need advice: first time RV trip from San Jose to LV, GC and Utah NPs

If you are planning on taking UT261 between Monument Valley and Natural Bridges you will encounter the Moki Dugway ! Not ideal if you want to avoid twists and turns !! It is manageable in an RV but it does have a recommendation that vehicles over 22ft take the long way around. You can find info by putting it into your search engine but here are a few pictures.

View from the bottom

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum...2&d=1218832928

View from the top.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum...5&d=1218833363

And us on the way down.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum...4&d=1218833363

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum...6&d=1263832090

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum...4&d=1263831821

Quite an exciting ride, although for some reason or another the ladies had their eyes closed most of the way down ! lol.

Before you get to the Moki there is a turn off to Goosenecks State Park where you can spend the night for free. Very quiet with a view of the river bending it's way through the desert, but not much else there.

Gooseneck.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum...1&d=1218832437

Doesn't seem like the Moki Dugway is ideal for us, unless it will be really worthwhile at our destination. Do you think we can bypass Natural Bridges? Maybe we should just take 163 towards Bluff and then 191N towards Moab.

While in Monument Valley, do you suggest we drive ourselves on the 17 mile tour or should we take a professional tour? I read that the road is unpaved but doable for cars. Just want to avoid potholes and the like on a rented RV.

Any advice on which Canyonlands visitor center to drive to--- Needles or Island in the Sky? We're not doing heavy duty hiking. We have 2 kids and a dog. Has to be pet friendly.


Thanks!

I really enjoyed Natural Bridges, and it was one of my favorite stops in the region, but if you are opposed to driving the Moki, then it would be a pretty significant detour.

I would strongly advise against taking a rental RV through Monument Valley. Its not too terrible of a road, but it would almost certainly be in violation of your rental agreement, and avoiding potholes would be an impossibility.

Islands in the sky is the more accessible and more visited part of Canyonlands, and has lots of viewpoints that require very little walking.

However keep in mind, as with nearly all national parks, you're going to be very limited on where you can go with a dog. The vast majority of the time, pets are not allowed on hiking trails and generally have to be kept on paved roads and/or camping areas.

I would second all that Michael has said and go as far as to say, do not attempt to take the RV through Monument Valley ! There are wonderful views from Grandview point in the Islands in the Sky section of Canyonlands, right by the parking area and a fairly relaxed/easy walk to the end [or part way] is very rewarding. On the way down is Mesa Arch that is well worth a stop and short walk to. A wonderful view through the Arch at 'Washer woman Rock' awaits you ! There is also a pull out for the 'Shafer Trail' view where you might spot some Off roaders making their way down the twisty dirt track.

If you had enough time you could also drive down to Dead Horse Point State Park.

Edit. I see you had Dead Horse on your list already. An even better reason to do Island in the Sky.

Thanks Dave and Michael for your advice. I am still not happy about skipping Natural Bridges. But I am now considering adding Mesa Verde NP to our plans, as it is not too far out of the way. In which case, I would *have* to skip Natural Bridges, no doubt about that. From the research I've done, it seems Mesa Verde is a very different experience. Especially for the kids who will be seeing so much geology as it is. Makes sense to throw some anthropology into the mix. The cave dwellings are so interesting. Let me know if either of you have made this detour! Thanks!

Mesa Verde is fantastic for kids. I was a kid when I first saw it and loved the tours!



Donna

Yes I have and it is a fascinating experience for all the family. You can get info on the tours of the dwellings on the NPS site. I don't recall seeing the ages of the Kids mentioned, but some of the tours involve climbing ladders and although straight forward enough for those old enough and able enough, I thought it worth mentioning. Also for planning purposes it's not really a quick visit. Just to get in the park and do one tour with a little sight seeing will take at least half a day.

It would appear that it is not long before you depart. Have you checked campground info and availability yet ? The NP's have a limited number of RV sites available and are very popular. It could be that they are already booked out and you will have to look for options nearby. Even if you don't want to book in advance [although I do when on a tight schedule] it will pay to do your homework and make notes of names and numbers.