My wife and I are planning a trip out to see the Grand Canyon and whatever else we might find of interest while we are out there. Probably head north to Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. We only have 2 weeks so not sure how much we will get in this year. We are driving and don't like to travel on the interstates, and if we find something of interest we like to stop and check it out. We have no reservations anywhere, so we are on no time line to get anywhere. We don't don't like crowds, and avoid the big cities. Anyone have suggestions of things we should stop at or avoid while out there?
Western States Trip
- Thread starter 32shooter
- Start date
Baxter6551
Single-Sixer
Sounds like my kind of trip and lucky to have a wife with that mindset. Mine wants the shortest fastest route to get somewhere - even 10 minutes longer to get a scenic ride on secondary roads is not considered ….
The drive from Grand Canyon to Moab UT is not interstate and lots of neat things to see along the way. Mexican Hat, Canyonlands to name a few. Plus when you get to Moab, there is Arches and Dead Horse Point.
Sorry, but if you don't want to travel on a Interstate it is likely you won't get to the Grand Canyon in 2 weeks, or at least have tough time getting back.
I would take interstate on the way out there, then work my way back through the mountains and then back on the interstate to get home. If you go north from the Grand Canyon, you will find many things to do and see in Utah - several other National Parks and National Monuments. Then I would take I-70 through the Colorado mountains, much to do there, then home on I-80 or I70.
I would take interstate on the way out there, then work my way back through the mountains and then back on the interstate to get home. If you go north from the Grand Canyon, you will find many things to do and see in Utah - several other National Parks and National Monuments. Then I would take I-70 through the Colorado mountains, much to do there, then home on I-80 or I70.
Busterswoodshop
Hunter
I don't know if you know it or not , but The Grand Canyon is just a big hole in the ground.
Kevin and turd kept me from posting too much LOL
Get to the GC early, as in first light. I got in there about 8:30am and had to carry my own parking spot. At least it was only for a motorcycle.
I'd highly recommend going there after the schools are back in session. The normal summer crowds ruined it for me.
Get to the GC early, as in first light. I got in there about 8:30am and had to carry my own parking spot. At least it was only for a motorcycle.
I'd highly recommend going there after the schools are back in session. The normal summer crowds ruined it for me.
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2018
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- 851
I would've recommended going through Sedona as well as The Village of Oak Creek, if you've never been since you'll already be in AZ, but sadly the overwhelming numbers of tourists in recent years have created such traffic gridlock within Sedona that many say it almost ruins the trip. There's also a huge wildfire just to the north which won't be out for probably weeks to come & has shut down the state road 89 going north to Flagstaff. But SR 179, which runs south of Sedona proper, is still open south of the main downtown area of Sedona that has the majority of shops & restaurants.
The big draw for many over & above the shops & restaurants of Sedona, is the majestic red rock scenery which is in full effect to the south of Sedona proper in the Village of Oak Creek. There's one main road, SR 179, that runs north up into Sedona proper, that's often not as congested on the weekdays until you get just to the Sedona business district. The red rock views are just as plentiful as the veiws within Sedona & they run along 179 as well as east & west for miles. 179 can be accessed coming off of interstate 1-17, which is the main AZ artery running from Phoenix up to Flagstaff. There are many places to stay & eat in the Village of Oak Creek so going up into Sedona is really not necessary.
Many claim that the red rock scenery of the area is as impressive as that of the Grand Canyon (I agree) & you can actually walk or hike out among it whereas you can't experience with the Grand Canyon scenery unless you take a tour or get a permit to go down into the Canyon. As with the Canyon, I feel all should experience the red rocks of the Sedona area at least once in life, there's really nothing comparable to it in the world, just as is the case with the Grand Canyon. Getting to Oak Creek would entail going south from the Grand Canyon on 1-80 to Flagstaff, then south on I-17 to the Village of Oak Creek exit, then back north through it on 179. From Flagstaff on I-17 to 179 takes about 2 hours or so & the forested scenery along I-17 is a treat as well.
An alternative trip instead of Oak Creek to consider would be going south from the Canyon down to Flagstaff to pick up 89, then north into Utah to visit Zion or Bryce Canyon national parks. This is all assuming that you'd be visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you'd be going to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, then going into Utah is much quicker & going down to Oak Creek would be a much longer trip. Regardless, enjoy your trip!
