We need an atlas, a guidebook (maybe) and some travel tips.

December 3, 2008 6:05 PM

Where should we go on our impromptu roadtrip in Western U.S.?

We've decided to take advantage of the gas prices and go on a road trip. We'll be in the Western U.S.-ish. Will include the Yukon when we leave Alaska, Montana as we come over the border from Canada, then Portland to visit a buddy, and ending in Taos. Not sure which other states/locales. A couple questions:

1) Any suggestions as to where we should stop on our tour?

2) What is the awesomest atlas and guidebook (separate or conjoined) that will help us have a great trip? This way we can hit up one of the relatives for a Christmas gift that doesn't involve a sweater.

About us: Two young people with their golden lab, doing traveling right in a 1975 yellow Dodge Tradesman campervan. We like progressive, funky places, and aren't afraid of the cold. Centipedes can be a problem, though. We're into hiking and natural phenomena. (Although, heck, if you know of some supernatural phenomena feel free to send us that way, too). Also very into cultural stuff like museums, ethnic food, Americana, and mimes. Especially crazy ones. We're not on any particular time table. Oh, and we're on the shoestring budget. Neither of us has properly explored this part of the country before.

Advice? Suggestions? Sensations?

posted by MithrilMongoose to travel & transportation (22 comments total)

Check out the Badlands in South Dakota.

While you're in the area check out Wall Drug.

The Rapid City area in general is highly amusing in my opinion/
posted by ian1977 at 6:09 PM on December 3, 2008

The Grand Canyon, in my opinion, completely lives up to the hype. It has lots of good hikes, too.
posted by PhatLobley at 6:14 PM on December 3, 2008

If you get to Taos, take a day trip an hour further south and visit the Puye cliff dwellings. These are just West of Espanola, on a reservation, and not hard to find on a map. Kind of a miniature Mesa Verde (also worth a visit) - but usually quiet.

From the website:

"Puye Cliffs is a National Historic Landmark which consists of ancient cliff and mesa top dwellings that were home to the ancestors of present-day Santa Clara Pueblo from the late 1100s to 1580 A.D"
posted by ecorrocio at 6:15 PM on December 3, 2008

Blarg! I can't believe I forgot about Vancouver Island. Has to be in the running for the most beautiful place on earth.

Its in Canada, just north of the border above Washington State. Its accessible by ferry. It has the most beautiful northern temperate rain forest. I recall huge trees with gnarled exposed roots and bright yellow banana slugs. It was wet, muddy and gorgeous. Please do yourself a favor and at least consider making your way out there.
posted by ian1977 at 6:20 PM on December 3, 2008 [1 favorite]

It's way the hell on the other side of New Mexico, but I feel like I have to recommend Carlsbad Caverns to everyone who's going to be traveling near NM. My family was big into cross-country road trips and the National Park system, and Carlsbad Caverns is by far one of the coolest places I've been.
posted by phunniemee at 6:20 PM on December 3, 2008

Good call. I should have mentioned we are also historical and archaeological buffs.
posted by MithrilMongoose at 6:21 PM on December 3, 2008

Missoula and Bozeman, MT. Definitely check road conditions, although I guess you already thought of that if you're going through Alaska and the Yukon. Glacier and Yellowstone will be closed to vehicles AFAIK - come back in the summer though, they're definitely worth it.
posted by desjardins at 6:24 PM on December 3, 2008

We (2 people + 1 dog) just did a little road trip to Zion National Park & Bryce Canyon National Park - both in southern Utah. I highly recommend, especially if you like geology. I have done the Grand Canyon too, and definitely worth it, but Zion & Bryce are high on my list of favorites in terms of natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and hiking.

However, dogs aren't allowed in National Parks (well, you can take them in your car and in some places on leash, but usually not on the trails). So, right outside Zion there is a cool little boarding place ("doggy dude ranch") where our pup stayed for one night while we hiked Zion and went to Bryce (less than 2 hours away).
posted by hazel at 6:26 PM on December 3, 2008

Yep, Zion and Bryce. Depending on how much time you have, it may be worthwhile to check out some other sights in Utah. A few years ago I asked about that and got some great advice.
posted by kindall at 6:40 PM on December 3, 2008

Kaslo, BC.
Nelson, BC.
Winnemucca, NV. (Martin Hotel for the best Basque food/ambience.)
posted by bricoleur at 7:13 PM on December 3, 2008

Def. bryce and zion, as I say in every one of these threads (look at my history)...but don't rule out Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley. They completely live up to the hype; frankly, Antelope Canyon is the most amazing natural thing you're likely to personally experience. It's as close to a religious experience as this agnostic has ever been.
posted by notsnot at 7:19 PM on December 3, 2008

From various Western road trips I really liked Durango, CO - cute small progressive town. It was like that town on the Northern Exposure tv show. If I remember correctly the trailer parks were cute too. Silverton and road 550 were pretty fun too.

