My Summer Trip Out West - July 2014 (1 Viewer)

[Ray Karpis]

I may regret this, but Mrs. Karpis and I have decided to forego our annual, paid-for-by-my-parents, summer beach trip. Instead, we're borrowing her parents' RV and heading out west to show the kids something different. Our kids are 12, 9 and 6, and we don't want them to grow up and move away having only seen the beach and few big cities here and there. I'm going full-blown Clark Griswold vacation.

This post is a placeholder because I'm going to have a lot of questions about various things along the way (RVs, campgrounds, camping equipment, National parks, how to treat a snakebite, how to empty an RV toilet, etc.). The RV is smallish Rialta that sleeps 4, so the boys and I will probably be tent camping part of the trip while the girls sleep in the RV.

My first challenge is mapping out a rough itinerary, so I can start planning for campsite reservations in the national parks. I'm trying to be realistic about travel times, not driving too much, not changing locations too often, etc. So here is my rough outline for a travel schedule:

Day 1 - (Travel) Little Rock to Amarillo, TX

Day 2 - (Travel) Amarillo, TX to Flagstaff, AZ

Day 3 - Grand Canyon (South Rim)

Day 4 - Grand Canyon then drive to Zion National Park in the p.m.

Day 5 - Zion National Park

Day 6 - Zion National Park then drive to Bryce Canyon in the p.m.

Day 7 - Bryce Canyon

Day 8 - Drive to Moab, spend afternoon in Moab

Day 9 - Arches National Park

Day 10 - Arches/Moab

Day 11 - drive to Durango, CO, spend day in Durango

Day 12 - (Travel) Durango to Amarillo, TX

Day 13 - (Travel) Amarillo, TX to Little Rock

Anyone who has traveled that area, done those national parks have any general thoughts on whether this is a lousy plan? Am I driving too much? Are there places I'm not going that I should? We're planning to include a float, maybe horseback ride, zipline, hiking part of the Narrows, hiking other parts of the parks, etc.

Very open to feedback and suggestions.

TIA.

EDIT (1/14/13) updated plan:

Day 1 - Little Rock to Sante Fe

Day 2 - Sante Fe

Day 3 - Great Sand Dunes NP

Day 4 - Durango/Mesa Verde NP

Day 5 - Mesa Verde NP

Day 6 - Arches NP

Day 7 - Canyonlands NP

Day 8 - Drive to Jackson, WY

Day 9 - Grand Tetons NP

Day 10 - Yellowstone NP

Day 11 - Yellowstone NP

Day 12 - Yellowstone NP

Day 13 - Yellowstone NP

Day 14 - 1/2 drive home

Day 15 - 1/2 drive home

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Not west enough IMO.

 

[Bull Dozier]

I have done most of those places, but my main area of expertise is in Moab. I've been there 10+ times. It is my favorite place on earth.

I also brought my kids there two summers ago when they were 14, 10 and 8, so very similar to your ages.

I can't speak on the overall plan since I haven't done a trip that like with my own kids yet, but to the idea.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

First of all, cool on you for foregoing the beach trip to do this. I grew up in Florida and we did mostly beach trips as well, but one of my favorite memories as a kid was the year my parents decided to take us out west instead, on a trip very similar to the one you listed.

I live in Utah so that's the only spot I can really comment on. You've got enough days there but only right at the minimum (1 day for Bryce, 2 for Zion are the absolute minimum I'd recommend for each). 3 days is really ideal for Zion but if you eliminate one of the big things (Narrows, Angel's Landing, or Emerald Pools/Riverwalk) you can pull it off. I wouldn't eliminate a day in Moab or your day at Bryce to add another day there, so not sure there's much wiggle room anyway.

I would take the Hwy 12 route from Bryce Canyon to Moab (through Boulder, UT). It'll add 45-60 minutes to your drive but it's a really scenic drive.

You do have an awful lot of driving (8 of the 13 days, with all but one of those being more than a couple hours), though driving is part of seeing the sights out west so it's really up to you as to whether or not that's too much.

 

[gianmarco]

PM Lombardi. Seriously.

 

[Ray Karpis]

I have done most of those places, but my main area of expertise is in Moab. I've been there 10+ times. It is my favorite place on earth.

I also brought my kids there two summers ago when they were 14, 10 and 8, so very similar to your ages.

I can't speak on the overall plan since I haven't done a trip that like with my own kids yet, but to the idea.

Planning on spending 2 full days in that area. What are the "must do" things? Favorite restaurant? Ever rented a jeep?

 

[Ray Karpis]

First of all, cool on you for foregoing the beach trip to do this. I grew up in Florida and we did mostly beach trips as well, but one of my favorite memories as a kid was the year my parents decided to take us out west instead, on a trip very similar to the one you listed.

I live in Utah so that's the only spot I can really comment on. You've got enough days there but only right at the minimum (1 day for Bryce, 2 for Zion are the absolute minimum I'd recommend for each). 3 days is really ideal for Zion but if you eliminate one of the big things (Narrows, Angel's Landing, or Emerald Pools/Riverwalk) you can pull it off. I wouldn't eliminate a day in Moab or your day at Bryce to add another day there, so not sure there's much wiggle room anyway.

I would take the Hwy 12 route from Bryce Canyon to Moab (through Boulder, UT). It'll add 45-60 minutes to your drive but it's a really scenic drive.

