The grand circle

[R.J.1]

Has anyone camped "The grand circle"? Sounds like an awesome adventure for a couple of retirees from NY.

 

[Domo]

We've done the circle at our own pace several times as we prefer staying and enjoying the parks/campgrounds and exchange information and grand tales with other campers.

I perused --> an article <-- where the author talked about visiting 20 national/state parks in 15 days. That's a big NO from us. But, in defense of that author, some folks are pressed for time and can abide driving the short distances, setting up, visiting some of the park and settling down before moving on.

Back "in the day" when we had a pull-behind Scamp we'd put on more miles than sightsee - took us a few trips to slow down. Now, if we do 150-200 miles in a day we're ready to stop and will likely stay for two nights.

No matter your hurry while traveling - enjoy. Those "roses*" all want to be smelled!



* The roses version is actually a rephrasing of; “You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry. Don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” from Walter Hagen's biography 1956.

 

[Jackiemac]

That was our first trip to the US back in 2006. We did a whistle stop tour in 10 days and it gave us a good flavour if the Southwest and we knew we'd want to go back.

We now visit these places regularly.

What kind of camping are you looking for, RV Parks or can you boondock?

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Adventure Caravans does the Grand Circle in 27 days, which I would say is the minimum if you actually want to see the sites. The 15 day quick-tour promoted by GoRVing is for those whose sole objective is to check off each box on a"been there, done that" list.

Note that the list of Grand Circle sites to see is somewhat flexible - you could probably lay claim to have done it even though you only saw about half the sites, i.e. the major national parks and national monuments.

We never tried to do them all at once - I think it was 3-4 years to catch them all on our several trips out West (we were Florida-based). We've visited Yellowstone several times and Arches twice and still haven't seen all of each.

 

[R.J.1]

That was our first trip to the US back in 2006. We did a whistle stop tour in 10 days and it gave us a good flavour if the Southwest and we knew we'd want to go back.

We now visit these places regularly.

What kind of camping are you looking for, RV Parks or can you boondock?

Towing a 28'Forrest River East to West with a '24 Chevy 3/4 ton truck. Camping mostly RV parks, but not opposed to occasional boondocking. Rigged for both.

 

[Jackiemac]

Southwest USA Itineraries - Grand Circle

The Grand Circle, a loop through the most famous Southwest parks, in north Arizona and south Utah - Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Monument Valley, Lake Powell and Grand Canyon. Tour starts from Las Vegas

www.americansouthwest.net

This is one route.

I will have a look for info for you on places we have stayed.

How long are you planning on touring that route?

Will you be hiking?

 

[LarsMac]

I was reading about that. Though I'm thinking that would be a cool idea to take a year to run that circle.

 

[garyb1st]

With the exception of Kadochrome and Escalante, we've done them all. Just not all at once. For several, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, at least 4 or 5 times. I doubt we'll ever tire of going back.

 

[John From Detroit]

There is a lovely road called Kodachrome I think in Utah.. YOU DO NOT want to take a Class A down it (I did. and survived. but not much excites me.. There are spots where you are like 2" off the cliff on one side and 2" over on the other (Body only not tires)

 

[MN Blue Skies aka Max]

Has anyone camped "The grand circle"? Sounds like an awesome adventure for a couple of retirees from NY.

We did the Grand Circle last year. DH (Dear Husband) said it was "awe inspiring".

I see several people have responded to your post. Let us know if we can provide you with any information from our experience.

 

[Yoshi1]

Hi, If its helpful, here is a list of campgrounds we stayed at a few years ago from MD. Great time as everyone said.

 

[MN Blue Skies aka Max]

During our travels over the last 10 years, DH (Dear Husband) and I have learned that we will never see it all. Lots of good suggestions provided. here. Our advice is to take your time if possible.

 

[R.J.1]

Hi, If its helpful, here is a list of campgrounds we stayed at a few years ago from MD. Great time as everyone said.

View attachment 1105351

That sounds awesome. Might to run a very similar route form Upstate NY.

 

[Jackiemac]

That sounds awesome. Might to run a very similar route form Upstate NY.

When are you going? I've not forgotten about the list but not had the time to compile it yet.

 

[quaddriver]

This is our plan in a couple years when we are both fully retired. We wanna do 2 laps of the US, an outer, and an inner, taking a year each...drive a day, stay a week or more, north in summer, south in winter. I drove big truck as a long distance furniture mover in HS/college so want to show DW the US the way I saw it as much as I can - I realize its all built up and everything is paved over now. But one of my fav views in the early 80s was descending west into Amarillo where you saw the town an hour before you arrived and any lights before hand was just something industrial or isolated....

This being the future, I know you can no longer just pull up and get a spot at a campground for a week, it all has to be reserved and my bro in cali sez the campgrounds down the left coast you have to reserve at least a year in advance....yikes.

IS a trip like this the 'grand circle' or a larger version?

 

[Jackiemac]

The grand circle goes around the Grand Canyon. See post 6 above.