3 replies to this topic

[chamblin]

We are coming to Arizona and New Mexico this April/May. We are are coming from Auburn, CA (North of Sacramento) in 17' SD pulled by Toyota Highlander (V6). We would really appreciate suggestions of where to visit, favorite camp sites (reserved) and whatever wonderful things we should not miss. We plan to visit Grand Canyon (south rim), Sedona, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos.....anything else? We are retired and the wife has hip replacement, so walking is good..but long hikes not so good. Also, have small dog who has been camping for 9 years.

Many thanks,

Garth and Kathy

[outthere]

Garth and Kathy...

Anywhere you go in the Four Corners region will be fantastic. We've been going down there for years. We like to dry camp and hike so the places we like the best may not be your cup of tea. We've been to some pretty out-of-the-way places, but most of them have good camping facilities. All the places you mention are great to see. Taos and Santa Fe are arts meccas. Many galleries and museums. And the pueblos. You can tour Taos and Acoma and Zuni. Even the Hopi village of Walpi.
We like Gallup NM for its Indian arts. There are many old trading establishments...don't miss Richardson's on the main drag. Zuni is just south of there.
Canyonlands (the Needles) and Natural Bridges are two of our favorite camp spots. It's dry camping but very comfortable. They're National Park service and have water and dump sites and security...and the scenery and hiking are beyond compare! All of So Utah is spectacular.
We spend a lot of time on the big Navajo Rez. The places and solitude and people are wonderful. Take a tour in Canyon de Chelly. You can hike or go horseback or take a jeep tour. Same with Monument Valley. The places and the indian guides will make you some memories. I really can't advise you on RV parks. We've stayed in several and they've been fine but the state and national parks are all over the place and that's what we zero in on.
I could go on forever but will leave ot here. Enjoy your trip. Jim

[LJB]

Garth & Kathy,

Sandy and I recently purchased a 2005 17 ft. Spirit Deluxe and we are looking forward to revisiting places like
Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, North Rim of Grand Canyon, Dixie National Forrest, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park. Canyonlands is one of my favorite places, because of its spectacular multi-colored views/levels of the canyon and of the Colorado and Green Rivers. Dead Horse Point (Utah state park) lies within Canyonlands and features good camping and spectacular views. The key about Canyonlands is that you must drive out to the very end, park, and take a hike along a well marked and relatively flat and easy-to-walk trail out to a point (approx. one mile) where you can view the Grand Canyon and surrounding countryside....breathtaking to say the least!

South Rim of the Grand Canyon offers good camping and easy canyon rim walks. It is spectacular; however, it is more crowded and does not offer as easy access to other beautiful national parks in the area.

New Mexico offers Carlsbad Caverns which is out of the way, but well worth the effort. We stayed at the KOA campground fifteen miles north of the town of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Spend a couple days to explore Carlsbad Caverns. Do not miss the "Flight of The Bats". Head north to Mesa Verde National Park near the Colorado/New Mexico border and take a guided tour of the indian cliff dwellings. Durango, Colorado, is just a short drive from Mesa Verde. The historic Durango-Silverton train ride is worth taking. Spectacular views and a lot of fun. Hint: Make reservations early and ask for a seat in an enclosed car. If you like the thrill of wind, smoke, and soot, then you'll enjoy an open air car as the train is slowly pulled along by a coal-fired steam engine. Plan a full day for this event.

Get a AAA map and Camping Guide of the areas I mentioned. Follow I-15 east to Hwy 9 through Zion National Park and routes east, south, and north.

You will find plenty of great places to camp at very reasonable prices. A Golden Age Passport (62 years or older) will get you free entrance and reduced camping fees at any national park.

Larry

[BradBev]

The historic Durango-Silverton train ride is worth taking.  Spectacular views and a lot of fun.  Hint:  Make reservations early and ask for a seat in an enclosed car.  If you like the thrill of wind, smoke, and soot, then you'll enjoy an open air car as the train is slowly pulled along by a coal-fired steam engine.  Plan a full day for this event.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Let me present an alternate plan. For the train ride, get the open car (you will have a better view), but reserve a place near the end of the train. This will reduce the smoke and soot. Don't wear white or light color clothing whether inside or out. They will get some soot on them.

Another alternative plan is to take the bus one way and the train the other. We've gone twice, train both ways. By the time we finished, we were tired and bored. You know, how much beautiful can you handle If we ever go again, we will do the bus up, train down. Faster trip, less soot going down because the engine isn't working as hard, and seeing the same scenery twice in one day gets boring.


Brad

Edited by jakebrake, 14 March 2005 - 06:30 PM.