You do have an awful lot of driving (8 of the 13 days, with all but one of those being more than a couple hours), though driving is part of seeing the sights out west so it's really up to you as to whether or not that's too much.

Was planning on doing that. Seems like a terrific drive. If I were alone, I would spend a lot more time in Zion. But we won't be doing Angel's Landing or the more strenuous hikes with a 7-year-old.

I have the flexibility to add a day or two if I really thought I needed to. I don't want to be rushed and don't want the kids to get exhausted with all the driving.

If you had 10 full days to do any of the Utah parks plus the Grand Canyon, how would you divide your time?

 

[bucs4life_99]

We're going to do the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon in 7 days this May. I'd be interested in hearing some suggestions as well!

 

[Bull Dozier]

I have done most of those places, but my main area of expertise is in Moab. I've been there 10+ times. It is my favorite place on earth.

I also brought my kids there two summers ago when they were 14, 10 and 8, so very similar to your ages.

I can't speak on the overall plan since I haven't done a trip that like with my own kids yet, but to the idea.

Planning on spending 2 full days in that area. What are the "must do" things? Favorite restaurant? Ever rented a jeep?

Leaving work, will write more tomorrow...

 

[The Gator]

Not west enough IMO.

Bingo palace cornhole imo

 

[[icon]]

I have done most of those places, but my main area of expertise is in Moab. I've been there 10+ times. It is my favorite place on earth.

I also brought my kids there two summers ago when they were 14, 10 and 8, so very similar to your ages.

I can't speak on the overall plan since I haven't done a trip that like with my own kids yet, but to the idea.

Planning on spending 2 full days in that area. What are the "must do" things? Favorite restaurant? Ever rented a jeep?

Jeeps in Moab are very expensive... also a family of 5 will involve renting two Jeeps. They're not known for being spacious. Plenty of amazing easy trails that will be VERY scenic, though. I've spent a week out there specifically to ride in my Jeep. I'll agree with Bull Dozier that Moab is one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

EDIT: agree that you will get bored with moab the town after a day or three unless you have a relatively full agenda of stuff planned. Also agree that Arches is very pretty but limited in what you can do there.

 

[Apple Jack]

Add a couple days. go up to Silverton and go off-road up there. Best 4WD area in the country. Practically every mountain you see has a 4WD trail that goes over it. HIGHLY recommend the Silverton>Ophir Pass>Telluride>Imogene Pass>Ouray>Silverton loop. Nobody in that vehicle will ever forget it. There are a couple slightly technical spots on Imogene, but you'll be going up them, rather than down, which is better. Anybody who is half a driver and has common sense can do it no problem.

You can just rent a Cherokee down in Durango, or even grab one in Cortez or somewhere remote along the way where you can get it for cheaper, and then just drop it off in Durango and be done with it. I've heard that most agencies do one-ways without outrageous penalties now. Used to be National was the only game in town for one-way rentals.

 

[ffldrew]

Add a couple days. go up to Silverton and go off-road up there. Best 4WD area in the country. Practically every mountain you see has a 4WD trail that goes over it. HIGHLY recommend the Silverton>Ophir Pass>Telluride>Imogene Pass>Ouray>Silverton loop. Nobody in that vehicle will ever forget it. There are a couple slightly technical spots on Imogene, but you'll be going up them, rather than down, which is better. Anybody who is half a driver and has common sense can do it no problem.

You can just rent a Cherokee down in Durango, or even grab one in Cortez or somewhere remote along the way where you can get it for cheaper, and then just drop it off in Durango and be done with it. I've heard that most agencies do one-ways without outrageous penalties now. Used to be National was the only game in town for one-way rentals.

You have a lot of "Canyons" in your plans - all are great - but I can agree with Apple Jack if you want to add some BIG mountains to do his trip - there is also the train out of Durango to Silverton.

And those are some pretty tight windows for staying at a place and getting the best out of it. You will have to get pretty lucky to get RV camping at Zion and Grand Canyon during the summer on premises - try it it can be done but be prepared for plan B. Going outside of parks usually adds time and the RV parks are sometimes "RV parking overflow" rather than getting a camping experience.

 

[Mookie]

More Bryce and Zion - less Moab and Arches, especially if you are a hiker.

Moab is a pretty drab little town, but there is some classic mountain and dirt biking and 4 wheeling in the area. The area gets heavy use.

Arches is cool, but very controlled in where you can go - it's kind of a drive through national park where you drive to a parking lot, walk a short distance to see an arch, get back in your car, and go to the next arch. It's beautiful, but not very adventurous. You can do it in a couple of hours.

Bryce and Arches (Canyonlands too) are absolutely spectacular and should not be shorted. There is also some world class canyoneering in that area that would be a fun excursion but I would recommend hiring a guide that can take you can be taken to the best place for your group's ability.

 

[strumnov]

This is in Durango, and is really cool, but is an all day affair with the train ride, since you mentioned ziplining.

http://soaringcolorado.com/

 

[Drifter]

I'd also say limit the Moab and spend more time in the 4 corners - hit Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon and check out the cool Anasazi ruins.

 

[Drifter]

Goblin State park in Utah is also great for a half day stop and hike on your way into Colorado. It's where the rock monster scene in Galaxy Quest was filmed.

 

[Fennis]

nudist B&Bs along the way?

