ROAD TRIP! Boise to Phoenix - and back! Scenic/Photography ... TIPS!

[Jay_Z]

Hi Road Trippers!

I'll be making a drive at the end of this week (with my SUV) from Boise to Phoenix and then I'll be making the return trip a few days later. On the way, I'll be stopping in Kingman, so I'll probably stop in Vegas for a day or two ... or three!

Factors:
1) Schedule completely flexible - including timeline, stays in various locations, etc.
2) Focus: scenery and photography
3) It's ok to take a 100-150 mile side trip, backtrack, etc - direct routes not necessary! Scenic/Photography over speed/time!

Looking for suggestions on routes and good stops (especially, the good 'lesser known' stops) and good places to stay (not hotels ... but towns, etc).

4 possible routes that I see... (and, the to/return routes can be swapped as needed ... very flexible!)

To:
Boise -> Ely -> Las Vegas -> Kingman -> Phoenix via Hwy 93
Boise -> Reno -> Vegas -> Kingman -> Phoenix via Hwy 95

Return:
Phoenix -> Page -> SLC -> Boise via I-17, Hwy 89 I-15
Phoenix -> Moab -> SLC -> Boise via I-17, Hwy 89, Hwy 160, Hwy 191, I-84

Again, TO will include Las Vegas (Red Rock Canyon) and Kingman. RETURN will include Page, AZ, Horseshoe Bend, Goosenecks State Park, maybe Arches, Grand Canyon.

What travel advice would you recommend - sites to see, routes to choose, places to photograph (from obvious choice like Antelope Canyon to an old house off the road to big canyons!). As I mentioned, traveling solo and I have NO timeline - need to be in Phoenix by Mar 5 and no timeline at all on the return. Could make it a 6 day trip or 16!

I would greatly appreciate all the feedback you might have! Bonus if you know some good hole in the wall places for a cold beer along the way! :)

THANKS!!

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to RTA !

You are most likely aware of Twin Falls attractions such as Perrine Bridge and the Snake river canyon but they, along with Shoshone Falls are worth a mention. You could detour to the Bonneville Salt flats From Ely if you take US93 you may find the old town of Pioche an interesting stop and just out of town you will find Cathedral Gorge State park, a nice spot for photography. Cutting across to Moapa from Indian Springs would mean you could detour through Valley of Fire on route to Vegas. How much time you take coming home will matter and taking a couple of weeks would really open up your options. Zion, Bryce canyon, Capital Reef NP's are other options in Southern Utah, you could head into Southwest Colorado and drive the 'Million dollar Highway through Silverton and Ouray while visiting Mesa Verde NP on route. The Four corners Monument is a tacky tourist trap but the only place in the US you can get a picture of a limb in 4 different States at one time. You could visit the Colorado National Monument and head up to Dinosaur NM and Flaming Gorge Res and perhaps Craters of the Moon on the way back.

[travelingman]

Arches

Enter Moab by Scenic Highway 128. It is a spectacular drive.

Bryce is a very unique National Park and a dessert to the eyes to walk down into. Zion is also well worth a day or two.

[Jay_Z]

Hello and welcome to RTA !

You are most likely aware of Twin Falls attractions such as Perrine Bridge and the Snake river canyon but they, along with Shoshone Falls are worth a mention. You could detour to the Bonneville Salt flats From Ely if you take US93 you may find the old town of Pioche an interesting stop and just out of town you will find Cathedral Gorge State park, a nice spot for photography. Cutting across to Moapa from Indian Springs would mean you could detour through Valley of Fire on route to Vegas. How much time you take coming home will matter and taking a couple of weeks would really open up your options. Zion, Bryce canyon, Capital Reef NP's are other options in Southern Utah, you could head into Southwest Colorado and drive the 'Million dollar Highway through Silverton and Ouray while visiting Mesa Verde NP on route. The Four corners Monument is a tacky tourist trap but the only place in the US you can get a picture of a limb in 4 different States at one time. You could visit the Colorado National Monument and head up to Dinosaur NM and Flaming Gorge Res and perhaps Craters of the Moon on the way back.

Thanks so much for the great ideas! While I'm from Idaho, I haven't spent much time in the southern end - I will stop by Twin Falls on the return!

I am going to sit down with your message and my map and work on these now! Great places I haven't heard of or considered - awesome! Last time I was in this area I was 6 ... so, not much of a recollection of this. I would like to see some of the notables (Grand Canyon, Zion, Antelope Canyon) but am also looking more toward the lesser known cool things to see!

Ok, now to look these up... Thanks!!!

[travelingman]

Lesser known cool things to see?

If you've seen the movie Galaxy Quest, you'll remember the hilarious scenes with Tim Allen fighting the rock monster. That was shot in Utah's scenic Goblin Valley State Park. It is a fascinating place with a valley full of countless weird rock formations which are fun to explore. It is also fun hunting down Several Geocaches that have been placed throughout the park.

If you REALLY want to explore "lesser known cool things to see" then head for the San Rafael Swell area.

http://www.sanrafaelcountry.com/san-...ic-drives.html

http://www.sanrafaelcountry.com/san-...eocaching.html

[Lifemagician]

If you get a chance, it is worth checking out the 1959 Earthquake area along US-287 in MT. There is a brochure avaoilable for a self drive tour. Very interesting to see the remnants of the earthquake and read all about the night of terror experienced by the locals.

Lifey