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View Full Version : Where to camp w/ family this Spring Break?


Sombeech
03-13-2018, 11:14 AM
I'm pretty sure we are the only family considering traveling to Southern or Central Utah to go camping, so if you could keep this idea from spreading, I'd appreciate it.

We are considering Capitol Reef, maybe the second weekend in April. Where are you guys headed that week? We've done Goblin Valley about a dozen times, we are just looking for a nice chill place for RV / Trailer camping with some hikes for young kids.
Iceaxe
03-13-2018, 12:18 PM
Yeah, the crowds should be light in Southern Utah....

https://archive.sltrib.com/images/2016/1017/Crowding_101716~1.jpg
kiwi_outdoors
03-13-2018, 12:23 PM
would you consider Cedar Mesa, and camp at Natural Bridges Nat. Mon. (or camp at an unpaved location) - short hikes to at least to some of the bridges, and other shortish hikes in the Cedar Mesa area - to ruins and rock art. NBNM does not have RV facilities. There is reportedly fresh water on site (only at the ranger station bldg).

We will be down there the third week, doing long (10-12 miles) and short day trips.
kiwi_outdoors
03-13-2018, 12:59 PM
Yeah, the crowds should be light in Southern Utah....



wow - what time of year was that photo taken?
devo_stevo
03-13-2018, 01:10 PM
wow - what time of year was that photo taken?
Looks like the line of cars waiting to get into Arches. You'll pretty much see that any time the weather's descent down there anymore. Seems to be the thing to do.
kiwi_outdoors
03-13-2018, 07:20 PM
Looks like the line of cars waiting to get into Arches. You'll pretty much see that any time the weather's descent down there anymore. Seems to be the thing to do.
We had visited Arches May 22, 2013 - good weather, no lines. Some clouds in the sky made for better photos. We did enter the park early, right after breakfast.
Sombeech
03-13-2018, 08:16 PM
Well it looks like Capitol Reef is the place for our family this time. Although I've never been there, it's a major destination I've anticipated visiting most of my life and it's just never happened.

Would you guys suggest any particular places to camp with maybe 4 house trailers and roughly 15 kids? What good day hikes would you suggest?
devo_stevo
03-13-2018, 08:19 PM
We had visited Arches May 22, 2013 - good weather, no lines. Some clouds in the sky made for better photos. We did enter the park early, right after breakfast.
You did good. I've noticed an increase in traffic down there in the past 5 years though and it's harder and harder to get there and not have it look like that photo.

Spring and fall are the most popular times of year for good weather.
accadacca
03-13-2018, 09:30 PM
Yeah, the crowds should be light in Southern Utah....

https://archive.sltrib.com/images/2016/1017/Crowding_101716~1.jpg

Uh, yeah that’s eastern Utah. Lol
accadacca
03-13-2018, 09:35 PM
I know there are some nice RV parks near Capitol Reef. There are three is Torrey. The one called Thousand Lakes looks nice. I haven’t stayed, but considered it. The one in Fruita would be cool too. I bet they ate full or damn near it.

I’m in the same boat. Late to the party and need a place park and RV in Southern Utah.
rockgremlin
03-14-2018, 06:52 AM
What dates are Spring break for you? I know they differ statewide. Spring break in Moab =/= Spring break in SLC =/= Spring break in Cedar City.


Spring break in Ogden this year is the first week in April.
mrfritz44
03-14-2018, 05:07 PM
Not from Utah, or even the west, but I've been dreaming about White Pockets lately. ...seems scenic to say the least, and I'm sure crowds won't be a problem...
DirkHammergate
03-15-2018, 05:24 AM
I usually go back into the Crack Canyon area of the Swell, good hikes, you can get to several. If you do the Crack Canyon hike there is a way to get up and over the drop cause there will be water and if you have little kids it's difficult. You have to pick it up on the left quite aways back, maybe a couple hundred yards. Once you by pass that its a great family hike.
accadacca
03-18-2018, 06:46 PM
What about close the SLC with an RV for free! Seriously...