 

[[icon]]

Add a couple days. go up to Silverton and go off-road up there. Best 4WD area in the country. Practically every mountain you see has a 4WD trail that goes over it. HIGHLY recommend the Silverton>Ophir Pass>Telluride>Imogene Pass>Ouray>Silverton loop. Nobody in that vehicle will ever forget it. There are a couple slightly technical spots on Imogene, but you'll be going up them, rather than down, which is better. Anybody who is half a driver and has common sense can do it no problem.

You can just rent a Cherokee down in Durango, or even grab one in Cortez or somewhere remote along the way where you can get it for cheaper, and then just drop it off in Durango and be done with it. I've heard that most agencies do one-ways without outrageous penalties now. Used to be National was the only game in town for one-way rentals.

I would agree with this... though i'd caution anyone with limited off roading experience against wheeling alone in those areas... I've spent a week in that area as well (not as many as some) but it was enough to know that it's not too terribly difficult to get off some of the trails, and mechanical failure can really leave you in some compromising if not dangerous situations unless you're prepared for it.

We travel with winches, spare parts, full tool sets, etc and travel in groups of 5-8 rigs for these type of trips. I'm not sure Joe Grizwold in a Grand Cherokee off the enterprise lot should be dragging the family out without carefully considering what he's getting into. This goes somewhat for some of the areas in Moab as well.

 

[oso diablo]

depending on what you plan to do at the Grand Canyon, you could take it in in a half-day, thereby opening up an extra day in Zion.

we did a similar trip last summer with kids 15, 13 and 8. Flew to Vegas, one night at south rim, 1 night at Bryce, and 3 nights at Zion.

lots of good info in the Hike the Narrows thread. will track down the link. ETA: see that you've posted in that thread.

 

[oso diablo]

link to my reviews on TripAdvisor, which includes several from our summer trip.

 

[El Floppo]

Goblin State park in Utah is also great for a half day stop and hike on your way into Colorado. It's where the rock monster scene in Galaxy Quest was filmed.

Goblin Valley is amazing :shrooms:

 

[jon_mx]

I need to do a trip to the National Parks soon....

 

[Ray Karpis]

This is in Durango, and is really cool, but is an all day affair with the train ride, since you mentioned ziplining.

http://soaringcolorado.com/

Looked at that today..would be awesome.

$2500...for one day of a 2-week trip?

I'm not Chet.

 

[Buckfast 1]

I think that you should seriously reconsider spending that much time in Southern Utah in the middle of July. Southern Utah is an extreme desert environment, and July is the hottest month of the year. For example, the average high temperature in Moab during the month of July is 99 degrees and it will get to be over 110 degrees at times.

This past July 4th weekend, one of my friends was hiking in Southern Utah near Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in near 100 degree heat, and she passed out and died from a heat stroke. She was a very experienced hiker and had just graduated from medical school, yet she was apparently helpless in that extreme heat. I did some hiking and mountain biking this past May around Moab in Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, and it was insanely hot even that early in the season. I packed as much water as I could possibly carry during a mountain biking day trip, and I still ran out of water towards the end of the trip because it was so incredibly hot and dry. The mountain bike rental guys told us several stories about people who rented from them that had died from heat stroke or dehydration over the past couple years in Moab. You should just be aware of the very real and significant health risks associated with doing outdoor activity in Southern Utah in July.

If I were you, I would seriously consider spending more of your trip in the mountains of Colorado. July is prime hiking season in Colorado because the glaciers at the peaks of the mountains are melting, which leads to an explosion of life on the mountain with beautiful wildflowers and rushing mountain steams and waterfalls. The temperature in July in the mountains is usually right around a perfect 65-75 degrees. Instead of suffering through a desert hike in Southern Utah in potentially deadly 100+ degree temperatures, you could do some breathtaking mountain hikes up to glacial lakes through pastures of wildflowers in Telluride/Aspen/Crested Butte/Rocky Mountain National Park in absolutely ideal conditions and temperatures. You could also visit Yellowstone National Park, which would only be a couple hours further than it would be to Zion or the Grand Canyon from Little Rock. The weather is supposed to be beautiful at Yellowstone in July. Besides the climate difference, I think that your kids would likely find all of the wildlife present in the Rockies/Yellowstone/Grand Tetons to be far more memorable and interesting than two straight weeks of barren red rock formations.

I love the Southern Utah terrain, but I don't think I would ever take a trip there during the hottest part of the summer after losing a friend to heat stroke in those exact conditions, especially if I had young kids the age of yours.

In my opinion, Colorado Rocky Mountains + Grand Tetons + Yellowstone is a far better option than Zion + Bryce Canyon + Moab + Grand Canyon during the month of July.

 

[Ray Karpis]

I think that you should seriously reconsider spending that much time in Southern Utah in the middle of July. Southern Utah is an extreme desert environment, and July is the hottest month of the year. For example, the average high temperature in Moab during the month of July is 99 degrees and it will get to be over 110 degrees at times.

This past July 4th weekend, one of my friends was hiking in Southern Utah near Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in near 100 degree heat, and she passed out and died from a heat stroke. She was a very experienced hiker and had just graduated from medical school, yet she was apparently helpless in that extreme heat. I did some hiking and mountain biking this past May around Moab in Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, and it was insanely hot even that early in the season. I packed as much water as I could possibly carry during a mountain biking day trip, and I still ran out of water towards the end of the trip because it was so incredibly hot and dry. The mountain bike rental guys told us several stories about people who rented from them that had died from heat stroke or dehydration over the past couple years in Moab. You should just be aware of the very real and significant health risks associated with doing outdoor activity in Southern Utah in July.

