Zion (eastern Utah) trip-2024

[Muttbus-JL]

Howdy folks!
my better half and I are headed to Zion and areas (after a brief stop in Salt Lake to see George Strait) this summer.
our route will bring us back north possibly thru Bryce Canyon…maybe Moab…wondering from you guys, are there any “must see” sights?
some parameters though. We are in an RV and flat towing the JL. I’m not a big rock crawler guy and am more geared towards overland stuff.
if any of you has any favs, please pass them on, as we are planning the trip now.
happy trails and keep the shiny side up!
pete

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[LooselyHeldPlans]

Ugh… my god where does one begin. You're driving through probably the best area of overlanding in the country. Southern Utah is just so amazing. it's pretty much the only place that the more I go in the US, the more I want to go back.

A short list:
1: Canyonlands. Yeah everyone freaks out over Arches. It's nice and all, but Canyonlands changed my life. Get to the needles district. I've hiked in 51 of the 63 National parks and this is the best hike I’ve been on... by a good amount too: https://www.nps.gov/places/chesler-park-loop-joint-trail.htm. There's also the White Rim trail which was amazing (for the jeep)

2: Bears Ears. There's so, so, so much to do. If you go to the Needles district visitor center, talk to the bald dude about places in bears ears. I won't go into details in a public forum, but he's a good guy to be friends with. I'll just leave it at that. Be sure to stay in The Valley of the Gods (mostly RV friendly). It's like monument valley without feeling like a misstep will leave you in reservation Jail.

Close by there is CO Rd 262. I could spend a week there. So many cool petroglyphs and ruins. Jeep will be fine, but I'd ask a ranger about road conditions for the RV. It theyve had heavy rains it could get bad.

Also stop by Natural Bridges national monument. I think its better than arches.

I could go on and on.... but seriously, that area is amazing!

 

[roaniecowpony]

Sitin' on the top of the Cedar Breaks at sunset is pretty awesome and humbling.

On I-70, west of Green River, UT, is the San Rafael Reef. Very spectactular right on the interstate.

Down 191 toward Moab is Arches NP. Then the trail around Moab have some very special views.

 

[Muttbus-JL]

Ugh… my god where does one begin. You're driving through probably the best area of overlanding in the country. Southern Utah is just so amazing. it's pretty much the only place that the more I go in the US, the more I want to go back.

A short list:
1: Canyonlands. Yeah everyone freaks out over Arches. It's nice and all, but Canyonlands changed my life. Get to the needles district. I've hiked in 51 of the 63 National parks and this is the best hike I’ve been on... by a good amount too: https://www.nps.gov/places/chesler-park-loop-joint-trail.htm. There's also the White Rim trail which was amazing (for the jeep)

2: Bears Ears. There's so, so, so much to do. If you go to the Needles district visitor center, talk to the bald dude about places in bears ears. I won't go into details in a public forum, but he's a good guy to be friends with. I'll just leave it at that. Be sure to stay in The Valley of the Gods (mostly RV friendly). It's like monument valley without feeling like a misstep will leave you in reservation Jail.

Close by there is CO Rd 262. I could spend a week there. So many cool petroglyphs and ruins. Jeep will be fine, but I'd ask a ranger about road conditions for the RV. It theyve had heavy rains it could get bad.

Also stop by Natural Bridges national monument. I think its better than arches.

I could go on and on.... but seriously, that area is amazing!

Thank you! Awesome info and helps with the intinerary.!

Ugh… my god where does one begin. You're driving through probably the best area of overlanding in the country. Southern Utah is just so amazing. it's pretty much the only place that the more I go in the US, the more I want to go back.

A short list:
1: Canyonlands. Yeah everyone freaks out over Arches. It's nice and all, but Canyonlands changed my life. Get to the needles district. I've hiked in 51 of the 63 National parks and this is the best hike I’ve been on... by a good amount too: https://www.nps.gov/places/chesler-park-loop-joint-trail.htm. There's also the White Rim trail which was amazing (for the jeep)

2: Bears Ears. There's so, so, so much to do. If you go to the Needles district visitor center, talk to the bald dude about places in bears ears. I won't go into details in a public forum, but he's a good guy to be friends with. I'll just leave it at that. Be sure to stay in The Valley of the Gods (mostly RV friendly). It's like monument valley without feeling like a misstep will leave you in reservation Jail.

