Western USA RV Trip July/August-UK First-Timers Seek Advice

[BrianSue]

Here are some links to add to the list of websites you probably already have. Keep working the forums and asking the questions.

http://www.woodalls.com

http://www.rvparkreviews.com

http://www.microsoft.com/Streets/en-us/default.aspx

http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/ontheroad

http://www.nps.gov/index.htm

http://www.us-parks.com/the-grand-circle.html

http://www.gouldings.com/english/campground.htm

http://navajonationparks.org/htm/antelopecanyon.htm

http://www.hearstcastle.org

http://www.elephantseal.org

[Ron Butler]

You've had some very good suggestions, but I do have to take issue with several statements made.

First and foremost - YES - you will need reservations at most of the places you are considering, particularly if you want to stay in the state or national park campgrounds. Remember, you will competing with ALL of the other RVers during the height of summer travel and camping! You will probably need reservations at the close by private campgrounds as well. The closer they are to the major national parks and the more popular state parks, the more likely and safer you will be to make reservations. I would start making them as early as they allow you.

Now that brings about the next problem that has already been mentioned. Remember, the distances between these parks and attractions is a lot of miles! You will have to put in some very long travel days just to get from one to the other, so you may have to cut down on your list!

Here's some of my suggestions:
1. Oregon coast state parks - the greatest overall state parks right along the Pacific you will find. Reservations an absolute must during the summer. Time frame depends upon how much time and how many days you want to soak up the coast, but at least 2 or 3 minimum.
2. Crater Lake NP in Oregon - if I remember, the campground inside the park is first come-first serve, but there is a private campground at Diamond Lake just outside the north entrance. A beautiful spot - can be covered in 1 or 2 days.
3. Yosemite NP - can't help you with that one as we haven't made it there yet ourselves! Will need reservations here. I think they have buses with no private vehicles into the park, but the website will tell you.
4. Grand Canyon NP - south rim you will need reservations far in advance. We Americans love the GC to death! No cars on the rim from the village west to Hermits Roast - shuttle buses every 10-15 minutes. At least 2 days unless you want to hike/mule ride to the bottom and back. If you want the mule ride, reservations necessary ahead of time.
5. Bryce Canyon NP a must - gets our vote way ahead of Zion if you have to pick. Fabulous colors and formations and much closer to them than at Grand Canyon. Great national park campground, first come-first serve, I think, during the summer. Nice private campground right outside the entrance, but would probably need reservations. Right down the road from Bryce NP is a Utah state park, Kodachrome SP, and the name says it all! At least 2 days for Bryce plus a third for the state park.
6. IF you can fit it in, Arches NP in Moab, Utah. Has a first come-first serve campground in the park. Lots of private campgrounds in Moab, but may want to make reservations to be sure for those. Drive through in a day.
7. Yellowstone NP-need reservations if you stay at Fishing Bridge. Several dry camping areas in the park on a non-reservation basis. Need at least a minimum of 3-5 days, even if you're just "driving" the sights.
8. Glacier NP - LONG day's drive from Yellowstone. You'll probably want to go in on the west entrance - great campground inside the park there. Again, a number of private campgrounds outside the entrance. You'll want at least 2-3 days here.

The days I have given are bare minimums with just a quick "drive" through to see some of the attractions within each park, not for much if any time to "stop and smell the roses" in each park! Also, didn't consider "play" breaks for the kids!

Hope this helps as well. You will see some great scenery with this loop. Enjoy your trip.
_________________
Ron & Carolyn
Sadie - the Irish Terrier
Happy - the Lakeland Terrier
"From Sailing Yacht to Land Yacht"
www.mytripjournal.com/ronandcarolyn

[kingrokon]

Somebody else mentioned "Dead Horse Point State Park" in Utah near Moab. It's not as well known as many of the other parks, but offers a view from the overlook nearly as spectacular as the Grand Canyon. The lookout itself only takes a couple of hours to see, but you will probably want to go into Canyonlands NP as well. You could probably do this along with Arches National Park, which is also nearby.

I agree with several other comments about the temperatures in summer. Death Valley in the summer simply isn't an option unless you can tolerate really hot temperatures: 120 degrees F (49 degrees C). Most people find this kind of temperature truly miserable. Some rental companies won't let you drive their vehicles there. Sections of the Mojave Desert in Eastern California and southwestern Arizona will be nearly as hot. Air conditioning may not keep the inside of the vehicle at a comfortable temperature and doing any kind of outside activities will be quite unpleasant. Anywhere at an elevation lower than about 5000 feet in the interior of the country may be warm enough so it might be uncomfortable. In mid-summer, the mountains and sea coasts are a more pleasant temperature.

But if you want to see a variety of sights, you will probably have to endure some heat crossing the deserts and lower terrain. If there is any way you could change your plans, go in mid-September when the deserts are starting to cool off (just a bit), but it hasn't snowed in the high mountains yet.

[Simon and Lou]

Everyone, I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for your kindness in responding to our query. We are so looking forward to our trip - and with all of your helpful advice, I am sure we will have more fun.

We will spend a happy couple of weeks going through all of your notes and thoughts, surfing the net and working up an itinerary.

Thank you all so much.

Best wishes.
_________________
Simon & Lou