If I were you, I would seriously consider spending more of your trip in the mountains of Colorado. July is prime hiking season in Colorado because the glaciers at the peaks of the mountains are melting, which leads to an explosion of life on the mountain with beautiful wildflowers and rushing mountain steams and waterfalls. The temperature in July in the mountains is usually right around a perfect 65-75 degrees. Instead of suffering through a desert hike in Southern Utah in potentially deadly 100+ degree temperatures, you could do some breathtaking mountain hikes up to glacial lakes through pastures of wildflowers in Telluride/Aspen/Crested Butte/Rocky Mountain National Park in absolutely ideal conditions and temperatures. You could also visit Yellowstone National Park, which would only be a couple hours further than it would be to Zion or the Grand Canyon from Little Rock. The weather is supposed to be beautiful at Yellowstone in July. Besides the climate difference, I think that your kids would likely find all of the wildlife present in the Rockies/Yellowstone/Grand Tetons to be far more memorable and interesting than two straight weeks of barren red rock formations.

I love the Southern Utah terrain, but I don't think I would ever take a trip there during the hottest part of the summer after losing a friend to heat stroke in those exact conditions, especially if I had young kids the age of yours.

In my opinion, Colorado Rocky Mountains + Grand Tetons + Yellowstone is a far better option than Zion + Bryce Canyon + Moab + Grand Canyon during the month of July.

Thanks for the input. I'll give this some serious thought.

 

[Balance]

Is Yellowstone less impressive than 20 years ago?

Has Zion overtaken it for a family destination? From all my trips to the Grand Canyon I'd spend little more than it takes to check b the box.

 

[Niles Standish]

I think that you should seriously reconsider spending that much time in Southern Utah in the middle of July. Southern Utah is an extreme desert environment, and July is the hottest month of the year. For example, the average high temperature in Moab during the month of July is 99 degrees and it will get to be over 110 degrees at times.

This past July 4th weekend, one of my friends was hiking in Southern Utah near Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in near 100 degree heat, and she passed out and died from a heat stroke. She was a very experienced hiker and had just graduated from medical school, yet she was apparently helpless in that extreme heat. I did some hiking and mountain biking this past May around Moab in Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, and it was insanely hot even that early in the season. I packed as much water as I could possibly carry during a mountain biking day trip, and I still ran out of water towards the end of the trip because it was so incredibly hot and dry. The mountain bike rental guys told us several stories about people who rented from them that had died from heat stroke or dehydration over the past couple years in Moab. You should just be aware of the very real and significant health risks associated with doing outdoor activity in Southern Utah in July.

If I were you, I would seriously consider spending more of your trip in the mountains of Colorado. July is prime hiking season in Colorado because the glaciers at the peaks of the mountains are melting, which leads to an explosion of life on the mountain with beautiful wildflowers and rushing mountain steams and waterfalls. The temperature in July in the mountains is usually right around a perfect 65-75 degrees. Instead of suffering through a desert hike in Southern Utah in potentially deadly 100+ degree temperatures, you could do some breathtaking mountain hikes up to glacial lakes through pastures of wildflowers in Telluride/Aspen/Crested Butte/Rocky Mountain National Park in absolutely ideal conditions and temperatures. You could also visit Yellowstone National Park, which would only be a couple hours further than it would be to Zion or the Grand Canyon from Little Rock. The weather is supposed to be beautiful at Yellowstone in July. Besides the climate difference, I think that your kids would likely find all of the wildlife present in the Rockies/Yellowstone/Grand Tetons to be far more memorable and interesting than two straight weeks of barren red rock formations.

I love the Southern Utah terrain, but I don't think I would ever take a trip there during the hottest part of the summer after losing a friend to heat stroke in those exact conditions, especially if I had young kids the age of yours.

In my opinion, Colorado Rocky Mountains + Grand Tetons + Yellowstone is a far better option than Zion + Bryce Canyon + Moab + Grand Canyon during the month of July.

Thanks for the input. I'll give this some serious thought.

I agree with Buckfast here.

I live in Colorado and spend a lot of time in Utah. I spent 18 days in November visiting. Spent a 6 day trip in December. And I already have a short trip planned in January. That being said, I don't go to Utah from May to September unless I'm going through wet canyons.

If you have technical rope skills you could do this trip and stay in cold water pretty easily. If not I would suggest avoiding Utah in July.

 

[mr roboto]

What about Sedona?

 

[Don Quixote]

I think that you should seriously reconsider spending that much time in Southern Utah in the middle of July. Southern Utah is an extreme desert environment, and July is the hottest month of the year. For example, the average high temperature in Moab during the month of July is 99 degrees and it will get to be over 110 degrees at times.

This past July 4th weekend, one of my friends was hiking in Southern Utah near Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in near 100 degree heat, and she passed out and died from a heat stroke. She was a very experienced hiker and had just graduated from medical school, yet she was apparently helpless in that extreme heat. I did some hiking and mountain biking this past May around Moab in Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, and it was insanely hot even that early in the season. I packed as much water as I could possibly carry during a mountain biking day trip, and I still ran out of water towards the end of the trip because it was so incredibly hot and dry. The mountain bike rental guys told us several stories about people who rented from them that had died from heat stroke or dehydration over the past couple years in Moab. You should just be aware of the very real and significant health risks associated with doing outdoor activity in Southern Utah in July.

