Utah National Parks
Dec 7, 2019 10:30:25 #
Depending on the amount of snow, weather may constrain what you can do and where you can go. Moab is handy to Arches, if you like overcrowding at National Parks. (We were there just after Christmas last year and there were MOBS of Asians all over Delicate Arch. Most of Canyonlands is far removed and best attained on foot. Top marks go to Zion at this time of year. (Stay in Springdale). The hitherto undiscovered jewel of Utah is Capital Reef, which is a bit removed and well worth the extra effort to get there. A smattering of Zion in winter was shared on my gallery at: https://timenspace.smugmug.com/Collections/Other/Southwest-US/Zion-2013/
Happy trails!
Happy trails!
Dec 7, 2019 10:34:24 #
steve49
Loc: massachusetts
There is also a great little hike in Capitol Reef...
I forget the name but it goes to an arch close to Fruita.
At the top you get a great view of the Town of Fruita...
Pretty easy hike.
It is probably my favorite of these parks... and no bus loads ( that I remember )
I forget the name but it goes to an arch close to Fruita.
At the top you get a great view of the Town of Fruita...
Pretty easy hike.
It is probably my favorite of these parks... and no bus loads ( that I remember )
Dec 7, 2019 12:14:23 #
The one to ask is “Cany” who posts here regularly. That is his territory. I think he knows every nook and cranie in that part of Utah. I am sure he would be willing to help you.
WJH
WJH
Dec 7, 2019 13:07:04 #
If you happen to be driving into Moab from the east, on I70, I’d suggest taking Hwy 128 between from Cisco to Moab. Amazing drive. Hwy runs along the Colorado River for most of trip. An one hour drive took us over four hours just stopping for the views.
Dec 7, 2019 13:30:28 #
Mldmkr
Loc: Iowa
Thank you to all! Each of you have given great suggestions, exactly what I was hoping for! I appreciate it very much, and wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas!
Dec 7, 2019 13:42:10 #
Dec 7, 2019 15:09:49 #
Dec 7, 2019 15:36:39 #
Stan Wieg
Loc: Fair Oaks, CA
Joexx wrote:
Sorry, you are incorrect. Cell phones can use towers to refine your location, but they primarily use GPS. I often use cellphone mapping with ONLY gps. Most recently at Canyonlands and Arches and 3 miles into Grand Canyon (2,000 ft down). Also at 35,000 ft in airplane.
Oops, almost forgot. The issue is you cannot get access to a detailed map unless you download one first (abs save locally on your phone)while you have internet access.
Oops, almost forgot. The issue is you cannot get access to a detailed map unless you download one first (abs save locally on your phone)while you have internet access.
Bingo! Siri and Map Lady can't help you if you can't see a tower, but if you downloaded a map in advance the GPS in the phone will still display where you are.
Dec 7, 2019 15:59:36 #
Ednsb
Loc: Santa Barbara
Ok, a few questions - are you car-bound or planning on hiking (overnight?). Coming from where?
My best friend and I did this trip plus more in May of this year in a small convertible. Even though it was in the low 40s at times the ability to look up when on the road was fantastic. Weather will be a big concern as often roads are closed at times. I would use two online resources - RoadTrippers and AllTrails. Also, GasBuddy is very helpful in getting cheaper gas (prices fluctuated by as much as $1/gal on our trip).
We drove from Southern California so we stopped at South Rim of Grand Canyon First.
Hits and misses on Lodging - Williams (Grand Canyon) - Comfort Inn clean, nice rooms and cheap.
La Quinta Inn - La Verkin - Fantastic choice - great price, clean and new - Much cheaper than anything in Springdale
MISS - but not a lot of choices - Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn Bryce Canyon
Ok - Big Horn Lodge - Moab
Fantastic trip - im still processing and printing images.
My best friend and I did this trip plus more in May of this year in a small convertible. Even though it was in the low 40s at times the ability to look up when on the road was fantastic. Weather will be a big concern as often roads are closed at times. I would use two online resources - RoadTrippers and AllTrails. Also, GasBuddy is very helpful in getting cheaper gas (prices fluctuated by as much as $1/gal on our trip).
We drove from Southern California so we stopped at South Rim of Grand Canyon First.
Hits and misses on Lodging - Williams (Grand Canyon) - Comfort Inn clean, nice rooms and cheap.
La Quinta Inn - La Verkin - Fantastic choice - great price, clean and new - Much cheaper than anything in Springdale
MISS - but not a lot of choices - Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn Bryce Canyon
Ok - Big Horn Lodge - Moab
Fantastic trip - im still processing and printing images.
Dec 7, 2019 16:04:54 #
Ednsb
Loc: Santa Barbara
Add-on we never had a problem with Siri on my iPhone XR with Tmobile. But that was on roads and short hikes near the road. My friend and I are in our 70s with back issues so no long hikes for us.
When you are visiting Zion - park in Springdale in the morning and take shuttle into the park. Park parking is limited and fills up fast. The road through Zion could well be closed as well as many of the great sites on the shuttle trip inside the park. All dependent on the weather. Have a great time and post images.
When you are visiting Zion - park in Springdale in the morning and take shuttle into the park. Park parking is limited and fills up fast. The road through Zion could well be closed as well as many of the great sites on the shuttle trip inside the park. All dependent on the weather. Have a great time and post images.
Dec 7, 2019 20:05:51 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
Mldmkr wrote:
I’m considering a trip to Utah either between Christmas and New Years or early January. Would appreciate any info regarding access to the parks, suggestions from personal experience on favorite locations, etc. I will be driving 4WD vehicle.
There are many areas in Utah for your camera's view. You will feel like a fox in a chicken coop. There are a few National Parks and Monuments that are being sold off in Utah, including a portion of the Grand Canyon Canyon National Park (the People's land being sold off for gas, oil, minerals, and real estate; maybe a Trump hotel on the rim? Where are our second amendment supporters when you need them?), that you might want to see before they are gone. They are only considering little used parks and monuments, or remote rarely visited areas of such, for declassification right now. Any of the sold off seven and any of the ones contemplated in Utah, like Cimarron National Monument or Bears Ears National Monument, should be looked at first before they are sold off to the highest bidder.
Dec 7, 2019 22:37:32 #
Mr Bill 2011
Loc: southern Indiana
Don't forget to drop in at Monument Valley. Regarding Canyonlands, most people seem to refer to the "Islands" section because it is closest to Moab; how many people have actually gone to the "needles" section south of the Colorado River?
Dec 7, 2019 23:25:15 #
And also if you are thinking of going to Valley of the Gods from up on the plateau, and snow hasn’t accumulated, drive the Moki Dugway. Google it. You won’t ever forget that drive.
Dec 7, 2019 23:47:34 #
Xmsmn wrote:
And also if you are thinking of going to Valley of the Gods from up on the plateau, and snow hasn’t accumulated, drive the Moki Dugway. Google it. You won’t ever forget that drive.
I just did the Moki Dugway last month. Well worth doing. Don't let some of the reviews scare you. The winding, narrow dirt road is only a few miles long, and well worth it for great view. Not at all dangerous if you just go slow. If you continue to Valley of the Gods, don't miss Forest Gump Point.
Dec 8, 2019 00:11:58 #
Mldmkr
Loc: Iowa
Thanks again for each of these very informative responses! They all help to take a lot of the guesswork away, and raise the anticipation level about three fold!
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