Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Do a Google search with `_____ tourism' in the search box. Put in the State you are interested in and follow the advice of those who promote their area.
You could also cheat and follow the Adventure Caravans itinerary for their Great Circle tour of the Western Parks which they do every September for the entire month.
BTW the southwest is BIG!
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
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Islandman
NW Washington
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Try to include Joshua Tree NP in California and Organ Pipe and Saguaro NP's in Arizona to your travel schedule; and you will also need to visit the Sedona area for some fantastic viewing. So many places to see in our SW that I'd be tempted to just include CA, AZ, and NM to the list and skip UT and CO this time around; but you know how much time you'd like to spend. Have a good trip!
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IA boy
Ankeny, Iowa
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I would agree with 2gypsies comment. You're to early for the North Rim but would highly recommend the National Parks mentioned. A great half day experience would be Antelope Canyon near Page, AZ. We also like Canyon DeChelley in NE AZ.
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rfryer
Phoenix
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Joined: 04/19/2005
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If you want relatively warm weather, I’d suggest the lower elevations of Utah and Arizona. At that time of year in Arizona you’re probably looking at the 70’s to 80’s in the daytime and 50’s at night. I’d guess southern Utah will be about 10 degrees cooler. Higher elevations in AZ will probably be freezing at night and in the 50’s in the day. And the weather’s unpredictable, you could get a winter storm without much warning. Zion and Glen Canyon should be OK; Bryce is 8000’ and will be cold, as will northern AZ and the Grand Canyon. Southern AZ and along the Colorado River should be relatively warm. You can’t really tell about the weather, though, I’d just start my trip at the southernmost point and slowly work my way north.
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tedrowan
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
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Big Bend National Park is a hidden treasure. It is off the beaten path but well worth the trip. You can make reservations to camp in two of the three campgrounds but you should spend a few days in Cottonwood Campground as it is so quiet without generators. Big Bend is well worth a week or two. If you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle you can get to some unbelievable places. We spent 4 winters there as volunteers and still have things to see and many places to re-visit. Enjoy your trip and have safe travels.
PS The KOA in Hagerstown MD and Candyland CG in Winchester, VA are open year round and have hot, clean shower rooms.
Ted
Ted and Maryann Rowan __ Cape Cod, MA
2009 Ford F-150 FX4 + 2008 KZ Spree 261 RKS
Two Road Bikes * Two Mountain Bikes * Too little time
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BillJ999
Home
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I can't thank you all enough for your help. I'll be mapping out all your suggestions and see what kind of trip we come up with. There seem to be so many lovely places.
Thanks again.
Bill
1999 Roadtrek 200P
Sherbrooke, Quebec
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Ron Butler
Federal Way WA.
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rfryer wrote: You can’t really tell about the weather, though, I’d just start my trip at the southernmost point and slowly work my way north.
Great statement, fully agree with it!! After traveling fulltime for 5 years, we have a home in Sun City AZ. which is just west of Phoenix in the Valley of the Sun for the winter months. The weather here in March and April is great-blue skies and sunshine.
Head to your most southern point that you want to get too and then slowly work your way north.
Big Bend NP is WAY south in Texas. Great spot, make sure you have full gas tanks when you head south from Highway 90 if you decide to go that far south.
As mentioned earlier, New Mexico can be windy and much cooler than southern AZ.
Spend some time along the I-10 corridor in AZ. and maybe south to Yuma. Great desert area and you may still see the cactus in bloom. As you head north, you start climbing in elevation, so it will quickly cool down, especially at night.
Joshua Tree NP is just on the eastern border of CA. and north of I-10. Very interesting and unique.
Grand Canyon - South Rim - you may want to make reservations if you can plan that far ahead or stay away from a weekend. Check weather for the north rim as that is 1000' higher in elevation and may not be open yet!
Utah NP's are great. Our favorite is Bryce NP and its campground, which is just steps from the rim of the canyon. The only entrance is on the north end at 8000' elevation, so weather plays a role here as well. We were there once in the middle of April - clear blue skies, sunshine and it snowed! Lightly and didn't stick, but got cold at night!
Comment about coming down here during the summer. Remember, its the desert and it gets HOT. Even the locals head north for the mountains whenever they can to get out of the heat! Most of the past 2 summers from June-Sept. it was in 3 digits! Way to hot to be out in the desert hiking or sight seeing. Stay north of Flagstaff and I-40!!
Good luck and enjoy your trip(s).
Ron & Carolyn
Sadie - Irish Terrier
Happy - Lakeland Terrier
From sailing yacht to land yacht
KE7BZC
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Come join us at the NW Spring Rally, May 18-20, 2012.
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4runnerguy
Glenwood Springs, CO
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Big Bend is definitely worth the trip. Don't miss Carlsbad Caverns in SE NM while you are out there. Some great scenery around Tuscon. Hit those areas first. By early April, Zion is quite nice. Moab is fine too, but avoid going there Jeep Safari week, 3/31-4/8 next year. Difficult to find a place to camp, long lines for gas, groceries, and at the restaurants, and lots of traffic in the parks.
Ken & Allison
2 Camping Cats (1 diabetic)
1996 4Runner, TRD Supercharger, Edelbrock headers
2007 Fleetwood Arcadia, Honda EU2000i
4 mountain bikes, 1 canoe, 4 tents, 8 sleeping bags, 2 backpacks
(You get the idea!)
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