Southern National Parks in the spring

[JCasper]

So I am trying to decide if we want to head South at the end of March or wait until June.



Originally we were going to go in June when School is out. We are planning on hitting the Grand Canyon, Maybe Carlsbad, Zion, Bryce, Joshua tree, or whatever we have time for.



See my other thread "Grand Canyon in June".



Now we are thinking about going at the end of March. Leaving during Spring Break and taking maybe an extra week for a total of a two week trip.



Will it be to cold in March/April or will it be a good time to travel down that way?

 

[RCook]

The GC and Utah parks can be terrific in March/April, as long as you don't happen to hit a stormy time. Dry air and sunny weather, even if cool or even cold early in the mornings.

You might want to skip Bryce at that time, unless you're real lucky or into cross-country skiing - it's really high altitude, and often pretty cold even in late winter. Right now it's 2 degrees there, vs 15 here in Salt Lake, 14 at Grand Canyon, and 22 at Moab.

 

[Grizzly]

Sounds like another great trip. Be aware that you can run into snow in the Grand Canyon in that time frame, I've seen snow there in late May. Carlsbad NP is worth going to. If you do go, you may as well go to White Sands National Monument. It's very close to Carlsbad NP.

 

[JApol]

This spring I drove from San Diego to Norfolk, VA with my g/f who had never been on the west side of the Mississippi. Took her to Vegas, Bryce, and Carlsbad. Bryce was about 45-50 degrees in early May with some snow still sticking around in the protected areas.

 

[JCasper]

So it's not sounding too bad. I don't have vacation time until June, but I am going to talk with my boss and see about getting the time off in March/April.



My wife kinda thinks we should wait until June to go, but we have a wedding in June we have to attend and our trip could get pushed out until July and then I think it's just too HOT down there.



There is also always another trip where we could go a different time of year and see the things that were snowed in.



Keep the info coming, I really appreciate it.

 

[Grizzly]

So it's not sounding too bad. I don't have vacation time until June, but I am going to talk with my boss and see about getting the time off in March/April.



My wife kinda thinks we should wait until June to go, but we have a wedding in June we have to attend and our trip could get pushed out until July and then I think it's just too HOT down there.



There is also always another trip where we could go a different time of year and see the things that were snowed in.



Keep the info coming, I really appreciate it.

I'd wait till early June.

 

[JCasper]

I'd wait till early June.

It's my father-in-laws wedding. :-laf

 

[Grizzly]

It's my father-in-laws wedding. :-laf

Oh! In that case you do what you have to do.

 

[JCasper]

Oh! In that case you do what you have to do.

We are waiting for them to set a date to see if it's going to push us later or not. I don't want to go any later then the end of June. It will get too hot.

 

[jandtjil]

Many, many moons ago I bike trekked from Panguitch to the south rim of the canyon, via Zion and Jacobs Lake during spring break. If you can get the time off, it is a fantastic time of year to see this area.
JJ

 

[JCasper]

We are considering pulling my daughter out of school now for the two weeks. She is only in first grade and she can do her work in the truck while we travel.



Maybe then we could go in the April/May timeframe.



I've got some time to plan it, although campgrounds may start to get hard to find.

 

[USMCBay]

If you go to Carlsbad - it is great if you have never seen a big cavern like that. If you have it is more of the same. Thats only an opinion. I just went there the week before Christmas. They have everything up top under major reconstruction so all of the Gift stores and such are in portable trailers right now.



IMO - Go to the Grand Canyon. That is a wonder of all wonders. My wife and I hiked it for Thanksgiving 4yrs ago and will always hold that trip in high regard. If you are able and have the interest - hike the Canyon and spend the night at the bottom... it is completely different from the bottom and a whole new magnitude that you will never forget.



JUST PACK LIGHT. Something I didn't do.



Have fun and be safe in whatever you do.



Shawn

 

[JCasper]

It's looking like we will be heading south the last week of april. We probably won't get to see the North Rim this trip, but I'm sure there will be others.



Now I just need to figure out some sort of itinerary and get a extra fuel tank for the truck.

 

[JCasper]

Am I nuts, Yeah I think so

But it will be a fun trip. We always end up doing a lot of driving on our trips, but we enjoy it.





SUMMARY

Driving distance: 3099. 5 miles

Trip duration: 14 days, 23 hours, 11 minutes

Driving time: 46 hours, 41 minutes

Cost: $1,107. 08

 

[DGerth]

Sir,

By all means see these places, they are beautific and wondermous to visit. Another place for future perusal and not seen by many, is the Big Bend NP in West Texas. If you want solitude and adventure along with history and stuff, I recommend this place, not just because I'm a Texican, but because its worth the trip. IMHO!

dg

 

[JCasper]

Sir,

By all means see these places, they are beautific and wondermous to visit. Another place for future perusal and not seen by many, is the Big Bend NP in West Texas. If you want solitude and adventure along with history and stuff, I recommend this place, not just because I'm a Texican, but because its worth the trip. IMHO!

dg

That sounds like another great place to see, but not on this trip. I am trying to only take two weeks off for this trip.

 

[JCasper]

So do you guys think all these parks will be open. We will leave April 25th if all goes as planned.



I think we will drive pretty close to the route above, but we may cut out Yosemite and Joshua tree to allow some more time and then hit I-5 in Bakersfield and cruise home.

 

[RedRamer]

Casper

Should be nice and toasty that time of year. Check my WEB site for when we were there at end of March '06... we got snow!

central arizona

I would spend at least 2-3 days at Grand Canyon. The walking trails along the canyon are simply unbelievably breathtaking.

I see you're also going to be close to Monument Valley... a must see IMO...

Utah

If you can, spend 2-3 days there also and park right there at the MV Mittenview CG... if you're lucky, you'll get a "view to die for campsite" for $10. 00 a night!!! Fill up with water on the way in and dump on the way out.

Check out my web site more as you are going to other places we went to also. . Joshua Tree, Salt lake. . etc. .

Trips

Click the State links on the right side of page.



Hope you have a good trip, you're going to nice Country.

Denis

 

[bighammer]

I saw Utah and northern Arizona by bicycle and chose late spring/early summer to avoid the heat. One morning I woke to a 2" blanket of snow at Bryce Canyon. Very pretty sight, but pretty darn cold.

Zion and GC North Rim were my favorites by far. By the time I got up to Yellowstone, summer traffic was pretty bad. Nice scenery, but WAY too many people.

 

[JCasper]

Casper

Should be nice and toasty that time of year. Check my WEB site for when we were there at end of March '06... we got snow!

central arizona

I would spend at least 2-3 days at Grand Canyon. The walking trails along the canyon are simply unbelievably breathtaking.

I see you're also going to be close to Monument Valley... a must see IMO...

Utah

If you can, spend 2-3 days there also and park right there at the MV Mittenview CG... if you're lucky, you'll get a "view to die for campsite" for $10. 00 a night!!! Fill up with water on the way in and dump on the way out.

Check out my web site more as you are going to other places we went to also. . Joshua Tree, Salt lake. . etc. .

Trips

Click the State links on the right side of page.



Hope you have a good trip, you're going to nice Country.

Denis

Wow, what a great site with lots of info. Thanks for posting that. I will have my wife look at your site tomorrow.