Camping and Hiking in the West- Advice

[lagringa87xc]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Anyone have opinions on:
1. cheap/free places to camp in a tent in Colorado not too far from I-70 and in Southern Utah.

2. places I can't afford to miss on my 3 week drive to Cali!
(St. louis to San Diego)

Thanks!

 

[easye]

Moab, Utah

KOA campground, it's pretty nice.

 

[Larsitron]

Sedona, Arizona may be on your route and it's totally worth it for the scenery as well as the crazy people that hang around the so-called "Vortex" which supposedly is an epicenter for positive energy in the earth.

 

[Handle]

In-N-Out.

Stop at the first one you see, and then every one after that.

I'm not a big fast food fan, but what I wouldn't give to see them start popping up in Texas.

 

[AnotherDork]

Bryce Canyon, Utah. Gorgeous. You can camp there, too. Hands down my favorite place when I drove cross country.

 

[shadAU]

Anyone have opinions on:
2. places I can't afford to miss on my 3 week drive to Cali!
(St. louis to San Diego)

Thanks!

1. Take the scenic route over the Loveland Pass instead of the tunnel and check out the continental divide
2. Hike Mt. Elbert and stand on the highest peak in the Rockies.
3. Moab!

 

[robinhood]

1. Take the scenic route over the Loveland Pass instead of the tunnel and check out the continental divide
2. Hike Mt. Elbert and stand on the highest peak in the Rockies.
3. Moab!

Grand Canyon...

Hoover Dam...

Bryce Canyon....

 

[shadAU]

Sedona, Arizona may be on your route and it's totally worth it for the scenery as well as the crazy people that hang around the so-called "Vortex" which supposedly is an epicenter for positive energy in the earth.

I saw the Penn & Teller on that, and it was pretty hilarious.

 

[kch207]

I agree with all of the others who have recommended Moab. Especially if you are into mountain biking it is a place not to be missed. Arches National Park is beautiful too. I would also add Zion National Park, Grand Canyon, Boulder Colorado and Vegas is definitely a sight to see if you have the time. I just finished driving cross country and to keep it cheap I slept in my car a lot. Maybe not the safest option, but there are rest stops out West and no one will bother you. I was a female all by myself and had no problems. Have fun, it's an amazing experience. I would also recommend that you stay off I-70 and other major roads as much as possible. It's a little slower going on the state highways but well worth it for the scenery and local flavor that you'll experience.

 

[ShyRem]

Grand Junction also has the Colorado National Monument (which is absolutely gorgeous) and an ongoing dinosaur dig (they found one of the most complete skeletons of some big dinosaur near Fruita - they're banking on more being around so they're checking). Nice thing about Grand Junction - it's rather small, relatively low crime rate, LOTS OF SPACE around, and relatively cheap. I think you can camp in the state/federal forests around there. Moab is about one-two hours away. Arches is also just a day trip. If you like mountain biking, some of the best slick rock in the country is all around there.

 

[myodana]

crested butte, colorado. perfect little town. love it.

 

[NeuroSync]

crested butte, colorado. perfect little town. love it.

Maybe, but WAY off I-70...

 

[shadAU]

Also, if you want rafting, do the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas down in Canon City, Colorado. Awesome awesome awesome. And if you really want an experience, try to hit it up around the first of June when the snowmelt is really coming off the mountains and the river is at its peak for the season.

And if you like to fish, hike up to Chicago Lakes near Idaho Springs, Colorado. This is still the most spectacularly beautiful place I've ever been.

 

[freaker]

I HATE Vegas. There is no bigger waste of time and space on the American continent. 😉 Works for some people, obviously.

Colorado Route-62 (it's a gravel/dirt road) that winds its way into Georgetown, Colorado, after meandering around Mt. Evans is one of the most beautiful roads I've ever been on. I think you access it coming up from Colorado Springs. Georgetown is pretty accessible from Denver, and it's a cool little town, as well.

It's a shame you'll miss Montana. It gets my vote for most beautiful state in the union. The Madison River Valley is immaculate. Really, the whole western portion of the state. Utah would be a close second, and you're really going to love southern Utah.

As others have said, see Bryce and Zion. Canyonlands is a great place to really get lost.

If you're going through Arizona, hit up Coyote Buttes. You won't be disappointed.

 

[getunconcsious]

I HATE Vegas. There is no bigger waste of time and space on the American continent.

😱
Blasphemy! Vegas is the coolest town on earth 😎 OP if you want info on it, just PM me, I used to live there.

 

[eralza]

If you are around the Utah/Arizona border, make a trip down Buckskin Gulch outside of Kanab, UT. I hiked the Paria narrows a decade ago, and it was spectacular. One of the best slot canyons I've ever been through. Ten years ago, it was pristine, but I imagine things have changed a bit.

 

[riceman04]

Anyone have opinions on:
1. cheap/free places to camp in a tent in Colorado not too far from I-70 and in Southern Utah.

2. places I can't afford to miss on my 3 week drive to Cali!
(St. louis to San Diego)

Thanks!

Beware of Rattlesnakes! The western diamondback (the really nasty species) is out here in cali

 

[registered user]

Black Canyon of the Gunninson. Dinosaur Natl Monument. Joshua Tree.
There are so many cool places to see.

If you can go farther north, check out the Tetons.

You can camp for free, or at least real cheap in all these places.

 

[redrocks]

I'm a little biased, being from southern Utah, but I Zions is amazing. You can't go wrong with any of the national parks though. Here is a link with a photo tour and explanation of the different parks:
http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/

 

[riceman04]

In-N-Out.

Stop at the first one you see, and then every one after that.

I'm not a big fast food fan, but what I wouldn't give to see them start popping up in Texas.

NOW THAT IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!!!! PEOPLE EVERYWHERE WHO DONT LIVE IN THE WEST MUST WONDER WHY WE true WESTERNERS (meaning those who dont live in west texas, colo, utah, and I-da-ho) RAVE SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH ABOUT IN N OUT BURGER!!!!
can you say yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!


Now how about this one:

that's right, I took it there! Fatburger is also the co-king of the west (well only california and arizona right now)

 

[BravaItaliana]

I'm all for the southwest national parks (they are indeed glorious) but if you're heading out to california you can't miss Tahoe. There's a reason Mark Twain called it the fairest picture the whole earth affords. Go visit, you won't regret it, and it's a wonderful break from summer heat!
(And stop in my hometown of Truckee, right on I-80, go to Wild Cherries Coffeehouse and relax a bit. You won't regret it.)