saveme

I have a 6 week trip itinerary below that needs to be cut back to 3 weeks. I would appreciate some advice on what to cut and what to keep. Suggestions, anyone?


1. Arrive Salt Lake City
2. Wake up Salt Lake Drive 5 hours to Craters of the Moon – 3-4 hour visit
3. Wake up Craters - Drive 4 hours to Grand Teton
4. Awake in Teton – 9am snake river trip 6pm shootout in Jackson
5. Awake in Teton drive 1hr to Yellowstone
6. Yellowstone
7. Yellowstone
8. Yellowstone
9. Drive 2hrs to Cody - cliff jumping, rodeo
10. Drive 6hrs devils tower –drive thru? Sleep where”
11. Awake in Black Hills/Badlands
12. Jewel Cave
13. Black Hills/Badlands
14. Awake in Black Hills drive 4 hrs to Chimney Rock drive through drive 2.5 hours to Cheyenne
15. Wake up in Cheyenne - a day around here?
16. Wake up in Cheyenne again and drive 6 hours to Great Sand Dunes national monument
17. Wake up in Sand Dunes and spend one day
18. Wake up in Sand Dunes and drive 5 hours to Mesa Verde
19. Wake up in Mesa Verde, tour pueblos
20. Wake up Mesa Verde (drive 45min to Durango for rodeo rodeos weekend of 7/28 in Durango??)
21. Wake up Durango 5 hours to Lake Powell
22. Wake up Powell
23. Wake up Powell
24. Wake up Powell - Drive 3 hours to Grand Canyon
25. Grand canyon
26. Grand Canyon
27. Grand Canyon drive 5hours to Zion
28. Zion
29. Zion
30. Zion drive 3 hours to Bryce
31. Bryce
32. Bryce drive 4 hours to Capitol Reef
33. Capitol Reef
34. Wake up Capitol Reef drive 3 hours to canyonlands
35. Wake up Canyonlands
36. Wake up Canyonlands drive to Arches
37. Arches
38. Wake up Arches drive 4 hours to Salt Lake
39. Wake up Salt Lake – fly home

Gretchen

I think the Badlands are the outliers here. And if you flew in and out of Denver it could be a nicer loop with fewer long days of driving.
Lot of time in the Sand Dunes.
What other interest is along this route--rodeos?
Not nearly enough time at Mesa Verde.
Why so much at Lake Powell?

WhereAreWe

You need to list what your main interests and must-see items are to get the best advice. Otherwise we're just guessing as to what to cut and what to leave.

I'll try though - cut out Craters of the Moon, Lake Powell, and a couple days from the Grand Canyon. That's about a week saved. Then if you completely cut out everything from the time you leave Yellowstone until you get to Great Sand Dunes, you'll save another 8 days. That takes you down to about 24 days or so. After that its relatively easy, cut a day from Sand Dunes, Bryce and consolidate Moab into 3 days instead of 4. That brings you down to 21 days.

I think with more info from you, we can give you more suggestions and fine tune it more than what I did above.

spirobulldog

what time of year would make a difference too. Camping or lodging?

InSandy

Over all National Parks seems to be the theme, right?

Another second to cut out Craters of the Moon. It is nice, but when you have so much it is definitely the bottom of the list. Save a day, just drive straight to Tetons.

3 full days in Yellowstone would be great... don't be tempted to cut back there.

While in Cody don't leave out the best reason to go there--- the Buffalo Bill museums. Fantastic.

If you can push on to stay in Hill City or somewhere near there it would be better than stopping near Devil's Tower. But if you need to not drive that far then Sundance is a good place.

I personally didn't think Badlands NP itself was very interesting. I'd skip it. Just do Custer State park and Mt Rushmore.

Cheyenne,,, okay to sleep there, skip the day there.

I haven't been to Great Sand Dunes, though I am hoping to one day. But it seems to be another outlier and less interesting to me than some of the others. You might be able to substitute Rocky Mt NP for it which would help with the flow.

Leave out the rodeo and full day in Durango.

Unless you are renting a boat and heading out onto the lake for over nighters three days at Lake Powell might be too much. A day for the fun things in Page.

Which rim at the Grand Canyon? While I think three days there would be minimum, you might be able to skip a day there.

You have four days for Canyonlands/Arches. Stay in Moab for both of them, cut a day.

However...You really have two trips here. Cut out one or the other.

Either start in Denver do Yellowstone/Black Hills, Rocky Mt and Sand Dunes. And leave the Utah/AZ parks out.

Or do the Utah / AZ parks and leave out Black Hills and Sand Dunes. You could maybe add in Yellowstone to a southern Utah / Grand Canyon in a three week period.

starrs

I would go from Cody to Mesa Verde. That cuts out one of your weeks.

I'd go from Mesa Verde to the Grand Canyon and ONE of the SW parks. You pick.

