Had a great trip to the Grand Canyon, NP, Zion, NP and Bryce Canyon, NP.

[Grizzly]

Just returned from a truck and 5th wheel trip to the Grand Canyon, NP, Zion, NP and Bryce Canyon, NP.



We visited the Grand Canyon South Rim and North Rim. We parked the 5th wheel at Mather RV Park at the South Rim. We liked the South Rim better than the North Rim. We met a very nice couple and made instant friends. He's a TDR Member.



From there we went to Mt Carmel Junction, Utah and set the 5th wheel in an RV Park. We visited Bryce Canyon, NP and Zion, NP. We liked Zion much more, even more than the Grand Canyon. We had to pay $15 to drive the truck through the long tunnel at Zion because it's a dually. We were not towing the 5er.



All went well. No issues with the truck or the 5er, except for the high cost of diesel. We paid as little as $3. 80 per gal (Albuquerque) and as high as $4. 59 per gal (Petrified Forest, AZ).



By the way the Petrified Forest and the Painter Desert, NP in Eastern Arizona are worth seeing.



george

 

[AH64ID]

Sounds like a great trip!

 

[Wertles]

I took a trip from Rochester, NY to Chicago, Yellowstone, Utah, Vegas, Grand Canyon, Plano TX, then back to Rochester back in 2002 while in med school. Believe it or not, my friend and I were on the road for 3 weeks in an Acura Integra and a small 2 man tent. Total cost of the trip was exactly $500 for each of us. By far the highlight of the trip for me was Utah and those three parks. Absolutely breathtaking. I hope to someday take my whole family out there for a vacation to hike. Just need my boys to be a bit older. Glad you had a great time.

 

[Tractorat]

From there we went to Mt Carmel Junction

I was down that way last summer. Very beautiful area. Do you remember the name of the RV park ? The one I stopped at last year was pretty small. It was mostly gravel But the view across the highway was beautiful. I talked to a women that stayed there every year to paint the mountains across the way.



I did stay only one night though. I really wanted to stay in kanab, and a site opened up. The other reason I left was the guy that would help you set up looked a little scary. Im not sure he really worked there, but may have just lived in a trailer that was parked there.



I hope to get down that way again this summer if something doesn't come up.

 

[macdaddy]

I was down that way last summer. Very beautiful area. Do you remember the name of the RV park ? The one I stopped at last year was pretty small. It was mostly gravel But the view across the highway was beautiful. I talked to a women that stayed there every year to paint the mountains across the way.



I did stay only one night though. I really wanted to stay in kanab, and a site opened up. The other reason I left was the guy that would help you set up looked a little scary. Im not sure he really worked there, but may have just lived in a trailer that was parked there.



I hope to get down that way again this summer if something doesn't come up.

Griz... .



How many miles are on the 05?



I just joined the high milage club.



Mac

 

[Regcabguy]

Northern Az & southern Utah.

In early May we visited Grand Canyon,Monument Valley,Mexican Hat,Natural Bridges(took a gravel switchback shortcut to that spot),Petrified Forest,Capitol Reef,Escalante Staircase and finally Bryce. Put about 150 offroad miles on the truck avoiding typical campgrounds in favor of Forest Service primitive ones and BLM land. Utah's got all the BLM land you could ask for. Beautiful state. The state parks were clean,quiet and had free hot showers.

 

[Grizzly]

I was down that way last summer. Very beautiful area. Do you remember the name of the RV park ? The one I stopped at last year was pretty small. It was mostly gravel But the view across the highway was beautiful. I talked to a women that stayed there every year to paint the mountains across the way.



I did stay only one night though. I really wanted to stay in kanab, and a site opened up. The other reason I left was the guy that would help you set up looked a little scary. Im not sure he really worked there, but may have just lived in a trailer that was parked there.



I hope to get down that way again this summer if something doesn't come up.