If I were you, I would seriously consider spending more of your trip in the mountains of Colorado. July is prime hiking season in Colorado because the glaciers at the peaks of the mountains are melting, which leads to an explosion of life on the mountain with beautiful wildflowers and rushing mountain steams and waterfalls. The temperature in July in the mountains is usually right around a perfect 65-75 degrees. Instead of suffering through a desert hike in Southern Utah in potentially deadly 100+ degree temperatures, you could do some breathtaking mountain hikes up to glacial lakes through pastures of wildflowers in Telluride/Aspen/Crested Butte/Rocky Mountain National Park in absolutely ideal conditions and temperatures. You could also visit Yellowstone National Park, which would only be a couple hours further than it would be to Zion or the Grand Canyon from Little Rock. The weather is supposed to be beautiful at Yellowstone in July. Besides the climate difference, I think that your kids would likely find all of the wildlife present in the Rockies/Yellowstone/Grand Tetons to be far more memorable and interesting than two straight weeks of barren red rock formations.

I love the Southern Utah terrain, but I don't think I would ever take a trip there during the hottest part of the summer after losing a friend to heat stroke in those exact conditions, especially if I had young kids the age of yours.

In my opinion, Colorado Rocky Mountains + Grand Tetons + Yellowstone is a far better option than Zion + Bryce Canyon + Moab + Grand Canyon during the month of July.

I can't speak from experience, but I think this is good advice based on what I've read. I've always thought of southern Utah as more of a spring/fall destination.

...Adding onto Buckfast's proposed alternative, you could also drive back through South Dakota and see Devil's Tower (WY), Mount Rushmore, and Badlands.

 

[[icon]]

My week long trip to Moab was in mid July. It was definitely very hot but we didn't do a ton of hiking, mostly jeeping. Though we did have tops down, doors/windows off so we were exposed. Large hats, light colored clothing, and L-O-T-S of water was definitely important to our comfort.

To put the Jeeping into perspective:

Shot along Hells Revenge Trail

Lockhart Basin (look along the ledge to the right for my jeep)

Closer shot

I snapped a rear shock deep into Lockhart Basin. It was several hours drive home with limited damping in the rear of the jeep. On desert "whoops (bumps)" this was annoying and turned very dangerous on the 45min highway drive back in to Moab.

Lockhart Basin Again > That trail was a steady string of "This is the most beautiful spot I've ever been"... then we'd turn the corner and "No... THIS is the most beautiful spot I've ever been"....

Playing in the sand at Poison Spider Mesa

Hiked up into a spot in Arches national Park >

etc etc etc..... Moab is gorgeous.

Colorado is a different kind of beautiful. Descending from Mosquito Pass, Highest navigable mountain pass in North America (13,900ft).

Us having to recover a very heavily modified Hummer H3 through French Creek on Holy Cross trail in Colorado. We left him at Holy Cross "City" (abandoned mining town....apparently the only hummer to ever have made it that far) before the Jeeps continued up Cleveland rock to the top of Holy Cross Trail. Photos don't do this spot justice.

 

[Bull Dozier]

The biggest chuckle I have from this thread so far is from the poster who said you can do Arches in a couple of hours. Now, it all depends on what you are up to, but Arches definitely has more than a couple of hours to if, if you are going to do it fully.

It is correct in that it is a drive through national park where you go from one parking lot to the next and there are trail heads of varying distances at each. If your kids are hikers or climbers, you can kill as much time as you want in Arches. There are several trail heads that have several branches coming off from them that lead to varying degrees of difficulty of climbing spots. I'm not talking about "rock climbing gear needed" type climbing, just climbing up rocks and getting some great exercise and awesome views. If your kids are not up for that type of thing, then you aren't going to want to spend a lot of time there. I've spent a week in Moab numerous times, and never lack for anything to do.

The six year old might not be up for a lot of it, but s/he may be. You'd have to make that determination. When I was in high school, I took a trip to Moab with my parents and older brother. It was the first time I was there with an RV. The great thing was we could park the RV at one of the lots, and whoever was up for some hiking could head out for 20 minutes to a couple of hours. Those who weren't up for it could do a little looking around and then chill in the RV in the air conditioning.

That's another thing to keep in mind, the southwest is going to be HOT in July.

Renting Jeeps is always my favorite thing to do in Moab. Last time I was there I was with my three kids, wife, and my parents. We rented two Jeeps (one two door and one four door). I would not ever do that again with that many people. The kids simply did not have fun bouncing around in the back of a Jeep, air conditioner fighting to keep up with the heat, jostling over every bounce. The Jeeping is fantastic, but I would not ever go again with anyone who wasn't wanting (or able to) drive. Likely, if you don't want to be driving, or can't drive the Jeep, you won't be having fun.

I'd agree with others who said there isn't much to Moab itself. It is a relatively small town. There are a handful of various museums (history of movie making in the area, etc) but none are very noteworthy. There are plenty of other activities to do (rafting in the Colorado River, horse riding, etc) but I don't think it is particularly better there than anywhere else. Downtown Moab can be done in half a day or less. Most of it is restaraunts (there are plenty of good ones) and gift shops. Not a whole lot else of note.

