Plan me an epic trip

[jlp04c]

With camping gear in the truck, Start in Texas, my stops/destinations:

Mt Rushmore
Yellowstone
Arches
Bryce
Zion
Grand Canyon

Home.

Fill in the blanks.. Bonus points will be given for off the path fishing holes, campsites and eccentric places to check out.

2 week cap.

[MadHatter]

Originally Posted by jlp04c

With camping gear in the truck, Start in Texas, my stops/destinations:

Mt Rushmore
Yellowstone
Arches
Bryce
Zion
Grand Canyon

Home.

Fill in the blanks.. Bonus points will be given for off the path fishing holes, campsites and eccentric places to check out.

2 week cap.

If you want it to be epic, leave the vehicle at home.
I caught Yellowstone, Zion, Arches, Bryce, Grand Canyon and a few more on this trip.

[Stickslinger92]

After Bryce Canyon drive towards Escalante and you will go through Part of the Dixie National Forest. There is some great dispersed camping up there at the top of the mountain. We made our camp there in the morning and then drove down and hiked the Lower and Upper Calf Creek falls trails. If I had to suggest one or the other do the Upper Calf Creek. Its such an awesome place. In 45 minutes you can go from top of the mountain to desert/slot canyons. Shoot me a PM if you want more specifics on the area! This is the exact location we camped at. 38°03'13.0"N 111°19'20.0"W

There's dozens of awesome spots up there though.

[Yak blue]

Can I come along? I’m jealous

Not a lot of help, but if you’re doing Mount Rushmore, do yourself a favor and go see the crazy horse memorial that’s still being built. I believe his head is finished. Google the entire story, It’s really neat. I went in the 90s. For first fifty years, not a penny of government money was accepted and it was all donations. Not sure if it’s still that way or not.
Started back in the 40s not long after Rushmore was built. Started by a Rushmore builder.
I got a lot more out of the unfinished crazy horse memorial than Rushmore.

An interesting tidbit, all four president heads could be balled up and fit in the nose of crazy horse, or something like that

[thegrouse]

Look up Mammoth Creek in between Zion and Bryce for fishing, I also recommend the Dixie National Forest. Gemini Bridges is my favorite place to camp near Arches. Hit Lee's Ferry in Northern AZ for trout fishing, be sure to hit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

[SmTx]

I've done Yellowstone, Bryce, and Zion. We didn't catch much in Yellowstone. Fishing the east fork of the Sevier in Utah we got on trout pretty good. That was in a NF.

With 2 weeks I'd skip Rushmore.

[MadHatter]

Originally Posted by thegrouse

Look up Mammoth Creek in between Zion and Bryce for fishing, I also recommend the Dixie National Forest. Gemini Bridges is my favorite place to camp near Arches. Hit Lee's Ferry in Northern AZ for trout fishing, be sure to hit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Northwest rim specifically, imo.

[McPatrickClan]

I thought Wall Drug in South Dakota was very entertaining!

[Smart]

Originally Posted by MadHatter

If you want it to be epic, leave the vehicle at home.
I caught Yellowstone, Zion, Arches, Bryce, Grand Canyon and a few more on this trip.

Hitchhiked?

[Stickslinger92]

We took 10 days just for Southern CO and the following - Arches, Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon.

We only stopped to "look" at Bryce and the North Rim and didn't really spend any time there. If I was you I would think about taking off Yellowstone/Mt Rushmore for another trip. Stop in Southern CO for a day or so to fish and make your way to Moab/Arches from there. You'll be spending a major amount of driving time up to Yellowstone.

[MadHatter]

Originally Posted by Smart

Hitchhiked?

10k plus miles now .
I gotta break the cycle sometimes, it's healthy for my state of mind.

[AntlerCollector]

You’re gonna need another week

[Trumpkin]

Definitely too many stops for the time frame.

[ThisLadyHunts]

Originally Posted by MadHatter

10k plus miles now .
I gotta break the cycle sometimes, it's healthy for my state of mind.

Have you hiked the Appalachian Trail? It is a “bucket list” item for me.

[Lynn21]

U gotta c Alaska bud, maybe next year.

[ThisLadyHunts]

OP, watch Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest before you go to Rushmore.

[MadHatter]

Originally Posted by ThisLadyHunts

Have you hiked the Appalachian Trail? It is a “bucket list” item for me.

