Quick Links: Intro//Las Vegas//Zion Canyon NP//Bryce Canyon NP//Page, AZ//Horseshoe Bend//Antelope Canyon//Monument Valley//Grand Canyon NP//Phoenix
I was hesitant to book an RV trip, but it was one of the best times we have had on a vacation. My apprehension was the RV life (emptying the poop tube aka black tank, water tank, etc.), would we get bored, and simply how can we get around if we don’t have a car? I’ll help answer some of your questions, and of course, you can comment with questions anytime.
We flew from Newark,NJ to Las Vegas on United Airlines. We were not delayed luckily and we did carry on only so we made it safe and sound. Check out my Journeyology101Travel Shop for carry on recommendations. My husband even got to sit next to someone who was traveling with kittens in a small carrier under her seat. They were too cute. We saw Lake Mead and some of the Hoover Dam while landing and it was a beautiful site. We stayed in the Paris Las Vegas, rates were reasonable and I booked via Expedia.com with some rewards points, so try to find a deal, all the hotels in Vegas are walkable if you stay around the Bellagio/Paris/Caesars area. I stayed here for the view of the Bellagio Fountains and because it is midway on the Strip, so for one night we are in the thick of it. We arrived around 4 pm, had a snack and then waited for the sun to go down to see the fountains. We were leaving Las Vegas in our rented RV in the morning, so we didn’t do much in Vegas. Dinner was at Alexxa Kitchen and Bar in the Paris and the food was delicious. Casual American fare and easy to get to. Make reservations on Open Table to make your life easier. After dinner, head to the fountains to see the awesome fountain show. It was a Saturday night so it was packed, and lots of body parts were hanging out. If you are sensitive to this, then it might not be a great idea for you or your kids to be in this location. Sin City and all that, can’t get away from it. Pick an off the strip location or non casino hotel and stay there one night and head out in the AM.
We started the day by heading to the pick up location in Las Vegas to get the RV and some instructions with it. We rented through www.Outdoorsy.com and the owner I chose was very responsive with all the answers I needed. Travel tip: Always ask questions before you rent, it will tell you how quickly you will get the owner, spells out the future for you if you did need them for an emergency later on. The owners, Sandy and Michael were extremely helpful and even allowed us a one way rental for a small fee. They do have their own website to book direct, www.AdventureIsCalling.us and I wouldn’t hesitate to book from them again. We rented Mustang a Class C RV from them. After a few practice turns, we were on the road to our first stop.
Stop along the way: Walmart St. George, UT and In & Out Burger St. George, UT
Stop #1 Zion Canyon National Park, Utah
Reservations: Zion Canyon Campground Springdale, UT (outside to the park, 10-15 minute walk to entrance/shuttles) (Springdale Shuttles to park entrance start 7am) (Shuttles inside park start 6am)
We arrived around 3pm to park the RV and look around, because this was our first time in an RV park so we needed to learn how to check in, facilities, etc. When you arrive, there will be RV Parking by the lobby of the RV park, stop and park the RV and head into the store/lobby to check in. Here they discussed showers/laundry, give you shower tokens and a map of the area highlighted to show your pre-booked spot. The store at this campground had almost everything you needed if you don’t have time to stop, even supplies for the RV and S’mores. We drove to our spot with full hook ups (water,electric and dumping area) to make our lives easier. Without this, we would have to fill the water every time and make sure we didn’t run out, as well as fill the propane tank for cooking on the stove and hot water in the shower. You would use the generator for everything else that runs off the RV batteries or gas depending on the RV. The refrigerator on our RV was solar powered and we were thankful for that, see Page, AZ.
RV Park Information: You received one shower token per person per day you are there. Each token gives you 6 minutes of shower time in clean showers. The toilets were free to use and separate from the showers. A charcoal grill was available at most sites as well as a wood/charcoal fire pit. We bought charcoal at Walmart, but they did have it at the store in front. WiFi: Free
The next day we headed out for an early morning tour of Zion Canyon. We hired a guide, Michael, from Viator and met him at the entrance to the park. He was prompt and great with the kids. I would not hesitate to use him again. Tour: Zion National Park: Private Guided Hike & Picnic run by Cedar and Sage Travel. We walked about 6 miles this day, he made it interesting and knew what was closed and shortcuts to not waste time and energy. As much as the kids loved the tour, they enjoy the charcuterie board that Mike built for us in 10 minutes. The kids loved it so much they they came home and made their own. (Swipe for Slideshow)
Travel Tip: For ALL National Parks in Summer, get an early start!! When we were leaving at 2pm, the line for the shuttle bus was a mile long. It was already 90 degrees F. Please hydrate, carry water/snack, and head in early.
Kids Travel Tip: I brought our GoDice! with us, can be used without WiFi and it kept us busy at night after dinner. Just need your iPad or Tablet and the dice and you are ready!
