- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: Out west family trip: help me plan route/sights
Posted on 9/10/20 at 12:01 pm to baldona
Posted on 9/10/20 at 12:01 pm to baldona
thanks for the suggestions, please keep them coming...
We haven't been to vegas and not really interested in doing vegas type things in general (in the city i mean). looking at the map, flying there and hitting the hoover dam did cross my mind, though...
We haven't been to vegas and not really interested in doing vegas type things in general (in the city i mean). looking at the map, flying there and hitting the hoover dam did cross my mind, though...
1
Posted on 9/10/20 at 12:21 pm to poochie
also, not dead set on south to north through that route. could do something like denver up to the badlands then across wyoming then up through idaho. That would show my boys some mountians for sure!
is mount rushmore worth seeing?
is mount rushmore worth seeing?
Posted on 9/10/20 at 2:20 pm to poochie
quote:
is mount rushmore worth seeing?
Not really. If you're going to be near there, maybe, but I wouldn't make any special trip for it.
But I've only been there one time way back in 1986. Even as a kid it was kind of a letdown.
Posted on 9/10/20 at 3:45 pm to poochie
quote:
is mount rushmore worth seeing?
If you go, catch Devil's Tower on the same route.
Posted on 9/10/20 at 3:55 pm to Shexter
I have a college buddy that is climbing Devil's Tower today.
Posted on 9/10/20 at 4:17 pm to Shexter
That’s on the list if we make that loop. Plus passing through Kaycee, Wyoming, hometown of the GOAT country artist, Chris Ledoux.
So in general, what would be the better route for a trip? Denver/mt Rushmore/Jackson hole/Montana/Idaho or the one I laid out before staring around four corners then ending up in Idaho? Both would have the approx same amount of driving.
North/south would add monument valley
The Denver/Wyoming loop would add devils tower, mt Rushmore, and I assume more legit mountains.
So in general, what would be the better route for a trip? Denver/mt Rushmore/Jackson hole/Montana/Idaho or the one I laid out before staring around four corners then ending up in Idaho? Both would have the approx same amount of driving.
North/south would add monument valley
The Denver/Wyoming loop would add devils tower, mt Rushmore, and I assume more legit mountains.
This post was edited on 9/10/20 at 4:31 pm
Posted on 9/10/20 at 4:47 pm to poochie
quote:
Th Day1 fly into Albaqurque, drive to Farmington, NM (3h driving)
Fr Day2 Farmington to Provo hitting four corners and monument valley (8h driving)
Sa Day3
Su Day4
Mo Day5 drive to Jackson Hole (5h driving)
A couple of ideas to consider.
If your kids are into dinosaurs The Dinosaur National Monument Visitor Center is about 3 hours east of Provo near Jensen, UT.
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is north of there, on the way to Jackson, WY. There is the Red Canyon Campground near Flaming Gorge in the Ashley National Forest that could be a good spot to stop for a night. The drive from Vernal, Utah to Manila is a fun drive in a car, don't know about an RV.
[/url][/img] 
[/url][/img] A couple of pics from the Dino. Nat. Monument. near the visitor center. They enclosed part of a dig to show the bones.
[/url][/img] View of Flaming Gorge from a scenic overlook on the ride from Manila to Vernal. We went north to south from Yellowstone making our way to Rocky Mt. Nat. Park.
Mt. Rushmore is near Rapid City, SD and there are a lot of things to do near there; Custer State Park, Badlands, Deadwood, Sturgis (don't think much happens when it is not bike week), some caves, lots of scenic drives. It is a great place to visit. And Devils Monument is not far and on the way west. And Little Big Horn. The Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, WY is worth a stop if your interested in old west stuff.
Most of these places are a little farther east than I thought you planned to go but you asked about Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands.
Posted on 9/10/20 at 4:51 pm to poochie
quote:
yes please any tips/sights would be greatly appreciated. that's about the same duration we're looking at while skipping the drive to and from louisiana.
Are you skipping the canyon??
We loved the north rim. Stayed at Jacob’s Lake.
We then did Utah from far SW to Moab. There is stunning BEAUTY In between!
Posted on 9/10/20 at 4:56 pm to bayoubengals88
Less traveled, but just as lovely as anything is the remote areas to the southwest and east of Steamboat. Rabbit Ears Pass and Mt. Zirkel Wilderness. You can’t beat it!!
Lastly, the Flat Tops Wilderness bear Yampa is VERY nice.
Lastly, the Flat Tops Wilderness bear Yampa is VERY nice.
Posted on 9/10/20 at 5:35 pm to poochie
You could spend 10 days in just southern Utah.
For that timeline, I’d go Flagstaff to Grand Canyon NR to Grand Staircase to Zion to Bryce to Utah Hwy 12 to Capital Reef to Arches/Moab.
