Southwest us trip ideas help

[Btgass1]

Hello everyone thanks for reading.

The family and I are sitting out on a road trip over the week of the Fourth of July holiday. Leaving from Southern California heading to Central Colorado to meet family. I am interested in creating a loop that includes Arizona, Colorado, Utah,Nevada, and California. We are mainly interested in backcountry, dispersed, camping and love, off-road trails. I’ve been looking at some of the mountain passes in Colorado and I’m very interested in those.

Anyway, if anyone has input on places, we should see or areas we should go. Let me know what you think. I appreciate it. Thanks guys.

Also will be traveling in a 4x4 e350 rb van.

 

[N147JK]

There are 1000's of places to see in that large of an area - way too many to list. I will suggest however that sadly, in July I'd avoid the National Parks completely. There are entrance "reservations" required at many, long lines, and huge crowds. Not enjoyable at all any more.

 

[BCam]

It'll be hot, but I highly recommend Hovenweep National Monument, UT/CO, near the Four Corners.

https://www.nps.gov/hove/index.htm

There's a small campground near a small canyon filled with ruins. Access to the canyon is by ranger lead small groups only. We found it to be much more personal than larger sites like Mesa Verde which are impressive in their own rights. Spending the night near the edge of the canyon really makes you feel the connection to those that came before. It's pretty much in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Vanimal]

Well as stated not only are there hundreds of trails you will be in mostly desert states, meaning it can get pretty hot. I would focus on the higher elevations or at least throw one in every other location. Moab in Utah can be cool depending on trail selection and camping is abundant. There have been some theft so lock things up on trails. Million Dollar Highway to Durango, Silverton, Ouray are a must see and many trails. Williams, Flagstaff, Sedona, Montezumas castle, then Jerome, Prescott. Jerome ghost town, my wife's father was born there. In Sedona I took my EB on Soldier Pass and the 7 sacred pools. You have to get a permit for Soldier because only 15 4x4 per day are allowed. Schnebly road trail best sunset. Camping throughout Most Sedona is ok and great hiking trails.

 

[micahjbun]

We do this loop every year and are currently in the middle of it. This year we went from S California to Zion to outside of the North Rim to Cortez CO to Dolores CO to Telluride CO to Crested Buttte CO to Great Sand Dunes to Angel Fire NM. I would skip Great Sand Dunes right now, too crowded. Zion will be packed too, but worth it for the scenery.

Last year we did Zion to Navajo Lake UT to outside of Bryce to Grand Mesa CO to Ouray CO to Durango, looped down to North Eastern New Mexico to Fort Wingate NM to Flagstaff.

You can find established reservation camping, first come first serve established and dispersed camping near most of these places.

It will be getting hot this time of the year so if you’re not into the heat, go further up into the mountains.