Vacation - what to do?

[jkilday4]

I'm trying to put a trip together for the fam out west. Maybe fly into Denver or Albuquerque, and hit nat'l parks for 10 days or so & then fly out of Phoenix? Anybody ever rent a Jeep out there and take it out for some camping and light off-roading? (Or better yet, heavy off-roading?) If so what kind of Jeep was it? I'd guess something like a Cherokee would be the least for fam of three to move around that long in...would love it if I could find one that was equipped for the trails - would have to check out part of Moab anyway if was out there.

I'm sure there's lots of varied lodging out there - anything rustic & affordable, comfortable would do. Any suggestions?

Plus we're trying to decide how many diff parks we could hit. I recall when I was 16 our family went out there and we'd do one park a day and move on to the next one like 5-7 hours away during a two week stretch. Don't know if I'm that ambitious or in a hurry now - any experiences, suggestions out there I'd like to hear about 'em.

thx, John (TN)

[blackZZR]

Thrifty rents Jeeps

[blkTJ]

http://www.nps.gov/applications/park.../geosearch.cfm

[ChrisD]

rent one.....get the insurance and wheel it like you don't own it.

[sarah]

MOAB!! The fam can enjoy any outdoor sport known to man, including easy to extreme jeeping. Plenty of cheap/rustic/fancy places to stay, and it's centered around a town (with grocery, restaurants, shops, etc) so you'll have the best of many worlds. It's also right near Canyonlands National Park.

I was just reading Sunset and they have a feature this month about national park campsites, might be worth the click.

[jmbrowning]

If you want light dirt-roading with camping at the very edge of the Grand Canyon. I'd strongly recommend Toroweap (also known as Tuweep) on the NORTH rim. You will be about 60 miles from services so make sure your vehicle (rental or otherwise) is up for the trip. Having said that, when we went there for our anniversary, a 15 seat rental van AND small UHaul trailer drove in next to us. So, obviously, it's not TOO difficult.

There are two campsites at the very edge of the Canyon that are breathtaking but very exposed to wind and sun. We opted for the east-facing under-ledge campsites. Nice sunrises but hidden from the afternoon heat.

http://www.nps.gov/grca/grandcanyon/tuweep/
http://www.kaibab.org/tr972/gc_tweap.htm
http://www.arizonahandbook.com/toroweap.htm
http://www.americansouthwest.net/ari...on/tuweep.html


If you want to try something a bit more hardcore but still roads (this is a National Park, after all), try the Maze district in the Canyonlands. Don't go in wet weather unless you have mud chains for all four tires. The ranger asked to see our portable toilet and sweetly reminded us that she wouldn't be coming to get us unless it was a body recovery mission.

The Flint Trail was particularly picturesque and frightening at the same time. Totally undeveloped and no more than seven individuals in any campsite. Reservations recommended far in advance. You will see some amazing pictographs here (opening scene from Koyaanisqatsi filmed at the Great Gallery).

There is a nice way out the south end to Glen Canyon and Lake Powell, if you'd like to do a little water recreation too.

http://www.nps.gov/cany/maze/
http://utahoutdoors.com/pages/flinttrail.htm
http://users.cihost.com/ata/greatgallery.html

[brian4.2]

If you are moving around like that, you might want to slow down your pace a little, unless you are staying in hotels. think about a 6 hour drive every morning after you breakfast and pack up all your gear. Get to your new destination, set up camp, try to enjoy your new surrounding for maybe a couple of hours before dark, hopefully some offroading. Get up and do it again in the morning. Just not much time to enjoy where you are.

When my kids were little we used a motorhome,like driving around in your living room, no real unpacking, just unhook the jeep and go for a couple of hours. Then you can rent a TJ put the top down , the kids will never forget it!

(and you will be buying a jeep in the future) Oh you already have a TJ!:zip:

I second the Moab deal, plenty of options,hotels, camping, jeep rentals and guided tours if you like that.

[jkilday4]

Hey thanks for the suggestions and info so far. I hear ya brian 4.2 on the pace - might be good to spend a couple days in three or four locations over a seven- or eight-day stretch.