Southern Utah and Moab

[steved]

Going on a short vacation in this area during September... going to take the slide in and my small trailer.



Other than the large nation parks and such, anything "outdoors" related that you'd recommend seeing?? I think we'll hit most of the popular stuff, but sometimes the not-so-well-known stuff is just as good. I've been there a couple times, mainly around Moab and the four corners region... so I have a little idea of the area.



Any recommendations??



Thanks,

Steve

 

[Grizzly]

Going on a short vacation in this area during September... going to take the slide in and my small trailer.

Other than the large nation parks and such, anything "outdoors" related that you'd recommend seeing?? I think we'll hit most of the popular stuff, but sometimes the not-so-well-known stuff is just as good. I've been there a couple times, mainly around Moab and the four corners region... so I have a little idea of the area. Any recommendations??

Steve

I like the Zion NP and St. George in SW Utah.

 

[VicR]

Sounds like fun. We are going to be in that area the end of October. Haven't decided on Moab/Canyonlands/Arches or Zion/ North Rim of the Grand Canyon. That's such a great area I don't think you can go wrong. Zion is only a couple hours from North Rim so if you haven't done that you might want to consider it.



-Vic

 

[SHovis]

The San Rafael Swell west of Green River, UT is fantastic and very remote. It stretches both north and south of I-70. Goblin Valley State Park is about 20 miles south of I-70 and has a developed campground and some good geology. There is no end to the nearly empty 4x4 roads you can drive if that is of interest. Most are just rough, not technically challenging like in the Moab area. Most of the Swell is BLM land, so you can camp anywhere that is reasonable. If you want to hike there are a lot of slot canyons and/or petroglyphs to find.



Steve

 

[BarryG]

I second the San Rafeal Swell. It has some incredible stuff. Easy 4 wheeling. Slot canyons on the southern and eastern side of the Swell and a good amount of excellent pictograph panels.



The pictograph panels are some of my favorites. Buckhorn Draw road goes right through the center of the Swell and has several nice panels. Head of Sinbad North is an excellent panel use exit 131 to get to that one then head south then west. Black Dragon Canyon is another great one. Right off I-70 I think at approx mm 145. No exit just pull off the freeway and go through the gate. There is also a viewpoint for it with an exit but you can only see the canyon not the panel from there. Another one is the Rochester Creek Panel hwy 10 north of I-70 to the Moore Road then east a few miles then south to the panel.



If you hike at all go to Goblin Valley area and hit Little Wild Horse and Bell slot canyons a few mile loop up one slot and down the other ending where you started. There is also Crack and Chute And Ding and Dang canyons with the Ding Dang Dome. Eardley Canyon is another awesome slot. The first ones require no technical skill, Eardley on the other hand takes a bit more prowess if you want to go all the way. Many more slots too many to name.



Another great area is Canyonlands Maze District(west side of the river). Very very few people there. There is also a section called the Horseshoe Annex. It is home to a set of world famous pictograph panels that are life sized and several hundred feet long. Easy to get to but about a 6 mile roundtrip hike that is easy to do.



If the Swell sounds good make sure and get or at least take a look at Michael Kelseys book Hiking and Exploring the San Rafeal Swell. He usually has pretty good directions(there are others as well besides his). The swell is remote with a ton of roads that can get confusing. You more than likely wont run across nice signs with directions you need to know where to go before hand. Also be aware that a couple years ago they changed the mile marker numbers by 2 so any guide book may be off a couple milemarkers when referencing mm on I-70 depending on when the book was last updated.



In the Moab area if you want to leave the crowds head south to the Canyon Rims Recreation Area and camp at Windwhistle campground. It may or may not have water so be prepared. Nice spot and if you go to the end of the road there are several very nice vewpoints down into the Canyonlands.



Not sure where you are coming from but the Escalante area is very nice as well for hiking slots. One group in particular down the Hole in the Rock Road just east of Escalante. Peek a boo, Spooky and Brimstone 3 of the nicest easiest slots around and they are all in the same drainage. You can hit all three in a half day hike.



Uh oh looks like I am getting carried away, sorry.

