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Old 04-11-2017, 08:31 AM   #1
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Planning a trip from Vancouver BC to Tuscon AZ

Hello Folks

I am planning a trip from Vancouver BC to Tucson AZ. I am planning to cut across Washington thru Oregon and thru Idaho and down Utah. Does anyone have any recommendations for where to stay, where to stop, what to see? How are the roads and are gas stations plentiful?

Thanks
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Old 04-11-2017, 09:09 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 87Yugo View Post
Hello Folks

I am planning a trip from Vancouver BC to Tucson AZ. I am planning to cut across Washington thru Oregon and thru Idaho and down Utah. Does anyone have any recommendations for where to stay, where to stop, what to see? How are the roads and are gas stations plentiful?

Thanks
Hi 87
I'm a little puzzled with the timing of your message ---------shows that it's written today, at 9:31AM??? I'm replying @ just around of 08:00AM??
Computer Clock?
Anyhoo ----------- I'll just reference one of the points along your way: Utah.
Years ago, while stopping in Salt Lake City, a "Tourist Information Person" did us a real favor in pointing out what to see. Arches National Park, in Moab is where we parked our RV; took in a River Cruise Package, consisting of Steak Dinner, and a hosted cruise along the Colorado River with the resource person pointing out Indian Carvings, history, etc. along the way. Many other sites in the vicinity, e.g.Dead Horse Canyon, Hole in the Wall (very interesting), etc. etc. You can spend several days doing so.
Further along in Utah, you might check out Bryce and Zion Canyons, etc. Lots to take in.
Happy Travels
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Old 04-11-2017, 09:20 AM   #3
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Your trip has great roads and lots of gas stations.

Only real advice I offer is avoid I-15 through Utah from Ogden to Provo, including Salt Lake City. The residents drive like suicidal maniacs. Never so scared of other motorist and I drove commercial delivery for 45 years.

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Old 04-11-2017, 11:01 AM   #4
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I'm not sure where you are planning to cut down into Oregon, but once on I-84 in Oregon, gas stations and travel centers are plentiful. I recommend the Arrowhead Travel Plaza just east of Pendleton Oregon (Exit 216). I've found gas cheaper there than other nearby stations, plenty of room to gas up with a trailer attached, and it has an RV dump station if you need it. Its on the Umatilla Tribe Reservation. (FYI its pronounced "Yoomatilla.") You can also dry camp overnight for free in the Wildhorse Resort & Casino parking lot next door or pay to stay at the Wildhorse Resort RV Park with full hookups (Good Sam rating 9/10/9.5).
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Old 04-11-2017, 01:03 PM   #5
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Maryhill State Park, on the WA side of the Columbia River where HWY 97 cuts across the river (Biggs Junction, OR) is a BEAUTIFUL park to stay and relax - and watch the boats float along the river. There's a tasty winery nearby (Maryhill), the Maryhill museum (collections feature dance and chess history), and the Stonehenge replica monument just up the hill. This is "Sam Hill" territory (who in the Sam Hill would build a town here?? Well... Sam Hill would!)

If you're going I-5 to I-84 to I-15, the roads are good and gas stations are easy to find - and most have trucker access, so easy to get in and out.

There's one BIG hill outside Pendleton, OR heading East, but it's a main interstate, so people are used to slow trucks and RV's on the road, and there are slow lanes available. You'll pass one of the Keystone RV factories there, too.

Wild Horse Casino is a good stopping point (mentioned above) - there's a nice restaurant inside. Or, if you want to avoid the Casino, stop in Boardman, OR at their very nice Marina & RV park.

Next stop - after crossing into Idaho there's a nice private RV park in Caldwell, ID: Ambassador RV park, or continue on a little further to Boise Riverside RV park, which is also nice (and on the river walking trail).

The KOA in Salt Lake City isn't bad (but not cheap, and in-city, so not very quiet, either).

