RV Round Trip San Francisco in June 06

[notquiteoverthehill]

We are planning a two & a half week trip in June, flying from England to San Francisco where we will hire a 28-30ft RV. (There are only two of us but we like the extra space.) We have already toured New Zealand and The Rockies so are used to covering long distances. Can anyone recommend a route which takes in Yosemite, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon and possibly Las Vegas. Are these distances too long? Should we consider a one-way trip? We like to book RV Parks ahead so can anyone recommend any good ones en route? Is it OK to take an RV to the South Rim i.e. are roads OK? and how easy is it to get a pitch once there? The other alternative would be to get a helicopter flight. Is early June better than late? Are there any other "musts" that we should visit? We'd be grateful for any help.

[RoadTripper Brad]

Can anyone recommend a route which takes in Yosemite, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon and possibly Las Vegas. Are these distances too long? Should we consider a one-way trip? We like to book RV Parks ahead so can anyone recommend any good ones en route? Is it OK to take an RV to the South Rim i.e. are roads OK?

Welcome to the Forum!

Good thing you have two and a half weeks, so you can take your time and really enjoy the places you wish to stop at.

As far as a route, here's one that I came up with that should work just fine for you. From San Francisco: I-80 East to I-580 E at Oakland. I-580 East to I-205. I-205 to I-5. I-5 north to CA 120 at Manteca. CA 120 East to CA 99. CA 99 north approx 2 miles to CA 120. CA 120 east to CA 108/120. CA 108/120 to Yosemite Junction. CA 120 east approx 5 miles to CA 120/49 at Chinese Camp. CA 120 east towards Yosemite Village. CA 120 also crosses the park, but may not be suitable for an RV.

Once over the Sierra Nevadas, US 395 to CA 136 and CA 190 through Death Valley National Park will line you up to go right into Las Vegas.

With the heightened security at Hoover Dam, its best not to wait for inspection by going south from Vegas on US 95 to NV 163 and Laughlin. From there, AZ 68 will take you into Kingman. Again, there are some steep mountain grades along NV 163 and AZ 68, so if you're looking to avoid that you can go south along US 95 to I-40 and head east from there to AZ 64.

RV's are fine into Grand Canyon Village (as they have an RV park inside the village at the south rim).

If you continue east on AZ 64 to US 89, you'll begin heading towards Monument Valley. US 160 and US 163 will get you to Monument Valley. Take precautions and keep a full tank of fuel, as services are very limited in this part of the Navajo nation.

Two and a half weeks should be fine for this adventure, but you might endup traveling straight through by interstate back to San Francisco to save time.

-Brad

[notquiteoverthehill]

Thanks for the quick response Brad. You've given us lots of useful info. We just need to finalise our flights and RV Rental.

[Utahtea]

I would skip Death Valley and I would also put Yosemite last...just in case Tioga Pass hasn't opened yet.

My route would do the boring part first. Head down I-5 to Barstow. Either spend the night in Barstow or Needles. There are KOA's at both locations. Then head out I-40 to the S. Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you want full hook ups then you will want to stay at the Grand Canyon Village campground. If you don't need hook ups then stay at Mather Campground. Both are within walking distance of the rim or you can catch the free shuttle buses. Spend 2 -3 nights here.

Exit the park at the east entrance. Stop at the scenic over looks before you exit the park. The views change! Head north on Hyw 89 to hwy 160 and then at Kayenta, AZ head north on Hwy 163 to Monument Valley. Gouldings RV Park in Gouldings has full hook ups and an indoor pool. If you don't need full hook ups then stay at the Monument Valley campground. It's not much but the views are 360 degrees of pure scenic wonders! Spend one night here. Do your tour either the day you arrive or early the next morning. You won't want to drive the RV into the park, so you will have to take a guided tour.

Double back on Hwy 163 and 160 and then take hwy 98 into Page, AZ. Here you will find the Glen Canyon National Recreational area. The all day boat tour to Rainbow Bridge or the 1/2 day float trip on the Colorado River are both excellent choices. You can also do the 1 1/2 hour Upper antelope slots canyon and the short 3/4 mile hike to Horseshoe bend here. Spend 2 - 3 nights in Page if these activites interest you. The Wahweap RV Park is excellent and has full hook ups and views of Lake Powell.

From Page head west on Hwy 89 and then take Hyw 12 into Bryce Canyon. There are not hook ups in the park, but just outside at Ruby's Inn and Campground you can get full hook up sites. Spend 1 - 2 nights. Try to see sunrise and sunset and take a hike into the canyon. You can spend some of the next day here before heading to Zion.

Double back on Hwy 12 to Hwy 89 and travel south to Mt. Carmel Jct and enter Zion on Hwy 9 and the Zion Tunnel. You will have to pay the $15.00 escort fee. They have it set up so they only allow traffic to go one way thru the tunnel. It's really easy. Once in Zion, I'd recommend staying at the Watchman campground for 2 - 3 nights. Watchman is in the park and has electrial sites and a dump station and great views!

From Zion head west on Hwy 9 to I-15 and Las Vegas. Spend 1 - 2 nights.

From Las Vegas head north on Hwy 95 to Tonopah. Spend the night here. There is a casio that has a full hook up campground in town.

The next morning head west on Hwy 6 to Benton, CA. Here you will pick up Hwy 120 to Yosemite National Park. There are no hook up campgrounds in Yosemite, but this is one park you will want to do with out. You will want to camp in Yosemite Valley in either Upper Pines, Lower Pines or North Pines. You won't want to have to drive the big RV in and out of the park each day! Spend 2 - 3 nights in Yosemite.

From Yosemite take Hwy 120 to I 205 and I 580 (wave to me) back to San Francsico

Utahtea