Motorhome Rentals

[Mark Sedenquist]

When it comes to roadtrips, your site is the single greatest thing on the internet!

Always nice to hear!

Leave Las Vegas Monday morning heading for Grand Canyon (I-15 -> I-59 -> 389 as recommended by some thread or other on this forum), spend Monday afternoon-Wednesday afternoon there (thinking about hiking South Kaibab-Cedar Ridge , Tusayan museum and ruins, maybe some horseback riding?) and driving north by scenic drive (Desert View (64), north on 89 thru Painted Desert, past Jacob's Lake and up to Bryce Ntl Park).

Like the message posted by Utahtea, I think you have your route a little confused. To reach the south rim and see the things you have mentioned, you would need to travel south from Las Vegas. The most direct route would take you over Hoover Dam and there are large signs proclaiming that Hoover Dam is CLOSED to all RV and truck traffic. This is not actually true, you can cross Hoover Dam but your vehicle will be searched. If you don't mind some intrusion you would use US-93 over the Dam down to Kingman and I-40 over to Williams and then north on AZ-64 to the Grand Canyon.

If you would prefer not to be searched at the security checkpoint, your route will still be south -- US 95/US93 but you will stay on US-95 and go south to the the Laughlin cut-off (NV-163) to AZ-68 to I-40 at Kingman on on to the east. If you do go via Laughlin and you like petroglyphs, -- take an hour or two and check out Grapevine Canyon. The turn-off will be on your left near the bottom of the hill (although it is a gravel road -- your RV will have no problems).

Recommended sightseeing at Zion, anyone? Btw, are there any nice inns at Zion?

The inn and cabins at Zion are great. Dinner and cocktails on the terrace at the inn can't be beat in the summer!

Have fun!

Mark

[kitronit]

I'm totally lost on your plans.
1. You said you were taking I-15, I-59 & 389 to the Grand Canyon. Those roads are going to end you up at the North Rim but the places you list are at the South Rim and the day you leave you are exiting from the S. Rim.
Utahtea

An excellent point :-) Guess I got a bit mixed up between the North and South Rims (oops!) We're going to be based at the South Rim not North... So- south on US-93, East onto I-40 and back up on 64 then... Unless there's a more interesting route? Thanks for catching that.

2. Are you planning on going to Bryce before you reach Zion?Utahtea

Yes, I suppose it would be about an hour(?) out of my way in each direction to do Zion before Bryce (especially since I end up driving west again back to Vegas).
However, we have a couple of friends who wanted to spend time with us since we'll be- more or less- in their area (and of course the weekend is when they'll have free time). There's certainly no way we can host them in our little rv :-) and Ruby's seems like a nice setting where they can stay at the Inn and spend time with us.

We've gone to Ruby's Campground twice and made reservations well in advance the first time, but didn't really need them. Called a couple of days before we went the second time because we wanted a certain campsite. Both times were in early August. I'd call a day or two before you were going to be there just to make sure you can get a site. You will want to make resevations for Watchman Campground in Zion.

Some of the fanciest, and the nicest (urban) RV parks in the country, are in Las Vegas. I have stayed at just about all of them -- the one I still like the best is the Oasis on Las Vegas Blvd near Windmill. There are newer ones -- but I like the spacing of the pads, and the pools.
Mark

Thanks to you both for the lodging tips! I will definitely get moving on Watchman, and also check out the link to the Oasis....

Also- if anyone out there has done some good hiking at Grand Canyon, Zion or Bryce and can vote for or against a particular trail (a proper hike; not rock-climbing or anything, but something challenging...) I would really appreciate hearing about your experience!
And especially if any of you road-trippers tried hiking Riggs Spring Loop; the website for Bryce Canyon classified it as the longest and most strenuous one-day hike there... any opinions?

[Mark Sedenquist]

An excellent point :-) Guess I got a bit mixed up between the North and South Rims (oops!) We're going to be based at the South Rim not North... So- south on US-93, East onto I-40 and back up on 64 then... Unless there's a more interesting route? Thanks for catching that.

Just remember, if you use US-93, you need to have tough skin -- the signs will say that RVs are prohibited on the Dam route and your vehicle will get searched (and this can sometimes take a while). So, unless you like personal invasion, I would RECOMMEND that you us the US-95 route, described above -- US-95 is nearly all four-lane highway). On the other hand, crossing the Dam is a really cool drive.

Yes, I suppose it would be about an hour(?) out of my way in each direction to do Zion before Bryce (especially since I end up driving west again back to Vegas).

Um. What? It is three hours from Las Vegas to Zion NP (one way). However, you don't need to go to Las Vegas to reach Zion if you are coming from the Grand Canyon (that is way out of the way). You would take US-89 or US-89ALT and go to Zion on the way to Bryce,

Also- if anyone out there has done some good hiking at Grand Canyon, Zion or Bryce and can vote for or against a particular trail (a proper hike; not rock-climbing or anything, but something challenging...) I would really appreciate hearing about your experience!

I have hiked in all three parks -- you have to remember, it is going to be hot during the day and unless you are all in the peak of physical condition, I wouldn't recommend too much hiking. Even professional athletes in prime condition can get in trouble in a hurry when they get heat stressed in the canyons.

Mark

[kitronit]

Just remember, if you use US-93, you need to have tough skin -- the signs will say that RVs are prohibited on the Dam route and your vehicle will get searched (and this can sometimes take a while). So, unless you like personal invasion, I would RECOMMEND that you us the US-95 route, described above -- US-95 is nearly all four-lane highway). On the other hand, crossing the Dam is a really cool drive.
Mark

Roadblocks can't scare me! How bad can it be? (F.L.W.? I hope not...) Hoover Dam would make a great photo op, even if we don't take time to tour it properly. Hopefully, the reduction in driving time along 93 instead of 95 will make up for the time lost getting through the checkpoint...

you don't need to go to Las Vegas to reach Zion if you are coming from the Grand Canyon (that is way out of the way). You would take US-89 or US-89ALT and go to Zion on the way to Bryce,
Mark

That's what I meant...

I have hiked in all three parks -- you have to remember, it is going to be hot during the day and unless you are all in the peak of physical condition, I wouldn't recommend too much hiking. Even professional athletes in prime condition can get in trouble in a hurry when they get heat stressed in the canyons.
Mark

I realize of course that we need to pace ourselves more than usual and bring several liters drinking water each... But I have actually done long hikes in 100 degree weather before- its not ideal, but if the only time we can go is August, then that's when we gotta go... (And if we have reception on our cell-phones out there, even better!)

Thanks again for all your help! I would not have been prepared for that road-block otherwise, and if I wasn't expecting it, it probably would have made me a lot more nervous...

[Mark Sedenquist]

We have just published a very informative article about the types of rental RVs there are what to know about every rental RV.

Read this article and study the section about using a RV here.

Mark