We have won two free ($500 each) tickets on Delta for travel in the continental, 48 states. We have been to most of the usual US attractions, national parks and big cities. Any suggestions for an out-of-the-way, off the beaten track, trip or any place particularly good at that time of year?

National Parks I've been in in November. Yosemite, Death Valley, Capitol Reef, Arches, Crater Lake and Canyonlands (Island in the Sky).
Have you been to any or all of them? I have been in Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon in summertime but they should be good in Oct- Nov.
Tell us more about what you are looking for in a vacation.

We have been to all of the above except Crater Lake and Death Valley and mostly in the winter (December), in fact, and it was great. We have considered Death Valley, but don't know if there is a week's vacation and the 2 lodgings always seem at opposite extremes in terms of amenities and price. Looking for outdoor activities mostly, moderate hiking or biking, some exploring of towns or museums sprinkled in, too.

You can easily find enough outdoor activities to keep you busy in Death Valley for a week. It's a big park with lots of hiking to do and October and November is the peak season to be there. You could fly in and out of Las Vegas and in the area is also Valley of Fire State Park and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

I would worry about snow at Crater Lake and not everything is open in October.

Utahtea

If you run out of things to see/do in Death Valley, visit Mojave National Preserve SE of Baker. I enjoyed the tour of Mitchell Caverns. Closer to Las Vegas visit Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire and Hoover Dam.
We have stayed several times at Buffalo Bill's in Primm which is a good place to get away from the high priced lodging in LV.
There is a good roller coaster to get a thrill after a long walk in the Mojave Desert.

okey dokey. will check into these.

utahtea and tomfuller-reeath Valley and vicinity-- where would you suggest for lodging? It appears the Inn is quite pricey.

I meant Death Valley...

I saw this place on the way into Death Valley. I didn't stay there but it looks very interesting. http://www.amargosa-opera-house.com/
DO NOT stay in Baker. My DW and I have stayed a few times at Buffalo Bill's in Primm on the NV/CA border.

Sorry, I can't be of much help with the lodging. The last time we stayed at the lodge in Death Valley was back in 1975! We have an RV and camp now a days. I really don't think there are that many choices within Death Valley. For location, I'd recommend something at Furnace Creek.

Utahtea

We have decided to go to Moab for 5 days and Grand Junction for a few. Thanks for all of you help!!

We've been to Moab at beginning of October but not the end of October. If roads are cleared there is plenty to do.

Arches: Delicate Arch trail, Dark Angel which will take you past Landscape and Double O Arches and you walk on sandstone fins. Park Avenue is one of my favorite hikes and you have to walk out to the Windows and Double Arch.

Canyonlands: Green River Overlook, Mesa Arch hike, Grand View and I like the two mile round trip hike at Grand View.

The Potash Road, Hwy 279 is a beautiful drive along the Colorado River canyon and watch for Petroglyphs along the way. Corona Arch is out here and if you aren't afraid of heights, then you might consider the hike. http://www.utahredrocks.com/hike_corona.htm

Kane Creek is the road on the other side of the river and there are more petroglyphs along this road too.

You can rent a 4 x 4 Jeep in Moab if you want to do some off road driving. They rent the jeeps here for this purpose. I like driving out the Potash Road and continue up the Shafer Trail with a side trip to Mussel Man Arch then continue up the Shafer Trail to Canyonlands. Spend your time in Canyonlands and drive back on the Long Trail. Make sure that weather conditions are good before starting out and that the trails are open. The Jeep Rentals will know if they are or not.

If the roads are clear you can also do the La Sal Mountain Loop road.

Either come or leave on Hwy 128 pass Fisher Towers. On the other way back to Grand Junction just off I-70 at Thompson, Utah you can drive 3 miles to see Sego Canyon. http://climb-utah.com/Moab/sego.htm

Utahtea