Desert roadtrip: things to see?

robtattoo

WKR
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Since I decided to take a year off from hunting out west, I figured I'd jump on the bike & do a western roadtrip instead.
I'll be headed out to Gunnison, CO the 23/24th of August & a rough, back-of-a-napkin plan I have so far, is to spend 10 fairly relaxing days riding from there, across into the Moab Utah area, down to Vegas (just to say I've been) further down to Joshua Tree & possibly Salton Sea/Slab City, head back east through New Mexico then swing north through Durango on the Million Dollar Highway & back to Gunnison.

I'm roughly planning 250-350 miles per day, avoiding interstates for the most part. Some nights camping, mostly cheap motels.

In that circuit, is there anything that I absolutely MUST see? Iconic roadtrip/photo destinations?

Other than CO, these are all states I've never even set foot in.
 
Besides the above in Utah the area around Escalante is stellar. We found it on a bike trip following green dot roads in an atlas. We didnt even know it had a level of fame. I think its hells backbone, or devils backbone, or similar. We didnt care about the name. We were too blown away by the road.
 
I was just thinking this, maybe go through sedona and page on the way back vs NM. Maybe monument valley too.
Maybe it’s because I’ve seen it already, but I don’t care much for either the Gallup or tuba city/kayenta route from flagstaff to Durango. If I had the time I’d go Flagstaff-Lees Ferry-Zion-Bryce and then onto Capitol Reef and Moab back to CO from the west. The white mountains of AZ and the Gila in NM would be another option but the drive north would be boring unless going through Abq, Santa Fe, Taos etc
 
What everyone has said so far. Plus:

St. George is neat. You'll be right by Zion....go there, but expect mega crowds. Vegas has tons of awesome restaurants and neat stuff off the strip. I love Vegas but hate the strip and Fremont Street. I mean, still take your bike down into those places, but find some awesome Hawaiian restaurant or Peruvian or something that's you to eat at that you'd like. If you go to the hoover dam, look up ram park in Boulder City. In CO, take 550/the million dollar highway. Also, the Monument Valley road is iconic and you'll be in the area. Google it. You might have it on your map already, I don't remember exactly where it is.
 
Looks like Chaco is already on your list. Otherwise that is one of the quieter parts of NM. I assume with that destination, you're comfortable riding dirt/gravel roads.

+1 for the 550 from Durango to Ouray (also already on your map).
 
Wife and I did a similar trip a few years ago during the winter m. Flew into Vegas. Drove down across the Hoover Dam, hiked to Arizona Hot Springs (highly recommend). Swing by White Hills Mining Co. in White Hills. Some of the best food, coldest beer, and nicest people you’ll ever meet. Went to the West rim of the Grand Canyon on the Hualapai res. That was awesome. Drove through the Mojave to Joshua Tree then back to Vegas.


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This gets you through Capitol Reef and Zion. Bryce will be just a quick drive down into the park.
I kinda had that route out of Moab bookmarked. Looks awesome!

Thanks for all the tips so far folks! I'm making a list of everything to plot on maps & see how much of it I can take in.

Please keep them coming 😃

Oh, & if anyone sees this parked up somewhere, leave me a note (or a gallon of gas.....)

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Consider camping up on Cement Creek Rd between Gunnison and Crested Butte. It's a gravel dirt road and there are a half dozen marked camp spots several miles past the campground. Crested Butte is worth the drive, it's busy in town but there are many scenic roads in the area with spectacular views.
 
Consider camping up on Cement Creek Rd between Gunnison and Crested Butte. It's a gravel dirt road and there are a half dozen marked camp spots several miles past the campground. Crested Butte is worth the drive, it's busy in town but there are many scenic roads in the area with spectacular views.
Yessir, my buddy lives out that way. I'll be spending a couple of days with him & he's going to watch my truck & trailer for me while I'm away. I'd love to ride the bike the entire route, but I can't realistically do it in 2 weeks, coming from Tennessee. It's not like there's much scenery across Missouri & Kansas anyway! 🤣
 
Yessir, my buddy lives out that way. I'll be spending a couple of days with him & he's going to watch my truck & trailer for me while I'm away. I'd love to ride the bike the entire route, but I can't realistically do it in 2 weeks, coming from Tennessee. It's not like there's much scenery across Missouri & Kansas anyway! 🤣
I agree. I grew up in MO and drive back once a year to help my Mom on her farm. It's a looong drive across Kansas.
 
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