The loneliest road through Nevada is great if you like isolation and space that is so quiet it's loud with silence.

I found out about it from this guide book, Road Trip USA, that I've liked for repeated trips in many states. Lots of good advice in there - lots of quirky places.

Roadside America is a good source for roadside oddities all over.

Globe, AZ is also cute and the roads to get there pretty amazing.

Often I follow the 'green dot' roads in the big road atlases that indicate scenic routes.

The coast of California has a number of state parks for camping and trailers that are RIGHT next to the beach. The Pacific Coast Highway is lovely.

Disclaimer - I did all these in Spring and Summer months. I don't know what these roads are like in the cold months. Have fun - road trips are so great!
posted by dog food sugar at 7:28 PM on December 3, 2008

Seconding Bozeman, MT. Spend a couple days, you'll like it.

My favorite parks were Tetons, Grand Canyon, and Zion, but not sure how they are in the winter.

Custer State Park in the Black HIlls of SD is surprisingly awesome. Great camping and lots to do...at least there was in summer.
posted by Miko at 7:47 PM on December 3, 2008

I don't know if this will fit your route, but if you're going from Alaska through BC do not miss the chance to visit Haida Gwaii.
posted by PercussivePaul at 8:34 PM on December 3, 2008

I can't say enough good things about Zion and Bryce. A good friend interned at Zion as a ranger and said crowds are way down in winter but keep in mind there can be snow there. I think there would be plenty to see in each place to make a visit worthwhile although my favorite part, the Zion Narrows is probably out of the question since it requires hiking in waist deep water.
posted by mmascolino at 8:38 PM on December 3, 2008

On second thought, it's pretty clear you're taking the highway through Yukon and Alberta down into Montana, so never mind.
posted by PercussivePaul at 8:39 PM on December 3, 2008

Alright.. your gonna blow through a few tons of CO2 that will remain in the atmosphere for a thousand years or so. Cant blame you I've done it too. So how do you make the most of it?

Take lots of back roads and go off where no one else goes. Skip all the stuff everyone else, in fact, get as far away from Interstates and National Parks as possible. Eat in little diners in little towns (the more obscure the better) and talk to the waitress with the big hair and learn about the town and ask the guy at the general store what is interesting to see. They are happy to talk to someone new in their little out of the way corner of the world and you bring a part of the world they rarely see. This has real long term benefit for all involved.

I traveled this way and used The American Road Atlas and Travel Planner by National Geographic along with a detailed GPS to navigate through the back roads without running out of gas. Helps to have a 4x4, lots of time, camping skills, no pre-set plans and the ability to create your own adventure. Keep a daily journal and perhaps post it on the web so you have a permanent life-long record - it's amazing how quickly stuff is forgotten (except for the CO2 up there doing what CO2 does).
posted by stbalbach at 9:46 PM on December 3, 2008

More cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park. Spectacular views, and walking tours through some of the ruins.

Moab, UT is a funky little town with camping and Arches close by.

No trip through the West is complete until you acquire a Wall Drug bumper sticker.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 6:34 AM on December 4, 2008

If you're into archaeology, I definitely second Mesa Verde National Park. Also, if you like hiking, it might be worth it to head about 100 miles straight north from Taos to check out the Great Sand Dunes. Tallest dunes in North America, and somewhat bizarrely placed in Colorado, amongst the mountains. (It makes for some gorgeous scenery.)
posted by iminurmefi at 7:13 AM on December 4, 2008

if you're visiting the Great Sand Dunes you will want to pop into the nearby alligator farm... yes an alligator farm in Colorado. A surreal experience.
posted by ecorrocio at 7:26 AM on December 4, 2008

Seconding Road Trip USA. There's also a sequel that's just about road trips in the Southwest and California.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:32 AM on December 4, 2008

If you are passing through Nevada, what others have said. You might also consider a trip to the remote state parks, ie: Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, Ward Ovens (good Nevada history/arch there too), and naturally, Lake Tahoe.
posted by elendil71 at 8:43 AM on December 4, 2008