Spending the amount of time you are in Moab, I certainly don't think you would be bored. I will say the view from the camprground is great, so it might not be a bad idea to spend a couple of days there to recharge, as long as you are open to killing time in the camp ground pool and stuff like that. My experience is the kids find those simple things to often be their favorite parts of the trip.

 

[[icon]]

This place is AWESOME for coffee and breakfast in the morning on Moab : Eklecticafe

 

[ffldrew]

I would also look into reservations into Antelope Canyon - it's near Lake Powell

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1663&bih=927&q=lower+antelope+canyon&oq=Lower+ant&gs_l=img.1.0.0l10.1847.3863.0.5959.9.8.0.1.1.0.185.636.7j1.8.0....0...1ac.1.32.img..0.9.648.JCQq39QPboU

 

[Long Ball Larry]

.

 

[Bull Dozier]

This place is AWESOME for coffee and breakfast in the morning on Moab : Eklecticafe

Haven't been there, but the Jailhouse Cafe has an awesome breakfast as well: http://www.yelp.com/biz/jailhouse-cafe-moab

 

[Niles Standish]

I would also look into reservations into Antelope Canyon - it's near Lake Powell

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1663&bih=927&q=lower+antelope+canyon&oq=Lower+ant&gs_l=img.1.0.0l10.1847.3863.0.5959.9.8.0.1.1.0.185.636.7j1.8.0....0...1ac.1.32.img..0.9.648.JCQq39QPboU

I was just in Upper Antelope Canyon 2 weeks ago. It's beautiful. You'll be packed in there like sardines. In the winter... time doesn't matter. In the summer you want to be there middle of the day (bit more expensive) to get the beams of light. You need reservations in the summer. 2 weeks ago we got them walk up.

 

[spOOfy]

PM Lombardi. Seriously.

 

[Apple Jack]

Add a couple days. go up to Silverton and go off-road up there. Best 4WD area in the country. Practically every mountain you see has a 4WD trail that goes over it. HIGHLY recommend the Silverton>Ophir Pass>Telluride>Imogene Pass>Ouray>Silverton loop. Nobody in that vehicle will ever forget it. There are a couple slightly technical spots on Imogene, but you'll be going up them, rather than down, which is better. Anybody who is half a driver and has common sense can do it no problem.

You can just rent a Cherokee down in Durango, or even grab one in Cortez or somewhere remote along the way where you can get it for cheaper, and then just drop it off in Durango and be done with it. I've heard that most agencies do one-ways without outrageous penalties now. Used to be National was the only game in town for one-way rentals.

I would agree with this... though i'd caution anyone with limited off roading experience against wheeling alone in those areas... I've spent a week in that area as well (not as many as some) but it was enough to know that it's not too terribly difficult to get off some of the trails, and mechanical failure can really leave you in some compromising if not dangerous situations unless you're prepared for it.

We travel with winches, spare parts, full tool sets, etc and travel in groups of 5-8 rigs for these type of trips. I'm not sure Joe Grizwold in a Grand Cherokee off the enterprise lot should be dragging the family out without carefully considering what he's getting into. This goes somewhat for some of the areas in Moab as well.

I'm talking specifically about Ophir and Imogene, not trying to drive a jeep through a nasty slide/boulder field. Obviously, you don't want to do it without considering what you could run into, but that kinda goes without saying with the concept of being in a situation that would require 4-low in the first place. Anyway, in July, there will be a few others going over both Ophir (easy and dramatic) and Imogene (intermediate, dramatic, ghost towns), so you definitely are not going to wind up stuck up there if the truck breaks down. And for those two, a stock Grand Cherokee (make sure it DOES have 4WD, obviously, and isn't a glorified minivan) is plenty of power and clearance. I've done both in my off-the-lot Toyota pick-up and a rental Cherokee. And I've never needed a winch for anything. Never even seen anybody who needed a winch for anything off-road that they didn't do on purpose. Well, except for the time our tractor-trailer sank into ####ty asphalt after a couple hot days and we had to bring in one of those supertrucker guys with a mega-tow truck. Now that thing was badass. But I digress.

ETA: Here's Imogene.

http://www.everytrail.com/guide/off-road-trail-maps-imogene-pass-colorado

 

[Apple Jack]

This is in Durango, and is really cool, but is an all day affair with the train ride, since you mentioned ziplining.

http://soaringcolorado.com/

Wow. That looks fun. And it looks like the resort is no more. That used to be a very expensive overnight resort. There was a nine-hole golf course that from the looks of google maps, has grown in. Been through there there a few times on foot. That stretch of the Animas and then Lime Creek to the west is probably the most beautiful area I've seen anywhere. The cliff Butch and Sundance jump off is down-stream a couple miles.

And I'll second the comments about the heat in southern Utah in July. That said, it is the high desert. You're at elevation. It gets cold at night, as well. So mornings can be glorious. Just watch yourselves in the afternoons.

 

[Drifter]

So. Utah in July is definitely hot and not to be taken lightly and without preparation. That said, I've done a lot of hiking and backpacking there in the summer and although it was taxing, it wasn't horrible if you do most of your strenuous work in the mornings, shade your head and drink a lot of water.

