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Thank you everyone!
We are on the road and having an unforgettable time!
The views and wildlife are spectacular!
We've tried to incorporate many of the suggestions found on the RTA forums. All of them have been winners!
We just arrived in CO. We will going to RMNP tomorrow.
I was hoping for some advice on the itinerary after that.
I plan to take Dave's advice on the route to Mesa Verde.
"From Denver to Mesa Verde you could also drive the amazing 'Million dollar Highway' [US550] through the mountain towns of Ouray and Silverton. To get there you would take US285 to Poncha Springs and US50 which is also a lovely drive over Monarch Pass, through Currecanti National Recreation area and past Black canyon of the Gunnison. It would add a couple of hours to your journey to MV although you could stop short in Durango for the night. If you had the time you could also 'Splurge' on a wonderful steam train ride to Silverton."
After that I am not sure of the best route.
After Mesa Verde --- Four Corners, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Arches, Bryce, Zion, Hoover Dam -- then cross into California by way of LV.
Is that the best route --- cutting down to Grand Canyon and then back up to Arches? --- OR -- Should I cut up to Arches first and down to Grand Canyon last before CA?
I'd like to include UT24 and Byway 12.
Eventually, after CA, I will be taking 10 across AZ and NM to TX. Should I cut up to Grand Canyon then?
Thanks for any advice.
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Efficient and Scenic
Probably your best bet is to do those places in this order:
Mesa Verde
Four Corners
Arches
Monument Valley
Grand Canyon
Bryce Canyon
Zion
Las Vegas (Hoover Dam)
That doesn't include UT-12 or UT-24, but there will be NO shortage of scenery on this drive. And even this route includes some backtracking, such as up to Arches and Back, and into Grand Canyon NP and back out by the same road, but it is a widely scattered set of sites you want to get to. I will also note that both Four Corners and Monument Valley are Navajo Tribal Parks rather than national parks, so any pass you might have won't work at those two sites. I wouldn't include the Grand Canyon on your I-10 return route, that's a really big detour and actually puts you through Las Vegas twice (But then maybe you'd like that?) It would also cause you to miss Joshua Tree NP and the Salton Sea Valley which gets to 100-200' below sea level.
AZBuck
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While Buck's route is the most efficient to get to all of the places on your list, especially if you do the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, I might look at another alternative that would then also take you along UT-12/24.
Mesa Verde
Four Corners
Monument Valley
Arches
Bryce Canyon
Zion
Grand Canyon
Hoover Dam
Vegas
If you're doing the south rim, this route adds less than 100 miles to Bucks route, and does take you along UT-12/24. You might also consider adding in Natural Bridges, between Monument Valley and Arches, as well as Canyonlands and Capitol Reef, in between Arches and Bryce.
