Los Angeles to Saskatchewan - looking for recommendations

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Jul 12, 2017
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My wife and daughter and I will be making the trek up to Canada to see my grandparents and bunch of other family this summer, I have a little over 3 weeks blocked off to make the trip starting the last week of June. The plan right now is to drive to Las Vegas, stay for one night in a hotel and then start making our way to Utah, Wyoming and Montana into Saskatchewan where we will then meet up with family, drive across to BC and then head back down home to L.A taking a detour along the Oregon coast.
I'm looking for camping recommendations along our route in Utah, Wyoming and Montana. While I've explored up and down the west coast, this will be new territory for me. We prefer to avoid the crowds.
Any and all help is appreciated, if there are any books or other reference materials I should be looking at please let me know, but I figured this is a good place to start.
Thanks!
 
Vic Harder said:
3 weeks total for the trip, or just one the leg to Saskatchewan?
25 days for the trip. Leaving Los Angeles around the 24th of June and trying to be near Saskatoon by the 4th of July. After that our plans are pretty fluid.
 
Hi when you are coming thru Vegas if you want to camp there is spots off Hwy 160 on the west side of the Mountain after you start down. Lovell Canyon head north back up in to the mountains, there is camping. Don't stay to close to route 160 as they like to shoot around there you will see sings of the range if you could call it that.
We used Deer Creek State park near Provo Utah as an overnight stop once when headed to Wyoming.

Sounds like a great trip ,have fun.

Russ
 
Howdy

The Oregon coast route consists of about 307 miles along highway 101.

From March thru October it will be a non stop parade of motor homes , bicycles, and local folks all mixed with heavy commercial traffic including log and giant chip trucks carrying wood pulp.

All public campgrounds will be reserved and full for most of this time.

A very limited number of state roads lead from the central valley over to the coast....ditto the commercial traffic heading to markets/mills in the valley....these few roads are referred to as "fatality alley."

On each summer holiday there will be gridlock wherever the highway is on or near the Pacific beach.

Enjoy your trip.

David Graves
 
David,

As a frequent traveler on OR 6 and 26, I understand your concern about the safety of travel between the coast & inland. However, traveling Tuesday thru Thursday should reduce the risk during the tourist season. :p

Paul
 
CougarCouple said:
Hi when you are coming thru Vegas if you want to camp there is spots off Hwy 160 on the west side of the Mountain after you start down. Lovell Canyon head north back up in to the mountains, there is camping. Don't stay to close to route 160 as they like to shoot around there you will see sings of the range if you could call it that.
We used Deer Creek State park near Provo Utah as an overnight stop once when headed to Wyoming.

Sounds like a great trip ,have fun.

Russ
Thanks for the info! We’re going to stay in a hotel near Vegas and then start our camping once we get to Utah. I’ll check out deer creek.
 
DavidGraves said:
Howdy

The Oregon coast route consists of about 307 miles along highway 101.

From March thru October it will be a non stop parade of motor homes , bicycles, and local folks all mixed with heavy commercial traffic including log and giant chip trucks carrying wood pulp.

All public campgrounds will be reserved and full for most of this time.

A very limited number of state roads lead from the central valley over to the coast....ditto the commercial traffic heading to markets/mills in the valley....these few roads are referred to as "fatality alley."

On each summer holiday there will be gridlock wherever the highway is on or near the Pacific beach.

Enjoy your trip.

David Graves
Thanks for the info, we’ve traveled the Oregon Coast a few times and are comfortable with the traffic, the views and beaches more than make up for the crowded camp grounds.
Cheers.
 
We are looking for some camp spot recommendations near or in Zion. Other than the posted camp grounds are there primitive camp sites to be found inside the park?
 
VD13 the one time I went thru Zion in summer it was a zoo with people everywhere. Heavy traffic entering and on the park roads. I would advise finding a place make reservations now. If you want to spend a little time in the park stay in the park.
Mesquite can have some good deals sometime, check out the stations casinos on line sign up for email notifications. Please be sure where you park is safe overnight, nothing important left in vehicle. Sad to say but have heard and seen too many crimes of opportunity here in the last 20 years.


