Zion/Bryce campground suggestions???

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

OK, gonna tap into the collective MOC data base/knowledge here, once more.

Where would you suggest staying if we want to see Zion and Bryce? And, ya, we know about that tunnel between the 2! LOL

We have Passport, but, are still finding that we cannot use much, campgrounds still have limitations on dates. Maybe we could use in July?? OH, we will be heading home by then. SIGH OK, that is another subject, but, thought I would mention that we do have the membership.

So, list your choice of fav campgrounds in the area of Zion and Bryce. Bring it on!

In the meantime CountryGuy and I are off to see the Needles area of Canyonlands! My poor Sony, the shutter may break from all this useage! WAHOOOOOOOOOO!!

[camper4]

Ruby's is right outside of Bryce. They have everything you would want.
At Zion we stayed at Sand Hollow SP. Open desert. Good power and water. Nothing else. Oh yea, it is hot with no shade!
The National parks are both worth the visit. Enjoy!

[padredw]

Carol, You would be coming the opposite way if you should travel on Utah 12, but we found it one of the most scenic routes we have ever taken. Not for fast travel, but we had no difficulty:

Here are some scenes from that highway:

http://dw4u.net/Uroad/Uroad.html

BTW, we stayed at "Bryce Canyon Pines" and enjoyed it, but it would not be everyone's 'cup of tea.' We like simple, quiet, even rustic over highly developed campgrounds. That's just our preferece.

[CmdrDewey]

Back in May of 2003 we stayed at the KOA just north of Glendale on US 89. It is about 10 miles or so to the turn for Zion and maybe 25 or so for the turn to Bryce. I don't like KOA but it was a lot cheaper than Ruby's and it didn't require negotiating the tunnel. It also didn't require setting up and taking down an extra time. When we left we went North on 89 to I 70 and across to I 15 to Salt Lake City. US 89 is a real pretty drive in by itself. I can't recommend the Mountain View Campground in Draper, just south of Salt Lake.
(just read our journal and I was paying $1.48/gal for diesel then

[CmdrDewey]

One more thought. Tag-A-Long tours in Moab offers a great trip but pricey. All morning touring by Jeep (actually a Ford Excursion) lunch on the banks of the Colorado and then by boat back to base. In 2003 it was almost $100 per person but we felt it was well worth it. It may be too late for you but I'll throw it out there.

[sreigle]

Carol, Ruby's is a good choice. We've not stayed there but know several who have and we once drove around it a bit. We stayed a KOA at Cannonville for our time at Bryce but it's a long ways to Zion. For Zion, one time we stayed at a park in Virgin, right on the Virgin river and the main highway. Forgot the name but they were very proud of the park. Another times we stayed at Leeds. Leeds RV Park. The site we were in was a good one. Site 26. Shaded. Free wifi and cable. That was 5 years ago, though. They took Escapees but not sure about PA.

Leeds is a bit of a drive to Zion at 30 miles to the entrance. But don't forget the separate north section, Kolob Canyon or something like that. And it's really too far for Bryce. 120 miles. Ruby's or the KOA at Cannonville would be my recommendation for Bryce, then move on to closer to Zion or do a long day trip to Zion. Whatever works for you.

Carol, with Big Butt you will want to enter Zion from the west. Otherwise you'll have to pay for an escort through that tunnel (even without the trailer, just big butt) because big butt exceeds the allowed unescorted width, most likely. I know that was true for the Denners' Dodge dually. As for seeing the east side, it's really not that big a deal if you miss that, in my opinion. There are some pretty things to see on that side but I wouldn't pay the escort fee to see them. My opinion, anyhow. I can point you to the place on our website that shows what's on that side if you want to decide from that. Email me if so. Somewhere in the 2006 postcards.

[sreigle]

On the other hand, it's far fewer miles from Bryce to Zion if you enter Zion from the east. And the $15 (or whatever it is now) escort fee charge to pass through the tunnel would be cheaper than gas to go around. Of course, you'd have to pay it both ways, but, still....

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Bout that fee, Nita and Al (Coachpotato) just did this, she said it was $15.00 ROUND trip, unless I misunderstood, and believe me that is so totally possible! (Can you tell I had a trying day?? Ya, well, it was, but, compared to the big rig we saw on it's side on the way back today and the horrible mess from those tornadoes, my trying day is just a small 'try', eh???)

We drove to Needles section of Canyonland today, it was 160 miles round trip and only 20 of that was in the park proper. So, 30 miles one way to a park for us is not a deal breaker. Especially since we don't know if we will ever get this kind of chance again.

As always, appreciate your thoughts and input. MOC rocks! Thanks and keep em coming!!

[sreigle]

I second Padre's comments about UT 12. We drove it east to west and found it a really pretty drive.

[TheCoachPotatoes]

quote:Originally posted by sreigle

On the other hand, it's far fewer miles from Bryce to Zion if you enter Zion from the east. And the $15 (or whatever it is now) escort fee charge to pass through the tunnel would be cheaper than gas to go around. Of course, you'd have to pay it both ways, but, still....

We went through the tunnel while at Zion in March and the $15 is a round trip fee. They don't actually escort you, but they stop traffic from opposite way so you can drive down the middle. This may have changed since you were there, but that is how it is now. They did require us to be back to go through the tunnel by a certain time, not sure but it was either 7 or 8 pm.

[mainer]

When we went to Zion, we stayed at the campground in Zion National Park. We had electricity, no sewer or water but you can fill up your water tank right there. It was great to be right there and no travel to get to the park was wonderful.

Bryce, we too stayed at Ruby's, they are more on the expensive side but the sites were large, pull-thru and the bus stops right outside of the campground to bring you to Bryce. Each park has it's beauty but Bryce will blow you away with all of those hoo-doos. I was showing a friend the pictures the other day and she couldn't get over the beauty.

Utah 12 is one of the most beautiful drives that a person can take. You are going to have such a wonderful time.

Enjoy every moment and make memories that will last you a lifetime.
Marge

[sreigle]

Carol, if you and Al can hike only one trail at Bryce I'd most recommend Navajo/Queen's Garden Loop, even if you only go down as far as the "tree" and then come back up rather than doing the entire 3-mile loop. The 'tree' is the first picture in the second link below and is not far from the start of the hike.

http://vickiandsteve.com/052106_bryce_navajo_p1.htm
http://vickiandsteve.com/052106_bryce_navajo_p2.htm

[David and Jo-Anna]

We LOVE staying in Watchman campground in Zion. (our favorite park)
Ruby's is a must for Bryce.

We usually stay in Zion and drive to Bryce for a day trip.

Have fun!

[Delaine and Lindy]

Ruby's..............