Heading out there the end of March for 3 weeks. Will be camping in an off road capable self-contained van. Not a rock crawler but will have the option to access forest roads, BLM land, etc. Can camp at parks too.

Have never been there. Appreciate any recommendations on where we should go and what we should see. Best routes from Georgetown are appreciated too. We're retired so not on the clock.

Thanks!

i have nothing to contribute, just want to say I'm jealous.

Good hearing from you! If you ever need backcountry support I'm here!

On the way up you can visit Monument Valley. It's been on my list for some time but I have not made it there yet, so I can't give specifics. Shiprock might be on your way, too. Maybe swing by Los Alamos National Historic Site? That's been on my list for a while.

If you go north towards Moab, stop at the Needles District of Canyonlands. Hike out to Chesler Park and the Joint Trail. If possible, backpack out there for a night. there should be campsites available to car camp, too. I would not recommend driving Elephant Hill in your vehicle…or any other vehicle, mainly because it scared the #*^&% out of me. Newspaper Rock petroglyphs is on the road that leads into that section of the park from Highway 191.

Then of course, you have the Moab area if you keep going (Arches and Sky District of Canyonlands). Arches requires timed reservations so keep that in mind, or just show up early before the require timed permits begin.

From Moab, head over to the Hanksville area where you have Little Wildhorse Canyon. Do that early in the day before it gets crowded. Goblin Valley is right next door. If you are adventurous, you can go canyoneering south of Hanksville in the Leprechaun Canyons or Poison Springs. You'll need a guide. There are several in Moab that can help out with that. We use Desert Highlights (actually going in two weeks). Maybe you can set something up ahead of time, meet them in Moab to get fitted while you're there, and have them meet you in the Hanksville area for the adventure. You can also visit the Hanksville Spire and the Moonscape Overlook.

From there you're pretty close to Capitol Reef. About 45 minutes. South of Capitol Reef on hwy 12 is a pretty drive that takes you to Bryce Canyon. Going south of Escalante on Hole-In-The-Rock Trail takes you to a few cool slot canyons. Or you can head back towards the Glen Canyon area (some of the best sunsets I've ever seen (until a deer decided to take out my rental car).

TRD-Ferguson said:

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Good hearing from you! If you ever need backcountry support I'm here!

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I love hearing this! Tossing around the idea of making another attempt at the run later this year. But I'm not sure what water availability would be in the basin since its going to be closed for the next two years.

If not, I have my eyes on the Guadalupe Ridge Trail.

At Capitol Reef - make sure to get a homemade pie and cinnamon roll! Delicious!

Great trip, I'm jealous, I love that area.

For capital, I've never done this but it's on my list:
Cathedral Valley Scenic Byway. It's a back country loop road with a campground option.

As far as route, I'd take a north and west route across northern New Mexico and then start north through monument valley. That is a great intro into canyon land. Set up at visitor center and catching sunset on the mittens.

Since you have the van I would head north from there and hit valley of the gods. It's state land and I saw a lot of rigs set up in some spectacular spaces. You can make that a loop through the area and I would then definitely head up moki dugway and overnight at Muley point. The point is so unique, you are on a high ridge that overlooks the entire valley. It would be an amazing overnight spot.

From there you can hit all the other spots you mention and I would end with staircase. North of Page there is a blm/visitor center (in Big water maybe) across highway from there heading east are blm primitive roads, I drove that several miles through staircase/glen canyon, it was the other worldly lots of camp options. South of Big Water is some "beach access" along the lake. I saw rigs there, seems like you could overnight there.

Have fun!