Hi, We have been visiting National Parks and would appreciate help in planning our next trip, either in June or September. Planning a trip that includes western Colorado and Eastern Utah. Considering flying into Grand Junction, Co.,then driving to Moab for at least 4 full days, giving us time to see Arches and Canyonland. Would like to end up at Mesa Verde and need suggestions as to what to see along the way. Should we go to Capital Reef? We love to hike, although not into extreme hiking. We have been to Bryce and Monument Valley. Open for suggestions.
Thanks

Mesa Verde is southeast of Arches, Capitol Reef is west, in the opposite direction. Lots of hikes in the Moab area and although Capitol Reef is beautiful, much more to see in Moab and the surrounding area. Canyonlands is spread out, with Islands of the Sky near Moab and the Needles District to the south, a day trip from Moab.

Sounds like with your visit to Mesa Verde you are interested in seeing some Anasazi ruins. Between Moab and Mesa Verde you will be in the heart of Anasazi country. There are many little day hike ruins to see in this area. You could base out of Bluff or Blanding for a day or two or just hit a few of these sites on your way down to Mesa Verde from Moab and do some exploring of these little gems.
To give you some ideas....you can check out my two sites here.
http://reddirtdawg.blogspot.com/
http://anasaziruins.blogspot.com/

Great stuff Dawg! I feel another trip to the Southwest coming on.

fleming_rs

I would also skip Capitol Reef since it's out of your way and head down to Newspaper Rock and the Needles instead. Then, at least visit Hovenweep NM and maybe search out some of the out of the way places in reddirtdawg's blogs on your way to Mesa Verde.

By the way, there's an excellent Utah road trip planned out in the October issue of National Geographic Traveler that takes in a lot of what you have planned. Make sure you make it back up to Grand Junction via Silverton, Ouray and the Million Dollar Highway.

You've got great advice so far, and if you can, do visit the Needles district of Canyonlands too. If you go in to Newspaper rock you are almost there.

Hovenweep is just northwest of Cortez and is not very far off the direct route. Lowrey pueblo is small but just a minute or two off your path too.

I would skip Cap Reef. The best thing there is the homemade pies and the fruit at the orchard. It is very pretty, but other places just offer better hiking vistas. It isn't crowded, so it would be a good option if you like to hike without the crowds. However, I would see Goblin Valley and Little Wildhorse Canyon. Also, don't miss Deadhorse Point. My favorite thing is canyoneering with www.deserthighlights.com in moab. Also really like doing the zipline/train in Durango.

Since you have been to Monument Valley, here is a beautiful drive with loads to do along the way: 128 out of Moab to Grand Junction, then to Mesa Verde NP via Ouray and Durango.

Some attractions along this beatuiful route include Colorado National Monument and Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

HTTY

Thanks everyone for great advice.
will definitely check out the Needles part of Canyonland.
Reddirtdawg: your photos are beautiful. Will definitely stop along the way.
Otis_B_Driftwood: am heading to the library to pick up the National Geographic issue
spirobulldog: We are in good shape for 64 year olds-would like to try canyoneering, but a bit worried about ability to keep up.
How does this itinerary sound?
5 or 6 days in Moab
1 or 2 overnights in Blanding or Bluff.
2 or 3 nights in Mesa Verde
On to Durango then Grand Juction. Which is the better stop along the way, San Juan Natl For. Or Gunnison? Or both?
Am I trying to fit too much in one trip?

Let me know if I can help with Mesa Verde and Durango, have a home there.

The canyoneering is fantastic. If you are considering it at all, I say Go For It!! You will find desert highlights to be very easy to work with. I took my(at the time)12 year old daughter the first time, then last year we went with them again. Except this time, we were in Oregon and went down 200ft. waterfalls. My daughter has severe scolisis, had surgery this past summer. She handled it just fine, but she is a serious athlete and very tough kid. All of this was before the surgery, but we do plan on doing it again sometime. We did Krill Canyon, which is the hardest one. I plan to do Granary or Medieval on my next trip with them. Moab Adventure Company also does it, but they would be my second choice. There are outfistters in Zion and near Cap Reef as well. You'll love the rappels. The first one is a little scary, but after that, so much fun. It is safer than going up a ladder, IMOP. Most likely, you would be just you and your wife, plus maybe one more group. Last time we went, it was just us. It is a fairly slow paced situation.

Below are pictures of Mesa Verde/Durano/zipline, Arches/Canyoneering/ and Canyoneering in Oregon.

http://www.photoworks.com/slideshow/...CS_003=4433951

http://www.photoworks.com/slideshow/...CS_003=4433951

http://www.photoworks.com/slideshow/...CS_003=4433951

fleming,

Rather than overnight in Bluff or Blanding, check out Valley of the Gods B&B. Just a bit further west than Bluff. Truely a great place and one of a kind! I stayed there a couple nights 2 yrs ago at recommendations from Fodorites. It was one of the few places in UT I haven't been. Really enjoyed it!

there are a few pics of Valley of the Gods in my Mesa Verde Album. it is a good place to stay. A mini monument valley.

Thanks again everyone for the info.
spirobulldog , We're going for the canyoneering, your pics were great.
Now working on the Colorado part of the trip. San Juan Skydrive sounds wonderful.

Consider Hovenweep on the way, best seen in the early morning or as the sun goes down.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623176227912/

The Recapture Lodge in Bluff is a must stay for me. Great owners! I would spend at least 2 days in Mesa Verde--the park. Add 1-2 more to see various Ancestral Puebloan (AP) sites and museums in the area. 4 days in Arches and Canyonlands is fine. You won't see as many AP sites there as you will around Bluff and Blanding. Depends on how much you like that. If you are really into it, then absolutely do a day hike into Grand Gulch!

I could do a day or so in Durango. Definitely do the train up and the bus back. We stayed at the Leland House--very nice. We didn't hike much in there--mostly car site seeing.

I would recommend Hovenweep, but it is best seen in the early morning or close to sunset.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623176227912/