First trip out West - Taking camper - Need Ideas
Apr 30th, 2011, 06:50 AM
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First trip out West - Taking camper - Need Ideas
We are planning our first trip out west this summer. There is SO much to see, I don't really know where to start. We will be starting in Mississippi & pulling a camper. It will be my parents, our boys (ages 10 & 14), my husband & myself. (and a dog : ). We have 17 days, but the first 3 & last 2 will be mostly travel days.
Here is our plan so far:
Arrive in Cortez, CO on day 3 -
We will have 2 1/2 days in this area. We want to visit Mesa Verde & the Four Corners area. Any other ideas in the area?
Then travel to Williams, AZ -
We will have 4 days in the area. Of course our #1 thing to do here is the Grand Canyon! We have looked at the Grand Canyon Railway & would like to raft the Colorado River. Other ideas??? Sedona area??
Next we will travel to the Tucson area -
We will have 2 1/2 days here. We know we want to visit Tombstone. Other suggestions??
Our last stop will be somewhere near Carlsbad, NM -
We will have 3 days in this area. We are not sure where we will be staying in this area so it is flexible as long as we can make it to Carlsbad Caverns.
Any ideas would be great! We could actually take a day of the 3 in southern NM if we need another day somewhere else. We will have two vehicles, so ideas that would be more for either my parents or us with the kids would be great too. (if we raft, my parents will do something else) We have marked so many things we would like to do, we are going to have to start narrowing our list down. Thanks so much for any help!
Here is our plan so far:
Arrive in Cortez, CO on day 3 -
We will have 2 1/2 days in this area. We want to visit Mesa Verde & the Four Corners area. Any other ideas in the area?
Then travel to Williams, AZ -
We will have 4 days in the area. Of course our #1 thing to do here is the Grand Canyon! We have looked at the Grand Canyon Railway & would like to raft the Colorado River. Other ideas??? Sedona area??
Next we will travel to the Tucson area -
We will have 2 1/2 days here. We know we want to visit Tombstone. Other suggestions??
Our last stop will be somewhere near Carlsbad, NM -
We will have 3 days in this area. We are not sure where we will be staying in this area so it is flexible as long as we can make it to Carlsbad Caverns.
Any ideas would be great! We could actually take a day of the 3 in southern NM if we need another day somewhere else. We will have two vehicles, so ideas that would be more for either my parents or us with the kids would be great too. (if we raft, my parents will do something else) We have marked so many things we would like to do, we are going to have to start narrowing our list down. Thanks so much for any help!
Apr 30th, 2011, 07:14 AM
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For the Arizona part of your trip, some suggestions:
From your Williams base, I would skip the GC railroad and drive up. You can't see any of the canyon from the train and the scenery on the way up is not remarkable. Drive up through the south entrance, park near the village and take the shuttle to viewpoints west of the village. Stay overnight, if at all possible. Exit through the east gate, stopping at the many viewpoints along the east rim drive, particularly Desert View.
Since you want to do some rafting, you will be heading up to Page. While there, visit Horseshoe Bend and Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon
After heading back down 89, take the loop road that takes you to Wupatki National Monument and Sunset create. When you hit I-40, head east maybe 10 miles to visit Walnut Canyon.
Definitely visit Sedona -- the area, not necessarily the town. Try to stye there a few days at least. If you want a scenic train ride, take the Verde Canyon Railroad.
Also visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Red Rock Crossing / Red Rock State Park, take the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour, hike Bell Rock.
We are hear in Sedona right now, and we come here at least once a year.
Around Tucson, there is so much to see and do that it is hard to know where to begin. But the absolute must-see sights are the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Kartchner Caverns. During the Summer, you will want to visit Mt. Lemmon, a lot cooler than Tucson.
For additional ideas of things to see and do around Tucson, check my online list here:
http://www.mikepintucson.blogspot.com/
From your Williams base, I would skip the GC railroad and drive up. You can't see any of the canyon from the train and the scenery on the way up is not remarkable. Drive up through the south entrance, park near the village and take the shuttle to viewpoints west of the village. Stay overnight, if at all possible. Exit through the east gate, stopping at the many viewpoints along the east rim drive, particularly Desert View.
Since you want to do some rafting, you will be heading up to Page. While there, visit Horseshoe Bend and Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon
After heading back down 89, take the loop road that takes you to Wupatki National Monument and Sunset create. When you hit I-40, head east maybe 10 miles to visit Walnut Canyon.
