Summer 2014

Thank you Southwest Dave and Donna on the RV sites at Las Vegas. I was just looking at them. Some reviews say the dogs could be a nuisance such as fouling and barking at Oasis?

John

When we stayed there I don't recall seeing or hearing a dog at all but of course that depends on who is there at the time you are. Even if there are dogs there when you are, it's more to do with how responsible the owners are with keeping their animals under control and clearing up after them. The site was very well maintained as well, but this was a few years ago. One of the main issues for people was the close proximity to the airport and the noise of the planes, but again it did not affect us as we were out all day and into the night and could then sleep through anything !

More people are likely to report a bad experience then they are a good one, so all you can do is compare a number of recent reports and go with your gut feeling.

Hi

We about to embark on our trip to Bryce from Vegas and wondering if there are any advice on the route. We will be taking a 30ft RV (1st timer I'm afraid!) and I've read that the tunnel on route 9 might be a bit challenging. An alternative is route 14 - is that very windy and steep?

Many thanks in advance,
John

Mod note] Please keep all questions regarding this trip in one thread. Thank-you.

Are you actually visiting Zion NP ? The Mt Carmel tunnel isn't too bad at all and many RV's use that route, which is quite spectacular. I haven't travelled on UT14 so I can't comment but if you are going direct from LV to Bryce you could take I15 up to UT20 to US89 to UT12. If you are looking to drive direct to Bryce, that's the quickest way according to my mapping program. If not and you are going to Zion, I would use the tunnel.

If you are concerned about the tunnel being a challenge, I am quite sure you will not want to drive UT-14. It is very windy, a few almost blind corners and quite up and down in places.... but Oh! so beautiful.

Lifey

Thank you both - we took route 20 in the end because we were late getting out of LV and it was enough challenge being first time driving a RV.

We are now planning for the next stage to Williams - would you know the difference between the regular 89 and Alt 89 after Kanab. Is Alt 89 a steep and windy road? Would you recommend going all the way to Falstaff and the go west to Williams or via route 64 (south rim of GC)?

Thanks,
John

That was a good choice, and avoided possible problem areas for you.

As for the road from Kanab to the South Rim, it is neither windy nor hilly, and if you coped well with 20 you will be fine with either 89 or the alt. I would take the alt, as it avoids having to take the detour around the landslide, and avoids going through Page. It will take you past the Vermillion Cliffs and over Navajo Bridge. Take the turn just before the bridge, into the interpretive centre. Gives a great understanding of the area and its peoples.

Definitely take 64 to Williams, assuming you will not be running late. It is a beautiful way to enter (or exit) the GC. Stop as often as you can.

Lifey

With an early[ish] enough start it is certainly worth taking 64 into the east entry point of the south rim. Along Desertview drive there are viewpoints to enjoy, the first being from the old watchtower offering expansive views of the Colorado and Painted desert. As you are based in Williams this will also save you back tracking to these viewpoints.

If you are making reasonable time you will first come across the Cameron Trading post on 89 which is a good place to take a break and wander around the stores, you can also get fuel here if needed. As you turn onto 64 there are market stalls along the roadside selling Indian trinkets etc that are worth a stop and better value than the the Trading post.

Enjoy !!

US-89 is still closed between Page and Bitter Springs (the junction with US-89A). Construction to repair the section wiped out by a landslide last year is supposed to be starting about now, but I've seen nothing to indicate that it actually has. There is a fully functioning bypass for US-89 from Page to just north of Hidden Springs Mission (about 15 miles north of the junction with US-160) that follows the alignment of BIA-20. Mileages will be about the same as what your software or maps indicates, just the route will be slightly different. Having driven both US-89 and US-89A in that area, my preference for scenery is (slightly) US-89A.

For more information on the US-89 repair and reopening, check the AZDOT webpage.

AZBuck