Buck America - S. Utah

[buck]

I'm a flat lander from NC and headed west for the 4th leg of my 'Buck America' tour. I keep the Nomad in Oregon and will be heading for southern Utah in late spring, early summer. My question is - when would be the best month (Apr, May June) to visit the national parks and tour the great state of Utah? I am thinking I will base my trip out of the Kanab area and probably not go further north than Moab. Is late April, early May too soon? Since I am a motorcycle camping die hard, this old dog doesn't want to be camping in subfreezing weather. I'd welcome the input of my local Nomad brothers. Thanks... buck

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Buck

I'm a flat lander from NC and headed west for the 4th leg of my 'Buck America' tour. I keep the Nomad in Oregon and will be heading for southern Utah in late spring, early summer. My question is - when would be the best month (Apr, May June) to visit the national parks and tour the great state of Utah? I am thinking I will base my trip out of the Kanab area and probably not go further north than Moab. Is late April, early May too soon? Since I am a motorcycle camping die hard, this old dog doesn't want to be camping in subfreezing weather. I'd welcome the input of my local Nomad brothers. Thanks... buck

I spent the first 39 years of my life in Utah (SLC area). Unless you are going to be around the Bryce Canyon area, with high altitudes and lots of snow, you should be fine. It will be plenty warm around Moab. Kanab should be fine, also.

If you'll be in Kanab, I recommend taking Hwy 89 through Page, AZ. About 25 mi south of Page, take the turn off at Bitter Springs, then head NW across the Colorado River at Navajo Bridge. This is called Marble Canyon and is virtually the eastern end of the Grand Canyon. Stay on that road and see the Vermillion Cliffs, then you climb up to Jacob Lake. Keep going and you'll drop back down out of the pines and continue across the high desert to Fredonia, AZ. Keep going and go through Colorado City, AZ, Hildale, UT and end up in Hurricane, UT. You can enter Zion NP there and head back east toward Moab. I made this ride going from Hurricane to Flagstaff last summer and the scenery is absolutely spectacular.

[buck]

Thanks CactusJack. That's the kind of info I'm looking for. Excited to make the trip. buck

[cactusjack]

Sunrise over Colorado City, AZ


Vermillion Cliffs




Marble Canyon, taken from Navajo Bridge

[sparky44]

I was there this summer (middle of june)- wife and I camped at Bryce KOA, temp was 45 degrees that night, so a little chilly but the scenary was great especially Mount Zion National park-just made for bike riding.

[Jared]

Bryce Canyon is always 20 degrees colder than the surrounding areas. I would try to go in May. April might still be cold at night (40-50s) and June would probably start getting hot in the day.

If you decide to go in June, you could come to the SW regional rally. It will be held in Cortez, Co (Four corners and mesa verde area). It would be nice to have you stop in.

[buck]

Thanks Jared. Right now it looks like I will leave Oregon May 7th and will loop down the Calif. Sierras, across through Las Vegas and into Utah, spending 4- 5 days touring the NP's. Won't be in the area for the June rally, but thanks for the invitation. Nice paint job! buck