Definitely visit Sedona -- the area, not necessarily the town. Try to stye there a few days at least. If you want a scenic train ride, take the Verde Canyon Railroad.
Also visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Red Rock Crossing / Red Rock State Park, take the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour, hike Bell Rock.
We are hear in Sedona right now, and we come here at least once a year.
Around Tucson, there is so much to see and do that it is hard to know where to begin. But the absolute must-see sights are the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Kartchner Caverns. During the Summer, you will want to visit Mt. Lemmon, a lot cooler than Tucson.
For additional ideas of things to see and do around Tucson, check my online list here:
http://www.mikepintucson.blogspot.com/
Apr 30th, 2011, 09:17 AM
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I'd spend my time in Mesa Verde and do the different Ranger guided tours. If you really feel like something else to do, you might drive the Million Dollar highway between Durango and Ouray, CO. This will take a full day. There is also a Train ride from Durango to Silverton, but we've never done that.
I've never taken the train ride from Williams to the Grand Canyon, but as Mikepintucson mentioned, you do NOT see the Canyon from the train and you also get limited time at the Canyon. If you do the train ride, do it because you want to do a train ride and nothing else.
The shortest white water rafting trips on the Colorado are three days unless you do the ones where they fly you in. The float trip on the Colorado River out of Page is a fun and scenic trip that I do recommend, but know that this is a float trip and not white water and you are not in the Grand Canyon National Park. You can do the float trip from the Grand Canyon, but it cost more and takes longer on the bus so I'd recommend just starting from Page, AZ. While in Page, AZ you can also check out the Antelope Slot Canyons, the Glen Canyon Dam and Horseshoe Bend hike. http://www.travelsw.com/southwest-tr.../horseshoe.htm
You mention that you are pulling a camper. Do you want RV parks with full hookups or can you dry camp with picnic tables and dump stations? Mesa Verde has a really nice campground in the park so you don't have to keep driving back and forth from Cortez. If you want an RV park, there is one not far from the entrance to Mesa Verde.
There are two campgrounds in the Grand Canyon. One has full hook up, but the sites are really close together and you would need to make reservations as soon as possible. Mather campground is dry camping with tables, pits, showers near by and a dump station in a forest setting. Williams is a good hour drive one way to the Grand Canyon, you will need to wait in line to pay to get in and then you will need to find a place to park. If you camp in the park, you can take the free shuttle buses to the rim.
You can stop and see Sedona on your way driving to Tuscon.
Utahtea
I've never taken the train ride from Williams to the Grand Canyon, but as Mikepintucson mentioned, you do NOT see the Canyon from the train and you also get limited time at the Canyon. If you do the train ride, do it because you want to do a train ride and nothing else.
The shortest white water rafting trips on the Colorado are three days unless you do the ones where they fly you in. The float trip on the Colorado River out of Page is a fun and scenic trip that I do recommend, but know that this is a float trip and not white water and you are not in the Grand Canyon National Park. You can do the float trip from the Grand Canyon, but it cost more and takes longer on the bus so I'd recommend just starting from Page, AZ. While in Page, AZ you can also check out the Antelope Slot Canyons, the Glen Canyon Dam and Horseshoe Bend hike. http://www.travelsw.com/southwest-tr.../horseshoe.htm
You mention that you are pulling a camper. Do you want RV parks with full hookups or can you dry camp with picnic tables and dump stations? Mesa Verde has a really nice campground in the park so you don't have to keep driving back and forth from Cortez. If you want an RV park, there is one not far from the entrance to Mesa Verde.
There are two campgrounds in the Grand Canyon. One has full hook up, but the sites are really close together and you would need to make reservations as soon as possible. Mather campground is dry camping with tables, pits, showers near by and a dump station in a forest setting. Williams is a good hour drive one way to the Grand Canyon, you will need to wait in line to pay to get in and then you will need to find a place to park. If you camp in the park, you can take the free shuttle buses to the rim.
You can stop and see Sedona on your way driving to Tuscon.
Utahtea
Apr 30th, 2011, 09:34 AM
#5
The dog is a problem many of the places you want to go. You have to have the dog on a short leash and not more than 100 feet from a parking lot. No fun for you or the dog.
Hope your air conditioning is good.
Hope your air conditioning is good.
Apr 30th, 2011, 10:14 AM
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There's a campground In the Grand Canyon National Park. You need to make reservations early.
