Belgian family looking for travel tips

[Simon Smidt]

We are a Belgian family with 3 boys aged 11, 9 and 6 and are planning a RV trip in August 2002 for 3 weeks.
We will be landing in San Fransisco or Los Angeles and would like to see some of your American beauties like the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas,

[Simon Smidt]

We are a Belgian family with 3 boys aged 11, 9 and 6 and are planning a RV trip in August 2002 for 3 weeks.
We will be landing in San Francisco or Los Angeles and would like to see some of your American beauties like
the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, national parks etc.
Therefore we would like to have
- some travel advice/tips how to make the most of it taking into account the 3 kids,
- recommendations for a reliable RV rental station in SF or LA,
- a road book that fills up these 3 weeks.

advTHANKSance,
Simon

[mac nelson]

You guys are smart Belgians. The best kind of vacation trip, esp. with small kids, is camping in the National Parks. August is the busiest time (lots of Belgians and lots of everybody else) so you might want to get campsite reservations soon, at the places that take them--I know they do at Yosemite and Grand Canyon, which are very crowded in August. But better then than not at all, and they're big places. If you feel cramped, just hike off the main road a few meters and you'll be nearly alone. You might try the North Rim of the Grand Canyon--cooler, smaller, quieter, just as spectacular, fewer people. And Bryce and Zion and Capitol Reef NPs are right nearby, the latter very uncrowded. I don't suppose you have time to get to Yellowstone? It's the best. But come another year.
I know nothing of renting RVs except that it's very popular this year, with people afraid to fly. So I'd get one reserved soon if I were you. Have a wonderful time. MN

[Simon Smidt]

Mac,
thanks a lot for your info.
About the reservations: do we really need to do that? Is it otherwise impossible to find a campsite?
I don't really like reserving, it puts too much strain on the holiday itself
because you need to be at that specific campsite at that specific night.

Or, is that exactly what you mean with 'If you feel cramped'?

You also say 'you'll be nearly alone'. Is that also on a campsite or is it 'camping in the wild'?

It is in the original plan to go to Yellowstone as well. So, why come another year? Too many bears this year.....?

Simon

[imported_David]

A good thing for the kids...
buy them a "Passport to the National Parks" at any Nat'l Park Gift shop for around 5 dollars. Then they can have their "passport" stamped at any National Park, Monument etc.
Also, a nice secret for great easy hiking in Escalante...near Zion and Bryce.
enjoy,
David

[Simon Smidt]

Thanks David!
We'll consider your suggestions!
Escalante.... do you mean this: http://www.ecohike.com/ ?

Simon

[Don Woodmancy]

I agree with the previous comments about trying to get reservations in July or August. You may be able to get in if you show up without them but you also may not. At Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon's South Rim, I suspect it will be almost impossible to camp in the Nat'l Park campgrounds without them. I also stongly suggest making a rapid reservation for an RV if you have not already. The Sunaday Los Angelese Times had an article indicating that the demand for rental RV's is about 40% greater than last year and in many places, demand exceeds supply.
As to sites to visit, just to the east of Bryce Canyon, less than 40 miles, is an area known as Kodachrome Flats. It's visually interesting, has lots of easy to moderate hiking trails, and is less well known that many of the surrounding areas so it may be easier to find camping. My grandkids love it and the adults enjoy camping and hiking there. It's just off Utah Hwy 12 (look for signs and turn south at Cannonville) which is the route between Bryce Canyon and Esclante. Have a great trip and enjoy the great American west.

[Simon Smidt]

Thank you Don!
I understand from this thread that if we don't want to make reservations we must leave
the touristique parts and find the less well known areas, which still might be beautiful.
That makes us faced with a dilemma, which we need to sort out. We will, don't worry.

Simon