The big draw for many over & above the shops & restaurants of Sedona, is the majestic red rock scenery which is in full effect to the south of Sedona proper in the Village of Oak Creek. There's one main road, SR 179, that runs north up into Sedona proper, that's often not as congested on the weekdays until you get just to the Sedona business district. The red rock views are just as plentiful as the veiws within Sedona & they run along 179 as well as east & west for miles. 179 can be accessed coming off of interstate 1-17, which is the main AZ artery running from Phoenix up to Flagstaff. There are many places to stay & eat in the Village of Oak Creek so going up into Sedona is really not necessary.
Many claim that the red rock scenery of the area is as impressive as that of the Grand Canyon (I agree) & you can actually walk or hike out among it whereas you can't experience with the Grand Canyon scenery unless you take a tour or get a permit to go down into the Canyon. As with the Canyon, I feel all should experience the red rocks of the Sedona area at least once in life, there's really nothing comparable to it in the world, just as is the case with the Grand Canyon. Getting to Oak Creek would entail going south from the Grand Canyon on 1-80 to Flagstaff, then south on I-17 to the Village of Oak Creek exit, then back north through it on 179. From Flagstaff on I-17 to 179 takes about 2 hours or so & the forested scenery along I-17 is a treat as well.
An alternative trip instead of Oak Creek to consider would be going south from the Canyon down to Flagstaff to pick up 89, then north into Utah to visit Zion or Bryce Canyon national parks. This is all assuming that you'd be visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you'd be going to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, then going into Utah is much quicker & going down to Oak Creek would be a much longer trip. Regardless, enjoy your trip!
Cholo brings up a good point. At Flagstaff there are some really nice places to see Petroglyphs. And Sunset Crater National Monument also.
Plus Flagstaff has a nice downtown area. I think at least.
Not sure about the North Rim. Last summer a fire burnt down the lodge. But there are way fewer people there than the South Rim.
And the drive from Jacob Lake to the National Park should be on a list for prettiest roads.
Paul B
Hunter
About the only things I can think of down by Tucson should you get that far south is Tombstone, the AZ desert museum and there was a place that housed literally thousands of big game trophies but I'm not sure it even exists anymore.
PJ
PJ
Neon Vernon
Single-Sixer
The place with all the trophy mounts was the International Wildlife Museum, it was impressive but closed about 3 years ago and the collections were dispersed.
The ruin of Wupatki north of Flagstaff is worth seeing, as is Walnut Canyon east of Flag, and Meteor Crater near Winslow.
The Pima Air Museum in Tucson is worthwhile if you like aeroplanes.
Last edited:
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- 10,870
You could spend a lifetime at the canyon and never see it all. Enjoy your trip.
Sorry, I was a bit negative in my post, but based on you being from Ohio, it will be a big trip. My wife and I drove from Des Moines, IA to the Grand Canyon, completely on interstates going a bit over posted limits for 9 or 10 hours each day and it took us the better part of three days just to get there. Now there are a LOT of fun things to do in Arizona, as someone has posted. We stayed in Williams (google it) and then went south from there.
You will use all of two weeks. Have fun.
You will use all of two weeks. Have fun.
Thanks for all the info guys, we will try to use it!
Turd, we will probably hop on the interstates some to get there quicker and it is a 29 hr ride on the interstates so it is going to be a long trip for us. We have 16 days to do whatever we want. As long as we don't stop at too many garage sales we might get out there in time to hopefully see a few things.
Paul B, I’m pretty sure the wildlife museum has closed….but Pima Air is grand
A lot of knowledge on this forum….GC and environs will require I 40…. Some local roads
Not far off your path
Oatman, Arizona: Located on historic Route 66 in the Black Mountains (about a 30-minute drive from Kingman), this former gold-mining town is famous for its wild burros that freely roam the main streets and interact with tourists. You can feed them approved burro feed (often sold in town for about $1), but you should not give them human food like carrots or apples
Oatman, Arizona: Located on historic Route 66 in the Black Mountains (about a 30-minute drive from Kingman), this former gold-mining town is famous for its wild burros that freely roam the main streets and interact with tourists. You can feed them approved burro feed (often sold in town for about $1), but you should not give them human food like carrots or apples
True, but it's a pretty one.
