Custom Itinerary - RV Trip through The Rockies

Q. Mark H. of Milford, New Hampshire asks about renting an RV, building an itinerary, and practical details for his roadtrip to the national parks of the Rocky Mountain states.

A.  Thanks for requesting help with your upcoming RV trip to the National Parks in the Rockies, starting in Nevada and taking in the Grand Canyon, Zion, Yellowstone and points in between. You say you're especially interested in assistance with the best place to fly into, RV rental, campsites, and best route.

With 12 days and 3 teens, we believe you'll have plenty of fun on this trip. However, since you say you're interested in driving an RV, keep in mind that these do not drive as fast as small cars.

You are looking at a lot of serious driving and the way (see the aerial photo of the Rockies above) is sometimes steep and winding.  While the Vegas to Colorado and Utah parks route sounds fine in 12 days, from central Utah to the southern entrance of Yellowstone in Wyoming is nearly 450 miles, and we don't think you have time to drive all that way and enjoy what you're seeing.

So, we suggest that you consider a trip to Yellowstone and the northern parks, or just the southern/Rockies parks on this one. Here's a look at the classic Yellowstone family road trip so you can consider it for another trip.

Fly into Las Vegas because it is served by a lot of airlines.  You may also want to spend a night there (there are many cheap hotels with free buffet breakfasts to choose from) to rest after your flight, and show the kids The Strip (see more family attractions in Las Vegas)

Rental RVs should be checked out at the website of the RVing Association.  They have a list of vendors and registered campgrounds and are very helpful with general questions about this mode of transport, and getting around in general.

For an itinerary starting in Vegas, follow along on this road trip plan considered one of FTF's Top 10 Family Road Trips. As it covers Phoenix to the Grand Canyon, and then out west to Las Vegas via  the Hoover Dam. You can follow it in reverse for 3-4 days:  Road_Trip: Grand Canyon Circuit

If you don’t go all the way north you will have some extra free time. You may want to stop by Great Basin National Park in Nevada too, which has lots of the geography of the Grand Canyon without the terrible crowds ( see  Favorite Family Welcoming National Parks

From there, you'll want to head north to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks in Utah. One of our families loved their stay in Zion at the budget and outdoorsy Cable Mountain Lodge, and this central location is a good base to explore both parks.

Another wonderful park to consider if you're doing a Nevada-Colorado-Utah-Nevada circle is Dinosaur National Monument, because you can 'sightsee' there by whitewater rafting, a fun adventure with your teens.  You can read more at Digging Dinosaurs at Dinosaur National Monument

This is just a start; let us know what route you take and how the family enjoyed it!