Roadtrip suggestions for AZ - UT National Parks quick roadtrip?

Time to get out of the concrete jungle!

I'm headed to the North Rim, Zion, and Bryce Canyon area from Wed. - Sun.

Any recommendations on camping spots and/or easy 4x4 trails?

I'm not trying to get crazy with the new truck, but I'd like to take advantage of any 4WD / high-clearance opportunities in the area.

 

Yep. We did some exploring around Grand Canyon North Rim (Sublime Point 4x4), Grand Staircase Escalante (Cottonwood Road 4x4, Grosvenor Arch, Cottonwood Narrows canyon), Bryce Canyon, and Zion (Kolob Canyon Road).

I would love to do some more exploring on the dirt roads around the Grand Canyon and Grand Staircase-Escalante. Pretty amazing that we were able have Sublime Point nearly to ourselves on a holiday weekend!

Here are a few pics:

Grand Canyon North Rim on the way to Sublime Point:


Sublime Point campground:


Sublime Point campground closeup of rim:


Thunderstorm across the Grand Canyon on the South Rim, taken from Sublime Point:


Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Cottonwood Road:



Zion Kolob Canyon:

 

Very cool lookin trip! I took a similar trip a couple months ago. There are a lot of places to enjoy some solitude up there

 

Sub'd for more cool pics.

 

The Point Sublime trail is a great little road through some nice forest. Looks like a good time. I need to explore the grand staircase one of these days.

 

OP stole your idea and went on a similar road trip last weekend.

North Rim:


Point Sublime:


Got super lucky and drew out in the lottery for The Wave:



Thunderstorm rolling into Bryce Canyon:


Broken Arrow in Sedona on the way home:


The optional Steps on the trail (I think a little pee came out):




A few more pinstripes, but the Taco handled the whole trip like a champ

 

how'd you guys do on gas / range at the north rim?

 

Not sure what you're asking. I've been to the North Rim four times... the truck gets the same mileage there as anywhere else. I have an extra fuel tank (9 gal) and sometimes carry a 2 or 5 gal backup so range usually isn't an issue. But that really isn't a problem there... there's a gas station at the Vermilion Cliffs west of Navajo Bridge, one a Jacob Lake, and one right outside the national park.

 

Damn, yo did get super lucky drawing for the wave. Awesome pics.

 

sub'd. i'm gonna have to make this trip!

 

Thanks. Yea we were definitely lucky, and this time of year there are a lot less people trying. There were about 25 people in the lottery, but apparently during May or October there can be up to 150 people on any given day. I also think there was some kharma involved because we were the only ones that even looked remotely in shape and prepared.

It's definitely worth your while!