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utah
Hi gang. We are taking our first run west of the mississippi this summer and so far it looks like Utah is going to be our main touristy stop. The problem is that there is so much info out there that Im having trouble deciding where the best spots to use as headquarters. I was leaning towards Moab for the southeastern section unless anyone has a better idea. The rest of the state just has so much that Im lost.We will be heading up through Wyoming and east from there. Any input would be appreciated as we dont want to be backtracking out there, the distances are too great to waste all that fuel.
We have Texas, Arizona and New mexico pretty much figured out but Utah has me stumped. -
29 Replies
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If in Moab Utah stay at the Portal RV Resort Campground…Great folks there…nice set up
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Thanks Jeff I will put them down as my number one choice
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Ditto on Portal in Moab. It’s a bit wierd in thet they have a campground at the entrance and a class A RV resport at the end. Stay on the resort side. Moab is certainly beautiful with plenty in the immediate area to see, but nothing else near by. Worth the stop.
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I guess its unanimous—we are staying at portal ! thanks gil.
Now what about the rest of the state ?? -
No matter your plans, just do not make the trip between Durango and Grand Junction. It’s known as the Million Dollar Highway and I only avoided the drive when I posted my plans and a friend chimed in to let me know what I was about to encounter.
Otherwise, you really can’t go too wrong in the areas you plan to explore. If you will be passing through Glenwood Springs and you like hot spring, this is one of the nicest. You can stay just East of town at the No Name exit called Glenwood Canyon Resort.
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The best route for a bus from Durango to Grand Juncton is US 160 south to Cortez then on SR 145 over Lizard Head pass to Telluride on to Montrose to Grand Juntion.This route added about 60 miles tO the trip. Ditto for Portal. Most years we stay at Portal at least twice. Portal is 180 miles from the house.
Just to let all know Red Mountain pass closed 1/13/14 due to a large rock slide. Was closed for 2 weeks and now open daylight hours with one lane open. The slide is on the north side of the pass in the area of narrow self road with no guard rails. For the keepers the slide area. Is just above the Enginer Pass jeep road.
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thanks Bill and Larry. Its good to know what to avoid as well as where to go. Im putting all this info in my trip folder and looking forward to getting out to all the places I have only seen in the movies.
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Moab is a must see and Portal RV Resort is a good place to stay. However, Zion and Bryce is even more spectacular. Zion River RV Resort is a good place to stay. Warning summer is hot in Utah. Heading to Wyoming stop in Salt Lake and stay at KOA on North Temple. Lots to see. If you like Mexican food be sure to eat at the Red Igquana down the street from the KOA. Assume you are then heading to Jackson and Yellowstone. In Jackson the Virginian is the only game in town for RV’s. Not much, but it will do. If you are going to Yellowstone Grizzly RV Resort in West Yellowstone would be my choice. Hope this helps.
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Tour
buses and trucks use US550 between Durango and Grand Junction all the time.
US550 between Durango and Ouray is a very mountainous road,
but it’s also a major highway. It’s a
very beautiful drive but you do need to pay attention to your driving
especially in a large vehicle like a bus or truck. -
WOW Thanks guys.you can never have too much helpful info and taking advantage of othe folks expeirences saves lots of unwanted problems. Keep those cards and letters coming in folks !
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You will be within striking distance of Monument Valley were my hero John Wayne made some Wagon Train movies. Interesting but desolate place. There’s an RV campground right in the park.
We got caught in a sand/dust storm while there and it takes a long time to get the dust out of a bus. I didn’t have a scale but I wouldn’t be afraid to say my air filter gained 5 pounds that day. We stopped in Gallup on the way out and bought new air filters.
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Portal’s sister park is Park City RV Resort. Although I haven’t stayed there, it’s supposed to be very nice.
We stayed in SLC for a few days. The smoke from the western wild fires was so bad we decided to find something to do indoors. I have to tell you if you have any desire to trace your ancestry there simply is likely no better resource than the Family History Library. Although a Mormon facility, there’s was no one asking us our religious beliefs the 2 days we visited.
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OK so we got some good news from Gil (thank you again) and some good( and about 5lbs of bad) from Roger LOL.
I cant tell you folks how much this info is appreciated. by the way I will be at lazy Days trying to get around and peronally thanking everyone. -
US 550 is a wonderful drive. We drive it a lot as the north end is only 30 milled from our home. We grew up in the mountains of CO. We will not drive our bus over Red Mountain. Our big concern in the summer is all the Summer visitors. We have a number of times forced to complete stop because the scared car drivers will not get out of th center of the road. Meeting al semi with a 53 ft.trailer can be a thrill. Some of the turns are so tight we have seen some with the sterer tires in the dirt and the trailer tires across the center line. To each his own choice.
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I am following all of this with great interest as Karen and I are already planning our Wild West trip for next spring!!! I am taking notes so keep it coming.
The first thing I noticed about Portal RV Resort is it does not accept Class A’s over 10 years old. For many of us that would mean staying in the campground. Always pays to read the fine print.
Thanks
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