Los Angeles to Grand Canyon and Beyond... Advice?

[patrickbw]

Hi there,

My wife and I are planning a two week road trip starting in Los Angeles, heading to the Grand Canyon and then beyond (either north into Utah or south, deeper into Arizona and New Mexico). We'll be traveling during the first two weeks of September.

I was wondering if people here had any suggestions as to where we might go. Any must-see spots we should consider? How hard would it be to take a tent and car camp for two weeks? Where would we shower?

As you can see, I'm pretty wide open to your input, so fire away...

And thanks in advance for your ideas/insights etc.

Take care,

Patrick

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

Time-wise, you're in good shape. A couple of weeks is plenty of time to explore whichever corner of this fascinating area of the country you choose. I'm in the process of planning a RoadTrip into the Four Corners area, and there is certainly no shortage of things to do there, including Native guided tours of Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, the Petrified Forest, Chaco Culture Historic Park, scenic rail tours, etc. Similarly southern Utah is home to some of the great wild and scenic National Parks including Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Arches as well as dinosaur museums and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

The problem, however, with both those areas is that they are on the Colorado Plateau where elevations start in the 4,000' to 8,000' range and go up from there. By September it will not be unusual at all to see freezing temperatures overnight, and snow is a distinct possibility. Another possible area for exploration that will be experiencing considerably milder temperatures at that time would be southern Arizona and New Mexico where the attractions would include Saguaro National Park, Kartchner Caverns, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Cochise Stronghold, Chiricahua National Monument, Tombstone, Billy the Kid country, White Sands National Monument, the Rio Grande, and others. If you have the luxury of waiting to see what the weather is going to be like, that and a choice of plans would be your best option.

AZBuck

[glc]

If your campground doesn't have showers, you can get a shower at a truckstop for around $10.

[campersuzid]

My suggestion is to take I-40 to Williams, AZ than head north to Grand Canyon, south rim, on SR 64. (The train ride from Williams to Canyon is a hoot if you are interested.) There is a super campground in Tusayan, AZ called Ten-X just south of the Park's entrance. Enjoy the Park and continue west on 64 to Cameron, AZ. The trading post in Cameron is a must stop. Now head north on US 89. You can turn west onto US 89A and visit the North Rim (totally different from South Rim - beware of elk in the road) or continue north on 89 to Page and explore Lake Powell. The Slot Canyons are awesome. You'll be driving through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument next to Kanab, UT. Stay on 89 until just south of Panguitch where you can pick up SR 12 and head toward Bryce Canyon. However, my recommendation is to stop at Red Canyon campground (a Dixie National Forest campground) and enjoy the most incredible hiking in the area. Or you can head west on SR 9 about 20 miles north of Kanab and enter Zion National Park through it's east entrance. Next you'll want to get back on I-15 and head south for Las Vegas (there is this beautiful canyon west of Mesquite craved by the Virgin River) and home. You'll be driving through some of the most glorious scenery and there is way too much to see for just a two week trip. Star gazing is fabulous in this area. With any luck you'll see some "falling stars". The hiking doesn't get much better than what you'll find in this area. There a touristy things to see (Chief Yellowknife road side "gift shop" and toadstool rock formation to mention just two) and there are places that humble and inspire (such as Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River and Corral Pink Sand Dunes State Park). September is great time to go. Nights will be nippy but the days pleasant. It will still be green from the monsoon and, with children back in school, the crowds will be minimum. Enjoy.