That should be about three weeks.

saveme

I haven't had a chance to absorb some of your suggestions but I thought I would at least answer questions. We don't have much in the way of specific goals - just a family trip to see these incredible parts of the country and natural wonders, including short walks/hikes, some fun clambering for the kids, and a few 'experiences' e.g. rodeo, rafting, etc. Yellowstone and Grand Canyon are must-see. Also probably Arches and Powell. Different family members have expressed specific interest in Craters, Sand Dunes and Badlands, but no promises have been made ; ) Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!

Tomsd

Bag the Badlands.

Close to Durango - you might also consider Telluride ski area - or for they great natural hot springs - check out Ouray.

Would also take a look at including Monument Valley - and if you want an easy shot to see more cliff dwellings - the Navajo National Monument is just west of there. http://www.google.com/search?q=Map+f...w=1253&bih=658

Tomsd

If I wasn't that clear - if you left Mesa Verde early - you could easily pass through 4 corners - and then visit to the Navajo National Monument (30 minutes beyond/west of Kenyata - the southern entrance to Monument Valley) - if you wanted to see some more Cliff Dwellings.

But you may have seen enough by then, so you could just drive into Monument Valley for the afternoon - and decide if you wanted to stay for sunset (or leave before then and complete the two and half hour drive to the Grand Canyon)

Even if you stayed for sunset - you could either stay there/Kayenta overnight - or finish the relatively straight/easy drive over to the Grand Canyon that evening.

Tomsd

Sorry - forgot to add - from Monument Valley - you could also pull into Page for the night - and do a half day river rafting the next morning - and then continue on to the GC.

All up to you.

saveme

hanks SO much for the wise words. Based on family talks and feedback here and elsewhere, here is what we have cut down to so far. We are still a couple of days over. Do you see anywhere we can thin? Or, anywhere we are on the wrong track? Also, if anyone has any addl rec's for specific campgrounds, experiences, etc. I think we are about ready to start feeding those in to the plan... Finally, we ARE camping. should we camp IN the parks or at KOAs?

1. Arrive Denver
• Hotel
• Car/Gear
2. Wake up Denver
• Drive 7 hours to Badlands
• Tent
3. Awake in Badlands
• Badlands Park
• Tent
4. Awake in Badlands
• Drive 2.25 hours to Bear Country
• Drive 45 min to Jewel Cave
• Tent
5. Awake in Black Hills
• Drive 6 hours to Cody
• Rodeo/Cliff Jump?
• Hotel
6. Awake Cody
• Cliff Jump
• Drive 2 hours to Yellowstone
• Tent
7. Yellowstone
• Tent
9. Yellowstone
• Tent
10. Yellowstone
• Tent/1 hour to Jackson Hotel?
11. Awake in Yellowstone/Jackson
• Grand Teton
• 9am snake river trip
• 6pm shootout in Jackson
• Hotel
12. Awake in Teton
• Drive 9 hours to Capitol Reef
• Hotel
13. Wake up Capitol Reef Hotel
• Tent
14. Wake up Capitol Reef
• Bryce Canyon?
• Drive 6 hours to Grand Canyon
• Tent
15. Grand Canyon
• Tent
16. Awake Grand Canyon
• Drive 3 hours to Lake Powell
• Tent
17. Awake Lake Powell
• Boat
• Tent
18. Awake Lake Powell
• Drive 5 hours to Moab
• Hotel
19. Awake Moab
• Canyonlands
• Tent/Hotel
20. Awake Moab
• Tent/Hotel
21. Awake Moab
• Drive 5+ hours to Denver
22. Fly home

2dogs

at Lake Powell the best place to camp is on the beach at Lone Rock Beach .. great bath house and camp right next to lake .. can be very sandy in areas, just follow the tracks of others .. I have seen those huge RV buses on the shore line to tents

InSandy

You are going to have to cut something out. Whatever it is will hurt a little. Since you are so sparse everywhere and many of your stops are needed because everything is so far apart it might have to be Yellowstone, Grand Tetons or Moab which are about the only ones you have more than one day in.

Having said that though if it were me I'd probably leave out Cody. It really is minor compared to some of the other places you'll be. If you could cut out that night, you might be able to cut a night from Yellowstone without really losing any time there.

Definitely stay and book campgrounds in all of the parks you can (Yellowstone, Grand Canyon). The problem you'll have at Badlands is no reservations are accepted. Since you'll be getting there late it might be better to have somewhere else planned for that night. (though I tried to find somewhere last year and ended up in a hotel).

And I realize Capitol Reef is your halfway stop between Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, and it is one of my favorite parks, but you could cut out the second night there as well. It is a deceptively easy park to see. Either you spend days there, or you drive through in about half a day.

Wahweap marina is the campground by the Lake Powell marina where you would pick up any boating tours or rentals. You can reserve it.

Some of the most beautiful campgrounds in the Moab area are in the parks. I especially enjoy Devil's Garden in Arches and the State park at Dead Horse Point. Both of which can be reserved. The problem with both of them is that they are great for seeing the parks they are in but not so great for visiting the other parks in the area. If you are willing to move those two nights I would suggest one night in each of those places. Otherwise it might be better to stay in one of the commercial places in town which are more central to everything and have showers.