Pieces of it, never end to end.

[Quackerbox]

Originally Posted by Trumpkin

Definitely too many stops for the time frame.

Yep

lake city, steamboat, salmon idaho, lake san cristobal come to mind

[bullhead44]

Originally Posted by McPatrickClan

I thought Wall Drug in South Dakota was very entertaining!

hell of a store aint it

[Casey]

Reflection Canyon in Utah on Lake Powell. I want to do that so badly.

[rjtkdplus]

If you love "adventure"(read high pucker factor), drive the 4wd trail from the end of the pavement at Arches. The sign reads 4WD low required, it definitely is. High clearance required, it definitely is. Technical driving required, it definitely is. My son and I did it in my stock Tacoma with Michelin Defenders 265-65-17 on it. We did have to manipulate(move rocks into low spots) the trail in many places to get through without damaging the vehicle and had to get out of the truck multiple times to plot a course. Took about 4.5 hours to do 14 miles. Be sure to carry plenty of supplies, water, food, etc. In case you get stranded. Or rent one of these and you wont have to worry about your truck. https://twistedjeeps.com/.

There are some paths you'll want to stay away from

ROCK CRAWLING IN MOAB at EASTER JEEP SAFARI PART 1 - YouTube

[MadHatter]

Originally Posted by rjtkdplus

If you love "adventure"(read high pucker factor), drive the 4wd trail from the end of the pavement at Arches. The sign reads 4WD low required, it definitely is. High clearance required, it definitely is. Technical driving required, it definitely is. My son and I did it in my stock Tacoma with Michelin Defenders 265-65-17 on it. We did have to manipulate(move rocks into low spots) the trail in many places to get through without damaging the vehicle and had to get out of the truck multiple times to plot a course. Took about 4.5 hours to do 14 miles. Be sure to carry plenty of supplies, water, food, etc. In case you get stranded. Or rent one of these and you wont have to worry about your truck. https://twistedjeeps.com/.

There are some paths you'll want to stay away from ROCK CRAWLING IN MOAB at EASTER JEEP SAFARI PART 1 - YouTube

Nothing that extreme, but a TBH overland would be awesome!

[jshouse]

tag

[jlp04c]

Originally Posted by Stickslinger92

We took 10 days just for Southern CO and the following - Arches, Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon.

We only stopped to "look" at Bryce and the North Rim and didn't really spend any time there. If I was you I would think about taking off Yellowstone/Mt Rushmore for another trip. Stop in Southern CO for a day or so to fish and make your way to Moab/Arches from there. You'll be spending a major amount of driving time up to Yellowstone.

That's one thing I'm noticing is that it is a poke from CO to Yellowstone.. but i've spent so much dang time in Colorado.. for this trip its just a drive through state for me.

[jlp04c]

Originally Posted by Trumpkin

Definitely too many stops for the time frame.

It's also important to note than I'm not looking to explore "fully" each of these destinations. Mainly cross them off the list so to speak. I've seen most of these places already once before, so it's a revisit! It's the filling in the blanks that I'm most interested in!

[jlp04c]

Originally Posted by MadHatter

If you want it to be epic, leave the vehicle at home.
I caught Yellowstone, Zion, Arches, Bryce, Grand Canyon and a few more on this trip.

haha.. that is epic, but I'll have family in tow. But my trip aspirations are the same!

[TX03RUBI]

Originally Posted by jlp04c

With camping gear in the truck, Start in Texas, my stops/destinations:

Mt Rushmore
Yellowstone
Arches
Bryce
Zion
Grand Canyon

Home.

Fill in the blanks.. Bonus points will be given for off the path fishing holes, campsites and eccentric places to check out.

2 week cap.

We did ArchesNP, Canyonlands NP, Glacier NP, Banff NP, Yellowstone NP, and Tetons NP in our epic trip. Of all those I’d absolutely recommend Glacier the most.

[3ChordTruth]

Great topic OP, will be keeping these posts for ideas, thanks to those who posted.

