Archive 2013 · Need help camp/photo stop from Chicago to Los Angeles

sangdabom73
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Need help camp/photo stop from Chicago to Los Angeles

Hello!!!

I need recommendation on camp or photo stop from Chicago to Los Angeles road trip. A good friend of mine is moving from Chicago to LA and I'm gonna be driving with him. I lived in Denver area for 6 years so I visited RMNP many times, so we arent gonna stop by RMNP.

We plan to spend about 5 days for this road trip and thinking about some day hikes or tent/car camping on some places. We are both physically fit and open to different activities too.
What do you guys think a must stop locations

We dont want to take too much detour off from i70 and i15.

Thanks for your ideas!!!

Apr 24, 2013 at 04:10 PM

astv99
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Need help camp/photo stop from Chicago to Los Angeles

Quite a few spots in Utah you could stop by - Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Zion NP, etc. Or Valley of Fire near Las Vegas?

Apr 24, 2013 at 07:30 PM

stanparker
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Need help camp/photo stop from Chicago to Los Angeles

Not to be unkind, but there is little of interest on your route east of Denver. Oh, there are some minor opportunities, but hardly worth the effort. Lots of scenery along I-70 through CO and UT, just make you choices and enjoy. As said, Valley of Fire is a great stop. Death Valley may already be too hot.

Apr 24, 2013 at 07:39 PM

JimFox
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Need help camp/photo stop from Chicago to Los Angeles

Hi Sang,

I think Asrale laid it out for you if you are taking the I-70 to the I-15 then that pretty much defines your trip.

If you have been to RMNP already, then simply hot foot it straight to Moab. It's about 45 mins down from the I-70. with a 5 day trip that involves about 3 days of driving, that leaves you two days to explore around Moab. Hit Arches one day, then go up into Canyonlands the 2nd day. There is plenty of campgrounds around there for you. Then as you head down the I-15, if you still have time drive down into Valley of Fire.

At least, that's what I think I would do.

Jim

Apr 24, 2013 at 07:41 PM

sangdabom73
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Need help camp/photo stop from Chicago to Los Angeles

Thanks alot for your imputs!!!
I expected nothing much from Chicago to Denver anyways.
Right now, I'm looking at arches national park, one or two night mt bike ride at Moab, one night at Grand Canyon and lastly one night at Bryce.
I will check out the Canyon Lands NP and Valley of Fire. I've never heard of them before.

Maybe, I'm aiming to do too much, but we will sleep one night before we arrive at Arches and spend two nights at Moab riding about 30-40 miles a day. After Moab, its about 5hr driving to Grand Canyon and spend a night there. Another 6hr driving to Bryce Canyon and spend another night there.

That's 5 nights and 6 days.

Too much?

Apr 24, 2013 at 08:13 PM

John Zeman
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Need help camp/photo stop from Chicago to Los Angeles

Sounds like you're underestimating the size of the Grand Canyon, an easy mistake to make if you haven't actually been there.
If it were me I'd go from Moab to Bryce, and then to the Grand Canyon.

But yes, speaking as one who once made a trip like you're thinking about, it is too much, way too much.

Apr 24, 2013 at 09:28 PM


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