Close by there is CO Rd 262. I could spend a week there. So many cool petroglyphs and ruins. Jeep will be fine, but I'd ask a ranger about road conditions for the RV. It theyve had heavy rains it could get bad.

Also stop by Natural Bridges national monument. I think its better than arches.

I could go on and on.... but seriously, that area is amazing!

Thank you for the speedy reply and the great intel!
am looking forward to the trip and seeing stuff I’ve looked at online.
only experience in that area was on a motorcycle a few years back.
thanks again!
pete

 

[Muttbus-JL]

Sitin' on the top of the Cedar Breaks at sunset is pretty awesome and humbling.

On I-70, west of Green River, UT, is the San Rafael Reef. Very spectactular right on the interstate.

Down 191 toward Moab is Arches NP. Then the trail around Moab have some very special views.

Thank you! Will check these out for sure!
pete

 

[Red19]

In Moab, Fins ‘n Things is a great easy, scenic, intro to slick rock. I definitely recommend taking a few hours to run that if you’re in the area. Hells Revenge is great and pretty easy too. Monitor and Merrimack Butte are a great trip without much hard rock crawling.

 

[SaintNick]

Sitin' on the top of the Cedar Breaks at sunset is pretty awesome and humbling.

I've done this numerous times when I lived in Cedar City. Problem with Cedar Breaks is it will probably be closed. They get lots of snow up there.

 

[Muttbus-JL]

I've done this numerous times when I lived in Cedar City. Problem with Cedar Breaks is it will probably be closed. They get lots of snow up there.

Going thru in July…not too worried about snow, but will definitely check out the area!

 

[duckintheface]

Howdy folks!
my better half and I are headed to Zion and areas (after a brief stop in Salt Lake to see George Strait) this summer.
our route will bring us back north possibly thru Bryce Canyon…maybe Moab…wondering from you guys, are there any “must see” sights?
some parameters though. We are in an RV and flat towing the JL. I’m not a big rock crawler guy and am more geared towards overland stuff.
if any of you has any favs, please pass them on, as we are planning the trip now.
happy trails and keep the shiny side up!
pete

A foodie side trip suggestion is swinging your route through Veyo for 'best pies in the state'. They are pretty legit and some great scenic drives out that direction including the Mojave Desert Joshua Tree Backway.

 

[SaintNick]

Going thru in July…not too worried about snow, but will definitely check out the area!

You will love it in July. Still probably have some snow. Once the sun sets stick around to see the stars.

 

[SaintNick]

A foodie side trip suggestion is swinging your route through Veyo for 'best pies in the state'. They are pretty legit and some great scenic drives out that direction including the Mojave Desert Joshua Tree Backway.

Veyo pies are awesome.

 

[SaintNick]

So much to see around Zion. Snow Canyon in St George is pretty amazing too. July will be extremely hot in St George area.

 

[Chrisbayridge1]

Howdy folks!
my better half and I are headed to Zion and areas (after a brief stop in Salt Lake to see George Strait) this summer.
our route will bring us back north possibly thru Bryce Canyon…maybe Moab…wondering from you guys, are there any “must see” sights?
some parameters though. We are in an RV and flat towing the JL. I’m not a big rock crawler guy and am more geared towards overland stuff.
if any of you has any favs, please pass them on, as we are planning the trip now.
happy trails and keep the shiny side up!
pete

Onion Creek Trail is beautiful and easy. For some fun on an easy to moderate trail check out the first half of Fins & Things nice scenery there Elephant Hill is beautiful a bit technical in some spots but not a problem for a JL ( I'll be in Moab for a couple of days late August definitely doing Elephant Hill again

 

[roaniecowpony]

Well ok...now that someone put food into the mix. In Cedar City, on Main Street, just north of 200N is Hermies Drive-In. I try to make time for a burger there when passing through. Always worth the time.

 

[freedomfighter]

Utah is amazing in more ways than one, however if you are traveling to Moab from Bryce Canyon you must take Scenic Byway Route 12. It is not the fastest route however it is one of the most scenic routes in the country IMHO. No worries with the RV and tow vehicle.

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