I take a trip to some park somewhere just about every year. Last year it was a haul up to Glacier with just about everything in between. This year we want to do the grand canyon north rim, painted desert, zion, etc. Doing some research I have a question......where the heck do you stay? There doesn't seem to be many accommodations of any type in southern Utah/Colo/Ariz.
Unfortunately, I can't help with Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Zion. They are on my list. I can recommend Badlands in South Dakota. Sunlight interplay with the landscape is amazing. Crazy Horse Monument and Mount Rushmore are nearby. Love the pictures BTW.
Don’t know about N Rim but we were going to stay in Durango, Co. a few years back per recommendations on a Zion trip. Can’t do a review cause we both, wife and I got Covid and had to cancel. As far as I know about Monument Valley (beautiful area) there is just the one motel.
For Zion, check out Springhill Suites in Springdale, UT. Affordable in my opinion to be that close to the visitor center ($225 per night). For Grand Canyon south rim, you may want to stay in Williams and take the train to the canyon (avoid the 1 hour wait at the gate). For north rim, you can stay at Page, AZ. For Arches national park, you should stay in Moab, UT. Just check the park website in case a reservation is needed to visit (true for Arches).
Darn mc, you bring a nostalgic tear to my eye. Back when I was still working and before Covid wife and I went to Santa Fe and or Taos every Oct. Those pueblos and mountain air became positively cathartic for me. Haven’t made it back since, sucks but some things more easily get in the way when age starts rearing up it’s uglier side.
Second that motion. South Dakota roads are excellent, pretty easy access to the sites. And while you're at it, drive north from Rapid City into North Dakota and vist the Teddy Roosevelt National Park. TR has to be one of the best kept secrets in the country.
Sometimes bad weather can be good. I visited the Grand Canyon in the summer of '97, and a thunderstorm went through the canyon. It obstructed my view of part of the canyon, but it was spectacular. I got to look down at a thunderstorm. Very impressive.
