What type of hire car for Nat Parks in UT, AZ

Old Apr 24th, 2017, 10:25 PM
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What type of hire car for Nat Parks in UT, AZ

Hi guys,

I'm planning to go to Utah next year and visit Bryce, Zion, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, The Wave, Monument Valley, Arches, etc.

I'm going to hire a car, is any particular kind recommended, given the roads I may encounter??

Thanks,

jj.
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 02:48 AM
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No particular kind of car is needed. I'd avoid a 1L, 3cyl two seater, other than that just get one that fits your own needs for size & comfort.
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 04:15 AM
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A Environmentally friendly car perhaps?
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 05:49 AM
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Anytime from June through October a an economy or compact rental car is fine depending on the number of people.
Stay off the dirt roads! Park in paved parking lots and take a hike on established trails to see the great scenery.
Do not rent from Fox Rental car. They have a bad reputation with many including me. The other major rental companies seem to be fine.
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 07:24 AM
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>

Whatever that means.

Get one with enough power to handle the hills. Driving an underpowered car through mountainous terrain sucks.
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 01:28 PM
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Check road conditions to The Wave.
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 09:01 PM
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Thanks all. I should have perhaps mentioned that I'll going in March next year, I'm not sure if that changes anything.

I understand the loop road in Monument Valley may be a dirt road, do people drive their hire cars there?

Any other dirt roads to be aware of?

Thanks,

jj.
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 03:04 AM
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The road through Monument Valley is a dirt road. How bad it is depends on the conditions that day and when it was last graded. I would not even attempt it if it was or had recently been rainy. There are Navajos who will take you in their own vehicles and will provide some historic information so there is no real need for you to drive there. The road to the VC is paved. Many rental contracts do not allow driving on unpaved roads, so if you have a problem you will be responsible for any expenses including damage to the vehicle.

In March you could still get snow. There has always been snow on the trails in April in Bryce when I've been there. The major roads are cleared quickly and unless it is snowing, travel is on pavement. A four wheel/all wheel drive car helps in snow, but if you haven't driven with one in snow, then I would not advise it.

There are lots of gravel roads throughout southern Utah, but the major NPs have mostly paved areas.
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 10:37 AM
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The road to the trail head for the Wave is dirt too. You know about the permit process for hiking the Wave, right? https://www.blm.gov/az/paria/
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 09:23 PM
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March weather in this part of the country can be very unpredictable. This March had far more snow days than clear days throughout the area. If you go to Monument valley, you must do the loop road. I most recently drove it April 2 this year. One day it was fine, the next day, it was a mess. There was snow and sleet as I drove out of Monument Valley. I saw all types of passenger cars on the loop but I prefer 4 wheel or all wheel drive with fairly high clearance. If your rental car company permits driving on in paved roads ( I don't mean off-roading ), I would recommend getting a 4 wheel or all wheel drive SUV just in case of bad weather and also drive the M.V. Loop yourself instead of a guided tour. The guides drive open vehicles and it could be cold.
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 03:21 AM
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Thanks for the additional feedback. Prior to seeing bailey123's response I went ahead and booked a small car (Ford Focus, or similar). I did think about an SUV, but I'm not accustomed to driving on the right, although I have done it on a previous trip, so this will be a little easier for me.

It looks like I'll need to make a judgement call when it comes to MV, on the day. I'm there for an afternoon, and a morning, so hopefully luck will be with me.

I'll also likely look into some tours as a backup, and perhaps plan on doing a tour and a loop myself.

Patty, I had read about the permit required for The Wave, thanks for the double check though!

jj.
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 03:33 AM
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Sounds like a sensible plan. I would say be aware that the unpaved roads can be very dangerous when they are wet. We were on one a few years ago where it had rained the day before. Fortunately we had a 4 wd and DH has driven in deep snow for 50 years, we made it safely, but the mud was very slick, and required experience with those conditions.

