jganley

My husband and I are road tripping from San Antonio to Havasupai Falls. We have already arranged our camping with the reservation. We are currently planning to make night 1 at Guadalupe Mountains NP and then go on to Saguaro for a drive through and plan to stay somewhere in Arizona a 2nd night to allow us plenty of time to find the trail head to camp at (so we can start our hike in early) the 3rd night before hiking in. Any suggestions on must see places or suggestions for where we should stay night 2?
We can camp or hotel
After we leave Havasupai we are staying in Sedona in a pretty lush resort to relax after all the camping

Would love suggestions for places we should see and also places we should stay at night 2

Thanks!

MmePerdu

Having lived in Arizona much of my adult life I'm thinking that the drive from Guadalupe Mountains NP to a stop that's close to Hualapai Hilltop where I'm assuming you want to be early for your hike in (correct me if I'm wrong) is a very long one, 10 hours/700 miles. I think you'd best make no deviations for sightseeing, just drive the most direct route. I stayed in Peach Springs the night before I entered the reservation which worked perfectly, or Seligman would do also.
If you want time for anything along the way consider leaving Texas at least a day earlier.

MmePerdu

I took the 10 hour estimate from Google maps and realize now that it's a very optimistic one time-wise and will likely take a couple of hours more with basic stops. Not my idea of a fun day.

lgott

I believe the OP referred to three nights prior to the hike to Supai. The second night is to be spent "somewhere in Arizona". After that, "find the trail head to camp at (so we can start our hike in early) the 3rd night before hiking in."

If I'm right, the "somewhere in Arizona" might best be somewhere close to Saguaro National Park. That's still a lot of driving, but not quite so much. The third morning, drive to a staging area for the hike to Supai.

I can't offer help on the above, so I'll restrict my comments to the third night. The closest campground to Hualapai Hilltop is at Grand Canyon Caverns -- just over an hour's drive from Haulapai Hilltop. Grand Cavern Caverns also has a modest motel. A somewhat nicer motel (Hualapai Lodge) is located in Peach Springs; it's also just over one hour's drive from the hilltop.

The alternative is to drive to Hualapai Hilltop on the afternoon prior to the third night. Avoid driving in the dark, as Indian Road 18 is narrow, unlit, and seems to attract large wildlife, including cows. Unless you drive way below the speed limit, you probably won't see them until you hit them. There is NO campground at Hualapai Hilltop. You may not pitch a tent, nor place a sleeping bag, in the parking lot. In any case, the lot is usually full, with people parking on the side of the ride for a half mile or more before the lot. The shoulder is narrow, with a steep dropoff. There are a few places along the road where you might safely pitch a tent, but most people sleep in their cars.

MmePerdu

I think you're right, Igott, I missed the "3rd night". Since A hotel is among the possibilities I still think sleeping in comfort in Peach Springs, rather than in or near the Hilltop parking lot is the best idea, how I managed an early arrival and I don't think we disagree on that point.

As for the 2nd night, weather can be a factor so if we knew when this trip was happening it would help. In summer a higher elevation for obvious reasons would be more comfortable. I've camped in Chiracahua National Monument, a wonderful place and not far off the OP's route, about a 6 hour drive leaving several hours to enjoy the mountains and views, somewhere near the halfway point on the drive to Peach Springs. That's where I'd choose.
https://www.nps.gov/chir/planyourvisit/index.htm