[PlanoDano]

Take the long way into yellowstone. At Cody go up the Cheif Joseph Highway 296 once you pass "Dead Indian Pass" the road goes along the "Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone" which is pretty good fishing. Turn West on the Beartooth highway towards Cook City still following the Clarks Fork. To your north is in my opinion on of the best mountain lake fisheries in the country as the beartooths are filled with mountain lakes but it would take your whole 2 weeks to hike in and enjoy. Continue going west on Beartooth highway until you get to tower junction then turn south on grand loop Rd which follows the Yellowstone river into the Park.
There are camping areas all along this route.

[Smart]

Originally Posted by MadHatter

10k plus miles now .
I gotta break the cycle sometimes, it's healthy for my state of mind.

Dang man that's impressive!.... you are much more adventurous than me in this day and age.

[SmTx]

Originally Posted by Smart

Dang man that's impressive!.... you are much more adventurous than me in this day and age.

Just gotta have that handy hatchet

[mark1j]

Antelope Canyon in Page AZ
Escobars Mexican restaurant in Kanab
Johnson Canyon rd outside of Kanab
Oscars Café in Springdale (Zion)

[jlp04c]

Originally Posted by Stickslinger92

After Bryce Canyon drive towards Escalante and you will go through Part of the Dixie National Forest. There is some great dispersed camping up there at the top of the mountain. We made our camp there in the morning and then drove down and hiked the Lower and Upper Calf Creek falls trails. If I had to suggest one or the other do the Upper Calf Creek. Its such an awesome place. In 45 minutes you can go from top of the mountain to desert/slot canyons. Shoot me a PM if you want more specifics on the area! This is the exact location we camped at. 38°03'13.0"N 111°19'20.0"W

There's dozens of awesome spots up there though.

Now we are talking!!! It's likely this trip will be late June/July.

[txpitdog]

If possible, get an overnight back country permit to do The Narrows in Zion. To look up at the jet black night sky and only see an extremely clear strip of dense stars is something I will never forget.

[tradman]

Pretty random here, but there is a burger joint at the intersection of hwy 89 and hwy 12 close to Bryce canyon. It is owned by a Swedish or Norwegian family if I'm not mistaken. Best burger I think I have ever eaten! It is a small shack with outdoor seating. I really wasn't too impressed with Bryce Canyon after spending the majority of the week in Zion, but the burger was worth the drive if nothing else...

[jlp04c]

Originally Posted by txpitdog

If possible, get an overnight back country permit to do The Narrows in Zion. To look up at the jet black night sky and only see an extremely clear strip of dense stars is something I will never forget.

Noted, keep them coming

[topher]

Canyonland N.P., Moab
Highway 279 Rock Art Site, Moab
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Lake Powell, we rode the ferry across it in Glenn Canyon National Area
Mexican Hat
Goosenecks State Park

If you make it to Colorado
California Pass
Alpine Loop
Engineer Pass
Ophir Pass
Grand Mesa

I was on a dual sport motorcycle while doing this, took 2 weeks off and trailered to Westcliffe and made a big circle to Nevada and back, around 2,300 miles. Tent camp off the trails mostly. Could list more for you but this is a good start. Saw lots of country on the Honda that most folks will never see.

[IOWA BOW HUNTER]

Originally Posted by jlp04c

With camping gear in the truck, Start in Texas, my stops/destinations:

Mt Rushmore
Yellowstone
Arches
Bryce
Zion
Grand Canyon

Home.

Fill in the blanks.. Bonus points will be given for off the path fishing holes, campsites and eccentric places to check out.

2 week cap.

If your going to rushmore do yourself a favor and go to needles eye (25 mins from rushmore will take you a bit to drive up the rocky cliff but its worth it, and go to the badlands (like 45 minutes from rushmore) its really pretty country. Best time to go is before kids get out of school for the summer and start touring.

Wall drugs interesting but not worth the drive out of the way, bunch of old western crap ect..

[TxMedic]

We did 2 similar trips in college...Black Hills, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Moab, Arches, Gunneson and back to Texas. Second one was Rocky Mountain Natl Park, Royal Gorge, Grand Canyon and Zion. Both were epic trips!

[jlp04c]

Bump!

[jlp04c]

I've extended the duration to 18-20 days.. ha

[AntlerCollector]

Originally Posted by jlp04c

I've extended the duration to 18-20 days.. ha

There ya go!

[DFA]

Going to be such a great trip. I hope t do similar in the next couple years. I really want to go and hike Kings Canyon National Park. Be sure and post pics