Russ
 
CougarCouple said:
VD13 the one time I went thru Zion in summer it was a zoo with people everywhere. Heavy traffic entering and on the park roads. I would advise finding a place make reservations now. If you want to spend a little time in the park stay in the park.
Mesquite can have some good deals sometime, check out the stations casinos on line sign up for email notifications. Please be sure where you park is safe overnight, nothing important left in vehicle. Sad to say but have heard and seen too many crimes of opportunity here in the last 20 years.


Russ
Thanks Russ.
We’re starting to reconsider our Las Vegas pit stop and just drive to St.George on the first day and try to find somewhere to camp.
Thanks for the heads up.
-Mikey
 
Skip Lost Wages.

Get a taste of Utah in Nevada.

Valley of Fire State Park & Campground

Off of Hwy 15 just North of Lost Wages is Crystal and the Moapa Paiute Casino for your turn off reference. Turn East on Valley of Fire Highway. Go 12 -14 miles to Atlatl campground. 72 spaces, no reservations, first come, however, it should be HOT at that time of year, so, there could be open camp sites. If no camp sites, then drive around Valley of Fire (Visitor Center and Mouse's Tank Road and back again to I-15) and head up on to St George area. Or if you get a camp site do the Visitor Center and Mouse's Tank Road before you leave, it's not going to take much of your time.

No dispersed camping inside Zion. It's pretty small and they really, really want to protect the area.

I've dispersed camped overnight, south of Hurricane (Hwy 9, the way to Zion from I-15).
In Hurricane, turn South on S700W / Airport Road, turn West on W 2060 S road, go around the West side of General Dick Stout Field airport, you are now on S 1100 W road, it will twist and turn, past a private airport development on your right, stay to the left after that, and then at the end of pavement just stay on the wider dirt road to the left for about 2 miles, to the following coordinates.

37° 3'27.34"N
113°18'30.02"W

Look the coordinates up on Google Earth.

The Hurricane Ridge escarpment is right to the East, spectacular.

If you like the looks of that kind of spot in Google Earth, let me know and I'll send you to other places.
 
To me Utah will be the most interesting part of this trip North, so, I say spend as many days there as you can.

Here's my whirlwind tour of some of the best places in Utah, by vehicle. Not a lot of time to actually explore, but, you'll get the flavor and this will wet your appetite to return for longer and longer visits. You're going to cover some long distances.

Leaving the 24th, spend that night in Valley of Fire.

Then on the 25th do a half day visit to Zion, as you probably won't find any parking to do even a short hike at the end of the Floor of the Valley Road, but, you might be able to drive it, unless they force you into a shuttle bus. If you get to see the main valley, one way of the other, great, if not, then just continue on Hwy 9, up the canyon wall, through the long cliff side tunnels and out the top / back side of the park. Just about ever time I got that way, it rains and that is fantastic the way the water runs off the rocks on top of the park. Same day turn north on Hwy 89, turn East on Hwy 12 to Bryce Canyon. If you haven't already got reservations at any of the Bryce Canyon campgrounds, and if it's late after noon or evening, then about 3 miles back west on Hwy 12 is Forest Service road 087, also known as E Fork Road, a well maintained gravel road. Go about 7 miles to Tropic Reservoir cross the Dam find the campground. Sometimes there are ATV's & motorcycles there, however, they are usually good about quiet times after dark.

On the 26th visit Bryce Canyon in the AM, go to the end of the paved road in the park, and then as you return, stop at the roadside turnouts to view over the edge, When you're done head on out East on Hwy 12. Escalante is huge and will deserve more time that you have on this trip, but, now you know where it is. After Escalante, Hwy 12 turns north and rides on Hell's Backbone Ridge. Amazing canyons on both side of the road. If it's been hot, Hwy 12 will climb into the Boulder Mountains were there can be some vacant camp sites along the route at some nice cool elevations. iI you don't find any campsites available, or you just want to continue on to Torrey.
I can recommend the folks at Thousand Lakes RV Resort, west of Torrey on Hwy 24 about 2-3 miles from the intersection of Hwy 12 & Hwy 24. You can tell them you are completely self contained (if you actually are) and that one of the out front "tent" sites will work for you, instead of the higher priced "RV" sites with 110 VAC. They have showers ! And, a swimming pool, too. We have never noticed any road noise. Re-provision in Torrey if needed (not much else in the next 100 miles or so). If you want continue East on Hwy 24 to Fruita, visit the Fruita campground or get a reservation to bypass the Thousand Lakes RV resort, or just visit on the 27th. You are now in Capitol Reef National Park.

