NYC to Grand Canyon

[Skip51]

Starting to plan our annual long trip, this year New York City to Grand Canyon. Probably stop at Los Vegas while we are in the neighborhood.
Looking for any useful info, especially things to do along the way. Don't have a set route or return date (it's not unusual for us to go on a weeks trip and get back month or two later).
Thanks to all who reply.

[Bluepill]

My choice would be I78 to I81 to I40. Nice roads, too many great stops along the way to list.

[cc102bob]

I wish I lived a bit closer to the southern Utah area. I've been out there a couple times and each time I wished I had a couple months to explore properly. All the national parks there are excellent and there are plenty of other roads and such to explore. I doubt that I've even seen a fraction of the cool stuff.

I also highly recommend taking a trip on the Durango & Silverton narrow gauge railroad: https://www.durangotrain.com/

If you've never heard of it before, it's a railroad that was originally built to haul mining ore, but the builders recognized the potential for tourism, so they built it to take advantage of the scenery in the area. It's been running continuously for over 125 years because of that.

It's located in the southwest corner of Colorado, so you should be passing near there if you take a more or less direct route to the Grand Canyon.

Here's a tip if you do take the train ride: Don't wear your best duds... The train is pulled by a genuine coal powered steam engine, so the coal soot does make it back to the passengers (at least the ones in the open cars). When we went my wife and daughters wore bandanas to cover their hair and were glad they did.

[Vansteenburg]

Depending on the route, Petrified Forest/painted desert area, Canon City, Pikes Peak, north rim of Grand Canyon, Four Corners, Mesa Verde., just some ideas.

St Louis arch is nice area to visit, although a lot of road reconstruction thru downtown on the interstate.

[Evo2700]

If you’re stopping in Vegas avoid pretty much all the RV parks in town. Most are on Boulder Highway which is populated with homeless and cheap hookers. The best place to stay in Vegas is the Oasis RV Resort south of the strip. It’s clean, safe, and away from the nonsense. Or you can head up to Mt Charleston...it’s 45 min from the strip, 20 degrees cooler, and green!

[kayo]

Buy the National Geographic book about all the National Parks. This will be a good place to start your planning

[RudysWorld]

This was our itinerary from last year that we took 1-40 to;

Cadillac Ranch
Painted Desert/Petrified Forest - 3 nights
Standing on a corner Winslow AZ
Meteor crater
Grand Canyon South - 4 nights
Grand Canyon North - 1 night
Zion - 3 nights
Bryce - 3 nights
Moab - 4 nights

Let me know if you want campgrounds we stayed at. Great trip! Good Luck!

[JoePa77]

I would take I-80 to Chicago and then follow the Mother Road “Route 66” to Andrews Arizona and experience as much of the old road you have time to take in. Enjoy whichever ever route you take because the Grand Canyon will be the gem of the trip.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Evo2700

If you’re stopping in Vegas avoid pretty much all the RV parks in town. Most are on Boulder Highway which is populated with homeless and cheap hookers. The best place to stay in Vegas is the Oasis RV Resort south of the strip. It’s clean, safe, and away from the nonsense. Or you can head up to Mt Charleston...it’s 45 min from the strip, 20 degrees cooler, and green!

Totally agree!
How do you know they are cheap hookers on Boulder Hway.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Totally agree!
How do you know they are cheap hookers on Boulder Hway.

Are you saying they're expensive hookers on Boulder Hwy? How do you know this?

[CHICKDOE]

i only know the west. and of course my interests may not be your interests. i would recommend the following:

santa fe
durango
mesa verde
monument valley
meteor crater
williams

we're not real keen on petrified forest and 4 corners

and if you go to las vegas take i-15 north and see both zion and bryce national parks.

[Cahriad]

Originally Posted by Evo2700

If you’re stopping in Vegas avoid pretty much all the RV parks in town. Most are on Boulder Highway which is populated with homeless and cheap hookers. The best place to stay in Vegas is the Oasis RV Resort south of the strip. It’s clean, safe, and away from the nonsense. Or you can head up to Mt Charleston...it’s 45 min from the strip, 20 degrees cooler, and green!

What is wrong with cheap hookers?

If it's rocking, don't come knocking!!

In all seriousness, KOA at Sams Town is my stop off place, travelling north and south to Arizona.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Skip51

Starting to plan our annual long trip, this year New York City to Grand Canyon. Probably stop at Los Vegas while we are in the neighborhood.
Looking for any useful info, especially things to do along the way. Don't have a set route or return date (it's not unusual for us to go on a weeks trip and get back month or two later).
Thanks to all who reply.

Well is your trip to the Grand Canyon still on?
Where are you now?

[Skip51]

trip is on hold due to Corvid.