Zion Canyon National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park via Zion-Carmel Tunnel (83.5 miles, 1 hr:55 mins), via I-15 (148 miles, 2:36 mins) Two options depending on height and size of your RV, please check this website to see which way to go: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/the-zion-mount-carmel-tunnel.htm
Stop #2 Bryce Canyon National Park Bryce, UT
Reservations: Ruby’s Inn RV Park (shuttle into park from front lobby) (next door to largest hotel/restaurant/grocery store in Bryce Canyon- Ruby’s Inn)
RV Park Information: Laundry, Showers and Toilet available. Laundry needs quarters that are available in front lobby. Showers and Toilets free to guest, a code was given to get into shower area. All RV spots had a BBQ grill and fire pit to use, as well as full hook ups that I booked. Groceries are available in Ruby’s Inn, along with a restaurant and souvenirs at the hotel and across the street at Old Bryce Town, walkable in 10 minutes. WiFi: Free
We had a busy day after arriving in Bryce Canyon and parking the RV. We had a quick lunch and were off to the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center and the 1.5 mile hike down to Wall Street on the Navajo Loop Trail. We accessed this point from Sunset Point or Sunset Campground Shuttle bus stop. Bathrooms were available at this shuttle stop. The trail was steep heading down to Wall Street so proper shoes and hydration is needed if you want to do this loop. It was hot and I saw many people without water. The viewpoints were great and it took us about 2.5 hours to do the full loop. We returned to the campground on the shuttle bus and had dinner at Ruby’s Inn that night after a quick stop at Old Bryce Town to look around. (Swipe for Slideshow)
Tonight I wanted to do something for one of my kids. She mentioned she wants to study the stars as she gets older, so I found a cool group who does that and can teach us what they see. The tour company was the Dark Rangers Telescope Tours. They were located about10 minutes drive from the RV park but we didn’t have a car. This was the challenge with the RV, but if you just asks questions, it gets easier. I emailed Dark Ranger tours and they put me in touch with Bryce Canyon Scenic Tours who offered us a shuttle to and from the Dark Ranger tour location from our RV. It was a later tour, 9pm to 11:30pm, so we did have to pay extra for the late hours, but it was worth it. The stars were great, we saw the moon up close, and the explanations were fantastic. If you or someone in your family has any interest in astronomy, I highly recommend this tour.
Travel Tip: Dress warm, yes I was just sweating in 90 degrees F, but the temperature drops significantly in the desert at this elevation. It was about 40 degrees F at night and we dressed warm but were cold. They offered hot drinks and a port a potty on site. Bring a jacket.
Bryce Canyon National Park to Page, AZ (149 miles, 2 hr :35 mins)
Stop along the way: Glen Canyon Dam Overlook and Horseshoe Canyon Page, AZ
Stop #3 Page, AZ Antelope Canyon &Horseshoe Bend (possible time change) (No daylight savings in AZ)
Reservations: Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell (hotel stop to stretch and park the RV for a bit)
Hotel information: I decided on a hotel for this stop because this was our first trip and I wasn’t sure if we would like an RV. I wanted to make sure we had a break from it, just in case. We did love it luckily, but the Hyatt had a free included breakfast and a pool, so I was happy we did stop here. We also did laundry here, and I washed everything to have all fresh clothes for everyone. The desert is a dusty place. WiFi : Free
We arrived around 2 pm and walked around the Glen Canyon Dam Visitors Center and then saw Horseshoe Bend with the RV. We then parked the RV and chilled the rest of the night. The Hyatt does have a restaurant and the food was pretty good so we ate there and slept well before our next tour. Remember about the solar panels for the refrigerator? This is where it came in handy. We didn’t have hook ups in the Hyatt parking lot, so the RV was off. But all our food still stayed cold. Solar panels for the win!!!
The next day was one of the reasons we were here, Antelope Canyon. The tour was operated by Dineh tours and they did a fabulous job. The driver/tour guide was polite, offered water to everyone and gave us information so we could understand the land and the Navajo people. The tour, booked via Viator, the Half Day Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon Tour from Page, AZ, hotel pick up was offered as well. He can only drop you off and the rest of the tour into the canyon is operated by the site but they were great as well. They would take great family shots of us, even a pano all the way up the canyon. I have my Christmas card photos because of them. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves, but I recommend a stop here. I did laundry while the kids were in the pool today to cool off. Pool was small but was big enough for the 3 kids in it. Upper canyon is narrow on top so the light beams shine through, lower canyon is narrow on bottom so cool rock formations above you. Pictures with ladder is Lower Canyon. (Swipe for Slideshow)
For dinner we walked to the Bird House, a cool fried chicken place in Page. The food was great and I would recommend a stop here if in the area. Walk took about 10 minutes.