Are you asking for ideas for campgrounds? There are camping directories available. I'd get one and look. Campgrounds take reservations, and in popular places may fill up quickly. If you can camp IN Mesa Verde, that would definitely be the best thing. It's a long road in.
Are you asking for ideas for campgrounds? There are camping directories available. I'd get one and look. Campgrounds take reservations, and in popular places may fill up quickly. If you can camp IN Mesa Verde, that would definitely be the best thing. It's a long road in.
Apr 30th, 2011, 10:14 AM
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There's a campground In the Grand Canyon National Park. You need to make reservations early.
Are you asking for ideas for campgrounds? There are camping directories available. I'd get one and look. Campgrounds take reservations, and in popular places may fill up quickly. If you can camp IN Mesa Verde, that would definitely be the best thing. It's a long road in.
Are you asking for ideas for campgrounds? There are camping directories available. I'd get one and look. Campgrounds take reservations, and in popular places may fill up quickly. If you can camp IN Mesa Verde, that would definitely be the best thing. It's a long road in.
Apr 30th, 2011, 10:19 AM
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We use to travel all the time with our dog and pull a trailer. Our dog did fine in the trailer when we left her for a long periods time as long as we left her water and it wasn't blazing hot out. If they stay in Mesa Verde and at the Grand Canyon, there are trees to shade the camper and they can leave windows open for air. Tuscon will be another story. If they have air conditioning, then the dog will be fine, otherwise they might need to find kennels or leave the dog at home.
Utahtea
Utahtea
Apr 30th, 2011, 10:42 AM
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Thanks for the ideas! I had already wondered if the Grand Canyon Railway would be worth it. Glad to know there is a better train ride option in the area, will check out Verde Canyon instead, my dad loves trains. I had seen Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum & wondered about it, thanks for recommending it too!
We will spend a day at Mesa Verde, & my parents are staying at the lodge there. We want full hook-up, reservations (several have said first come), & cabins with bathroom for my parents whenever possible, so we will probably stay at mostly KOAs. We would only want to do a day raft trip & a float is fine. I'll check out the one around Page and the other ideas there.
I have noticed there are a lot of places we will not be able to take our dog, but if we rotate days we can take her & days she will stay in the camper, she will be fine. I have also looking at places to "dog sit" for a day if needed.
Thanks again!
We will spend a day at Mesa Verde, & my parents are staying at the lodge there. We want full hook-up, reservations (several have said first come), & cabins with bathroom for my parents whenever possible, so we will probably stay at mostly KOAs. We would only want to do a day raft trip & a float is fine. I'll check out the one around Page and the other ideas there.
I have noticed there are a lot of places we will not be able to take our dog, but if we rotate days we can take her & days she will stay in the camper, she will be fine. I have also looking at places to "dog sit" for a day if needed.
Thanks again!
Apr 30th, 2011, 11:18 AM
#11
TammyeL: Do give a lot of thought to the 'dog logistics;. Some of the places you are going will be really REALLY hot and leaving a pet in a camper just isn't be possible (and isn't legal in some jurisdictions).
Cindy_Hinton: The places you recommend are more than a thousand of miles out of the way. Not real practical for a visit to Arizona and New Mexico.
Cindy_Hinton: The places you recommend are more than a thousand of miles out of the way. Not real practical for a visit to Arizona and New Mexico.
Apr 30th, 2011, 11:29 AM
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Cindy - While Yellowstone would be great, it's not close to where we will be going. We will have to save that for another trip 
.
Janisj, We've camped for several years, and always with our pets. We will aways have full hook-ups & have a good a/c unit. Our pets well being will always come first, many people travel in campers with pets.
.Janisj, We've camped for several years, and always with our pets. We will aways have full hook-ups & have a good a/c unit. Our pets well being will always come first, many people travel in campers with pets.
Apr 30th, 2011, 11:43 AM
#13
Oh --- I didn't think you were going to abuse your dog or anything. I could tell you understand the issues and are conscientious . But just be prepared - like in Tucson where it is likely to be 110F+ - an a/c malfunction and there could be a tragedy.
So I just meant to have all your ducks in a row . . .
So I just meant to have all your ducks in a row . . .
Apr 30th, 2011, 12:33 PM
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Our boys have loved visiting the Sonoran Desert Museum. The animals are behind netting, and it seems like you are seeing them loose in the desert. I also agree with Mike's suggestion of Kartchner Caverns. They were spectacular! We thought Tombstone was a real tourist trap and not worth visiting.
