Southern Utah Trip Ideas

I was checking my web traffic and saw referrals coming from this site. I'm Glad I did. I own Red River Adventures and am stoked to see folks who are so excited about the area.
For what it's worth here are some of my thoughts.
Hwy 128 is a designated national scenic byway and should be seen in the day light. That being said it sounds like you'll be heading back the way you came so maybe see it on the way out if that fits with your travel plans.
There are more than a few inexpensive campgrounds and motels in Moab. The slickrock campground does do an excellent job, we recommend them highly. There is also camping on BLM land adjacent to the Colorado river along HWY 128. I think the fee is $6 a night. It's primitive camping with fire grates and vault toilets but evening in the river corridor can't be beat.
As far as motels go the Adventure Inn can't be beat. It's owner operated, clean and inexpensive.
The rafting this time of year is fantastic and shouldn't be missed. Spring run-off is underway and the day stretch outside of Moab, the Fisher Towers section, is super fun and doable by anyone. Whether you boat with us or not spend a day on the river it's a completely different prospective.
Enjoy your journey and Moab.

Carl

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Originally Posted by emmasdad

Hwy 128 is a designated national scenic byway and should be seen in the day light. That being said it sounds like you'll be heading back the way you came so maybe see it on the way out if that fits with your travel plans. There are more than a few inexpensive campgrounds and motels in Moab. The slickrock campground does do an excellent job, we recommend them highly.

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Thanks for the local intel -- I wish I had time to go boatin' this year. I have floated the Green and Cataract Cayon a couple of times -- it is going to rockin' this year, from a look at the river flow meters.

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The rafting this time of year is fantastic and shouldn't be missed. Spring run-off is underway and the day stretch outside of Moab, the Fisher Towers section, is super fun and doable by anyone. Whether you boat with us or not spend a day on the river it's a completely different prospective.

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Sounds really great ---

Mark

Utah Highway 12 is an absolute must if you're in southern Utah. It goes from Capital Reef down through Escalante Canyons and Bryce Canyon. You'll go from desert brush up a few thousand feet until you're on a plateau in pine forests (might see snow) and then down through red rock canyons and grazing fields. I'd definitely rank it a top 10 scenic route in the country.

I did a very similar trip last summer, and let me tell you, it was everything I had hoped for and more. Utah has some amazing scenery. Arches is one of my favorite parks I've been to. Make sure you take the time to hike all of the way up to Delicate Arch. Absolutely breathtaking. I'm not entirely sure of what you and your friend are wanting to do, but may I make one suggestion? After going to Arches and doing some biking in canyonlands, maybe continue to head west. I know it's a pretty detour, but when I was out there, I decided to head west instead of south to see one of the World's greatest natural wonders, the GRAND CANYON. I can't tell you how happy I was making this decision. Pictures don't do it justice. Even if you don't make it there by car, see if you can find a cheap air tour, you won't regret it. Zion and Bryce Canyon are also a great idea if you have the time.

With that being said, one thing I can't stress is being careful when driving. Driving for those periods of times is hard on the driver and the passengers. Make sure you push yourselves too hard in the car, because I'm sure you'll be tired after doing all of your sightseeing. Speed limit is 75 in Utah and I think it's 75 in rural colorado and Nebraska. At those speeds, you'll definitely want to be at your top form at the wheel. If you end up going the Grand Canyon or Las Vegas (what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas). Make sure you go the speed limit. Cops every 10 miles in the median.

Thanks again for all of the input. I have finally nailed down our reservations for our trip. Per advise, we are going to stop short on the second day in Frisco, CO. We'll drive into Moab the next morning so that we can enjoy the scenery. We will be spending 3 days in Moab at the Sleep Inn (offers secured bike storage and is relatively cheap) and then we're off to Rocky Mountain National Park to spend a day there (Super 8) before heading back. Hopefully, all of the snow will be gone so all of the roads in the park will be open. This trip should be a blast!

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Originally Posted by monroeaccord

Per advise, we are going to stop short on the second day in Frisco, CO. We'll drive into Moab the next morning so that we can enjoy the scenery. We will be spending 3 days in Moab at the Sleep Inn (offers secured bike storage and is relatively cheap) and then we're off to Rocky Mountain National Park to spend a day there (Super 8) before heading back.

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We hope you have a wonderful journey and write again and share what you find out there. One thing I don't quite understand, you are spending one night at Frisco, CO (near Breckenridge) and then you drive to Moab (that seems OK) but why do you zig zag your way north again to go to Rocky Mtn NP (it seems more logical to see that on your way in)? In any case, while you are there be sure to stop by the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park -- it is great. There is a cool book I used for uncovering some of the good biking roads in the area -- And finally, most of the park will be closed this time of year -- the main road to the high country doesn't open until the end of May in any year.... You can still see a lot from the lower elevations, and here is field report from the area last year.

A big part of our trip is the drive itself, so the plan is to make a big loop north out of Moab and then turning east towards Rocky Mountain National Park so we can see more scenery. We'll be at the park on May 26th., so hopefully we might get lucky and the roads will be open. If not, I'm sure we'll find something else to do. The temps in Moab will already be getting hot, so we can't really wait to go later. None of the plans are written in stone, so if something sounds better to us, we're open to change. Thanks for the advise, we're gonna have a blast!

Well, 3 days to go before we hit the road! One last question. Our current plan is to take 191N out of Moab to 40E, and then take 34 through Rocky Mountain NP to Estes Park where our hotel is. It it worth it to go this way? I was hoping it may be a nice scenic drive compared to backtracking the same way we came. If anyone has a better route (more scenic), I'm open to suggestions. Also, we only have 1 day to spend at the park on our way back. What are the "must do's" in the park or nearby?

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Originally Posted by monroeaccord

Well, 3 days to go before we hit the road! One last question. Our current plan is to take 191N out of Moab to 40E, and then take 34 through Rocky Mountain NP to Estes Park

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If the Trail Ridge Road is open -- YES, it is one of the most amazing high altitude highways in America. Are you planning to do this stretch all in one day? I don't think that can be done. You will be going over a dozen high altitude passes this way and I doubt you will be able to exceed an average speed of 45 mph for most of the day. If you do the entire US-40 route east -- you have got to stop by Strawberry Springs, (near Steamboat Springs).

If this is intended to be a one day transit -- you need to jump on I-70 and maybe do the scenic byway suggested by AZBuck (below). You certainly need to contact the park and see if the Trail Ridge is open or you will not be able to reach Estes Park from the west side!

You also need to know that there is a bunch of construction underway at the intersection of US-34 and US-36 on the edge of Estes Park. Be sure to have a drink at the Stanley Hotel! One of the most gorgeous sites in the world. Say hello to the ghost for me too!

Mark

There is a very scenic road between I-70 and US-40 in western Colorado that I highly recommend if you have some extra time and are looking for quiet two-lane blacktop through the Rockies. It's CO-139 north between roughly Grand Junction and Rangely, and then a short jog on CO-64 west to join US-40. If you go this way, you might also want to think about a short detour into the Vernal, UT area to see Dinosaur National Monument. When I last went this way a few years ago, the roads were being repaired, so they should be in relatively good shape at the moment, but this will not be a speed run.

AZBuck