On the 27th take the dirt road Scenic Drive going South out of Fruita. Enjoy the views in Capitol Reef N. P. both going in and coming back to Fruita. If you had more time Capitol Reef is huge with lots of dirt roads to explore. Continue East on Hwy 24, to Hanksville. EXTRA NOTE: If you had buckets of time, I'd say turn South on Hwy 95, the most beautiful highway ever paved (you'd see Hite Crossing of the Colorado, Natural Bridges and Comb Ridge) and go to Blanding. North on Hwy 191 from Blanding would take you to Moab, Arches National Park, Goose Neck, Canyonlands National Park. But, you don't have the time for this trip. Do it next time.

From Hanksville, you have about 40 miles to get to Hwy 50, and, you'll have to decide to turn West back towards I-15 (about 120 miles) and then North to Salt Lake City, or turn East towards Grand Junction in Colorado (about 120 miles). I've deposited you at the intersection of Hwy 24 and I-50, in the middle of nowhere. You've still got plenty of time to get farther North. You could even slow down and add another day or more in Utah.

I just got carried away while I had some free time to think about being in Utah. Those are my thoughts.

Pick what you want.

Have a great time.
 
Alley-Kat said:
To me Utah will be the most interesting part of this trip North, so, I say spend as many days there as you can.

Here's my whirlwind tour of some of the best places in Utah, by vehicle. Not a lot of time to actually explore, but, you'll get the flavor and this will wet your appetite to return for longer and longer visits. You're going to cover some long distances.

Leaving the 24th, spend that night in Valley of Fire.

Then on the 25th do a half day visit to Zion, as you probably won't find any parking to do even a short hike at the end of the Floor of the Valley Road, but, you might be able to drive it, unless they force you into a shuttle bus. If you get to see the main valley, one way of the other, great, if not, then just continue on Hwy 9, up the canyon wall, through the long cliff side tunnels and out the top / back side of the park. Just about ever time I got that way, it rains and that is fantastic the way the water runs off the rocks on top of the park. Same day turn north on Hwy 89, turn East on Hwy 12 to Bryce Canyon. If you haven't already got reservations at any of the Bryce Canyon campgrounds, and if it's late after noon or evening, then about 3 miles back west on Hwy 12 is Forest Service road 087, also known as E Fork Road, a well maintained gravel road. Go about 7 miles to Tropic Reservoir cross the Dam find the campground. Sometimes there are ATV's & motorcycles there, however, they are usually good about quiet times after dark.

On the 26th visit Bryce Canyon in the AM, go to the end of the paved road in the park, and then as you return, stop at the roadside turnouts to view over the edge, When you're done head on out East on Hwy 12. Escalante is huge and will deserve more time that you have on this trip, but, now you know where it is. After Escalante, Hwy 12 turns north and rides on Hell's Backbone Ridge. Amazing canyons on both side of the road. If it's been hot, Hwy 12 will climb into the Boulder Mountains were there can be some vacant camp sites along the route at some nice cool elevations. iI you don't find any campsites available, or you just want to continue on to Torrey.
I can recommend the folks at Thousand Lakes RV Resort, west of Torrey on Hwy 24 about 2-3 miles from the intersection of Hwy 12 & Hwy 24. You can tell them you are completely self contained (if you actually are) and that one of the out front "tent" sites will work for you, instead of the higher priced "RV" sites with 110 VAC. They have showers ! And, a swimming pool, too. We have never noticed any road noise. Re-provision in Torrey if needed (not much else in the next 100 miles or so). If you want continue East on Hwy 24 to Fruita, visit the Fruita campground or get a reservation to bypass the Thousand Lakes RV resort, or just visit on the 27th. You are now in Capitol Reef National Park.

On the 27th take the dirt road Scenic Drive going South out of Fruita. Enjoy the views in Capitol Reef N. P. both going in and coming back to Fruita. If you had more time Capitol Reef is huge with lots of dirt roads to explore. Continue East on Hwy 24, to Hanksville. EXTRA NOTE: If you had buckets of time, I'd say turn South on Hwy 95, the most beautiful highway ever paved (you'd see Hite Crossing of the Colorado, Natural Bridges and Comb Ridge) and go to Blanding. North on Hwy 191 from Blanding would take you to Moab, Arches National Park, Goose Neck, Canyonlands National Park. But, you don't have the time for this trip. Do it next time.