Apr 30th, 2011, 01:19 PM
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Book a Carlsbad Wild Cave tour well in advance. They are great. Do be sure and see The Big Room on your own. Eat lunch at the bottom of the cave in the cafeteria there. The food is all microwave food, but it is cool to eat underground. Seeing the bats enter in the morning are equally as good as seeing them exit at night. It is a far far different experience and you might even be the only ones there to see them. Seeing them in the morning requires you to get up very very early.
Guadalupe National Park is right near Carlsbad, so you might want to spend a day or a portion of a day there. There is a campground there.
I would not stay at White's City Campground near Carlsbad. Nor would I eat at either one of the restaurants on site there. Absolutely horrible. I would guess probably one of the worst places I have ever stayed at or eaten at.
The White Sands National Monument might be a good stop for you along the way. The Great Sand Dunes in Colorado might be a stop as well.
I don't think you will need more than a couple of days in GC. While it is stunning, there isn't a whole lot to do there unless you are rafting or hiking. I think you would probably want to plan a rafting trip totally seperate from this trip. The shortest trips are 3 to 4 days and the real trips are more like 7 to 10 days. I have done the short trip and thought it was great.
If you have a big budget, all of your group or some of your group could do the zipline with train in Durango. Those that don't want to zipline can simply stay on the train. www.soaringcolorado.com
Buy a National Park Pass. If you parents are the right age, they can buy a lifetime pass for $10. That will get you into all the parks, monuments, etc and sometimes a slight discount on the ranger-led tours. It will not get you into Monument Valley, that is an Indian Reservation.
I am going to NM myself June 9-13 with my 12 year old nephew. When is your trip planned?
Guadalupe National Park is right near Carlsbad, so you might want to spend a day or a portion of a day there. There is a campground there.
I would not stay at White's City Campground near Carlsbad. Nor would I eat at either one of the restaurants on site there. Absolutely horrible. I would guess probably one of the worst places I have ever stayed at or eaten at.
The White Sands National Monument might be a good stop for you along the way. The Great Sand Dunes in Colorado might be a stop as well.
I don't think you will need more than a couple of days in GC. While it is stunning, there isn't a whole lot to do there unless you are rafting or hiking. I think you would probably want to plan a rafting trip totally seperate from this trip. The shortest trips are 3 to 4 days and the real trips are more like 7 to 10 days. I have done the short trip and thought it was great.
If you have a big budget, all of your group or some of your group could do the zipline with train in Durango. Those that don't want to zipline can simply stay on the train. www.soaringcolorado.com
Buy a National Park Pass. If you parents are the right age, they can buy a lifetime pass for $10. That will get you into all the parks, monuments, etc and sometimes a slight discount on the ranger-led tours. It will not get you into Monument Valley, that is an Indian Reservation.
I am going to NM myself June 9-13 with my 12 year old nephew. When is your trip planned?
Apr 30th, 2011, 01:31 PM
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sorry for the multiple posts, but I thought of another place. I haven't visited Slide Rock State Park, but it is high on my list and would be a good short stop to play in the water. The slides are like those at a water park, but a natural slides that the water has formed into the rocks. watch it on youtube.
Apr 30th, 2011, 03:06 PM
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Thanks Digbydog, Great to know the kids will like the desert museum, it looks great. I figured Tombstone will be pretty touristy, but maybe we can see it in half a day & move on.
Spirobulldog, Post away! I have looked at Slide Rock too, it looks fun. My mom said not thanks on the helicopter, but we did one in Kauai & it was great. I had been looking for a zipline in any area we were going, I'll check out the Durango one. Our trip is June 3-19, so we will be there around the same time. I was trying to put more time a the GC, but it does sound like we might could add another day to the first part of our trip instead.
I love how all you guys know so much about the different areas we are going. Thanks for all the great info!
Spirobulldog, Post away! I have looked at Slide Rock too, it looks fun. My mom said not thanks on the helicopter, but we did one in Kauai & it was great. I had been looking for a zipline in any area we were going, I'll check out the Durango one. Our trip is June 3-19, so we will be there around the same time. I was trying to put more time a the GC, but it does sound like we might could add another day to the first part of our trip instead.
I love how all you guys know so much about the different areas we are going. Thanks for all the great info!