Page,AZ to Monument Valley, Navajo Country (125 miles, 2 hr :03 mins)
Stop along the way: Monument Valley
Stop #4 Monument Valley, Utah/AZ border in Navajo Country (possible time change)
RV Park: Goulding’s RV Park, walkable to grocery/restaurant (20 mins) but a shuttle bus is available if needed. An events at the hotel are available at the lobby, movies, etc..
RV Park information: Laundry, Showers and Toilets were all available and clean. Shower and toilets were free for guests. A BBQ grill and fire pit were available at our full hook up spot. The cool thing about this RV Park is that there is a small hike right behind it, maybe 10 minutes to Goulding’s Arch. It was a nice after dinner hike with some nice viewpoints from the top. WiFi: Free.
We drove from Page,AZ straight to The View Hotel in Monument Valley where our 3pm tour of the valley started. We got there early so we walked around and did some shopping before the tour. We booked via Viator, The 1.5 Hour tour of Monument Valley Jeep Loop Drive, since RV’s are not allowed on the road down into the valley. Cars are allowed, but I would be nervous with a rental as there are a lot of potholes and rocks on this dirt/sand road. The jeep was opened air and elevated which gave us nice views of everything. So many movies were filmed in Monument Valley, but one of my favorite scenes in Forrest Gump was filmed here as well, so I had to get my picture there as well. The Forrest Gump spot is located 20 minutes from the entrance of the actual valley and you can find it on Google maps, under Forrest Gump Point, Mexican Hat, UT. I think the locals hate the spot since we are running all over the road, but the locals are forgetting that they live so close to this beautiful valley, so I’m jealous of them. (Swipe for Slideshow)
We had dinner at Goulding’s Restaurant and tried some Navajo specialties which were delicious. Highly recommend a stop at the hotel to look around if not hungry yet. We parked the RV finally and rested a bit before we hiked to Goulding’s Arch behind the RV park. We saw a beautiful sunset that night and a great view of Monument Valley in the distance.
Monument Valley, Navajo Country to Grand Canyon, AZ (179 miles) (3 hr :12 mins)
Stops along the way: Cameron Trading Post Cameron, AZ and Desert View Watchtower Grand Canyon
Stop #5: Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Reservations: Trailer RV Park inside Grand Canyon National Park (shuttle buses to all locations inside the park, grocery and restaurants and South Rim Hermit’s Rest Shuttle)
RV Park Information: We were lucky with RV parks until this point. The bathroom facilities and shower facilities were pretty gross at the Grand Canyon. Luckily, we had our own shower and bathroom on the RV, but for those that don’t, please think ahead. We did full hook up here as well and had a BBQ grill/fire pit as well. The cool thing about this RV park were the elk that walked through daily, they are usually there looking for water but it’s best not to feed them for their own safety and yours. We enjoyed watching them at dusk and dawn. WiFi: Not available in RV park, available at Yavapai Lidge main building and Canyon Village Marketplace (deli). Data (Verizon) was available, but weak signal.
The next morning we got an early start to beat the heat and take the shuttle along the South Rim to the Hermits Rest Viewpoint. We saw most of the viewpoints along the shuttle bus route and then returned to the El Tovar Lodge for lunch at their restaurant. Travel Tip: Book a reservation at this restaurant early to get the time and date you want. It will be full if you try to walk in and you will be turned away in high season. Try the Navajo Bread, its great! (Swipe for Slideshow)
Tonight we saw the sunset over Mather’s Point, the guide books say the best spots for viewing are along the Hermits Rest Shuttle bus line, but I really liked Mather Point. We got some great pictures of the sun setting over the beautiful Grand Canyon. Shuttle buses on this shuttle line (Orange) stops 30 minutes after sunset so don’t hang around too long or you will miss it.
Grand Canyon National Park to Phoenix, Arizona ( 178 miles, 2 hr :35 mins.)
Possible stops along the way: Montezuma’s Castle, Sedona, AZ, and Slide Rock State Park (we didn’t stop here this trip, but if your schedule permits you more time, these are great places to visit)
Stop #6 Phoenix, AZ
Reservation: JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa
Hotel Information: I chose this hotel for the amenities, we dropped off the RV with the owner at the airport and Ubered to the hotel. It was a beautiful hotel with a lazy river, water slides and some nice Fourth of July activities, including fireworks. The restaurants were all delicious and being from the NYC area, they did an excellent job with flavors and presentation. I booked reservations before we got there for Meritage and Tia Carmen, and both were excellent. It was a very large hotel so if you are looking for a smaller feel, this not the place for you, but for two nights before we left it was perfect for us. WiFi: Free.
We flew home July 5th and we left with great memories and tons of great pictures of this beautiful country. Hope you enjoyed my travels and let me know any comments!!!
