Vicki and I are tentatively trying to decide on a possable trip to Utah in the next year or two. We will have between one and two weeks. Things we would like to do, take the offroad XJ with offroad trailer and whitewater cateraft. We would like to see and wheel some of the offroad trails and roads through various canyon parks etc, also take a couple of day trips on the Colorado river. Has anyone done trips like this and what suggestions on places & things to do etc? Any suggestions on the best time of year too. I know it's a long time out there but I like to plan things in advance so there will be fewer suprises! Maybe even any others who would like to tag along. It will likely be a low budget DIY type of trip.
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NWOL EST. 2006
ADVENTURE TRAVEL ENTHUSIASTS DEDICATED TO OVERLAND EXPLORATION
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Here goe's. I did more research and found since 2010, itd lrgal to carry in nat parks. If you are legal to carry in the state the park is in your good. Utah and Wash have recip agreements on CCW. Also, now it's legal to have dogs too, as long as they are leashed. Good news!
Yeah, late summer or early fall is probably the sweet spot. There are so many cool areas in that region, guaranteed you will feel like you missed so many places. National Parks/Monuments in the area are great but highly regulated and busy. We were lucky enough to literally have a whole National Monument to ourselves, Natural Bridges, 1 other car during the day but no one else camped. It was mid January, although the weather was great for our trip. Off road travel in late winter or early spring can be sketchy as the roads turn to slick red clay. Can be real beautiful that time of year, but travel can be tough.
Check out Valley of the Gods (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jrbadhabit/albums/72157650584253661). It's BLM land so few or no restrictions. Similar landscapes to Monument Valley, but not tightly controlled. Bears Ears (now a National Monument) is nearby, along with Goosenecks State Park. Take the Moki Dugway (it'll keep your heart rate up if you don't like heights...) up to the Cedar Mesa area. Lots of side roads that get you out to old Indian ruins, most if not all require some fair amount of hiking, but well worth it (https://utah.com/monument-valley/cedar-mesa).
I would definitely put White Rim on your list. We went the last week of September and it was perfect. A bit less crowded since school had already started. Weather was nice but much cooler than the height of summer. I think we were in the low 80s most of the time.
I’m going to monitor this thread. I’ve been thinking a week long trip between Moab and Zion would be a lot of fun. Try to get away from the highways and enjoy the terrian around there.