including doors and windows < There should be operator manual included.
In planning your trip, this is my list of preferred books. You can buy the entire set for less than one motel room price:
1. All parks in the west - "Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West" . All of western US About 330 pages.
2. "Fodor's Utah": with Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef & Canyonlands National Parks About 325 pages
3. Overall touring guide of southern Utah Parks: "Utah Parks Driving, Hiking and Mountain Biking". Available in Kindle (about 1,000 pages) and paper back format (about 750 pages). This book gives a time saving mile-by-mile driving guide.
4 . Hiking (family): "Wow Utah Canyon Country" –Very well illustrated. About 440 pages.
All available on Amazon
Vaga
If this is your 1st time, read # 4 at this site.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...oad_Trips.html
>> Personally test EVERYTHING before you leave - EVERYTHING including doors and windows < There should be operator manual included.
In planning your trip, this is my list of preferred books. You can buy the entire set for less than one motel room price:
1. All parks in the west - "Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West" . All of western US About 330 pages.
2. "Fodor's Utah": with Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef & Canyonlands National Parks About 325 pages
3. Overall touring guide of southern Utah Parks: "Utah Parks Driving, Hiking and Mountain Biking". Available in Kindle (about 1,000 pages) and paper back format (about 750 pages). This book gives a time saving mile-by-mile driving guide.
4 . Hiking (family): "Wow Utah Canyon Country" –Very well illustrated. About 440 pages.
All available on Amazon
Vaga
May 4th, 2016, 05:53 AM
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We have visited the Grand Canyon area in an RV, i.e. trailer. But I can't quite see you renting such in Las Vegas. Why not rent a car and locate various motels or staying in park facilities? The Grand Canyon is surely a wonder to behold. The question is what else...and that will mean driving some distance up to Utah parks or to Sedona, e.g. This driving part is one reason I question a RV unless you are familiar with such a means of travel. Previous replies have also raised the issue.
May 4th, 2016, 12:58 PM
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Good...I really think pulling a trailer is NOT so good for this little trip. Besides you don't want to bother with setting up, getting water/electric hookhups, walking to privies, etc. Plus shopping for eats requiring your cooking. Seek out inexpensive motels or why not splurge on a luxurious one or two. Oh yes, certainly the lodge at Grand Canyon and likewise at other national parks. These are nice.
May 5th, 2016, 06:23 AM
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Yes...finding somewhere...setting up..cooking food...cleaning up and all that isn't something you'll want on a trip this short. Spend you time enjoying the trip instead. Enen still, this will be a whirlwind tour of the Grand Circle.
