We will be camping in the canyonlands this September and visiting a number of the parks there…. Specifically Brice, Zion, Capitol Reef, Arches, Monument Valley, etc. Having never been that way (at least in 40 years) I was wondering how the scenic roads were as far as traveling them in a 40’ Motorhome. I am thinking we will be taking to some extent the following roads in Utah: 89 from I-70 to Zion, 12 from Zion to Capitol Reef, 24 through capitol Reef to Hanksville, 95 from Hanksville down to Blanding. Also in Arizona 163 to Kayenta and 160 back towards the Grand Canyon. Any input on these roads including roads to avoid would be greatly appreciated.

If there are any “must see places” or “must eat at restaurants” etc. this area, We would love to hear about them!

Thanks!!

Howard and Gladys,
What a trip you have planned. Spectacular scenery!

We did that route in reverse from I-70 to I-15 with no undue problems in our 39' MH.

Think about stopping briefly at the Kolob Canyon unit of Zion NP. You can use the toad to go to the top.

Do the same at Cedar Breaks NM on SR 14.

SR 12 is fantastic! You'll love "The Hogback" I'm sure.

When you get to Monument Valley, do stop over at Goulding's Campground. The view from the CG can't be beat.

All in all, you'll be travelling in some of the West's most magnificent scenery. Take your time and enjoy.

What is the road from Zion to Bryce I think where they have to close the "tunnel" for RVs to drive through the middle of the tunnel? It seems to me that Sacs said the height on the Monaco is higher than the Bounder...so you may want to check the allowable RV height.

MM

quote:

Originally posted by MonacoMama:
What is the road from Zion to Bryce I think where they have to close the "tunnel" for RVs to drive through the middle of the tunnel?

The Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel is on Utah Route 9, which is the east entrance of Zion. There is a $15 "escort" fee. They don't actually escort you, but they shut down the tunnel to opposing traffic so you can drive down the middle. The escort fee applies to trailers over 7' 10" wide or vehicles over 11' 4" high. The fee is good for 2 trips within a 7 day period. Vehicles over 13' 1" high and over 40' long or combined vehicles (truck and trailer) over 50' long are prohibited. You will have to unhitch your toad. See THIS LINK for more info.

We chose not to take the RV on this route, but you'll want to see the scenery one way or another. We liked East Zion as much as the Zion Canyon, maybe more. And no crowds in East Zion.

I would recommend using the other entrance to Zion for the MH. We camped outside Zion and used the car for the tunnel road and were glad we didn't go thru with the coach.

Howard

I would recommend that you plan the route to Mexican Hat Utah. Real different. The colors are great. The little campground there isn't much, but neither is Mexican Hat unless you like the vistas. Make sure you visit Goose neck State park--in the car. Something else. s/Toby

We visited Goose Necks in the coach pulling the car. Not bad. You can camp there too, but after talking to locals and learning kids liked to come out and drink, we chickened out. I didn't want trouble in the middle of nowhere.

It is a great view and would be a great place to boondock with a group.

All of those roads are fine for an RV. We did run the Mount Carmel tunnel at Zion with no problems but that was with our 40' Bus. They'll close it off and stop traffic for you and you drive right down the middle because it has a curved ceiling. It's really a cool thing and I'm glad I got the chance to do it. There are 3 windows in the tunnel that let you (your passengers, actually) see out into the canyon as you go through.

Note that the 40' limit applies to all of Zion National Park, not just the tunnel. If you approach from the east, you'll have to unhook the toad and your copilot will have to follow behind you until you get to Springdale at the park's entrance. If approaching from the east you can stay hooked up and camp at Springdale (if that's your choice) but then you'll need to unhook and run in tandem on your way out to the west. You can reconnect a couple of miles east of the Mount Carmel tunnel where the park's border officially is. There are large wide paved pulloffs there where you can easily do that.

Unfortunately (well, not all that unfortunately ) we now have a 42' Bus so the tunnel is off limits to us. Now we will have to take the toad to explore Checkerboard Mesa, the Mt Carmel tunnel, and the Bighorn Sheep in that area. The new route would be to take Utah 14 to bridge between US-89 and I-15. That route takes you through Cedar Breaks, which is also a nice drive.

Utah Highway 12 has some narrow areas (it is a two lane road) with no guardrails, this section between Escalante and Boulder is known as the Hogback. You will be fine as long as you take it easy. Highway 12 was one of the last paved roads in the United States, the city of Boulder received the mail via pack mule before the advent of Hwy 12. Capitol Reef National Park has a lovely campground, if you don't camp there make sure to stop to pick you own fruit at the orchard across from the Visitor's Center, you pay the ranger as you exit. The cherries are outstanding.