 

[steved]

Thanks for all that info, looks like I have some other places to scope out on the map!



steved

 

[eric01ctd]

You will have a great time. I was out there for ten days in May, four wheeling. Just a beautiful area and trip out there. We took I-70 all the way to Utah, couple buddies took I-80, but it took them a little longer on the trip out from NJ.

 

[georgej]

Don't miss Dead Horse Point just north of Moab for a spectacular view!

 

[hilda]

The wife and I are taking the same trip. Leaving Los Angeles on the 14th for 2 weeks. Taking the new truck (if the hitch comes in on time Pull-rite super 5 w/super rail) were staying in a park thats 13 miles from Moab looks real nice. Then taking off to the 4 corners area.



Will look for you



Jim

 

[azpete]

One think to know about the road through Zion is the height limit. Wanted to go throught last year with my cabover. Mine would go through but would have to pay a fee for an escort to go in the tunnels because you have to drive in the center.

 

[steved]

The wife and I are taking the same trip. Leaving Los Angeles on the 14th for 2 weeks. Taking the new truck (if the hitch comes in on time Pull-rite super 5 w/super rail) were staying in a park thats 13 miles from Moab looks real nice. Then taking off to the 4 corners area.



Will look for you



Jim

Can't miss me... have a small "goofy" looking trailer that has stickers all over it... the main one is "Pavement Sucks"!



We'll be out there hiding somewhere!



steved

 

[steved]

One think to know about the road through Zion is the height limit. Wanted to go throught last year with my cabover. Mine would go through but would have to pay a fee for an escort to go in the tunnels because you have to drive in the center.

Thanks for that information, I guess we'll see what we can see from the near side then!



steved

 

[KCloward]

Come around the Delta area and you'll see some... bushes and sand oh and really pretty sunsets.



All the places mentioned are really good and very beautiful. Have a great trip!!



Bryce

 

[steved]

How are the diesel fuel stations out in that area?? Is there any worry about running dry?? Should I consider a few extra cans?



steved

 

[BarryG]

Shouldnt have any problems. I never have out there. Just fill up when you can. Moab, Monticello, Green River, Hanksville, Kayenta, Bluff all have diesel fuel no problem. Not sure where all you are going but again I have never had a problem getting it. I just bear in mind that the towns/stations can be far apart so I try to fill up by 1/2 tank.

 

[hammersley]

Clearly one of the greatest places on Earth....

The Four Corners Area - you could spend a lifetime of vacations there - Many good recomendations - but one I don't think mentioned that is a Huge Favorite - Great Campgrounds teaming with critters - is Mesa Verde - just west of Durango - walking into Cliff Palace - if that doesn't take you breath away - NOTHING WILL!!!!!



Official Website for Mesa Verde National Park



and over in the NE Corner of Arizona - John Ford's Monument Valley... .



and



Canyon de Chelly - where you can get an Indian Guide and have about a 70 mile tour of some of the geeatest canyons you'll ever see... .



Canyon de Chelly National Monument (U. S. National Park Service)

 

[steved]

Thanks for those ideas... I've actually been to all of those (when I was single), now I have the Wife... we are going to try to hit all of those places, I am sitting here right now seeing how much we can realistically do in the amount of time allotted.



Another question I have is about BLM lands. I seem to remember that as long as your self contained, you can pretty much camp anywhere??? Since I have the slide in, we would like to be able make as much progress as possible without worrying about meeting a campground somewhere. Is it allowed to just pull off and camp along the road (in a wide spot) in BLM lands???



steved

 

[SHovis]

No problem camping where ever on BLM land. Personally, I try to pick a place that's already been used to minimize new impact.



Steve

 

[steved]

No problem camping where ever on BLM land. Personally, I try to pick a place that's already been used to minimize new impact.



Steve

Don't get me wrong, I don't intend on blazing new trails, but was hoping that if there was a wide spot, whether I'd get hassled about using it...



steved

 

[SHovis]

You'll find many places that are easy to pull into and sleep for the night. No one will bother you, even in the unlikely event that an LEO happens by.



Didn't mean to suggest anything personal with the 'impact' comment. It was just a reminder that there is already a lot of impact out there to make use of.



Steve