JCSC
St. Paul, MN
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Planning a trip next spring to visit the National Parks in Utah for the first time. Will be pulling a 26' travel trailer with a diesel pickup. Will be starting at Arches and ending at Zion. Would like to know routes that would be relatively easy for pulling a travel trailer and proceeding from Arches to Capitol Reef to Bryce to Zion. Main concern would be tough switchbacks to maneuver a trailer. I am aware of State Highway 12 as a scenic route that is doable pulling a trailer. Not sure of other routes over the landscape other than travelling on Interstate 70.
Also, any recommendations as to private campgrounds would be appreciated.
Thanks!
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JimK-NY
NY
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I cannot think of a single paved road in Southern Utah which would be an issue.
Hwy 12 is a very good road. There are no issues with switch backs. The only issue would be climbing over Boulder Mountain. A diesel pickup should handle that easily.
What pickup do you have and how much weight are you pulling?
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JimK-NY
NY
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I forgot to mention campgrounds because I never stay in private campgrounds. If you want private campgrounds I assume you want hook ups? There are endless choices near all of the big 5 except for Cap Reef. There are at least a couple in Torrey. Whether NP or private campgrounds, you need to consider making reservations. Springtime is extremely popular for visitation to southern Utah.
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bob213
Fresno, CA
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If Monument Valley is not on your list it would be worth considering.
You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality – Ayn Rand
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JCSC
St. Paul, MN
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Have a 3/4 ton and only pulling about 6,500 pounds.
Thanks for responding, please keep them coming.
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TenOC
On the road -- Full time
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Add Valley of Gods
Please give me enough troubles, uncertainty, problems, obstacles and STRESS so that I do not become arrogant, proud, and smug in my own abilities, and enough blessings and good times that I realize that someone else is in charge of my life.
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Tom/Barb
Oak Harbor, Wa
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During the season, it was totally PACKED. ( Utah ) make reservation MOW.
2000 Newmar mountain aire 4081 DP, ISC/350 Allison 6 speed, Wrangler JL toad.
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JoeH
Apollo Beach,FL
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JCSC wrote:Planning a trip next spring to visit the National Parks in Utah for the first time. Will be pulling a 26' travel trailer with a diesel pickup. Will be starting at Arches and ending at Zion. Would like to know routes that would be relatively easy for pulling a travel trailer and proceeding from Arches to Capitol Reef to Bryce to Zion. Main concern would be tough switchbacks to maneuver a trailer. I am aware of State Highway 12 as a scenic route that is doable pulling a trailer. Not sure of other routes over the landscape other than travelling on Interstate 70.
Also, any recommendations as to private campgrounds would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Zion River Resort (Zion)
Ruby's Inn (Bryce)
Thousand Lake RV (Capitol Reef)
Portal RV ( Canyon Lands & Arches)
Might also want to check out Monument valley and stay at Goulding's
Joe
2013 Dutch Star 4338- all electric
Toad is 2015 F-150 with bikes,kayaks and Harley aboard
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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Going from Bryce to Zion, the direct route, get's pretty marginal going in thru the east entrance. Tight twisty very busy road with lots of vehicles parked on the shoulder and pedestrians wandering across the road. Then you need to get a pass to go thru the tunnel with an RV and there are size limits. On the other hand, it's quite a ways to circle around to the south entrance.
Might not be out yet but check on entrance passes. Bryce, you could just show up this fall but Zion, you needed a ticket for the shuttle bus (and you can't drive into the main canyon)...and tickets were selling out quick.
Tammy & Mike
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texasjayco
Texas Hill Country - west of Austin
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JCSC wrote:Planning a trip next spring to visit the National Parks in Utah for the first time. Will be pulling a 26' travel trailer with a diesel pickup. Will be starting at Arches and ending at Zion. Would like to know routes that would be relatively easy for pulling a travel trailer and proceeding from Arches to Capitol Reef to Bryce to Zion. Main concern would be tough switchbacks to maneuver a trailer. I am aware of State Highway 12 as a scenic route that is doable pulling a trailer. Not sure of other routes over the landscape other than travelling on Interstate 70.
Also, any recommendations as to private campgrounds would be appreciated.
Thanks!
We did that last summer (but west to east coming from Grand Canyon).
Bryce to Zion - I would take 12 to 89, to 20, to I-15, down to 17, then 9 to Zion. It's just not worth it trying to get thru the tunnel with a trailer. I went thru with just my dually pickup (def need to drive thru), and going in on the west side the ranger said "have a nice day", but coming back in from the east, they measured and made me buy a permit.
As stated, there are no real problems with any of the highways in this area. The Hogback on hwy 12 between Capitol Reef & Bryce could be an issue for a first-time mountain driver, but just take it easy and use the pull-outs and it's a piece of cake. And awesome!!
We only stayed at one private CG (we prefer public parks) in Escalante HERE and it was pretty nice.
BTW - While at Bryce, you HAVE to eat here!! BEST FOOD & PIE AROUND!!
Mark
2020 Jayco Pinnacle 32RLTS
2011 Ford F-350 Lariat Diesel Dually
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