I do echo that there is lots of opportunity left on the table in Colorado. Black Canyon of the Gunnison, rafting in Buena Vista and the Great Sand Dunes are other great things to do in Sothwest Colorado besides the aforementioned Mesa Verde.

Grand Tetons and Yellowstone are awesome as well but I don't think I would be trying to squeeze them into the same short trip as the Grand Canyon and So. Utah. I think it becomes an either/or proposition.

 

[[icon]]

Add a couple days. go up to Silverton and go off-road up there. Best 4WD area in the country. Practically every mountain you see has a 4WD trail that goes over it. HIGHLY recommend the Silverton>Ophir Pass>Telluride>Imogene Pass>Ouray>Silverton loop. Nobody in that vehicle will ever forget it. There are a couple slightly technical spots on Imogene, but you'll be going up them, rather than down, which is better. Anybody who is half a driver and has common sense can do it no problem.

You can just rent a Cherokee down in Durango, or even grab one in Cortez or somewhere remote along the way where you can get it for cheaper, and then just drop it off in Durango and be done with it. I've heard that most agencies do one-ways without outrageous penalties now. Used to be National was the only game in town for one-way rentals.

I would agree with this... though i'd caution anyone with limited off roading experience against wheeling alone in those areas... I've spent a week in that area as well (not as many as some) but it was enough to know that it's not too terribly difficult to get off some of the trails, and mechanical failure can really leave you in some compromising if not dangerous situations unless you're prepared for it.

We travel with winches, spare parts, full tool sets, etc and travel in groups of 5-8 rigs for these type of trips. I'm not sure Joe Grizwold in a Grand Cherokee off the enterprise lot should be dragging the family out without carefully considering what he's getting into. This goes somewhat for some of the areas in Moab as well.

I'm talking specifically about Ophir and Imogene, not trying to drive a jeep through a nasty slide/boulder field. Obviously, you don't want to do it without considering what you could run into, but that kinda goes without saying with the concept of being in a situation that would require 4-low in the first place. Anyway, in July, there will be a few others going over both Ophir (easy and dramatic) and Imogene (intermediate, dramatic, ghost towns), so you definitely are not going to wind up stuck up there if the truck breaks down. And for those two, a stock Grand Cherokee (make sure it DOES have 4WD, obviously, and isn't a glorified minivan) is plenty of power and clearance. I've done both in my off-the-lot Toyota pick-up and a rental Cherokee. And I've never needed a winch for anything. Never even seen anybody who needed a winch for anything off-road that they didn't do on purpose. Well, except for the time our tractor-trailer sank into ####ty asphalt after a couple hot days and we had to bring in one of those supertrucker guys with a mega-tow truck. Now that thing was badass. But I digress.

ETA: Here's Imogene.

http://www.everytrail.com/guide/off-road-trail-maps-imogene-pass-colorado

Oh I hear ya.. Imogene isn't anything crazy, but there are some exposed spots that someone without much experience might find themselves in trouble at. I recognize that Imogene isn't Holy Cross, but it's not exactly just a dirt road jaunt through the mountains, either.

Again, I'm not telling anyone NOT to do it, just that they do their due diligence with regards to exactly what they're getting into. I'm also skeptical of heading out solo in a rental with unknown condition, maintenance history. I realize that makes me a bit more cautious than most, but I've seen some pretty scary situations unfold offroad so I'm always an advocate of caution and education.

 

[Scoresman]

Not west enough IMO.

 

[cstu]

I'd also say limit the Moab and spend more time in the 4 corners - hit Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon and check out the cool Anasazi ruins.

Also, Dude, Anasazi is not the preferred nomenclature. Ancient Pueblo, please.

 

[Ray Karpis]

Add a couple days. go up to Silverton and go off-road up there. Best 4WD area in the country. Practically every mountain you see has a 4WD trail that goes over it. HIGHLY recommend the Silverton>Ophir Pass>Telluride>Imogene Pass>Ouray>Silverton loop. Nobody in that vehicle will ever forget it. There are a couple slightly technical spots on Imogene, but you'll be going up them, rather than down, which is better. Anybody who is half a driver and has common sense can do it no problem.

You can just rent a Cherokee down in Durango, or even grab one in Cortez or somewhere remote along the way where you can get it for cheaper, and then just drop it off in Durango and be done with it. I've heard that most agencies do one-ways without outrageous penalties now. Used to be National was the only game in town for one-way rentals.

I would agree with this... though i'd caution anyone with limited off roading experience against wheeling alone in those areas... I've spent a week in that area as well (not as many as some) but it was enough to know that it's not too terribly difficult to get off some of the trails, and mechanical failure can really leave you in some compromising if not dangerous situations unless you're prepared for it.

We travel with winches, spare parts, full tool sets, etc and travel in groups of 5-8 rigs for these type of trips. I'm not sure Joe Grizwold in a Grand Cherokee off the enterprise lot should be dragging the family out without carefully considering what he's getting into. This goes somewhat for some of the areas in Moab as well.