That's as far as we've gone that direction.
Have a great trip!
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Old 04-11-2017, 01:11 PM   #6
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Ditto on the Maryhill State Park (and Maryhill Winery and Waving Tree Tasting Room) in Goldendale, WA; the Boardman Marina & RV Park in Boardman, OR; and the Ambassador RV Park in Caldwell, ID.
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Old 04-11-2017, 02:01 PM   #7
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We make the trip from the Seattle area to southwestern Utah at least once if not twice during the season. As others have stated fuel and other resources are readily available along the major interstate routes such as I-90, I-84 and I-15. On our various trips we have stayed at the following state parks - all were close to our route and the facilities at all were clean and well kept:

Farewell Bend - Oregon State Parks. Right off I-84 just before the Oregon-Idaho border
3 Island Crossing - Idaho State Parks. A couple miles off I-84 at Glenns Ferry, ID - about 20 miles east of Mountain Home AFB.
Willard Bay - Utah State Parks - North Marina campgrounds off I-15 Exit 357 are the best. The south marina is pretty much parking lot-style. Lots of birds - bats in the evening.

South of the Salt Lake area, if you are planning on the most direct route south into Arizona you'll need to head over and catch US89. We usually do this by catching I-70 east south of Fillmore and then heading south on US89 towards Kanab, UT and Page, AZ. Both Bryce Canyon and Zion will be in close proximity. If you are an animal lover take half a day and take a tour of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary which is right off US89 about 5 miles north of Kanab. This is one of our regular destinations as we spend a week each season volunteering there.

Once you head south on US89 into Arizona resources get a bit scarce until you hit the Flagstaff area. If you want to see the Grand Canyon you can run across the south rim by heading west around Cameron on SR 64. This will head south again at the Grand Canyon Village. You can either stay on 64 till you reach I-40 and head east to Flagstaff or branch off on US 180 which will bring you right into Flagstaff. From Flagstaff south on I-17 resources are pretty regular again.

You might check out Lost Dutchman State Park east of the Mesa/Gilbert/Chandler area. This is a beautiful campground up against the Superstition Mountains. Once you hit Tucson there are quite a few things to do. Some of our favorites that we usually hit when we are down that way are the Biosphere 2 in Oracle, AZ, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Titan Missile Museum, PIMA Air & Space Museum and Kitt Peak Observatory. Tombstone, AZ is only about 90 minutes south as well.

It's a fun trip and there is lots to see and do along the way. Plan carefully for those areas where things are somewhat sparse and have a great time.
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Old 04-11-2017, 06:05 PM   #8
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Can not help on travel but have visited New West. when my daughter lived there. She recently moved from right above the sky train station to a condo they bought. She wotks at BCIT main campus.
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Old 04-11-2017, 06:44 PM   #9
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On your way down through Utah, highlights would be Capital Reef NP, Bryce and Zion. Moab is a great stopping point to visit Arches. One day, leave RV and take the Shaffer trail up to Canyonlands NP. Its a whole day drive and not for you if you don't like narrow, curvy, dirt roads. You might consider renting a Jeep for the day. Spectacular views! Take the fast way down through the park.
In Mesa, Arizona area, recommend Usery Mountain Regional Park. Water/50Amp only, but beautiful park! In Tucson, we stay at the KOA in the southern area. Visit Tombstone, Tubac, Biosphere 2, Colossal Cave, Kartchner Caverns, Sonora Desert Museum, Saguaro NP (East or West), University of Arizona Campus (Go Cats!). Get a Sonora Hot Dog. Drive up to Mt. Lemon. Go for drinks at the Marriott Starpass Resort.
Have fun!
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Old 04-11-2017, 07:51 PM   #10
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Thank you all for the good tips
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Old 04-12-2017, 09:17 AM   #11
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Hope you have lots of time. There's so much to do along your route. Everything said so far is great. If you are heading to Grand Canyon, in Williams, AZ there is a beautiful KOA in the hills called Circle Pines (there are two KOAs, but Circle Pines is the best). It's only about two miles from Williams, right off of the interstate). Williams is a nice little Route 66 town, and there you can also catch the Grand Canyon Railroad into the park - it's a fun and unique way to go into Grand Canyon. If you don't like KOAs, there are lots of other campgrounds in the Williams area.

If you happen to be going through Astoria, OR, they have an excellent maritime museum well worth the stop. We're just reversing our trip from yours this year - from Wyoming up to Port Angeles, WA in mid-May. Happy travels. P.S. Wyoming is beautiful, too!
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