Thread: Scenic route back from Bonneville Speed Week. What to see?

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Since we are already going to be out there, we are going to take a couple extra days on the way back and see a bit of the country.

What are the must see sights in Utah, Nevada, Colorado or Arizona?

We are kinda thinking of making a big loop or zig zagging through those states somehow. Right now the list is penciled in as:

Las Vegas strip at night
Grand Canyon (is North or South side better?)
Arches National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park

Where would y'all go? Oh yeah, I'm trying to do this on a shoestring budget.

Don't miss Yellowstone National Park, it's a MUST see, you will remember it for the rest of your life. When you leave Vegas, drive over Hoover Dam. Once when I was there, I took a helicopter ride around Lake Mead then over Hoover Dam and dropped down the backside of the dam, the view from the chopper was breathtaking.

Originally Posted by Mike52

Don't miss Yellowstone National Park, it's a MUST see, you will remember it for the rest of your life. When you leave Vegas, drive over Hoover Dam. Once when I was there, I took a helicopter ride around Lake Mead then over Hoover Dam and dropped down the backside of the dam, the view from the chopper was breathtaking.

I do planning on going to Hoover dam, but it will probably be just a quick photo op and then hit the road again.

I agree with Mike on Yellowstone. It is a beautiful park and one you will never forget once you visit, but it appears to be quite a bit north of your proposed loop.
I assume you plan to leave B'ville heading south toward Las Vegas, then loop up I15 and pick up I70 to Moab? If this is your route I recommend you take time to swing through Zion National Park , and also Bryce Canyon. If you can only do one I have been told that Bryce Canyon is fantastic - we did not want drive the extra miles from Moab last year, and have regretted it since. In the Moab area Arches is awesome and the one to see if you can only do one, but if you can you should also see the North Canyonlands SW of town. The north part (less than 10 miles from downtown Moab) is a drive on the upper rim of the canyon - awesome views, especially early morning and before dusk when colors really pop. As you leave Moab, be sure to take 128 north along the river to I70 - great any time, but especially pretty before the sun is too high. When you get to Grand Junction, consider swinging south on 50 to Montrose and Gunnison toward Salida, catching 24 north to Vail as you make your way to Rocky Mountain NP. If you have time, loop down from Montrose on 550 to Durango, east on 160 to South Fork, then toward Gunnison on 149 - scenic two lane roads, but unforgetable beauty. The area from Montrose to Durango is some of the most beautiful in Colorado - especially the Ouray/Silverton area - they filmed Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid around Silverton/Durango.
I'll hush now - we love the National Parks, and just got back last night from a week in the Smokies, your back yard. Saw momma bear with three cubs Thursday morning, which was a trip highlight!!

Originally Posted by rspears

I agree with Mike on Yellowstone. It is a beautiful park and one you will never forget once you visit, but it appears to be quite a bit north of your proposed loop.
I assume you plan to leave B'ville heading south toward Las Vegas, then loop up I15 and pick up I70 to Moab? If this is your route I recommend you take time to swing through Zion National Park , and also Bryce Canyon. If you can only do one I have been told that Bryce Canyon is fantastic - we did not want drive the extra miles from Moab last year, and have regretted it since. In the Moab area Arches is awesome and the one to see if you can only do one, but if you can you should also see the North Canyonlands SW of town. The north part (less than 10 miles from downtown Moab) is a drive on the upper rim of the canyon - awesome views, especially early morning and before dusk when colors really pop. As you leave Moab, be sure to take 128 north along the river to I70 - great any time, but especially pretty before the sun is too high. When you get to Grand Junction, consider swinging south on 50 to Montrose and Gunnison toward Salida, catching 24 north to Vail as you make your way to Rocky Mountain NP. If you have time, loop down from Montrose on 550 to Durango, east on 160 to South Fork, then toward Gunnison on 149 - scenic two lane roads, but unforgetable beauty. The area from Montrose to Durango is some of the most beautiful in Colorado - especially the Ouray/Silverton area - they filmed Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid around Silverton/Durango.
I'll hush now - we love the National Parks, and just got back last night from a week in the Smokies, your back yard. Saw momma bear with three cubs Thursday morning, which was a trip highlight!!

Wow, you have this trip planning thing down to an art form!

Originally Posted by Flipper_1938

Wow, you have this trip planning thing down to an art form!

Just spent a lot of time in that area with the Jeep, and on family trips.

Originally Posted by Flipper_1938

I do planning on going to Hoover dam, but it will probably be just a quick photo op and then hit the road again.

If your going to take the time to go to Hoover Dam, then you "need to also take the tour" down into the dam. It's amazing to think they built it in the 1920's.

ya can always stop in wells nv. at donna's ranch or pattie's hacienda about 50mi west of b vill

Very Cool thanks for posting,the bikes are a great way of getting around.

Originally Posted by Blow by

Very Cool thanks for posting,the bikes are a great way of getting around.

I had concerns that the higher elevation was going to be rough, but we usually rode 15+ miles a day with ease.

I am already anxious to go back. My daughter is going out on the nexy trip.

I was there in 08 and will hopefully go again next year,we used the bikes a lot while there and found it a great way to get around.Luckily I live at elevation so I wasn't to winded.One day if I ever become Hamb worthy would like to take a ride out there and cruise.

Where I live is only 700 ft above sea level. Bonneville didn't seem all that bad, but a couple of places in the rockies kicked my butt