TestEngineer
Single-Sixer
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2022
- Messages
- 285
The very dry winter and hot summer have combined to create a number of very large fires. I recommend you do some research on active fires and plan your route accordingly. Hopefully, you will be able to see more stuff than just smoke and roadblocks.
Kurt,
Hope you both have a great vacation! Stay safe and take lots of pictures...
Are you going to smuggle an ultra-lite rod & reel in your luggage ??
Terry
Hope you both have a great vacation! Stay safe and take lots of pictures...
Are you going to smuggle an ultra-lite rod & reel in your luggage ??
Terry
Yes, we are aware of the fires. I'm sure it will probably influence our travels some.
Thanks Terry,Kurt,
Hope you both have a great vacation! Stay safe and take lots of pictures...
Are you going to smuggle an ultra-lite rod & reel in your luggage ??
Terry
A rod and reel never crossed my mind as I am going on a fly-in fishing trip in Canada in August. But I did suggest throwing in a rifle to do some prairie dog hunting as that is one thing on my bucket list of things to do. My wife didn't think it was a good idea.
oldcrab
Single-Sixer
Glad to hear that Oatman is protecting the wild burros from disgustingly-dangerous food like carrots and apples.
I’m getting a little hungry, so I think it’s time for my normal breakfast of a stack of pancakes, drenched with butter and syrup, accompanied by a couple biscuits covered with sausage gravy…. No desert after breakfast because I’m saving room for today’s lunch of a triple-smash cheeseburger and large side order of onion rings.
Well everyone has you going south...Go north young man!
Southern Utah has some of the most fantastic scenery you'll ever see. Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Natural Bridges NP are all amazing.
Bryce is one of the wife and I favorite places. This pic is of Bryce in February. Every bit as spectacular in summer.
Southern Utah has some of the most fantastic scenery you'll ever see. Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Natural Bridges NP are all amazing.
Bryce is one of the wife and I favorite places. This pic is of Bryce in February. Every bit as spectacular in summer.
Attachments
xTopGun
Buckeye
my sister and brother just came back the end of June from the Grand Canyon and area, and said many of the sites including the canyon were closed..... best you call in advance to double check what is open, so you don't waste time and gas
From the Grand Canyon you basically have two routes to choose from to get to Utah. If you go through Kanab, you have short drives to Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef National Parks. Zion and Bryce both require hiking to see a lot of it, but Bryce has more to see from the road. The other route is go through Blanding and on to Moab. That gets you close to both Canyonlands and Arches. As with every NP anymore, the earlier you get there, the better....
After Moab you can take I-70, or... continue north through Price, Helper, Duchesne, and Vernal. Lots of dinosaur museums, the one in Vernal is massive. There are a few different places to see petroglyphs on that route. Nine Mile Canyon is home to the "Great Hunt Panel" and others (https://www.nps.gov/places/great-hunt-panel-site.htm), while there are a some really cool ones near Vernal on the McConkie Ranch (https://www.mcconkieranch.com/). From Vernal there are highways (not interstates) into Colorado through Steamboat Springs. From there you can go north to I-80, or south to I-70.
After Moab you can take I-70, or... continue north through Price, Helper, Duchesne, and Vernal. Lots of dinosaur museums, the one in Vernal is massive. There are a few different places to see petroglyphs on that route. Nine Mile Canyon is home to the "Great Hunt Panel" and others (https://www.nps.gov/places/great-hunt-panel-site.htm), while there are a some really cool ones near Vernal on the McConkie Ranch (https://www.mcconkieranch.com/). From Vernal there are highways (not interstates) into Colorado through Steamboat Springs. From there you can go north to I-80, or south to I-70.
We did the same kind of trip years ago no reservations the best kind of trip we started in California to Nevada to Jackson hole looped around to Canada and headed back down Washington Oregon area back home . Enjoy you trip the no reservations are the best kind of trip drive safe
@32shooter if you have any questions about Utah, don't hesitate to drop me a DM! Happy to help out!
Thanks for all the great information! I wish we had more time. I am retired ( besides my part time gig at sporting clays range) so I could stay longer. Wife is still working, and 2 weeks was our max. We definitely want to go north into Utah.
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