The name of the the RV Park is Mt Carmel. It is small and covered with gravel and cottonwood trees. There were many artist across the highway painting landscape. It was only $15 per day with full hookups and wi-fi. The scenery driving north from Mt. Carmel to Bryce Canyon is absolutely beautiful and very green.



macdaddy, my 05 is low mileage considering that we made an 11K mile round trip to Alaska in 06. Problem is my wife is still working, which prevents us from making many long trips. Of coarse the high cost of diesel doesn't help either.



george

 

[Blu-meanie]

Driving my dually through that Zion tunnel proves there is no common sense in government. Unless you are towing something, you fit just fine. It was fun being the leader of the pack since they stopped all oncoming traffic. I felt like stopping half way through and taking a few pictures for my $15, or whatever it was a few years ago. It had snowed the day before we visited, really made it beautiful.

 

[Grizzly]

Four photos of our trip.



1st pic, Grand Canyon, NP showing the Colorado River below.

2nd pic, Bryce Canyon, NP

3rd pic, Zion, NP

4th pic, One of the tunnels at Zion, NP



george

 

[AH64ID]

I have been to the GC, but need to hit the other two!

About 1400 round trip, really not as bad as I expected...

 

[Tractorat]

The name of the the RV Park is Mt Carmel. It is small and covered with gravel and cottonwood trees. There were many artist across the highway painting landscape. It was only $15 per day with full hookups and wi-fi. The scenery driving north from Mt. Carmel to Bryce Canyon is absolutely beautiful and very green

Yeh, that's the one. I thought that $15/night was pretty low. Especially with the view.

 

[Regcabguy]

Zion's especially spectacular as you're in the bottom of the canyon looking up. The shuttle system is the best in the biz. One's leaving every 10 minutes or so,natural gas powered,quiet with lots of windows. No traffic,super setup.



In 2009 we stayed in the Watchman campground. Nice neighbors,no loud alcoholics,a pleasure to stay in. Thanks for the pics. The air's so clean and the scenery so beautiful,it's hard to take a bad one. Great starshows in UT.



My father- in- law lives in Cedar City,to the west on six acres. We awoke to snow filled splendor which is a treat for me. My wife's from Joysey,and couldn't care less. The only drag was returning to San Diego via beautiful I-15. NOT!

 

[Grizzly]

Yeh, that's the one. I thought that $15/night was pretty low. Especially with the view.

Tractorat,



I agree that $15 per night is very reasonable. I reserved it sight unseen and expected a dump, but it turned out to be a very pleasant experience for us.



Regcabguy,



We enjoyed every bit of Zion and I agree that the shuttle system was great. Speaking of natural gas powered shuttles, they sound like a diesel engine.



I wanted to stay at Watchman, but it was full at the time I made reservations. As it turned out Mt. Carmel RV Park was the best choice because it's between the two parks, Zion and Bryce Canyon.



We made that drive from Las Vegas to San Diego to visit my daughter by way of I-15. I know what you mean.



I believe that Glacier NP is the best we have been to, but Zion is a close second, and we've been to many NP's.



george

 

[jeepit]

Definitly a trip we want to do. Looks awesome.

 

[Grey Wolf]

Grizzly, Our favorite of all those parks mentioned is Zion, sounds like you had a great trip

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly, Our favorite of all those parks mentioned is Zion, sounds like you had a great trip

I agree on Zion NP. All three parks were great including the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, but my wife and I still liked Zion best. The four images are of Zion NP.



Long before we left on this trip I had been told that the best park of the three was Bryce Canyon. I know, different folks have different opinions.



jeepit,

The three parks are in close proximity and are worth visiting on the same trip.



george

 

[gtoli]

Hey George,



You probably passed through town and didn't stop and say "HI"

 

[Grizzly]

Hey George,



You probably passed through town and didn't stop and say "HI"

OOPS! and you were going to buy me a coffee, Starbuck I believe. We would have stopped if I had remembered and you had told me where.



We stopped at Flying J, since they had the best price on diesel.



george

 

[BIGNASTY]

Quite a drive from south rim to north and back in 1 day isnt it ? The 3rd pic is of the Watchman did you stay in the campground? Zion is a real treat that most drive by.

 

[gtoli]

OOPS! and you were going to buy me a coffee, Starbuck I believe. We would have stopped if I had remembered and you had told me where.



We stopped at Flying J, since they had the best price on diesel.



george

Maybe next time, I'm not hard to find.