Help! Denver to San Francisco via Salt Lake City

[TraceyD]

Hello all!

I am travelling from Australia with my family mid-July and we have hired an RV from Denver. We have one week to get to San Francisco and we hope to travel via Salt Lake City.

Beyond this loose idea, we are clueless as to what the must-sees are en route. Do you have any suggestions? We are keen to see national parks and perhaps go some walks with the children (aged 7 and 9).

Also, do you have to book campsites ahead of time (even with an RV?) We are unclear how meticulous our planning has to be beforehand.

Thanks so much for your time,

Tracey

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

There are a lot of possibilities between Denver and San Fran with many National and State parks and great scenic drives along the way. If you really want to visit SLC then that's your choice, but that really steers you away from some of the best natural beauty with your limited time. If it were me I would be heading along I70 through Colorado and into Southern Utah where you could head into Arizona and the Grand canyon. I would certainly recommend Yosemite NP in California as you make your way to SF. Other possible National parks would include Rocky mountain, Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce and Zion, but you will have to pick and choose to ensure you have quality time rather than just rushing through. National park campgrounds do get booked up early for RV's as they are very popular and sites are limited, it could already be too late and you might have to look at campgrounds outside of them. The RV is much more at home in nature than it is the city, but if SLC is on your wish list you should find an RV site close by.

We really don't do 'must see's' as every trip is unique, but you can search the forums and planning pages here at RTA and check out the maps to see what appeals. Once you have a basic outline sorted we can help with the finer details.

[Lifemagician]

Hi Tracey,

I agree with Dave, you may be too late to get bookings inside the NPs, but keep looking as cancellations happen - people's plans change.

A few little hints which might help you.

Bring a small flag to fit in the rear window of your RV. It lets others know that you are not a local and hopefully will forgive any small traffic indiscretions. At times I have had folk come and speak with me because they saw the flag.

You do not mention where you live, but be sure to bring your RACV, NRMA or similar membership with you, as it will get you access to free tourism information and maps from the AAA. There are several offices in Denver and surrounds, so you should be able to pick up some before you head out with the RV.

If you are heading out of Denver on I-70, I would definitely include a couple of short scenic detoures such as US-6 over Loveland Pass. Spectacular views up the top at 11000' and a nice short walking track. As Dave mentioned, SLC may be a bits out of your way, unless it is very high on your list of priorities. There are other routes which could give you much more bang for your buck.

Do you have any good maps to help you plan. If not, why not purchase a Rand McNally road atlas from the RTA store, via the link at the bottom of this page. If you order it now, you will have it in a couple of weeks. The information it will give you will make your routing, and planning so much easier..... you will see so much more than you can on a small (or not so small) screen.

Happy planning

Lifey