WhereAreWe

With the pace of your trip you need to camp in the parks whenever possible. You simply don't have time to waste driving back and forth, especially in Yellowstone.

Bryce and Badlands have camping very near the main entrance. In fact, the town of Interior is less than half a mile from the visitor's center of Badlands, so at least in that park it makes no difference whether you're inside or outside as long as you're either in Interior or in the park campground. The campground in Arches is at the far end of the park so I'm not sure if it's better to stay in Moab or Arches, probably Moab.

If you need to cut some time, maybe you should have just one overnight at Capitol Reef and Grand Canyon instead of 2 apiece. Also, I would allocate an overnight at Badlands and 2 in the Black Hills - as is all you have in the Black Hills is Bear Country and Jewel Cave (no Mt Rushmore or Custer State Park and you'll want some time for those). And at least make a stop at Devil's Tower on your way to Cody.

saveme

The replies are SUPREMELY HELPFUL. Thank you SO much -- we would be truly lost without all the experience you all share on the forum. Please -- keep the tips coming and I'll keep you posted as we re-jigger and confirm.

hsmamato2

I have a question for OP ;-) what is the cliff jumping in Cody? Is this safe for families?

mellyhard

what is the cliff jumping in Cody... Best thing I did

saveme

UGH! I tried to cut and instead I added! I'm 2 days over again : (


1. Arrive Denver [7/24]
• Car/Gear
• Hotel TBD

2. Awake in Denver [7/25]
• Drive 5 hours to ???
3. Awake in ??????
• Drive 3 hours to Badlands
• Tent @ Badlands KOA or Cedar Pass NP Camping Ground

4. Awake in Badlands [7/26]
• Badlands Park
• Drive 2.5 hours rushmore, custer, Jewel Cave
• Tent @ Custer KOA or at Rapid City KOA

5. Awake in Black Hills [7/28]
• Drive 6 hours to Cody
• Rodeo
• Hotel @ Sunrise Motor Inn or Best Western; OR Tent @ Cody KOA

6. Awake in Cody [7/29]
• Cliff Jump/ buffalo bill
• Drive 2 hours to Yellowstone
• Tent @ Yellowstone KOA or Norris NP Camping Ground

7. Awake in Yellowstone [7/30]
• Tent @ Yellowstone KOA or Norris NP Camping Ground

8. Awake in Yellowstone [7/31]
• Tent @ Yellowstone KOA or Norris NP Camping Ground

9. Awake in Yellowstone [8/1]
• Tent @ Yellowstone KOA; OR Hotel @ Golden Eagle Inn in Jackson (1 hour drive)

10. Awake in Yellowstone/Jackson [8/2]
• Grand Teton
• 9am snake river trip (Mad River Tours)
• Jackson Alpine Slide
• 6pm shootout in Jackson
• Hotel @ Golden Eagle Inn

11. Awake in Teton [8/3]
• Drive 4.5 hours to superior
• 1.5 hours to Flaming Gorge
• lodging?
12. Awake in Flaming Gorge
• Swim
• Drive 4.5 hours to arches,
• Tent
13. Awake in Arches
• Arches/Canyonlands
14. Awake canyonlands
• Drive to capitol reef
• Tent @ Fruita NP Camping Ground
15. Awake Capitol Reef
• Drive 3 hours to Bryce Canyon drive-thru?
• Drive 3 hours to
16. Awake Bryce
• Drive 3 hours to Grand Canyon
• Tent @ North Rim NP Camping Ground
17. Awake in Grand Canyon [8/6]
• Drive 3 hours to Lake Powell
• Tent @ Wahweap Camping Ground
18. Awake in Lake Powell [8/8]
• Boat
• Tent @ Wahweap Camping Ground

19. Awake in Lake Powell [8/9]
• Drive 5.5 to silverton

20. awake Durango
• soaring treetops tour
• drive to 3.5 to sand dunes
21. Awake in sand dunes [8/12]
•
22. Awake in Sand Dunes
• Drive 4 hours to Denver
• Hotel TBD
23. Awake in Denver
• Fly home

InSandy

Well the problem was that you didn't cut stuff out, you added stuff-both Vernal and Durango.....

You can't do it all. And what you have listed is all great, though you are definitely trying to fit in EVERYTHING....

To tell you the truth Grand Canyon is the one that doesn't fit into this scenario. It is hard enough to do both it and Yellowstone in the same 2 week trip with Salt Lake City as the entry point. But you are trying to add in South Dakota and Denver and now southern CO as well.

Please please decide which it is going to be: Grand Canyon, or Badlands.

If Badlands win then leave out Grand Canyon, Bryce and Capitol Reef.

If Grand Canyon wins, then leave out Badlands, and Denver and fly into and out of SLC.

InSandy

And btw if it were up to me I would always skip the Badlands. I've been everywhere in the west and never cared to go there. Finally last summer it was on the way home from DeSmet so we stopped. Was not impressed. Have no desire to go back. Grand Canyon is 10 times the park that it is.