I'm talking specifically about Ophir and Imogene, not trying to drive a jeep through a nasty slide/boulder field. Obviously, you don't want to do it without considering what you could run into, but that kinda goes without saying with the concept of being in a situation that would require 4-low in the first place. Anyway, in July, there will be a few others going over both Ophir (easy and dramatic) and Imogene (intermediate, dramatic, ghost towns), so you definitely are not going to wind up stuck up there if the truck breaks down. And for those two, a stock Grand Cherokee (make sure it DOES have 4WD, obviously, and isn't a glorified minivan) is plenty of power and clearance. I've done both in my off-the-lot Toyota pick-up and a rental Cherokee. And I've never needed a winch for anything. Never even seen anybody who needed a winch for anything off-road that they didn't do on purpose. Well, except for the time our tractor-trailer sank into ####ty asphalt after a couple hot days and we had to bring in one of those supertrucker guys with a mega-tow truck. Now that thing was badass. But I digress.

ETA: Here's Imogene.

http://www.everytrail.com/guide/off-road-trail-maps-imogene-pass-colorado

Oh I hear ya.. Imogene isn't anything crazy, but there are some exposed spots that someone without much experience might find themselves in trouble at. I recognize that Imogene isn't Holy Cross, but it's not exactly just a dirt road jaunt through the mountains, either.

Again, I'm not telling anyone NOT to do it, just that they do their due diligence with regards to exactly what they're getting into. I'm also skeptical of heading out solo in a rental with unknown condition, maintenance history. I realize that makes me a bit more cautious than most, but I've seen some pretty scary situations unfold offroad so I'm always an advocate of caution and education.

I appreciate the suggestions, but I'm about 99% sure I won't be doing any offroad jeep excursions like this on this trip.

My wife is -- how do you say it -- a wuss.

She got freaked out by the zipline video.

 

[Bull Dozier]

Add a couple days. go up to Silverton and go off-road up there. Best 4WD area in the country. Practically every mountain you see has a 4WD trail that goes over it. HIGHLY recommend the Silverton>Ophir Pass>Telluride>Imogene Pass>Ouray>Silverton loop. Nobody in that vehicle will ever forget it. There are a couple slightly technical spots on Imogene, but you'll be going up them, rather than down, which is better. Anybody who is half a driver and has common sense can do it no problem.

You can just rent a Cherokee down in Durango, or even grab one in Cortez or somewhere remote along the way where you can get it for cheaper, and then just drop it off in Durango and be done with it. I've heard that most agencies do one-ways without outrageous penalties now. Used to be National was the only game in town for one-way rentals.

I would agree with this... though i'd caution anyone with limited off roading experience against wheeling alone in those areas... I've spent a week in that area as well (not as many as some) but it was enough to know that it's not too terribly difficult to get off some of the trails, and mechanical failure can really leave you in some compromising if not dangerous situations unless you're prepared for it.

We travel with winches, spare parts, full tool sets, etc and travel in groups of 5-8 rigs for these type of trips. I'm not sure Joe Grizwold in a Grand Cherokee off the enterprise lot should be dragging the family out without carefully considering what he's getting into. This goes somewhat for some of the areas in Moab as well.

I'm talking specifically about Ophir and Imogene, not trying to drive a jeep through a nasty slide/boulder field. Obviously, you don't want to do it without considering what you could run into, but that kinda goes without saying with the concept of being in a situation that would require 4-low in the first place. Anyway, in July, there will be a few others going over both Ophir (easy and dramatic) and Imogene (intermediate, dramatic, ghost towns), so you definitely are not going to wind up stuck up there if the truck breaks down. And for those two, a stock Grand Cherokee (make sure it DOES have 4WD, obviously, and isn't a glorified minivan) is plenty of power and clearance. I've done both in my off-the-lot Toyota pick-up and a rental Cherokee. And I've never needed a winch for anything. Never even seen anybody who needed a winch for anything off-road that they didn't do on purpose. Well, except for the time our tractor-trailer sank into ####ty asphalt after a couple hot days and we had to bring in one of those supertrucker guys with a mega-tow truck. Now that thing was badass. But I digress.

ETA: Here's Imogene.

http://www.everytrail.com/guide/off-road-trail-maps-imogene-pass-colorado

That looks pretty cool. Adding it to me "once I own a Jeep again" to do list.

 

[Drifter]

I'd also say limit the Moab and spend more time in the 4 corners - hit Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon and check out the cool Anasazi ruins.

Also, Dude, Anasazi is not the preferred nomenclature. Ancient Pueblo, please.

When did that come into play? Last I heard they hadn't definitively tied them to the Pueblo Indians.

 

[Apple Jack]

I appreciate the suggestions, but I'm about 99% sure I won't be doing any offroad jeep excursions like this on this trip.

My wife is -- how do you say it -- a wuss.

She got freaked out by the zipline video.

Okay then. If neither gave her a heart attack, you'd probably be divorced by the time you got over Imogene.

 

[CurlyNight]

Have you been to CA? If not why isn't it on the itinerary? Lots of beautiful scenes here. Kids that age may become bored with just basically parks. They would LOVE Disneyland, Universal Studios, etc. At least add this to the trip or they may become

 

[Bull Dozier]

I appreciate the suggestions, but I'm about 99% sure I won't be doing any offroad jeep excursions like this on this trip.

My wife is -- how do you say it -- a wuss.

She got freaked out by the zipline video.

Okay then. If neither gave her a heart attack, you'd probably be divorced by the time you got over Imogene.

My last trip up the Shafer Canyon Trail in Moab almost ended in divorce.

It is also my last Jeeping adventure with my wife.