From Hanksville, you have about 40 miles to get to Hwy 50, and, you'll have to decide to turn West back towards I-15 (about 120 miles) and then North to Salt Lake City, or turn East towards Grand Junction in Colorado (about 120 miles). I've deposited you at the intersection of Hwy 24 and I-50, in the middle of nowhere. You've still got plenty of time to get farther North. You could even slow down and add another day or more in Utah.

I just got carried away while I had some free time to think about being in Utah. Those are my thoughts.

Pick what you want.

Have a great time.
Wow, thank you! My hope was to explore a bit of Utah and then kind of cruise through Wyoming and Montana, so this is perfect.
I have to start making some reservations!
 
Well although a beautiful place........

https://www.whentobewhere.com/travel-listing/valley-fire-state-park


https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/forecast/modelclimate/valley-of-fire-state-park_united-states-of-america_5514329


Utah is looking better, make the extra hour drive and look in Cedar city for a place to camp. If your heart is set on St George check out Sand Hollow.

https://www.planetware.com/utah/best-campgrounds-near-st-george-utah-us-ut-144.htm

I'm bias it is just so hot in my opinion to try camp in that temperature. And if your thinking it will cool off at night, not so much


Russ
 
CougarCouple said:
Well although a beautiful place........

https://www.whentobewhere.com/travel-listing/valley-fire-state-park


https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/forecast/modelclimate/valley-of-fire-state-park_united-states-of-america_5514329


Utah is looking better, make the extra hour drive and look in Cedar city for a place to camp. If your heart is set on St George check out Sand Hollow.

https://www.planetware.com/utah/best-campgrounds-near-st-george-utah-us-ut-144.htm

I'm bias it is just so hot in my opinion to try camp in that temperature. And if your thinking it will cool off at night, not so much


Russ
I appreciate the concern, especially when traveling with a kid, we’d prefer not to camp in blazing hot weather. I’ll take a look at cedar city. Thank you.
 
An alternate to what was described by Alley Kat, take the Burr Trail. It heads east at Boulder. One of my all time favorite camping spots is on the road. See May 11, 2014 in my blog (link below). The spot is located on my map.

A different way to see Zion is to drive north from hwy 9, east of the park. Park at a trail head and walk west until you can look down into the valley. I haven't this, I just read about it somewhere. Go to google earth and I think you can figure it out.
 
Up Montana way, and depending on where you exit Utah or Wyoming, you can consider a few short side trips/stopovers:

If exiting Wyoming on the east of the Rockies, you can look at some remote campground camping in the Custer NF west of Broadus. That could follow a visit to Devil's Tower NM just on the Wyoming side of the border. North of there is a whole lot of high plains with some badlands mixed in, making it possible to consider the National Grasslands tracts and Theodore Roosevelt NP in western North Dakota. More due north from where I-90 crosses from Wyoming into Montana is the Missouri Breaks NM (NP?) and some patches of low mountains in the Lewiston and Rocky Boy areas. You can even cross the Missouri River on a cable ferry at McClelland or Virgelle.

If along the I-15 corridor in eastern Idaho, Several "jug handle" or out-and-back side trips are worth consideration. Craters of the Moon NM is a great place to take kids to (though hotter than the hinges of Heck in early July). You can also loop to the west up ID 28 to Tendoy, turn up a graded gravel road, pass by Sharkey's Hot Spring for a soak, and cross into Montana at Lemhi Pass, where Lewis and Clark crossed in 1805. Descending the MT side takes you right past Bannack, MT enroute back to I-15 at Dillon. An eastward loop off of I-15 starting at the Idaho-Montana state line (Monida, MT) can take you into the vast Centennial Valley for 25-30 miles, thence north into either the Blacktail Creek valley to loop back to Dillon, the Ruby River valley to emerge at Virginia City, MT, or up and along the breathtaking Gravelly Range Road for a 35 mile cruise mostly above timberline to emerge at Ennis, MT on US 287 not too far south of I-90.

Foy
 
Alley-Kat said:
37° 3'27.34"N
113°18'30.02"W

Look the coordinates up on Google Earth.

The Hurricane Ridge escarpment is right to the East, spectacular.

If you like the looks of that kind of spot in Google Earth, let me know and I'll send you to other places.
That looks like an awesome spot! I don't know about the OP, but I would love more to know about more locations like that!
 
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