From there either:
-Cayonlands to Monument Valley back to Flagstaff
-Grand Junction or Denver
-SLC
As others have said, if your trip is soon avoid all Navajo land.
For that timeline, I’d go Flagstaff to Grand Canyon NR to Grand Staircase to Zion to Bryce to Utah Hwy 12 to Capital Reef to Arches/Moab.
From there either:
-Cayonlands to Monument Valley back to Flagstaff
-Grand Junction or Denver
-SLC
As others have said, if your trip is soon avoid all Navajo land.
Posted on 9/10/20 at 5:55 pm to poochie
My first choice (probably cheaper) would be fly into Denver, drive to Lander, WY and spend the night. Up early the next morning to drive to Old Faithful Lodge. I'd spend one night there and then 3 nights at Canyon Lodge in Canyon Village. I'd do my sightseeing out of there. I'd drive to Jackson Hole after that and spend 2-3 nights there. I'd make sure to do a Snake River float trip one of the days. I'd spend a day driving down to Moab (Arches and Canyonlands) and be there for 2 nights. Next, I'd complete the loop and head back to Denver. You could spend your last night in Estes Park. Or maybe head out in the afternoon and get closer to Grand Lake. I'd do Trail Ridge Road and spend my last night in Estes Park before heading out of Denver.
I think you are trying to see too many places. I also think a lot of them are similar. After you leave Albuquerque, it's all sort of similar till you get up towards Provo. Also, why go to Jackson Hole and not go on up to Yellowstone, one of our countries most memorable parks? To me you're spending time seeing some things in NM and AZ when you could be in Yellowstone. I agree about CDA. It's pretty and nice, but I'd consider it more of a resort and touristy location, rather than seeing the country's beauty as in the national parks.
I think you are trying to see too many places. I also think a lot of them are similar. After you leave Albuquerque, it's all sort of similar till you get up towards Provo. Also, why go to Jackson Hole and not go on up to Yellowstone, one of our countries most memorable parks? To me you're spending time seeing some things in NM and AZ when you could be in Yellowstone. I agree about CDA. It's pretty and nice, but I'd consider it more of a resort and touristy location, rather than seeing the country's beauty as in the national parks.
Posted on 9/10/20 at 6:14 pm to LaLadyinTx
Once you’ve seen Grand Teton, Yellowstone is entirely underwhelming. Kind of like Paris vs. Bunkie...
Posted on 9/10/20 at 8:41 pm to bayoubengals88
We did western adventures with younger kids many times. Colorado is a great place. You can make a loop and catch a lot of different things. Great sand dunes, royal gorge, whitewater rafting in Salida. Move to alpine loop area of lake city, Gunnison, Durango, Ouray. Ride 4 wheelers or Jeeps through the alpine loop. Some of the best scenery in the world. Visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Move on to Rocky Mountain National Park for great hiking and wildlife viewing. Deer, elk, moose, sheep, all very common. Chance for Bears as well.
You can always include Pikes peak, Garden of the Gods, and other more popular spots to visit.
You can always include Pikes peak, Garden of the Gods, and other more popular spots to visit.
Posted on 9/10/20 at 10:12 pm to nctiger71
Green River has good rafting opps.
Posted on 9/11/20 at 7:31 am to MikeHoncho47
quote:
Four Corners is overrated. Worth seeing once but that's about it.
Yep. If you just have to go, you only need to budget a minute there to take a picture on the big marker and then you can go do something more worth your time.
Unless your hobby is collecting knockoff touristy Indian memorabilia.
This post was edited on 9/11/20 at 7:32 am
Posted on 9/11/20 at 8:14 am to poochie
Posted on 9/11/20 at 9:29 am to bayoubengals88
quote:
Once you’ve seen Grand Teton, Yellowstone is entirely underwhelming. Kind of like Paris vs. Bunkie...
I've seen them both as a child and I totally disagree with this statement. They are dramatically different. My adult self would prefer Grand Teton. My child self much preferred Yellowstone. I actually remember the geysers and all the weird hot spring formations. I was 8. At the time, to me, Grand Teton was just some more mountains. I do remember the Snake River float trip. But the rest...I think kids would love Yellowstone.
Posted on 9/11/20 at 12:43 pm to LaLadyinTx
quote:I've just got to shite on Yellowstone at least once per year. Nothing personal.
I've seen them both as a child and I totally disagree with this statement.
Posted on 9/11/20 at 3:58 pm to MikeHoncho47
quote:
Four Corners is overrated. Worth seeing once but that's about it.
Im a history buff, Mesa Verde was pretty damn cool to me.
Posted on 9/11/20 at 9:38 pm to poochie
Canyonlands- The Needles region.
Page 2 of 3
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News