There is 5 mile pass or Delle out in the West desert. Any other ideas?
BruteForce
03-19-2018, 04:34 AM
I just spent 3 days in Green River. So much to do when staging from that little town!
mrfritz44
03-19-2018, 06:07 PM
I just spent 3 days in Green River. So much to do when staging from that little town!

Any chance you can expand upon that?
accadacca
03-19-2018, 06:25 PM
Any chance you can expand upon that?
Ditto.
BruteForce
03-20-2018, 07:10 AM
Any chance you can expand upon that?

Green River is proximate to the San Rafael Swell; hiking, biking, offroading. Proximate to Moab and right on the Green River for rafting/kayaking. Plus, the added benefit is you won't run into the massive crowds normally accumulating around Moab or the National Parks.
accadacca
03-20-2018, 11:21 AM
Green River is proximate to the San Rafael Swell; hiking, biking, offroading. Proximate to Moab and right on the Green River for rafting/kayaking. Plus, the added benefit is you won't run into the massive crowds normally accumulating around Moab or the National Parks.
Is there a good RV park or place to camp remote?
mrfritz44
03-20-2018, 05:50 PM
Green River is proximate to the San Rafael Swell; hiking, biking, offroading. Proximate to Moab and right on the Green River for rafting/kayaking. Plus, the added benefit is you won't run into the massive crowds normally accumulating around Moab or the National Parks.

Thank you Sir
BruteForce
03-21-2018, 04:31 AM
Is there a good RV park or place to camp remote?

Two good RV parks in Green River: KOA and Shady Acres. The Green River State park is nice too if you're just tossing a tent or have a small trailer.

For dispersed/dirt camping, you can just head to the East side of town, cross south over I-70 and there's tons of open space near either the Missile Base, the Crystal Geyser, or you can boondock camp along Hastings Rd along the Green River (about ~10 miles North of town, but accessed from far East end of town).

If you don't want to be that near Green River, my go-to for dirt boondock camping is the Wickiup just off I-70 and Exit 131 (about ~20 miles West of Green River).
BruteForce
03-21-2018, 07:40 AM
Updated to add that last week Green River opened a brand new mountain biking trail that's 5 or 7 miles long.
Sandstone Addiction
03-21-2018, 06:20 PM
White Wash Sand Dunes are close to Green River, but I'm sure you are well aware of that!
BruteForce
03-22-2018, 04:29 AM
White Wash Sand Dunes are close to Green River, but I'm sure you are well aware of that!

Well aware. I've dragged my 5th wheel to the mesa overlooking the dunes plenty of times. That's a tough tow on a 43' rig though because those many dips wreak havoc on the rear end of the trailer.
accadacca
03-30-2018, 09:43 PM
It’s here next week. Where ya’ll headed?
BruteForce
04-02-2018, 09:45 AM
It’s here next week. Where ya’ll headed?

I was in Green River last Thurs - Sunday. We hit the Pickle and encountered ~200 really old Jeeps clawing their way up the last rock crawl. Super weather and I have my first sun burn of the year!
Rob L
04-02-2018, 02:08 PM
30th March- 1st April I camped along Skumptah road; did a bit of hiking along Bull Gorge. Beautiful stars at night, with no artificial light. Bitterly cold, though, but not unpleasant due to the natural low humidity.
accadacca
04-02-2018, 06:33 PM
I was in Green River last Thurs - Sunday. We hit the Pickle and encountered ~200 really old Jeeps clawing their way up the last rock crawl. Super weather and I have my first sun burn of the year!


30th March- 1st April I camped along Skumptah road; did a bit of hiking along Bull Gorge. Beautiful stars at night, with no artificial light. Bitterly cold, though, but not unpleasant due to the natural low humidity.

And they say all we do is talk politics.... :lol8:

I'm headed out to Green River later this week. We'll hit Goblin Valley and the normal Green River attractions. The weather looks fantastic. :2thumbs: