Grand & Palo Duro Canyons Review

[Bookemdanno]

I thought I'd do a quick review/write up of our trip last month since I've had a couple PM's asking. All in all, the trip was fantastic! We traveled a total of 2,234 miles averaging 8.9 MPG for the entire trip.
Day 1 we left the Dallas area and traveled to Albuquerque, NM and stayed at https://americanrvpark.com for one night. While on the way we stopped for a photograph at the Continental Divide.


Day 2 we traveled to the Grand Canyon and stayed at https://www.visitgrandcanyon.com/tra...YaAjrhEALw_wcB for 3 nights. It was pretty much a parking lot, but a bit nicer. Elk wondering thru the campground at all times of day definitely helped! We were all quite satisfied with 2 full days at the Grand Canyon.


Day 5 we left the Grand Canyon and traveled to Santa Rosa, NM to stay the night. If have NOTHING kind nor nice to say about this campground, so I'll just leave it at that.
Day 6 we left Santa Rosa and traveled to Palo Duro SP https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon for 4 nights (located just south of Amarillo, TX). He had to stop at Cadillac Ranch while enroute!

Be aware, there is a 10% downhill grade going down into Palo Duro.

While at Palo Duro SP we did horseback riding & attended the show that the park puts on...Texas Outdoor Musical with BBQ dinner served before hand. The show was fantastic...although very hot! While camping in the canyon the A/C struggled to keep up with the heat and the inside temps would climb to about 84 and then start coming back down at dusk. Usually to about 75/76 degrees by bedtime. Lots of wild turkey's and road runners running around the park

[Vaquero]

Plan on overnight in Santa Rosa Saturday.
Which park to avoid?
Thanks.

[Bookemdanno]

I will never ever set foot in again, nor recommend Santa Rosa Campground & RV Park. I did not have a good experience, but to each his own.

[Magnolia Tom]

Going into Palo duro with that 10% grade will really make you pucker! Looks like your site was in the loop closest to the horse trails? Our site was in the same loop, next to the host site which is next to the camp bathroom. We went during thanksgiving so the heat wasn’t a factor but I can only imagine how hot it was. Great pics of the beautiful kids Dan!

[MadJoker TX]

Looks like a great trip. We are working on xmas plans now. I have from 12/25 until 1/7/19. Would you recommend these places at that time of year, including the Grand Canyon?

[Bookemdanno]

I honestly think that you’ll need to keep an eye on the weather forecast as it gets closer. Amarillo gets some good winter weather.

[BrentB]

It's better to go in January than July!

[Bookemdanno]

Originally Posted by BrentB

It's better to go in January than July!

Amen!!

[bdreinv]

Be sure to check the weather we have seen HWY 40 closed that time of year for snow!Its cold of course we are Phoenix desert rats.Don't take much for us to be freezing lol!

[TxLoser]

Looks like a great trip. I recognized your spot at PD. My son and I climbed all over that nearby hill. Not the one behind the site, but the big one.

We went in early October last year. Loved it. Except the flies. Apparently they always show up early October for a brief time.

[wags999]

Originally Posted by MadJoker TX

Looks like a great trip. We are working on xmas plans now. I have from 12/25 until 1/7/19. Would you recommend these places at that time of year, including the Grand Canyon?

If you enjoy snow, high winds, and ice you'll have a trip of a lifetime. May want to check weather averages for that period of time. I 40 can be "interesting" and towns can get few and far between I would check campgrounds also, many will be closed . You may need to bring your own heat tape for your water line.

I 40 from Flagstaff to Gallup can close often due to winds, snow and ice.

Be careful, make plans and know where your stopping and check weather and what will be open and not open at that time of year.

Good Luck...

[MadJoker TX]

Oh boy sounds like a great time [emoji12]maybe it is best to wait for a different time of year.

Originally Posted by wags999

If you enjoy snow, high winds, and ice you'll have a trip of a lifetime. May want to check weather averages for that period of time. I 40 can be "interesting" and towns can get few and far between I would check campgrounds also, many will be closed . You may need to bring your own heat tape for your water line.

I 40 from Flagstaff to Gallup can close often due to winds, snow and ice.

Be careful, make plans and know where your stopping and check weather and what will be open and not open at that time of year.

Good Luck...