Rocky Mountain National Park is now reservation only, and the higher roads there will still be closed by snow in April. Can be cold and snowy in our mountains in April. Great Sand Dunes NP is a good stop for camping.
Today, subject to change of coarse, we are thinking the following.
Sedonia
Monument valley
Grand Canyon
Zion
Bryce Canyon
Arches, Canyonland
Mesa Verde
Crater of diamonds.
In that order, unless it’s not the best. It is 30 hours from home to Sedonia. So we are figuring at least 3 days driving, and stopping along the way to take a break and see what we can.
The hard part is figuring out how long to plan for each park so we can make reservations. Not sure how much camping we will do, but would like to do some. I’m thinking 3 weeks, but can take 4 or more if needed.
If you do Mesa Verde, Chimney Rock is only a 90 minute drive from there. There's tours open now or you can solo. While not as popular it shows the change in the civilization over time.Today, subject to change of coarse, we are thinking the following.
Sedonia
Monument valley
Grand Canyon
Zion
Bryce Canyon
Arches, Canyonland
Mesa Verde
Crater of diamonds.
In that order, unless it’s not the best. It is 30 hours from home to Sedonia. So we are figuring at least 3 days driving, and stopping along the way to take a break and see what we can.
The hard part is figuring out how long to plan for each park so we can make reservations. Not sure how much camping we will do, but would like to do some. I’m thinking 3 weeks, but can take 4 or more if needed.
Today, subject to change of coarse, we are thinking the following.
Sedonia
Monument valley
Grand Canyon
Zion
Bryce Canyon
Arches, Canyonland
Mesa Verde
Crater of diamonds.
In that order, unless it’s not the best. It is 30 hours from home to Sedonia. So we are figuring at least 3 days driving, and stopping along the way to take a break and see what we can.
The hard part is figuring out how long to plan for each park so we can make reservations. Not sure how much camping we will do, but would like to do some. I’m thinking 3 weeks, but can take 4 or more if needed.
+1! I've done both and I agree that it's worth the cost of a guided tour. First time to Monument valley, we stayed at Gouldings Lodge just out side Monument Valley and loved it. Not sure of the options there today.I recommend taking a guided tour of Monument Valley. The guide will take you to parts that you can't get to on your own.
Reminds me of my DW, and her attitudes to "roughing it"!Originally Posted by dm View Post ...
I’m also getting a little tired of her friends acting like anything less than a four star hotel is roughing it.
why the heck would I want to leave my comfortable home and stay someplace less comfortable, by choice, and call it a "vacation"? Makes no sense to me at all.
And DW agrees, so we are good.
Of course, I understand some people enjoy it, and that's cool, to each their own. I just find it rather amusing/curious how different people have different approaches to things.
...
I also plan on taking the wife camping long before we make the trip. We haven’t been in quite some time, and that was in a self contained travel trailer.
I’m also getting a little tired of her friends acting like anything less than a four star hotel is roughing it.
...
Yes, the old travel trailer is long gone. It was totaled in a hail storm. But we did use it for a few years, went quite a few places in it.
I wouldn’t mind getting a small camper, but now I have no where to store it. I’d hate to have to pay to store it and only use it occasionally. I’m thinking a nice tent and only using it here and there. Mostly staying at hotels, but maybe camping a few nights also in the parks.
Mid April may be a little too early if going to the mountains out west. They are often snow covered at least thru the end of April. You mentioned Utah and possibly Colorado. You do not want to be driving around those mountains before May. Even May can be tricky. Also expect cold mornings that time of year.
dm, with your proposed route you should be fine in April, but you might see some snow, particularly on Hwy 12 between Bryce and Torrey on you way to Arches.
I remember that you bought an Airstream trailer, and refurbished it. Apparently, you don't have it anymore.
I like to travel and play vagabond, but at this age can't do tent camping. I've got to have an RV, but it does not have to be luxurious. Just a bed to sleep, a galley for food preparation, a small bath with a toilet, and I am happy. It's for travel, not as a home. For a home, I would need room, and lots of it for my hobbies, and my wife needs land to plant her veggies.
Been thinking about downsizing from a class C to a class B. But then, still want a B large enough to tow a car if I want to do so.
dm, with your proposed route you should be fine in April, but you might see some snow, particularly on Hwy 12 between Bryce and Torrey on you way to Arches.