The mud does cake up in the wheels, so you need to find a power wash to get it off before it dries. It will really mess up your ride if you don't.
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 12:07 PM
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Small SUVs with AWD are a great option.
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 04:31 PM
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The loop road in Monument Valley and the road to the Wave are both dirt roads with high clay content. The rest of Monument Valley where you will most likely drive is paved. You will know the clay dirt roads by the red coloring which is true of most dirt roads in this area of the SW. As emalloy said, they are very slick when wet. The tire treads and drive train on a Ford Focus is not going to be adequate under wet road circumstances on dirt roads so steer clear of them altogether. March is the end of the winter season so the loop road may not be well graded and could be very rutted, I would not want to take a Focus unless the road is recently graded; most of the road is fine but can be pretty rough at the beginning and end and could cause under carriage damage to such a small car. With that in mind, consider the Navajo guided trip on the loop but remember to bring warm clothes, fleece, jacket, etc. for the open vehicle ride when the temp. highs could be as low as the 40-50 degree F. range. If you go to Lower Antelope Canyon, it is paved road all the way but going to Upper Antelope, again you will be in an open guided tour vehicle so dress accordingly and bring a bandana to cover your face from the dust and protect any camera equipment you may bring along.
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 09:00 PM
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Monument Valley's 17 mile tour loop road has been improved to near-paved.
Rain/snow may be a problem as noted by bailey123
Watch this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vcfBl_lJzQ


The Wave: 10 permits via Internet and ten by lottery at Kanab BLM Grand Staircase office. Relatively high clearance is required is required on House Rock dirt road that is rarely graded. If rain/snow, the north entry is impossible; south entry possible. Kanab BLM office has recent data.

If you are planning to drive back country Needles you are required to have a 4-wheel drive, dual transmission. Island-in-the Sky (near Moab) White Rim road requires high clearance and MAY require 4-wheel drive especially if driving counterclockwise.

Vaga
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Old Apr 27th, 2017, 09:56 PM
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Vaga, the 2015 YouTube video you reference is a complete misrepresentation of 17 mile drive in MV. I just drove it most recently 3 weeks ago. There were spots that I even took slow in my Toyota Landcruiser. This video is only representative of this road immediately after it is graded which is not nearly often enough. It has not been improved and no one could ever call it "near paved".
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 10:43 AM
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Bailey - good note
I was there last Oct and 'looked' at the road. From that view, it look 'good' but did not drive it. About a decade + ago, I drove it and it was very crude.

I'll be there in about a week 1/2 and drive it.

Spots - slow: I assume this is because of ruts/holes and not mud holes?

I also want to look at their dry-camping area. Nothing would surprise me.

Vaga
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 05:22 PM
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Sorry to hijack OP's post but in response to Vaga. It appears you have spent some time on the "res" so you know the Tribe can be pretty inconsistent with maintenance. The beginning and end are pretty rough. I saw a Mustang that could not make the end of the trail. There were a few spots in the middle with jutting large, sharp rocks and good size ruts. Since I have high clearance and a skid plate, I was more concerned with damaging a tire so a need to slow down and manuever but it certainly was nothing like the freshly graded road in the YouTube video. The road was dry not muddy. Next day was wet and slick. If you look at the approach near the camp area, I can see where you might think it's "near paved" but that's not really part of the 17 miles. I stayed in the hotel but the dry camp looked OK, nothing fancy, sparse but functional
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Old Apr 29th, 2017, 03:52 AM
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Coincidentally, I was recommended a MV tour company, who appear to offer a sunset and a sunrise tour, which seems perfect to me.

All this talk of the road being less than optimal, leads me to thinking I'll skip driving it altogether, and go with the above options!

The first hand reports are really valuable, thank you!

jj.
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Old Apr 29th, 2017, 05:20 AM
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Good choice. MV is magic at sunset and sunrise and on this drive you will be right in the middle of the best. Don't forget the camera!
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