koalaroo Loc: Gold Coast, Australia

Many of you good people gave me great advice some time back on driving around Smoky Mountains and California. That trip didn't eventuate due to health issues. Now we are heading to the US, (We are Aussies in our late 60's - young at heart), and have hired a little Lost camper for one week at the end of October, finishing on the 3rd Nov. Will be driving out of Salt Lake City. Had originally wanted to go to Moab and Arches, but now see that the campground at Arches will be closed for repairs, and there is a big mountain bike event on so it will be busy. May have to give it a miss.

Thought about going north to Antelope Island, then across to Bear Lake. Maybe Jackson and Yellowstone too risky with the weather? We come from sub-tropical Queensland and definitely don't want to encounter icy roads or snow. (Would love to see snow, but not for driving...) If we decided to go from SLC to Green River, do you think the road through the mountains would be ok. If we did that, we'd go down past Flaming Gorge.

We only have the 7 days, and will be staying in campgrounds along the way. Don't want to be driving madly all day, but soak up the views and linger in the small towns, taking it all in.

I'd appreciate some help, we really don't know which direction to take, but want to keep away from the busy areas if possible. Thanks, Jude.

joel.photography

Teton and Yellowstone should be great then. Yes, always a chance of snow; just use your head and pay attention to weather and rangers.

Retired fat guy with a camera Loc: Colorado

In late October,it is anything can happen time, weather wise in the Rockies. I would pack everything from light gear, to long underwear and down jackets. Yellowstone is a must. Mt Rushmore. Custer Battlefield. Brice Canyon. All worthy of a stop.

koalaroo Loc: Gold Coast, Australia

Ok, thanks.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I remember the first time I drove from Moab to Salt Lake City. I was visiting family in Phoenix AZ and we decided to go on an adventure within an adventure. I was driving a Mazda RX7 and the trip originated just outside Philadelphia PA. After we got to Phoenix we headed north towards the Grand Canyon. After doing the south rim then the north rim we headed to Moab. From there we visited Arches national park then Bryce canyon then Zion national park. Then someone came up with the brilliant idea to head to Death Valley national park and from there we headed to Yosemite national park then on to Mono lake where we encounter some snow in the mountains. It was late September. From Mono lake we headed east towards Salt Lake City. We crossed from Nevada into Utah on iinterstate 80 just around the crack of dawn and there was absolutely no traffic out there in the middle of nowhere. The road is arrow straight for over 50 miles as you pass through the great salt desert. I found out my Mazda really could go 150 miles per hour but since rest stops with fuel were few and far between, we only drove that fast for a few miles. From SLC it was north to Idaho then on to Bozeman MT for the night. The next day we drove south into Wyoming and did a grand tour of Yellowstone national park. The next day we toured the Tetons and hit Jackson Wyoming by evening. The next day we headed south to interstate 80 and took a sightseeing tour across the US all the way back to eastern Pennsylvania.
At the time I had a Canon A-1 and probably went through 25 rolls of 36 exposure ektachrome film. I still have a box full of prints and slides from that trip. It was a long trip and a whole lot of fun.

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Jude I live in the Salt Lake Valley and could give you some tips but where do you want to end up at the end of the week? Will you be flying out of SLC to another destination?

koalaroo Loc: Gold Coast, Australia

That must have been a fantastic trip. You saw so many of America's natural wonders, good on you. We visited Grand canyon South,
Zion, Bryce, Monument Valley, loved it all. Thanks for telling us, you must have some great memories. Jude.

koalaroo Loc: Gold Coast, Australia

OH sorry Jederick, yes we'll be flying out of SLC, have 7 days in the little van. We enjoy roughing it, very used to camping here in Australia,
like to get away from the rat-race. We would rather take our time and enjoy our visit, and I feel not fair on Paul to be driving all day (on the other side of the road)...Even if it means not getting to Yellowstone or Arches. I'm thinking Flaming Gorge, or even driving due west of SLC.
Any tips would be great. Would love to see some snow topped mountains. Thanks, Jude.

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Great area of the US to see. It will be a 7 to 8 hour drive from the airport to Teton national park. the weather may go below freezing. We have had snow in May when we were in that area. Expect snow but it should not be an issue if you plan a route though the lower elevations. Some say there are two seasons in Yellowstone; winter and August. It will be warm during the day and cold at night. Make sure the camper will not freeze water pipes. A week will make the trip go fast.

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

I have driven in the UK often and got use to driving on the other side of the road quickly. Just remember the driver is near the middle and it will be ok. Worst time is pulling out of a parking lot and there is no traffic to show what side of the road to be on.

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

I will send you a PM for a suggested drive through scenic (mostly) country and easily doable in a week. There should be no snow via this route.

oldgeezer3 Loc: SoCal

You might think of Great Basin NP. And Death Valley that time if year. Zion NP, Bryce, Joshua Tree NP. Should have good weather, and not too crowded.

oregon don

If you happen to want to go east drop down to I-70 and go towards Glenwood springs. I-70 through Glenwood canyon is something to see.

then you can turn north if you want to go to Yellowstone.

Fayle Loc: Seward, Alaska and Rionegro, Colombia

With only seven days you'll be limited to what you can see. I would recommend heading to Zion & Brice N.P.'s.
If time allows head over to the Grand Staircase / Escalante area.
This book is a great resource:
https://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Southwest-Vol-1-Southern-Utah/dp/0916189236/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502811579&sr=8-1&keywords=laurent+martres

And this is a great read about the U.S. Southwest:
https://www.amazon.com/Desert-Solitaire-Edward-Abbey/dp/0671695886/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1502812207&sr=1-1&keywords=edward+abbey

Jerry Coupe Loc: Kent, WA

Another option to consider would be to travel to the NE section of Utah (Vernal is the key city/town in the area) to see the dinosaur country. There is plenty of great scenery, good roads and since it is after the start of school, probably not many other travelers.